Epiphone Elitist gold top or Gibson vintage mahogany?

[scary pete]

Originally Posted by 83135

Then perhaps you need to work on your comprehension.

I've played a bunch of each model. I prefer the VM. Simple as that. Never said the Elitist sucks, just listed the things I don't care for.

Actually if you look, diceman also took in that you rubbed off as a 'brand matters' kinda guy. So maybe you need to learn to articulate your thoughts better.

[needlespauls]

Well, there is a difference in price, and even the differences will vary. MF and GC seem to have the Elitist at about $1099. They also list the LPVM @ $899. Thats a tough one for me personally, at that price. When I decided on my 06' Gibson Standard, I played some Studios of all variaties, as well as 4 different Elitist's (3 new, 1 used). The used was a Custom, and the 3 new were Standard +'s. The Elitists were all really nice guitars and nothing bad stood out to me bad quality-wise. They also felt really solid. I was easily as impressed with the LPVM Studio though. For the couple hundred bucks diff its not much of an issue, just small differences in subjective feel and flash. My local Gibson/Epi store has a year round special on LPVM Studios for $699 in both colors. $400 diff between guitars is more of a gap, and I would be inclined to go with the Gibson. I love the look of the LPVM, the smooth feel of the finish, and the sound! LOVE it! I like the simplicity of them too. They just talk to me more. (F***! now I'm going to find a way to buy one, jeez!) The one thing that seems to be a fact nowadays though is that consistant quality definately is on the Elitist side. You could buy one site-unseen and be fine 99/100 times. I wouldn't do that with the LPVM Studio. There are huge diff's from each one such as finish, texture of wood/finish(hugely noticable on a basic plank o' wood guitar), nut, etc. If you have the right one for you in your hands though from Gibson, and the quality is great from the start, then you will have a winner. So, personally at my $699 price I go LPVM Studio all day long, but at usual prices I might go Elitist. Such a tough one man. Good luck!

[diceman]

NLPs - great points bro - and if I came across a VM at $699 I'd probably pick one up as well (not over an Elitist - but in addition to)!

Our local shop had one up for raffle a few months back - you could enter ONCE PER DAY to win it - for a two week period!! I went in for the first four days - and then realized that I had to work on the day of the drawing - "must be present to win." My shift paid $200 (not my normal job, mind you - event security at the University...), and I had to decide if I wanted to take the guaranteed $200 or the chance at a $800 guitar. I figured my odds of winning would be pretty good - but not 1/4! I was pretty stoked about the possibility of getting a VM, though - for the first few days anways. Luckily, none of my four slips were pulled at the drawing!!! That would have been a kick in the balls!

I still think that the overall quality is in favor of the Elitists, having played both - and the specs are pretty obvious - but $700 is a screaming deal on the VM. Very tempting... Hopefully my local shop doesn't get any in!

[83135]

Originally Posted by scary pete

Actually if you look, diceman also took in that you rubbed off as a 'brand matters' kinda guy. So maybe you need to learn to articulate your thoughts better.

I don't think articulation is my problem. Let it go.

[diceman]

Originally Posted by scary pete

Actually if you look, diceman also took in that you rubbed off as a 'brand matters' kinda guy. So maybe you need to learn to articulate your thoughts better.

My comment was in jest!

[hbucker]

Originally Posted by needlespauls

Well, there is a difference in price, and even the differences will vary. MF and GC seem to have the Elitist at about $1099. They also list the LPVM @ $899. Thats a tough one for me personally, at that price. When I decided on my 06' Gibson Standard, I played some Studios of all variaties, as well as 4 different Elitist's (3 new, 1 used). The used was a Custom, and the 3 new were Standard +'s. The Elitists were all really nice guitars and nothing bad stood out to me bad quality-wise. They also felt really solid. I was easily as impressed with the LPVM Studio though. For the couple hundred bucks diff its not much of an issue, just small differences in subjective feel and flash. My local Gibson/Epi store has a year round special on LPVM Studios for $699 in both colors. $400 diff between guitars is more of a gap, and I would be inclined to go with the Gibson. I love the look of the LPVM, the smooth feel of the finish, and the sound! LOVE it! I like the simplicity of them too. They just talk to me more. (F***! now I'm going to find a way to buy one, jeez!) The one thing that seems to be a fact nowadays though is that consistant quality definately is on the Elitist side. You could buy one site-unseen and be fine 99/100 times. I wouldn't do that with the LPVM Studio. There are huge diff's from each one such as finish, texture of wood/finish(hugely noticable on a basic plank o' wood guitar), nut, etc. If you have the right one for you in your hands though from Gibson, and the quality is great from the start, then you will have a winner. So, personally at my $699 price I go LPVM Studio all day long, but at usual prices I might go Elitist. Such a tough one man. Good luck!

