August Sweetwater Gear Review Giveaway - Epiphone Les Paul x2

Just in case I was supposed to mention it yesterday, I agree with the contest rules. Thanks, Mike

Nice review. Good to read there are decent choices for sub 1k LP's! Seems like the sub $1k category is getting better in quality over the past few years. Which is great news for all the non-professional musicians out there!

My first guitar was an Epiphone acoustic for my 16th birthday. (Wow! That was 35 years ago, and I remember picking it out like it was yesterday!) I still have it, and it sounds and plays well. I've always admired the beautiful round tones the Les Paul produces. I don't have an electric guitar right now and would love to own one of these.

Thanks Jon, great reviews.

As a home recording enthusiast, I would love to have any of those two guitars.
I actually had a chance to test drive those guitars and I agree with what Jon had to say.

Good luck everybody. :cool:

Ok, I'm a solid country player (tele twang all the way). I see a definite advantage with this NanoMag control. In the past, Gibson/ Epiphone pickups have always sounded dull in a country mix even with the coils tapped. Therefore, this ability to brighten or add a shimmering sound to a Les Paul Ultra II could very well be what is needed for more Les Pauls to show up in country music and have players like me sit the Telecaster out for a few rounds. After all, if I can go from some of todays chunky sound (Big and Rich, Rascal Flatts, etc.) right into a traditional sound (Alan Jackson, Johnny Cash, etc.) I'd be foolish to grab a different guitar rather than turn a knob.

I just purchased an Epi '56 goldtop and was very pleased with the build, the tone, and the playability.
Sure if you did a direct compare you might find some things a bit less than a $2500 LP, but certainly alot more bang for the buck even if it were 50% of the guitar at 1/5 the cost.
I am new to LPs since my first was a Univox clone back in the 70s, and I haven't played one since. Too bad, as I never knew the features I have been missing. There is alot more to these guitars than three settings, as in the middle setting and favoring one or the other pickup volume will lean you fatter or thinner respectively, and somewhere in the middle you will find a nice sweet spot that gives you just what your ears are hungry for.
Read the reviews on HC and take even more players word-for-it.
For the player who wants a LP type guitar, and who can't afford a museum piece, or for the gigging musician who doesn't want to carry the family jewels around to get banged, slammed, and dropped, but still play like a pro, this is the guitar.

Thanks for entering me in the sweepstakes. I have been eye balling a les paul style electric for a long time. My name is Patrick Bock, I live in Florida. My address is 1718 Melbourne Ave E, Haines City, Florida 33844. My phone number is 863-307-2506.
Thank You so Much

Patrick Bock

I'm a newbie and I just purchased a Fender Strat because that's what my friend told me to get one. However, I've been really interested in checking out a Gibson or even Epiphone. How are either or these guitar for newbies?

Hey, thanks for the review and the chance to win a guitar! :)

How is it determined which guitars get reviewed? Is it totally up to the generosity of sweetwater? Which is, of course, awesome!

If not, how about a review of http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ARDG335EBCH?

I've been drooling over this guitar, for some crazy reason. I'd like to think its not because I'm blinded by all things Foo (or the big price tag)!

Keep up the great work!

Thanks,
Z

Really like the guitars and would like to win one!

Both guitars are beautiful! The reviews are pretty good also.
I have participated in many contests before, but I never won anything...
I hope to be luckier this time ;D

I own a yamaha pacifica 112J, which is a strat copy, but I would really like to have a Les Paul as well.

Well, good luck to me! :D

these are nice looking guitars

Awesome review. I have been seriously considering a Epiphone as my next guitar purchase, as a Les Paul custom is not in my price range right now. I have also considered the Mahogany Les Paul because they are just a few dollars more than the Epiphone. I must say that the Epiphone seems to have all the bells and whistles that are lacking in the Mahogany Les Paul. I really like the acoustic pickup option with the ultra, seems like a cool way to get a variety of tonal options not available with standard guitars. I definitely agree to all the rules and regulations to this contest and thank you for the review. Kudos to SweetWater, you guys are incredible.

I love the idea of a third pickup. The more tonal possibilities, the better.

Well at the age of 42, I decided to take up the guitar with the idea of learning to play my favorite 80's rock songs. After 5 months of learning on my own from DVD's myself, I am hooked. I own a Fender MIM strat but would love to have either one of these guitars in your review.

Thanks for the possibility!

Jaime Salinas

i would love to win one of these guitars, i have played a little bit on an epiphone les paul (not sure which one specifically) but it had great sound quality and is a perfect substitute when a Gibson is too costly...great review, and a special thanks to sweetwater for providing these instruments to be used for a review/giveaway, keep sending more instruments and equipment. PICK ME PLZ, i need a good guitar to use for standard tuning, the one i'm using does not have any features that the epiphone les pauls have. : )

Thanks Jon for the reviews; It has deffinately peaked my interest in the Guitar Tricks forum and website. I'm a beginner guitarist and I'm stil grabbing anything I can to get me headed in the right direction. I play the accoustic most often, cowboy chords and trying to learn the notes on the fretboard. I have a Dean Vendetta that I enjoy despite some of the reviews it is fairly easy to play, just not sure what I want it to sound like yet. Thanks for the reviews of the Epiphones, and please put my name into the contest.

I'd be interested to see what it sounds and plays like. I currently play only a nylon stringed classical and a steel string Ovation Elite acoustic/electric.

Liked it when he and Chet Atkins played together, was inspirering, Got me interested in playing. watched Eddie VanHallen on Les Pauls birthday bash and was hooked. :) I have four guitars three acustic and an electric, none very good but playable, a global which wont stay in tune and has very high action, a rogue which has a very round wide neck easy to finger but high action, a sequoia with verry flat narrow neck hard to finger but low action, and a first act electric low action medium width neck fairly easy to play, not very good sustain. Would like to see what a good guitar plays like might make it easier to learn.
Love this sight helps so mutch learned more here then any other sight i've been too thanks

Oh how i'd love to get my hands on one of those... Cant' say that i've ever gotten to play one yet. One day I do plan to to! After reading your post in reguards to the Ultra II, I'm finding myself drawn to find one just to try it out. The option to buy may not be here for awhile (maybe a long while Since the wife has just gotten me a guitar for my birthday a couple months ago... :rolleyes: LOL ) But i'll definatly make a trip to the store to at least touch one of these babies and hopefully plant a seed in her mind for my next birthday ;)

Thanks for the oppertunity jon

Dan