Epiphone Les Paul Classic thoughts

[helocene]

So I've been thinking about getting a LP type for a while, wanted a Kramer Custom but hard to find.
I've got an opportunity to pick up what I believe is an Epiphone Les Paul Classic quilt top in either transparent red or wine red for around two fiddy.
Anyone have any experience with these? What should I look for, what should I look out for? Too high of a price?

[rjs1]

I had a classic, it was a nice guitar, finish was awesome but some how I just couldn't get to liking the neck and sold it and bought an esp ec. u might like the neck ! just a personal preferrence for me !

as for the two fiddy that seems good ! I sold mine which was in like new cond. for $400

here's a pic of it !

[mmmtacos]

Originally Posted by helocene

So I've been thinking about getting a LP type for a while, wanted a Kramer Custom but hard to find.
I've got an opportunity to pick up what I believe is an Epiphone Les Paul Classic quilt top in either transparent red or wine red for around two fiddy.
Anyone have any experience with these? What should I look for, what should I look out for? Too high of a price?

I'm not sure exactly which one that is, but I had an Epi Plus top - flame maple sunburst (veneer) that was awesome. The pickups sounded great. I never thought about changing them.

I liked everything about it. I just never played it after the first year, so when I was in a cash crunch I sold it.

[Ryan]

I sold one of those a while back for around $500, so $250 is a good price.

I could never get a sound I liked out of it even though I upgraded everything but the inlays

It was always too mushy sounding - and I could only attribute it to the subpar wood they use in those things. That said, some of them have better wood than others. Play it and see what you think of it.

Ryan

[_xxx_]

My advice, if you like pauls, save some cash and buy a gibson faded or such. You can get those for a few bills more and they're WAY beyond Epis in every regard. The Epi will work for $250, but you'll never really fall in love with it and it will never sound and feel like the real thing, regardless of upgrading the pups etc.

[bongano]

Originally Posted by helocene

So I've been thinking about getting a LP type for a while, wanted a Kramer Custom but hard to find.
I've got an opportunity to pick up what I believe is an Epiphone Les Paul Classic quilt top in either transparent red or wine red for around two fiddy.
Anyone have any experience with these? What should I look for, what should I look out for? Too high of a price?

You should look at country of manifacture. If it's a made in China do not buy it. Neither for 100$. If it's a Korean made buy it with confidence.

[Rick S]

Play it. If you like it buy it. Simple as that. Country of manufacture means little if you like it. I have some stuff that is made in China that has passed my 'tests' with flying colors. Not ALL thing made in China is junk.

[literary]

I think you would be happier in the end. Of course, American-made guitars are mostly what I'm talking about. Their expensive. They'll stay in tune and have superior craftsmanship. If you have a great guitar, then you won't be dreaming about the next guitar you want. You'll already have it.

[helocene]

Thanks for the comments guys.
This is what I've found from researching. The Classic has the 60's slim profile neck and was a limited run, possibly for GC/MF? Not a whole lot of info out there.
At some point in the run they switched from the keystone 2 screw tuners to the Grovers.
I've played the guitar, but it's in need of a truss rod adjustment, it is slightly arched. The TOM is cranked up pretty high to try to compensate.
I did like the 60's neck far better than my buddies 81 LP which has a rounded chunky(50s?) neck on it.

I'll have to look into the faded series, just not a big fan of the finish.

As far as country of origin, I could care less if I can pick it up, strum it and get that "feel" of the whole guitar vibrating. I have enough friends with crappy quality Les Pauls from the 70's, 80's and 90's to know I'd never buy one sight unseen. Not for the kind of money LPs get. It's not like I'm getting a hand built guitar if I buy an LP, it's still mass produced.
I don't feel the Chinese make lower quality instruments because that's the best they can do. I believe it's because the companies contracting them to do the work have them do the least amount so they can maximize profit. Think of China as Japan in the late 70's early 80's. All it's gonna take is a Matsumoku or an ESP type of factory that is dedicated to quality and... 20 years from now those "cheap" guitars will be in demand.

Hell, I play my "cheap" 220 way more than I play my Sustainer, it's a kick ass instrument.

Thanks for the comments, I'm gonna mull it over for a while, probably go play it again. If I get it, I'll post some pics.

[Coloradoman25]

I had a classic actually 2 and just cant bond with them. I had a Wylde bullseye Camo and that was a nice axe played better than many American LP's did that I have tried.

I just cant seem to bond long term with ANY LP type guitar. Maybe ill have to try and eclipse.

[justin0117]

ive got a epi les paul custom 3 i love the thing, good for newer alternative stuff.


like what was previously stated.. DO NOT BUY IT IF ITS CHINA MADE mines korean made and form what i understand is the best non american made you can get....

but my personal opinion. instead of this buy a gibson. worn finishes brand new are 799... THATS UNHEARD OF FOR A REAL GIBSON. and if you don't care about perviously loved gear, check out used.guitarcenter.com and look for them there ive seen them for 5 bills there so check it out and see what you can find

[_xxx_]

Chinese deliver great work nowadays, the problem is not the workmanship but the lower grade materials used for literally everything on cheap asian axes.

The faded gibby don't look as good as the higher models, but they're made of same high-quality wood with same quality hardware, pickups and great fretwork and feel. Except for the cosmetics, they're absolutely "real" Gibsons and unbeatable in their price range if you're after the true sound and feel.