Epiphone Les Paul Custom

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 1:13 pm

Been playing Gibsons quite a lot at my work, and really feeling the urge to buy one... but not sure long term it'd be a keeper.

I know we are going to be getting some Epi LP Customs in later this week, any reason why I shouldn't consider one ?

For the money is there a better alternative ? I do like all the binding and blingness of the custom, so that's my top choice.

If the pickups weren't up to scratch I think I'd swap 'em for a Dimarzio Paf Pro and/or a Burstbucker II

Anythin' I should look at or think about before considering a purchase ?

I know the Jap copies from yesteryear are very nice but they demand a good price and are quite sought after and also unavailable on the whole.... a lot also don't have the thru neck which I'd be after...

Don't expect this thread to go down too well here, anyone have any hands on experience with top end epiphones ?

Thoughts ?

Thomas · Post by **Thomas** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 1:36 pm

I used to have an Epi Custom, it was an old set neck one from the early 90s. It was a great guitar and you can normally pick them up for a great price. The recent high end epi reissues are basically new versions of these at a much higher price tag, though they feel a bit cheaper.

I traded mine in for my 70s Musicmaster and the shop took it on a straight swap, that should tell you how respected these guitars are. (btw I got mine in a trade paper for under Â£100)

Fibus · Post by **Fibus** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 2:20 pm

I played a few Tokai LP models in a shop there a while back and i think they compare rather well with the epiphones, if not better than them and are cheaper as well so you might want to check them out before you make up your mind.

Granted this was just the normal models not the custom versions of either, though i think Tokai do do a custom as well.

JJLipton · Post by **JJLipton** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 2:39 pm

Try for an Edwards ESP les paul, they have a black custom model which is amazing, plus it has the gibson style headstock.

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 6:20 pm

i have had several epiphone lp's, and wish i still had everyone of them. the finish was always top notch, and those guitars have sustain for days.

if you play one, and you like the way it sounds, and feels (ie the chubby neck), grab one. they continually grow as my fave budget set neck geet.

Billy3000 · Post by **Billy3000** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 7:39 pm

I really like those guitars too. They're really solid well built guitars too. My friend Omar has been playing one in his band for the past 5 or 6 years or so. He switched out the bridge pickup and the tuners, but his sounds awesome and has held up through a lot of abuse!

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 8:27 pm

I would recommend getting a vintage Greco or Tokai. Better quality and often cheaper.

I know what you mean by the binding and bling. it's easily one of the most attractive and classy guitars I've ever seen.

MaMo · Post by **MaMo** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 8:34 pm

mage wrote:get a vintage Greco or Tokai. Better quality and often cheaper.

I've always been under the impression that the Grecos and Tokais were more expensive, or is that just on fleabay?

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 8:42 pm

depends. you gotta look around. there are different levels. the EG-500 was a 50,000 yen model while the EG-1200 was a 120,000 yen model. the EG-500s are still good guitars though and they're in that price range around $500.

MaMo · Post by **MaMo** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 8:48 pm

all this talk about les pauls got me curious to see what was on the local craigslist and this popped up:

alpine white lp

a Gibson that some guy is selling for 400 bones...something can't be right. Right?

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:11 pm

hmmmm..... yea, weird. why does it have epiphone pickups?? you would have to go and check it out and closely inspect it/play it. I suppose it's possible his story could be legit.

if it seems cool I would ask him $300 for it

edit: and then flip it on the bay.

damienblair17 · Post by **damienblair17** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:16 pm

MaMo wrote:all this talk about les pauls got me curious to see what was on the local craigslist and this popped up:

alpine white lp

a Gibson that some guy is selling for 400 bones...something can't be right. Right?

I saw that. I'm a little suspicious of it too.

Thomas · Post by **Thomas** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:24 pm

You can buy the stripped to the bodies/neck with no hardware/electronics on the bay for a shockingly low price so you never know. It's shocking that someone would do one up and sell it for that price though...

DanHeron · Post by **DanHeron** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:54 pm

I have a white epi les paul custom. I got it like.. 5 years ago i think and for a year or so it was my main guitar. But I eventually went back to playing my squier strat for a few reasons. Mostly it was just personal things like the shape and weight, i found the strat much more comfortable so i would prefer to just grab that and play. However it had a few technical issues. The input was always coming loose and a couple of times i pulled it out when pulling the lead out. Also, testing it the other day I found the pickup selector is not working, even though I havn't touched it for ages! I think the electronics are a bit cheap and with a rewire it would be fine.

It's a great looking guitar and if setup properly I think it would be a great les paul. But i found out im not a les paul player. I would consider selling it ;]

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:02 pm

Thanks for all the positive advice... much appreciated.

Any idea what you may be after for the LP Dan ?

I wouldn't normally buy new but the thing with work is I can put it aside... get a discount on it.... arrange my own finance scheme... and try that actual guitar in person.

Where was yours made ?

cheers
O

DanHeron · Post by **DanHeron** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:09 pm

othomas2 wrote:Thanks for all the positive advice... much appreciated.

Any idea what you may be after for the LP Dan ?

I wouldn't normally buy new but the thing with work is I can put it aside... get a discount on it.... arrange my own finance scheme... and try that actual guitar in person.

Where was yours made ?

cheers
O

Well, the condition of the guitar is pretty much perfect. Finish is good, cant see any scratches or dings. The electronics might need sorting though, which could be just re-soldering I'm not sure.

I would probably ask Â£150 maybe. I dont know how much the for second hand

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:21 pm

Sounds like a good price to me... I am interested, but would ideally like to give one a go though first just to cement the idea... think the quality of these epi's vary quite a bit, I think the new ones are chinese and the slightly later ones are Indonesian and then Korean ... not totally sure though. Seen some new top end Indonesian Epi's recently.

any pics on ya comp ? don't suppose you travel to London at all ?

cheers
O

DanHeron · Post by **DanHeron** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:30 pm

This is the only pic I have at the minute:

I have the pickguard as well still.

Its Made in Korea.

I'm not sure if I personally could go down to London, but I have family who live there and my dad goes there regularly for work. So it could work if he just dropped it off with them and then it can be collected in person from there house, delivery would be too expensive for the weight/size.

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:39 pm

Ahhh.... it's white.

Was lookin' for a black one in an ideal world. But I would still consider it.

I think you could get a fair bit more for it than Â£150 btw... from the small bit of research I've been doing in the last few days I think the Korean LP Customs are a bit nicer and more sought after... I'll dwell on it but did have my heart set on a black 'un. Hmmmmmm...

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:50 pm

Fella I work with is on about selling his three pickup black one, if that's any use? It'll be more than Â£150, mind. I'm tempted myself at that price...