Help:Epi Elitist Lp or Gibson SG?

Both are pretty well constructed guitars. The Gibson will hold its value better. The SG will have a fatter neck and bigger frets than the Epi. The Epi will weigh 1-1.5 lbs more than the SG. For a good $1000 humbucker axe, I would look for used Hamer Studios (or Monaco Elites), Les Paul Studios, TCM Polaris, Heritage H150 etc...

 

I definately like Standard SG's over Les Paul Studios, I've never been a fan of the Studios, but then again I'm a bit biased, I just love SG's. I haven't had a chance to check out the Epi Elitists, I hear good things. However for a Weezer type gig, I think an SG would certainly do the trick, they have the cut for that kind of saturation as well as the look. If I could afford it right now I definately would pick up another SG myself, I've had two in the past but still haven't found "the one".

 

Regardless of which you choose, make sure you try the SG with a strap. Sometimes they are neck heavy. Some people find this problematic, and it's something that you might want to know prior to purchase.

 

Well, P90s in general don't drive the front of amps as hard as humbuckers. I always feel like I'm working harder with P90s. But I love them when the amp is pushed - they are very responsive and go from clean to barking with just a change in pick attack. I've had a few vintage SGs with P90s and they got the best electric blues and jazz tones I've had. They didn't work for me when I got into harder rock - I went all humbucker - so I unfortunately sold them.

BTW for about a grand, can't you pick up a used PRS EG or CE or whatever they called the bolt-on model with humbuckers? Those are great!

 

The Epi Elite series gets great reviews, and I'm sure they are fine guitars but...... god I love my SG Standard. LPs are great, and it's hard to not have one around, but overall I just have fallen for the weight, neck shape, upper fret access and overall sound of the SG. Granted, mine has WCR Crossroads in it, but it was a darn fine guitar before they went in as well....

 

I think the Epi LP Elitist is on sale for $699 at Musicians Friend.

 

I just received my $699 Epi LP Elitist from Musician's Friend last week and I have to say that I am extremely happy with the purchase. I could not find any flaws on the guitar at all. The attention to detail is remarkable and the bookmatched top is really perfectly bookmatched which I wasn't really expecting. It really does look like a Gibson LP Standard with a different headstock. Of course the finishes are different, but the poly finish on the Epi is put on thin and doesn't make the guitar look like plastic.

The reason I chose the Epi Elitist was because for the same price as a new Gibson LP Studio, I could drop in a set of WCR's and RS kit and have a superior sounding guitar. I didn't really care about resell value because in my opinion, Gibson LP Studios resell value isn't that hot either. I'm also one who hates to part with any guitar. Sentimental value is attached to every guitar.

 

I got an EPI ELITIST HoneyBurst 2 weeks ago and have gigged it 7 shows so far and 2 comin' this weekend. You can't get a better guitar for under $700 as MF has them for now. The SG is a good guitar too.

 

I picked up a honeyburst Epi Elitist LP a few weeks ago and its a very nice guitar. It took a couple of weeks of fine adjustments to get it up to snuff, but that's typical of most guitars.

The pickups have a very vintage vibe to them, but are good for classic rock. If you want a heavier sound new pickups will be in order.

If you want an Elitist LP standard you better hurry, the honeybursts and vintagebursts are gone, and there will be no more. Cherryburst and Ebony are the only remaining colors.

 

Here are some pics of my honeyburst Elitist LP:

 

The case is top-notch. It's heavy-duty, shaped like the guitar, has plush purple lining, has gold latches/hinges, and comes with lock and keys.

 

And with an alligator type hyde too.

 

The current Gibson P90s suck imho. If you like how your SG plays, but not how it sounds try a set of Lollars, SKs or Wolfetones in it. A good P90 guitar is tough to beat for rock or blues.

 

SG all the way, love the feel, look and tone !!