DinoMikeSr
I have the box
…expensive, new out of the box, Gibson Les Paul that actually delivers the Gibson Les Paul experience.? Not counting neck snaps.
What’s the least…
- Thread starter DinoMikeSr
- Start date
Dogsinplastic
avuncular to no one
Yeah, my head is still stuck in the notion that a U.S. built strat should be $500-600 new, and that's the ballpark for the LP Studio. It's hard to drop $1,500 on the most basic US-built guitar when that used to buy a PRS Custom, high-end LP, even a Fender custom shop strat/tele. I don't really buy guitars that often anymore, and when I do, it's usually a uniquely voiced instrument, like the 12-string acoustic I got for X-mas.
Which is all to say, I'm OLD.
Pine Apple Slim
Armchair Expert
Yea, probably a Studio as far as a standard LP goes. I've never played a Tribute but I haven't heard much good about them.
Myself, if I wanted a Gibson LP Id look for an older 90s Studio or an original The Paul from the late 70s early 80s.
Myself, if I wanted a Gibson LP Id look for an older 90s Studio or an original The Paul from the late 70s early 80s.
Peen Simmons
Let’s Get Obtuse!
I had a 2011-ish Studio for a bit. Decent guitar, but it had the aggressive weight relief so it was almost chambered/semi-hollow like a Gretsch Duo Jet. I played some recent studios recently, they were fine. Played some of the Les Paul Classics and they were nicer, but there’s some significant difference between the best examples and the less good ones.
For the closest you’re going to get for not Gibson money, you’re probably looking at the higher end Epiphone stuff or something like a Tokai or other nicer import copy.
For the closest you’re going to get for not Gibson money, you’re probably looking at the higher end Epiphone stuff or something like a Tokai or other nicer import copy.
Last edited:
Machinegunner
fancy sound-measuring doodad
If you’re willing to go used you can probably get a nice deal (maybe $1000 used?) on one of these, they originally came with humbuckers or P90’s…mine’s a 2016 Tribute. I have more expensive Les Pauls, but these are very good. I have the P90 version:
Studio or Special.
There are some Epiphones that are quite nice at half the price of the equivalent Gibson.
There are some Epiphones that are quite nice at half the price of the equivalent Gibson.
Pine Apple Slim
Armchair Expert
I wish I still had the white Epi LP Custom I owned back in the early 00s.
It was stamped Factory 2nd but I could never find any real flaw in it other than the average/meh pickups.
The gold plating was quick to relic but to me that was a good thing.
I though about replacing it but it would cost double or more than what I paid for the old one.
I havn't seen any 2nds floating around since that time, I doubt such a thing exists now.
Back then I think I paid $300 w/ HS case and sold it for $400. 4-5 yrs later
Still, an Epic LP Custom is probably a really good affordable choice for a nice LP these days.
I bet they have even improved the HBs.
It was stamped Factory 2nd but I could never find any real flaw in it other than the average/meh pickups.
The gold plating was quick to relic but to me that was a good thing.
I though about replacing it but it would cost double or more than what I paid for the old one.
I havn't seen any 2nds floating around since that time, I doubt such a thing exists now.
Back then I think I paid $300 w/ HS case and sold it for $400. 4-5 yrs later
Still, an Epic LP Custom is probably a really good affordable choice for a nice LP these days.
I bet they have even improved the HBs.
Peen Simmons
Let’s Get Obtuse!
What part of the Les Paul experience are you looking for? Because tone-wise there’s several ways to get in the ballpark. In fact, a good Tele can get dangerously close. Feelwise, there’s oodles of set neck Gibson scale length HH guitar options on the market. And nothing is stopping you from obsessively checking/fixing your G and B string tuning on any guitar.
Last edited:
Monson
Sonic Automatist
I'd consider a Special, you know, the TV Yellow ones with p-90s, rather than a Studio. To me these are more like 'real' Gibsons in that they resemble historic models. Mind you, that says more about me than the guitars we're talking about. I dig the Goldtop Tribute with p-90s as well as it's actually very close to the first ones Lester used in the '50s. I don't know if they are still available.
If I was going for the humbucker LP experience on a budget, I'd get an Epi and maybe upgrade the PUs. That said, for recording purposes I find it increasingly more difficult to fit a humbucker in a mix, and like Peen said, if I were after Led Zeppish tones, I'd seriously consider getting a very basic Tele, like a Vintera, a Player, or something like that.
If I was going for the humbucker LP experience on a budget, I'd get an Epi and maybe upgrade the PUs. That said, for recording purposes I find it increasingly more difficult to fit a humbucker in a mix, and like Peen said, if I were after Led Zeppish tones, I'd seriously consider getting a very basic Tele, like a Vintera, a Player, or something like that.