Edwards LP - Any Experience?

[Bad.Seed]

I'm a huge LP fan, and I've had my eyes on Edwards guitars for years. Just been patiently waiting for the right one for the right price.

I currently have my eyes on one with a nitro finish, which is a big deal for me, and the price is right.

Just wondering how these compare to the popular LP shaped models? I own a number of Gibson LP's, as well as an ESP Eclipse, a few deluxe level LTD's and upper end Schecters. I like them all for different reasons, and am not super picky about features, so it really just comes down to tone and playability.

Do they sound "good"? For me, are they snappy, punchy sounding and feeling? I do not like dead, dull or dark sounding guitars. I'm sure they can be set up to play well, but just want some user feedback before pulling the trigger.

 

[ultimatemetalguitartones]

Some years ago I bought a used one for little money probably about 300 usd. I don't remember the exact model but I can track it. What I do remember is that it was so light and dull sounding that I sold it after a month or something. Really easy to play though, but it sounded lifeless. The body and neck reminded me that of the LTD les paul. Maybe I got a lemon or a cheap model, as there are lots of people who swear by Edwards. If I were you, I'd get either an 80s Greco or Orville. I owned both and they were better than any gibsons I'd played.

 

[ultimatemetalguitartones]

The model was the E-LP-90LTS and the receipt I ve found says it cost me 330 usd.

 

[dirtyfunkg]

My Edwards ELP-130CD has been my #1 guitar for eleven years.

I have yet to play a LP style guitar (including Gibsons) that has matched the Edwards I dropped $500 on, used on eBay, back in 2008. I'm pretty sure it's a poly finish, but meh, that really doesn't bother me.

It cuts, it's chunky, and it's heavy like a LP should be. It came with a JB/59 combo that slays for clean to mean (for me), and the ebony fretboard snaps the way I like.

Sotosprince's review is one of the only negative reviews I've heard of an Edwards. FWIW, mine is a long-tenon MIJ LP Custom style.

 

[Racerxrated]

First off, not an LP guy but love SS guitars. Charvel is my go to. But, LPs are great iconic guitars so I’ve tried the cheaper knock offs..my experience has been 2 Greco and one Edwards. The Edwards was a 90s Sykes and had a 59 profile neck, nice guitar but lacked a bit of the snappy mids of a Gibby. Not bad but not quite there. Nice solid guitar. The Grecos were an 84 Sykes and an 80 EG500. Both Grecos were a step up as far as tone goes, in fact I’ve played LP Standards that didn’t sound as good. Both are great guitars though and for the cost bargains. But I’d take the Greco with a slight edge in the ‘more LP like’ category. Right now I still have the EG500 and it is a great guitar for twice the price..I paid 500. If you go Greco get a late 70s EG500 or higher, or any 80s version and make sure it has a serial number. Edwards are ok without a serial and suggest its 90s or earlier. But Edwards did send part of the production to China around 2010-2013 but now are back in Japan.

 

[ultimatemetalguitartones]

First off, not an LP guy but love SS guitars. Charvel is my go to. But, LPs are great iconic guitars so I’ve tried the cheaper knock offs..my experience has been 2 Greco and one Edwards. The Edwards was a 90s Sykes and had a 59 profile neck, nice guitar but lacked a bit of the snappy mids of a Gibby. Not bad but not quite there. Nice solid guitar. The Grecos were an 84 Sykes and an 80 EG500. Both Grecos were a step up as far as tone goes, in fact I’ve played LP Standards that didn’t sound as good. Both are great guitars though and for the cost bargains. But I’d take the Greco with a slight edge in the ‘more LP like’ category. Right now I still have the EG500 and it is a great guitar for twice the price..I paid 500. If you go Greco get a late 70s EG500 or higher, or any 80s version and make sure it has a serial number. Edwards are ok without a serial and suggest its 90s or earlier. But Edwards did send part of the production to China around 2010-2013 but now are back in Japan.

