epiphone lp custom or ibanez rg series

[squee]

if someone could help me please.. i dont know.. what is better, an epiphone les paul custom or an ibanez rg series.. those are the only ones ive really looked at so far, but if you know of a better one for playing metal/rock, please tell me. i dont really want to spend more than 700 dollars right now.. if someone could respond to this, i would greatly appreciate it.

[Edited by squee on 11-14-2002 at 10:02 PM]

[mc9mm]

If you want to play metal, maybe the lp isnt the best alternative?
But I would say that it depends on what RG it is.
Stay away from the RG 270.
What I really suggest is that you stay away
from all RG-models, but thats just me.
WHats that Ibanez called, the one with the handle?
Thats a nice guitar.
The JS-100 and the JS-1000 are also ok.
If you want a real metal axe, buy the BC. Rich "The Beast"!!!
That would be my choice.

[trendkillah]

If you can get an Ibanez with a Lo-pro Edge bridge, go for it. If not, stay away from them.

[Polera]

in my experience IBANEZ suckes...but that is MY experience plus im only judging the guitars in the same price range of epiphone les pauls or mex standard fenders. I have both a les paul and fender standard. I always like the les paul, and still do WANT to like the les paul, but i give my hats off to the fender, it a better quality quitar. Try a fender standard, you wont regret it! But everyone has different taste and can pull of great licks on any guitars but the most objective comparisoin i can think of between the fender and epip les paul is that a real les paul gibson cost about $3200 canadian for a standard and prices can range considerbly depending on the comsemtics, pickups etc, and the epeiphone is $650. that a ratio of about 4x cheaper give or take then the gibson. Now fender american guitar is about $1200-1400 canadian or less or more, and the standard is $550 which is about 2.5 X cheaper. Which brand is more likely gonna be closer to the original in quality? Now however keep in mind that these prices are NOT carved in stone and are subjectiable to specification of guitars and places shopped and also keep in mind the economics of business where, Epiphone might cut more corners then fender i.e. less ads, cheaper production methods etc.

but bottom line (if your still reading!) is that fender is better for the reasons of quality by comman sence, and the my subjective descision of having both guitars, its better quality!

p.s. there both good guitars thoguh, so dont feel that bad when you pick one over the other, its a safe gamble.

[StratGt]

I like those Epiphone les Pauls. The have a great tone, lots of sustain and are great bang for the buck guitars. I just purchased a 96 Fender American Strat plus, an epiphone les paul or the gibson les paul jr special will probably be my next guitar. Try out the Les paul Jr special too, the are a little bit more the the epiphone (I've seen them about$650) they sound great.

[dot-dot-dot]

Originally posted by Polera
but bottom line (if your still reading!) is that fender is better for the reasons of quality by comman sence

You can't correlate price with quality.

Of the two I would go for the Ibanez; I have seen too many crap Epis. If you get a good Epi they can be great, but be sure to check it over very, very carefully.

For $700 you should be able to get a decent RG. If you can, get an RG5xx; I have a 570 and love it. Either the Edge or Low Pro Edge bridges will be superb; the TRS does not have a good reputation, but isn't quite as bad as is often made out.

[Polera]

i beg to differ, if price wasent a factor in quality, im sure everything would be the same price and quality. However that not to say that cheaper cost neccisarily means cheaper quality. I do believe that fender makes better quality then epiphone so your right there and epiphone does cost more for the same range of quiater in the mex and les paul. It is true, u must look over your guitar b4 purchasing it if your going with a gibson made guitar, even the expensive authenitic les pauls i here sometimes lack in quality.

[Sellek]

Hey, if you want great sound, and great posibilities, you must buy a Les Paul, is like the all terrain in the guitars, you can play everything from country to metal, even punk (if you want it)but i think you play the lead in a band. So the apearance, is something important, some of the greatests guitarist had used a Les Paul, and this is something that you must have in your mind, why they bought a Les Paul, and not a Ibanez.

[Lordathestrings]

If you're Jones'in for a Les Paul, save yourself a lot of grief and get a Heritage. Any guitar tech I've talked to, who has been in business for more than five years, swears at Gibson for the way they have abandoned any pretense of quality control. Don't waste your money on an empty reputation! Some Gibsons are are truly beautiful, wonderful examples of the guitar=maker's art. A lot of them are frightening demonstrations of what happens when a company is run by people who do not care. The people at Heritage are trying to carry on the traditions that Gibson has turned away from.

My own preference runs toward mid-80's Yamaha SBG 1000's. I have two of them. And a Yamaha bass. I also like Washburn guitars. I have three of them!

Something else: a lot of the stuff on your favourite disks was recorded with gear that you will not see on stage. For show, you may find that 'The Beast' is just what you need... but you may find that a stripped-down Telecaster works better for you in the studio!

If you can only buy one guitar, choose it carefully. Keep your mind and your ears open... and shut your eyes, while you try out every axe you can get your hands on.

I've been playin' for some 34 years now, and I've learned a thing or two... like the fact that I still have some learnin' to do. My 2 cents.

[magicninja]

I can tell you from experience that Ibanez has the worst tone of any brand name guitar in my opinion. So, withthat in mind I purchased an Epiphone LP Special Model. Great tone and sustain Decent looks Fast neck and all for 189.99 (musicians friend) If you want to spend that money just buy this guitar and then buy the Gibson 490 and I believe it is 496 pickups It'll be your own LP custom for about 200 dollars cheaper.