Beginner buying first guitar
Cypher
<SNIP>
>My personal experience with Epiphone Pauls is
>this: uneven frets with improperly dressed ends and electronics far below
>that of even the Les Paul studio model, which can be purchaced used for
>$500-$600 (about the same price of a new Epi). I can also draw on the
>experience of a very respected local luthier, whom recently had to set up 5
>of these instruments for an Epiphone endorser. He had to move the bridge of
>all these instruments because of improperly worked out scale length to get
>them to play in tune, along with replacing almost every non-wood part to make
>those instruments road worthy. I don't discount the possibility that you may
>have gotten a good one but my experience with these instruments is a
>decidedly bad one.
Thanks for clearing that up. My experience with the Epiphone Les Paul
"Standard" models has been favorable in the past. However, my personal
experience with the Gibson Les Paul Studio models as of late has made
me very disappointed in Gibson. (In a previous post, I reviewed my new
Epi Les Paul Standard and told of why I bought it over the Gibson Les
Paul Studio.) Gibson's build quality on their "under $1200" guitars is
inferior according to my observations. This was not only observed with
the LP Studio, but with the Blues Hawk, The Paul "All American", the
ES-135, etc... Almost every single one of them had something wrong
with it and NONE OF THEM were marked
as factory "seconds". I'll admit, that my experience with the Epiphone
Les Paul "Standards" is limited. (I never really liked Les Pauls in
the past, so I never really paid much attention to them.) From what
I've observed, however, the Epi Les Paul Standard is an excellent axe
for the money. Maybe I did just "get a good one", but the electronics,
hardware, and overall finish quality of the guitar are excellent. The
LP Studio's that I tried were inferior, so I'd have to disagree
respectfully. Maybe they were decent in the past... I really couldn't
tell you.
I respect your opinion of the Epiphone Les Pauls and it appears that
you've had problems with them. However, in general, I've observed on
the guitar newsgroups that the experience with the Epiphone LP's has
been pretty favorable.
Let me state, however, that I would NEVER recommend one of the
Epiphone "bolt-neck" Les Pauls. These guitars make a mockery of his
name! :)
> Third point: The only reason to buy a Strat over a Paul is if you
>like them better, in other words it's all about personal preferance. I own
>both Strats and Les Pauls, they are COMPLETELY different animals and I love
>them both for what the do well.
Thanks for clearing that up. It wasn't immediately obvious from your
original post.
Regarding my past experience with Epiphone. I've owned a total of
three Epiphone Guitars, namely a PR-350-12, a PR-7E, and the LP
Standard. I still own the latter two and play them more often than
most guitars in my collection, currently. (The PR-350-12 was traded
for a Seagull S6+12-string w/ L.R. Baggs pickup system which is a
superior guitar in all respects.) The two Epiphone guitars that I
currently own are like an old pair of Levis. These guitars are
comfortable and play like I've been playing them for years.
I do most of my writing on these two guitars. People who know about
the other guitars in my collection probably think I'm nutz!
Every guitarist probably owns a guitar that is like an old pair of
jeans. It doesn't matter if it's a $2000 guitar or a $200 guitar. What
matters is how that guitar "talks" to you. You know what I mean!
Take care!
-Cypher
chris
The best thing to do when looking for a beginners guitar is just to go to a
reputable store and try them out. If they sound good to you and are in
your price range, go for it. Bring an experienced buddy along if you can.
The problem with Epiphone Les Pauls is that some are made with terrible
quality, but there are some aren't. They're getting better though. Just
be weary of mail-order. It's better to go to a store and see for yourself.
Phishnweed
Don't buy an Epi Les Paul. Go to your local music store and ask if they
have any Paul Reed Smith Carlos Santana signature models for around $50.
They are great beginner guitars!!!!!!!
Cypher
hehehehehe