What $599 for a Les Paul can get you in 2020

[Rock Bodom]

New 2020 Epiphone 50s LP Standard. Besides the headstock change some folks like better, this is what $599 just got me:

But even better...the CTS electronics upgrade they are doing this year really changes things, the ProBuckers actually sound excellent. This thing SOUNDS like a real LP now without any mods.

I'm really impressed, and I've owned a ton of high end LP's. The neck profile feels great, honestly the only thing missing is the nitro smell. Maybe I'll rub some vanilla extract on it

Was patient to also get a darker fretboard, some of these have looked a bit light. Some folks have also reported some fretwork issues on these, but mine seems to be good.

 

[ZEEGLER]

That's real purdy.

I've seen some of these where the "burst" is done horribly with no fade whatsoever. I've even seen Gibsons with really bad bursts. That one is done really nicely.

$248 in 1985 would be about $599 in 2020 dollars. Can you imagine the atrocious piece of unplayable garbage you would get back then for $248.

 

[panhead]

That's real purdy.

I've seen some of these where the "burst" is done horribly with no fade whatsoever. I've even seen Gibsons with really bad bursts. That one is done really nicely.

$248 in 1985 would be about $599 in 2020 dollars. Can you imagine the atrocious piece of unplayable garbage you would get back then for $248.

In 85 a used real LP for less than 599 and 248 a Tokai strat that's worth a grand now that's what.

 

[romanianreaper]

Wow, good grab man!

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

I like the top and burst color.

 

[Rock Bodom]

Thanks guys...yeah, I lived those 80's, and for $248 if I could have gotten this back then, forget about it, wow! Beginners or just anyone on a budget these days have never had it better.

Real LP or Tokai...that's like saying Real LP or Fake Fender. A good fake Fender, just like this is a good "fake" LP because it's built well.

Here's a pic with an "uptown" cousin for comparison:

 

[panhead]

Late 70`s and early 80`s Tokai`s, strat and lp copies were head and shoulders above the real thing. 70`s strat and Lp for the most part were not that great.

 

[Rock Bodom]

Late 70`s and early 80`s Tokai`s, strat and lp copies were head and shoulders above the real thing. 70`s strat and Lp for the most part were not that great.

Yep, old Tokai's, good reputation. Some bargains could also be had back in the day I think is your point. But pound for pound having lived that era, just the pure selection of what you can get today at low prices if you know what you are doing, it's not even close.

Now most importantly, how do you like my new guitar? I'm really just here for compliments bro.

 

[ZEEGLER]

That's real purdy.

I've seen some of these where the "burst" is done horribly with no fade whatsoever. I've even seen Gibsons with really bad bursts. That one is done really nicely.

$248 in 1985 would be about $599 in 2020 dollars. Can you imagine the atrocious piece of unplayable garbage you would get back then for $248.

In 85 a used real LP for less than 599 and 248 a Tokai strat that's worth a grand now that's what.

LOL sure. Not around here.
I guess it depends where you live. In Canada back in 1985 when I was just starting to play guitar, the music shops near me had nothing decent for less than $7-800. Thats almost $2k today. Imagine being a 14 year old kid and realizing that you can't get anything decent for less than that.

 

[Rock Bodom]

So to compare the value better: $599 today is more like say $509 (15% off) out the door, since you can of course get them discounted.

So $509 adjusted for inflation:

1985 - $209
1980 - $179
1975 - $121

So for a new Les Paul Standard in the US between 80-85, I'm thinking roughly 600-700 out the door back in the day? Maybe 500-600 mid to late 70's?

I think the point raised is that there were some good LP copies back in the day as well for bargain prices. I'm definitely not arguing against that, but more the overall selection and access now to quality instruments at low prices versus back in the day.

 

[napalmdeath]

I've heard/read/seen many cases where the fretwork has been shotty, at best on the Epiphones. They seem like great guitars to mod/upgrade, but I'd stick with PRS or Schecter, on the imports. I don't think China's fully figured it out yet. Now an MIJ Epiphone Elitist, those are sweet! Even their early Koreans were nice. I had an early 90's Birdseye maple/natural top with brown mahogany back that was absolutely gorgeous. Bought that one on layaway back in '95.

 

[Rock Bodom]

Yeah, the problem is I like my super strats, and then I like traditional Les Pauls. I don't really go in for a more modern single cut.

I'm a longtime Gibson snob (and mostly higher end models) when it comes to the traditional stuff, an LP has to kind of sound and look a certain way to me. That's why I wanted to see if a modern Epiphone could deliver the goods.

