Standards and Customs

[Comokanu]

So...the LP Standard Plaintops go for around £350 here in the UK. Customs go for about £100 more.

Are they making me shell out an extra 100 just for gold hardware, square inlays(which are just wierd), slightly different pups, and a bit more binding?

Wait, for £450 you can get a used Gibson LP Studio Faded.

Apart from the Limited Edition line of Customs, I don't see the point in buying Customs. Sure they're purdy. But for the same price a used Gibson is in reach!

Am I the only one thinking this?

[GuitarWonders]

I would really like to know where you could get a used Gibby studio for £450... if anyone knows please let me know... Thanks and sorry my post is irrelivent..

[Thumpalumpacus]

Originally Posted by Comokanu

Wait, for £450 you can get a used Gibson LP Studio Faded.

Get out your asbestos, bud.

Apart from the Limited Edition line of Customs, I don't see the point in buying Customs. Sure they're purdy. But for the same price a used Gibson is in reach!

Am I the only one thinking this?

Nope. I completely agree, based on my experience with the two brands. Tonally speaking, Epis are twinkies, and Gibbys are Mom's homemade spongecake, to my ears.

Take note of the disclaimers.

[Scubaman]

I guess it boils down to whether the extra 'bling' is important to you or not. Certainly won't make any difference to how the guitar sounds.

Mind you I guess the same argument applies to Gibson LP Studios vs Trad/Std LP's.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Originally Posted by Scubaman

I guess it boils down to whether the extra 'bling' is important to you or not. Certainly won't make any difference to how the guitar sounds.

Mind you I guess the same argument applies to Gibson LP Studios vs Trad/Std LP's.

Actually, there can be quite a bit of difference in the sounds of many Epis and Gibsons. The pickups and harnesses are often different, and that can have a very large effect on tone.

For that matter, there are wide variations in tone even between two of the exact make and model.

[Comokanu]

Originally Posted by Thumpalumpacus

Actually, there can be quite a bit of difference in the sounds of many Epis and Gibsons. The pickups and harnesses are often different, and that can have a very large effect on tone.

For that matter, there are wide variations in tone even between two of the exact make and model.

But the differences don't come from the extra bling that the Custom has that the Standards don't.

I guess because the guitars are mostly(?) hand made and the neck joints may be different which can affect the resonance of the guitar in a big scale, and also the fact that wood is natural and not all planks of mahogany are the same. Depending on what part of which tree the guitar was cut out of also has a huge factor in the differences in tone between guitars of even the same model.

As for the different pups in the Epi Customs, I really don't know about these. They claim to be 'Gibson designed' pickups or whatever but do they sound any different?

I think I sort of missed your point but er...this is mine.

[Scubaman]

Originally Posted by Thumpalumpacus

Actually, there can be quite a bit of difference in the sounds of many Epis and Gibsons. The pickups and harnesses are often different, and that can have a very large effect on tone.

For that matter, there are wide variations in tone even between two of the exact make and model.

Yes but that's the normal variation in tone and feel that you get between guitars which is why you should always try before you buy. Other than that a new Std Plaintop and a new Custom will sound exactly the same as they have the exactly same pickups, same wiring, pots, switch and wood (within the normal variation of Epiphone timber)

[kysrsoze]

Actually, there is a difference in sound between Epi Stds and Customs. The Custom is all mahogany, with no maple cap. It won't be as bright. Aside from that though, it's just bling. I'd save the extra $100 and buy a Gibson LP faded, but if you're looking used, there will be a bigger price difference.

[Scubaman]

Originally Posted by kysrsoze

Actually, there is a difference in sound between Epi Stds and Customs. The Custom is all mahogany, with no maple cap. It won't be as bright. Aside from that though, it's just bling. I'd save the extra $100 and buy a Gibson LP faded, but if you're looking used, there will be a bigger price difference.

Forgot that the Custom doesn't have the maple cap.

[KenG]

Originally Posted by Scubaman

I guess it boils down to whether the extra 'bling' is important to you or not. Certainly won't make any difference to how the guitar sounds.

Mind you I guess the same argument applies to Gibson LP Studios vs Trad/Std LP's.

I disagree with your comparison. The two Epis are identical in every way (till finishing stage) but for colour, inlay style and poorly plated Gold Hardware (and yes a little more cheap binding). PUs are the same to the best of my knowledge unless they changed that lately.
Gibson Studios are not even constructed the same as the other two Gibson models you mentioned. Studios are C grade Mahogany ( 2-3 piece bodies) & Ebony (most versions with no maple cap and Chambered to boot. This is not to slag Studios BTW but to point out they are a different guitar altogether from STD, TRADs (unlike the Epis)
Standards are chambered yes, but better mahogany (2 -piece), Maple cap,Rosewood fretboard and on some models arguably better PUS.
Tras, are generally 1 -piece body, weight relieved, Maple Cap, rosewood fretboard and Classic 57s.

[-=[Shifty]=-]

Les Paul Customs with block inlays, which are around since 1954, are weird but those faded Studios are okay?

Whatever, I guess some people just have to have that "Gibson" name on the headstock.

[leifpaul]

you know gibson is better than epiphone

[-=[Shifty]=-]

You know, blanket statements are just that.

[paruwi]

Originally Posted by leifpaul

you know gibson is better than epiphone

[leifpaul]

Originally Posted by paruwi

but its true

[KA9INV]

Originally Posted by leifpaul

but its true

Obvious troll is obvious.

