Buying Epiphone Les Paul Standard: The China vs Korea manufacture.

[Luciano90]

Hi there mylespaul community. I was wondering, I'm going to buy a Epiphone Les Paul Standard. But, I was told the ones from China aren't good as the ones from Korea. My problem is that, I'm from Argentina, and here is impossible (really) to find one from USA, so, the new ones are only from China. So, I can buy a new one from China, but I was told that wood is worst than the one's from Korea, and that the Koreans are good overall the Chinese ones. So, is it true that the Chinese one's are so bad?, What should I do?, do I really have to purchase one from Korea?, in this case I would have to buy a used one, but this is a problem because I can't use credit card, and I don't have all the money right now.

So, can anyone help me out to decide?, thanks.

[lp59aholicDon]

Originally Posted by Luciano90

Hi there mylespaul community. I was wondering, I'm going to buy a Epiphone Les Paul Standard. But, I was told the ones from China aren't good as the ones from Korea. My problem is that, I'm from Argentina, and here is impossible (really) to find one from USA, so, the new ones are only from China. So, I can buy a new one from China, but I was told that wood is worst than the one's from Korea, and that the Koreans are good overall the Chinese ones. So, is it true that the Chinese one's are so bad?, What should I do?, do I really have to purchase one from Korea?, in this case I would have to buy a used one, but this is a problem because I can't use credit card, and I don't have all the money right now.

So, can anyone help me out to decide?, thanks.

Many CHinese products are made in prison labor camps with less than decent materials, I would say try and wait till you have the money and search out a Korean

[hedzeppelin]

Originally Posted by lp59aholicDon

Many CHinese products are made in prison labor camps with less than decent materials, I would say try and wait till you have the money and search out a Korean

While this may be true, Epiphone has its own factory in China, and the Epi's are made there. I believe that prior to this, Samick was subcontracting to Gibson as their Epiphone manufacturer.

I have an Epi LP Standard Plaintop which I like a lot, and it was made in China. Therefore, I think that each guitar, regardless of manufacturing location, must be judged on an individual basis. Also, if you're waiting for a Korean Epi, it could be a long wait.

See this article: Epiphone debuts new models and first product from Gibson's China plant

[overdriver]

The made in China guitars are just as good as the made in Korea ones I have one of each , both are good. a person can get a bad guitar made any where from any maker Gibson, Fender etc. etc. You will not be dissapointed with the Chinese guitars IMO.

[Luciano90]

Thanks for the replys. When I get the money, if I can get a Korean used one, think I will buy one, if not, I will buy a new one from China.

By the way, the difference between a Les Paul Standard, and a Gold Top 56, are the pickups only?.

[hedzeppelin]

Originally Posted by Luciano90

Thanks for the replys. When I get the money, if I can get a Korean used one, think I will buy one, if not, I will buy a new one from China.

By the way, the difference between a Les Paul Standard, and a Gold Top 56, are the pickups only?.

Not sure about that. When you buy an Epi, you should upgrade the pickups anyway. I put DiMarzios in mine.

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by Luciano90

Thanks for the replys. When I get the money, if I can get a Korean used one, think I will buy one, if not, I will buy a new one from China.

By the way, the difference between a Les Paul Standard, and a Gold Top 56, are the pickups only?.

The difference between the 56 and standard, is pretty much the pickups yes, there is a lot of confusion about which woods are used in the making of the Epi les pauls, For a while it or I should say Epi web specs., were Mahogany/ Alder with a maple veener top , then some are all Mahogany, the 56 has a all Mahogany body and p-90 pick ups, these guitars are great sounding, can you try one any where around you.

Short answer is IMO the standard and 56 are pretty much the same except the pick ups.

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by hedzeppelin

Not sure about that. When you buy an Epi, you should upgrade the pickups anyway. I put DiMarzios in mine.

When a person buys a Epi they SHOULD upgrade the pups LOL hed I like ya but hey not everyone wants to, or feels the need to! The stock pups in my made in china sound good enough for me. Not all Epi les pauls sound the same even with the same stock pups, and it is of the opinion of most 56 owners that the stock p-90s are great . Change is only required if the IMO owner feels the need to and if the guitar is dead sounding to begin with an upgrade can be a waste of time.If it sounds good right out of the box why bother. Some people change pups more often than I change my socks.

[Luciano90]

Originally Posted by hedzeppelin

Not sure about that. When you buy an Epi, you should upgrade the pickups anyway. I put DiMarzios in mine.

