[Axeman9216]

The tributes seem phenomenal. Had gas for a dual p90 model for a while.

You might recall the norlin era slim body lp lites. The tributes are very reminiscent of those imho like a studio lite essentially

 

[Parabola]

The tributes seem phenomenal. Had gas for a dual p90 model for a while.

You might recall the norlin era slim body lp lites. The tributes are very reminiscent of those imho like a studio lite essentially

The 2018’s have no weight relief, mine is probably just under 10 Pounds. Later Tributes were weight relieved and have maple necks, which I don’t think is a bad thing entirely.dd

I wouldn’t call them phenomenal, they are really good Les Pauls in their own right, you definitely notice a difference in the finish quality as you go up in models. But they are excellent value for the money and have to my mind, the essential LP features and characteristics.

I Think the best balance of features, capabilities and fit and finish was the Classic. Although the new prices don’t make them the deal they once were.

With the Classic 2019 to present, you get a nice finish, 61 zerbras and electronics that give you a ton of versatility. It could be the one LP You might ever need to own. You get coil tapping, out of phase , boost etc.

I don’t see the value in Studio models, unless you can find them used for cheap. I personally prefer the Tributes over them because they aren’t trying to be anything but themselves, a Studio to me feels incomplete, like Gibson still has work to do. The one exception is a Joe Bonamassa Studio that I have. Joe essentially tricked Gibson I feel. His spec was really a budget version of a 57/58 LP….burst bucker 2/3 pickups, gold top and dark back, 50’s neck, no weight relief, two ply pick guard. It Is a lot of guitar for the money, and Gibson stopped after 600 units and switched to a CS model…where they essentially just added neck and body binding.

 

[BlueRocker]

I particularly like the honeyburst tributes. They play like and sound like a Gibson Les Paul - because they are.

 

[Parabola]

I particularly like the honeyburst tributes. They play like and sound like a Gibson Les Paul - because they are.

That’s exactly what I went with. It’s a REALLY nice finish in person.

 

[STP33]

That’s exactly what I went with. It’s a REALLY nice finish in person.

I agree, they are really nice. Again to bad they are discontinuing these. There seems to be a lot for sale right now. Check out this one has birds eye in the top, and what looks like a one piece back. I would also choose this over the studio. Maple neck I think is good idea too.

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[Parabola]

Now is the time to be buying these Tributes, 2018 is the year I would be looking at just for the best feature set, it’s also the last year they offered a Gold top on a Tribute, although I think the Honeyburst is the better finish.

I think these are going to be sleepers in years to come, they will never be a valuable guitar, but I think they are going to be sought after.

 

[BlueRocker]

it’s also the last year they offered a Gold top on a Tribute, although I think the Honeyburst is the better finish.

I've had both versions of the Tribute. Although the Goldtops are a little more $, the Honeyburst is a much nicer finish IMO. The Goldtop really doesn't look all that much like a traditional Goldtop.

The 2018 Les Paul Studio with 57 Classics and the bound neck is another model to watch out for in around the same price range.

 

[Parabola]

I've had both versions of the Tribute. Although the Goldtops are a little more $, the Honeyburst is a much nicer finish IMO. The Goldtop really doesn't look all that much like a traditional Goldtop.

The 2018 Les Paul Studio with 57 Classics and the bound neck is another model to watch out for in around the same price range.

The satin gold might wear into something more interesting, but in person it’s really dull and looks a little cheap.

Yes, that 2018 Studio is also arguably the best featured Studio. Bound neck, 57’s and the push/pull pots for split coils etc. 57’s in my opinion are some of the nicest pickups Gibson makes.

 

[EddyCurr]

There is more to Epiphone than the Les Paul and SG lineup.

I really like my example of their rerelease of the Del Ray

Epiphone Genesis-II DC Pro​

(Del Ray Double Cut)​

​

Epiphone - Genesis-II DC Pro - Faded Cherry​

and my example of their rerelease of the Nighthawk.

Epiphone Nancy Wilson Fanatic​

(Nighthawk)​

​

Epiphone - Nancy Wilson Signature Fanatic with Hardshell Case - Fireburst​

The Genesis-II Pro is no longer in production, which is a pity. Great specs, great tone, great feel, great finish. Photos of the Faded Cherry Sunburst do not do justice to this version. I was late to the party and did not see the other choices in person, but I can believe they were as great or perhaps even nicer than my FCSB.

Although also out of production, the Nancy Wilson Signature Fanatic continues to be available. But my sense is that just because the Fanatic is perceived as a "girl's guitar" by the predominantly male guitar buying demographic, it is a tougher sell. Another pity. Look at the Fanatic's specs, play the instrument, listen to the sound of its uncommon pickups. Then consider that the price INCLUDES one of Epiphone's high quality OEM cases ...

