Ready to buy a Gibson?

inteDes · 07-16-2009, 08:41 AM

Hey everyone,

I've got two Epi Standard LP's, an ebony and a cherry sunburst. They are great but recently I've played on a Gibson LP Standard Faded and the difference was huge. I was really blown away.
So now I'm in doubt, selling my two Epi's and buying a Gibbie or keeping my Epi's and learn to playing better on them. I'm not really a great player but some say you'll try harder and better on a great guitar.

What's your advice?
And which LP is recommended? I don't have the money to buy a historic one.

VastHorizon · 07-16-2009, 08:44 AM

If you enjoy playing and will appreciate owning the Gibson more than the Epiphones, those reasons alone can justify selling the Epiphones and buying the Gibson.

kingedb · 07-16-2009, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inteDes

Hey everyone,

I've got two Epi Standard LP's, an ebony and a cherry sunburst. They are great but recently I've played on a Gibson LP Standard Faded and the difference was huge. I was really blown away.
So now I'm in doubt, selling my two Epi's and buying a Gibbie or keeping my Epi's and learn to playing better on them. I'm not really a great player but some say you'll try harder and better on a great guitar.

What's your advice?
And which LP is recommended? I don't have the money to buy a historic one.

do it. if you were blown away by the standard faded. i say you go get that standard faded. its a great guitar and can be found very cheap in relation to other standards.

and i would say you heard right. a great guitar will definitely make you want to learn and play much more.

good luck!

dwagar · 07-16-2009, 09:00 AM

I would suggest you sell your Epis, and buy a Gibson
- used, let someone else take the hit on depreciation
- stay within your budget, don't GAS for something you can't afford.

jguitarnash · 07-16-2009, 09:00 AM

I was in the same boat with you, having several Epis-not sure if a Gibson LP was THAT much better. I recommend doing it. You will play more, you will enjoy the guitar more and you will have better resale value if heaven forbid you wanted to sell the Gibson down the road. You said you were blown away by the Std. faded-I really dont think you would regret getting it.

ZampraZ · 07-16-2009, 09:04 AM

If you know 4 of the 7 modes and can play sextuplets at 120bpm you qualify for a les paul

Oh and by the way, Gibsons are 'That much better. At least historics :P It's worth it. Besides you will play more with a new guitar.

inteDes · 07-16-2009, 09:05 AM

But I'm afraid that it's not really the right time to sell my Epi's because of the financial/economical crisis. The second hand market has really collapsed where I live.

An other 'problem' the amp I'm using is a Roland Cube 20x, not a bad amp at all but in combination with a Gibson? And I really don't have the money to buy and a Gibson and a new amp.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZampraZ

If you know 4 of the 7 modes and can play sextuplets at 120bpm you qualify for a les paul

Then I don't qualify I'm afraid... but I'm still learning

Tenacious T · 07-16-2009, 09:39 AM

Keep the Epiphone's....save for the Gibson.

Everytime I sell a guitar, I regret it later. Be patient & build the gear fund.

inteDes · 07-16-2009, 09:43 AM

I really don't need 3 LP's
if I buy the Gibson the Epi's will definitly have to be sold first.

jguitarnash · 07-16-2009, 09:51 AM

You could always throw those Epis on Ebay/Craigslist..you might be surprised what you could get for them. Not knowing specifics, I would say you could probably get about 8-900 bucks for the epis if they are in good shape...

inteDes · 07-16-2009, 09:58 AM

I bought the cherry last year and it's still in superb condition, not a scratch or a ding.
The ebony is a Korean '98. The pick-ups have been replaced but I still have the originals. This one looks normal for a used one that is eleven years old and still plays great with no fretwear.

Tenacious T · 07-16-2009, 10:02 AM

One is never enough...I'm just sayin'.

dwagar · 07-16-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inteDes

But I'm afraid that it's not really the right time to sell my Epi's because of the financial/economical crisis. The second hand market has really collapsed where I live.

moving 'up' in a 'down' market is always a good strategy. Even though you might lose more that you think on your Epis, the guy selling the used Gibson is going to lose more.

The_Sentry · 07-16-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tenacious T

One is never enough...I'm just sayin'.

God you've got that right. I have 2...I'd love to have 2 more...(Not Les Pauls though....an SG and a ES-335)

inteDes · 07-16-2009, 10:20 AM

But I also got an acoustic one. Now I almost always play on my ebony, hence the mint condition of the other one.
So they'll have to go.