Good points and well said.

[83135]

Originally Posted by diceman

My comment was in jest!

Thank you.

[dennistruckdriver]

Originally Posted by cobra2000

hello I am new to this forum but not to guitars. I've been playing for about 6 years and have gone through my fair share of fenders deans epiphones etc. But now I've decided to get a Gibson, but after reading a lot about the Epiphone Elitist I'm wondering what would actually be of better quality and sound any comments are appreciated


Joey

All else being equal, including the price, I would personally choose the Elitist.

[rob999]

I had the same debate (only I like the Vintage Sunbust)

I went with the Elitist over the VM. Honestly if I could have found a decent VM in the store I might have gone that route...I know they are out there but all of the ones at my local GC had issues.

I also like the more 'finished' features of the Elitist, but that is really preference...

Cant say what you should get, but the Elitist is nice.

[Kuroyama]

Given the choice between the two, (after playing) the choice is obvious. You can go buy anything and then mod it. Doesnt have to be an Elitist. I think that if you were even thinking Gibson STUDIO that this debate should go on... but the VM for the money... your decision has been made for you. (Assuming youre not made of money, because if you were, it seems to me youd be buying some $4000.00 (US) VOS Gold Top... While I too want that, I dont have the funds to float such a project.

Thankfully for the VM line, I dont have to sac tone, and still have money for other guitars.

[cobra2000]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys but since I was having trouble deciding between the two I decided to go the complete opposite way and get an explorer after playing one at guitar center.



she's a beauty and easily the best guitar I've played in my price range yet

[djwilbanks]

I've been following this thread for a while now, and honestly. I love the irony of it all.

[Termanator7]

Well, I'd probably get the Elitist cause would you rather have a high end Epi or a low end Gibson?

[Kuroyama]

Problem with that statement is that were not agreeing on what "low end" means. If it means a guitar with better tone than an Elitist for a fraction of the Elitists price...then we must be talking about a GIBSON.

Not low end.

From a less-fanboy perspective, the VM comes with Burstbucker Pros and an All mahogany body resulting in a very similar if not same tone to the Original Black Beauty Customs which are probably NOT referred to as low end.


Now you could buy that Elitist with its non-Gibson headstock...
Buy Epiphone Elitist Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar online at Musician's Friend

You could then drop another $300 on nice pickups
Musician's Friend - Search Results

Then you could pay The Man $50 or so to drop em in for you...
Now youre out about $1500 post tax... you dont have a Gibson.

OR you could get that Vintage Mahogany (I personally prefer the brown natural wood finish)...
Buy Gibson Les Paul Vintage Mahogany Electric Guitar online at Musician's Friend

You can take the $600 you just saved yourself...take your Gibson Les Paul, and plug it into a ...geez.... Marshall HALF STACK.
Buy Marshall MG100HDFX/MG412 Slant Cab Half Stack Package at Musician's Friend

I was gonna just say nice practice amp... but this half stack seems to be on sale.

So, to sum up... you could spend $1500 and get

1) an Epiphone Les Paul of great quality (after its been modded with aftermarket parts)

or

2) a Gibson Les Paul of great quality (ask ANY VM owner) AND a Marshall Half Stack to plug it into

All other things being equal, if somebody asked me if they should get a nice amp with their guitar and could do it for the same money... thats what Id tell em to do.

And before I get labeled as an Epiphone hater... It should be known that Im currently shopping for a MIJ Epi Gold Top standard (The MIJ has that Gibby headstock, but even here in Japan...they are a bear to find.) When they pop up, they get bought pretty quick. Gold tops are rare, and I havent yet seen a gold top with P90s. Though I keep looking. I do love Gibson. But I cant reasonably give them $4000.00 for a guitar. (VOS gold top)

[Termanator7]

Originally Posted by Kuroyama

Problem with that statement is that were not agreeing on what "low end" means. If it means a guitar with better tone than an Elitist for a fraction of the Elitists price...then we must be talking about a GIBSON.

Not low end.

From a less-fanboy perspective, the VM comes with Burstbucker Pros and an All mahogany body resulting in a very similar if not same tone to the Original Black Beauty Customs which are probably NOT referred to as low end.


