Epiphone

My advice is to take your time and test drive many different models before you commit to any one brand. Also if you're shopping and see 10 Epiphone Les Pauls on the floor play them all. Not all guitars are created equal.

To:bigdjindustriez

Your repair of a metal brace lessened the value of your one of a kind guitar (not to mention the astetics,looks). The correct tepair if taken to a qualified luithier would have been to glue (if the headstock was glueable) and or to make a new headstock and attach it by means of a scarf joint.(this will also lessen the value of your guitar.

To:Jimmyriddle74

If your set on an Epi then as wewin03 suggested try as many as you can to find the one that sounds and plays great for you. Otherwise if you want a les paul body style guitar look at the Michael Kelly's, Dean Evo series, Aira's, Samick's and such. You can always hot rod it.

Bootlegger

Bootlegger guitars.

I completely agree with Jay!  I have recently purchased an Epi LP Studio (brand new).  And, have experienced nothing but a good quality (for the money) guitar!  The LP Studio has all the main features similar to the Gibson version.  But, lack the Gibson cosmetics!  I am very satisfied with the open humbuggers as well as the action of the set neck.  I'm sure once this guitar is set up (being done next week), it will become a fine practice/playing guitar! 

I also agree that you should stay away from the LP Special model and the all-in-one kit Epi sells.  Another Epi you should look at also is the SG model.  This model combines the LP warm tone with a Fender Strats-like light weight body. 

Overall, I feel this is a good first LP for any one on a budget or just starting out on an electric. 

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>jaygordon75 wrote on Mon, 26 March 2007 19&#58;18</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
<font color="crimson"></font><b></b><i></i>Epiphone makes some very good guitars and some that are not so good...you pretty much get what you pay for. The Epiphone Les Paul Standard and Customs are excellent guitar for the money...most that I've seen had a great sound and excellent fit and finish. I would stay away from the Epiphone LP specials and kits unless you are looking for a really cheap starter guitar package. I agree with a previous suggestion about trying out several and seeing which one does what you need. Many players will start with the Epiphone and then invest money in "hotrodding" or upgrading with different pickups, etc... tons of aftermarket and name brand pickups and accessories are available for any of the Les Paul design guitars. I have a Gibson Les Paul Classic...expensive, but well worth it for me.
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Edgefan,

From my understanding, the Epi LP's pick-ups are a bit more quality than what's on the Special model.  If you  like a lighter guitar, then the SG may be your answer.  The SG is as light as a Fender Stratocaster, but has a bit warmer tone.  The Epi LP, although a bit lighter the the Gibson (25 lbs) model, still has some weight to it.  You'll need to get a nice padded strap to hold it up.  Others may have more info, but that's what my understanding is.  Nonetheless, I'm pretty happy with my Epi LP Studio.  I'll need to save up for a Gibson in the future.

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>Edgefan wrote on Tue, 27 March 2007 16&#58;29</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
I got the Epi LP Special player pack a few months back because I wanted something inexpensive to learn on in case I didn't like playing the guitar.  It turns out that I love playing.  When I look to upgrade, what's the difference between the Special and the other Epi LP models that you guys have mentioned?
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Tube amp.  Or a "valve" if you're over across the pond.  VOX makes a great amp, but what you really want is a tube, no matter who makes it.

Worth checking www.imuso.com for reviews of gear and prices,very competitive and next day delivery in UK.

Jimmy,

I think Jerome is referring to a tube amp vs electronic amp.  In the 50's and 60's amplifiers using tubes (similar to old TVs) were popular--as they produced incredible sound!  Today, new amps are made using electronic sampler, which tries to mimic the "tube" sound. They are also less expensive, thus more affordable. 

With that said, some of the more popular brands are still making tube and/or tube/electronic amps.  Some players (even me) prefer tube amp over electronic one.  I just love the warm sound coming out of it.  But, a tube amp will also cost more than an electronic one. 

There are many excellent tube amp makers out there.  Some of which are Fender, Vox, and Marshall.  Others may have additional recommendation. 

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>jimmyriddle74 wrote on Wed, 28 March 2007 23&#58;09</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
what is a tube sorry if this is a daft question ive never owned an amp i play acoustic and am looking to play the electric guitar now.

Royston
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A tube amp uses a vaccume tube rather than a transistor for it's amplification effect.  They provide a warmer, fatter sound, and watt for watt, more volume.

There are a lot of small, inexpensive tube amps available.  Epiphone,  VOX,  Fender, Crate, Kustom and other manufacturers produce tube (also called "Valve" amps) all around the $150 price point.  I've played Kustom and VOX amps, and they both make beautiful tone.  The VOX Valvetronic especially had a really nice set of features.   

The wattage is something to consider.  You get more volume out of a tube than you do a solid state amp, so if you find a tube amp, but think it's expensive, check the price of the solid state amp *the next size up* and see if it's comparable.