Trade a Gibson for an Epiphone? Oh yes!

[DHart]

I've always loved the look of Les Pauls and the tones. As I play at home, sitting down, they always felt a bit too butt heavy and unbalanced to me. So, one by one as I've bought them, I ultimately sold them, as well. My most recent Les Paul Special was a bit better balanced, but it had P90s and I just never bonded with it for whatever reason. I sure tried.

I still have thought I wanted to have a "proper" Les Paul (vs. the "Special"). What recently caught my eye was Epiphone's "Inspired by Gibson" Les Paul Modern. (No way would I pay what Gibson asks for their version of the same guitar, which is arguably not much better than the Epiphone -maybe worse?- and 4x the price!)

So... I went to GC to check them out. And wow, was I impressed. Epiphone is making some really nice guitars these days. And the LP Modern is packed with cool features - some which I love (ebony fretboard, locking Grover tuners, Ultra Weight relief) and a few (coil split stuff) which I won't use. And the price. WOW. I did a guitar trade in (Gibson Les Paul Special), which brought the price of the Les Paul down to $629. What a superb guitar for $629. I might make some changes to pickups and electronics (I already have Gibson Burstbucker Pros, switch, and harness in my parts bin), but the basics of this instrument are stellar.

Some pics, of course:

Not sure about the clear knobs, but they might grow on me.

Absolutely love the ebony fretboard and the new neck shape (fuller on the bass side of the neck).

Also love the Pelham Blue. And the locking Grover tuners. And the weight - only 8 lbs and very well-balanced while sitting!

When I traded in my Gibson Les Paul Special, I decided not to bring the case - knowing they wouldn't give me much if anything for it anyway. They did give me more for my trade than I was expecting, which was great! Subject of a case never even came up.

I decided to keep the case and it's a perfect fit for the Les Paul Modern! Woo hoo!!!

This makes the fourth Epiphone guitar I have and I truly love them all!

 

[Bruxist]

Beautiful! Congrats!

I have two IG Epis and they are my current favourites.

I have also been looking at thr Les Paul Moderns (preferably in Sparkling Burgundy to match my SG Special)

 

[Wallaby]

Sharp guitar! Congratulations!

 

[Pops_Caster]

Sweet-looking axe. Congrats.

 

[DHart]

I knew I wouldn't want to stay with the coil-splitting and out-of-phase features, pickups, and selector switch with the original guitar, and being a very big fan of Dimarzio PAF Master pickups, I created a new wiring harness with standard CTS pots, '50s wiring scheme, Switchcraft switch and output jack, and joined them with a pair of PAF Masters to upgrade the electronics on this beautiful instrument. All done now! Just the way I like it. Simple electronics and sounds awesome.

Locking Grover tuners stock. And ebony fretboard... wow, do I love that.

 

[jrblue]

arguably not much better than the Epiphone -maybe worse?

This is a tiresome and by now overdone assessment. There are very consistent differences between Epiphone and Gibson. Both being brands owned by Gibson, it's super-unlikely that the maker sets out to build a guitar than can take down their flagship. You can argue that, well, the difference exists, but people overpay for Gibsons, because (insert BS reason here). The reason they pay more for Gibsons is because they see worth and value in the pricier model.That's the market -- the cash value of people's preferences and decisions in what they purchase.

People are not dopes mislead by advertising. I don't know a single player who doesn't care what stuff costs. An Epi is certainly way better than the junk I learned on. And if you find one that fits you physically and sonically, that's a jackpot. Maybe it's better, for you, than the Gibsons you have seen. But as the values show, that is not the usual experience. You don't happen to agree with the market, and that's fine. Most people see it differently, as the numbers and values, and the guitars, show.

 

[middy]

The Gibson factory and the Epiphone imports both seem to be on point and shipping out great guitars these days.

I love the looks of this LP. It's aesthetically classic, current, and original. Both the original and the current incarnation look great

 

[ChicknPickn]

Gotta say, that's a looker.

 

[hdvades]

Wait a second...you traded a $1800 Gibson for a $700 Epiphone...and you paid $629 for the Epiphone ???