Now you could buy that Elitist with its non-Gibson headstock...
Buy Epiphone Elitist Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar online at Musician's Friend

You could then drop another $300 on nice pickups
Musician's Friend - Search Results

Then you could pay The Man $50 or so to drop em in for you...
Now youre out about $1500 post tax... you dont have a Gibson.

OR you could get that Vintage Mahogany (I personally prefer the brown natural wood finish)...
Buy Gibson Les Paul Vintage Mahogany Electric Guitar online at Musician's Friend

You can take the $600 you just saved yourself...take your Gibson Les Paul, and plug it into a ...geez.... Marshall HALF STACK.
Buy Marshall MG100HDFX/MG412 Slant Cab Half Stack Package at Musician's Friend

I was gonna just say nice practice amp... but this half stack seems to be on sale.

So, to sum up... you could spend $1500 and get

1) an Epiphone Les Paul of great quality (after its been modded with aftermarket parts)

or

2) a Gibson Les Paul of great quality (ask ANY VM owner) AND a Marshall Half Stack to plug it into

All other things being equal, if somebody asked me if they should get a nice amp with their guitar and could do it for the same money... thats what Id tell em to do.

And before I get labeled as an Epiphone hater... It should be known that Im currently shopping for a MIJ Epi Gold Top standard (The MIJ has that Gibby headstock, but even here in Japan...they are a bear to find.) When they pop up, they get bought pretty quick. Gold tops are rare, and I havent yet seen a gold top with P90s. Though I keep looking. I do love Gibson. But I cant reasonably give them $4000.00 for a guitar. (VOS gold top)

Well, personally, I think the Elitist are better guitars than the Gibson Studios and worn studios. They have a beautiful finish. They have pretty good pickups. The wood is good. Every thing about the Elitist is good except for the finish that is Poly but who cares? And I don't care about the headstock, do people come to hear you just cause of your headstock or brand name on your guitar? No, they come to listen to music, no matter what you play. Do you know Lars from the band, "Rancid"? He plays an Epiphone Les Paul Custom in Alpine White with chrome hardware.

[hbucker]

It never fails. There is always someone who seems offended by this conversation. Yet people who have played both and know what the Elitists actually are, understand the context of the original question and why this is a valid discussion.

Bottom line is: There are differences. The original question is valid. Buy the one that gets you where you need to be. Let others be offended.

[GrouchyDog]

<Edit> Removed to avoid contributing to the usual never-ending Elitist debate. </Edit>

[ZoomZilla]

The debate can be ended very easily. The correct answer is, go out and try both. Whichever one feels better to you, buy that one.

I am going back to the Gibson Factory next Wed. I will try out both side by side. They carry Elitists there. Then I will know for MYSELF which one I would choose.

Kuroyama, you did NOT say Marshall MG did you?

[GrouchyDog]

Originally Posted by ZoomZilla

The debate can be ended very easily. The correct answer is, go out and try both. Whichever one feels better to you, buy that one.

I am going back to the Gibson Factory next Wed. I will try out both side by side. They carry Elitists there. Then I will know for MYSELF which one I would choose.

Kuroyama, you did NOT say Marshall MG did you?

I'll be really interested in what you think - it's probably been discussed, but does Gibson offer tours to the public or do you have an "in"?

MG is the only way you'll get a Marshall half-stack for $600. There go the gains from high-end pickups. Just MHO...

[ZoomZilla]

Gibson does have public tours. I have never been on one yet. I am going to bring the wife, but when I go downtown, I always go to the Gibson retail store. The Memphis factory makes the hollow bodies, plus the solid body Customs. I looked an elitists when I was down there last, but never plugged in. They have a JCM in there, so I plan on plugging in to see how each sound and feel.

[Grand Pappy in Chandler]

Concerning Term. 7's obeservation on wood quality - I 've not looked into any p/u, or control cavities of an EPI Elitest, so I can't comment on that particular model, but was I horrified at the wood quality in the cavities my "ebony" Gold Top '56 Epi LP. Looks like pencil wood!!!! From what I hear, good quality tone woods are getting harder and harder to find. I know the Elitest is made in Japan as oppossed to the cheaper Epi's from China, but I really wonder if there is a real difference in woods used????

[ZoomZilla]

Originally Posted by GrouchyDog

I'll be really interested in what you think - it's probably been discussed, but does Gibson offer tours to the public or do you have an "in"?

MG is the only way you'll get a Marshall half-stack for $600. There go the gains from high-end pickups. Just MHO...

What do Marshall MG's and Farts have in common????????????

[McVeyMac]

I'll bite, what?