My 1st greco was an 87 egc 68 60 custom - mint collection. Amazing bite and sustain. The binding was a piece of art. I have yet to play a better non gibson les paul.

 

[Inearthed]

Just wondering how these compare to the popular LP shaped models? I own a number of Gibson LP's, as well as an ESP Eclipse, a few deluxe level LTD's and upper end Schecters. I like them all for different reasons, and am not super picky about features, so it really just comes down to tone and playability.

They look nice and play well but my experience with them has been underwhelming. I’ve owned two. First one (White LPC style with gold hardware) all the hardware tarnished very quickly and the finish on the hardware wore off faster than any other guitar I’ve owned. Saddles needed TLC as there were little burrs that led to string breaks. Pots all had to be replaced within the first 3-4 months of ownership, toggle switch died at a gig (had to switch to my backup), glue on the nut didn’t adhere properly and it had to be glued down again. Tone was lacking, in my opinion.

Second was great (LP standard style, no hardware issues and much better tone) but the frets just slowly lifted all over the neck - never had this issue before even with any instruments I’ve owned - estimate for repair was too high so I ended up selling the guitar to a dude that refretted the whole thing and was happy with it.

Maybe I just was unlucky with all the issues I had? I have never heard anyone having the same negative experience but it turned me off from the brand.

 

[Racerxrated]

First off, not an LP guy but love SS guitars. Charvel is my go to. But, LPs are great iconic guitars so I’ve tried the cheaper knock offs..my experience has been 2 Greco and one Edwards. The Edwards was a 90s Sykes and had a 59 profile neck, nice guitar but lacked a bit of the snappy mids of a Gibby. Not bad but not quite there. Nice solid guitar. The Grecos were an 84 Sykes and an 80 EG500. Both Grecos were a step up as far as tone goes, in fact I’ve played LP Standards that didn’t sound as good. Both are great guitars though and for the cost bargains. But I’d take the Greco with a slight edge in the ‘more LP like’ category. Right now I still have the EG500 and it is a great guitar for twice the price..I paid 500. If you go Greco get a late 70s EG500 or higher, or any 80s version and make sure it has a serial number. Edwards are ok without a serial and suggest its 90s or earlier. But Edwards did send part of the production to China around 2010-2013 but now are back in Japan.

My 1st greco was an 87 egc 68 60 custom - mint collection. Amazing bite and sustain. The binding was a piece of art. I have yet to play a better non gibson les paul.

I've been pleasantly surprised with the quality of the 2 Grecos, and the Edwards also...no need to spend the big cash on a real Gibby unless that's what you really want..the Sykes Greco had a 60s slim neck and was a real easy player, the dry 82 pups were really nice. The Edwards came with a Duncan Distortion that sounded blah to me, put in a DiMarzio PAF and that woke it right up. This Greco EG500 I have now is from 1980, and has fret edge binding, the attention to detail is really nice. This is supposed to be a mid level model but it easily feels and plays like a higher end Gibson to me. Not a historic but easily on par or better than some standards/classics I've picked up. All 3 have weighed in between 8-9lbs.

 

[errrrrl]

I've never played an Edwards LP but saw a but ton of them in Japan. I have a few MIJ Les Pauls (Orville & ObG) and my recent acquisition of a 1980 Greco is pretty damn nice. I'd keep an eye out on Tokai's as well.

 

[thiswaythatway]

I bought a used one off Reverb a few years ago. It was heavy, around 10LBS. It had a smallish neck, felt like an 80's Gibson LPC from that era. It sounded MASSIVE but it was loaded with a Duncan distortion so a very hot pickup. But that pickup had issues as it feedback and squeeled really bad. It had wear and the neck buzzed more than I would have liked even after the best I could set it up. I sold it but it was cool, if I replaced the pickup and it had a pro setup it may have been a keeper.

