Epiphone Les Pauls?

[Glowing Tubes]

Had a chance to dink around on a few of these today, they were considerably lighter than their Gibson counterparts. Fretwork was good, setup was good, beautiful tops. Didnt have a chance to plug it in (overdose of shredders playing loud in the store)

Are these mahogany? They seem too light.

Would it be worth getting one of these and dropping in some better quality p/u's and wiring in it? Or they just crap?




RC

[The Whale]

Hey there,

I recently picked up a lightly used lefty epi standard, and i've got to say, i've been very happy with it. I've dumped some fresh pickups in it (a SD '59 in the neck and a SD Custom Custom in the bridge) and that helped tremendously. I might dump the Custom Custom, i'm not completely sold on it in this guitar, but overall, it was well worth the money and will hold me over till i've earned an R8 or R9. So, if you're not ready to drop more than 1000 on a LP, but really want the feel and a significant piece of the sound, go for it. I got my used for 250 + SKB case.

[mavrick10_2000]

How light was it? Are you sure you didn't pickup an Epi LP Ultra? They're chambered only about 6lbs. Get's a good woody tone, but not like it's heavier non-chambered counterpart.

I like mine though. Duncan Jazz in the Neck, and Duncan Pearly Gates in the bridge.

[lttoler]

I've always seemed to like my Epi Les Pauls a good deal better than the Real Gibson ones I've had. That may just be me though.

[Chicago Slim]

The newer MIC Epiphones run a pound or two lighter than the older MIK ones. The MIK's are a pound or two lighter than a Gibson. The wood must vary from country to country. One country's mahogany, is not another country's mahogany, and of course they have their own name, for their native woods.

The MIK Epiphones, with a serial number begining with an I, are my favorites. They seem to have fewer flaws, than many Gibsons. When you do have problems, it's usually pots, switches, or you may want a better sounding pickup. All easily replaceable.

[Tone_Terrific]

I have a 2002. Hardly ever play it, but it does sound good with the stock pups, which I believe were redesigned for that year.
Looking at the wood inside, it appears to be something from the mahogany family tree, but looks light in colour and rather porous, less dense than 'real' mahogany. This guitar is light and woody sounding acoustically, but does sustain wel and captures the essence of LP's quite well.
The build quality is good, but plasticy, (stunning top...fake?) except the neck is almost too straight, no relief available.

[TENAX]

i had an epi elitist studio...a mij les paul without all the trapezoids and binding if you're wondering what that is. it had usa gibson classic 57 pickups in it and i thought it sounded great. i sold it because it's was too bloody heavy and i got an offer for twice what i paid for it. i used the cash to buy a peavey valve king tube amp, an epi dot which is like a semi hollow les paul but a fair bit lighter and gfs paf pickups. the finish is great on the dot, the playability is great, setup was good out of the box (it was new but bought on ebay) and with the gfs paps, the sound is very les paul but way more articulate then the stock pickups (designed by gibson 57 knockoffs but not great pickups by any means). i really love the dot for classic rock and slow blues.

[sabbath90]

i've got an elitist custom that i picked up used and replaced the electronics and pickups (SD seth lovers) and it's really an amazing guitar. all of my friends marvel at it. it's pretty heavy though. up around 10 pounds. sounds great though...

[lowendgenerator]

Epiphone Les Pauls are great guitars IMO. I've owned 4 or 5 of them now. I sold them off and miss them more than my last 3 PRSi. Fantastic guitars on the cheap, in colors that you just can't find in a Gibson.

[Goldstrat]

For the same money you can do better getting an Edwards or an older lawsuit LP, Tokai, Greco Burny etc..