Jason · 07-16-2009, 10:21 AM

Buy whatever is going to make you play more. How are you in the amp department? Are you satisfied there?

inteDes · 07-16-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inteDes

An other 'problem' the amp I'm using is a Roland Cube 20x, not a bad amp at all but in combination with a Gibson? And I really don't have the money to buy and a Gibson and a new amp.

This is how I am in the amp-dep.
Not extremely satisfied but not extremely dissatisfied either.

Tenacious T · 07-16-2009, 10:31 AM

Since you already want to sell your two Epiphones, I would suggest keeping the cube...It should do all that you need it to for right now.

Jason · 07-16-2009, 10:34 AM

Well, just keep and mind the amp is just as important as the guitar.

I've got a little 20 watt solid state Crate practice amp and I can get some okay tones out of it... but I end up getting bored after maybe 30 minutes to an hour of playing. With my Peavey Classic 30 I could play all night.

I might suggest going to a shop, grabbing an Epiphone off the wall (or just bring your own guitar), and take a few amps for a test drive. Then you can decide whether buying the Gibson or buying a new amp is going to make the biggest difference right now. It's whatever is going to make you play more, you know? It's possible that you could end up buying a really nice guitar but never play it just because the tone through your amp doesn't inspire you. Get hooked up with a sweet amp that makes your Epiphones sound good and you'll be blown away by the tone when you get your Gibson.

Of course if you're planning on funding this by selling your guitars... well that won't quite work...

but maybe selling your current amp and one of the Epiphones..? I dunno.. I hear those Cubes are pretty nice for SS though.

Just a thought.

inteDes · 07-16-2009, 10:44 AM

That's true. I know that a good amp would help as well.
But the GAS for a new guitar is bigger I'm afraid. Knowing myself, a new guitar would make me play more.
But never the less, a new amp is needed in due time. But for now I'm planning on keeping my cube.

The Gibson I've played sounded even unplugged a lot better than my Epi.

Tenacious T · 07-16-2009, 10:46 AM

There ya' go then. Keep the Cube, sell the Epiphone's & buy the Gibson. Then, the I want a new amp & another Les Paul gas will start. Trust me on this one

CLC12ROCK · 07-16-2009, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tenacious T

Then, the I want a new amp & another Les Paul gas will start. Trust me on this one

Hahahahaha...So true...It's a progressive disease

inteDes · 07-16-2009, 11:29 AM

Turns out it was a regular Standard I've played on not a Faded.
(owner made a little mistake)

Jason · 07-16-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inteDes

That's true. I know that a good amp would help as well.
But the GAS for a new guitar is bigger I'm afraid. Knowing myself, a new guitar would make me play more.
But never the less, a new amp is needed in due time. But for now I'm planning on keeping my cube.

The Gibson I've played sounded even unplugged a lot better than my Epi.

Go for the Gibson then.

What inspires each of us is very personal. Probably a good idea to hang onto that Cube as well... I've heard nothing but raves about those amps. Definitely try plugging that Gibson into a nice tube amp and see how that feels too though.

inteDes · 07-16-2009, 12:14 PM

If I would decide to buy a new amp, which amps should I really try out?
Any suggestions?

J-Man123 · 07-16-2009, 12:16 PM

I say Gibson Standard. They're awesome

!

J-Man123

J-Man123 · 07-16-2009, 12:17 PM

As for the amp, Les Paul's and Marshalls go together like bread and butter. (sorry for my bad simile)

Also you should check out the Orange Tiny Terror head. It is also fantastic.

J-Man123

Jason · 07-16-2009, 12:21 PM

It does depend on what kind of a tone you're going for... I'm not an amp expert, but I love my Peavey Classic 30. We're talking everything from clean to overly distorted hard rock. Metal? Well, not without some sort of distortion pedal. I found the amp really came alive after retubing with some JJ tubes. It sounds good at quiet volumes, using the preamp gain on the dirty channel to get your distortion. It sounds AMAZING at full band volumes though. Worth a look.

inteDes · 07-16-2009, 12:25 PM

No metal for me. I'm more interested in blues, indie-rock, soft rock,...

My heart says: go Gibbie but my head says: you can't play good enough to find the right one and you're not 'up for it'. You get my point?

WillieG · 07-17-2009, 01:45 AM

The thing is, you have played a Gibby and you can't get that feeling out of your head. There is only one outcome here and you know it...

