NGD: Epi '56 Goldtop

I promised myself I wouldn't buy anymore Epiphones, but this one hooked me. It plays great, the neck is straight, there's no fret buzz, it seems to stay in tune really well, and the pickups snarl. For $349, how could I say no? I might install a Bigsby, and I plan to gig it next time. I actually like it more than that dog of a Gibson 60's Tribute Les Paul I had to send back.

HNGD - I've got one of the black :roll: '56 goldtops that they were closing out last summer - looks nice, plays nice, pups sound great...

http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv32/Scooter91/epi56003.jpg

Jeez, now you've got me wanting a black one!

I bought one of the black ones last summer. When I realized I had way too many guitars already, I tried to force myself to sell it. Can't quite seem to do it, though. The only LP I've ever fallen for.

Mine became my main gigger.
I totally love it.
Sometimes I feel like I should be playing something cooler than a Chinese Epiphone...y'know...for the guitar guys in the audience who want to talk to me about something between sets...but I've honestly never had a guitar that I'd rather play.
Crazy, right?
I'm a happy camper playing mine!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/charliechitlins/DSC_1378.jpg

The 56 Goldtops are one of the biggest steals out there. I won't upset the Gibby owners by saying that they're every bit the equal to one, but I can say that mine's a keeper; one of the best guitars I own. Mine's one of the Korean-made ones, but I understand that the Chinese made one's are just as good.

I'm literally amazed at how well this thing plays. I changed the strings right away after it arrived yesterday, played it for almost an hour last night, and it barely went out of tune at all. And the pickups sound fine! the bridge pickup has that classic P90 snarl and grind, and the neck pickup is smooth and quite loud as well.

This is another guitar the Chinese got right. Like I said, now I want a black one!

Enjoy that guitar. I loved mine, but sold it to help pay for the customizing of my new Classic Player Jag. I regretted it from the second I put it on CL, but I promised my wife now new gear out of household funds until our remodel is done.

I wonder what the deal is with these guitars.
Are they really any different from other Epi Les Pauls?
Are they made in a different factory?
Different part of the factory?
Is it all in our minds because we're weenies for sparkly things with P90s?

I think perhaps they put more effort into certain models than others. Or, maybe it's the old "Get one made on Wednesday" syndrome? Who knows? Epiphone guitars remain hit and miss, but there's no doubt the Chinese ones are getting better.

Congratulations DrumBob! Here's the obligatory shot of mine.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3170/2876561606_ee1b8bf640_z.jpg

Don't be GASing for a black one just yet, just sit back and enjoy the gold sparkle!

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3191/2876559046_b051e43421_z.jpg

For whatever reason, they're just made nicer than the Standards. Maybe it's easier to make a quality P-90 than a humbucker? I don't know, but I love mine to death.

Congrats drumbob. And the black one? Man, that looks nice.

Yeah, it does. I want one!

Telarkaster...I can enjoy both colors at the same time. I have strong Gemini in my horoscope!