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Joe Bonamassa Forum → Off Topics → Guitar Help Please
Looking for a Les Paul, budget of around £500. Lots of folks recommend Epiphone standards but then there are also plenty of negative reviews. I keep coming across good reviews of ESP Guitars LTD EC-400VF which is a bit over budget but I could stretch. Any views?
thanks 
mbcl
Have a look around for a Tokai. I had a look through some of the Korean models in Denmark street while I was over for RAH. But if you want a real nice one, try and pick up a Japanese model. From what I read/hear they are very very high quality guitars. There are some reviews on youtube, if you search Tokai Love Rock, you should find them.
tewky
Re: Epiphone - A guy I see posting on a forum who works in a shop said where he works they have sent back a lot of Epiphones lately, says the quality has plummeted. Bear in mind that for the last 2 years he has been championing the very same epiphone guitars, but something has changed for him.
Another brand to look at would be Vintage(quite possibly the silliest name for a guitar brand). You can pick one of these up for a few hundred quid. These are the guitars he is now recommending as an alternative to the GIbson LP.
tewky
Martin,
ESP make good quality guitars. I'd say their Eclipse model matches a Les Paul on all fronts. Not sure about their LTD range, but the reviews are always positive.
I'd agree with tewker, I've heard some down turn in the quality with Epiphone, which is a real shame as they were decent guitars.
I got a Vintage LP style (V100 I think?) at a house clearance auction for next to nothing a while ago. Tidy guitar and my uncle has gigged it a few times. Plays well and stays in tune like a dream.
Good luck with your search
I was in a large shop recently and was told the same about the Epiphone problems - and they had a lot in stock so not a sour grapes thing I guess.
Could be the same shop of course.
Re: Epiphone - A guy I see posting on a forum who works in a shop said where he works they have sent back a lot of Epiphones lately, says the quality has plummeted. Bear in mind that for the last 2 years he has been championing the very same epiphone guitars, but something has changed for him.
Another brand to look at would be Vintage(quite possibly the silliest name for a guitar brand). You can pick one of these up for a few hundred quid. These are the guitars he is now recommending as an alternative to the GIbson LP.
tewky
Just sold my ESP yesterday. If you are looking for classic LP, the ESP will not satisfy you. The ESP is more of an allrounder so you would have to compromise. I have recently checked a lot of Epiphone Standards and they are beautiful guitars. Really, nothing wrong with them at all, way better than the Vintage models I have played. I would say take your time and check more than one Epi Standard. The ones I have checked were better than the Gibson Studios I have played - no kidding.
Martin - have a look at a Gibson Les Paul studio (the worn brown/worn cherry finishes are cheaper yet), or the BFG model. It may stretch your budget a bit but it's a real Gibson, not a knock off. Down the road you can always get your dream guitar... Try some used guitars if you can find them that will save you some dosh as well. Remember to try before you buy. I got lucky with my mail order Epi LP (built in 2006 or early 2007) - it's a beautiful guitar and plays well. As I've said before the pickups are substandard but they can be switched out.
Thanks for all the advice guys. It really is helpful. Tokia was mentioned and I had just missed a bargain Jap model for £500 
I will just have to get out there and try a few, although I am at the basic stage! So it can be a bit daunting when your in a shop with a wall of guitars and some 10 year old playing perfectly in the vicinity!
What gets to me most is how much the same model can differ. I found this out when buying my accoustic, the one I have palys and feels much better than 6 others I tried of the same model.
To be honest I could buy a top end Gibson but am simply not ready for that and will not be for a long time. Once I am I want the pleasure of playing lots of different ones before choosing. So I figure a cheaper clone will be more than suffice for now. I have tried 2 Epiphone Standards and they were surprisingly good for the money. Although one did have uneven frets!
I will let you know what I end up with
Hey Martin
Sorry I'm a little late with my advice - you seem to have had a few helpful replies already.
I'd just add that if you happen across a Gordon Smith Graduate it might be worthy of consideration.