Yes, I was told, but, I will expend all my money in the guitar, so, I will change the pickups when I need, and when I get money =P.

[InTheEvening]

^ Very good idea, i'm sure a change in pickups can help a lot. However like overdriver said the stock ones "usually" are satisfactory enough for normal use until you have enough to upgrade. I still use the stock ones and have had no problems as of yet. Though I plan on putting some sort of Jimmy Page wiring and a PAF style pickup.

As for the China and Korea thing, I have a Korean made Les Paul atleast that's what it says on the headstock.
Anyways it's great, but honestly just try a bunch of guitars (doesn't matter if it's Chinese or Korean), find the one that really feels nice and plays well and go with that. Location of the factory might have an effect on the quality but you should be the one to decide which guitar is good by finding the best for you.

I heard the new LP standards are better cause they are all mahogany now, my Korean one is Alder/Mahogany still plays great though.

[dcooper830]

I have both Chinese and Korean Epiphone Dots and Les Pauls.

The level of quality is pretty much the same.

As a matter of fact..... the new Epis coming out are better than ever!! I have a 2007 Trans Black Epi Les Paul Standard (made in China) that is extremely good!! It's a little nicer playing and more comfy than my others.

Also I think the stock Epiphone pickups are quite good, and an upgrade is not absolutely necessary.

Here are some clips i've done with stock Epiphone pickups:

YouTube - Epiphone Les Paul Trans Black

YouTube - Epiphone Dot part 4

YouTube - Epiphone Dot part 3


If you do upgrade the pickups eventually....... it will be the icing on the cake!

[hedzeppelin]

My Plaintop With the DiMarzios....

[skyblue]

Originally Posted by lp59aholicDon

Many CHinese products are made in prison labor camps...

Yeah, where their organs are farmed and harvested to sell to an unsuspecting market. Jeez, you don't happen to spend your free time protesting in front of the Chinese embassy, do you?

Anyway, there's a very lively exchange currently going on in another forum about the same subject...You should probably read it before posting comments like these that take the thread completely off-tangent:

Are the made in Korea Epiphones better than the Chinese Epi's? - Harmony Central Musician Community Forums

[Luciano90]

I finished reading that thread. So, we got from experienced people like dcooper that says that are the same. And then we got some others claiming that china = ***t. And another bunch says that each guitar can be good or bad...

So, from what I saw, one of the chinese guitars had kinda some finish problems, but played right. The others I saw were good. I haven't seen any Korean one, except the Ultra, but, I want the Standard, and one of the Ultra's I saw kinda had the "problem" of the chinese, it's not a real problem, but the finish, it was a detail...

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by Luciano90

I finished reading that thread. So, we got from experienced people like dcooper that says that are the same. And then we got some others claiming that china = ***t. And another bunch says that each guitar can be good or bad...

So, from what I saw, one of the chinese guitars had kinda some finish problems, but played right. The others I saw were good. I haven't seen any Korean one, except the Ultra, but, I want the Standard, and one of the Ultra's I saw kinda had the "problem" of the chinese, it's not a real problem, but the finish, it was a detail...

Yes you can find faults in any model of guitar, or pick up, read reviews on Harmony any that have 10 or more reviews will have people liking the thing reviewed as well as disliking it. Get one which you like ,buy it from a store or person you know try before you buy,buy one you try. As I said, I have one of each both are good. Another way to look at it is IMO a good example of a Chinese standard will be as good as a good example of a Koreian one, I should know.

[lp59aholicDon]

Originally Posted by skyblue

Yeah, where their organs are farmed and harvested to sell to an unsuspecting market. Jeez, you don't happen to spend your free time protesting in front of the Chinese embassy, do you?

Anyway, there's a very lively exchange currently going on in another forum about the same subject...You should probably read it before posting comments like these that take the thread completely off-tangent:

Are the made in Korea Epiphones better than the Chinese Epi's? - Harmony Central Musician Community Forums

Sky, I dont have time or a Chinese Embassy near by me now, I did actually live two blocks from the LA Consolate when I lived in LA. yeah, I do have some big big issues with China , I Can also say I really dont want to fuel their economy anymore than i am forced to . Due to the thread rules, I am not gonna get into my position on the Chinese. All I gotta say is investigate some of their " white papers" of past and present .

[Paulo]

Hi, Luciano

I recently bought one EPIPHONE Chinese Les Paul Standard (LA), which I liked very much ...I tried many of them at Guitar Center ... and I picked up the best for me ... I was insecure about the guitar but ... I can tell you that the pick ups are good ... I am not thinking to change anything for now, it holds in tune very well also, and the guitar has a good vibe!! I had others guitars in the past few years, more expensive guitars that came in a terrible set up, never holds the tune (American mades), better woods also ...

But none of this matters ... this all is a matter of luck and name. I looked the new Gibsons Vintage mahogany and I really prefer mine.

Good Luck!
Paulo

[Luciano90]

I went to a music store today, and I saw a Les Paul Standard, but it was SI******** (forgot the numbers) the serial, according to The Guitar Dater Project - Epiphone Serial Number Decoder it doesn't exists, tried only the 'I' and it says from Korea. But, the guitar had an sticker that said 'Made in Indonesia', but the sticker is the same in my current guitar (Washburn BT-3, from the same store), or is VERY simillar. This Les Paul I tried it before and it sounded the best for me, but, well it was the first I tried. So, I'm confused, is there any Epiphone plant in Indonesia?, maybe this guitar is fake? I doubt that, but... or, is it really from korea? because I really liked it.

Anyway, thanks for all the replys.

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by Luciano90

I went to a music store today, and I saw a Les Paul Standard, but it was SI******** (forgot the numbers) the serial, according to The Guitar Dater Project - Epiphone Serial Number Decoder it doesn't exists, tried only the 'I' and it says from Korea. But, the guitar had an sticker that said 'Made in Indonesia', but the sticker is the same in my current guitar (Washburn BT-3, from the same store), or is VERY simillar. This Les Paul I tried it before and it sounded the best for me, but, well it was the first I tried. So, I'm confused, is there any Epiphone plant in Indonesia?, maybe this guitar is fake? I doubt that, but... or, is it really from korea? because I really liked it.

Anyway, thanks for all the replys.

SI That company has a plant in Korea And a new one in Indonesia. Also another Koreain Company U (unsung) has a Chinese plant and the guitars from it are UC*******

[brettk7]

Here is what I have to say.

I own a 93' Epi LP Custom from Korea, and before I bought it I tried out all the new Epis like it, and I preferred it over the majority of the Chinese ones. But on the other hand, some of the brand new ones straight rocked and were better than the 14 year old one I bought. There is gonna be bad and good no matter where they come from.


In my eyes (and ears), Rock N' Roll isn't about labels. It don't matter where it came from. If it rocks, it rocks. If it dont, it dont. You feel me?

[hedzeppelin]

Originally Posted by overdriver

When a person buys a Epi they SHOULD upgrade the pups LOL hed I like ya but hey not everyone wants to, or feels the need to! The stock pups in my made in china sound good enough for me. Not all Epi les pauls sound the same even with the same stock pups, and it is of the opinion of most 56 owners that the stock p-90s are great . Change is only required if the IMO owner feels the need to and if the guitar is dead sounding to begin with an upgrade can be a waste of time.If it sounds good right out of the box why bother. Some people change pups more often than I change my socks.

Hey, no prob, man....I stand corrected, and you're right. Just that every Epi that I've A/B'd with a Gibson sounded really dull compared to the Gibby. If the Epi pups are to your liking then keep 'em...just that if you want it to sound more like a Gibby, then I think changing the pups will help.

Really, if you A/B an Epi with a Gibson, you'll hear the difference.

[Axeman16]

go korea, theyre better. i know from experience.

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by hedzeppelin

Hey, no prob, man....I stand corrected, and you're right. Just that every Epi that I've A/B'd with a Gibson sounded really dull compared to the Gibby. If the Epi pups are to your liking then keep 'em...just that if you want it to sound more like a Gibby, then I think changing the pups will help.

Really, if you A/B an Epi with a Gibson, you'll hear the difference.

I did A/B the MIC LP plus I got when picking one out!! I played it and a Gibson with B.B.s and a studio Gibson all new guitars through a DRRI like mine. The Epi came home with me not because I thought it would sound better with Gibson pups but because it sounded as good stock, I think maybe there is something wrong ,in a right way with my Epi pups (in the plus)they are a lot lower in output than most I tried, and well; I do not know what to say about the plus, I have ,it works great for me. The classic MIK gold top I put Duncans in ,APH II and custom custom. Though they sound quite different I can not say they sound any better. Each to their own its not just the pups any how.

