Official Luthiers Forum!

Does anyone know how Epi les pauls are made? I know they come from china or other Asian countries, but are they made like Gibson les Pauls? Do they have a maple top mahogany body and so on? Im sure they wood would not be as high quality. The reason i ask is because im thinking about getting a used Epi les pauls striping it down and moding it for fun. I have done some research and have come up with allot of conflicting information, I figured you guys would know best. If its made a extremely cheap wood or plywood or multiple veneers then I wont go ahead with my plan, but if its solid i think i can make something out of it.

The glued neck ones that list for around a grand are better than the bolt-ons, but the electronics in all of them are horrible.
Hardware.... iffy quality, but tolerable I suppose.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Most do not have maple tops like a Gibson, as already mentioned those that look like they do are most likely a veneer. They are a "mahogany" body, but from what I've seen it looks to be Guarea rather than Honduran or African.Exact woods and production methods seem to vary widely according to price. from bolt on neck models starting at about $150 to the better set neck models at $1000. I thought about buying one the other year and decided not to after playing a few. Didn't seem to have that Les Paul tone and fit and finish was not all that either. They are definitely not Gibsons, and as far as that goes the new Gibsons aren't what they used to be. Someday I'll buy another Les Paul, shoulda never sold mine.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Thanks guys sounds like its a bad idea. I was hoping that the basic wood was there to make a decent guitar out of, but if not i could most likley make a better one from scratch.

I've been finding that out of late. Sad....

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

its more work, but also more fun. you wont run into any surprises that way either, you'll know what its made of and everything before you start.

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~shad peters

http://www.flickr.com/photos/petersinstruments/
http://petersinstruments.blogspot.com/
http://petersinstruments.com/

If you must have one, search the usual online spots for bargains - but, they are pretty easy to build IMO.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

I am now considering doing this with an 80s model Gibson Les Paul Studio. I have found a few 90s era in my area for a few hundred bucks but would like to hold out for an 80s. I am in the middle of a few builds and dont want to start from scratch until i get them done. I figure if i can get a studio for a decent price then it would be worth a shot. anyone got any objections to that?

Back in the 80's they were still good.
Thumbs up from me, and have a good time!

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince