[asp1ring_r0cker]

Hello everyone!

I'm deciding on which guitar to choose as my first guitar and have been studying some online now. Some that have got my attention that are in my budget and have got good reviews are ones made by Epiphone:

Epiphone Les Paul Standard
Epiphone Les Paul Studio
Epiphone Les Paul LP-100
Epiphone G-400 (Limited Edition 1966, SG, Vintage, and Goth)

These are in the price range between $249-$399 so you know my budget range. I am looking for a classic rock/blues sound. As my fingers aren't very long, I feel I will need a more narrow fretboard, and I don't want a too heavy guitar.

Yes, I am going to a guitar store to listen, hold, and look at these to get the right "feel" before i decide on my choice. I am having a hard time finding info on these guitars at G4B&B. Any opinions from the members about these Epiphones?

Bob

[P-90]

Given those 4 choices, and your statement that you don't want a very heavy guitar, I proclaim the G-400 the winner. It's the only one of the 4 which isn't close to 10 pounds. (Les Paul Specials, Juniors, and other flat-body versions are pretty light, as was the short-lived Les-Paul-with-an-SG-body, but the more usual LP body design is as heavy as any guitar made.)

[GuillermoC]

I too have been down this road only just recently. In the end, and out of options, I purchased an Epiphone SG Special and I must say that I have been rather lucky!

Now I can only report on what I received here in Spain which might or might not be what you get. My SG turned out to be wonderful, very nice with low action, no buzzing, no dead strings, electronics work like a charm and the finish is impeccable. It is one of the latest batches to be finished at Epiphone's far eastern factories though it was put through the sellers inspection shop/luthier (auth. dealer).

Now this guitar is nothing out of the ordinary and other than the brand name, there are no bells or whistles attached to it, that's for sure, but its a great guitar for a newcomer. This said, I now realize that for a wee bit more I could have purchased an LP but I guess that this is only a matter of time!

I would purchase the best within my budget and not dick round with any cheap stuff. Many people have reported favourably on many of the cheaper brands like Stagg, Crafter, etc... but in my modest opinion there is simply no comparison; the action, sound and finish of cheaper brands are simply not good enough to compete with brand names such as Epiphone, Fender, Yamaha, Gretsch, Gibson, etc...

Here are a couple of sites that will also help you in your quest:

http://www.musicgearreview.com/

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/

For me, a complete novice and all thumbs, the two most important factors are the guitars' action and sound, followed by electronics and finish. But then again this is from a complete new-bee (but with thoughts pretty clear in my mind!)

Have a nice one!


Guille

[krissovo]

If you dont want a heavy guitar I would look at a diifferent guitar, they are as heavy as they come.

Fat Strats would give a versatile guitar that you can play blues/rock on without the weight or as already posted a SG will do the same at half the weight.

[asp1ring_r0cker]

Thanks for the good input so far.

Bob

[KGrob]

My kid bought the G400. He loves it so far. I own an Epiphone Les Paul and play it often.

Epiphone represents pretty good value in a guitar. No one will mistake an Epi (under $500) for a top-of-the-line performance guitar, but you get a lot of bang for your buck just the same.

Like any guitar you purchase...check it out thoroughly before you buy it...run your fingers over it...check the bridge, the neck, the pickups...the tuners...all that. Of course, play it too.

You seem like a smart shopper, looking for good value, you'll probably do fine at whatever you choose.

[csantana]

Hi iam also looking to buy an Epiphone like the les pauls thats what i want but sg look cool too won't be buying till xmas thou (so if your reading this santa) lol. hopefully get some £££ saved had a look round on ebay some nice ones on there, anyone bought a guitar of ebay? heard theres fakes about don't know if that applyies to Epiphone ,but i will probably get from a local shop maybe i can haggle a bit with some cash, anyways let us know what you get and if it's good..

[P-90]

Originally Posted by csantana

heard theres fakes about don't know if that applyies to Epiphone

I've run into fakes on ebay, talked to the seller about them, and reported them to ebay, often to no avail. A recent example: a Squier neck, made in Taiwan in 2002, being sold as a 2000 Fender neck, with a very strong suggestion that it was a Warmoth. Headstock painted over and Fender decal put on. Now, they didn't say it DEFINITELY was a Warmoth (which, with tuners, would be worth almost twice as much as the whole Squier that neck came off of), but they did say it was Warmoth-quality, and specified that it was a 2000 Fender, which was provably false (serial number). The seller refused to retract any of their false claims, and ebay did nothing, as far as I could see.

Will that happen with Epiphones? Doubt it, I don't think I've ever seen a fake Epi on ebay. Probably a lot of modified Epis being sold as Gibsons, though.

[asp1ring_r0cker]

There are chances you take when shopping on EBay. I would rather go to a guitar store and shop around finding a best fit for myself.