Epiphone LP Std vs Gibson LP Std

marshallcarr2010 · January 29th, 2010, 10:08 AM

What is the most significant differences between these two. I understand mfg location and probably some subgrade electronics especially in the in the pickup area... but there is $1000 + difference in price.
I have played both and they are identical other than the tonality of the pickups. My friend has an 2005 Epi LP Std that he fitted with a pair of Gibson classic Humbuckers. It is very sweet with incredable tone and endless sustain.
From other guitarists he always gets flack.. "Its not a real Gibson".
I know this is not true as it says Gibson on the guitar.
What is the real deal?
I have no issue spending the additional $$ for a Gibson. I just want to completely understand the difference.

Wally · February 3rd, 2010, 12:37 PM

Marshallcarr2010, I'll bite. IF one thinks/feels/whatever that the only difference between an Epi L.P. and a Gibson L.P. is the electronics, then one is not taking full note of the instruments, imo. There are differences.....keep looking. And, if you don't find them; then feel lucky, buy the Epi, put in some good electronics, and be happy.
As for being a 'real Gibson', an Epi is not a real Gibson in that it is an Epiphone(owned by Gibson) built in ASia with different woods, different techniques and different finishes.
Gibson is clouding the issue by putting the 'gibson' on the truss rod covers....but then they can do that because they own both logos, right?
HEy, not all Gibson L.P.'s are the same as other Gibson L.P.'s. IF you want one that harkens back to the days of old, then get a reissue. They are not the same as the regular production run L.P.'s built in Gibson's U.S. factories. As a matter of fact, the RI's may be more different from the regular L.P.'s than the regular production Gibson L.P.'s are from the Epi L.P.'s.
Adn nothing I have said here is menat to say that an Epi L.P. cannot be a good guitar. I simpy am saying that there are differences that can be seen, felt, and heard.

marshallcarr2010 · February 4th, 2010, 11:09 AM

Wally,
Thanks for the clarity. I believe I have made up my mind not solely due to your feedback but because of a certain 1970 Black Beauty that my old soundman and dear friend has. He purchased it new back in 1970 and has not played it in a few years. Out of the blue he contacted me and him and after a lot of catchup convesation I requested a sit down with the old Beauty. I was amazed and convinced at just how unique the real deal LP is. A new one is certainly sweet, but this 40 year old jewel sounds unbelievable.... Even with old strings!
He is considering selling it to me as we go way back and not one of his 8 kids has an interest in playing. Funny thing, 25 years ago he offered it to me for $500.00! Not sure what it is worth now, and I will be doing some research and certainly will not make the same mistake a second time.

Wally · February 4th, 2010, 11:55 AM

Well, Marshall, $500 in 1985 equates to just under $1,000 in 2007 dollars. You should have bought it. (Grandpa Jones sings now: "Oh if I could just go back and know what I know now!") LOL PRe-economic downturn market for excellent condition in the VG price guide was $3,500-4,500 for the 2 pup version. 3 pup versions are a bit higher. One might want to really study that guitar hard. Those serial numbers in that era are not written in stone. Details are everything when dating Gibsons from '63 through '75.
This return on initial investment is or can be another aspect of the Gibson versus Made in Asia Epi's, right? IF you hold them long enough, they gather or at least hold value.

david fowler · February 5th, 2010, 08:08 AM

i keep my gibson at home but use my epis when i play out. if some one breaks or walks off with my epi im out a guitar that i can replace easily. the new epis are great guitars built well. its not the guitar its the player.

marshallcarr2010 · February 5th, 2010, 11:45 AM

Lost a V back in the mid 80s at the end of the night from a club in central NY. Never drove me to use cheaper guitars at a job although if I had brought my 78 Ibanez Artist that night, I would still have the V. Thing is the Artist was an awsome guitar and would now be a significant investment to replace. I traded it for an 1988 100w MKII Marshall Head which burned up in a warehouse fire.

Wally · February 5th, 2010, 11:49 AM

That value of that Ibanez Artist is nowhere near what that old L.P. Cusotm commands....somwhere in the 25-30% of the Gibson's value at best.

marshallcarr2010 · February 5th, 2010, 04:09 PM

Wally,
I agree. I do still miss the V. Bought it and an explorer new in 81. Still have the explorer and it is still amazing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wally

That value of that Ibanez Artist is nowhere near what that old L.P. Cusotm commands....somwhere in the 25-30% of the Gibson's value at best.

discofishing · February 5th, 2010, 04:39 PM

Straight from the factory I'd say a Gibson is better (overall) than an Epiphone 85% of the time. The biggest difference is pickups and quality of wood. If you put a little money into, say, an Epi Les Paul , you CAN make it play, feel, hold tune, and sound equal to or better than any Gibson USA guitar. That's a fact, I don't care what anyone else says. That means you might have to do some fret work, replace pickups and perhaps the electronics, but you CAN eliminate the gap. As far as price goes, you'll never be able to eliminate that. Gibson Les Pauls Standards are about $2000 more than Epiphone Les Paul Standards now a days. I'd recommend getting a used Gibson Les Paul if you have to have one. At Guitar Center ( call them Guitar Denter, LOL!) most of the brand new guitars are dinged, nicked, and have scratches on them anyways from careless people who try them out, so it's pretty much used anyways. Save yourself some money.

Talk is cheap these days. So much of playability and tone depends on the the person. Try this. Take a friend with you to a music store that has high end amps, Gibson LPs and Epi LPs. Do the blind play test. Have your friend hand you guitars to play on without saying what they are. Having to play a mix (more than just a couple) of several different Epiphones and Gibsons without knowing which one is which should tell you what you need to know.

Wally · February 5th, 2010, 05:30 PM

The Epi L.P. in stock form will be darker and less articulate than a stock Gibson L.P. I can hear it in the next room. I have been playing too long to miss that. That would be quite a bit longer than you have been living, disco. I have worked on too many different guitars not to have heard the finer points of what these machines do....and I continue to listen and learn everyday.
Playability is never in the hands of the player. Playability is determined by how a guitar is built and how it is set-up. The ability to utilize that playability is in the hands of the player.
Tone, I will agree, lives to a large extent in the ears and hands of the player....but given a guitar that yields dark and muddy sonics no one will get a bright, articulate sound out of that guitar.