Tried a few more Les Pauls today

[shreddermon]

Here's what I tried out...

Gibson Les Paul Custom (black)
Gibson Les Paul Standard, Premium Plus (cherry burst)
Gibson Les Paul Standard (iced tea or honey burst...couldn't tell which)
Epi Les Paul Custom (cherry burst)
Epi Les Paul Ultra (cherry burst)
Epi Les Paul Standard (black)

I liked every one of the Epis better than the Gibbys. They had significantly better and more consistent build quality, and just sounded better. I was shocked. Epi is pretty much building a better product. The only exception was the LP custom, which I would say was - at best - on par with the better Epis.

Anyone else feel this way?

[Cygnus X1]

I don't like the looks of the Epi headstocks.
I know, weird...but I have never picked on up because of it.
I'll have to try one someday.

And, I've played a lot of Les Pauls.
They are all different from one another. For some odd reason, I like the Studios better than the Standards, or Customs.

[SouthernXer]

Back in 2003 I must've played 100's of different Les Pauls and finally found three that I liked EVERYTHING about. There are some great ones out there, you just gotta dig a bit to find one. Mine is a 2002 Honey Burst Standard Premium Plus and it's definitely one of the best playing/sounding LP's I had in my hands. With todays inconsistency though, I'd hate to have to go out and search for one that'd make me happy. I haven't played any of the new Epi's lately, may have to check them out. I just can't get over the headstock, either.

Good luck on the quest.

[Shawn Lutz]

I think I'd go with an Edwards over an Epi...but damn, were those all new Gibsons?

[Predator1]

Any opinions on the new chambering/weight relief Gibson is doing? I have heard it is getting hard to find a LP that weighs over 8lbs?

[Rupe]

Here's what I tried out...

Gibson Les Paul Custom (black)
Gibson Les Paul Standard, Premium Plus (cherry burst)
Gibson Les Paul Standard (iced tea or honey burst...couldn't tell which)
Epi Les Paul Custom (cherry burst)
Epi Les Paul Ultra (cherry burst)
Epi Les Paul Standard (black)

I liked every one of the Epis better than the Gibbys. They had significantly better and more consistent build quality, and just sounded better. I was shocked. Epi is pretty much building a better product. The only exception was the LP custom, which I would say was - at best - on par with the better Epis.

Anyone else feel this way?

Not to sound disrespectful but you either played some real dogs or you don't know what to look for in a Les Paul. As a former Gibson dealer and player who played a bunch of new Les Pauls as recently as two weeks ago, I think your assessment is way off base.

I think Gibson does have way too many QC issues for a premium brand, but more often than not those are of a cosmetic nature. The woods, hardware, and electronics are all far superior to those that are used on the Epi's.

That said, although Epi's tend to be inconsistent, you can find some real gems if you take the time to play a bunch of them. I still have an Epi LP Standard from my dealer days that I snagged because it was just so much better than all the others that were coming in.

You've got some killer Charvels...I think you need to stick with those

[JZ06]

I tried a bunch of LP's as well. Not too long ago, I picked up an Epi Zakk Wylde. Quite frankly, I love the thing! The sound, feel...especially the nice un-painted maple neck! That was one of the things that turned me off about the Les Pauls that I tried just a short time ago. That sticky feeling. It was dreadful! I played a white studio(which looked like Earl Scheib painted it) which was meh, a standard, and a few others. None of them made the light turn on like my epi ZW does and some had prices nearly triple what I paid for my Epi! The studio was white with gold. A gorgeous guitar and like mentioned above, I was blown away by how light weight it was. None of them stayed in tune very well either. Perhaps bad, or old strings.

I'll back up several of my former Fender made Charvels. They we're priced similarly(maybe a little less) then some of these Les Pauls and we're finished a million times better!

[Shawn]

Here's what I tried out...

Gibson Les Paul Custom (black)
Gibson Les Paul Standard, Premium Plus (cherry burst)
Gibson Les Paul Standard (iced tea or honey burst...couldn't tell which)
Epi Les Paul Custom (cherry burst)
Epi Les Paul Ultra (cherry burst)
Epi Les Paul Standard (black)

I liked every one of the Epis better than the Gibbys. They had significantly better and more consistent build quality, and just sounded better. I was shocked. Epi is pretty much building a better product. The only exception was the LP custom, which I would say was - at best - on par with the better Epis.

Anyone else feel this way?

Pat, I can say without hesitation. No!

[shreddermon]

I think I'd go with an Edwards over an Epi...but damn, were those all new Gibsons?

No. Some were new, some were used. But they were all recent models.

Not to sound disrespectful but you either played some real dogs or you don't know what to look for in a Les Paul.

Please educate me on "what to look for" in a Les Paul that's significantly different than any other guitar brand or model?

Pat, I can say without hesitation. No!

Not much of a talker, are you?

Hey, I'm not saying my search - or my searching skills, for that matter! - are perfect. But this is how it has gone so far. Quite frankly, I do wish it was playing out otherwise. I'm not looking to bash Gibby here. Instead, I wish I was finding a LP that was blowing me away. But that ain't the case - so it is what it is. Disappointing.

[Cygnus X1]

So, Rupe, explain to me...
I like superstrats, is there a particular reason why I tend to like the less expensive
Studios? Or were the five or so that I have played exceptional?
Again, I have played some seiously expensive, vintage LP's, and something about the necks, the weight, hell I can't pin it down...I just didn't like. What was different about the Studio's?

[satch0922]

For some odd reason, I like the Studios better than the Standards, or Customs.

I have two Studios, a 1993 wine red with ebony fretboard and a 1996 alpine white with ebony fretboard. Either one of them will put an Epi to shame.

[hippietim]

I have never played an Epiphone Les Paul I'd keep. In fact, I've only played one Epiphone guitar of any kind I'd own. I just think they suck.

Having said that, I do have a couple of the Valve Junior heads and they're a blast.

[Cygnus X1]

Did I mention I like Explorers, also?
I guess I didn't.

Nice Collection!

[satch0922]

I do have a couple of the Valve Junior heads and they're a blast.

Those VJ amps are awesome....loads of fun. I played one of my Strats through one that a friend owns. Man that thing is cool !

[Bengal]

So, Rupe, explain to me...
I like superstrats, is there a particular reason why I tend to like the less expensive
Studios? Or were the five or so that I have played exceptional?
Again, I have played some seiously expensive, vintage LP's, and something about the necks, the weight, hell I can't pin it down...I just didn't like. What was different about the Studio's?

My guess is you can afford a Studio and not a Standard or Custom...