[paruwi]

Originally Posted by leifpaul

but its true

Why don't you tell it them Gibson-guys.....

[Comokanu]

Originally Posted by -=[Shifty]=-

Les Paul Customs with block inlays, which are around since 1954, are weird but those faded Studios are okay?

Whatever, I guess some people just have to have that "Gibson" name on the headstock.

I'm saying for a little bit more you can get a guitar that is quite a lot 'better' than the Custom. The faded Studios are fine, and there's nothing a refin can't fix.

[leifpaul]

Originally Posted by paruwi

Why don't you tell it them Gibson-guys.....

i stand by my words that gibson are way better than epiphone. try out a gibson and get back to me

[The Refugee]

Originally Posted by leifpaul

i stand by my words that gibson are way better than epiphone. try out a gibson and get back to me

I disagree

Go play an Elitist or any MIJ

But hey, I get it, you spent 1500+ on a guitar and only wish to justify it by thinking that you have the best of the best, I see no problem there

[leifpaul]

Originally Posted by The Refugee

I disagree

Go play an Elitist or any MIJ

But hey, I get it, you spent 1500+ on a guitar and only wish to justify it by thinking that you have the best of the best, I see no problem there

i havent played a mij epiphones, but i`ve heard good things about them.
i was talking about those who thinks a regular epiphone is better than a lower priced gibson, and they`re not. i am thinking of buying a orville les paul

[The Refugee]

Originally Posted by leifpaul

i havent played a mij epiphones, but i`ve heard good things about them.
i was talking about those who thinks a regular epiphone is better than a lower priced gibson, and they`re not. i am thinking of buying a orville les paul

I think people put too much into the name.

Each company has its do's and duds so to speak. If sticking to name, Epiphone tends to not be better than Gibson.

There have been cases before where there have been very terrible Gibsons and very good Epiphones however.

I do believe that you can make an Epiphone sound and play great, especially for the price you pay.

I do not think you should have to make a Gibson sound and play great for the price you pay.

This of course is all just my opinion, and I do respect yours.

[brhokla]

Originally Posted by The Refugee

I think people put too much into the name.

Each company has its do's and duds so to speak. If sticking to name, Epiphone tends to not be better than Gibson.

There have been cases before where there have been very terrible Gibsons and very good Epiphones however.

I do believe that you can make an Epiphone sound and play great, especially for the price you pay.

I do not think you should have to make a Gibson sound and play great for the price you pay.

This of course is all just my opinion, and I do respect yours.

Right On!!!!!

[The Refugee]

Originally Posted by brhokla

Right On!!!!!

Glad to see I actually have some support

[-=[Shifty]=-]

Originally Posted by The Refugee

Glad to see I actually have some support

I concur too.

[Comokanu]

Originally Posted by leifpaul

i stand by my words that gibson are way better than epiphone. try out a gibson and get back to me

I played a Gibson LP the other day, and it just felt a bit heavier than my Epiphone tbh.

[Scubaman]

Originally Posted by leifpaul

i stand by my words that gibson are way better than epiphone. try out a gibson and get back to me

I recently played a 2008 Standard (box fresh other than a decent setup NOT some shop demo hack which had been thrashed) and it was simply the biggest piece of s**t I've ever had the misfortune to hold in my hands.

Unplugged it was a lifeless piece of lumber and plugged in it was no better. Lacking in any degree of sustain, controls felt so loose they might not actually have been attached to anything, tonally it was flat and uninspiring.

Obviously this was a bad guitar and not representative of all Gibson LP's but it does rather disprove the blanket statements that ALL Gibsons are better than Epiphones (or any other LP's for that matter) - there are some out there which patently aren't.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Originally Posted by Comokanu

But the differences don't come from the extra bling that the Custom has that the Standards don't.

Nor did I say that they did.

I guess because the guitars are mostly(?) hand made and the neck joints may be different which can affect the resonance of the guitar in a big scale, and also the fact that wood is natural and not all planks of mahogany are the same. Depending on what part of which tree the guitar was cut out of also has a huge factor in the differences in tone between guitars of even the same model.

Indeed, my Epiphone has a five-piece body. At that point, Epi may as well be pressing shop-scrap into service.

As for the different pups in the Epi Customs, I really don't know about these. They claim to be 'Gibson designed' pickups or whatever but do they sound any different?

It depends on the pickups, I'd imagine. I can tell you this, one of the pickups on my G400 was microphonic as hell. The 490s on my Gibson get slagged as being "weak", and the 490t is indeed a little on the soft side, but they have significantly more air than any Epi pickups I've heard, with two exceptions -- and one of those was a Sheraton, so it likely wasn't the pickups anyway.

I think I sort of missed your point but er...this is mine.

You did, and it's cool. This is a sitdown, not a debate, I hope.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Originally Posted by The Refugee

I disagree

Go play an Elitist or any MIJ

But hey, I get it, you spent 1500+ on a guitar and only wish to justify it by thinking that you have the best of the best, I see no problem there

Internet psychology is like a toilet that has backed up on you recently: you shouldn't trust it, because you'll never know when it's going to be full of sh*t.

[Comokanu]

Gibson's gone through a lot of stuff the past few years. The flood, the Dusk Tiger, the awesome tribute LP Studios, the Fireturd, Paper Jamz....

This is also a part of Gibson's name, and it makes me wonder whether I actyally want one.