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Thinking of buying a Les Paul Studio?

  • 28-06-2012 10:04am
    #1
    waraf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,326 ✭✭✭


    If you can see past the Epiphone headstock I would seriously recommend checking out the Epiphone Joe Bonamassa Les Paul before you make your purchase. I decided to pick one up as I couldn't find a single negative review online for it whereas I found plenty of people saying that the Les Paul Studio can be very hit and miss. In fairness though, that's probably more to do with the fact that were only 1000 of these Epiphones produced whereas there are probably millions of Les Paul Studios knocking about.

    Anyway, highlights of the spec sheet are:

    Gibson USA burstbucker pickups
    Mahogony body with a carved maple cap
    50's style mahogony neck - deep set with long tenon
    Grover tuners
    Rosewood fretboard
    Lifton style hard shell case
    Signed Joe Bonamassa certificate of authenticity

    http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Les-Paul/Joe-Bonamassa-Goldtop.aspx

    The setup was pretty good right out of the case. I just lowered the action with half a turn of the two thumb screws and it was perfect for me.

    The only thing that gave me a little bit of trouble out of the box was the tuning - it just wouldn't stay in tune at all (common Epi problem according to what I have read). Anyway, I just loosened the strings, ran a pencil over the nut several times to create a build up of graphite dust in each slot, tightened up the strings again, cleaned off the excess dust and hey presto - problem solved.

    Anyway, as I said, if you're in the market for a Les Paul around the 600 euro mark you should check this out. They seem to be pretty scarce but if you search hard enough you can come across the odd one knocking about (I got mine from waltons.ie but there are probably other options out there if you prefer a different supplier)


Comments

  • #2
    darrenw5094
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,126 ✭✭✭darrenw5094


    Gibson Les Paul Studio 50's Tribute for €649 on Thomann

    http://www.thomann.de/ie/gibson_lp_studio_50_tribute_we_tm.htm


  • #3
    waraf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,326 ✭✭✭waraf


    darrenw5094 wrote: »
    Gibson Les Paul Studio 50's Tribute for €649 on Thomann

    http://www.thomann.de/ie/gibson_lp_studio_50_tribute_we_tm.htm

    Yep, I noticed that one too but my point is that a lot of people just assume that one guitar is going to be better than the other. I'm just suggesting that anyone in the market for a Les Paul at this price point should check out both before they buy - I think they'll be pleasantly surprised by the Epi...


  • #4
    darrenw5094
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,126 ✭✭✭darrenw5094


    Lol, i didn't bother reading all your post. Yep, if it sounds good and feels good, then great for you. Maybe the tuners would need an upgrade.

    But for €600 i would be looking for a Jap Tokai, Edwards etc.


  • #5
    waraf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,326 ✭✭✭waraf


    darrenw5094 wrote: »
    Maybe the tuners would need an upgrade..

    Yeah I reckon I'll do that at some stage. The stock grover tuners don't seem to slip or anything but they're 14:1 ratio so an upgrade to 18:1 grovers would probably make accurate tuning a little easier/quicker.


  • #6
    Ravelleman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,635 CMod ✭✭✭✭Ravelleman


    waraf wrote: »
    I decided to pick one up as I couldn't find a single negative review online for it whereas I found plenty of people saying that the Les Paul Studio can be very hit and miss. In fairness though, that's probably more to do with the fact that were only 1000 of these Epiphones produced whereas there are probably millions of Les Paul Studios knocking about.

    Have you actually tried a Les Paul Studio?


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  • #7
    waraf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,326 ✭✭✭waraf


    Ravelleman wrote: »
    Have you actually tried a Les Paul Studio?

    Yep. I've played a couple of the faded range in waltons (the ones with the baked maple fretboards) and I've also had a go on a mates one (I don't know what version it is but it has P90's in it)

    I'm not slagging off the Studio, I'm merely suggesting that the Epi should be taken into consideration if you happen to be in the market for a Les Paul at the moment.


  • #8
    darrenw5094
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,126 ✭✭✭darrenw5094


    Haven't tried this Epiphone, but i am not paying €600 for one. For that kind of money, Edwards, Tokai, Burny etc. will always get my vote over the Epiphones.


  • #9
    waraf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,326 ✭✭✭waraf


    darrenw5094 wrote: »
    Haven't tried this Epiphone, but i am not paying €600 for one. For that kind of money, Edwards, Tokai, Burny etc. will always get my vote over the Epiphones.

    It sounds like you've pre-judged this guitar based on your previous experience with Epihones (which is understandable in fairness). All I'm saying is don't knock this particular one until you've tried it...


  • #10
    darrenw5094
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,126 ✭✭✭darrenw5094


    waraf wrote: »
    It sounds like you've pre-judged this guitar based on your previous experience with Epihones (which is understandable in fairness). All I'm saying is don't knock this particular one until you've tried it...

    Japanese Tokai are in another league compared to Epiphone. Edwards i suspect are in another class too. Had a Epi LP Custom back in the 90's. That would be my only one ever.:) Maybe this one could be a decent guitar though. Maybe i shouldn't pre judge them though, should give everyone a chance.:)


  • #11
    Ravelleman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,635 CMod ✭✭✭✭Ravelleman


    darrenw5094 wrote: »
    Japanese Tokai are in another league compared to Epiphone. Edwards i suspect are in another class too. Had a Epi LP Custom back in the 90's. That would be my only one ever.:) Maybe this one could be a decent guitar though. Maybe i shouldn't pre judge them though, should give everyone a chance.:)


    Never actually played an Edwards but they're made in China, just like Epiphones...


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  • #12
    firefly08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 856 ✭✭✭firefly08


    Gibson USA burstbucker pickups
    Mahogony body with a carved maple cap
    Grover tuners
    Rosewood fretboard
    Lifton style hard shell case

    Exactly the same specs as the US-made faded LP Studio models! Nice. The other Studio models have the P90s despite being more expensive.. It seems shiny paint costs a lot.

    Personally I would have always said I'd prefer a low end Gibson than a high end Epiphone...but those specs do sound as good - especially the Burstbuckers. I wouldn't swap my Burstbuckers out for anything :)


  • #13
    8k2q1gfcz9s5d4
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,616 ✭✭✭8k2q1gfcz9s5d4


    darrenw5094 wrote: »
    Haven't tried this Epiphone, but i am not paying €600 for one. For that kind of money, Edwards, Tokai, Burny etc. will always get my vote over the Epiphones.

    600 is a lot for a epiphone, but they are great value second hand. I have 2 epiphone les pauls, a standard which bought new a good few years ago (first electric) and a zakk wylde bulls eye. I find the neck of the zakk wylde way nicer than any LP studio ive played. also bear in mind, I got the epiphone for 300, where as most studios go for around 750 second hand. I have seeen studios for 1200 new, anyone that pays that much for them is crazy! just paying to have Gibson wrote on the head stock.


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