japanese Les Paul

[electrico777]

whats the best japanese Les Paul out there: old ibanez lp, greco, edwards, any other? I think that for a better price you can get a les paul from one of these brands that kicks an epiphone lp ass!!!

[thurston]

Re: japanese Les Paul

I've heard really good reviews of Orville by Gibson and Tokai models.

[veliyasin]

Re: japanese Les Paul

Grecos and old Tokais are supposed to be really high-quality, so are old Ibnanez set-neck dead-on copies. Orville was Gibson Japan and they are also really high quality. Don't believe the Orville by Gibson hype because the only difference is the US pickups in those models, there is no other difference. From the new ones Edwards is getting a lot of praise, I can't wait to try one.

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: japanese Les Paul

Difference between Orville by Gibson and Orville is "by Gibson", they were listed over $1000 and the ones without "by Gibson" were listed $700 or less.
So the ones "with Gibson" were on the highend and used better wood & parts,"non Gibson" are the cheaper versions.
Not just the difference of the pickups.

[veliyasin]

Re: japanese Les Paul

I read everywhere that the only difference was the pickups.

[Number Of The Priest]

Re: japanese Les Paul

Nobody needs to hear my extremely biased opinion on this subject, so I'll keep my fat yap shut. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

However, I will provide you with a list of my favorite Ebay sellers for Japanese guitars. I watch their listings every few days or so just to keep up with the market. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfromZR9Q...guitarQ5fsales

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfromZR9Q...sZguitarsjapan

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfromZR9Q...ssZhisashi0731

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfromZR9Q...sZguitarspazz7

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfromZR9Q...japanoldguitar

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfromZR9Q...xstringskatana

Enjoy. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: japanese Les Paul

Not true.

Here is the Gibson's Offical Japan Fan Club's official statement.

Non Gibson Orvilles were low cost version guitars and "By Gibson" were the high end guitars.
Later Non Gibson were selling more than "By Orville" so they discontinued it in 95 and Non Gibson ones got discontinued in 97,Ephiphone Japan was released in 98 to replace Orville.
[img]/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[thurston]

Re: japanese Les Paul

To add even more fuel:
Isn't there a Korean line of Orville guitars too?

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: japanese Les Paul

Yes, that is one of the differences.
"Non Gibson" ones, There were made in Korea ones exist.
Not sure if all of them wer emade in Korea or not.
That is why people who know don't buy non Gibson ones.

The ones with "By Gibson" were built by Fujigen in Japan where I believe they build Ibanez as well.

Another thing to add, another difference between "By Gibson" and "Non Gibson are the neck bindings.

Non Gibson ones don't have bindings over the fretboard while "By Gibson" do have bidning over fretboard like the real Gibson.

[veliyasin]

Re: japanese Les Paul

I stand corrected.

[electrico777]

Re: japanese Les Paul

so if you have to get one, which one would you pic?

[electrico777]

Re: japanese Les Paul

anyway, is a tokai better than an epiphone?

[atomic charvel guy]

Re: japanese Les Paul

as long as it's an older tokai. get an ls80 or 100, they are as good or better than a u.s.a. gibson

[LexLuthier]

Re: japanese Les Paul

I've had MIJ Orvilles and Tokais, they are of similar quality. Quite nice, but sucky electronics.
I've checked out a few Burnys, some are good, some are so-so.
ESP Navagators were pretty killer repros.

[electrico777]

Re: japanese Les Paul

so a newer Tokai Love Rock is not as good as de ls80 and 100? how do you compare it to an Epiphone Les Paul?