They've really cranked up the quality on Epiphones. I've got a Les Paul Traditional Pro IV and it slays. ... impressive guitar!

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JohnnyGtar

JohnnyGtar

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Gibson has really cranked up the quality on the Epiphone line. I've got a Les Paul Traditional Pro IV and it slays. If you can't afford a Gibson, these are well worth checking out. It says Epiphone on the head stock, but this guitar is a LES PAUL. They're a GC/Musicians Friend exclusive but don't let that make you reject it. This thing is built like a tank, has a maple cap (not a veneer) 60's neck profile, coil splits, CTS pots, treble bleed cap and it sounds very good. I pretty sure they improved the Alnico Classic Pro pickups. I've played some Gibsons that sounded like crap in comparison to my Epi. I never thought I'd own an Epi, but damn, these are great. VERY reasonably priced! They're available in Gold Top, Wine Red, Black and Pacific Blue. (I bought the Blue one.)

LINK: https://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/epiphone-les-paul-traditional-pro-iv-limited-edition-electric-guitar/l79036000004000#





 
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Every single Epiphone I have tried:
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Epiphone kills it. My main guitar is a modified LP Custom Pro. My '78 Gibson LPC took a back seat to it once I swapped out all the hardware and electronics. It was originally meant to just be a beater guitar for touring but ended up stealing center stage even in the studio. Great workhorse guitars, and the newer ones look even better with ebony fretboards and high end electronics. See Jerry Cantrell's signature.
 
I have never played an epiphone. I hated them because I was a gibby snob. Now I’m the opposite. I have gassed for quite a few of the epiphone models. If it looks good, sounds good and plays good….and most importantly-built good…I’m in….fuck the brand name.
 
I played a used Goldtop a few weeks back... it was UNREAL.. Easily as good as my 77 LP.
I went back a few days later - it was gone.
Really impressed with their quality lately (and underwhelmed by Gibson)
 
I had a '57 (?) reissue Firebird with the three pups and fancy vibrato. Great guitar and only sold because it wasn't a Gibson version.
Also had a dot 335. It was ok.
 
I love my Epiphone Guitars. Les Paul Ultra II, has the weird nano-mag pickup i dont use, but still plays nice. Then My SG Custom, factory EMGS, Grovers, plays like butter.
 
Yeah I tried 3 the other day at GC. I own a gibson LP and these felt and played just as good. One was an alpine white the other was an Iced tea 60's style neck the third one was closer to a 50's LP which I'm not a fab of.

The only reason I would buy a gibson over the two is the resale value. I was honestly impressed.
 
JackBootedThug said:
I have never played an epiphone. I hated them because I was a gibby snob. Now I’m the opposite. I have gassed for quite a few of the epiphone models. If it looks good, sounds good and plays good….and most importantly-built good…I’m in….fuck the brand name.
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After the new owners took over Gibson, they really got serious about improving Epiphones. Their stuff is killer, bro. Can't go wrong.
 
Odd for me as the Epiphone visual QC is top but the Gibson still sounds better even if they have less build quality.
 
My Gibsons are fantastic.

I will try out a few new Epiphones to see what's up.
 
I was pretty sure Epi had redesigned the Alnico Classic Pro's. I was right. I looked up a couple of threads in different forums and this is what I found.

Epiphone Alnico Classic Pro.. The next Grail pickups???​

https://www.mylespaul.com/threads/epiphone-alnico-classic-pro-the-next-grail-pickups.452415/

From the My Les Paul forum:

"The Epiphone Alnico Classic Pro
So I own a set of these and was digging around for information on them,as these pickups are killer and do the 73-75 Jimmy Page tone flawlessly..
After week's of research I've come to the conclusion that these are basically late 60's T-top reproductions..
even wound*mine read out at 7.7 neck and 8.1 bridge the bridge is a tad bit hotter than a original T-top..
42 awg polywire*same as the original T-top.
nickel silver baseplate, maple spacers*the original T-top would have plastic spacers* the two pickups are so so close in spec..
When I first got these I wondered why the bridge pickup had a certain"Quack" to it, it's very similar to the bridge pickup in Page's#1 it sounded so close to the song remains the same tone..
I even tinkered with the idea of using the neck pu in the bridge position and a 57 classic in the neck..
I'm absolutely blown away by these pickups...

From TGP:​

Thoughts on the Epiphone Alnico Classic Pros?​

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/i...-on-the-epiphone-alnico-classic-pros.2435918/
 
From the Epiphone Talk forum:

https://www.epiphonetalk.com/threads/epiphone-pickup-information.198/

(Extensive write up on the ProBuckers, Alnico Classic Pros, and the Ceramic models.)

Alnico Classic PRO™
If you’re looking for the traditional tonal characteristics of Alnico pickups but with a higher output and a slightly more modern sound, check out our critically acclaimed Alnico Classic PRO™ humbuckers. Alnico Classic PROs are found in nouvo classics like the Epiphone ES-339 PRO, the G-400 PRO, and the Les Paul Traditional PRO™. Alnico Classic PROs are similar to ProBuckers in construction except they use Alnico-V magnets, making them higher in output for enhanced mids and highs.
 
JohnnyGtar said:
From the Epiphone Talk forum:

https://www.epiphonetalk.com/threads/epiphone-pickup-information.198/

(Extensive write up on the ProBuckers, Alnico Classic Pros, and the Ceramic models.)

Alnico Classic PRO™
If you’re looking for the traditional tonal characteristics of Alnico pickups but with a higher output and a slightly more modern sound, check out our critically acclaimed Alnico Classic PRO™ humbuckers. Alnico Classic PROs are found in nouvo classics like the Epiphone ES-339 PRO, the G-400 PRO, and the Les Paul Traditional PRO™. Alnico Classic PROs are similar to ProBuckers in construction except they use Alnico-V magnets, making them higher in output for enhanced mids and highs.
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I had the Probuckers in a sheraton. They were really good pickups and the coil splits sounded really good too, I just never use coil splits personally. Definitely seemed hotter than the '57's in my ES. Sounds like the Classic Pros should be killer pickups.

I was browsing a metric ton of LP and LP copies including Epiphone, but I found a killer deal on a '09 honey sunburst Edwards in-state for under $600. Dark rosewood board. Factory duncans. Needed cleaned up and a setup. I top wrapped my favorite set of strings and man It's the easiest playing electric I've ever owned. Ultimately planning on a pickup swap anyways but I can live with the Duncans for now.
 
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