EPIPHONE MIC OR MIK

shadow1

So i found 2 epiphone les pauls, 1 korean the other chinese.
Which do you think is beter? is Korean really worth going for.
(korean one is more beat up, chinese one i found immaculate)

Brings me to me second question. On the Korean the one tuning machine(on headstock) little plastic bit had broken off,
i was concerned that it will go out of tuning? I assume i would have to buy a complete set then of 6? which would push its price up too much
if its R1000+ for the machine heads.

ANy advise would be appreciated i am purchasing one or the other hopefully tomorrow.

Banditman

You should be able to check by the serial number where each was made, and by whom. Some Korean ones are good, some are average - like the Chinese. Generally most guys would rather go Korean.

Don't buy the guitar based on cosmetics - buy it based on how it sounds & plays, as well as the quality of construction. Take a look under the cover plate over the pots ( on the back) to get an idea.

Having said that, how much are you paying? I ask because you can get a brand new Hamer SATF Sunburst Archtop (their version of a Les Paul double cut) brand new for R2399.00 on clearance. Hamer are good guitars, and these are every bit as good as the average Epi Les Paul, with very similar tone and feel. At this price - considering the average Epi LP goes for R3500.00 2nd hand, it's a steal.

http://www.muz.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=73_75_77&products_id=4218

shadow1

hmmm thanks

Chinese LP custom - R5500 case incl.
Korean LP custom - R4000 case incl. (1 dead machine head,fairly worn in/gigged for 4 years)

My preference is the Chinese one above simply because of the colour ? i really want the white with gold hardware....its just too sexy

im going to check out those Hamer's now..

Banditman

Consider this:

You've got around R5500.00 burning your pocket.

For R2399.00 you get a guitar in the same build quality & tonal class (with the same scale length) as an Epiphone.

Andy McGibbons will do a full set of replacement electrical components (pots, selector switch, wiring, jack,caps) for around R650-750.00. A set of decent pickups - say Seymour Duncans like a JB or '59 and a Pearly Gates will set you back around R1200.00 each. Add a decent nut as well.

For the same money as the Chinese Epi you now have a customised guitar with better quality electrics than the Epi Custom. To do the same to the Epis you'd be paying around R6000.00 - R8500.00 including the price of the original guitar, and for that money you'd be better off buying a new ESP LTD with the SD p-ups or an Ibanez ARX double cut. Not sure what the new Tokai Les Paul types in the same bracket go for, but it must be similar.

Worth thinking about, especially if you're after tone and a good guitar more than looks and a headstock label.