Conference napalm::guitar

    how affordable?

    
    I've seen mail order prices at just under $400 with cases.  The
    headstock has the Epiphone curves, but it does say "Les Paul", a
    real first for Gibson on an imported ax.  Black and two sunburst
    types were shown in the catalog.
    
    						Brian
    
    P.S. Epi also has ES-335 type (the Sheraton), Flying V and Firebird
    models out now, too.

    What else is different?  Do they build them to Gibson's material
    and electrical specs?
    
    Mike

    re .3
    
     I seriously doubt it. I bought a firebird it isn't too hot. It
    has this steinberger tremolo system. I wouldn't wish this system
    on my worst enemy. Not exactly custom craftsmanship all in all.
    
    
    
                              DAVE

    Re. .1,.3,.4...
    
    The cost in Colorado (not much competition) was $429.00, less case.
    
    The guitar is finished well, with fret ends dressed correctly, smooth,
    high-gloss lacquer fininsh, frets and action set well, etc.
    
    IMHO, this guitar IS a Les Paul, period. If you really want a Paul,
    this is a good, cheap (relatively) way to get one. I personally am
    not a brand snob, so this axe is jes' fine, thank you........
    
    Bill

    
      Can you provide the address so I can get a catalog?
    
      Rick.
    
    

    I'll second that!
    
    Mike

    Sorry, guys:
    
    The last address for Gibson I knew of was for Norlin Music, Gibson
    Division. I'd recommend you walk into your "friendly local musical
    instrument store", and see if they can he'p you.
    
    Bill

    Howdy folks, 
    
    	I agree that the Epi line is nice.  I've got the Epi
    	Tele-copy and the the 300 look-alike.  Both are nice
    	axes, but the Tele seems to really have that Fender
    	twang.   I'd love to have the Les Paul, but funds don't
    	permit....yet.  The craftsmanship on both doesn't seem
    	to be sacrificed for cost.   
    
        The 330 has a beautiful mother-of-pearl `tree-of-life'
    	on the headstock and gold plated hardware.
    	I've never owned a 'real' 330, but the Epi seems to be
    	an accurate copy.  I got the natural finish.  Standard
    	two humbuckers with volume and tone controls for each.
        It also had a set-in neck with a rosewood fingerboard.
    	(yeah, ebony woulda been nice...)
    
    	The Tele had a maple neck with the satin finish and 
    	the two single coil pickups usually seen on a 'real'
    	Fender. (as well as the mediocre bridge...)  
    
    	I've played both quite a bit and the only problem I've
    	had seems to be the nut on the Tele binding which causes
    	the guitar to go sharp after I've bent a few notes.  Any
    	ideas on how to stop this will be greatly appreciated.
    
    	I got mine at the Acton Music Center. (I teach there so I 
    	got a break)  They carry the Les, Tele and 330 copies as well
    	as a couple of Epi basses and some acoustic models.  This line
    	of guitars is well worth checking out.
    
    			TCM

      Looks like a lot of people are into LP copies. I have a LP Custom
    that has been gutted and fixed up with EMG's and stuff. I stripped
    off the pickguard (it looks better w/o it). 
      My "stratocaster" is not a stratocaster. It's a B.C. ST-III 
    neck-thru. I love it and wouldn't trade anything for it. 
    I've always wondered why no LP clones were able to take hold. 
    I know the arched top isn't as easy to copy as a plank guitar, 
    but it still seems like a lucrative market. The only viable LP clone
    I was aware of is the Heritage guitar made in Kalamazoo MI by ex-Gibson
    employees. This Epiphone thing sounds interesting since Gibson has
    a stake in it. Only time will tell. Les Paul prices have gone through
    the roof!                         

    Gibson has bought Epiphone in 1958. Since 1968, Epiphone guitars have
    been built under contract to Gibson by various Japanese companies.
    
    Basically, Gibson has "owned" Epiphone for 30 years. What's new?
    
    Danny W.

    ANyone in here seen the Jimi Hendrix Flying V guitar?
    
    Whudya think??

    I played one ... thought it was *ok*, but then again, I'm not a big
    Flying V fan.  I owned a Kramer V for a while ... kinda awkward.  At
    least ya didn't need a stand for it ... 8^)
    
    Somehow, when I think of Hendrix, a Flying V doesn't come to mind.
    
    
    Jerry

    But doesn't the factremain Jimi used the Flying V and Les Pauls pretty
    extensively in the studio??

    Coupla famous shots of Jimi with a V.  The only other Gibson I ever saw
    a pic of him using was a white SG Custom.  So if Gibson needs a
    "signature" model, I guess the V is the one.   
    
    Wot's different between the Jimi V and the regular V?
    
    For that matter, if they need a signature V, they should go see Lonnie
    Mack or Albert King!
    
