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Hi Folks! I just ordered a new Guitar. An Epiphone Les Paul Quilt top. Has Anyone had any quirks or problems that I should know about. If you own one, I would be interested in your opinions of it. Thanks. Steve

Steve, Am I just ignorant? I thought Les Paul was a Gibson. I admit that I don't know much about electric guitars. Ben

Howdy Stephen,
My son has an Epiphone Les Paul, 2 or 3 yrs. old, and he's had no real problems with it. They're built like a tank and have few moving parts. Easy to set up and stay that way.
I think that the little screw ring thingie, that holds the pick-up selector in place, came loose once. But, that's it.
Have fun with your new axe,
BillA

Gibson who now owns Epiphone makes Les Paul's under both names. The Epiphone name is a lot less money than a Gibson. Probably can't tell the difference in how they play.

A friend of mine bought a Les Paul Gibson in the 50's from someone that needed the money for 50 dollars. He sold it about a decade ago for 26 hundred dollars.

You can pay all kind of prices for new Les Paul Gibsons these days.

Hey Ben: I would love to have the Gibson but it is definately out of my price range. I have done some reading on the Epiphone and the difference seems to be in the finish. I'm sure there's more. As far as playability the Epiphone has been highly recommended. Hope they're right. Steve

Hey Bill: Thanks for the feeback. It's been 2 weeks since I ordered it. Driving me crazy with anticipation. Can't wait to play it.

Thanks Ray. I keep telling my wife that I can't go wrong buying another guitar. From $50.00 to $2600.00! Great investment! lol I really dont think i've fully convinced her.

There are likely other variats between models, but the majority of $$ differences is in the name. The selection of wood is sometimes a factor. I've held a Gibson LP and an Epi LP, I found the EPI to be a lot lighter. The Gibson was made with older growth wood - the grain is tighter, hence the wood is heavier - which they believe helps add to the sustain. The selection of pickups may not be pleasing either, but they are easy to change down the road, should you like a better tone.
Overall, I like what I've seen recently from Epiphone.

I just bought my son, Nathan a Epiphone Les Paul last month. He seems to like it very much. I owned a Epiphone Casino in 1967 which I have dreams about to this day. I sold it to this guy who just would not leave me alone until I sold it to him. The price... $125.00 D-OH!!!!

Well...I'm an old geezer that's had every kind of guitar imaginable....
I went thru the Les Paul thing many years ago when I was young and the weight didn't make by back ache.
What ya gotta be careful of is this..new epis like many of the import guitarts are not always constructed of the best aged woods.
They're more sensitive to changes in humidity and heat..also..some of the hardware, particularly in the switches and pickup harnesses can be tacky and noisy.
The pickups and pots are iffy..I have a Korean Epiphone Casino..I bought it right off the wall and haven't changed a thing.
I know another guy who bought one and had to change pickups and hardware and tuning pegs..ya just never know.
That's the real difference between the imports and the guitars made here in my opinion..consistency.

Don't expose your new guitar to extremems in temperature and humidity..the fingerboard woods can shrink and then you've got a problem

All in all, the odds are that your new epi will sound great and play great till you get that record deal and can afford to buy a 59' bookend quilt top!

Enjoy your new guitar

Bob

Hey Tom Thanks for the feedback. Yes I have heard that it is not at all unusual for many people the switch out the pick ups on these guitars. Thanks again for your input. Interesting info. Steve

Hey Neil. Bet you would like to have that one back again! When I was 13 or 14 I had an Epiphone LP that I bought for next to nothing. I sold it before I really got serious about learning to play. Often wonder what it would be worth now.

Hi Bob. To be honest I bought this guitar almost knowing that I might change some of the electrical components someday. But for me that is not really a bad gamble for a good playable guitar. I'm pretty descent at electronic work and am capable doing the upgrades.
The extremes in temp and humidity is a lesson I have learned the hard way. I appreciate your feedback and advice. Thanks Steve

By the way: You don't look like that old a geezer to me! lol

My good friend and former bandmate plays that guitar. He loves it. I think it sounds really good with the right amp. Have fun!

So as time has gone by--How do you like your new guitar?

Congrats.

Take Care:

Dude

Dude: Wish I could tell you. It's been over three weeks and I still have not received it. (A very sore spot with me)
The place I bought it from says they are moving into a new warehouse and they keep giving me the run around. I called them every other day and always got the same answer "We are shipping it out as we speak! I will think twice about ordering from them again. I hate to be lied to! Anyway, enough rambling. Thanks for your interest. I'll let you know when or if I get it. Steve

Steve:

Sorry to hear this, I thought well he has had enough time to get the feel of the tone and everything.
I hear good and bad thoughts on the Epis--and it all comes down to which one you get. Just like with most any product you buy these days.

