Chinese Epiphone Les Pauls and mahogany

[JeKo]

All the current chinese models seem to have solid mahogany bodies and necks. Does anybody have any idea about the specific mahogany species they use? To me it feels a little lighter in weight compared to what Gibson USA uses.

 

[stormin1155]

There are a lot of mahogany-like species. Hard to know what they use. Good chance it is African mahogany, since it is plentiful and has a lot of similar characteristics as Honduran, except that it is a bit lighter.

 

[Custom50]

i think it's a cheaper asian wood. there's alot of stuff the can technically call mahogany. luan, agathis, nato, etc.

fwiw i love mine tho. and yes, i have owned gibson LP's, 2 of them. i'd get the gibson first, but the epi is great too.

 

[cowboytim]

I wrote Gibson and asked a few months back were Epiphone mahogany comes from. They said they don't give out that info. At the time I did not realize their ass was in a sling over wood issues. A mahogany dealer who did business indirectly with Gibson said they get it from the same source as US built Guitars.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahogany

 

[cowboytim]

They weigh a little less because they do not have a full Maple top. Just a veneer.

 

[Koop]

They weigh a little less because they do not have a full Maple top. Just a veneer.

Who weighs a little less?

 

[vortexxxx]

Sometimes with the Epiphones, I don't think that even Gibson knows what wood they are using.

 

[shane8]

Sometimes with the Epiphones, I don't think that even Gibson knows what wood they are using.

 

[Vintage55]

They used some good wood on these...

 

[nsriley]

They used some good wood on these...

Yes they do, I LOVE my Epi custom shop plus top profx

 

[McStrats]

The flame top on most of those Epi's are a paper thin veneer, and not a slab of flamed maple. Epi also puts a mahogony type veneer on the back to cover up the mystery woods that they use.

 

[nsriley]

The flame top on most of those Epi's are a paper thin veneer, and not a slab of flamed maple. Epi also puts a mahogony type veneer on the back to cover up the mystery woods that they use.

Doesn't matter to me, it's a machine of a guitar.

 

[Stike]

There are a lot of mahogany-like species. Hard to know what they use. Good chance it is African mahogany, since it is plentiful and has a lot of similar characteristics as Honduran, except that it is a bit lighter.

There's plenty of boat anchor African out there.

i think it's a cheaper asian wood. there's alot of stuff the can technically call mahogany. luan, agathis, nato, etc.

fwiw i love mine tho. and yes, i have owned gibson LP's, 2 of them. i'd get the gibson first, but the epi is great too.

This

Sometimes with the Epiphones, I don't think that even Gibson knows what wood they are using.

And this.

 

[Dale]

They weigh a little less because they do not have a full Maple top. Just a veneer.

Not true. Many have a full maple cap with a veneer.

See for example -

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Ele...Anniversary-1960-Les-Paul-Standard/Specs.aspx

 

[Dale]

The flame top on most of those Epi's are a paper thin veneer, and not a slab of flamed maple. Epi also puts a mahogony type veneer on the back to cover up the mystery woods that they use.

You can see the type of wood on the edges as there is no veneer there.

 

[Help!I'maRock!]

You can see the type of wood on the edges as there is no veneer there.

yep.

whatever they're using, it's about 3 to 5 pieces worth. same as MIM Fender.

 

[SPROING!]

Epi uses full maple caps on very few Les Pauls. When they do, they promote it, such as with the 59 reissues and the elitist models.
Your average standard is all mahogany with veneer.

 

[musicofanatic5]

They used some good wood on these...

Regardless of how pretty your veneer top may look, it has little to do with the properties of the mahogany being discussed.

I "drank the Edwards koolaid" (gawd I hate that phrase, but it's my attempt to conform to standard TGP lexicon!) and was immediately suspicious of the mahogany, just from it's sound. I removed a p.u. and found a small area that was not covered in the thick plastic coating the rest of the guitar was finished with. I could easily impress my thumbnail into the wood without much pressure, and it sure looked a lot like that luan crap they make cheap, hollow-core doors out of. That guitar was not in my possession for long! I realize the discussion is specifically about Epiphone, but I am sure materials are pretty standardized for these Asian guitars.

 

[V-Type]

Most of the MIC Epi's Ive played at GC and other retailers were as good as their past MIK stuff.
The LP Customs sound very nice and not unlike a quality Gibson in many regards.
As far as woods used Im pretty sure its a Mahogany of some local type and not really a bad thing imo.
My Mik Epi LPC is an amazing low $$$ high value alternative too a $4000 Gibson.
Plop in some Burstbuckers,Dimarzios or Duncans,Etc... and go.....

 

[McStrats]

You can see the type of wood on the edges as there is no veneer there.

True. I meant to say that Epi Standards, and most production Epi LP's, have a veneer. The 50th Anniversary and Elitest and obviously among the exceptions to that rule.

Don't get me wrong, I've played Epi Standard LP's and really enjoyed them. I just think it's fair to point out for accuracy sake that a high percentage of the Epi flame tops are actually a veneer.