A lot of Gibson guys change out their pups as well !!tring to find that Gibson tone LOL like a lot of guys on this forum you know them , hey my B.B.s in my VOS do not make the cut, my Gibson 57 classic in my Gibson standard sound muddy on & on & on & on. Whatever Glad you found pups you like Hed

[DianaCampbell]

hello im new to this and enjoyed reading your comments and pitures but! i have a problem!i hope some can help me! i have a epiphone gibson made in korea, i had it over 20 years!its in great shape!its not electric just your standared guitar ,country i suppose!i have tried and tried to find out what it is! no one seens to know!i even tried to look up the serial number ,but no info?If someone knows anything about this guitar i would be thankful! here is the serial #(8803041) and the modle # is (SG 180) this is located in the hole of the guitar on a square piece of paper! well good luck!! i can,t seem to find out anything .

[brettk7]

Originally Posted by DianaCampbell

hello im new to this and enjoyed reading your comments and pitures but! i have a problem!i hope some can help me! i have a epiphone gibson made in korea, i had it over 20 years!its in great shape!its not electric just your standared guitar ,country i suppose!i have tried and tried to find out what it is! no one seens to know!i even tried to look up the serial number ,but no info?If someone knows anything about this guitar i would be thankful! here is the serial #(8803041) and the modle # is (SG 180) this is located in the hole of the guitar on a square piece of paper! well good luck!! i can,t seem to find out anything .

If you could post a pic, I am absolutely positive somebody on here would be able to help you out. We're all a bunch of Gibson freaks here... Somebody is bound to be able to identify it.

[hedzeppelin]

Originally Posted by overdriver

I did A/B the MIC LP plus I got when picking one out!! I played it and a Gibson with B.B.s and a studio Gibson all new guitars through a DRRI like mine. The Epi came home with me not because I thought it would sound better with Gibson pups but because it sounded as good stock, I think maybe there is something wrong ,in a right way with my Epi pups (in the plus)they are a lot lower in output than most I tried, and well; I do not know what to say about the plus, I have ,it works great for me. The classic MIK gold top I put Duncans in ,APH II and custom custom. Though they sound quite different I can not say they sound any better. Each to their own its not just the pups any how.

A lot of Gibson guys change out their pups as well !!tring to find that Gibson tone LOL like a lot of guys on this forum you know them , hey my B.B.s in my VOS do not make the cut, my Gibson 57 classic in my Gibson standard sound muddy on & on & on & on. Whatever Glad you found pups you like Hed

Well, tone is subjective, I guess. What sounds good to me, may not sound as good to someone else, and every guitar is different. If you're satisfied with the Epi pups then that's all the better...less expense and less work!

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by hedzeppelin

Well, tone is subjective, I guess. What sounds good to me, may not sound as good to someone else, and every guitar is different. If you're satisfied with the Epi pups then that's all the better...less expense and less work!

Ya it is subjective, and ever guitar is different some what ,same models are in the ball park so to speak but all a little different. B. Gibbon has been saying that for decades still has not found a LP that sounds as good to him as his pearly does, and he has a wack of vintage Lps. All good hed !, rock on!

[Curtis_Louis]

A few weeks ago I played a number of Epi standards at Guitar Center. They had a few made in Korea and the majority were made in China. The bridge pickups all sounded the same to me, but the neck pickup in the Korean guitars seemed more trebly to my ear. The Korean guitars all had better binding than the Chinese guitars, but every Chinese Paul had a much better nut installed. Out of 8 guitars played the one I liked the best turned out to be one of the Korean guitars, only because it had the best setup and feel. I'm sure the Chinese guitars would be just as good with a proper set-up.
Hope this helps.

[Luciano90]

Thanks for all the comments. So, I think this week or the next I will be buying the Epi, I'm going to try used one's to see if I can found from Korea, else I will get the best one from China I can get...

Curtis_Louis: What do you mean with proper set-up?.

The difference of the nut can be seen in a picture? can someone show it to me?.

Thanks!.

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by Curtis_Louis

A few weeks ago I played a number of Epi standards at Guitar Center. They had a few made in Korea and the majority were made in China. The bridge pickups all sounded the same to me, but the neck pickup in the Korean guitars seemed more trebly to my ear. The Korean guitars all had better binding than the Chinese guitars, but every Chinese Paul had a much better nut installed. Out of 8 guitars played the one I liked the best turned out to be one of the Korean guitars, only because it had the best setup and feel. I'm sure the Chinese guitars would be just as good with a proper set-up.
Hope this helps.

Funny the nut thing, every Chinese one I saw from the EE plant has the nut just tacked on to the end of the fret board not seated in any kind of slot at all. All the MIK where properly seated, I think the UC MIC are settled right and the DW MIC as well. No real problem and one which can be corrected.