07-16-2009, 08:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
inteDes Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 53 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ready to buy a Gibson? Hey everyone, I've got two Epi Standard LP's, an ebony and a cherry sunburst. They are great but recently I've played on a Gibson LP Standard Faded and the difference was huge. I was really blown away. So now I'm in doubt, selling my two Epi's and buying a Gibbie or keeping my Epi's and learn to playing better on them. I'm not really a great player but some say you'll try harder and better on a great guitar. What's your advice? And which LP is recommended? I don't have the money to buy a historic one.

07-16-2009, 08:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
VastHorizon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,369 Thanks: 55 Thanked 313 Times in 87 Posts	Re: Ready to buy a Gibson? If you enjoy playing and will appreciate owning the Gibson more than the Epiphones, those reasons alone can justify selling the Epiphones and buying the Gibson.

07-16-2009, 09:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
jguitarnash Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: nashville Posts: 102 Thanks: 2 Thanked 12 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Ready to buy a Gibson? I was in the same boat with you, having several Epis-not sure if a Gibson LP was THAT much better. I recommend doing it. You will play more, you will enjoy the guitar more and you will have better resale value if heaven forbid you wanted to sell the Gibson down the road. You said you were blown away by the Std. faded-I really dont think you would regret getting it. __________________ Jguitarnash 2005 Les Paul Standard Ebony 2002 MIM Strat Relic Black over Burst rosewood neck 2002 MIJ Strat Black with Maple neck Hot Rod Deville 2x12 Effects galore Latest acquisition-MIJ 2002 Strat Black with Maple neck "Sometimes you want to give up the guitar, you'll hate the guitar. But if you stick with it, you're gonna be rewarded." Jimi Hendrix Hendrix was an alien from a musically advanced species sent here to show us what a guitar can really do.

07-16-2009, 09:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
ZampraZ Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 472 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Ready to buy a Gibson? If you know 4 of the 7 modes and can play sextuplets at 120bpm you qualify for a les paul Oh and by the way, Gibsons are 'That much better. At least historics :P It's worth it. Besides you will play more with a new guitar. __________________ Guitar Tip: "Try playing your licks backwards, it doubles your vocabulary"

07-16-2009, 09:39 AM	#8 (permalink)
Tenacious T Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,221 Thanks: 8 Thanked 23 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Ready to buy a Gibson? Keep the Epiphone's....save for the Gibson. Everytime I sell a guitar, I regret it later. Be patient & build the gear fund.

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07-16-2009, 09:43 AM	#9 (permalink)
inteDes Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 53 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ready to buy a Gibson? I really don't need 3 LP's if I buy the Gibson the Epi's will definitly have to be sold first.

07-16-2009, 09:51 AM	#10 (permalink)
jguitarnash Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: nashville Posts: 102 Thanks: 2 Thanked 12 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Ready to buy a Gibson? You could always throw those Epis on Ebay/Craigslist..you might be surprised what you could get for them. Not knowing specifics, I would say you could probably get about 8-900 bucks for the epis if they are in good shape... __________________ Jguitarnash 2005 Les Paul Standard Ebony 2002 MIM Strat Relic Black over Burst rosewood neck 2002 MIJ Strat Black with Maple neck Hot Rod Deville 2x12 Effects galore Latest acquisition-MIJ 2002 Strat Black with Maple neck "Sometimes you want to give up the guitar, you'll hate the guitar. But if you stick with it, you're gonna be rewarded." Jimi Hendrix Hendrix was an alien from a musically advanced species sent here to show us what a guitar can really do.

07-16-2009, 09:58 AM	#11 (permalink)
inteDes Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 53 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ready to buy a Gibson? I bought the cherry last year and it's still in superb condition, not a scratch or a ding. The ebony is a Korean '98. The pick-ups have been replaced but I still have the originals. This one looks normal for a used one that is eleven years old and still plays great with no fretwear.

07-16-2009, 10:02 AM	#12 (permalink)
Tenacious T Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,221 Thanks: 8 Thanked 23 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Ready to buy a Gibson? One is never enough...I'm just sayin'.

07-16-2009, 10:20 AM	#15 (permalink)
inteDes Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 53 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ready to buy a Gibson? But I also got an acoustic one. Now I almost always play on my ebony, hence the mint condition of the other one. So they'll have to go.

07-16-2009, 10:21 AM	#16 (permalink)
Jason Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 18,568 Thanks: 109 Thanked 176 Times in 37 Posts	Re: Ready to buy a Gibson? Buy whatever is going to make you play more. How are you in the amp department? Are you satisfied there?

07-16-2009, 10:31 AM	#18 (permalink)
Tenacious T Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,221 Thanks: 8 Thanked 23 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Ready to buy a Gibson? Since you already want to sell your two Epiphones, I would suggest keeping the cube...It should do all that you need it to for right now.

