Epiphone vs Gibson

[lewis2112]

I own a 2004 Epi LP Standard and a 2004 Gibson LP Standard. The Epi is good, but the Gibson is awesome, sound, feel, it's just a nicer guitar. I've never played a Studio so I can't comment on that. I have a friend that has a 94 Epi LP Standard and an older Gibson LP Studio and he always chooses to play the Epi, he said eventhough the Studio sounds better, the Epi "feels" better to him.

[adamsvok]

Originally Posted by battra

I've decided to go with the Studio...I probably won't have it for a few months, but here we are.

Patience and good luck to you! Try to get the best one out there!

[captcoolaid]

I'll bite. I own both. The 18 dollar Epi I have is an amazing guitar I love it and will never get rid of it. My 1500 2004 premium plus top is an amazing guitar I will never get rid of. Play them both an decide. Do not by a pos of either unless you got the pockets to make them great.

[Bobby Mahogany]

I've sold guitars for two and a half years and have seen quite a few (!) and although Epi's are cool for what they are (Les Paul models for beginners, intermediates), you will never turn an Epi into a Gibson by upgrading it. It's just lost money. Buy into the best model brand you can afford. A Studio is a Gibson without the cosmetic finish and I've encountered many that were very good sounding. A used Gibson is an investment. You can always sell it back for what you've paid for. A new Epi loses value when you pay for it.Your cash, your decision. For music and tone, Gibson are superior. Maybe someone can say some limited edition Epi's are as good and maybe it's true but it's not the general state of things. Good luck! (and why don't you buy a Gibson? :-) )

[Footpop]

I realize I will be opening the flame gates...

but if your money is tight, your wanting for a good guitar is high, and you can overlook a headstock, there are better les pau.... er "single cut guitars" to be had for the money.

Take a gander at the MIJ epiphones, and some of the more modestly priced options from Orville, Burny, or Tokai, I highly doubt you would be disappointed to find what your money can get you with those.

[Malchik]

I'd buy a Japanese Tokai over an Epiphone or economy Gibson.

[Rock City]

I played several Epiphone LPs. My problem is that I never compared it to the cheapest Gibson. My Classic from 1996. beat every Gibson copy I ever took in my hands. Even Japanese ones.
I would never buy Gibson LP if it wasn't the best LP I have ever played.

[stealthelephant]

every guitar sounds different, even 2 studios.

i would guess that with the Epi, it would be much better build quality, so if i liked the sound of it i would buy it. (this is just a guess mind you, my reasoning is its a higher end Epi)

the studio is after all a basic/no cosmetics build with les paul 'standard' electronics. my question i would ask myself is: is it worth the 1000 for electronics/sound alone [gibby] , or the 1000 for the entire guitar with its better cosmetics [epi]?

- you could always change the humbuckers on the epi to try and improve it, but that will only get you so far.

Summary: do you prefer sound or cosmetics (minus the epi headstock cos thats just naff )?

[acstorfer]

Originally Posted by colchar

Nothing in the thread indicated that, you were speaking specifically about LPs. And none of those are relevant in an Epi LP vs. Gibson LP thread.

It's a new member, give him a break.

[barricwiley]

Originally Posted by acstorfer

It's a new member, give him a break.

I can kinda see kickin' the backside of a longtime member for asking tired assed old questions,but, why can't a new member catch a break unless proven to be a troll.

[battra]

Originally Posted by colchar

Yeah, when you are talking about LPs the Explorers, Flying Vs, and Firebirds are completely fvcking irrelevant.

No. I still think the comparison I was making was a brand to brand comparison and seeing if what I was told about Epiphone vs Gibson was true.

So, considering what I was talking about...having played other Gibsons, it's quite relevant.

Can you explain to me why it's not?

[FennRx]

Originally Posted by Malchik

I'll buy a top of the line Epiphone Les Paul over an economy Gibson any day.

what is defined as "top of the line"? Made in Japan? a Pre-Gibson Epiphone?

no way would i take whatever shit is hanging in my local GC over my 95 "economy" Gibson LP Studio, and that includes the Sl00sh models.

[Rock City]

PS: Epi MIJ with old school open book headstock - OK.
Epiphone by Gibson 2000 made Les Paul Custom long neck tenon Made In Japan | eBay
But headstock nowadays is not as I would like to look like.

[battra]

@adamsvok Thank you! Patience is NOT one of my virtues, not one bit.

@stealtheelephant In doing some research, I came across a lot of info about how the Epi electronics are cheap....even the Epi guys on this forum talk about that. In a perfect world I wouldn't have to mod it up out of the box...though in time I think a Dimarzio super distortion might find it's way into the bridge....

Resale is something also that greatly needs to be considered. Used Gibson Studios are holding around $600-$700. I know that's not a LOT of money, but I want to know the parachute is there I suppose.

I'd like to have the binding, yes, but a good studio is only missing the binding...and some even have pickguards.

[Lizzy4Life]

Buy whatever you want and stop asking what others buy.
End of fvcking story.

[SLewis]

I know some people have already replied and that this topic has been beat to death, but I'll give my opinion on the topic.

I own two Epiphones and have played many more. Having said that, none of them have even come close to feeling and playing as good as my "economy" Gibson Les Paul Studio. I'm sure I could upgrade the electronics in my Epiphone to where they would sound just as good as a Gibson, but they would never feel or play as good to me.

.

