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I've had a Gibby SG Standard for about 4 mos. and I just can't seem to get a fat, rich warm tone out of it. Plus, the cleans stink on it. I am of the mind that an LP is going to give me those tones I want and offer some decent cleans as well. So I noticed that AMS is having a sale on Epi Elitist LP's for $799.
What I'm thinking of doing is selling the SG for about $900-$950 and then going with the Epi. You think this is a good swap or are the Gibson's a much higher quality than the Epi Elitists?

The SG and LP are so different. The only thing they share in common is they're Gibson's and are made of mahogany. That said, if you don't like the SG and want a fatter tone, I'd do it. I'm not much of an SG fan myself though but if I could, I'd snag one of those Elitist. That's a steal at that price.

Elistist aren't earning a good fame since they were released, I haven't played any thought...


Originally Posted by BreoganElistist aren't earning a good fame since they were released, I haven't played any thought...

Really? Most of the reviews of the ELitist on this board were highly positive.
I will say that I am very reluctant to buy this online without playing it. I don't think they are available at Sam Ash and GC so online may be the only option.


Originally Posted by jonnymangiaReally? Most of the reviews of the ELitist on this board were highly positive.
I will say that I am very reluctant to buy this online without playing it. I don't think they are available at Sam Ash and GC so online may be the only option.

Yeah, I know, play before buying, I follow that rule too but I'd make an exception for this price on these. But there's always the Return policy.

ErikH,

I see that you have an Epi Paul in your collection. How do you like the cleans? Can you get a smooth, jazzy vibe out of the neck pup?


Originally Posted by jonnymangiaErikH,

I see that you have an Epi Paul in your collection. How do you like the cleans? Can you get a smooth, jazzy vibe out of the neck pup?

Most definitely. The stock pickups are pretty smooth but not quite enough presence for me, so I swapped them out for the CC/Jazz. The Jazz is really nice in it. Exactly what I would expect. With the tone on 10 it's bright enough and when it's rolled back, it's really nice.

I'd sell it and get a used LP Studio (real Gibson). They can be had for $600-800 pretty easily so you'd come out ahead money-wise too.


Originally Posted by ZhangliqunI'd sell it and get a used LP Studio (real Gibson). They can be had for $600-800 pretty easily so you'd come out ahead money-wise too.

How do the Studio's sound? I think the Elitist Vintage Sunburst looks much nicer than any of the Studios. However if there is a big upgrade tone/playability-wise with the Studios, that could be a deal-breaker for the Elitist.


Originally Posted by jonnymangiaHow do the Studio's sound? I think the Elitist Vintage Sunburst looks much nicer than any of the Studios. However if there is a big upgrade tone/playability-wise with the Studios, that could be a deal-breaker for the Elitist.

The only benefit (if you feel it's a benefit) is the Studio will have a Nitro finish instead of a Poly finish.
Otherwise, in build I feel the Elitist line compares very favorably with the low to mid Gibson Production models.

There are a lot of wonderful Japan made LPs out there.
Besides the Epi Elitists there's:
Tokai
Edwards/ESP
Burny/Fernandes
Orville and Orville By Gibson (Pre Epi Japan and Epi Elitist)
Greco
Diodati

Kent

i say go for the gibson studio, as much as think the elitists are great, thier price tag isnt justifiable, and for the money you could get a gibson studio lp. They sound just liek standards minus the binding which doesnt really affect tone.


Originally Posted by strat_masteri say go for the gibson studio, as much as think the elitists are great, thier price tag isnt justifiable, and for the money you could get a gibson studio lp. They sound just liek standards minus the binding which doesnt really affect tone.

For what reason is the Elitist price not justifiable?
Especially at $799 new.

its 799?!?!? really? wow my bad i guess, when i was looking at an elitsit model lp it was priced 1600 canadian. But then again i was lookign at a the custom LP so that is probably why sorry i guess i should have clarified myself. For the rpice of a custom epiphone elitist you could get a gibson studio. Is that i meant to say! needless to say they all play well which is better depends on your ears.

I'm going to GC today and see if they have any Epi Elitist's on the floor to play.

The quality of your clean tones has far more to do with your pickups and amp than your body style. A CC and PGn will warm that SG right up.

I have seen plenty of very nice looking LP Studios over the years. The current LP Studios have the same specs as the LP Stds but without the binding. They sound just like the Stds.

No comment on the Epi Elites, never played one.


Originally Posted by jonnymangiaI'm going to GC today and see if they have any Epi Elitist's on the floor to play.

Good luck!

I've never seen a Elitist in our GC's store here in the Milwaukee area.
You might have better luck with another local Gibson dealer in your area.

Kent

What pups do you have in your SG now? Selling your SG for an epi LP would be a downgrade IMO.


Originally Posted by DirtykingWhat pups do you have in your SG now? Selling your SG for an epi LP would be a downgrade IMO.

