Les Paul: Epiphone vs PRS

[Tsquared]

Have both. PRS needed a new nut - slots cut way too deep, and seems to be a common problem. Stays in tune now. Didn't like the pickups - meh - replaced them.
Did not touch the Epiphone. As close to perfect as anything from the factory will get after a decent setup. I might have been lucky.
Final assessment: Tossup quality wise, so pick the one you like the sound and feel of, because they are quite different guitars. I like 'em both.

 

[Dolebludger]

Roshy,

As we know, the design of the headstock makes no difference in tone. So long as it is not "butt ugly", I don't think anybody cares.

 

[JohnnyPhatsaqs]

What about the headstock? All this focus on: single cut, double cut, pole spacing, not an LP (I said it too, even though it's been said - twice ) and no one has mentioned the headstock.

I'll mention the headstock. The PRS head looks better than the Epi. Sorry, love my Epis, but I really don't like the head.

 

[cybermgk]

Roshy,

As we know, the design of the headstock makes no difference in tone. So long as it is not "butt ugly", I don't think anybody cares.

You do realize, if someone doesn't choose a PRS, it is not an affront of/to you, nor any kind of statement on you or your tastes

 

[Roshy Boy]

I just thought the headstock seemed a little small. Not that it matters. I'm sure it sounds amazing. Could just be my IPhone screen making it appear that way.

 

[crosstownblues]

I used to own a 20th Anniversary Singlecut, which was a beautifully finished guitar - quality was apparent. However, it felt lifeless/sterile compared to my Les Paul (an R7 at the time). Additionally, due to the 25" scale, it felt stiffer than the Gibson. The SC245 scale length feels like a toy to me, and unless you gauge up in strings it will feel loosey-goosey.

The Epiphone will *feel* like a Les Paul, which is something no PRS can accomplish (they can't make one with 24 3/4" scale length as part of their settlement).

 

[Bristol Posse]

And something that hasn't been mentioned in the Epi vs PRS SE discussion is the fact that the PRS have double action truss rods. They are great to have when humidity causes the neck to have too little relief (or even reverse relief). You don't have to loosen the truss rod, wait for string tension to do its job, then perhaps re-adjust the rod. You just crank in the relief you want and you are done!

Just as an FYI but I'm pretty sure that most, if not all current Epis have double action truss rods.
Certainly all the ones I have owned and have worked on as a tech for hire have done.
I haven't seen any Bonomassa models on my bench so far as I can remember but all of the others were double action truss rods

They're great unless/until the reverse threaded bolt at the body end of the rod gets stuck or corroded and won't move. Then your pretty much screwed (no pun intended). Only seen it happen once so far but it was pretty much game over. Re-necking the guitar was more expensive than just getting a new one

 

[Dolebludger]

Cyber,

I take no personal affront at those who prefer Epi over PRS SE. I recommend that all play several of each, and pick the one that "fits" them the best.

Bristol,

I was unaware that newer Epis have double action truss rods. My '09 doesn't but that's been a few years. Thanks for the info.

 

[KenG]

The PRS models can't rightly be called Les Pauls. The closest models would be the SE245 and the Bernie Marsden as far as the body goes. The other single cut boduies are too thin.
I have an SE 245 and it is LP like but different. If you're after a true LP feel without buying Gibson then the EPI would be closer.
That being said the quality of workmanship on my SE is very high, the nut needed work, the slots were deep but not too deep as far as string height goes, simply too much material left on the top. I changed the gauge from stock 9-42 to 10-46, widening the slots and taking the nut height down and it plays just fine. I agree the RW boards seem better than the stock Epi ones with whatever crap they coat them with but I haven't seen a Pro or Tribute to compare with. My fretboard did need some steel wool treatment and lemon oil but now it looks great.
The SE PUs were not my bag, being used to playing my CS R7 or R8 I didn't appreciate their more modern sound. When I changed the R7 PUS to DiMarzio 36th Ann PAFs I used the BB1 and BB2 on the SE. Much better IMO.
I would've liked to try the BM model but there wasn't one available.

 

[Unsung Heroes]

I had a PRS 245 for a while. Nice guitar in it's own right, although no toggle ring seemed wrong to me, so I added one

I liked it - even did a few gigs with it. The sound was a little brighter and I enjoyed having it around my neck... but it just didn't feel as 'right' to me as my Epi Les Paul. That's not to criticise the SE245, it's just a reflection on the feeling I had personally. I sold it on soon after, so that probably sums it up for me...

Despite all that, I have been having a sneaky look at an SE Custom 24 recently just for a consciously different flavour!

 

[Ghostmaker]

I'd put PRS SE just a notch above Epiphone in quality.

It's up to you to decide what feels best though.

 

[IRG]

I just bought my 4th PRS SE recently, have sold all of the others (SE 24 Custom, Tremonti SE (thinner body than a LP) and a SE 245. Didn't bond with any of them, and the nuts weren't great, nor the pickups (not bad, just not great).

My current one is a SE Clint Lowery, a different beast though. 25.5" scale neck, all mahogany body/neck, adjustable stop tail bridge, and everything in black. Plus it has thicker strings, .11 - 60 and downtuned (now in drop D for me).

This thing is fun to play, stays in tune really well, and is different from my 3 Epi's. Better? No, but different and really good in its own right. I want a PRS S2 Standard 22/24 now. The equivalent of a Gibson Studio, but with better quality overall, and IMO, a better look.

I'm likely to replace the pickups in the CL with something else, not sure what yet. My Epi's are a mixed bag in that respect. I have an Epi Sheraton that came with DiMarzio 36th PAFs, fine pickups. My 1960 v3 has the Burstbucker 1/2 in them that I also like a lot, and the '56 Pro has the new P-90's in them that are also very good. So in this respect, I think some of the better Epi models have better pickups than the PRS SE line.

Bottom line, both guitar lines are really good value, it isn't so much which is better, but rather what works best for each person. I like having a lot of different flavors, and am glad I gave PRS another chance. Except for the fact that I know want another one, and they cost more. And I'd really like a PRS 408 10 Top, and they cost a whole lot...

 

[Dolebludger]

Yes, my PRS SE has the wide/thin neck. Other models have a wide/fat neck, but in testing them I frankly couldn't feel the difference. So all PRS SE necks are rather thin. That's good for me, as I have small hands and fingers, but not good for players with large hands and fingers.

I find my PRS SE pups to be a little on the lower output side than Epi pups. I personally prefer lower output pups, but I realize many players prefer higher output. Depends on musical style, and on the amp. For instance, I have an amp capable of crazy high gain. With lower output buckers, I am able to hit that sweet spot of "clean distortion" better on this amp. Other amps, I know, sound better with higher output buckers than those on the PRS SE.

 

[Gary]

err, crazy guy,...tried to impersonate you.

We took care of it, just got a lil' clean up to do,..*whistles*