    						Brian

    I've seen some video shots of Jimi using a Gibson Flying V.  Didn't
    sound much different from his Strat to me...
    
    Greg

If memory serves, there are several shots of Jimi with non-Strats inside the 
Electric Ladyland album jacket, one for sure with a V.  I assume the photos
were taken during the recording sessions for the album; draw your own 
conclusions.

Chuck

    
    
    just heard...hot off the presses!
    
    
    Gibson has just got the go ahead from the Lennon Estate to do a John
    Lennon psychedilia(sp) model.The guitar is the same as John is seen
    playing on the back of the White Album.The list price just now will
    be $8k but expect it to get slightly higher!
    
    
    aren't I just brimming over with information!.!.!.! 8)
    
    						ian

    Re. .20
    
    >>					    The list price just now will
    >>be $8k but expect it to get slightly higher!
    
    Good God, I've never owned a CAR that cost that much!!! :^(
    
    Who does Gibson think is gonna buy it? Bill Gates? Ross Perot?? B)
    
    				-----------------
    
    Eric-who-is-paying-$7K-for-a-used-Grand-Caravan......           

    
    its as bad as the Paul Simon Martin acoustic that has a sticker price
    of $8k.
    
    

the world needs more 400 dollar guitars and no
more 8k ones..

/p

    damn right!
    
    					ian

    I think the $8K price on the OM-42PS (Paul Simon) is actually a lot 
    more justified than $8K for the Gibson John Lennon.  At least the
    pearl inlay and custom neck design (somewhat) justify the price 
    differential compared to a more pedestrian OM or OOO.  The price is
    not out of line when compared to the fancy, but standard catalog,
    D-45 (list is about $7600).  In genereral, though, I'm much more apt
    to pay bigger bucks for an acoustic. 
    
    I'd love to buy a quality guitar for $400, but overall, we've got
    it pretty good.  For under $2K you can buy a Martin or Taylor that is
    about as good as a steel string guitar gets (e.g. an HD-28 or 610).
    A professional violinist might spend more than that for his/her bow!
    With electrics, a Fender American Std Strat is a good enough guitar for
    many professional musicians and the price is well under $1K.
    
    Jim
    

yes, it is relative..  Grand Pianos are like 15k,
cellos what, around the same,,,

and think about most keyboardist in working bands,
they're paying 12 to 15 bucks per board, some have
2 or three... good drum sets are 2k to 3k new..

We (guitarist) do get out of it cheap if we choose, you 
can get some real nice playing axes for under 1k, and
a decent amp for under $500,,, however, if you happen
to have some disposable cash, and a yearning for one
of the high end peices, you go for it..

but as a rule, it's more of a want/desire to own, rather
than a necessity..

/pelksta.,.,.

    ..call me Scrooge McDuck but I've always been more impressed with a
    $400 gem of an acoustic rather than a $8k guitar.
    
    If I did have $8k to play with,I'd buy a bunch of stuff and not just
    one guitar!
    
    
    re-1
    
    agreed,by all means,guitar players get away with it light!
    
    
    							ian

<and think about most keyboardist in working bands,
<they're paying 12 to 15 bucks per board, some have
<2 or three... good drum sets are 2k to 3k new..

OOOPS,, $1,200 to $1,500....
is what I meant..

    Um... a good baby grand will run $15K.  A "professional" concert 
    grand is $45K-$60K (or probably more-- I haven't checked in quite
    a while).
    
    $15K is probably "entry level" for a professional cello.  Some string 
    players for top orchestras have bigger mortgages on their instruments
    than they have on their homes.  Top players often have instuments 
    valued at $500K or more.  Of course, Gibson can crank out as many
    Jimmy Page Les Pauls as they want, while the number of violins, violas,
    cellos, and basses made by the great masters (Stratavari, Amati,
    Guarneri (sp?), etc.) is extremely finite...   Those prices make Bob
    Benedettos stuff look cheap!

    And then there are archtops....which for a utility instrument such
    as a Gibson you could spend 2k for a new 175 or even a used one.
    A recent 20 Century Guitar article claims 1.2k to 2k+ for a used one 
    whereas a Guild CE100 can be had for under 1k. But of course all the
    used dealers are asking top dollar it seems. When you start looking at
    carved top instruments it goes 2.5k plus for a decent instrument with
    some cosmetic dings etc...
    
    Can someone explain to me why Benedetto has such high prices as
    compared to the rest of the Luthiers? Even used ones on Mandolin Bros
    web sit are headed for $8k.
    
    I'd really like to know
    
    Rick
    

    >   Can someone explain to me why Benedetto has such high prices as
    >   compared to the rest of the Luthiers? Even used ones on Mandolin Bros
    >   web sit are headed for $8k.
         
    Apparently, 'cause he can get it.
    