 

[japetus]

I played quite a few Edwards. I remember playing the older ones back in 02/03? when Thump and Daver were getting them and some other guys...They were some nice guitars, played really well. I later played a couple that, were not as nice. I would assume it's like anything..get your hands on it and if it's good it's good. With that said, none of those guitars were as good as a good Gibson/Heritage LP. If I were considering paying over $800 for a Edwards, I would just save up and jump on a good deal Heritage.

 

[bigangryguitar]

I have one of the red sparkle finish limited models. The workmanship on mine is flawless and it stays in tune perfectly. Mine sounds and plays as good as any production model Gibson i've ever played. Mine is loaded with a Dimarzio Super Distortion and 36th anniversary which is a great combo. I feel like tone and playability wise it's on par with my expensive guitars (I'm mostly a PRS guy), not as pretty as they are but man does it sound amazing in a live setting! I feel like I would have to get on of the custom shop reissues to get an appreciably better guitar from Gibson IMHO.

In Short, Edwards are excellent guitars made by ESP in Japan (lot's of bad info floating around that they are made in Korea), If you have played ESP's you know they are the real deal. I'm sure over the years there might be some duds here and there just like everything but I sure love mine.

 

[splawner]

 

[japetus]

I have one of the red sparkle finish limited models. The workmanship on mine is flawless and it stays in tune perfectly. Mine sounds and plays as good as any production model Gibson i've ever played. Mine is loaded with a Dimarzio Super Distortion and 36th anniversary which is a great combo. I feel like tone and playability wise it's on par with my expensive guitars (I'm mostly a PRS guy), not as pretty as they are but man does it sound amazing in a live setting! I feel like I would have to get on of the custom shop reissues to get an appreciably better guitar from Gibson IMHO.

In Short, Edwards are excellent guitars made by ESP in Japan (lot's of bad info floating around that they are made in Korea), If you have played ESP's you know they are the real deal. I'm sure over the years there might be some duds here and there just like everything but I sure love mine.

The great majority of them (bodies and necks) are made in China, then assembled in Japan.

 

[sytharnia1560]

So the overwhelming moral to this thread is everyone hears and likes different things and no 2 guitars are the same

In the past if I have ever had a "dead" sounding guitar a set of stainless steel string usually takes care of that

 

[Racerxrated]

I have one of the red sparkle finish limited models. The workmanship on mine is flawless and it stays in tune perfectly. Mine sounds and plays as good as any production model Gibson i've ever played. Mine is loaded with a Dimarzio Super Distortion and 36th anniversary which is a great combo. I feel like tone and playability wise it's on par with my expensive guitars (I'm mostly a PRS guy), not as pretty as they are but man does it sound amazing in a live setting! I feel like I would have to get on of the custom shop reissues to get an appreciably better guitar from Gibson IMHO.

In Short, Edwards are excellent guitars made by ESP in Japan (lot's of bad info floating around that they are made in Korea), If you have played ESP's you know they are the real deal. I'm sure over the years there might be some duds here and there just like everything but I sure love mine.

The great majority of them (bodies and necks) are made in China, then assembled in Japan.

Not anymore..and even then it was for about 3 years..2010-2013. At least that's the info I could find when I wanted to try an Edwards. There's a bunch of info out there if you dig enough...I did find that the pre-serial Edwards can be almost on par with Navigators, if you find a late 80s/early 90s version. The earliest Edwards had a slightly different style logo, that's the tell. Sometimes pulling the neck pup will reveal a serial but it may not jive with any list out there. No serial on the back of the HS, 90s or earlier.

 

[bigangryguitar]

I have one of the red sparkle finish limited models. The workmanship on mine is flawless and it stays in tune perfectly. Mine sounds and plays as good as any production model Gibson i've ever played. Mine is loaded with a Dimarzio Super Distortion and 36th anniversary which is a great combo. I feel like tone and playability wise it's on par with my expensive guitars (I'm mostly a PRS guy), not as pretty as they are but man does it sound amazing in a live setting! I feel like I would have to get on of the custom shop reissues to get an appreciably better guitar from Gibson IMHO.