They are handbuilt by a small company near Manchester, and really have that Les Paul vibe. Unfortunatlely they (like all others) have just increased their prices so you're looking at around £850 for a new one. I managed to pick up a nice 10 year old on ebay for £310, and it sings like a baby. Yes I know ebay has it's risks and it's always best to try before you buy, but this time I struck lucky. If you should see a pre-owned one, dont be put off by any "dings" as they seem quite prone to this phenomenon - soft woods and thin laquer probably, but then they sustain forever. They are remarkably solid guitars in their construction.
Here's their website: http://www.gordonsmithguitars.com/index.php
Hope you've got over that swine flu ( or was it man flu?). 
Catch you soon
Ian
Thanks for that, I am off tonight to look at an old epihone standard. I have been given the nod that it is a good guitar, has some brand new emg85 pickup (which i think are considered good). The guitar has also been set up proffessionaly. For 120 quid I have to have a look. Looking on ebay I can sell it for more than that anyway!!
Hey Martin
Sorry I'm a little late with my advice - you seem to have had a few helpful replies already.
I'd just add that if you happen across a Gordon Smith Graduate it might be worthy of consideration.
They are handbuilt by a small company near Manchester, and really have that Les Paul vibe. Unfortunatlely they (like all others) have just increased their prices so you're looking at around £850 for a new one. I managed to pick up a nice 10 year old on ebay for £310, and it sings like a baby. Yes I know ebay has it's risks and it's always best to try before you buy, but this time I struck lucky. If you should see a pre-owned one, dont be put off by any "dings" as they seem quite prone to this phenomenon - soft woods and thin laquer probably, but then they sustain forever. They are remarkably solid guitars in their construction.Here's their website: http://www.gordonsmithguitars.com/index.php
Hope you've got over that swine flu ( or was it man flu?).
Catch you soon
Ian
Well I bought it, plays very well (in my humble opinion). Simply could not refuse for the money. Sounds lovely. had a lot of trouble tuning but new strings sorted that. Very pleased. It had just been set up buy a pro and I cannot believe the difference this makes to off the shelf ones I have tried.
Thanks for that, I am off tonight to look at an old epihone standard. I have been given the nod that it is a good guitar, has some brand new emg85 pickup (which i think are considered good). The guitar has also been set up proffessionaly. For 120 quid I have to have a look. Looking on ebay I can sell it for more than that anyway!!
Icon wrote:Hey Martin
Sorry I'm a little late with my advice - you seem to have had a few helpful replies already.
I'd just add that if you happen across a Gordon Smith Graduate it might be worthy of consideration.
They are handbuilt by a small company near Manchester, and really have that Les Paul vibe. Unfortunatlely they (like all others) have just increased their prices so you're looking at around £850 for a new one. I managed to pick up a nice 10 year old on ebay for £310, and it sings like a baby. Yes I know ebay has it's risks and it's always best to try before you buy, but this time I struck lucky. If you should see a pre-owned one, dont be put off by any "dings" as they seem quite prone to this phenomenon - soft woods and thin laquer probably, but then they sustain forever. They are remarkably solid guitars in their construction.Here's their website: http://www.gordonsmithguitars.com/index.php
Hope you've got over that swine flu ( or was it man flu?).
Catch you soon
Ian
Hi Martin
Congratulations on the new guitar.
It's a great feeling picking them up.
Not ready for a top end Gibson ???
If you have the love and the money you're ready.
The pleasure out of just holding one and looking at one is immense if that's your thing.
My playing is on a par with a low end Epi (if you can guage things in this way) but my biggest pleasure is picking up the Gibson 
Ask Michael if he would part with his JBLP 
Nah not yet, one day when I can play something half decent all the way through. JBLP would be top of my list. At the moment my playing is on par with one of those plastic ones you get for 4 year olds 
Hi Martin
Congratulations on the new guitar.
It's a great feeling picking them up.Not ready for a top end Gibson ???
If you have the love and the money you're ready.
The pleasure out of just holding one and looking at one is immense if that's your thing.My playing is on a par with a low end Epi (if you can guage things in this way) but my biggest pleasure is picking up the Gibson
Ask Michael if he would part with his JBLP
Martin, how about a pic of your new toy?
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