[Lizzy4Life]

Originally Posted by SLewis

I know some people have already replied and that this topic has been beat to death, but I'll give my opinion on the topic.

I own two Epiphones and have played many more. Having said that, none of them have even come close to feeling and playing as good as my "economy" Gibson Les Paul Studio. I'm sure I could upgrade the electronics in my Epiphone to where they would sound just as good as a Gibson, but they would never feel or play as good to me.

.

And every single Gibson Studio I've played didn't feel good to me. Nor did they sound as good as my upgraded Epi.
It's all subjective...

[battra]

Originally Posted by Lizzy4Life

Buy whatever you want and stop asking what others buy.
End of fvcking story.

Thank you for your valued input.

I make good money, but this is a purchase for me, that's...well just for fun and I don't normally spend this much money on a single thing for myself.

So, I'm looking for more than just the sonic differences and feel, but also the economic impact of said purchase.

@SLewis Thanks.

[brokenarrow5]

Is a Chevrolet Beretta as good as a Chevrolet Corvette?

[battra]

Originally Posted by brokenarrow5

Is a Chevrolet Beretta as good as a Chevrolet Corvette?

Is a false equivalency as good as the answer to an honest question to a panel of experts?

[adamsvok]

Originally Posted by slewis

i'm sure i could upgrade the electronics in my epiphone to where they would sound just as good as a gibson, but they would never feel or play as good to me.

.

exactly!

[dirtyhippie08]

It's all opinion.......let your fingers and hands be the judge.

[battra]

Originally Posted by dirtyhippie08

It's all opinion.......let your fingers and hands be the judge.

I'm like 99% sold on the Gibson...partly because I've always wanted one, and partly because I never forgot the day I played the Les Paul Studio.

[Joeydego]

is chinese fake an option? Im going with that one. Ive been told here how the fakes smoke my historics.

[Roman4405]

Originally Posted by brokenarrow5

Is a Chevrolet Beretta as good as a Chevrolet Corvette?

What does that have to do with anything?

[acstorfer]

Originally Posted by Lizzy4Life

Buy whatever you want and stop asking what others buy.
End of fvcking story.

This is a Les Paul forum. We are here to discuss this, that and the other thing regarding Les Pauls. What's up with this "end of fvcking story" response? He wants to hear from others experiences, great! He wants to make an informed decision. He wants to know what to be on the lookout for. Of course he isn't going to buy something because we told him to. Of course he is going to play guitars until he finds one he likes.

Why get bent out of shape? Is this question really any worse than any of the others?

[OBX351]

It sounds like you've made up your mind, but I'll give you my opinion anyway. Get the Epy, it's closer to the one that you want, a 3 pickup Ace F/LP Custom Les Paul. I would look for a used one to save some money. If you don't like the way it sounds change the pickups. Usually Asian guitars use cheaper electronics. I've owned several eppys including a LP, 2 Vs and 2 335 dots. Nice guitars all BUT I thought the pickups in all of them were sub standard. I would change them out for better pickups and upgrade the pots as well.

The other thing that I would do is out out and play some Gibson LPs and or SGs to figure out which one you like the best and save up for it.

To me the Studio and the higher end Eppys (Korean not Japanese) are on par with each other. The middle ground would be to get a Japanese Eppy, Edwards, Tokai, etc. LP from the 70's or 80's on eBay or gBase.

Either way I would use this guitar as a stop gap for the one that you really want, unless you find and/or modify the Eppy or studio to make it your #1 guitar.

PS - for around $300 to $400 you can get a PRS SE guitar. I've owned 2 of these and have really been impressed with both. I like them much better then the Eppys and more than the Studios for the money.

[TheImmaterial]

That horse had it coming!

[Epi rocks]

Difficult to make a fair comparison between a Gibson LP Studio and a Epiphone Black Beauty3. They're both very different LP's.
I have a Gibby Studio and a Epi BB3 and I like both but, I'm more comfortable with the Epi BB3. Just my preferance.
I've upgraded all the electrics on the Epi with Gibson parts and the pups are 57 Classics and a 490T in the middle. I find the slim tapered neck more to my liking than the 2011 Studio.
Having said that, my Gibson Studio is a superb guitar. I can't fault it in any way.

Ultimately you have to go with what feels good for you. Everybody has their own preference, whether its a Gibson, Epiphone, Tokai, Burny, Greco, Vintage, etc...... Always get exactly what you want. That way you'll always be happy with the choice you make and no regrets.

My 2 babies;




Cheers

[drpietrzak]

I had a 2005 Gibson Standard. I have a 2010? Epi 1960 V3 and Gibson 60s Trib (P90). The fret wire is different, the number of pieces making up body and top finish are different. The weight relief processes differ. Hardware is different. I upgraded the electronics and pickups in the Gibson standard (not a BB Pro fan). I refretted the Epi V3 to a taller wire. I changed the tailpiece and bridge on both. I lost about $500-$600 on the resale of the Gibson after 4 years. I paid ~$500 for the Epi V3 so a $0 resale breaks about even and I do not have to worry about scratching it. I think the two play about the same after the work and each having great setups. The Gibson is much more a work of art and Epi is much more a workhorse (to me). I am pretty happy with my Epi and do not miss my 05 Standard. However, I have a '95 USA Hamer and a '97 USA Washburn.

Play what you find fits you. Have fun doing so. The rest is icing on the cake.