 

[DHart]

This is a tiresome and by now overdone assessment. There are very consistent differences between Epiphone and Gibson. Both being brands owned by Gibson, it's super-unlikely that the maker sets out to build a guitar than can take down their flagship. You can argue that, well, the difference exists, but people overpay for Gibsons, because (insert BS reason here). The reason they pay more for Gibsons is because they see worth and value in the pricier model.That's the market -- the cash value of people's preferences and decisions in what they purchase.

People are not dopes mislead by advertising. I don't know a single player who doesn't care what stuff costs. An Epi is certainly way better than the junk I learned on. And if you find one that fits you physically and sonically, that's a jackpot. Maybe it's better, for you, than the Gibsons you have seen. But as the values show, that is not the usual experience. You don't happen to agree with the market, and that's fine. Most people see it differently, as the numbers and values, and the guitars, show.

Tiresome? Overdone? Haha! A bit sensitive are we? Speaking of the overall guitar market - I wouldn't be surprised if Gibson sells perhaps a hundred of their off-shore Epiphones to every one of their on-shore guitars. In any event, I would invite you to just skip this thread if you find it mentally or emotionally wearing on you!

Here is a little background on my perspective: I've owned perhaps five Gibson Les Pauls over the years, Standards, Traditionals, and one Studio. Also a Gibson ES-175, Gibson SG Standard, Gibson Les Paul Special, Gibson LGO, and Gibson ES-339. So, I'm pretty well-acquainted with Gibsons. And for the longest time, I wouldn't even consider looking at an Epiphone - I was Gibson all-the-way when it came to Gibson-style guitars!

That all changed a few years back, when I acquired an Epiphone Casino, then an Epiphone ES-339 Pro, and a second Epiphone ES-339 Pro, then two Epiphone ES-Les Pauls. And most recently the Epiphone Les Paul Modern. I grew out of my prejudice against Epiphone through direct experience owning them.

This isn't to say that I dislike Gibson guitars, as I think many of them are awesome - that's why I have owned so many of them over the years. But at present, in my view, the "value" is not there for many of them.

Having 36 guitars at present (Martin, PRS, Rainsong, Ibanez, Eastman, Gibson, D'Angelico, Epiphone, many Fenders), having taught guitar and music theory in a music store for 10 years, and being a player since I was 15, in 1965... I would say that I do have something of a long-view perspective on guitars.

So, my friend... my appreciation for what Epiphone is doing with some of their recent offerings is well-founded. And the build quality of some of these Epiphones, it may be argued, approaches, equals or exceeds some Gibsons - overall. Not across the board, of course, as each maker has fumbled the ball many a time, here and there.

As for this Les Paul Modern... I will reiterate that the Gibson version, aside from electronics, may not be much better. I'm so thrilled with this off-shore sample that I would not even dream of paying $3000 for the on-shore version of this guitar. Yes, certainly, I replaced the electronics and pickups, so my cost for the instrument is at about $630+250= $880, which is less than 1/3 the cost of the on-shore version, which is for the most part the same guitar, minus the Gibson "mystique" and not put together by the hands of very costly labor. For my evaluation... that's a slam dunk awesome deal - and a very sensible choice.

Interestingly, I had the same view of Fender USA vs. Ensenada, and especially vs. Squier. And in recent years, I've come to have great appreciation for my Fender MIMs and Squier guitars. I do often replace electronics and pickups - even in some Corona Fenders.

Would I enjoy having the US-made version of this guitar? If I can cherry-pick one, of course! But there is no way I'd pull $3000 out of my wallet for it.

Bottom line: I'm still a Gibson-lover. And also an Epiphone-lover, too!

That's my solid opinion and you are welcome to have a different view - I don't mind!

 

[pippoman]

hdvades​

Tele-Afflicted​

Wait a second...you traded a $1800 guitar for a $700 guitar...and you paid $629 ???


scratching my head too man! New on Reverb they’re $699 shipped, + tax (about $67 bucks here). Sounds like they should’ve forked over about $400 to him, at least!

 

[DHart]

Wait a second...you traded a $1800 Gibson for a $700 Epiphone...and you paid $629 for the Epiphone ???

