Epi Custom pro or Gibson Studio

[Paul larbna]

I have a Gibson Custom but don't play it much due to the price of the guitar. I want an everyday guitar that will feel the exact same as my Gibson Custom, so when i do play my custom everything "feels right". The guitar i'm looking at has to be my everyday walking around the house playing guitar. The only thing that matters is the feel. So forget tone, forget flash i just need the same feel. The problem i have with Studio's is that they feel different to me, maybe its a mental thing no flash??

Basically what i'm looking for is something that will give me the same feel as my Gibson custom, but something i can play everyday and use as a throw around guitar. No way will i use my Gib Custom as a throw around guitar. Also i don't sell my stuff so once i have it, i have it for life lol and don't want to waste time or space on a guitar i will never play.

I'm looking for opinions and suggestion, i'm even open to other brand guitars. Yes, i have been to guitar shops but haven't been recently due to lack of time.

My guitars:
Dean Razor back 85/81 EMG,
Epip ZV 496R/500t "Zack Wylde SG/V combo guitar"
Epip SG Stock,
Ibanez Iceman JB-59/ BL-500XL "Dime original setup",
Gibson Custom 85/81 18V,
Gibson goth explorer "James hetfield EMG's"

AMP's:
JCM - 2000 "DSL100",
1960 a cab,
DSl- 15

 

[CherryBurst14]

why did you buy the Gibson custom if you aren't going to play it? Its a guitar, meant to be played

 

[paruwi]

Hi,
welcome here @ MLP


It's hard to give any advice, cause nobody knows how 'your' Gibson Custom feels to 'your' hands....

I fear you have to go out and compare the Epi Custom to your Gibson yourself

 

[pomaranc]

Just play the damn gibson custom otherwise there is no point in having it.

 

[Paul larbna]

I do play it, i just don't feel comfortable playing a 5k guitar to run scales and carrying it around the house. I know it sounds stupid but when i write something and its close to being complete i play it on the custom. I carry my guitar around the house up the stairs and even in the bathroom, so there is a really good chance its going to get dropped or damaged. That's why i would prefer it be something cheaper.

I can see i'm going to have to go back into the shop to play them. I practice a lot and i don't want to put that ware and tare on my "HOLY GRAIL" does that make sense??? When i have something to play i play it on my custom.

Side question: How much time do you all spend on learning songs or do you spend the majority of your time writing your own stuff?

 

[Norton]

nope. not to me.

Guitars are meant to be played. They are fairly useless in a case…. The coolest guitars are the ones with the most miles on them. Play it…

If your custom is your personal pinnacle of what a guitar should be… shouldn't it be calling you to play it? Inspiring you to complete songs? Get strap locks… walk around the house with it… sleep with it. It's a guitar….play it!

 

[B5Erik]

I would think that an Epi Custom Pro would feel more like a Gibson Custom than a Gibson Studio would, but I'd have to have all three to play to really know for sure.

But I do understand where you're coming from - you don't want to damage a guitar that you've put so much money into. I can dig that - if there is increased risk of damage then you want to play a less expensive guitar that has a similar feel to your mucho expensive guitar. That's logical.

Just try both (Epi Custom & Gibson Studio) and see which one will work better for you. It never hurts to get another guitar.

Well, unless you're totally broke and buying that guitar would leave you homeless because you can't pay your rent/mortgage or something...

 

[sk8rat]

epiphone custom pros are nice guitars but they do have their faults.

overall construction I think that gibson studios are better but for playability I find I always choose my epi lp pro over a gibson studio. guitars all vary but the fault with mine is the pots/wiring, the gap in the neck pocket (doesn't really affect anything though, just annoying that its there).

granted almost every guitar is going to feel different due to (but not limited to) neck profile, weight, fret board material, frets, finish ect....

 

[LPbuc]

A guitar is a tool. They are made to be played, not kept in some display case. Buy a guitar you will play, and you'll be a lot further along than coddling a museum piece.

 

[Lebond]

I get where you are coming from...I've also got a LP Custom which while I do play a lot, I don't have out when there's kids running round the house. I bought an Epi Custom for the same reasons you want one but ended up replacing it with a Gibson Studio. The Epi Custom was a great guitar but the build quality of my Studio is better. Having said that the Studio feels smaller and is certainly not as heavy as the Epi Custom which I didn't like at first, but its grown on me so much that I go through phases when I prefer the Studio to the Gibson Custom.

But as others have said try the Epi Custom and the Gibson Studio and decide for yourself.

 

[redcoats1976]

i have a ric 330 thats a case queen for that reason.it plays well but with grandkids and dogs around i would hate for it to get messed up.made in 1997 and still looks like new.

 

[johnnymg]

I have a Gibson Custom but don't play it much due to the price of the guitar. I want an everyday guitar that will feel the exact same as my Gibson Custom, so when i do play my custom everything "feels right". The guitar i'm looking at has to be my everyday walking around the house playing guitar. The only thing that matters is the feel. So forget tone, forget flash i just need the same feel. The problem i have with Studio's is that they feel different to me, maybe its a mental thing no flash??

