software

Yes, I'm talking about Les Pauls here. I hear that Epiphone Elitist are VERY good guitars and can rival the lower priced Gibson's. Since both of the guitars can be found anywhere between $650 , which one is better?

The Epiphone Elitists are SO much better than low end Gibsons. I'd take an Elitist Studio over a Gibson Studio, then upgrade the pickups and have a better guitar. Same with the Standard.


Originally Posted by mnbaseball91The Epiphone Elitists are SO much better than low end Gibsons. I'd take an Elitist Studio over a Gibson Studio, then upgrade the pickups and have a better guitar. Same with the Standard.

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1. I wouldn't mind an Elitist Custom myself.


Originally Posted by mnbaseball91The Epiphone Elitists are SO much better than low end Gibsons. I'd take an Elitist Studio over a Gibson Studio, then upgrade the pickups and have a better guitar. Same with the Standard.

Better? Maybe. Cheaper? For sure.

Actually, a new Elitist LP Standard runs about the same price as a new Gibby Studio, maybe a hundred dollars or so difference, last I checked prices anyway.

^Exactly, but with the Elitist Standard you get all the eye candy of a standard too. There's no question that the high end Gibsons walk all over the Japanese Elitists, but the quality of wood and such that Gibson uses on their lower and middle end models has been going down steadily the last few years. Look at the tuners they use on the LP Standards for a perfect example. Would you rather have those or Grovers?

The elitists are fine guitars, but a gibson will always have good resale value. I'd have to go with the elitist though for a playing guitar . . .

Jay Jay French (of Twisted Sister fame) walked into Ed Romans guitarshop with his Epiphone Elite sig, and didn't get his head chopped off, so they certainly can't be THAT bad!



its looking good for the studio, isnt it!

i like the fact that the elitist goes through a much more humanised production process.. i dont think i'd worry too much about buying an elitist sight unseen either, QC on MIJ guitars is usually very sharp IME..

tom

I'd go for the studio, simply because 1) the headstock looks nicer, IMO and 2) some finishes DO look nicee on it. I love epis, though.

I think you'll find awesome and crappy ones in both camps.
You need to try as many of both and go with THE guitar that
inspires you the most.

Kent

I say Gibson, only because I haven't played the Epi, but my Studio has been without problems for the last 5 years.

didn't they change the headstock to a normal gibby one?

slade

I have an Elitist Sheraton. Very good workmanship. Nice feel and playability. I would probably go with the elitist.

It's not exactly the same as a Gibson, but it's much better than the normal epi one.

Edit: refering to the headstock, of course.

i would go for the Epi... its more real...
JJ

I personally wouldn't go for either... but if I had to I'd go the for the Epi for sure

I own an Epi Elite Standard Plus. The fit and finsh on this guitar is incredible. It has a long tennon, like a historic. yeah, it doesn't have the open book headstock...so what?....Gibson studio's pale in comparison. If Gibson didn't have such a stranglehold on the US market for LP type guitars, they wouldn't be able to sell studio's at all. The stuff from Japan is incredible. There are several Epi elite/elitists on ebay right now. (no, not mine) I can't recommend this guitar enough, go check one out, if you can find one in a store. you'll buy it.


Originally Posted by rinse_masterI say Gibson, only because I haven't played the Epi, but my Studio has been without problems for the last 5 years.

My Studio is the same age... and I am 100% that it is a much more sound instrument than the brand new models. Different tuners, and I believe the TOM and Tailpiece are different makes as well. I played an 05 Studio a few weeks back, and it definatly had a different feel than mine. Huh, go figure.

kherman is right though. You could sample 50 Epis and 50 Studios and discover that not all 50 Epis are superior to all the Studios, or vice versa. Gotta play what speaks to you.