Epiphone Les Paul FAQ

[chivitajm]

this has probably already been answered but i cant find it. Why does my used stamped les paul have a sticker with just numbers in place of the serial number. what does it mean.

[Sinmastah]

It's a "used" or "2nd" Just coming out of the factory with a cosmetic blemish. It should play the exact same.

[chivitajm]

yeah but why is the serial number different it says 311472925

[Sinmastah]

I dunno, not sure about the serial number for 2nds. I would just peel to sticker off, I did on my G-400

[chivitajm]

cool, but i really doubt its fake, ive read the fake thread and everything looks fine, also i bought it at guitar center.

[Sinmastah]

Sorry, didn't mean fakes, I meant 2nd's

[ToothDecay]

Where can I get a setup, and what exactly is action? I know it's a stupid question, but I'm still kinda learning this stuff :/

[-=[Shifty]=-]

Originally Posted by ToothDecay

Where can I get a setup, and what exactly is action? I know it's a stupid question, but I'm still kinda learning this stuff :/

For a setup you should go to a luthier or a good guitar tech. You should ask around if there's a reputable luthier or tech in you area.

The action is the distance between the frets and the strings, usually measured at the 12th fret. The higher the action, the harder to press down the strings.

[The Laserist]

Originally Posted by chivitajm

cool, but i really doubt its fake, ive read the fake thread and everything looks fine, also i bought it at guitar center.

I've wondered about that too. I have seen quite a few guitars on the net, some in the used section of guitar center, others on sites that specialize in "B" stock or "2nds". Occasionally the serial number will be etched out altogether. From the research that I've done, i.e. ask questions in these and other forums, I've determined that not only are they the result of a cosmetic flaw or blemish but they are also tagged like that if there was some damage to the store and they were writing off the guitar, they wiped the serial number so somebody couldn't try to get free warrenty work. That's what I found out anyway. BTW I bought a Epi 1275 Doubleneck that had the serial number etched out. The guy I got it from said that he bought it used at guitar center, he had a receipt for it, somebody upgraded the 6 string pick ups and they didn't fit right so they carved up the pick guard to make it work.
Actually not that noticable, but since I have noticed it, it has started to bug me. Want to put whatever it is that Gibson puts on the Jimmy Page ones.
The lack of serial number made me nervious but his receipt was legit and it came with a case and damnit I wanted a doubleneck. But not having a serial number means that this one is mine, forever. That's cool, I can live with that.

[epifan]

Originally Posted by The_Sentry

Other tips:

1. If my guitar won't stay in tune, what can I do?

If your guitar is new, a string change is recommended. If you've changed the strings and it still goes out of tune frequently, a cheap trick to repair this is to take graphite shavings off of a pencil or mechanical pencil lead and place them under the strings and in the slot nut. This prevents the string from binding in the nut which often leads to tuning problems.

2. If my guitar has a lot of fret buzz, what can I do about this?

More times often than not a guitar needs to be setup after purchase. I'd strongly recommend having a professional do it. And although Epiphone has specific setups, every guitar is a little bit different. If you want to check your action against factory specs, the action is typically set up at 4/64th of an inch between the top of the 12th fret and the bottom of the High E string, and 6/64th of an inch between the top of the 12th fret and the bottom of the Low E string on their Les Paul models. Neverthless, every guitar is a bit different.

In any case, a setup is strongly recommended.

Want a cheap trick? Crack open 3 big carpenter pencils($0.30/ea.), grind up the lead, mix with some 3in1 oil($1.99/bottle also good 2 have), mix until smooth(cake batter consistency), put in a small bottle, WHAM!! Big Jim's Nut Sauce. Enough to last years. Go ahead
and market it, I don't care. Just name it something less disgusting.

[epifan]

Originally Posted by chivitajm

this has probably already been answered but i cant find it. Why does my used stamped les paul have a sticker with just numbers in place of the serial number. what does it mean.

Definitely, a second which just means a finish blemish and a great deal. My father was a painter for GM for 17 years, there is almost always a way to fix blemishes and even damage w/ 2000ish grit sand paper, so good buy dude. I keep my eye open for cheap 2nds.

[epifan]

Originally Posted by longandwindingroadstar

I have small hands and would prefer a neck that isn't too chunky. Today I looked at a brand new Epi LP Studio, and I liked it... except the neck was very thick. (I often play an Ibanez Roadstar, souped up, so I'm used to a thinner, 25.5 scale.) Are there Epi LPs that have thinner necks than the studio?

Also, I understand that new Epiphone LPs are Mahogany bodies, better than the older models. Do you know when they started with the Mahogany on the Epi LPs? Thanks.

Regarding the neck: It is fatter but buy the LP and adapt your playing style. It's worth it. Come over to our side man! LP's can not be equaled. Also, save some $$, get the Epi and upgrade all the electronics(including pups) and it sound really close to it's big brother, the Gibby. And don't everybody flip out. I mean it sounds close enough for the money. Save at least $1000, and only pros will know.

[epifan]

Originally Posted by longandwindingroadstar

Thanks for the info. about the wood used. I guess the guy at the store was trying to impress me with how awesome the new models were, and I'm an easy target!

