Hi its my first post here, hope this is ok...

I have been playing the acoustic for nearly 2 years now and thought of moving on to electric guitar...

Have been doing some research and shopping and finally after many testings and price hunting i have set my eyes on either a Epi Les Paul standard or Epi Les Paul Black Beauty. (MIK)

Most probably will get it from The Guitar Store as they are the only ones with stock now. The price is ok. Got some discount and free gifts with it.

Still havent buy yet, will buy soon for xmas!! But just wana get some real good unbiased opinions from all the experienced guitarist in LYN forums before making the final decisions...

I like playing blues, jazz and rock...

So anyone out there have a black beauty too? how is it serving you?

And anyone can share their experience with The Guitar Store?

will most probably get a lower end VOX amp with it as well...

Cheers!!!

This post has been edited by js_big: Dec 10 2007, 05:50 PM

If you're talking about the Black beauty with 3 humbuckers, if you don't use the middle humbucker, just go for an Epi LP Custom instead. Also, make SURE it's the MIK Les Paul, as the china factory ones are pretty shoddy.

A friend of mine bought an acoustic guitar from there...... service is pretty ok. But they did a fantastic job fixing my humbuckers on my Epi ZW...... very clean, professional and would highly recommend it.

FYI, price range of the Epi LP Custom should be around the RM2500 mark, so just be careful. If you can wait for next year, Epiphone released a whole new line of guitars (Check one of the new topics). They look absolutely gorgeous and has great pickups AND 24 frets...... that's enough to drool on right there!

Well if you don't need the extra middle pickup then go for the Custom like what Blacktrix said.

It may get in your way when you pick

Hi , thanks for the reply...

That day before I buy I tested out some fender jap strats..and i fell in love with the tone and feel of the neck + the grip of the body..and its so much lighter..its like its made so perfect..the string and fretboard are smooth to play with!!

so at last i didnt buy the epiphone black beauty...my friend adviced me not to cause better get a Gibson when im really good next time... as an epiphone is still an epiphone..

I have not bought any guitar yet..now am testing all the fenders like crazy!! i like the jap reissue model especially the one with alder body and maple neck and maple fretboard..the sound is very one biji biji..nice!!

i would only pick a few fender MIJ if i were u

St54 , ST57 ,st62 ..and of course..YJM sig. strat..people all around the world saying the MIJ YJM > the MIA YJM ..lol

MIJ Richie Sambora strat

Hi gapnap,
can you share why you said only pick a few MIJ fender like the ST54,ST57 and ST62? what about the ST68?

Whaddya mean an Epiphone is just an epiphone???!!!!
They still sound good ok..... it's not like some chaplang brand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOU JUST ANGERED YOUR MODERATOR! PREPARE FOR THE BANHAMMER!!!!!!!

oh wait. I can't do that.
Damn.

omg!! sorry bout that... dat was wat my friend said lar..no offense man...but I agree epiphone do sound good as well, except the LP100,dont really like it...i tested the Gibs and it was totally different but of course the bigger difference is the $$$...i would have gotten an epi but somehow i fell in love with a strat!! help me!!! its nearly 50% more than the black beauty...but they say buy the one that you really like the tone, feel, smoothness..you know the 'feeling' when you hold a guitar for the 1st time and you know that is the one for u...

Yeah, Strats a good idea. Trust your instinct inside man, and good luck in your first purchase. Post a pix here too when you got it!

don't fret dude! I was just joking.
Any guitar is very personal and if you somehow like and feel of whatever guitar you're holding, then yes. That's the guitar for you.

I know because that's how I felt when I held the Les Paul.

well...

1.U.S.A pickups

2.the lower end uses Basswood body on Strats..bah...

anyway..dont forget MIM strats...

MIJ Fender strat are just "trying to be something new and different" ...

MIM Fender strats are trying to match up MIA quality..

anyway..i would pick a MIM deluxe strat , classic 60s , classic 50s , classic 70s ..(the higher end MIM) over any common MIJ Fender..

thanks, i will post the pic ...yeah throughout the whole month of searching,i have tried many guitars and amps, and was so confused and i have learned not to put too much dependency on online reviews or to be pressured by the salesman but to be totally depend on your instinct/style of playing/feeling with the guitar and the satisfaction and not to put any priority on cosmetics!!!!the sound and feel matters most..

---

Added on December 10, 2007, 12:49 pmyeah...the MIJvintage series and j-craft uses basswood and cheaper pickups..but the craft premium,vintage premium,special,collection uses alder or ash, some uses dimarzio and some usa texas special pickups...can check at the japan website...

however i have not tried the MIMs yet...will check it out thax..

This post has been edited by js_big: Dec 10 2007, 12:49 PM

fail. u shud get an epi.
*ok i'm biased.*

---

Added on December 10, 2007, 12:57 pmsame here. the feeling when i held my lespaul is much much much stronger n i so fvking in love with the lespaul, compared to my rg.

This post has been edited by enteryourusername: Dec 10 2007, 12:57 PM

yeah dat is the exact feeling...its hard to explain in words but i am sure everyone who bought their first axe went through such feeling,awesome* ...i agree lespaul is great too..i like the rock sound of it...but in the end it comes to personal preference and music alignment....have u tried a fender strat before?..

...if i got the $$$ i would get one of each Gibson,American Fender,PRS and Ibanez so i can try all the styles!!haha

yesh, n still prefer my lespaul.

oh btw, the lespaul isnt my 1st axe.

reissue MIJ strats from rm3.5k - rm4.5 k depends on year and series...overprice? what do you think? or is the quality worth the price?

epiphone is just an epiphone? well, swap pickups!

ok im biased.

get ur self a Fender then enuff said

think im gona get it from spore or order from japan..its so much cheaper that way more around 40-50% cheaper!!...but kinda risky though...