Best Choice?

[Valig]

Ok,

You probably have all been asked this before but, I have a desision to make and Im kinda polling folks. I am in the market for a better axe sometime after the first of the year. I have it narrowed down to a few butstill undecided.

 

Within the money constraints I am trying to decide between an Epiphone Elitest Les Paul Standard or ordering from the Carvin custom shop. Research has told me the Epi is actually better than tha Gibson Les Paul Studio.

 

The Carvins sound like a great axe but can I get that mid-range tone form it? I was thinking of a HSH pick-up config. Also what about a neck through design, never played one but the have to have monster sustain, are ther any special issues with this design around keeping the action tight? The neck straight. The big problem is I don't have an outlet for either brand nearby. Any thoughts?

[Guitar Geezer]

First of all..welcome to the group Valig

As far as Les Paul vs Carvin HSH...they are really two different animals. I might suggest doing a search ( its up there at the top of the page) for Carvin HSH... etc. You will find TONS of posts - there are a lot of Carvin fans here

 

and I'll probably get blasted for this, but my $.02 worth is that the Epi ELITE models are overpriced...damn near the same as a low level Gibson.

Any how,,,welcome

Lynn G

[Guitarzan]

maybe i am ignorant but for the same features wouldn't the gibson be guilty of being over priced?

you can get some of the cheaper gibby's for less but keep in mind the features are not the same. Lynng you are correct on the carvin and epi being different beasts.

[alguit]

Hi Valig,

 

Welcome to the forum! I've played some of the Elitist Epis, and they're quite nice, though a bit overpriced.

 

With Carvin, one can really put together the guitar he/she wants; if you've looked at their site I'm sure you know this already. The Carvins I've played (and I'm planning on buying a Fatboy) all have impressed me. The only problem with them is that they don't have a great re-sale value.

 

On the other hand, Carvin gives you, a week I think, to try out the guitar and to return it if not satisfied.

 

Let me throw one more suggestion your way, even though you didn't ask for it. Heritage guitars are made in the original Gibson factory mostly by folks who worked for Gibson before their move to Nashville. One model, the H-150, is their take on the Les Paul. I own one, and after I had Duncan Antiquities installed it sounded every bit as good as my '59 LP reissue. It's every bit as well made as a Gibson Standard Les Paul and for about half the price. Check out Ed Roman's website: he's the biggest dealer for them anywhere.

 

Good luck and please keep us informed as to what you do.

[revolead]

My vote would be for the Epiphone Elitist. They're the first line of instruments to come out of the company since my '77 Epi, that seem to uphold quality. I agree they're a little over priced. I'm thinking maybe around 700 would be fairer. for a thousand bucks you could get a really nice Fender or something else.

Also a good suggestion to blemish the line between the Carvin and the Epiphone might be Schecter . I've always held them in high respect, and in my mind the C-1 Series has always been a nice compromise between a Les Paul and a Fender.

[Dylan]

Why get a Korean made Epiphone when you can get an American made faded Gibson series electric for around $600? I just picked up a faded SG a few months back and I'm totally loving it! It plays and sounds great and seems to be very well made. My Epi LP cost only $20 less when I purchased it way back in the day and it can't hold a candle to the SG in both quality and tone. I even swapped the pickups out for Seymour Duncan's and it still doesn't sound anywhere near as good as the SG.

[Guitarzan]

Guys, the epi elites are made in Japan not Korea. i would say they are very nicley priced considering what a gibson of the same features would go for. i agree on the Korean epi's but these are not Korean.

[Guitarzan]

why stop with the epi and carvin?

here are a few others not yet mentioned to consider

Reverend guitars(usa)

Godin lg signature (usa/can)

brian moore i series(korea)

fender highway ones(usa)

Yamaha pacifica 812w (taiwan..don't laugh , wicked guitar!)

Washburn idols( depends on model)

[telepaul]

Save up and get a Gibson LP standard. or go with the Carvin.

[Dave da Dude]

Check out Hamer.

 

I've yet to play one (USA made that is), but reputation is VERY good, and the Korean ones I've tried have been comparable to, or better than, any other Koreans I've played.

 

Their used prices are very attractive (about 50-60% of original street price, as oppossed to Gibson's 90%). A "Studio" model (double cut) is available for around $600 - $800 used on ebay in very good condition, recent years of manufacture. Single cut models are available too of course, but I haven't tracked those. "More premium" models range around $1,000 - $1,400 used, on ebay. A lot of bang for the buck.

 

Two more cents, Dave