Best MIJ Gibson LP 59 Replica

[thedoctore]

There are not many guitar maniacs, who can afford buying an original Gibson les paul 59. But the japanese luthiers knew how to make a great sounding and looking LP.

What, do you think is the best MIJ LP 59' ever ? The most accurate copy (clone), the best sounding, or maybe the most stunning piece of art.
I'm looking forward to your replies, because MIJ are fantastic guitars. I own an acoustic that is f***ing crazy. None of new guitars can compete with her. She's not perfect, but feels luxurious, and hand made with a heart.

Best wishes, thedoctore (sorry for any mistakes, I haven't used english for a long time)

[tonebone]

Dear Doktor ,

I'd say Navigator. The old Tokai LS-200's from the early 80's are equally great, but try to find one. er, one that someone is willing to sell.

I also believe there are Greco EGF2500's, but I have never seen one personally - or seen one on the internet either.

[thedoctore]

Personally, I've heard Tokai love rock, but I didn't play it, and don't know the exact model. The guitar was nice, but just nice. I believe that there are MIJs, that are far more better than Gibsons from that era (70', 80s) and the new Gibsons from the Custom Shop.
What about Greco Super Real's ? These guitars are quite expensive, but I've never heard it.

[Udonitron]

Originally Posted by tonebone

I also believe there are Greco EGF2500's, but I have never seen one personally - or seen one on the internet either.

Here ya go

Greco Super Real SERIES

[tonebone]

Originally Posted by Udonitron

Here ya go

Greco Super Real SERIES

Thanks udo! Translation is lost when I click it. Some Super Real EGF2500's there? I think I've stumbled on that site before. That's why I thought there were top end MIJ hoarder clubs in Japan.

[Udonitron]

Yeah...he is one of them. I think the two on the right in the 1st pic are supposedly the 2500's. No 1200, 1350, 1500, or 1800's had that root beer type burst that I have ever seen.

[shtdaprdtr]

the only problem is that anything that resembles a burst nowadays carry a high price tag...Ive seen Tokais and super reals go up to 3K. As much as I love them..I couldnt bring myself to spend that much if it didnt say Gibson on the headstock.

[Udonitron]

So the Gibson name is worth $3000 to you but the MIJ quality and craftsmanship is not? Gibson is no longer known as the kick ass & consistent manufacturer they used to be.

[vintageJIM]

Originally Posted by shtdaprdtr

the only problem is that anything that resembles a burst nowadays carry a high price tag...Ive seen Tokais and super reals go up to 3K. As much as I love them..I couldnt bring myself to spend that much if it didnt say Gibson on the headstock.

............ ............. ............. .............. ..........

[mono]

It all depends on how you see MIJ guitars. Some of us buy them because we cannot afford the Gibsons of our dreams, whereas others like udo and jim have played enough to know that there is real quality there, possibly worth $3k.

And in all fairness, not every guitar with Gibson on the headstock was built by the Gibson corporation

[villager]

there is no definative ''best'' for everyone, there are too many variable preferences, neck, pickups, top, back, flame, plain, long teno, fret binding, etc etc etc all or some may contribute to one persons ''best'', whereas some of these variables may be irrelevent to another person!!

also tone and playability are completely useless as objective terms, heh..

[tom1965]

Originally Posted by Udonitron

So the Gibson name is worth $3000 to you but the MIJ quality and craftsmanship is not? Gibson is no longer known as the kick ass & consistent manufacturer they used to be.

Think i understand the point here , kinda like a Harley Davidson is exactly that , A Harley , and only a Gibson Les Paul is a real Les Paul , the brand name is very important , regardless of the quality. Plenty of Bikes out there made to look like Harley Davidsons , technically more advanced etc but no matter how good , it aint a Harley . Still , no excuse for sloppy workmansip etc !!!

[tonebone]

To get a Gibson with vintage specs (almost) you need to buy a reissue. Not many of those sell for under $3,000.


OP is looking for "59 Replica."

[Drew224]

Originally Posted by mono

it all depends on how you see mij guitars. Some of us buy them because we cannot afford the gibsons of our dreams, whereas others like udo and jim have played enough to know that there is real quality there, possibly worth $3k.

And in all fairness, not every guitar with gibson on the headstock was built by the gibson corporation

+1

[nwobhm]

To be honest, there aren't many exact 59' replicas. At keast not like a Max, Keebler, etc.. Most Japanese builders make great quality guitars but, have there own build techniques. My Navigators a well made guitar but, it isn't an exact replica. I think Hiroshi Kid has made a 59' but, I haven't seen one. Only Korina V's.

[lp_junkie]

Navigator, they are expensive and hard to come by but they are dead nuts accurate.

