Les Paul Studio Vs MIJ Les Paul Copy

[Studio06]

Hi first off let me start by saying I'm a huge fan of Japanese Les Paul Copies, I've owned Tokai's, Greco's and a Burny. For the most part they were pretty good guitars and when I bought them they were also bargans.

You could pick them up for about 400-500 used. Recently I got an urge to get one again, so I was shopping around. Boy I have to say the prices have gone up. For a mid range used Burny or Greco you can expect to pay about $600 plus shipping 100 bucks or more for on ebay + customs duties. They cost as much as a used Real Gibson Studio, and there is no way in my opinion that a mid range MIJ copy is as good finish wise (Poly vs Nitro) or electronics wise than a Les Paul Studio. A used Orville Standard copy costs as much as a Used Gibson Les Paul Standard.

I guess all I'm saying is that these guitars are no longer bargans. I'd be interested to hear what you guys think

 

[UITA]

I think the opposite of what you think. I think that compared to a studio the right Burny, Orville, Greco at $600 (and in the UK that's considered cheap) is a bargain. Saying this I am biased as I can't stand the look of a studio.

My mid price Real Orville Standard is as good, any day as my Real Gibson Standard. Don't get me started on my Real OBG (nitro), long tenon, Gibson pickups standard for half the price of a Gibson.

 

[VastHorizon]

. Yoohoo! That means more MIJ for me!

 

[Studio06]

Thanks UITA, you have a beautiful Orville Collection by the way.

I have to preface this with saying that there are always exceptions, and when you find that perfect guitar It doesn't matter what the headstock says or where it was made.

I agree Orvilles are great, but I wouldn't put them in the mid MIJ's range because they are above and are higher quality. I would say that a Orville Les Paul is just below a Gibson Les Paul Standard because of the poly finish.

The OBG's that I have played are as nice or nicer than the Average Gibson Standard, but here in Canada a used OBG (if you can find one) goes for the same price as a used standard so I could see someone Buying OBG's, but if a real Gibson was just as nice and cost about the same I'd rather have the Gibson, but I totally get people wanting the OBG's (long neck tenion, nitro finish, real Gibson pickups, great build quailty)

The mid range Burny's Greco's and Tokai's on the other hand just are not as good as the average Studio in terms of finish and electronics or build quailty. Yes they might look better but here in Canada and in the States you can get a used studio for the same price. I kinda feel like they are hyped up and put in the same boat as those high quality MIJ's.

 

[RetropM]

I think my studio is better than most copies I have played anyways, save for my MIJ ESP Eclipse. And that's not really a "copy."

 

[VastHorizon]

Studio06: That, my friend, is paying and playing for the brand on the headstock.

Saying that you can buy a Gibson Studio instead of an MIJ just because they are the same in price does not really make sense to me.

Remember: Mid-range LP's from Asia are not MIJ. They are MIK.

 

[Studio06]

I'm saying I'd rather buy the better guitar and that the mid MIJ's are hyped up


Edit:
I'm talking about Mid range Les Pauls made in Japan, not any other country in Asia

 

[UITA]

I can't comment much more as I'm not too sure what "mid range" is. My Burny's were about the same cost as the Orvilles and they're not the high end stuff......but they're without doubt on par with Orville/Gibson versions. As for nitro/poly, makes no difference to me, yes it's nice to see my 79 Gibson age with me but it's just as nice to see that gleaming black Burny still look as new after 25 years.

 

[Alligatorbling]

id buy an edwards custom before i got a studio...

 

[tonebone]

Skip the Studio. UITA's had tremendous luck with the "mid-range" Burny's. But you do have a point, the early 80's Burny's have skyrocketed. Seems like 1996 was the last primo year for picking up the older MIJ LP's on ebay.

But have you tried rinkya? You should check it out. Lot's of MIC Burny's but there are some old Burny's and actually quite a few old Greco's on there. Always a good selection of Orville by Gibson, too. Better chance of getting a better deal there, rather than ebay.

Are you USA? Imports from Japan don't always get hit with customs fees.

Imports ALWAYS get customs fees coming from Europe.

 

[tonebone]

Late 80's - Early 90's Slash model for about $150 (with rinkya fees and shipping, $400 to $500)

Yes, probably poly. Has a day to go.

Translated version of http://page5.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/e91215293

 

[Bes628]

Late 80's - Early 90's Slash model for about $150 (with rinkya fees and shipping, $400 to $500)

Yes, probably poly. Has a day to go.

Translated version of http://page5.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/e91215293

how do you buy from there....there is some great deals on there

 

[Studio06]

Tonebone thanks for the tip, Rinkya looks amazing!

