Buying my First Les Paul

[Cragworth]

Hi Guys,
new on the forum here and thought id ask a couple of questions:

I have 3 choices here:
1. Buy a top of the line Epiphone LP Standard Custom Pro (apporox £300-£500)
2. Buy a new Gibson studio (approx £850-£1100)
3. search the classifieds for a second hand studio (£450-£750)

Ive seen a few nice 93 era studios for around £450

Gibson Les Paul Studio Wine Red 1993 with gold hardware and original gig bag in Aberdeen | Guitars, Guitar Amplifiers for Sale | Gumtree.com

This being a favourite.

Any suggestions?

 

[JM2112]

I would take a Studio over the Epiphone...

Certainly try to play it before you buy if at all possible. Welcome to the forum too...

 

[Bill h]

I would go for the studio. Studio's sound and play just as good as the higher end lp's but they are without all the bling. As always and as most of the members will suggest, go and try out everything and decide for yourself as all we can offer are opinions. Welcome to the forum

 

[ll IrOn CiTy ll]

Used 90's studio..they are great guitars.

 

[SonicBlur]

My honest opinion is to try everything before you buy! Just because it says Gibson doesn't mean it's going to be amazing! A top-end Epi is probably pretty damn good! Don't go name shopping, go guitar shopping!

 

[Comanche]

Studio is the way to go all the way. Older ones with ebony fret boards are grand.

 

[rikko]

Some say if the Stig is playing guitar, it's a 90's era Studio...

 

[Krzyates]

Go with an older Studio or an Epiphone Elitist if you can find one for cheap (usuallly the Elitists sell for more that a Studio). Good luck on your hunt.

 

[BJunior]

Try a Gibson LP Junior!

 

[musicmaniac]

Studio new or used will do the job.

 

[BWOTW]

Go used! With Gibsons, you can always flip them for (at least) what you paid for, there's no risk.

 

[andYz00m]

You could always go with the Melody maker. Great little Gibson and they are very affordable. I would go with Gibson over Epiphone. I own both and can say that even low end Gibsons are much better guitars.

 

[tzd]

If you must get the Epi, get the Tribute Plus. Otherwise get a Gibson Studio.

 

[emcee squared]

90s Studios are beasts. I've noticed, at least from people talking about them on this forum, that there are an unusual amount for sale lately.

 

[Cragworth]

Thanks for the advice guys! Think ill go for a used studio (wont lose money if i decide to sell it on as someone mentioned) or buy a new studio.
Seen a nice alpine white one with coil tapping (2012 i think) for around £870.

 

[Latearrival]

You might get an old LP Standard for £750 if you shop around....

There are some nice old guitars with "character" around if you are lucky!

 

[Droog]

Used studio or even a standard if you're patient. Play lots of examples to get a feel for the way a good one should play and sound even if you have no intention of buying that particular one.

I'm a historic Les Paul owner but I'll be the first to step up and say you can get a dynamite guitar from the USA line up, and buying used can save some dough

 

[battra]

Used 90's studio..they are great guitars.

Based on my experience with Epis, Gibby's, and Studios, that's the way to go.

But check out all you can.

You never know...You might find a GREAT Epi on the floor...when I went looking, I couldn't find a good one...it was either new Epi Black Beauty or 50's Trib Studio, and the Epi's I found just weren't happening...

So I went with the Studio that had the Pups I wanted. 498/490.

If you get an Epi though, with some simple upgrades, that I cannot do, you can make them balls out awesome.

 

[catmandu]

I like the looks of that studio! Id prolly take my chances on it!

 

[TheBarnet]

Thanks for the advice guys! Think ill go for a used studio (wont lose money if i decide to sell it on as someone mentioned) or buy a new studio.
Seen a nice alpine white one with coil tapping (2012 i think) for around £870.

If you've got £870 cash, I'd keep saving and buy a 2nd hand Classic or old Standard - usually around £900-£1000. Or I'd put £870 down on a new Standard and take finance for the extra grand needed, would be about only £30 a month for 36 months. Either way, try before you buy if you can!