[tonebone]

Here's a Navi that leaves Tokai's in the dust,

¡úÈþÉÊ!¨·è! Navigator N-LP-480 LTD LemonDrop ¥á¡¼¥«¡¼ÊݾÚÍ* - Yahoo!Auction

I'm not a gigger, btw,

[vintageJIM]

Originally Posted by thedoctore

There are not many guitar maniacs, who can afford buying an original Gibson les paul 59. But the japanese luthiers knew how to make a great sounding and looking LP.

What, do you think is the best MIJ LP 59' ever ? The most accurate copy (clone), the best sounding, or maybe the most stunning piece of art.
I'm looking forward to your replies, because MIJ are fantastic guitars. I own an acoustic that is f***ing crazy. None of new guitars can compete with her. She's not perfect, but feels luxurious, and hand made with a heart.

Best wishes, thedoctore (sorry for any mistakes, I haven't used english for a long time)

there is no, "best" period, and I think villager hit the nail squarely on the round head

IMO there are two options;
1. the early Burny RLC all mahogany Customs, which will get you a multi piece body, a killer guitar for the $$$, not much to look at, and you can pretend it's a '59 Custom

2. for the step up; a 1 piece body back Bacchus BLS-120, or BLS-59

neither one is a replica, and most MIJ Lesters R not replicas ...........

Just one opinion .............................

[tonebone]

Mr. vintage, a question if I may,

Have you owned/played a Greco EGF1800? If so, are they all they're cracked up to be?

[Ace Warslave]

At the moment ive been playing my k-orville while it aint no 59 les paul..i love it better than all my gibbys..but i will say the years that i like for gibson that i have is..70s.80s.90s...havent played any modern gibsons..

[Ace Warslave]

oh...i forgot that navigator is well..

[vintageJIM]

Originally Posted by tonebone

Mr. vintage, a question if I may,

Have you owned/played a Greco EGF1800? If so, are they all they're cracked up to be?

No; the highest up the EGF chain I've gone is the EGF-1000 (near mint) & original Super Real case


from what I have heard from others the big draw for the EGFs are:
1. big neck
2. nitro finish
3. Brazilian board
4. Dry Z pups on 1200 & up

My EGF-1000 had a huge neck, it had nitro, & it had a Brazilian board but no Dry Zs.

I've played 2 sets of Dry Zs; one in my MSV-850 & a set in one of my three Bacchus BLS-59 models.

Now AFA I have read & seen, the EGF-1200 can have a three piece body back, and the EGF-1800 can have a 2 piece body back.

No doubt they are likely great guitars but for my money, I can't see paying out that kinda scratch for something that does not have a 1 piece body back.

I'm sticking with the lower price stuff for the 1 piece body backs.
I don't need Brazilian, and I don't need Dry Zs, even as nice as they are ...........

[tonebone]

And I thank you, good Sir.

[Tuxedo Kaz]

Originally Posted by tonebone

Here's a Navi that leaves Tokai's in the dust,

¡úÈþÉÊ!¨·è! Navigator N-LP-480 LTD LemonDrop ¥á¡¼¥«¡¼ÊݾÚÍ* - Yahoo!Auction

I'm not a gigger, btw,

That's an AWESOME Lemondrop 480!

[villager]

my best navigator, and my best Greco, same necks, greco is 2 piece back but has the edge in sound,( I have an 1800 with a 1 piece back also) but both are amongst the finest guitars I have ever owned, although as I said before ''best'' is so subjective, and the looks of these 2 play a part in that evaluation!! for best players I would have to post at least another 10 guitars!!!!

[Tuxedo Kaz]

Hey Mark! How's it over there in rural France, my friend?

[shtdaprdtr]

Originally Posted by Udonitron

So the Gibson name is worth $3000 to you but the MIJ quality and craftsmanship is not? Gibson is no longer known as the kick ass & consistent manufacturer they used to be.

No..unfortunately its the resale value...sure I could sell a Tokai to someone for 3K...but Id have to search for a buyer..whereas I could move a Gibson much faster. In the end for me...a guitar is a guitar, craftsmanship doesnt translate into tone through my amp...my fingers do, craftsmanship only makes the guitar feel better and hopefully not break.
Not to mention an Edwards Ive seen for 3K had a 2 piece mahogany back, great guitars but theyre 3K because of the history they acquired as the "lawsuit" guitars.

[villager]

all is well thanks Kaz, autumn is here now so everything looks beautiful

[shtdaprdtr]

Id say the best bang for the buck and closest to being a Gibson would be orvilles...they are still reasonably priced and most have the tenon.

[villager]

no they are not, multi piece back mediocre PU, poly finish, veneer tops, miles away, a long tenon does not make an orville into a 59 close player, but then I dont consider a historic to be the bee's knees either, for the best new guitars navigators are the closest to 59 specs, but then specs are not everything, the debate is never ending, buy an old 1979-1982 tokai and you will have a fantastic guitar which may sound as good as a 59, to you, but then to a 59 owner it may not!! all totally subjective..