Epiphone LP Food Chain... Guitar rankings

[Parasite68]

Hey guys, with all the choices of Epi LP's out there, how do they stack up against each other? I've had epi acoustics and I'm currently playing a Frehley budokan.
As well as a few Gibsons. I'm currently waiting for my new "used" trad pro goldtop to be dropped off by UPS tomorrow even though its sitting 6 blocks away from me at UPS. They received it 5:10am this morning but won't bring it til tomorrow.

What I'm trying to find out though is where do all these guitars rank? I'm talking about axes like the elitists, tribute +'s, trad pro, signature models (frehley,slash,bonomassa, etc)

I thought it might be fun if someone could rank the current popular played guitars as far as playability, features, tone, popularity, and more importantly performance. Think of the list as like a power rankings list. Feel free to give personal experiences! It should be fun!

I'm looking forward to the responses and no doubt constructive debates! Let the listing begin!

 

[paruwi]

The regulary salesprice will give you the direction...

1. MiJ Elite/Elitist
2. Models with upgraded specs like Gibson pups, better electronics or real maplecaps or long neck-tenon
3. all other models with set-necks and arched body and 'PRO' pups
4. same ones with older non 'PRO' pups
5. all other models with bolt-on necks and plain body

#2 - #5 regardless where they have been made

 

[Curmudgeon]

#2 - #5 regardless where they have been made

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The voice of reason!

 

[Curmudgeon]

Hey guys, with all the choices of Epi LP's out there, how do they stack up against each other?

I'm looking forward to the responses and no doubt constructive debates! Let the listing begin!

Constructive debates? Stand back!

 

[Spoone]

Subjective question.
That's like asking "who's the best at doing "Thing X"

I refer you to my sig line.
No thanks necessary.

 

[LPofBorg]

Subjective question.
That's like asking "who's the best at doing "Thing X"

I refer you to my sig line.
No thanks necessary.

While I wholeheartedly agree with this, Pete is also correct when he talks about basic guitar construction and upgraded pickups and the lot. There's definitely a pecking order when it comes to that.

 

[rem22]

Rem22's tribute plus is number one by a large head^^

Kidding of course, but all mik owners will tell you their mik is far superior to anyother Epi, so my jole might be a sad reality for some

What paruwi said.

 

[Walt_T]

My '00 Standard Plus Top is probably one of the finest guitars I've ever owned.
Took a while to sort it out to get it where it wanted it, but she plays like a dream and sings like a bird.
I wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

[Papa]

The one I am playing today is the best. The rest are tied for second place. (until tomorrow).

Papa

 

[jamdogg]

This is the absolute top of the food chain - however i cannot pull the trigger on this one until the price comes down a bit more.

the "One!"

 

[Left Paw]

The elites are solid. The others are... the others.

 

[Fenderplayer]

They don't make the Les Paul Elitists anymore do they? I don't see them on the website anyhow.

 

[jamdogg]

The elites are solid. The others are... the others.

I had a 10 lb wine red elitist studio w/burstbuckers - one of the best LPs i ever owned. Flipped it. Wish i didnt. Then i found a wine red elitist LPC - awesome player but the electronics were hosed. That guitar sold whilst i was thinking about buying it.

Lessons learned here - i should just buy that goldtop, but the big chip on the body and the warped pickup surround do not seem right @ that price.

 

[jamdogg]

They don't make the Les Paul Elitists anymore do they? I don't see them on the website anyhow.

I think they killed them off around '08. Shame....

 

[Fenderplayer]

I think they killed them off around '08. Shame....

That is a shame. I wonder if they were just too much of a threat to the Gibson Les Paul Studios for the company's liking?

 

[Lutherie]

Peters list is spot on apart from the fact that the best Epi is my 2005 Custom

 

[Curmudgeon]

They don't make the Les Paul Elitists anymore do they? I don't see them on the website anyhow.

They still make the Elitist Casino. As stated, the others were discontinued in '08. And they were a threat to more than just the Gibby Studios. At the time, Gibson wasn't making anything with the specs of the Elitists save for the Custom & Historic models. Every time I pick up mine I'm reminded of how lucky I was to get 'em for the prices I paid!

 

[Curmudgeon]

This is the absolute top of the food chain - however i cannot pull the trigger on this one until the price comes down a bit more.

the "One!"

You have impeccable taste!

 

[paruwi]

They don't make the Les Paul Elitists anymore do they? I don't see them on the website anyhow.

The FGN NeoClassic basicly is the same guitar....

FGLS10AG

Fujigen MI - Neo Classic NLC & NLS

though not available everywhere

That is a shame. I wonder if they were just too much of a threat to the Gibson Les Paul Studios for the company's liking?

No they didn't sell well back in the time,
the hype began when they were discontinued

 

[Curmudgeon]

Lessons learned here - i should just buy that goldtop, but the big chip on the body and the warped pickup surround do not seem right @ that price.

Both pickup rings on my '02 were busted like that. From what I've been told it's a common affliction on Elitists. I replaced mine, but kept the originals to preserve authenticity if I ever need to sell. I agree the price is a tad high, but I've noticed that the Elitists coming on the market right now have higher asking prices. Don't know if that's the "2015 Gibson effect," people thinking they'll sell as Christmas gifts, or more people realizing how good they are.