Burny vs. Greco vs. Tokai vs. Epi elite vs. Gibson

[Udonitron]

I Dig Burny LPC's

[/quote]


LOL @ your GIF

Agree with you on the Burny LPC

 

[Gasp100]

mmhm mid 80's burny.

Burny Les Paul Standard Super Grade Flame Gibson G-Bag - eBay (item 180405006083 end time Sep-16-09 18:57:16 PDT)

So, did you grab it? I was close... really close but I decided to sleep on that one. Probably better that it's gone. I would have asked to see pics of the control cavity (I know the pups were replaced, but maybe the pots and caps could provide some info on a real date/model) and the pickup routes as well. I think some of the higher end RLG's actually may have had the model's stamped into the rear pickup cavity.
Probably prerty easy nowadays to grab a later 90's Burny, change the truss rod cover and pass it off as 80's.

 

[UITA]

THERE'S NO BETTER JUST DIFFERENT!!!!!! You forget personal choice.

 

[kip0909]

THERE'S NO BETTER JUST DIFFERENT!!!!!! You forget personal choice.

so can you explain a few of the diffrences?

 

[tonebone]

so can you explain a few of the diffrences?

Between 1958 and 1960 there were approx 1,712 Les Pauls made, well, shipped anyway according to surviving records ("Standards").

In particular, in 1959 there were 643 Les Paul Standard's shipped. The 1959 Les Paul (Standard) is the benchmark. What with the old folks that cut the wood and put them together, the painters, the people that set the frets and put in the celluloid inlays, the nuts, the bridges, and the two little ladies winding the pickups, pulling the magnets out of one cardboard box, the bobbins out of another, and comparing recipes while the winders spun the magic.

Everyone, be it Gibson, the Japanese, individual luthiers, have been trying to duplicate those 59's. They hit the mark in varying degrees. Enough degrees to fill a book. Or several books. Surprising someone hasn't gotten a book out on just the MIJ offerings.

Why don't you just do the research a lot of us have done. Thanks to the internet, there is a multitude of info's already posted all over the place. I don't know how people found out what they needed to know in the 90's. What with the Guitar Traders, Leo's, Max's, MIJ's, etc, etc, etc. But then, a 59 Les Paul didn't command the price they do now.

 

[ehren]

Well, I just bought a used Edwards 98lts from a board member, and I couldn't be happier with the guitar. I had the cash to buy a Gibson. I played every Gibson Les Paul in town. Some of them were great, great guitars, some of them were absolute trash. I couldn't be happier with the decision I made. I could not quantify which would be "better" as better means something different to everyone.

 

[3pupLPC]

Everyone, be it Gibson, the Japanese, individual luthiers, have been trying to duplicate those 59's.

Exactly! Even Gibson R# are COPIES of their heritage.

 

[nwobhm]

So, did you grab it? I was close... really close but I decided to sleep on that one. Probably better that it's gone. I would have asked to see pics of the control cavity (I know the pups were replaced, but maybe the pots and caps could provide some info on a real date/model) and the pickup routes as well. I think some of the higher end RLG's actually may have had the model's stamped into the rear pickup cavity.
Probably prerty easy nowadays to grab a later 90's Burny, change the truss rod cover and pass it off as 80's.

I came so close to that one too! Had to restrain myself, got too many as it is.

 

[lp_junkie]

I will vote Orville by Gibson, the reason being I have owned several of them in the past 10 years and every single one smokes every Gibson I have ever played with the exception of the Reissues.

The specs were closer to vintage correct than what Gibson was making at the time, the thin nitro finish was dead vintage and the materials were incredible.

Once I started playing Orvilles and OBG I never wanted to play Gibson again, I sold my two Gibson Customs and a Deluxe because they sat in the cases for 2 years.

 

[J-Man123]

Why don't you make a poll! It would make it easier on us.



J-Man123

 

[J-Man123]

just wait a couple hours and that post will be shot down like turkeys on the day before thanksgiving

I see we got another friend from the South! Yeehawww!



J-Man123

 

[Kitarist]

Make a poll

 

[Kemper59]

Best bang for the buck (by far) = Epi Elitist; con, Headstock shape, some are a tad heavy.

