Gibson & Epiphone Les Pauls-Confusing?

732 Views 21 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Steadfastly, Sep 3, 2017

Steadfastly

Discussion Starter · Sep 2, 2017

I find there are so many models of these guitars that it is confusing. There are 61 Gibson models on the MF site ranging from $800.00 to $4000.00 and 44 Epiphone models ranging from $100.00 to $800.00 for a total of 105 models, not counting the custom ones. That seems like a wee bit of overkill to me. I know some of your are veritable experts on these guitars but I don't think we all are. Do any others find all these different models confusing too? You can pick more than one choice but please, not too much baloney.

Gibson USA Les Paul

Epiphone Les Paul | Musician's Friend

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

Guitar101

· #2 · Sep 2, 2017 (Edited)

Picked: Steadfastly is full of baloney!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Changed my vote cause Steadly gave me a like.

Reactions: 1

Kerry Brown

· #3 · Sep 2, 2017

I was looking on CL for a cheap Les Paul to experiment with trying different pickups. It is impossible to wade through all the different models. Eventually I had to just go and try several until I found an Epiphone at a reasonable price. I have no idea what model it is but it it felt nice in my hands and the price was right. The sad part is after playing it for a while I really liked the pickups in it, Epiphone Classic 57 and 57+, so I've never modified it. I'm still looking for a cheap Les Paul to experiment with, trying to figure out what models would be candidates.

Reactions: 1

vadsy

· #4 · Sep 2, 2017

always something to complain about

Reactions: 2

BGood

· #5 · Sep 2, 2017

With Epiphone, you start at the bottom with bolt necks.
Then there's the Studio, which is a full fledged maple capped Les Paul.
Then there's different levels of bling.

Same with Gibson, less the bolt necks.

That's how I see it.

Kerry Brown said:
I'm still looking for a cheap Les Paul to experiment with, trying to figure out what models would be candidates.

Is that Ultra 1 still available in your area ? If so, get that one.

Reactions: 3

sulphur

· #6 · Sep 2, 2017

Some of those sites list each colour of a certain model seperately too, not sure if that's part of the issue.

It does seem like there are far too many models though, imo.

High/Deaf

· #7 · Sep 2, 2017

With the amount of 'free rent' Gibson gets in steadly's head, they could mover their distribution facility there. Or at least their Custom Shop.

Reactions: 2

jdto

· #8 · Sep 2, 2017

Only a terrible company would have such a confusing product line. Obviously.

Reactions: 1

vadsy

· #9 · Sep 2, 2017

jdto said:
Only a terrible company would have such a confusing product line. Obviously.

Classic Olive Garden faux pas.

Reactions: 1

High/Deaf

· #10 · Sep 2, 2017

jdto said:
Only a terrible company would have such a confusing product line. Obviously.

I know, right?

We all wish for a Russian derivative, call it Gibsonovich. "You want guitar. Here is guitar. It has pickup and wood neck stuff. It is guitar. You don't need choices, you need guitar. You buy and STFU."

See less See more

Reactions: 4

greco

· #11 · Sep 2, 2017

@High/Deaf "You good biznitch man"

Reactions: 2

Steadfastly

Discussion Starter · #12 · Sep 2, 2017

Kerry Brown said:
I was looking on CL for a cheap Les Paul to experiment with trying different pickups. It is impossible to wade through all the different models. Eventually I had to just go and try several until I found an Epiphone at a reasonable price. I have no idea what model it is but it it felt nice in my hands and the price was right. The sad part is after playing it for a while I really liked the pickups in it, Epiphone Classic 57 and 57+, so I've never modified it. I'm still looking for a cheap Les Paul to experiment with, trying to figure out what models would be candidates.

What about one of the Agiles from Rondo? You're not that far from the border. You could have it shipped to a border town and go pick it up. This one would be a little over $300.00 CDN. Agile AL-2500 CSBF - RondoMusic.com

There are a few cheaper ones as well.

Reactions: 2

colchar

· #13 · Sep 2, 2017

I've never found Gibson to be confusing (other than models like the Sheraton, Casino, Explorer, etc. I don't pay attention to Epis) - Studios, Traditionals, Standards, Reissues. Pretty simple really.

Budda

· #14 · Sep 3, 2017

I have never confused a gibson for an epiphone because I check the name on the headstock. No issues.

Reactions: 3

Scotty

· #15 · Sep 3, 2017

I want to vote "I don't know, I have not really paid any real attention to them"

Reactions: 1

Steadfastly

Discussion Starter · #16 · Sep 3, 2017

Budda said:
I have never confused a gibson for an epiphone because I check the name on the headstock. No issues.

Of course, that's the easy part. What I find confusing is there are just so many models.

rollingdam

· #17 · Sep 3, 2017

not only so many models but so many dealers, so many used...

cheezyridr

· #18 · Sep 3, 2017

since moving here i have an easy system to tell which models are which.

1)go into guitar center
2)try to reach guitar
3) if i can reach it, it's a cheap beginner model. if i need binoculars to see it, and a climbing harness to retrieve it, then it's more toward what i'm after

Reactions: 5

Brett Pearson

· #19 · Sep 3, 2017

There does seem to be a lot of variables within each model for sure. For me it really just comes down to whether it fits well and is comfortable to play. I find the D profile necks on the pro models don't fit my hands at all. I had one for awhile and just couldn't like it. The sound was fine but the neck ruined it for me.

Steadfastly

Discussion Starter · #20 · Sep 3, 2017

cheezyridr said:
since moving here i have an easy system to tell which models are which.

1)go into guitar center
2)try to reach guitar
3) if i can reach it, it's a cheap beginner model. if i need binoculars to see it, and a climbing harness to retrieve it, then it's more toward what i'm after

Hey, you've got it down pat!

Brett Pearson said:
There does seem to be a lot of variables within each model for sure. For me it really just comes down to whether it fits well and is comfortable to play. I find the D profile necks on the pro models don't fit my hands at all. I had one for awhile and just couldn't like it. The sound was fine but the neck ruined it for me.

Yes, ai agree. The neck is the most important thing. If it's not right, the rest of the guitar doesn't matter.

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