Epiphone Quality vs Gibson

Caught a bolt of lightning

Hello,
I was hoping to get some opinions on the quality of an Epiphone (Les Paul Junior) compared to a Gibson.
.....anyone have one, like it??? Not like it????
Thanks

reaching hands

i'm guessing your US based but if you were in the UK i'd say buy a gordon smith gs1 or gs2.....handmade twice a year.....bit more expensive than a epi but build quality to rival a Gibson........i just bought one...amazing!!

reaching hands

if you were wondering ( )..they are basically a les paul junior

mccreadyisgod

I've generally found Epiphone to be very similar to Gibson in terms of quality. The higher-end models (Casinos, or the Epi Elite stuff) are generally equal to their Gibson counterparts. The mid-level stuff can be hit-or-miss, but are still pretty good. The only ones I'd personally steer clear of are the entry-level models, especially ones with bolt-on necks. But if it's a set-neck model, it's probably more than worth the difference in price between it and a Gibson.

The one thing an Epi might need is a proper setup, with adjustments made to the nut, bridge, and intonation, plus a good look at the frets to see if they're properly dressed. Not that Gibson is always great about these things, either, but the recent addition of Plek to their Custom Shop line has helped. There is a bit of debate on whether the pickups are of equal quality, but I'm rarely satisfied with stock pickups, so it's no big deal to me to go shopping for aftermarket pickups. That said, I've played stock Gibsons and I've played stock Epiphones, and couldn't really tell a huge difference in tone (at least in a Guitar Center, right?). I'd still rather have a good set of hand-wound pups, or at least a personally-selected set of Seymour Duncans.

Are you looking at the single-pickup dog-ear P-90 model, a la Billie Joe Armstrong? Or is it a humbucker model? Links would help here...

All Those Yesterdays

I have not tried a Ephy version of the Junior, but the "Faded" type Gibson series that I see at Guitar Centers are just horrible in my opinion. Especially the fret finish. Sharp ends (like they never considered filing them down). It's sad because a Junior is high on my list but I will not by a GIbson version.

Off the subject but after hearing what Gibson has done to smaller mom and pop guitar shops, I'd rather not back them up with anything. So I'll end up with a Hamer instead.

keeponrockin

I have an Epiphone Sheraton II that I modded with 2 Duncan P-Rail pickups. For distorted stuff, it's the best sounding guitar in the house (which includes an American Strat and a Gibson Les Paul Standard with Duncans).. If you get a good one, and put in some nice pickups, you'll have a world class ass kicker for under $1000. I bought my Epi used for $600 with case, and the pickups were about $300 including labour.

savman

I think they are stronger. From what i have read they suffer less neck breaks than Gibsons LP's.
I guess its probably the type wood they use in the neck.

OffHeGoes29

I'm kind of on the fence about buying an Epi G-400, but I need to pay bills first!

Drew263

Caught a bolt of lightning wrote:

Hello,
I was hoping to get some opinions on the quality of an Epiphone (Les Paul Junior) compared to a Gibson.
.....anyone have one, like it??? Not like it????
Thanks

I have an Epi LP Standard and a Gibson LP Classic. The Epi is nowhere near as nice.

tubes10s

Epiphones are usually finished with a poly finish too, while Gibsons are a more traditional nitrocellulose lacquer.

solsurfr

I had an Epi Les Paul years ago... today, I have two aged Gibson '59 Historic Reissues... They are worlds apart in terms of quality, tone, feel but they are also world's apart in price. For $500, an Epi Les Paul is very nice and will do the job.... it will need a proper setup though after you buy it. The Gibson Historic models are hand-made here in the USA and are as close to a real Burst as you'll get.

Snoopy Died For Our Sins

I just picked up an Oxblood '54 Jeff Beck (sorta) LP with a wraparound tailpiece and it sounded great right out the box...I have owned ten Gibson Les Pauls in my life and I currently have a '58 VOS plaintop that is KILLER...you cannot compare, but for $499, the Epiphone is a guitar you can play without worrying about anything whatsoever.....and remember, the guitar is going to sound like you, so if you are a good player, you will sound good on anything............

redrock

Got an Epiphone LP Standard for my daughter for Christmas. My local music shop said I could bring it in and they would set it up for her (even if I didn't buy it there!). She is a huge Gibson fan but it's her first electric guitar and Gibsons are just way out of my price range (even second hand). I'm thinking that for her to learn (and see if she wants to continue with it), it's a good guitar. She plays 3 other instruments at high level and a bit of acoustic, so I'm thinking she may stick with it. Hopefully by the time she 'needs' a much better guitar, she'll be out of the house, earning her own money to pay for it!

MagnumPJ

keeponrockin wrote:

I have an Epiphone Sheraton II that I modded with 2 Duncan P-Rail pickups. For distorted stuff, it's the best sounding guitar in the house (which includes an American Strat and a Gibson Les Paul Standard with Duncans).. If you get a good one, and put in some nice pickups, you'll have a world class ass kicker for under $1000. I bought my Epi used for $600 with case, and the pickups were about $300 including labour.

Agreed, the Sheraton II really is my go-to. Solid tone with stock pickups, but after set-up and slapping in the 57/57plus in it really is phenomenal. For right around 950-1000 after total investment (purchase,parts,labor) I couldn't have made a better investment.

AzWicker

Buy an Epiphone and sub out the electronics with Gibson USA...

Thats what I usually do, especially when you find a Epiphone that plays great.

samsonite

Snoopy Died For Our Sins wrote:

and remember, the guitar is going to sound like you, so if you are a good player, you will sound good on anything............

this is the most accurate advice in this thread!

if mike mccready plays my guitar he's still going to sound like mike mccready. unfortunately, when i play my guitar i do not sound like mike mccready.

H.Chinaski

i've been looking at the Epi LP customs and all the reviews i've read have been super positive. i think it'll be my next toy.

keeponrockin

Epis are good guitars and I wouldn't hesitate using one onstage (I have). My Epi has upgraded pickups, and I have a hell of a sleeper for under $1000. Is it as good as a gibson? No, but for what I paid, can't go wrong.