Ibg lesPaul 50s standard upgrades

[Jared macneill]

I few months ago I bought a new epiphone lesPaul 50s standard in a beautiful trans cherry like the Gibson lesPaul classic.

The epiphone was the only LesPaul in the store I like and since then it’s almost played every day.

Needless to say I never thought it be an epiphone that would end my search.

That being said I found the pickups a bit bland and was looking for a few months and finally settled on doing the colour scheme as the lesPaul classic I liked.

I then went on a search for what kind and what budget I was willing to spend. I ended up deciding I wanted a 50s style pickup in the neck and a t-top for the bridge.

The biggest issue is I couldn’t find a company that could do that in my almost nonexistent budget

The company I was recommended was called vineham and I discovered they made both style pickups but not in zebra , so I asked and I was told “ I can do that”

Next was the knobs , I ordered two sets because the first set didn’t fit but the fella from carpelli guitars was super helpful and set me up.

Then I thought “ I like a bigsby” so I ordered a knock off bigsby for $50cad and I’m still waiting for it to come in.

 

[Jared macneill]

 

[lungimsam]

Gorgeous! Good call on the Bigsby!
I never understood Epiphone. Seems like they have some hi end models but I always thought they were Gibsons budget line. Are they their own company?

 

[GGJaguar]

The Bigsby is cool! Will you keep the TOM or put on a roller bridge instead?

 

[GGJaguar]

I always thought they were Gibsons budget line. Are they their own company?

You're correct, they are Gibson's budget line.

 

[AcornHouse]

Gorgeous! Good call on the Bigsby!
I never understood Epiphone. Seems like they have some hi end models but I always thought they were Gibsons budget line. Are they their own company?

Epiphone used to be their own company, and was a big competitor to Gibson in the archtop market in the 30s and 40s. (Then Guild grabbed their best employees in the 50s. ) After Gibson bought them in ‘57, they gradually got relegated as their budget line.
Recently, as Gibson’s custom and signature models have gotten more and more expensive, they have started releasing Epiphone custom and signature models; also more and more expensive, but still less than Gibson, Trying to cover all price points.

 

[lungimsam]

Gibson is high priced, I guess, because made in USA.
Epis are made in Ching Dao, China factory.
They look the same to me. Probably would sound the same to me, too.

 

[Jared macneill]

The Bigsby is cool! Will you keep the TOM or put on a roller bridge instead?

I’ll probably upgrade the Tom this time , when I get some extra cash

 

[Jared macneill]

Gorgeous! Good call on the Bigsby!
I never understood Epiphone. Seems like they have some hi end models but I always thought they were Gibsons budget line. Are they their own company?

In a since they are their own company but Gibson bought the rights to their bass line in 57 , but some doe head signed and shipped everything over to Gibson.

Now it’s hard to believe that epiphone was scary to Gibson.

 

[AcornHouse]

In a since they are their own company but Gibson bought the rights to their bass line in 57 , but some doe head signed and shipped everything over to Gibson.

Now it’s hard to believe that epiphone was scary to Gibson.

Some of the early Epiphones after Gibson bought them were being made in Kalamazoo, right next to the Gibsons.

 

[Brad Little]

Some of the early Epiphones after Gibson bought them were being made in Kalamazoo, right next to the Gibsons.

And today, there is at least one acoustic being made in Bozeman right along side Gibsons.

 

[Jared macneill]

And today, there is at least one acoustic being made in Bozeman right along side Gibsons.

I think it’s two now and the casino

 

[Cougar]

I few months ago I bought a new epiphone lesPaul 50s standard in a beautiful trans cherry like the Gibson lesPaul classic.

You got some good sound coming outta that thing! I used to be big into Epiphone acoustics and still got a couple electrics (including an LP Standard Plustop) that I don't play much. They're just so good looking! Here's the LP.....

And a Dot (ES335). Yeah, really love that trans cherry!

 

[Brad Little]

Some of those off shore Epis are pretty good. I've been very pleased with my Korean/Samick made HR Custom, so much so that I had no qualms selling my '88 X170 in order to fund a '90s D55.