Best overall (if you're lucky enough to find a nice 80's and you can confirm that it really IS an 80's = Burny. If it has the VH1's you're golden; if not you can swap out the electronics and pups if need be.

Best overall, but might be a tad expensive = Orville by Gibson, preferably the LP Reissue's vs. the "regular" LPs. Nitro, fret edge binding (on the reissue line), 57 classics, sometimes one piece back AND top, good wood, correct headstock. cons, prices can start to creep into used Gibson territory.

Really sweet guitars, but too expensive imho = LS160's and above from Tokai Japan. Might as well get a Gibson.

Greco's = crapshoot. There are MANY nice Greco's out there don't get me wrong, but trying to find out exactly what you are getting can be tough. Many sellers don't even know what they have. Same can be said of Burny's as well.

I LOVE my Burny LPC; I just swapped the pups for GuitarForce Rebel's = VERY NICE!!!
FWIW I have owned everything from R4's/R8's and at least 2-3 examples of all the MIJ's listed (and more). I'll say this... you can get a pretty kick ass LP if you do the research for $700-800 from MIJ. It might not be on the level of a Gibby Reissue, but you can get dangerously close imho.
Also, don't discount the newer Gibby LP Standards, Traditionals, Trad Pro's, etc... many nice options out there if you are up into that price range as well.

Gasp

You sell all your guitars every week, what guitars do you own this week?

 

[Kemper59]

What in your guys opinions, the best les paul out there. (and they don't have to be the ones in the title, any accurate les paul, or copy No agiles or new ESPs)

Post your choice.


oh and list some pros and cons of each diffrent brand

They all have pro's and cons...the ultimate test is to get a dozen or so of each brand and check them all for consistency in finish, playability, tone, setup, fret work, etc,etc....then you'll know which one is the best Les Paul.

It's a pity music stores in America don't have the opportunity to do this test...the results would be mind blowing.

 

[Scooter2112]

Personal choice. Right now, I favor my Elitists over my Gibsons.

Haven't tried any of the others, but a nice Tokai is on my short term wish-list.

 

[Ericrule]

For years my number 1 guitar has been my 1993 Gibson SG Standard. That all changed when I happened to stumble upon a 1980 Greco Mint Collection guitar. This one looks like the unofficial Ace Frehley model but it is different. This has the flower pot logo on the headstock and the open O in "Greco" which indicates it's a Mint Collection Series. It took me hours of research to discover that this is a MC series. I have not been able to find a picture yet of a Greco that is like this one. Anyways I bought this guitar for 220.00 with the intention of reselling it. Not anymore!! This is my favorite guitar now! I was blown away by how heavy this guitar is..has to be as heavy as a LP standard. I was even more blown away once I plugged this in to my Mesa Boogie Nomad 45! This guitar is amazing!! I'm sorry but I have no desire to own an "authentic Les Paul anymore."

 

[wilsonho94]

Hey guys... I plan on getting a Greco Custom... not sure what year... which year would be the best and does a Greco come close to a Gibson ? (Tonally) I tried a few MIJ Epiphone Custom with Open book head stock and compared it to a Gibson LP Classic... the tona of the Epi was much brighter where as the LP Classic was hot and warm... will Greco have the same tone as the Epi or close to a Gibson ? Your veiws are appreciated ^^

 

[bassbo530]

Very High end Grecos... Tokais & Burnys are my FAVs

 

[Lysol]

Navigator and Tokai Premium.

I'm getting a new LP soon. I will have enough for either a 2nd hand Gibson LPC or a new Tokai Premium LPC, I chose the Tokai as it's a far better guitar. Both are basically the same price.

 

[JDB]

Hey guys... I plan on getting a Greco Custom... not sure what year... which year would be the best and does a Greco come close to a Gibson ? (Tonally) I tried a few MIJ Epiphone Custom with Open book head stock and compared it to a Gibson LP Classic... the tona of the Epi was much brighter where as the LP Classic was hot and warm... will Greco have the same tone as the Epi or close to a Gibson ? Your veiws are appreciated ^^

Pickups probably have a lot do do with brighter tone in the Epi. If your looking for a PAF tone then there are some nice maxon-fujigen-greco pups that will have a more traditional tone than the Epi has.