Sorry guys... no need to get worked up over the financial aspect of my transaction. You don't have the complete transaction details, which aren't the point of this thread anyway. I walked away with even more cash than I was comfortably thinking I would receive. It was a perfectly fine transaction.

The point of my post is simply this: I let go of a Gibson that I wasn't enjoying (for fair value) and bought an Epiphone that I am enjoying greatly, at fair value.

It all worked out quite sensibly!

 

[G Stone496]

If you got any more Gibsons, I can get some Epiphones to trade you

 

[pippoman]

G

Sorry guys... no need to get all worked up over the financial aspect of my transaction. You don't have the complete transaction details, which aren't the point of this thread anyway. I walked away with more cash than I was even thinking I would receive. It was a perfectly fine transaction.

The point of my post is simply this: I let go of a Gibson that I wasn't enjoying (for fair value) and bought an Epiphone that I am enjoying greatly, at fair value.

It all worked out quite sensibly!

Glad to hear. That’s a great looking guitar by the way

 

[brindlepicker]

Nice guitar. I came out of room with my flattop cased at a jam at a senior center in town yesterday. A guy came out of the pool room and said what do you have in there? I said a Gibson. He says they’re alright, but I’ve got an Epiphone.

 

[Colo Springs E]

Agreed I've always been a bit of a snob toward Epis which is dumb, given my guitar playing abilities. I have another thread going, I picked up a Classic Les Paul that is awesome--five fiddly + tax!

 

[DHart]

Agreed I've always been a bit of a snob toward Epis which is dumb, given my guitar playing abilities. I have another thread going, I picked up a Classic Les Paul that is awesome--five fiddly + tax! View attachment 1138208

Some of today's Epiphone and Squier guitars are exceptionally nicely-made. All one might have minor quibbles about could possibly be pickups or electronics, really. And those aspects are so easy to change up, however your tastes might dictate.

We are living in the golden-age of guitars right now! Good stuff with everything from very sensibly-priced to mega-bucks.

 

[kuch]

HNGD! Nice LP!

Enjoy!

 

[DHart]

For those who may not have understood my point in starting this thread... I think Gibson guitars are great (for the most part), even if I feel that at today's prices, the prices have exceeded the value.

This is a testament to the fact that Gibson has succeeded with their Epiphone offerings in producing some guitar models (inspired by Gibson, specifically, and others) which I find to be quite excellent alternatives to like-models which Gibson produces on-shore - at exceptionally high-value for the price proposition.

Some years back, when I was shopping for ES-Les Pauls, the Gibson versions were very few, far between, and priced extremely high. One that I found and played was totally uninspiring to me - especially for the asking price. But I was extremely fortunate to be shopping at just the right time and found both a very lightly-used Epiphone ES-Les Paul in Wine Red and a brand new one in transparent black. I bought them both. The Trans Black I kept stock in every way, the other I upgraded electronics and pickups to TVJones T-Armonds. These are awesome instruments - now having become very hard to find, as Gibson has ceased production on-shore and off-shore.

With DiAngelico EX-SS and Gretsch G6119T taking up the rear.

When Gibson chooses to produce wonderful guitars off-shore (Epiphone name) they can and do indeed produce some wonderful instruments!

As with many off-shore (vs. on-shore) guitars, one might wish to replace pots, switches, possibly even pickups, but in my case with this Les Paul Modern (inspired by Gibson) guitar... the pickups sounded excellent, I just didn't want all the pot pull-up switching gizmos for split-coil and out-of-phase. None of those tones are what I want in a Les Paul. So, whether Les Paul Modern on-shore production (Gibson) or off-shore production (Epiphone), I would have ditched the electronics anyway.

As for the ebony fretboard, locking Grover tuners, tune-o-matic bridge, and tailpiece... all fine in my view, as is the build quality and finishing. Poly finish vs. lacquer - I really like poly, but lacquer is fine, too.

 

[hdvades]

Oh well, I disagree. A friend down the road can play a cheap Epi Special II better than me and a real Gibson any day. I'm not bad with a $199 guitar, but the one that cost eight times that much was/is worth it.

edit...eight not four