[Laytonco]

Hey folks,
My daughter (13yo) has a Schecter Gryphon and a 30watt Marshall amp which both sound pretty good. I was thinking of starting to build up a pedal board for her for Christmas, but she's been talking about a Les Paul. There's now way I could get her a Gibson LP ($1,600 +++), but I could swing an Epiphone LP ($500-$600). Do any of you own, or have any of you played an Epihone Les Paul? Are they good? Built well? What are your thoughts.

Thanks,

Gil - Denver

[strumminsix]

I owned a 500-600 Epi LP and it was a great guitar. But damn, it was heavy as could be. I couldn't handle the weight while gigging. It may be too heavy for a young lady. But a quality guitar nonetheless.

[amyjared]

Found this on another thread, from the Allman Bros. forum. Thought it might be useful:

"Epiphone is an interesting case. Gibson shares production models & names with Epiphone, creating a hierarchy with their instruments. A Gibson Les Paul is better because it is Gibson made in the US, versus an Epiphone Les Paul made overseas. However the argument is there that Epiphone instruments made overseas are seeing a period of superior quality right now, and thus surpassing quality of Gibson Les Pauls. And I perceive this type of reality as a loose gear in the cogs of the giant corporate machine. Eventually Gibson will look at their sales numbers & see that Gibson sales have suffered to Epiphone sales, due to the apparent or perceived lack of quality in Gibson instruments & the superiority of Epiphone.

The result will either be a stepping up to the plate for Gibson manufacturing in the US, or shifting production of Gibson overseas. What do you thinkn they will do?"

[JONZILLA]

So glad you asked... I've owned my Epiphone Les Paul Standard since I was 15 years old (I am 23 now) and I don't think I could have chose a better guitar for the price. The depth and sustain is wonderful. I play it daily and have become rather attached to the ol' guy. The negative points to these guitars are the tuners and electronics (however, I think now they are installing Grover Rotos on all the Epi Lp's). I installed a Semour Duncan JB humbucker in the bridge position and a S.D. Jazz for the neck. I gave it Schaller tuners. Eventually developed a short in the toggle and input, so for about $25 I replaced them with Gibson parts. For about $200 extra, my guitar can't be beat by my buddy's $2000 Gibson. And after this, he's actually pretty pissed about spending the extra cash. And about the weight... to be frank, it makes me feel like a "real man." of course your daughter probably won't like that feeling, but that's wussup.

[tigerstrat]

This might speak more to the quality of the factory setup rather than the overall build quality, but in my limited experience as a lefty, every lefty Epiphone I've ever picked up in a store felt very decent and ready to play... and every lefty Gibson I've picked up has felt like a dead cat found in the ditch.

[mutant_dan]

I would look for a used one. I have seen them going very cheap around here.

Check these out..

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/msg/244534309.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/msg/244520063.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/msg/244237252.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/msg/243645094.html

Seem like a pretty good buy..

[wisedyes]

Epiphone has a newer line out called the Elitist series ( I know, the name absolutely blows ) that is at the price point about half way between an authentic Gibson and the lower end Epis. They are better quality than anything coming out of Gibson USA these days, use the same hardware and pickups, are inspected, set up and certified in the Gibson Nashville factory before sale, and are very, very nice. You may want to look around for one of them. I think the Elitist LP Standard goes for about $900.00 new.

[Laytonco]

This is just what I needed! Thank you for your responses, although I'm really not surprised to see this in our Dead community. I'm going to head over to Guitar Center and play the Epi's tonight and get a good feel for them. Juba Juba! (jubajubaband.com) had a pretty good year in 2006 and I think I can swing for the midpriced LPs, but probably not the Elitist (I hear they are really close to the Gibsons). But thanks again and Peace to you all.

Missing Jerry,
Gil

[Robey]

I love my two Epiphone Zephyr Blues Deluxes. Different than the Les Pauls of course, but they are quality guitars. Too bad they don't make this model anymore. They really are great blues machines.

[caspersvapors]

Epiphone has a newer line out called the Elitist series ( I know, the name absolutely blows ) that is at the price point about half way between an authentic Gibson and the lower end Epis. They are better quality than anything coming out of Gibson USA these days, use the same hardware and pickups, are inspected, set up and certified in the Gibson Nashville factory before sale, and are very, very nice. You may want to look around for one of them. I think the Elitist LP Standard goes for about $900.00 new.

Ive heard the exact same from others, elitist is the 1337

[Crazy 9.5 Fingers]

Great Epiphone story. I played an outdoor gig in 97 out in Park City Utah. Our stage was hit by a scorching sun all day, and we were roasting. I am not sure if it was the sun but mid song my Black Hamer Archtop shorted out and I had no backup. Luckily, someone there had an Epiphone SG. IT ROCKED!! I ended up buying one the next day and still use it all the time. Much much lighter than the Les Paul so maybe that we be a good option for a girl.

[runawaymatt]

I have one and really enjoy playing it. But as others have stated the electronics can go over time. I definately need a need toggle switch. And feel kinda stupid for having not fixed mine now that I read this thread and realize it won't cost that much.