Epi '56 Goldtop, should I?

Brad Miller · May 3rd, 2008, 03:27 PM

Any one here have one? Something is just nagging at me to get one. I've read good things about them and just want to hear from you guys your opinions on them.

Thanks!

River · May 3rd, 2008, 04:03 PM

Can't comment on that model, but I bought a new LP Jr. '57 Reissue for Christmas and it was a great value. I've upgraded the pickup, but the QC and setup were VG-Exc out of the box. My luthier could not believe the quality of the fretboard - that it was an Epi, much less a sub-$300 one..

anfontan · May 3rd, 2008, 04:15 PM

I bought an Epi les Paul Standard with the figured Plus top recently and it feels & sounds better than my 78' Gibson 'The Paul'. The Epi has a bound fretboard and top where the Paul doesn't-the Paul is similar to a les Paul Special I believe. So far I have stuck with the stock Epi pickups but I will probably mod the bridge pickup sometime.
The goldtop has P90's in it doesn't it? Bet those would be great for rocking out!

Heres a picture of my Epi LP--

mistermullens · May 3rd, 2008, 05:55 PM

I've played a couple and I thought they were nice. I wonder if MF is still selling that limited run of Black w/P90s

beep.click · May 3rd, 2008, 06:02 PM

Wonderful guitar; came within an inch of buying one, not too long ago. Nice neck and sweet tone. Very good P90 implementation (not all P90s work out for me).

TELE_BLUES · May 3rd, 2008, 06:06 PM

As always if you can play it before you buy it great if not it's a crapshoot.I have 4 epi's les paul deluxe,'57 jr. reissiue,335 and a popa chubby v.All nedded a very minor amount of work to make them great with the exception of the p.u. on the jr. but that's personal preference.I looked at one in a store but it was all kinds of heavy otherwise i would have bought it.I think that the '56 is my fave epi les paul,goldtop and p-90's in my book thats the way to make a les paul.

dobrodoc · May 3rd, 2008, 07:08 PM

That '56 Goldtop is a KILLER guitar! I had one for a couple of years, and I hated to sell it. Don't let anybody tell you to change the pickups, either. Those Epi P-90's got growl up the wazoo. Neck feel good, and the Epiphone hard cases feel sturdy. GET THAT GIT-TAR, DUDE!!!!

sunkidd · May 3rd, 2008, 07:29 PM

I have a couple of Goldtops... Epi '56 and a VOS Gibson '57... the Epi is a great guitar...

Suproman · May 3rd, 2008, 07:34 PM

I have one of the black ones, it's a very nice guitar. I did change out the pickups, added a Bigsby and a chrome pickguard to make it into a budget version of Neil Young's Old Black, but the stock guitar is excellent.

Pat

River · May 3rd, 2008, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by River

I've upgraded the pickup,

Please note my Jr. came with a P100, not a P90. It was OK, but quite low-output.

ac15 · May 3rd, 2008, 09:39 PM

I had the Epi 56 gold top. Nice sounding guitar (once you upgrade the pups)for the money, although the neck was a bit small.

boneyguy · May 3rd, 2008, 10:17 PM

I have had mine for about 3 years now and I love it. It constantly gets compliments on it's tone, even with the stock Epi P90's. It even got complimented from a guy who has a real '56 LP!! And he wasn't kidding either.

I think you'll dig it plenty.

Ricky D. · May 3rd, 2008, 10:24 PM

Play before you buy, hopefully through your amp. No other way to be sure.

I toyed with an Epi LP Goldtop with humbuckers for about a hour through a Bassman RI. Real nice.

