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Best bang for the buck for LP Custom style guitar?


bigskizzy

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To me, few guitars are nicer looking than a black LP Custom with double binding, chrome hardware, block inlays, etc. Unfortunately, I can't justify spending that type of money on a Gibson. I'd like something that fits the aesthetic criteria but also plays and sounds pretty good too. Edwards LP Customs are pretty cool, but I'm not sure how accessible they are, especially in Canada. I've tried a couple Epiphones that were decent, but I'm not sure they're the best value for money. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

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IDK

 

There's Heritage Guitars, if you can find then in Canada.

 

Item location: Salem, Ohio, United States

 

 

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Heritage-H-157-Solidbody-Electric-Guitar-Black-w-OHSC-H157-/362101072348?hash=item544ee7e1dc:g:qv8AAOSwH6tZkK8m

 

 

$_57.JPG

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's another one , but it;s new. Probably 1/2 the cost of a Gibson.

 

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/HERITAGE-H157-Black-Beauty-Guitar-w-Gold-Hardware-/322168847825?hash=item4b02c27dd1:g:3RoAAOSwzJ5Xbt1m

 

$_12.JPG

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1 - Right now I'm kind of down on Gibson quality - I have had two Les Pauls (a 2017 Standard and a 2015 or 6 Custom) in my shop that have had serious QC issues. There was also a discussion at one of the lutherie forums about slipping Gibson quality - seems like I'm not alone.

 

2 - What don't you like about Epiphone?

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My Epiphone Les Paul Custom is my main guitar. It's a 2005 Korean model. From what I can tell, the Chinese models are great, but they don't feel as solid to me. I had a MIC Goldtop and a MIC Casino, and they sounded good, but felt a bit like toys.

 

Best thing you can do is go to a store and try them out.

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Thanks for the responses, guys. Those Heritages look nice, but I failed to mention I was looking in the $1000-$1500 CAD range.

 

I have no issues with Epiphone; I played an Epiphone Custom alongside a Gibson Studio and enjoyed the Epiphone more than the Gibson (for about $800 less, as well). I just wasn't sure if there was any better value for money out there.

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No issues with made in Asia. Any idea on how accessible they are in NA?

 

you can get them of ebay with buy it now new, calculatw shipping and tax into the total price.

 

i was in the same situation as you 13 years ago. i bought a black epi lp custom

had been pretty happy with it for over one year, but then GAS shook me when i saw '75 LP custom (all maple with maple fretboard) on ebay and as i was able afford it i pulled the trigger

 

when i played that gibson with my epi side by side, the gibson played and felt really much better than the epi. the neck felt smoother, the fret ends on the epi felt sharp, which i never noticed before, really some minor quality issues became visible one the epi which i never cared before.

 

i'm really happy with my gibson and the epi got almost no playtime in the last 12 years or so.

 

i'm not advocating for a high price gibson, but there is a difference between the cheap models and the mid and higher priced guitars

would i pay ~$5k for a current production gibson? i guess not

 

but with your budget maybe you could find something nice on the used market

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We have a forumite who thinks Keisel aka Carvin are the best thing since buttered bread - only he hasn't bought his yet and hasn't played one. (whatever happened to old EmgEsp anyway?). They do have LP looking models (go down to the California single cutaway carved top) and apparently can make about anything you want. Shouldn't be a problem shipping to Canada unless you order some exotic CITES materials. They are made in the US of A

 

https://www.kieselguitars.com/customshop/

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To me, Epiphone instruments are the best "bang for the buck" imho , but that's just my opinion. I like Epiphone guitars...oh yes I do :)

[i play them all,even more...rather constantly

is it possible to have too much "gear" ? I don't believe so. Do you ?

 

OSCVokS.jpg

 

RbxBRyC.jpg

I have....many more...best guitars ever...to me

my "friends" like them too :)

 

 

and thats only some...of the "electrics"...as many , if not more "acoustics"...and "electrics"

 

 

I like all giuitars, but Epiphones are my most favorite...they "call" to me. :) dig it ? :)

I hope you like the pics. maybe...I hope you find "it"...I'm always looking :)

 

I try to play and learn something new, evey single day...jazz, rock, blues, "experimental" classical It's all good to me...you ?

t42m2ui.jpg

 

experimental "noise" :)

 

a few other things, not all, some

 

ok ?

:)

 

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1 - Right now I'm kind of down on Gibson quality - I have had two Les Pauls (a 2017 Standard and a 2015 or 6 Custom) in my shop that have had serious QC issues. There was also a discussion at one of the lutherie forums about slipping Gibson quality - seems like I'm not alone.

 

2 - What don't you like about Epiphone?

 

It's a strange thing about Gibson/Epi. Given that the former owns the latter, I've never understood why Epi's QC seems to be much more consistent - that is, consistently superior in terms of fit and finish. Regarding overall reviews, I'm sure the fact that Gibsons are much more expensive has a tendency to magnify any imperfections in the eyes of the buyer. But in my own experience, I've owned three Gibson acoustics & two of the three were slightly but annoyingly and unnecessarily flawed in the areas of finish and factory setup. The kind of mistakes that (A) just don't have to happen and (B) should not make it past QC if they do happen. I kept them both as long as I could anyway, because I got good prices and ultimately the playability and tone far outweighed my annoyance with the cosmetic & fixable issues. The one Gibson acoustic I currently own is absolutely flawless in every way (and I'm still probably gonna sell it). Gibson acoustics I've encountered in the shops when trying out guitars have for me been similarly hit/miss re. fit and finish. Just kind of a nagging miss in attention to detail, particularly for an iconic brand that commands premium prices. In fairness, the two Gibson electrics I've owned have been perfect - including the low-end LP Special I just picked up.

 

Conversely, I don't think I could find a flaw on my sub-$400 Epi 339 if I tried. And this has been my impression of pretty much every Epi I've played. Not that I've fallen in love with every one of them, but I really find zip to complain about in their QC, and IMHO their bang for buck is generally outstanding.

 

 

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I'm sorry, but after browsing this thread and having my eyes assaulted by the piles of guitars pictures, there just is not anything as beautiful..in contrast....as putting up one picture of a black Gibson Les Paul Custom. All the other guitars shown....imo.... just wither into their pitiful cases.

 

I take it back.... no I don't. I know it's not polite to badmouth someone's girlfriend, car, or guitar..... but hey...op......suck it up and BUY THE GIBSON LES PAUL.

 

I'm about to buy my (yet another) Les Paul Custom. Black, gold hardware, gold bigsby. Can't help myself. The epi LPC models are cool enough, but... well....not the same in my hands.

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