07-16-2009, 10:34 AM	#19 (permalink)
Jason Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 18,568 Thanks: 109 Thanked 176 Times in 37 Posts	Re: Ready to buy a Gibson? Well, just keep and mind the amp is just as important as the guitar. I've got a little 20 watt solid state Crate practice amp and I can get some okay tones out of it... but I end up getting bored after maybe 30 minutes to an hour of playing. With my Peavey Classic 30 I could play all night. I might suggest going to a shop, grabbing an Epiphone off the wall (or just bring your own guitar), and take a few amps for a test drive. Then you can decide whether buying the Gibson or buying a new amp is going to make the biggest difference right now. It's whatever is going to make you play more, you know? It's possible that you could end up buying a really nice guitar but never play it just because the tone through your amp doesn't inspire you. Get hooked up with a sweet amp that makes your Epiphones sound good and you'll be blown away by the tone when you get your Gibson. Of course if you're planning on funding this by selling your guitars... well that won't quite work... but maybe selling your current amp and one of the Epiphones..? I dunno.. I hear those Cubes are pretty nice for SS though. Just a thought.

07-16-2009, 10:44 AM	#20 (permalink)
inteDes Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 53 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ready to buy a Gibson? That's true. I know that a good amp would help as well. But the GAS for a new guitar is bigger I'm afraid. Knowing myself, a new guitar would make me play more. But never the less, a new amp is needed in due time. But for now I'm planning on keeping my cube. The Gibson I've played sounded even unplugged a lot better than my Epi.

07-16-2009, 10:46 AM	#21 (permalink)
Tenacious T Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,221 Thanks: 8 Thanked 23 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Ready to buy a Gibson? There ya' go then. Keep the Cube, sell the Epiphone's & buy the Gibson. Then, the I want a new amp & another Les Paul gas will start. Trust me on this one

07-16-2009, 11:29 AM	#23 (permalink)
inteDes Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 53 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ready to buy a Gibson? Turns out it was a regular Standard I've played on not a Faded. (owner made a little mistake)

07-16-2009, 12:14 PM	#25 (permalink)
inteDes Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 53 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ready to buy a Gibson? If I would decide to buy a new amp, which amps should I really try out? Any suggestions?

07-16-2009, 12:16 PM	#26 (permalink)
J-Man123 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: On my computer...where else? Posts: 2,426 Thanks: 225 Thanked 92 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Ready to buy a Gibson? I say Gibson Standard. They're awesome! J-Man123 __________________ Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can’t help but cry. I mean I’d love to be skinny like that but not with all those flies and death and stuff. - Mariah Carey Long Live Rock!

07-16-2009, 12:17 PM	#27 (permalink)
J-Man123 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: On my computer...where else? Posts: 2,426 Thanks: 225 Thanked 92 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Ready to buy a Gibson? As for the amp, Les Paul's and Marshalls go together like bread and butter. (sorry for my bad simile) Also you should check out the Orange Tiny Terror head. It is also fantastic. J-Man123 __________________ Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can’t help but cry. I mean I’d love to be skinny like that but not with all those flies and death and stuff. - Mariah Carey Long Live Rock!

07-16-2009, 12:21 PM	#28 (permalink)
Jason Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 18,568 Thanks: 109 Thanked 176 Times in 37 Posts	Re: Ready to buy a Gibson? It does depend on what kind of a tone you're going for... I'm not an amp expert, but I love my Peavey Classic 30. We're talking everything from clean to overly distorted hard rock. Metal? Well, not without some sort of distortion pedal. I found the amp really came alive after retubing with some JJ tubes. It sounds good at quiet volumes, using the preamp gain on the dirty channel to get your distortion. It sounds AMAZING at full band volumes though. Worth a look.

07-16-2009, 12:25 PM	#29 (permalink)
inteDes Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 53 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ready to buy a Gibson? No metal for me. I'm more interested in blues, indie-rock, soft rock,... My heart says: go Gibbie but my head says: you can't play good enough to find the right one and you're not 'up for it'. You get my point?

07-17-2009, 01:45 AM	#30 (permalink)
WillieG Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 413 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ready to buy a Gibson? The thing is, you have played a Gibby and you can't get that feeling out of your head. There is only one outcome here and you know it... __________________ ________________________________________ Member of the Ebony Mafia ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Gibson Les Paul Standard 2006 Ebony Epiphone Les Paul Standard Cherry Sunburst Firewild Standard Relic Chineese prototype Hofner 172 1963 Marshall JCM 900 SL-X 2500 Music Man 210 (1978) ________________________________________

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