I have SD '59's in the SG.

I just came back from GC and here's what went down...I played the SG through an old Marshall stack, a Fender tube amp and a newer Marshall stack. Verdict - it is too thin and trebly. I got an LP Studio and played them one right after the other and while the SG is definitely a more comfortable guitar, it can't hold a candle to the LP when it comes to full-on, bottom-heavy rock tones. The SG snarls and has nice mids and highs, but it just can't deliver that full, warm, vintage flavor I want. Look at my fav players - Gibbons, Slash, Page, Clapton/Beano - they all used LP's. I quot;thoughtquot; I loved Angus' tone, but the more I listen to AC/DC, the thinner it sounds compared to those other guys. ANother advantage for the LP - it kills the SG for clean tones. I love playing out of the neck pup and playing with those warm, smooth tones and the LP dances around the SG in this regard, probably due to the body mass.

So I'm going to sell the SG (anyone interested - I live in NYC area) and will probab go with either the Epi Elitist LP or the Tokai Love Rock which I hear is amazing. For now the American LP Standard will have to wait...

Well if ya want LP tone...go for the Elitist or a used Studio. No doubt you'll NEVER get LP tone out of anything BUT Paul. and the chinese Epi I had could hold it's won with a bunch of paulas.

I think for the money the Elitist is a great deal...problem is re-sale value (if its a concern), and will it always be in the back of your mind quot;it's not a quot;realquot; gibsonquot;? That bugs some folks...

I don't care for the studio's aesthetically but if ya get a good one, tonewise, it's every bit as good as a good standard.

I would try the elitist..you can always send it back within 45 days...sure it may cost ya 30 bucks to ship it back (assuming you just don't care for it..if there's even a small problem with it that YOU can overlook, some online dealers will pay return shipping cos it's a quot;defectquot;). Don't have much to lose, really.

Another thing to remember is AC/DC's rhythm tone isn't Angus.
It's Malcom. His main thing is Gretch Semi-Hollows I believe.

Don't rule out any of the other Japan LP replicas I mentioned.
They were all competing against each other for the japan market, so
build is pretty much comparable.
Basically boils down to which you can get the best score money wise on.
Just make sure it's Japan made.

The Orville, Epi Japan, Eilitist, Burny, Ibanez, and Yamaha LP replicas were
all built in the Fuji Gen Gakki plant.
Greco was Fuji's own brand.
Newer Burny's are Chinese made along side the Fernandes Ravelle.
Some Orvilles (not the Orville by Gibson) were Korean made.
Again the Orville line was replaced with the Epi Japan line which was replaced by the Epi Elitist line.
Personally I think Gibson should have brought back the Orville name for the Elitist. It would have given the Elitist line better name recognition.
That, and people wouldn't prejudge it do to the Epi name.

Edwards is built at the ESP Japan factory.
Basically the Edwards line is ESPs production line.
While the ESP and Navigator lines are considered customshop lines.
Grassroots is Korean.
has their Japan line. Made in their own Hamamatsu factory.
They make for others as well.
I Believe my Diodati's (were made in the Hamamatsu plant.
Budget minded look at the Tokai LS60 through LS85 models. Awesome build for the price.
If you can splurge a little hunt for a LS100 or LS120.
If you get to the point of getting into the $1500 and above range
look at the LS200 and LS320. On par with Gibson Historic and Customshop.
Usually can be scored for quite a lot less than one would be able to get a Gibby 59 RI .

Tokai Japan also has a licensed Tokai line that's built in Korea.
I would put those on par with Epi Korean or Chinese.
They do sort of the same thing with those.
Maple necks with scarfed headstocks, alder or asian mahogany bodies, etc...

Most Japan replicas will be African mahogany one piece neck and 2 piece bodies. There are a few 3 piece bodies. Most have actual plain maple carved tops. Some have figured veneers (like the LS85Q) over the plain maple.
I find most of the LP Custom replicas will have mahogany carved tops like the original Gibson LP Customs.

ESPs Navigator line and Tokai ls200 and ls320 use actual Honduran mahogany.
and feature actual carved figured maple tops.

My Diodati's are Honduran neck and body. But, my 59Q has a quilt veneer over the hard rock maple top. My 58 is a plain 3 piece hard rock maple top.
Both feature acrylic lacquer instead of Nitro or Poly.
It's nice. Thinner than poly. Not sticky like nitro.
I'd say feature wise the Diodati's fall in between the Tokai LS85Q and LS200.

To me the veneer doesn't affect the tone any more than a gold top, white, or ebony finish would.

Another thing.
Japan replicas will have medium or long neck tenons.
A long tenon extends to the neck pickup cavity and then has a tongue extending into the bottom of the cavity.
The medium tenon is the same except it doesn't have the tongue.
Both are longer than Gibson production LPs.