Epi LP 56 Goldtop with P 90s.

[patternrecognition]

I looked in more depth at the Rondo music site, and I see that there are several models of the copy '56 gold top. The top of the line model is $400. There seem to have been a lot of complaints about mail order inexpensive LP copies, including one on this page right now. I'm very concerned about buying a guitar like this that I have not had the chance to play and inspect.

Buy the Agile. All of the ones I've played (and owned) are superior to the Epiphone counterparts, especially the 3x00 models. If you don't like it, send it back. Rondo has a great return policy.

 

[leftyguitarman]

I own an Agile with P90s. Personally, their P90s don't sound all that great and the output of both pickups is the same. Apart from the electronics it's a pretty decent guitar though. I personally think my Epiphone is a little better quality than my Agile but they both feel pretty similar. Overall the Agiles are good but I think Epiphones are a little better.

 

[tonymich]

I bought the Epi. '56 Gold top last month from MF. (I wish I could have gotten a few more bucks off by not taking the free case). I think it plays and sounds great. I like the neck on it. I am one for trying before buying but the local CG doesn't stock it so I took a chance and am happy with what I got. The setup on it was fine. I'll replace the strings but that's about all I'll do. In fact, I jammed with it the night I got it. Stays in tune very well.

 

[Dolebludger]

Yeah, well I might need to take the same chance, as the odds of my finding one to play in my area are looking dim.

I have done some research, and have learned that this guitar was discontinued several months back and due to complaints Epi agreed to make it until the first of '10 -- then gone.

Here's some unsolicited advice. When you change those strings, change to DR Pure Blues. The wrapped strings are pure nickel wrap with round cores. The plain strings also have something special about them, but I don't know what. They just sound better. And, for some reason, the 9s sustain better than the 10s.

 

[tonymich]

Thanks. I'll give those DR's a try. I think I need to stick with 10's though because I tend to bend 9's when I don't mean too.

 

[Dolebludger]

I don't want to belabor the string matter so much that this thread gets off topic, but an interesting thing about the DR Pure Blues 9s is they don't accidentally bend when chording and such. It takes more pressure to start your bend with them than with steel strings. More like 10s. But once you start your bend, you get past that initial point of resistance, and the bend becomes very easy and springy.

 

[Grand Pappy]

I bought an Epi Ebony 56 LP reissue,just like slowhand 0461's, new, sight unseen from M.F. when they discontinued that particular model. at that time I got the Ebony model for $300.00!
I was fortunate enough to have a set of 70's Gibson P-90's sitting around in my parts case. I had to due moderate mod's to the pup cavities in the Epi to fit the taller Gibson pups in. I installed an R.S. modern up grade kit, too. My 56' reissue really kicks some serious ass with the pup & electronic upgrades, but the overall construction is not as good as a real Gibson. The Epi wood is lighter.
The Epi is still a great guitar, but it's not up to Gibson American made standards in both material and craftsmanship. I will admit that they're worth the price you pay for an Epi as opposed to 10X more for the same Gibson model.

 

[#1guitarman]

did you change the pots/caps/switch by yourself or did you get it serviced? I'm new to modding, but want to switch the pots and caps on my Epi

Yes, I did the mods myself, it's not really hard ya just have to keep track of which wire goes where, and I went thru a buncha different caps, before I scored a set of PIO .033's from Jonesy....He da TONE MOJO MAN, Man!!....they made a WORLD of difference!!! Oh, and the deal about the wood being lighter??...My Epi '56 GT is sorta chambered....so yea it's lighter than other Lesters, I think about 1 lb 6oz lighter. I haven't put it on the digi's but I have weighd it against my Standards (2) and My Classic, and they all come up 1lb6oz heavier on the Bathroom scale...

 

[Mark H]

Im on the fence with the Rondo P-90s to?
Maybe get one and put SD pups in there?

DR all the way ....Metal!!!

 

[scott duncan]

Buy the Epiphone! I did and don't regret it! the stock build quality is very good and with some basic mods ie. pots, caps, graphteck nut and a light fret level and good setup you have a truly solid playable instrument. By the way where did you see these were being completely phased out in 2010? If it's true I may have to get another one just as an investment!

 

[AssFoe]

I own the Epiphone '56 Goldtop too. Like scott duncan said, the stock build is good but can be made better with some of the basic upgrades. If you want a P-90-equipped Les Paul for a good price, it's definitely worth purchasing.

 

[jrnic]

jmic:

I checked out Rondo Music online, and discovered that they were offering a Korean made gold top, P90 Les Paul Copy for $219. That price is so low that it scares me! Really, is this any good? I'm sort of a semi pro, and am going to sell some guitars to buy what I now seek. Do you think I would really be happy with it?

