Hi Everyone,

On a recent trip I was seriously planning on purchasing a Gibson of sorts, either an Epiphone Les Paul Tribute, or perhaps one of the Gibson Les Paul Studios. Roughly a price point from about $699-$999.

I went to several stores, must have tried about 12 different guitars, LP Studios, Epiphones (including the casino), as well as the Raw Power LP's which were nice, but quality and finish were poor.

That said I tried a MIM Strat Deluxe (I believe) which had the series/paralell button then I tried an American Special Strat (HSS), and that was it!

I've played guitar for about...21 years. I've been a MIM Tele Man, with my upgraded MiM Tele which is fantastic, but I actually never thought I would ever buy a Strat - because I really like the fixed bridge. But what a guitar! =)

On a side note, I was seriously disappointed with the quality of the high end Epiphones, as well as the Gibson Les Paul Studios. I felt for 1k I should get a quality instrument. I tried an Gibson SG Raw Power ($999), and I almost cut my hand open because the frets were sticking off the fretboard!

Anyway I love my new toy, and I thought this would be a good place to post this.

I hear you on the quality of guitars. Gibson is trying to get their guitars under a grand and therefore quality is going down on them. Epiphones are nice, but you'll have to really dig for one that's just right. As for Fender, the MIM Deluxe series are perfect. I have one, somewhat a hybrid Roadhouse with a Lonestar neck. Swapped all the chrome for gold and wow! Plays fantastic and sound even better. Now I actually thought the highway one and American Special were going the same route as Gibson studios.... a few I played need fret jobs right out of the box and they sound terrible....

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Well I was blown away by the neck and jumbo frets on this one. Played beautifully. Rosewood fingerboard on a maple neck - and I never thought I would do anything but maple and maple!

There could be quality issues with fender too, but not nearly as dramatic as with the epiphones for sure. The Special that I purchased IMHO, was superior to the Gibson Les Paul Studio for $1200 - though the PuP on the LP were a bit nicer...

Congrats! Life is good when you love yer tone!

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

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Congrats, good choice, but you have to post some pictures

Many times mentioned before "No pictures = Did not happen"

I bought the sunburst hss and I agree with you, great guitar! Also my first fender and am impressed with it so far. Enjoy yours and good luck with it!

Welcome to the Forum and the world of Strats,I have 4 and I'm not near finished yet as each one has a different voice and personality. I can't see how you were disapointed with Eppys,I have 5 ranging in price from $500 up to $2,600 and love everyone of them.I recently played an Epi 59 Les Paul Reissue and it was the best Les Paul I've ever played bar none. Some stores don't set up their guitars after they've come all the way from China on a ship,spent months in a warehouse etc. so it's no wonder that some store's stock seems under par.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Thanks!

And don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Epiphone and Gibson suck, I was just disappointed in the quality of the instruments I tried; the bang for the buck. Some of the Epi's played quite nice, but their pickups were dull. I found this with the Gibson Studio Les Paul Faded models. This go round I wanted to buy something that my first thought would not be swapping out the pickups for something better. Fender seemed a little more balanced, no great quality suprises and no need to jump up $600 just to get good stock pickups...

I thought I was going to pick up a casino or perhaps a Gibson LP Studio, but I was quite unimpressed over several different stores. I'll look again in the future, but I'm definitely very pleased with my new toy. =)

Man,you have gone and done it now!...that first one will probably lead to more and more...
Love those Strats...congratulations!

I'm finding just the opposite with the Epi Tribute LP's. I've tried a few as well as the Casino and Wileshire and find the fit and finish of really impressive and almost flawless. The Tributes are using Gibson pups and Switchcraft and Mallory electronics. I never liked the Gibby LP Studio. You have to watch what amp you try these things in too. If I'm serious about a guitar, I bring one of my own amps. As far as the pups sounding dull, Humbuckers will never sound as bright as a single coil pup. But as far as higher end Epiphone not being a quality well built and finished instrument, I'm not seeing it. I find the factory setups on the Epi's much nicer than what's been coming out of the Fender factory lately. Flame suit on. Could just be all the kids they let play with these things too. If I pick up one more guitar tuned to dropped D I'm gonna puke. Just my opinion

Congrats on your new purchase. The only important thing is you love the new axe and that's what counts in the end.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

It's all good. I was hunting for the Epiphone Les Paul Tribute model, but was unable to find one. What you stated - all US parts, and high quality.

As for the PuP's being humbuckers, what you've said is true for sure, but they still were not that great - typically. The G'LP Studio Raw Power has burstbucker pro's in them - and they were awesome! Just great sounding!

With the Amp's I generally try to pick something similar each time, but I did not have my own amp. Usually a Fender Tube amp of sorts, sometimes Marshall. Unlike the kiddies demo'ing guitars out there, I usually don't have it cranked, and always with a nice clean tone to start. After that I go back to the same amp, and try to dial in the tone on the instrument.

yo whats up people. me and my brother have been battling it out for years Gibson vs Fender. he loves Gibson I love Fender. as bw stated I am finding the same end game with the Gibson as much as I want to buy one they just don't cut it especially the new ones. I'm the youngest (45) of 3 and I told you about the MIM 03 Strat I found in a pawn shop. I have a 03 AM HSS but the MIM sounds and plays better even my bro broke down and admitted. I went out with around a Grand looking for a new piece, but ended up in a pawn shop and picked up that Strat I told you all about for under 2C notes. the last Gibson I had any luck with is my bros 77L6 but this M Strat plays like a dream even better than the 03A HSS. got me I have no idea what these companies are doing. yo BW enjoy>>>>ARG exit stage left

I too became a Fender American Special HSS owner too, I have played other fender guitars and none really spoke to me, I picked up this Special and I just couldn't put it down and the pickups sing through my set-up. I'm loving every minute of it