Les Paul Copies: Are They Better Than Gibsons?

[Dino Velvet]

Nope

 

[AJK1]

This guy keeps posting these articles like he’s a budding journalist, and the info isn’t anything new or particularly accurate in some respects

 

[efstop]

This guy keeps posting these articles like he’s a budding journalist, and the info isn’t anything new or particularly accurate in some respects

He's the boss and site owner. He has also asked if anyone is interested in writing articles on Les Pauls.

 

[Deftone]

I could never get past the Epi headstock. However I do like the ones with the Gibson Open book style....

 

[Deftone]

A Kawasaki Ninja will outperform a Harley Knucklehead any day of the week... but who wants to be seen on Kawasaki?

Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Doug Chandler, Scott Russell, Tom Sykes, Johnny Rea...

 

[dCi_king]

Copies? Absolutely not. Replicas? maybe... It depends on the luthier.

 

[jimmyjames]

Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Doug Chandler, Scott Russell, Tom Sykes, Johnny Rea...

...Robbie Phillis

 

[Village Idiot]

No. They are not. Now go tell everyone you know not to buy a Gibson …just more goodness for the cerebral among us!

 

[BDW60]

The only Gibson i have left is a USA Special with P90s.

My 1980 Greco (with Wolfetone Legends) and Heritage Custom Core destroy most USA LPs that I have played and owned, and compare favorably with many of the historics I have owned. I’m not some cheapskate or Gibson hater. I’ve been in and out of at least 20 over the years, about half of them custom shop.

I’m not saying I’ll never buy another Gibson LP. But these two guitars have made the whole thing moot. Just don’t feel driven to the brand anymore.

 

[icantshred]

I know several pros (mainly in Europe) who love the Japanese made stuff. Tokai, ESP, and, FGN are the ones I see the most in the wild. I've never owned any of those brands. What I hear is that they aren't "better" than a Gibson, they're just less expensive and similar enough in quality to facilitate being a reliable touring/recording guitar. I'm told there is more consistency in the Japanese made guitars. There's still dogs, but generally the spectrum of "bad to good" is narrower than with Gibson.

Again, I've never owned them. It's just what I've been told.

Honestly, prices don't seem that much different to me. Maybe they're more plentiful and therefor less expensive in EU than US.

Interestingly enough, today I looked at a $900 dollar Epiphone... I was interested until I flipped it over to reveal "Made In China". I didn't even bother to play it after that. If I'm already spending a grand I'd rather save up a bit more cash and get a legit Gibson.

 

[scgarman]

Technically the replicas are well made copies. Surprised not one post mentioning the Peter Max Baranet handmade 59 burst replica apparently made with old growth mohagany and maple. Or the Chris Derrig 59 replica played by Slash. Now I don't necessarily think right they have Gibson logos on the headstock. I happen to own a 60s LP Standard in cherry burst and love it. Does anyone here own/owned a Max, Derrig or other luthier built copy?

 

[ArchEtech]

This thread needs more pictures guys come on. I already posted mind a ways back. ESP are amazing and just as good as any Gibson. That doesn’t take alway my love for Gibsons.

 

[Angus Blackmore]

Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Doug Chandler, Scott Russell, Tom Sykes, Johnny Rea...

Fair enough, I stand corrected!

What about Oakley sunglasses vs Rayban Wayfarers?

 

[GBLEV]

I'll put it this way... If I was a superstar Rock guitarist, Gibson would be making copies of my #1 Greco and selling them as a signature model!

 

[Dolebludger]

Back in 1961, I was playing a real 1956 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop P90. Then I got a 61 SG LP Standard and lost the 56. Then, in 2009, I wanted another guitar like the old ‘56, and found Gibson too expensive for my limited abilities. So I bought an Epiphone replica of my old ‘56 for like $450 including case. I found the Epi replica more playable to me than the old original ‘56. (Yes, I remember). Tone wise, I think that is up to the amp and FX. But playability is not. That is up to the guitar. And after I bought the Epi, I was at a store that had Gibson’s modern replica of the ‘56, played it, and liked my Epi better. Not all would have. My “guitar buying motto” is “play before you pay, or order with a good return policy”. But in selecting any guitar, playability (to you) is more important than tone. Because, again, most of your tone comes from your amp and FX. And if you find a Gibson model more playable to you, and if you have the money, buy the Gibson. If no, don’t.

 

[Angus Blackmore]

I'll put it this way... If I was a superstar Rock guitarist, Gibson would be making copies of my #1 Greco and selling them as a signature model!

Let’s see it! I played a heavy black Greco LP Custom once with a skinny neck…. Didn’t like it as much as my Tokai.

I’ve lusted after those Greco white Randy Rhodes Costons many a time.

 

[Welhaven]

I’ve owned a Gibson 1952 tribute, R6 and R8. I’ve also owned Hamer Korina Jr., Collings 290 and Maybach Lester 57.

They were all good. The Collings was probably the one I should’ve kept.

 

[Village Idiot]

Hilarious

 

[AJK1]

When is this thread going to be deleted ?
It just encourages people to go and buy the stupid things

 

[Peter M]

Les Paul Copies

None for me, thanks.