As for UTIA's question, A bolt on would be low range

I'd say this is what I mean by mid range MIJ

GRECO 1978 EG500 GOLD TOP LP JAPAN MADE! - eBay (item 370181989552 end time Apr-30-09 22:01:31 PDT)

(5 piece neck, pancake body, look at the top through the pickup cavity, looks hollow)

 

[tonebone]

how do you buy from there....there is some great deals on there

Just read all the info. I think they got a flat rate deal goin' on with fee's till the end of May.

All the info you need is in the FAQ and "Site Resources." Also, each item has a translate button on top of page, upper right side.

If you're unlucky enough to get hit with customs, I think they're 8% of purchase price.

They have peoples in Japan that go and pick up the won items. Pack the heck out of em, and ship em to Arizona where Rinkya is based. Then shipped to you. Probably takes awhile.

UITA has used rinkya - many times. Just look at his collection to see what's possible. (UITA? I'm not trying to ruin your fun, I just think everyone should get a chance at a better deal on a MIJ.)

The yen-dollar exchange rate is getting better. It was 125 to 1 a couple years ago. Good times! Was 87 to 1 a couple months ago. Stinko. It's getting better again. About 99 to 1, now.

Happy hunting!

 

[tonebone]

Tonebone thanks for the tip, Rinkya looks amazing!

As for UTIA's question, A bolt on would be low range

I'd say this is what I mean by mid range MIJ

GRECO 1978 EG500 GOLD TOP LP JAPAN MADE! - eBay (item 370181989552 end time Apr-30-09 22:01:31 PDT)

(5 piece neck, pancake body, look at the top through the pickup cavity, looks hollow)

You can still get burned with Rinkya. The "lost in translation" can possibly murder ya. They call "scratches" "cracks". WATCH OUT, NOW. LOL! You can usually suss it out if it's been repaired. STUDY THE PHOTO'S, BECAUSE I DON'T THINK YOU GET QUESTIONS ANSWERED. Many times there's a link to a photo album.

Some folks love the hollow Greco LP's. Not really a LP though, are they?

 

[tonebone]

Tonebone thanks for the tip, Rinkya looks amazing!

As for UTIA's question, A bolt on would be low range

I'd say this is what I mean by mid range MIJ

GRECO 1978 EG500 GOLD TOP LP JAPAN MADE! - eBay (item 370181989552 end time Apr-30-09 22:01:31 PDT)

(5 piece neck, pancake body, look at the top through the pickup cavity, looks hollow)

That ebay seller has a Lord Player. THOSE ARE FLYIN' UNDER THE RADAR STILL, PRICE WISE! Just sayin', you oughta consider....

 

[vladmaximus]

MIJ ARE THE BEST & MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN A GIBSON STUDIO...
thats all...

thanks...

 

[UITA]

Rinkya is great and saved me a lot.....but proceed with caution. I live life on the razors edge (yes I do) and I'm prepared to take a risk. To date I have had 6 headstocks snap, real bad packing, received a different package, stung BIG!! time with customs and had so many guitars that were, lets say photoed in a different light.

No worries letting the secret out Tonebone, it was bound to happen. The exchange rate the way it is has put a stop on my hoarding.

 

[kherman]

I'll go with the MIJ any day over a Studio.

Edwards
Diodati
Burny
Orville
Greco
Epiphone Japan
Epiphone Elitist
Bacchus
Tokai

Why would I want this.......

$1319 new M.F.


When I can get this. $1389
TOKAI LS150 MIJ New mint long tenon Violin Finish OHC - eBay (item 270372186870 end time Apr-20-09 02:14:57 PDT)
for not much more.

TOKAI LS150
BODY : Maple Two Piece Top, Mahogany One Piece Back
NECK : Mahogany,One Piece Set-Neck,Vintage'59 rounded type of shape, Long Tenon
NUT WIDTH : 4.2cm 6.74"
FINGERBOARD : Rosewood, 22F
SCALE LENGTH : 628mm
PICKUPS : PAF-Vintage MK2 x 2
CONTROLS : 2-Vol, 2-Tone, 3Way switch(Switchcraft)
VOLUME POT : CTS
CONDENSER : Sprague Orange Drop
JACK : Switchcraft
BRIDGE : HLS-VB(Brass saddle)Bridge
TAILPIECE : HLS-VT(Aluminium)
FINISH : Lacquer(Nitro) Finish
WEIGHT : 4.2kg 9024lb
COLOR : Violin Finish
Case : TOKAI Vintage Type Hard Shell Case

When one really takes the time to research the MIJs
they'll know what the true deals are.

That LS150 has more in common with an R8 than it does a Studio.
You'll never touch an R8 for that.

 

[qwank]

i dont know why but i have a thing for black studios. but they abosolutly have to be the older ones with the Ebony boards and trap inlays