May 3rd, 2008, 03:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
Brad Miller Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kokomo, Mississippi Age: 35 Posts: 631 8 Photos	Epi '56 Goldtop, should I? Any one here have one? Something is just nagging at me to get one. I've read good things about them and just want to hear from you guys your opinions on them. Thanks! __________________ http://www.myspace.com/cbm1973

May 3rd, 2008, 04:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
River TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Crestone, CO USA Age: 53 Posts: 61	Can't comment on that model, but I bought a new LP Jr. '57 Reissue for Christmas and it was a great value. I've upgraded the pickup, but the QC and setup were VG-Exc out of the box. My luthier could not believe the quality of the fretboard - that it was an Epi, much less a sub-$300 one.. Last edited by River; May 3rd, 2008 at 04:05 PM. Reason: typo

May 3rd, 2008, 05:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
mistermullens Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Atlanta Age: 31 Posts: 2,324 51 Photos	I've played a couple and I thought they were nice. I wonder if MF is still selling that limited run of Black w/P90s __________________ When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. - Jimi Hendrix

May 3rd, 2008, 06:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
beep.click Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: California Age: 49 Posts: 1,919	Wonderful guitar; came within an inch of buying one, not too long ago. Nice neck and sweet tone. Very good P90 implementation (not all P90s work out for me). __________________ "It looked like a giant green gum drop to me."

May 3rd, 2008, 10:17 PM	#12 (permalink)
boneyguy Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: victoria b.c. Age: 50 Posts: 2,915	I have had mine for about 3 years now and I love it. It constantly gets compliments on it's tone, even with the stock Epi P90's. It even got complimented from a guy who has a real '56 LP!! And he wasn't kidding either. I think you'll dig it plenty. __________________ "Shut up n' play yer guitar"

May 3rd, 2008, 04:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
anfontan Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Southern Illinois Age: 52 Posts: 188 6 Photos	I bought an Epi les Paul Standard with the figured Plus top recently and it feels & sounds better than my 78' Gibson 'The Paul'. The Epi has a bound fretboard and top where the Paul doesn't-the Paul is similar to a les Paul Special I believe. So far I have stuck with the stock Epi pickups but I will probably mod the bridge pickup sometime. The goldtop has P90's in it doesn't it? Bet those would be great for rocking out! Heres a picture of my Epi LP--

May 3rd, 2008, 06:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
TELE_BLUES Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: ROCKCHESTER,NEW YORK Posts: 458 35 Photos	As always if you can play it before you buy it great if not it's a crapshoot.I have 4 epi's les paul deluxe,'57 jr. reissiue,335 and a popa chubby v.All nedded a very minor amount of work to make them great with the exception of the p.u. on the jr. but that's personal preference.I looked at one in a store but it was all kinds of heavy otherwise i would have bought it.I think that the '56 is my fave epi les paul,goldtop and p-90's in my book thats the way to make a les paul.

May 3rd, 2008, 07:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
dobrodoc Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ware Shoals, S.C. Age: 53 Posts: 385	That '56 Goldtop is a KILLER guitar! I had one for a couple of years, and I hated to sell it. Don't let anybody tell you to change the pickups, either. Those Epi P-90's got growl up the wazoo. Neck feel good, and the Epiphone hard cases feel sturdy. GET THAT GIT-TAR, DUDE!!!!

May 3rd, 2008, 07:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
sunkidd Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 404	I have a couple of Goldtops... Epi '56 and a VOS Gibson '57... the Epi is a great guitar...

May 3rd, 2008, 07:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
Suproman TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada Posts: 27 5 Photos	I have one of the black ones, it's a very nice guitar. I did change out the pickups, added a Bigsby and a chrome pickguard to make it into a budget version of Neil Young's Old Black, but the stock guitar is excellent. Pat

May 3rd, 2008, 09:39 PM	#11 (permalink)
ac15 Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2005 Location: CHICAGO, IL. Posts: 624	I had the Epi 56 gold top. Nice sounding guitar (once you upgrade the pups)for the money, although the neck was a bit small.

May 3rd, 2008, 10:24 PM	#13 (permalink)
Ricky D. Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Maryland Age: 57 Posts: 876	Play before you buy, hopefully through your amp. No other way to be sure. I toyed with an Epi LP Goldtop with humbuckers for about a hour through a Bassman RI. Real nice.