I tried one last year actually, also MIC. Fretwork was actually fine on that one too. Problem was the sound, it would have needed upgraded electronics at a minimum, maybe pickups. Just didn't sound like the real thing. Neck felt good though. I would say what you described was accurate at that point...ok for modding/upgrading.

The one I just posted from this year...I knew the second I plugged in something was very different. I mean, it just sounds like the real thing, neck feels right, top looks great. Had the PAF classic rock sweetness...I was jamming KISS, Legs Diamond, early VH and Def Leppard...just awesome. I just felt the need to share. Plus the top looks cool to me.

 

[napalmdeath]

Yeah, the problem is I like my super strats, and then I like traditional Les Pauls. I don't really go in for a more modern single cut.

I'm a longtime Gibson snob (and mostly higher end models) when it comes to the traditional stuff, an LP has to kind of sound and look a certain way to me. That's why I wanted to see if a modern Epiphone could deliver the goods.

I tried one last year actually, also MIC. Fretwork was actually fine on that one too. Problem was the sound, it would have needed upgraded electronics at a minimum, maybe pickups. Just didn't sound like the real thing. Neck felt good though. I would say what you described was accurate at that point...ok for modding/upgrading.

The one I just posted from this year...I knew the second I plugged in something was very different. I mean, it just sounds like the real thing, neck feels right, top looks great. Had the PAF classic rock sweetness...I was jamming KISS, Legs Diamond, early VH and Def Leppard...just awesome. I just felt the need to share. Plus the top looks cool to me.

Double Creme Super Distortions FTW!

 

[Rock Bodom]

Yeah, the problem is I like my super strats, and then I like traditional Les Pauls. I don't really go in for a more modern single cut.

I'm a longtime Gibson snob (and mostly higher end models) when it comes to the traditional stuff, an LP has to kind of sound and look a certain way to me. That's why I wanted to see if a modern Epiphone could deliver the goods.

I tried one last year actually, also MIC. Fretwork was actually fine on that one too. Problem was the sound, it would have needed upgraded electronics at a minimum, maybe pickups. Just didn't sound like the real thing. Neck felt good though. I would say what you described was accurate at that point...ok for modding/upgrading.

The one I just posted from this year...I knew the second I plugged in something was very different. I mean, it just sounds like the real thing, neck feels right, top looks great. Had the PAF classic rock sweetness...I was jamming KISS, Legs Diamond, early VH and Def Leppard...just awesome. I just felt the need to share. Plus the top looks cool to me.

Double Creme Super Distortions FTW!

Totally

You know on that topic, I'm on the honeymoon with this one and don't want to change it yet, but I had a thought to at some point drop some creme Super D's in, take off the pickguard, and put a white star sticker on the headstock and turn it into an inexpensive Ace tribute guitar.

I actually have some hot wind Ox4's in double creme laying around which are killer too.

 

[Monkey Man]

What's the tuning stability like?

 

[Rock Bodom]

What's the tuning stability like?

Really good actually, I've been sitting here for like 10 minutes trying to knock it out of tune with crazy bends and whatnot...it holds tuning real well. Minor tuning adjustments at most when I can get it to give a little after awhile. I've found my Historics usually come a little more stable than say a Custom, this is probably closer to even the Historic. It's crazy cause I think they are still using the cheap nut material on this year's model.

The one I had from last year I don't think I could knock out of tuning hardly at all, probably the most stable of any new LP I've ever had.

I've haven't restrung yet either, just bridge and truss rod adjustments so far (had some mild/moderate fret buzz but sounding good now and action is where I want it, medium-low).

Fretwork wise, the edges are smooth and I'm not noticing anything too bad in terms of high frets but I'm not sure how low I could get the action if I wanted to go much lower without some buzz. It's possible when my tech eventually sees it he may have an opinion on the fretwork. I've definitely heard of people having problems here though as has been mentioned earlier.

I bought a regular Gibson USA 50's Standard this year as well...that's a fantastic guitar for that price point as well. I'd say the Epiphone quality wise feels maybe about 70% of the way there with no significant exceptions, and extra high marks for tone (more like 90%) and neck feel standing out as positives (if you like 50's chunky which I do). Luck of the draw may be around fretwork, and finding a nice top and darker fretboard.

 

[Monkey Man]

Sounds like a fret dress should address any minor fret-height inconsistencies.

Yeah, I figured the machine heads and nut would've been el-cheapo, hence the question. Great that it's so-stable, man!