Epiphone les pauls

paulmartin

What are the key differences between the les paul standard and the les paul classic, particularly in relation to epiphone. They tend to have similar prices but is their much difference in terms of playability and sound. The main difference seems to be in the pickups, but i don't know much about that kinda stuff so i'm just curious, what are the differences in the pickups between the two in terms of sound and are their any other major differences between the two guitars.

Doctor J

TBH neither has pickups that are much use. If you're considering buying something like that would you consider alternative guitars? If not, I'll back out of the thread quietly, I'm not Epiphone's biggest fan.

Jimmy_Jazz

I have an Epiphone Les Paul Classic, and my brother has a Standard. To be honest, they're almost exactly the same. I'm pretty sure they have the same "Gibson-designed" pick-ups because the difference in sound is negligible. The only noticeable thing is that the Standard comes with covers on the pick-ups; the Classic does not. My Classic is also lighter in weight than my brother's Standard but that might not hold true for all Epiphones. The colours available are also different for both guitars - the Classic has fewer options, but is available in a lovely Metallic Gold finish. It's like a Goldtop, but slightly darker. If you want my advice, just buy whatever's cheaper. Epiphone have come on leaps and bounds over recent years - they're no longer an exclusively "budget" brand like Squier, and their new guitars sound and play very well. Personally, I like the pick-ups, but you could always retro-fit a new pair to spice up the sound.

Maccattack

Besides price - what are the differences between the Gibson and Epiphone Les Pauls?

fish-head

Aint nothin' wrong with Epiphone..My main guitar is a Sheraton and it's bloody fantastic.

Jimmy_Jazz

Maccattack wrote:

Besides price - what are the differences between the Gibson and Epiphone Les Pauls?

Firstly, Gibsons are made in the US of A, but Epiphones are (usually) made in the Far East - I think my LP was made in Korea. The build quality of the Gibsons is much higher, so they tend to look and sound better. They come in fancier finishes and the pickups are generally better. That's not to say that Epiphones are cheap in quality, but don't expect them to sound the same as the real thing. New Gibsons are generally much heavier than Epiphones as well - I assume because the wood is of a higher quality and density. The only other differences are cosmetic - both brands have different headstocks for example. Gibsons are at least three times the price of the Epiphones, which suggests to me that the guitars should be three times better too - but in my experience, they're not. A good Epiphone (i.e. a well-made Classic or Standard) is easily as good as one of the cheaper Gibsons (i.e. LP Special). I'm talking about brand new guitars here, by the way; no Epiphone is going to compete with a late 50s Gibson. Hope this helps.

Jimmy_Jazz

fish-head wrote:

Aint nothin' wrong with Epiphone..My main guitar is a Sheraton and it's bloody fantastic.

I love Sheratons...:D

It wasn't me!

The Sheraton is a different machine altogether to your average Epi.