I know what you mean about the price being so low. I have 3 Agiles right now, the one I pictured, another of the same model in Silverburst with humbuckers and an LP Double cut type with great flame on top and binding all around (neck & headstock too) in Blue Flame. I have to say I have 3 epiphones too (2 LP's and an SG) and I think they (Agiles) are equal to or maybe slightly better than my Epi's. The fit of the parts is fantastic and the finish is top notch. I am in no way a professional (basement player only) but they do amaze me in the quality of the guitar for the price. The ONLY thing I have to say is their humbuckers are not the greatest. I like a hot pickup and the Agile humbuckers are far from hot. I put in DiMarzios (Dist & PAF) in my blue burst and it positively screams now. As for their P90's, I have to say honestly, I have nothing to compare them with. I haven't owned a P90 guitar in almot 25 years so, it sounds how it sounds. I'm sure that if you get it and think the pickups are weak, that's the beauty of having many replacement options available. You could replace the bridge P90 and even with that cost it would still be a great deal. I have dealt with Rondo a few times over the years. I even bought 2 of my 3 Agiles personally from their store when they were set up in New Jersey. Now they are strictly mail order out of New Hampshire. The place has changed but the Customer Service I'm sure is still the same.

Sorry about the long winded comment, but I would say, go for it. I don't think you will be disappointed. I am not, with mine!!!!

 

[Keefoman]

My '05 Edwards:

When I was in the market for a "56 Gold Top" I tried several Epi's and didn't quite get the "feeling".
Surely dreamt about the R6 (tried a couple of them too. Surely very beautiful axes.), but the price level was, and is, well out of my range.
Had almost given up on a decent an affordable '56 when Edward came along, so I took a chance and bought it without trying it, and no regrets!
The stock Duncans were already replaced with Fralins and I love the sound of those pups. It has got a fat neck, but still very comfortable imo
It ISN'T a Historic, but then again, I paid about 1/6 the price of a new R6.

 

[scott duncan]

Yeah Keefoman. That's a sweet copy! What I really like about that one is the finish is more true to the original. The pigment in the topcoat is very fine and has that real Gibson bronze/gold hue. Whereas my Epiphone looks right if you view it more on edge or in low light but if it's lit straight on it looks more like gold metal flake! Never heard of the Edwards in the USA so it must be a European copy? Anyway it's beautiful and I wish we could get them here.

 

[Keefoman]

Yeah Keefoman. That's a sweet copy! What I really like about that one is the finish is more true to the original. The pigment in the topcoat is very fine and has that real Gibson bronze/gold hue. Whereas my Epiphone looks right if you view it more on edge or in low light but if it's lit straight on it looks more like gold metal flake! Never heard of the Edwards in the USA so it must be a European copy? Anyway it's beautiful and I wish we could get them here.

You can't by them in stores in Europe either, but you can import them directly from Japan yourself. I guess that would be the case in the U.S too.
I luckily came across this second hand.
Here's one on ebay right now: ESP EDWARDS LPS Gold Top Long tenon Duncan SP-90 NEW - eBay (item 270447702505 end time Sep-05-09 00:37:38 PDT)

 

[ep1972]

I've got a 2000 Epi 56 GT that I love. It's all stock, but I think what makes this Epi LP so nice is it's made in Korea, not China. The quality of fit and finish is superb, and the stock p90s sound great. I've played some Chinese made Epi LPs that were just awful! I currently own 3 Gibsons and 2 Epis. And while the Epis obviously are not in the same league as the Gibsons, the older korean made epis are much better than the Chinese ones offered today.

I have owned many "real" Les Pauls in my life, and I can honestly say that my Epi Plus Top is in EXACTLY the same league as any one of the Gibsons I have owned in the past. With all due respect IMO the Gibson models other than custom pieces are no better than an EPI. That is more a myth than fact IMO. You can always talk "specs", but those end in the abyss. Bottom line, IMO, the cost of a Gibson Les Paul vs Epi is not a cost of quality, so much as it's a cost of more expensive U.S. overhead.

 

[Skit]

You can't by them in stores in Europe either, but you can import them directly from Japan yourself. I guess that would be the case in the U.S too.
I luckily came across this second hand.
Here's one on ebay right now: ESP EDWARDS LPS Gold Top Long tenon Duncan SP-90 NEW - eBay (item 270447702505 end time Sep-05-09 00:37:38 PDT)

Damn...I wish I had the scratch to grab that.