New guitar suggestions

[Rusty Shackelford]

Just as the title says its time to start looking for a new six stringed wonder and was looking for a little advice as I've been outta the loop. I play punk/pop/punk/rock. Before I took a break people were ragging on Gibson a bit due to shoddy workmanship and wondered if that was still an issue as well as how Epiphone has been. I already have a Strat (JB bridge two DD SC-101 at mid/neck) and an Epi Dot Studio (stock) so I have those covered. I've had my eye on three axes

Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded

http://www.zzounds.com/item--GIBLPSTWS


Gibson Les Paul Jr

http://www.zzounds.com/item--GIBLPJ


Epiphone Les Paul Ultra III

http://www.zzounds.com/item--EPIENU3



A lot of Les I know but they're good guitars, I am open to other suggestions. I just wanted to know if anyone has an experience with these and what they can say. I have concerns such as I heard studios lack in a bit of quality and this baked maple seems off, the JR has a non adjustable bridge and I like lower action, and how are the higher end Epi's compared to their big bro's? I'm going to try them all out ASAP but would like others opinions. Thanks

[Kramer Guy]

Go with ESP. I started playing them and the quality is just so much better.

[uOpt]

Don't mailorder a faded, unless you are prepared to send it back.

[mwalluk]

baked maple has nothing to do with the tone of the guitar. I rock a baked maple. Get on that speaks to you. Try em out. You can get a used higher end studio for that much or a standard for a little more. For $800 you could get a LTD EC 1000 Deluxe which would play better, look better than a faded.

[jtougas]

How about a Gibson Les Paul '50s Tribute?

P-90 goodness, and a rosewood fingerboard...

[mwalluk]

How about a Gibson Les Paul '50s Tribute?

P-90 goodness, and a rosewood fingerboard...

or 60s for a slimmer neck, can always replace p90 with mini humbuckers

[phil_104]

I'd go for the Les Paul Jr. No bells and whistles, no compromise type of guitar that would be perfect for your music style.

I might be biased though : It's the next guitar on my list.

[ImmortalSix]

1) Les Paul Junior

2) Faded

3) Anything else

[astrozombie]

Studio faded.

[Rusty Shackelford]

I got to try the two Gibby's last night and I liked them both but the Jr blew me away. I played it on my same amp and didn't have to do any serious tweeking to get a sound I liked. Plus the tone knob did something beyond making it sound muddy. I will give ESP a shot. Never really payed them any attention before.

[ImmortalSix]

I got to try the two Gibby's last night and I liked them both but the Jr blew me away. I played it on my same amp and didn't have to do any serious tweeking to get a sound I liked.

Buy it

[hareek]

I play punk/pop/punk/rock.....I already have a Strat (JB bridge two DD SC-101 at mid/neck) and an Epi Dot Studio (stock) so I have those covered.

I'd get another Strat then...or a Tele. I just don't think Gibson at all when I think of Punk.

[Kam]

Buy it for Kam.

Fixed.

[phil_104]

Buy it

DO IT.

I'd get another Strat then...or a Tele. I just don't think Gibson at all when I think of Punk.

Really? Man, I'm gonna be getting a JR some day just for punk. Single P90 with no frills screams punk. To each his own I suppose.

[jtougas]

Buy it

^^This. If it sang to you that much, grab it and run... stopping to pay at the register would be a good idea, though...

[Bfeeney]

How do Probuckers compare to Burstbuckers?

[hareek]

Really? Man, I'm gonna be getting a JR some day just for punk. Single P90 with no frills screams punk. To each his own I suppose.

Yeah I mean to each his own. I just think of more hard rock or blues when I think Gibson. I guess I'm just used to seeing punk bands playing strats over the years so I associate that guitar and tone with the music. For all I know half of the genre was recorded with Les Paul's!

[Varg]

I like my Faded Studio a lot, but it's a few years old with a rosewood board and is all mahogany AFAIK. If I were you I'd just watch Craigslist for whatever kind of Les Paul comes up on a good deal.

[tone4days]

a used PRS SE Soapbar

you play punk, right? .. you need P90 nastiness and a guitar that can take a punk rock beating and still deliver

[guitarbilly74]

I think the best bet is to go to a good store and play a few guitars and see which ones appeals more to you. I've seen some great faded Gibson and some that were total dogs, same with Epi and just about any other brand out there. As consistent as guitar makers try to be, guitars are still made out of wood and that's livestock and there will ALWAYS be differences.

I don't have a problem buying amps, pedals and electronic devices online, but I always buy my guitars at a local store where I can sit down and play the actual unit I am buying.