Some of my thoughts from personal exper.

Staying in tune--If not start with nut lube.
I have found that alot of the nuts need replaced-the factory specs are all suppoesed to be the same but they are mostly not.
so if its not staying in tune --this would be the 2nd place,before thinking of the T.Heads.

I would speak to someone Higher Up On the ol food chain.

If you ordered it from M.F. they just built and opened and moved into a 250,000 sq ft building a couple min from my house, so that part would be true.
But Not O we are shipping it out now- Not Good.

I would ask the BIG BOSS--How Happy Do You Want Me?
Because I am going to cancel my order if I do not like your reply. Tell him or her its that simple.

Take Care:

Dude

Hey Dude! Thank you very much for getting back to me. Yes, I did buy from M.F. and moving into the new warehouse is the answer I usually get.
I try to be understanding about the circumstances but yes, for 3 weeks I was told that "my supervisor is personally taking care of it as we speak! And it will be shipped the next day." still havn't got it.
I have purchased from this company on several occasions and have been pretty satisfied. I did get a good price on this guitar from them but if it goes much longer I will cancel.
Thanks for the advice about the nut grease. I have a guitar with problems. I'll try it out. Thanks! Take it easy. Steve

Just to let you know. I finally received my guitar. I have not been able to play it too much yet but I have to say that in my opinion it has a pretty good tone. I got the vintage sun burst and it is even better looking than I thought it would be. It's a little heavy but a pretty good fit for me overall.
I don't do much live perorming so I think it is going to be a fine guitar for my purposes. (Mostly Recording) I hooked it up to a small practice amp and it didn't sound near as good as when it was ran through my recording hardware which is ok with me for now until I get a good amp.
Thanks you all for your advice and suggestions. I appreciate it! Steve

Steve:

This is -GREAT NEWS- I am glad you got your guitar.

Is this your first Les Paul?
If so Welcome to the Les Paul Family.

Take Care:

Dude

I have a Gibson Les Paul Custom and an older Epiphone Les Paul Standard, and they're pretty equal in terms of playability and sound...lately I use the Gibson for standard tuning and the Epi for open G (with slide and without), plug 'em straight into a nice old Marshall Super Lead and away I go...I'm talking with Epiphone about an endorsement, hopefully it'll come through before the next record comes out. I like 'em and could use a couple more.I'm sure you'll enjoy yours, it'll sound great.

Dude: Yes this is my first Les Paul. I played it for 3 or four hours today. I have to say this is a really nice guitar compared to what iI usually play.
I pretty much took your advice when calling M.F. back and told them to send it out or I am cancelling. Lo and behold it showed up UPS next day air. I'm glad 'cause iI really wanted this guitar. lol

Thanks for the feedback Doc. I will probably be shopping for an amp in the future. Marshal works for you huh? Well, that's next on the list for me. Thanks for your insight and take care. Steve

Cool pics on your website, Nice guitars!!!
I would like to hear the Mojo Gurus do you have anything uploaded or mp3-wave files that you can send me.

Take Care:

Dude

Dude if you link to the Mojo Gurus myspace, there's some songs on there from before I joined, not really any stylistic difference, they're what made me want to join in the first place...

I jumped to Gibson a few years back and have been Very Happy.

The more you play this guitar the more you will like it.

Get a nice leather strap with padding, this will help if you like to play standing up.
I bought one when I got my 1st L.P. years back,but I mostly sit and play now and it just hangs on the wall...

Its funny and sad when doing business with someone you have to be that way and the customer service goes from 0 to a 10, but sometimes it takes that to wake them up and realize hey this person is correct in how they feel and we are wrong.

I use a JCM 800 100 watt Marshall

What amp are you useing now? Are you thinking about buying a new amp? What price range would you want to stay in?

Take Care:

Dude

Cool thanks bro.

I like the music--Very Cool--

Here is the link Mojo Gurus

Take Care:

Dude

Thanks bro, I appreciate that...I'm really looking forward to doing the next record, we start in a couple weeks, and Kevin has written some 14 or 15 great new songs...we've been working the bugs out since December and I think they're sounding killer! Everyone involved seems to think this record will be a big step up, all I know is we're gonna record some great tunes really well...something to be proud of y'know? Then, where's the bus?

Congrats Very Cool!!!
Kick on my door and let me know when you guys get something up,looking forward in listening to your guys new stuff!!
If you make it around to KC Bro. let me know..

Take Care:

I will let ya know, hopefully we will get some serious raodwork in for this one...I know that everyone wants to get out there and play, hopefully we'll get a little tour support from the label, at any rate we're gonna play as much as we can, where ever we can.