I kinda like the traditional LP looks as opposed to the SG... I understand the LP Ultra has a thin neck. It's a little pricey for me, but maybe I should save up for it... It might feel more comfortable for me, since I'm not used to the heavy LP.

Dude thats wrong, I got an 08' LP and the back is solid mahogany the top is maple with flame veneer. For sure. The new ones are mucho better. I absolutely love it (with new electronics of course!). Buy it, Buy it now.

[epifan]

Originally Posted by chivitajm

this has probably already been answered but i cant find it. Why does my used stamped les paul have a sticker with just numbers in place of the serial number. what does it mean.

The factory scratches off the serial # so no shady dealer tries to sell it @ full price

[epifan]

Originally Posted by longandwindingroadstar

I have small hands and would prefer a neck that isn't too chunky. Today I looked at a brand new Epi LP Studio, and I liked it... except the neck was very thick. (I often play an Ibanez Roadstar, souped up, so I'm used to a thinner, 25.5 scale.) Are there Epi LPs that have thinner necks than the studio?

Also, I understand that new Epiphone LPs are Mahogany bodies, better than the older models. Do you know when they started with the Mahogany on the Epi LPs? Thanks.

I don't care what anyone else says, the new Epi LP Standards have solid mahogany backs, 2 piece maple top, and a flame maple veneer on top. Dont pay $2500 for a thicker piece of flame maple and some BurstBuckers.

[epifan]

Originally Posted by Sinmastah

They always used mahagoney, but recently they have been using less and less mahagony, and more alder and cheaper mahagony. If you want a thin neck get an SG.

Don't comment on things you can't spell.

[epifan]

Originally Posted by surfer777

This may seem pointless to you guys but when I was first on the forums I had no clue what this all meant:

HCSB--Heritage Cherry Sunburst
HB--Honeyburst
VS--Vintage Sunburst
TA--Transparent Amber

I don't think I missed any colors that really get abbreviated...hope this helps someone!

TL:trans. blue. TB: trans black

[epifan]

Cool thread, very informative.

[Sinmastah]

Originally Posted by epifan

Don't comment on things you can't spell.

Sorry I forgot to mention my lack of ability to spell Mahogany means I have absolutely no idea what I am talking about. My bad.

[PuroRock]

Pretty darn good, but I would have included images... if it's an FAQ, and you're attempting to educate those who don't know much about guitars, perhaps pics on exactly what a cap or a pot is, etc. If I'm learning and I don't know what to upgrade first, it'd be helpful to get a visual image of what you're talking about and WHY or what a 500k pot will do versus a 250k pot, helps. Gotta treat people like they're complete noobs when writing stuff like this. Eliminate all possible questions as best you can.

[PuroRock]

Oh, and not that they're made anymore, but there's no mention of the Les Paul Classics (ahem, I own 2 myself).

[dhhfire]

i have a epiphone les paul custom . and i got the fender super champ xd amp.
it works nice for me . but now im starting too practice with my buddies and start a little band. i was just wondering. im taking my amp and cranking it up heavy with distortion pedals and punching it loud too hear over the drums and stuff. i was just wondering if thats bad for the amp. i just got it so im not sure on the tubes and how its a amp for "clean"sounds and im cranking it up loud and grizzly. im not turning it up too loud too where the sounds gets all bad . it sounds freeking amazing too me. but what would be a good amp too cover over some drums . i was thinkin about getting a marshall i dont need anything huge but i dont want something smaller then the super champ.
so all n all i was just wondering. is it bad too crank the fender amp? am i shortening its life?

[Sinmastah]

Turn your amp up to it's maximum volume without any pedals. That should be the absolute highest you would want to push your amp. Otherwise you could be slowly blowing out your speaker and/or causing further damage to your amp.

[dhhfire]

well turning the amp up all the way is superrr loud. way louder then i play usually. so i guess im good. i was just curious if using allot of distortion on a clean type of amp is bad for it

[Sinmastah]

Not really, as long as it's not trying to pump out more decibels then it was designed.

[bill.spanburgh]

Hello everybody!

Anyhow, I'm new here, I have a LP Standard in Trans Amber crawling across the US in a mail truck as I type this.
Here's how new I am:
Question. What is the difference between a LP Standard and a LP Standard Plus Top other than $$$?

Can you tell by looking?

Thanks.

[ToothDecay]

Only differences are price and top

[bill.spanburgh]

Originally Posted by ToothDecay

Only differences are price and top

Yes, but exactly what is different about the top? Shape, colors available, finishes, material?

[-=[Shifty]=-]

To be exact:

- Epiphone LP Standard: Only available in Ebony.
- Epiphone LP Standard Plain: Available in several burst colors; plain top
- Epiphone LP Standard Plus: Available in several burst colors and colors like Trans Amber, Trans Blue or Trans Black (limited editions); flame top (veneer).

[bill.spanburgh]

Originally Posted by -=[Shifty]=-

To be exact:

- Epiphone LP Standard: Only available in Ebony.
- Epiphone LP Standard Plain: Available in several burst colors; plain top
- Epiphone LP Standard Plus: Available in several burst colors and colors like Trans Amber, Trans Blue or Trans Black (limited editions); flame top (veneer).

Excellent, that is exactly what I was looking for.

Thank you.