I was this close to a LP Studio...

[bwgray]

Hi Everyone,

I joined the forums, and went out guitar hunting while I was in Las Vegas - set on a Gibson of some sort, as I already have a nice 90's MiM tele that I've upgraded the PuP's on.

I tried the following:
Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded - Was ok.
Gibson Les Paul Studio Raw Power - Was really good, but finish was coming off in the store!
Gibson Raw Power SG - The frets were not finished. I was on the verge of slicing my hand open, and had to stop playing.
Epiphone LP's (5 different ones in the $300-$700 range) - All were, ok.
Epiphone Casino - Great sound with the P90's, but finish was poor, neck was ok, and the volume knobs were warped and chipped.

I really thought I was after the Gibson sound, but in the price range I was looking for (1k or less), I honestly thought the quality was very, very poor. I loved the Raw Power Les Paul Studio neck, but the fact that the finish was wearing off, on a store model (in 2 inch sections), was pretty appalling. They said they would take it to $999 but no lower.

So what did I buy? A Fender American Special Strat - $799. HSS.

Someday I'll probably hunt for a Les Paul again, as I was also looking for the Epiphone Les Paul Tribute, but I gradually became convinced that the quality was not lined up with the price. I've read that Gibson's quality has been on the decline for the last several years, and I'm beginning to believe it. When my $499 MiM Tele, has longer sustain than a $1200 LP Raw Power Studio, something is wrong there.

Just my observations. I really do like Les Paul's and some Epiphone's, and will still likely buy one someday, but at this point very disappointed with the quality for the price...

Thoughts?

 

[ledlover01]

The finish was coming off while you were playing it?

 

[bwgray]

Pretty close. It was a new guitar with missing finish from the bottom and sides - down to the bear wood.

 

[06VM]

Should have asked for a new one still in the box.
I rarely take a floor model for just that reason. too many ham-fisted greezy-teens dry humping everything on display.

Enjoy the strat. Im sure the poly finish on it will never ever wear off.
I tried a few of those new fender strat am. specials and they were really nice.
Alot of guitar for the price. The ones I played had a little trouble staying in tune, probably just needed to have the nut lubed.

 

[River]

My thought - you went to a crappy music store.

 

[loucamaro91]

Was this guitar at a guitar center?
Why don't you try looking for a used LP?

 

[bwgray]

Well actually I went to 2 different Guitar Centers, Sam Ash, and even Cowtown Guitars. *In Canada I tried a few at a local store prior to my trip...

 

[bwgray]

On a side note the smallest store, Cowtown Guitars, I actually thought I would receive the best service from - used, and vintage.

The service was actually so poor it did not even chart...

 

[loucamaro91]

Isn't cowtown the shop on pawnstars all the time?

 

[redcoats1976]

that sucks.on a positive note im sure you will enjoy the strat...

 

[lp_junkie]

On the plus side at least you didn't get a Studio

Strats are ok, I just can't seem to get one that I really like.

 

[Leumas]

My guess, you went to an imaginary store. C'mon.

 

[bwgray]

No imaginary stores here, and is Cowtown really on pawnstars? I'll have to check that out - fun show!

I sent Cowtown an email asking them questions on if they had any used LP Studio's in stock, several weeks before I arrived - and no reply. I walked into the store, there was only one other guy (customer?) sitting on the couch while the guy behind the counter found new ways of saying F*** every 3 words. It was very unprofessional. Not to mention never even said a word to me or looked in my direction while I was in the store. *Which is very difficult since it's so very small. I had a similar experience at Steve's Music in Toronto Ontario, and did not go back there either.

I had 0 intention of buying a Strat on my trip, but an older guy named Jim, at Guitar Center in Summerlin was of fantastic assistance. He took me through about 6 different Gibsons, and then said try this instead - the Mexico Deluxe Strat, which was decent but not quite there. Then he handed me the American Special, and that was it!

I think at some point I may just go the route of used Les Paul, but for this go round it was a Strat - which is impressive as I still prefer a fixed bridge! That said I really wish I could have tried the Les Paul Studio Tribute, but no one had them in stock.

 

[Reaperc89]

I have a les paul studio in vintage mahogany, and you can pick those up at such a great price used that it's really crazy what you get for your money. At the same time, I have found myself in the same situation when visiting a few of the local music stores lately. The Les Paul's look great, play ok. The strats look ok, play great lol.