    The collector's market has grabbed up all the D'Angelicos and
    D'Aquistos, and the old Gibsons too.  The prices have skyrocketed.
    Prices on new archtops are certainly increasing at a rate that 
    exceeds general inflation.  Benedetto seems to have raised his prices
    faster than most of the others, but apparently has buyers at his
    comparatively outrageous prices.  You don't need much volume if you can
    keep the profit margins high enough...

    What guitar on the back of the white album?  
    
    Its been awhile. . . but I just remember little 
    posters in the sleave.  
    
    Dave
    

    Moan, moan, moan,....
    
    Not only don't you guitar players have a right to bitch and moan about
    prices, I'd like to see you try carrying an 88-key digital piano in one
    hand, and a Roland KC-300 keyboard amp in the other as you make your
    way out to the parking lot after a gig the way you do with your guitars
    and your combo amps!
    
    And can we also talk about floor space?  Cabling?  etc.
    
    	db - who doesn't read GUITAR much these days

    RE: -.1
    
    Yo Dave,
    
    	Now is this on a cold icy parking lot, or on hot dry pavement? 
    
                                                        
    	;^)
    
    
    	Fred

re:33..


Pfftm, like we care!  !

We'll whine all we want...  so there..

    re: .34
    
    Fred, Fred, Fred...  That's cold :-)
    
    Dave, 
    
       You should check out the cool line of Yamaha PSR keyboards!  They're
    small _and_ light, and they have built-in rhythms!!! :-) :-)
    
    	Rick

>       You should check out the cool line of Yamaha PSR keyboards!  They're
>    small _and_ light, and they have built-in rhythms!!! :-) :-)
    
    Builtin rhythms?
    
    That'll DEFINITELY lighten the load.
    
    I for one am sick and tired of having to carry the drummer across cold icy
    parking lots or hot dry pavements.
    
    	db

    You don't have to carry drums.
    They roll!
    
    

    RE. .38
    Bwahahahaahahahaha!
    
    *Our* drummer once did a drum roll with his snare .... it went all of
    thirty feet or so....downhill, yet!
    
    of course he *WAS* a maniac... ;^)
    						Grins,
    						--Eric--

    of course he *WAS* a maniac... ;^)
    
    ..but of course.
    Never trust a drummer who claims to be something else.
    :-)
    Mike
    

    
    ok...hypothetical question!
    
    
    if you could buy a brandy new Les Paul for 40% off list price,would
    this be considered a good deal?
    
    
    						ian

    -1
    
    I'd say yes.  40% off list is about as good a deal as you will
    find on a new instrument.  Dealers will usually mark selling
    prices at between 20 to 30% off list, and you have to negotiate
    to get into the 30 to 40% range.  Other than liquidation sales
    and/or warehouse blowouts, I haven't seen normal prices at better
    than 40% off.
    
    /Steve
    
    p.s. But still, 40% off a list price of $3500 still leaves a
    very expensive visa bill, even if it was a "good deal".
     

    
    Here's a couple of prices I've been quote recently.....
    
    
    Les Paul custom,black,$2k(Mr C's) same guitar in Kurlans,$2.6k.
    
    rumour control says there will be another price hike on june 1st!
    
    
    					ian
    

    -1
    
    Yeah, I've noticed that custom at Mr. C's too...  Actually, Pelkster,
    Larry V. and myself took a lunchtime trip there not too long ago and
    we played a little game while we were there -- each one of us was to
    pick which guitar we'd take if we could walk out with one guitar for
    free...  I picked the black custom. I think Ray choose the Jimmy Page
    Les Paul and I think Larry chose a cherry burst '59 reissue (I'll bet
    it'd be the Fly now, though!;-)
    
    The thing to keep in mind about that black custom though, is that Mr.C
    had that well before Gibson hiked the list price up to $3500, I think
    the list when he got it was somewhere around $2500 or so... so he's
    still making a healthy profit selling it for 2K. That's a game dealers
    play as manufacturers jack up list prices... as soon as the list price
    goes up, so too does every instrument currently in stock at the stores.
    
    Having said that, I'd still say 'go for it!' if yer thinking about it,
    you probably won't see one again at that price!
    
    /Steve (who recently placed an order for an $1800 Rickenbacker) 

one thing about Jim, (Mr. C) is he's more inclined to work with
a customer to make a sale..

Offer him a reasonable price, and he'll consider it...

/pelksta...

    
    I'll fess up, like Steve said, I'd take the FLY.  I used to think the
    FLY was pretty ugly, but I've kind of warmed up to it since it has
    other characteristics that supersede the ugliness imho.  Like the old
    she's not that pretty, but she has a great personality.
    
    The FLY offers versatility that a Les Paul can't offer, and again,
    that's just my own opinion.  It may not have the collectibility
    factor yet, but I suspect they'll hold their value.  
    
     Ciao, Lev
    

as they say,,
to each his own...

/pelksta