Epiphone Limited Editions - Differences ?

[aaron10]

I have a question for the more experienced Les paul shoppers around here. I was just browsing through zZounds and AMS, they have Epiphone Les Paul standards listed as limited edition. Are there any real differences in these, like a slightly different color tops on these or are they basically just regular Epi Standards tagged limited edition by zZounds & AMS for advertising reasons? Here's some links:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--EPIENS?siid=109434
https://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-EPI-ENS-RCCH1
and Epi Standards for comparison: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ENSMGCH
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/epiphone-les-paul-standard-plain-top-electric-guitar

 

[paruwi]

Moved your post

It's mostly just a different color that makes them 'Limited'

 

[T00DEEPBLUE]

The only thing that makes it 'limited' is that Epiphone only manufactured a few thousand guitars in that colour instead of a few tens of thousands.

 

[aaron10]

The only thing that makes it 'limited' is that Epiphone only manufactured a few thousand guitars in that colour instead of a few tens of thousands.

Thanks for the replies. So you're saying the limited editions are in slightly different colored top compared to a standard? The Gold top on AMS, to me, does look a shade darker than on Sweetwater. But I'm colorblind and I've noticed gold tops are tricky under different lights.

 

[T00DEEPBLUE]

Thanks for the replies. So you're saying the limited editions are in slightly different colored top compared to a standard? The Gold top on AMS, to me, does look a shade darker than on Sweetwater. But I'm colorblind and I've noticed gold tops are tricky under different lights.

It greatly depends on the lighting conditions when the picture was taken.

But yes, the finish colour is usually the only difference with the so-called 'limited' Epis.

 

[aaron10]

Now I'm wondering what the difference in finish-color with these limited editions actually is, one thing leads to another lol. The colors are listed the usual metallic gold, pelham blue, cardinal red, ebony. I'm interested in a gold top les paul, but they seem to vary so much in color. Traditional pro tops seem brighter than normal standards, even though both are labeled metallic gold. Not a fan of the brighter-yellowish tops. My favorite color LP is the darker gold like Epi Bonamassa or Gibson Les Paul Tribute, those look great with the black plastics but a gold top close to that shade doesn't seem available on an Epi Standard unless these Limited editions editions are closer.

 

[PierM]

You should never expect a guitar finish/color to looks like in the photo shoots.

Those are pictures taken in a set, sometimes with spot lights, sometimes with diffuse light, depends also on the angle and many more variables... and almost all of them have been processed. On top of that Epiphone does "edit" 90% of all their official guitar pictures, to add the shiny reflection to avoid the studio photo shoot. Also the term "limited edition" apart few rare cases, doesn't mean anything. It's just marketing words.

 

[Jymbopalyse]

I just picked up a Limited Edition Wine Red Custom Pro. I can't find the Wind Red listed anywhere on the Epi site but L&M have them. The Standard you describe kinda follows the same MO.

After watching a couple of videos (found within the MLP forums) of the Epiphone production factory I get the feeling that the Ltd Editions get created when the production line changes from very one very specific model to another. Paint, Necks, Bodies, routing, electronics, etc . . . when all the specific parts on the assembly line don't align . . . you get a limited edition. Same quality and workmanship, just different combo of parts.

If you haven't viewed the video of the tour of the Epiphone plant in China I highly recommend it.

 

[paruwi]

I get the feeling that the Ltd Editions get created when the production line changes from very one very specific model to another. Paint, Necks, Bodies, routing, electronics, etc . . . when all the specific parts on the assembly line don't align . . . you get a limited edition. Same quality and workmanship, just different combo of parts.

Sorry, not really......

Same bodywood,
same electronics,
same neck,
same tuners,
same routings,
same parts,

another color and available at selected retailers only = Limited Edition

this is how it works at Epiphone mostly

 

[James Carney]

LEs also have this on the back of the headstock, which I quite like.

 

[Kamen_Kaiju]

there is no Epiphone "custom shop", they're regular Epis in different colors.

no guarantee your limited colour won't become a production color either.

my limited 2010 desertburst is not so limited these days. (for example)

then you get stuff like the limited runs guitars like the JB,... which turn out to not really be limited because they keep doing runs of them. (last time i checked anyway)

epi does some funny stuff but imo there isn't a better 'bang for your buck' les paul guitar out better than Epi.

almost everyone makes a singlecut now, but Gibson and Epi make Les Pauls.

(the PRS singlecuts are really nice though, gotta admit. )

 

[T00DEEPBLUE]

LEs also have this on the back of the headstock, which I quite like.

Meh. I don't like it. There's no such thing as an Epiphone custom shop. It's pure marketing bull.

I'd rather my guitar didn't display pure marketing bull.