Besides these solid bodies, I also have some Epi Arch Tops, including a Joe Pass Emperor, a JP Emperor II Pro, a Sheraton II Pro and a Casino. I had a cherry Epi Dot (2015/16?) for a brief time early this year - it was beautiful and played well, but I felt the sound was lacking. Though sorely tempted, it made no sense to go to the expense of modifying this guitar when I could pick & choose from a large selection of readily available "Inspired By Gibson" ES-335's that already featured everything I intended to swap into the Dot and more.

The only reason I don't own a Riviera with the Frequensator tail piece is because there were only display models available locally. An Uptown Kat in blue with the nickel plated hardware is less of an imperative than the Riviera, but certainly another Epi model I aspire to own.

So, a big thank you to Epiphone from this plebian for offering some interesting instruments at prices that allow me to own several suited to a variety of genres simultaneously.

 

[Skynyrds Innyrds]

I know people have been starting to talk about these and the prices, etc...

But I found this new model on Long and McQuade's website and realized they are more money than a Gibson SG standard (on sale right now) lol.

It's a shame the new Gibson SG standards don't come with a hardcase, but I think I would still put my money there.

Epiphone 1963 Les Paul SG Custom With Maestro Vibrola With Case - Classic White | Long & McQuade (long-mcquade.com)

Gibson SG Standard - Ebony | Long & McQuade (long-mcquade.com)

Now compare apples to apples.

 

[Skynyrds Innyrds]

The ES355 is tempting because a used Gibson version is a lot more than $2k…. But I do wish the retail was more like $1200 not $1800.

What about this:

Epiphone - Sheraton Limited Edition - Viper Blue

Epiphone - Sheraton Limited Edition - Viper Blue

www.long-mcquade.com

 

[Skynyrds Innyrds]

I have owned Gibson SG Standard and an Epiphone SG Standard. The neck was a bit too 'wafer thin' on the Gibson, never quite get used to it, so I sold it. I like the neck on Epi much more. Tamed the pickups by upgrading the pots and .033uf caps.

Neck size varies by year. I have had SGs with really thick necks.

 

[Skynyrds Innyrds]

I'm a strat guy!

You should be in therapy, or locked up.

 

[STP33]

Now compare apples to apples.

You are right 100%, two different spec'd guitars... but the Gibson SG is a better guitar all day long in my opinion. I wouldn't consider a Epiphone Custom over a Gibson Standard at same pricepoint.

I am a big fan of Korean early 2000's Les Pauls at around $400 - $500. I would buy a used epiphone 61 les paul sg custom from that era.

 

[tomee2]

What about this:

Epiphone - Sheraton Limited Edition - Viper Blue

Epiphone - Sheraton Limited Edition - Viper Blue

www.long-mcquade.com

price is better, but slim 60s neck and blue. That red 355 has everything I like.. colour neck pickups.

 

[BlueRocker]

The Genesis-II Pro is no longer in production, which is a pity. Great specs, great tone, great feel, great finish.

This is a very cool guitar. I think Epiphone is at their best when they stick to original designs.

 

[Okay Player]

And PRS keeps making great SEs for highly competitive prices in Indonesia.

I'm not going to sit here and say that the SE's are as good as the Core models, but they're better than they have any business being.

 

[EddyCurr]

This is a very cool guitar. I think Epiphone is at their best when they stick to original designs.

There is at least one error in L&M's description of the Genesis-II DC Pro - it has 24 frets, not 22. Better than this, the frets are all EASILY accessible. There is no need to reconfigure your hand w/ a meat tenderizer in order to make the stretch.

As for the Wilson Fanatic/Nghthawk, something that escapes many people's notice is that it features a 25-1/2" scale. Thoughtful design of the heel area where the neck meets the body means the upper frets on this model are easily in reach, too.

 

[Parabola]

I'm not going to sit here and say that the SE's are as good as the Core models, but they're better than they have any business being.

I think the Indonesia made ones are made By Cor-Tek (Cort) and they make excellent guitars. Believe it or not, but Indonesia and particularly Malaysia, have HUGE guitar culture, and they have a manufacturing sector that really does take QC seriously in everything they make.

I have owned an Indonesian made SE and a Cort (under license by Manson) guitars and they were flawless and played like guitars way above their price points.

 

[AJ6stringsting]

There are $1000 worth of pickups in that guitar. I still think it's a ripoff.

View attachment 535388

Seeing those prices, was like eating a box of intense laxatives ....💩👍 !!!!
Cheaper to get Bare Knuckle, Dimarzio or Seymour Duncan pickups !!!!