Gibson Les Paul Traditional or Epiphone Elitist Les Paul

[Veritas0Aequitas]

Hi,

I'm getting another LP and I'm trying to decide whether to get a Gibson Les Paul Traditional (2011 or 2012) in Ebony or an Epiphone Elitist Les Paul in Ebony. The price range will be about the same with the Gibson being a few hundred dollars more.

I know I'm posting in the Gibson forum asking vs an Epiphone but what does MLP say and why? I'm mainly looking for answers on quality, feel, and tone.

Thanks!

 

[Achysklic]

Traditional hands down. The 2008-2012 were referred to as Gibson Standard Traditionals because the regular standard went in a modern direction in 2008 and the Standard that was always the standard was renamed to the Standard Traditional.
http://www.gibsontraditional.com/models/gibson-les-paul-standard-traditional-2008/

 

[Guitpicky]

Judging from the guitars in your sig it seems like that's a question we ought to be asking you

 

[Veritas0Aequitas]

Judging from the guitars in your sig it seems like that's a question we ought to be asking you

Haha, I figured someone would make that comment...

Just wanting some opinions/ears other than my own to try and figure out what to do next.

 

[LocoTex]

The Elitist LPs are really good. But the only way i would make that my choice is if it played and sounded better than the Gibson.

 

[Assault Bacon]

If it feels and plays better than the Gibson, nothing wrong with the Epi. Saying that, I'm very fond of that stretch of Gibson Traditionals (2011 - 2013) and I would personally lean heavily that way.

 

[Maestro Fuzz]

Call me an elitist, but I would rather have a poor Gibson then a good Epiphone. And since we are talking about Traditionals which are great guitars then you shouldnt doubt one second

 

[Veritas0Aequitas]

Fine! I'll get another LP Traditional then... While the Elitists are great guitars, I do dislike that paddle headstock anyway lol

 

[Brazilnut]

Fine! I'll get another LP Traditional then... While the Elitists are great guitars, I do dislike that paddle headstock anyway lol

Shame on you. That's called a "tombstone" headstock. Death is so much more dignified-sounding, don't you think?

 

[Mini Forklift Ⓥ]

Trad hands down! I have a 2014 Trad and it's just killer, to date it's easily best LP I have owned.

 

[anorton]

Not much to offer, but I see you’ve made your decision. For what it’s worth, I’ve bonded with my Traditional like no other guitar I’ve played or own.

 

[Veritas0Aequitas]

Shame on you. That's called a "tombstone" headstock. Death is so much more dignified-sounding, don't you think?

How dare I?! When you call it a tombstone now it makes me want to get one!

 

[Brazilnut]

I really liked my Elitist LP. But nowadays I own a Gibson. Kinda says it all for me.

 

[lakeburst]

There is no right or wrong, both are very nice guitars. But the Trad would be my 1st choice without hesitate a second.

 

[moreles]

Any point to adding one more personal opinion favoring the Traditional, hands down? Probably not. For what it's worth, they're both really good guitars, IMO, but I think the Traditional is better, and for some reason I really, really dislike the "Elitist" model name. Elitist? Really? Elite has an OK meaning, but "Elitist" pretty much means "snob."

 

[zombiwoof]

Any point to adding one more personal opinion favoring the Traditional, hands down? Probably not. For what it's worth, they're both really good guitars, IMO, but I think the Traditional is better, and for some reason I really, really dislike the "Elitist" model name. Elitist? Really? Elite has an OK meaning, but "Elitist" pretty much means "snob."

They were originally called Elite, for some reason they changed the name to Elitist some years ago. Never heard why.
Al

 

[Veritas0Aequitas]

They were originally called Elite, for some reason they changed the name to Elitist some years ago. Never heard why.
Al

I believe it was because Ovation had an "Elite" line and maybe even a copyright on it. So Gibson had to change it.

All in all... If anyone has a 2014 Wine Red Gibson Les Paul Traditional with a nice flame top they'd like to sell me, i'd very much appreciate it

 

[lpfan1980]

Not much to offer, but I see you’ve made your decision. For what it’s worth, I’ve bonded with my Traditional like no other guitar I’ve played or own.

If the difference is so small in price get the Gibson or save a couple hundred and get the Epi if it sounds good btw i like both headstocks but thats just me.

 

[nagha]

I really really REALLY love my Gibson Standards (2003 and 2012). I've put a bone nut on the 2003 and changed it to 50s wiring. The 2012 is stock. Both are amazing guitars.

I also really really REALLY love my Epi LP Black Beauty... but when I purchased it, I never intended to keep it stock. Everything except the tuner has been replaced and I'm about to have a Floyd Rose installed in it.

Your mileage may vary... but I love Epis for a very specific reason. I don't fear changing them.