Guitar "Bonding" is Real

[Pancreas]

So, I've been playing for 30 plus years, on a budget. I scrimped and saved to buy my "Perfect" guitar. A 2019 Gibson Les Paul Traditional, Tobacco Burst. The guitar looked fantastic, played great, sounded great. It was heavy, how I like them. But I just couldn't "bond" with it. I can't put my finger on it.. a few days ago I stopped by a new Guitar Center in the Cleveland area and bought this Epiphone Les Paul Custom, Blackback. As soon as I plugged it in I connected with it. I brought it home and sold my Gibson. Am I crazy?

 

[brianbzed]

So, I've been playing for 30 plus years, on a budget. I scrimped and saved to buy my "Perfect" guitar. A 2019 Gibson Les Paul Traditional, Tobacco Burst. The guitar looked fantastic, played great, sounded great. It was heavy, how I like them. But I just couldn't "bond" with it. I can't put my finger on it.. a few days ago I stopped by a new Guitar Center in the Cleveland area and bought this Epiphone Les Paul Custom, Blackback. As soon as I plugged it in I connected with it. I brought it home and sold my Gibson. Am I crazy?

yes.

 

[hotshot]

This make it 2 yes's.

 

[01GT Eibach]

I will go with "probably not". The black-back LPCs are pretty cool guitars.

 

[Christosterone]

I will go with "probably not". The black-back LPCs are pretty cool guitars.

_
that is effing awesome

 

[dodona]

. Am I crazy?

no. You are very smart.

 

[brianbzed]

I will go with "probably not". The black-back LPCs are pretty cool guitars.

But, it is an EPIPHONE..........2nd rate, gets no respect...IMHO

 

[Phylodog]

Guitar bonding is absolutely real, at least for some players. It is completely subjective however so you'll get a wide range of responses. I've moved through a lot of guitars in the past few years to find what I want and now I know, sounds like you may also.

 

[mdubya]

Sometimes all it takes is a slight bridge height adjustment (nice that you can do it on the fly with most Gibsons) or maybe a tweak of the truss rod (again, pretty easy on a Gibson, usually).

I rotate through my guitars almost daily. They all feel different and I am always fine tuning. A good winter setup can go to $h!t pretty easily in the summer and vice versa. Some are more sensitive than others, too, requiring more frequent tweaks.

Point being, I think almost any guitar can be adjusted to being in the zone and bonded with. JMHO.

 

[Platte City Paul]

Nope. Not crazy. Guitars and players are a system. If a component of the system isn't right, swap it out. QED.

Enjoy!

 

[rjwilson37]

Glad you found that one guitar that makes you truly happy to pick up and play. I have a few guitars like that, it just feels really good to pick it up and play, whether it is plugged in or not. I can play them for an hour unplugged, it is just a joy to play them. It does not matter if it's an Epiphone or a Gibson, the only real difference is probably where the wood is sourced and cheaper labor/facility costs with a little bit less hands on at Epiphone compared to Gibson.

 

[Musha Ring]

So, I've been playing for 30 plus years, on a budget. I scrimped and saved to buy my "Perfect" guitar. A 2019 Gibson Les Paul Traditional, Tobacco Burst. The guitar looked fantastic, played great, sounded great. It was heavy, how I like them. But I just couldn't "bond" with it. I can't put my finger on it.. a few days ago I stopped by a new Guitar Center in the Cleveland area and bought this Epiphone Les Paul Custom, Blackback. As soon as I plugged it in I connected with it. I brought it home and sold my Gibson. Am I crazy?

I've been feeling the same way about my 2020 Gibson Classic. It's flawless and heavy, but it's not my favorite guitar to pick up. I recently brought home a new Epiphone LP Custom that I bonded with instantly and vastly prefer over the Gibson Classic.

 

[BadPenguin]

I have a 73 SG, and a 2000 Epiphone "Les Paul Custom" re: SG with 3 pickups. I play the Epiphone a LOT more then my Gibson. If it's right in your hands, ears and heart, it's right. Period.

 

[LuthierVandross]

Nah man, you’re not crazy. Like you I’ve been playing off and on for 30+ years. For a few years I worked on guitars, for a few years I flipped em. Up until about a year ago, I never found a Les Paul that I really liked. At one point I had 12 of them and not one I felt anything more than it was just a guitar. The one I have now, she’s just like a ratty old dog. I mean I wanted the front to look like it matched the aged and character it already had, (the headstock veneer was already cracking and the finish bubbling a little, light checking on the neck, worming on the body, ding on the neck near the 5th fret binding dot that looks way worse that it is, but I don’t thumb wrap so it doesn’t bother me) but I got a little carried away. I love it as is.
I have found two close contenders both Epiphones. But I’ll never let go of my Classic.
Congrats on finding the guitar that was made for you, regardless what the headstock says!

 

[Foo for Thought]

If the Epi gets your rocks off I say go with it. Guitar is supposed to be fun. I wouldn't over think it.

 

[JMP]

Whatever makes you happy and inspires you to keep playing and having fun. Congratulations on the Custom!

 

[xland]

I don't think you are crazy at all. For me personally, I have bought and sold more than few guitars and the only ones I still have in my stable are the ones I have bonded with, that inspire me to play them. And I rotate between them often. They range in price from $2000-350. All great guitars.

Right now my two favorite guitars to play are my '20 Gibson LP Classic and my '18 Fender Player Tele HH. And to be totally honest, if I had to pick between the two I would take the '18 Fender Player Tele HH.

 

[afireinside]

I think im going through the same thing. I was bummed about a 2021 50s Standard that had alot of QC issues so i sent it back (and sounded muddy/dark).

In frustration i found a used near mint 2019 50s standard on GCs site. Why i bought it i have no idea.

Its a cherry burst (least favorite color) and a plain top (i love crazy tight heavy flame tops) and heavy for me (9.8lbs)

But as soon as i tuned it up, plugged in and hit a chord i couldent believe how good it sounded. Ive played about 6 2019-2021 Standard 50s and a handful of 2013-14 and 2017-18 Traditionals (no weight relief/similar specs) And this one sounds so clear and punchy is crazy!

 

[mvenuti1980]

Not crazy. I had a 2020 60s Standard that I liked, but not loved. Traded it to someone for a PRS Silver Sky…instant bond!

I am surprised it was an Epiphone that you bonded with, but hey, whatever works for you!

 

[musicmaniac]

Yeah, you're crazy for putting this in the wrong forum!