Basically what i'm looking for is something that will give me the same feel as my Gibson custom, but something i can play everyday and use as a throw around guitar. No way will i use my Gib Custom as a throw around guitar. Also i don't sell my stuff so once i have it, i have it for life lol and don't want to waste time or space on a guitar i will never play.

I'm looking for opinions and suggestion, i'm even open to other brand guitars. Yes, i have been to guitar shops but haven't been recently due to lack of time.
snip.....................

Being from Nashville you should be able to find plenty of used Epi LP's on craigslist. Most will be in the 2-$400 price range.

 

[Scotty67]

A guitar is a tool. They are made to be played, not kept in some display case. Buy a guitar you will play, and you'll be a lot further along than coddling a museum piece.

While I agree, I do understand the OP's concern for keeping his #1 immaculate. Not everyone wants everything in their collection to look like SRV's did. I keep my #1 and 2 in their cases and I have beaters scattered around the house. Nothing wrong with protecting them from harm in my mind. I don't even hang my good ones on the wall because I don't want the dust on them. And yes, I play the hell out of them.

OP; Either will suit you well, but like with anything, you'll need to do your own inspection/test play before you buy. I'd think the studio would probably give you the best trade/resell dollars down the line though, should that be a consideration

 

[Norton]

Sell the Gibson custom if you're not gonna play it.

If you end up buying another....I bet you'd play it.

 

[Citrus Monolith]

Add another vote to the "just play the damn thing" pile.

 

[Paul larbna]

LOL thanks all. I swear i do play it but i cant afford to spend another 5k on a guitar and going with emgs pickups then getting it moded for 18v again. Yes i have strap locks on all my guitars.

PLEASE DON'T THINK I DON'T PLAY THE GUITAR I DO!!!!! BUT i refuse to play a 5k guitar like its a 300 dollar epip. Which i could care less if i were to smash it in a fit of rage or celebration on a guitar break through in playing lol.

I think ill go studio but will check out the guitar shops, to verify. I LOVE MY CUSTOM!!!!! and i will never sell it. I will die before i sell this guitar, so if it broke i would be up the creek without a paddle. I'M not spending another 5k for a replacement. If i had a signature guitar it would be my LP Custom its pictured in my avatar. That's why im looking for a a guitar i can beat the crap out of and not fell bad. I'M not Zakk or Dimebag to where manufacturers are just sending me guitars all the time.

I cant describe it but when you find your perfect guitar its an amazing feeling. playing this guitar just feels perfect, i even love the weight of this thing, i know a lot of people hate the weight but i'm a big guy and it feels right. Everything about the LP custom is perfect in my opinion, except the price.

Have you all ever seen the move the Jerk with Steve martin "He is one hell of a banjo player BTW". The scene where he is being sued and loses all his money, he walks out of his house saying all i need is this lamp, and this chair and blah blah blah. All i would need is my guitar and its case, peace out!!!

 

[WhiskeyMike]

Make sure you look at the Gib 2016 T. I bought the Faded Worn Brown LP Studio 2016 T. It is a working guitar with good pickups and a really nice neck. It is a steal. I hate binding generally, not very fond of gloss, so this is perfect.

Just take a look, see how it feels.

 

[thekilierdonut]

I love my custom pro, not sure how it would measure up to your gibson but I can say that it's a wonderful guitar, and that I prefer it to most of the gibson studios I have been exposed to lately. The last Gibby I personally owned was an 08 SG standard and my epi custom feels and sounds better to my hands and ears.

 

['Hege]

I am as guilty as anyone in keeping the "specials" cased when not being played. And (side note) I do not de-tune to store either.
I think of it as protecting the investments. (When I say investments, I am talking about "minty" instruments I have acquired over time for rock bottom prices at the time)
I keep a couple of "lesser" ones on hangars in easy reach when the inspiration strikes me.
I have the same idea as the OP, I am not going to suffer the heartbreak of dropping my specials to the stone floor, strap locks not withstanding.....

The critical thing for me was to have a familiar neck shape and scale for the "beaters".
Many do not care about neck shapes on their "alternates", nor the scale, and have enough talent to do well no matter the feel of the guitar. I'm not one of those.
I always play the "forspecials" when I am actually going to sit a couple hours to play. I always grab the beaters when I just need a little finger stretch "fix".
So I am with you OP. FWIW

 

[Walt_T]

I'm assuming you don't play out. When and if you do, you're going to want to bring the guitar (guitars) you've practiced with.
A road guitar is going to get hurt. Mic stand hits, backing into cymbals, and a plethora of other dangers that lurk in on-stage playing.
I have no trouble with protected guitars, I have a few that get played often but will never see a club.
Find something that suits you and use it without fear.