brand new costs around 1000 USD. That's the official retail price now.

Tonality wise, The LP studio is freaking awesome + EMGs.

@freakfingers12.
I tried a few burny + greco + some MIJ LPs, I just don't get the 'fat and sustain' feel of an LP. Worst thing, the Burny I tried don't stay in tune haha.

the problem with Gibson MIA is their QC. Vary like crazy. I personally have tried a few lousy original (or maybe they are high quality fakes) Gibson LPs and SGs and acoustics.

But comparing an Epi LP Custom with a Gibson LP Studio, I'd take the studio if it's good. The studio's just as fine as a standard minus the binding, pickguard plus cosmetics.

and I got a very bad experience with Epis. They don't freaking stay in tune. Worst nightmare...or maybe I'm fussy.

So conclusion: go and test all Epis, all Gibsons, all ESPs, whatever then only buy. If you regret, prepare to lose money and go to the garage sale section here

Reason why Gibson > Epiphone

-Better wood, electronics, hardware
-Better tuning machines to stay in tune
-Craftmanship. Looking at the finish a beginner know's what cheap already
-MIA VS MIC

but tone wise, it's very subjective. I've tried a few studios and some fadeds LPs against the higher end Epis like gold top and ebony one, I'll buy a Gibson instead. To remind you, it's subjective and that just came best to my ears.

TS, if you play metal, and if you were me, I'll pickup a Gibson LP studio, tell the 490RT and 498 pickups to FO, install EMG 81 onto them. Totally brutal, seriously.