In Short, Edwards are excellent guitars made by ESP in Japan (lot's of bad info floating around that they are made in Korea), If you have played ESP's you know they are the real deal. I'm sure over the years there might be some duds here and there just like everything but I sure love mine.

The great majority of them (bodies and necks) are made in China, then assembled in Japan.

Sorry but that isn't accurate at all. There was about six months in 09 I believe where that was the case when they were doing a new factory or something but other wise they are 100% Japan made. There was a long thread about this where it started that they were built like you said on another site. Twenty pages in the OP circled back and said that the info wasn't correct and it was a short time when they were.

 

[japetus]

I have one of the red sparkle finish limited models. The workmanship on mine is flawless and it stays in tune perfectly. Mine sounds and plays as good as any production model Gibson i've ever played. Mine is loaded with a Dimarzio Super Distortion and 36th anniversary which is a great combo. I feel like tone and playability wise it's on par with my expensive guitars (I'm mostly a PRS guy), not as pretty as they are but man does it sound amazing in a live setting! I feel like I would have to get on of the custom shop reissues to get an appreciably better guitar from Gibson IMHO.

In Short, Edwards are excellent guitars made by ESP in Japan (lot's of bad info floating around that they are made in Korea), If you have played ESP's you know they are the real deal. I'm sure over the years there might be some duds here and there just like everything but I sure love mine.

The great majority of them (bodies and necks) are made in China, then assembled in Japan.

Sorry but that isn't accurate at all. There was about six months in 09 I believe where that was the case when they were doing a new factory or something but other wise they are 100% Japan made. There was a long thread about this where it started that they were built like you said on another site. Twenty pages in the OP circled back and said that the info wasn't correct and it was a short time when they were.

From Edwards Guitars: "We are using our China factory building bodies & necks for Edwards products. We have 5-6 Japanese craftsmen work there to do main works and to do total quality control, and using Chinese workers to assist them with simple jobs like sanding, buffing etc. Then, they are sent here at Tokyo factory and assembled by same assembling guys who also works on ESP. And, all these makes us possible to have Edwards products in that Edwards price range with high quality level close to match ESP level.

We make Edwards bodies in our own factory in China under Japanese level quality control and complete them in Japan with using parts from US, Japan and Korea. We technically could say its made in Japan with considering the bodies & necks as parts. And, I judged we say its made in Japan with considering the importance of final assembling process in the musical instruments. "

I have no horse in the race, but if you do a little digging, they are MIC and assembled in Japan. (Other than some first run models) Heilongjiang ESP Electronic Audio Co. is the place that makes them. Does not mean AT ALL that they can't be quality guitars though. I have played some Chinese made Squires that blew my mind. Personally I don't care WHERE the guitar is made if it plays and sounds well.

 

[bigangryguitar]

I have one of the red sparkle finish limited models. The workmanship on mine is flawless and it stays in tune perfectly. Mine sounds and plays as good as any production model Gibson i've ever played. Mine is loaded with a Dimarzio Super Distortion and 36th anniversary which is a great combo. I feel like tone and playability wise it's on par with my expensive guitars (I'm mostly a PRS guy), not as pretty as they are but man does it sound amazing in a live setting! I feel like I would have to get on of the custom shop reissues to get an appreciably better guitar from Gibson IMHO.

In Short, Edwards are excellent guitars made by ESP in Japan (lot's of bad info floating around that they are made in Korea), If you have played ESP's you know they are the real deal. I'm sure over the years there might be some duds here and there just like everything but I sure love mine.

The great majority of them (bodies and necks) are made in China, then assembled in Japan.

Sorry but that isn't accurate at all. There was about six months in 09 I believe where that was the case when they were doing a new factory or something but other wise they are 100% Japan made. There was a long thread about this where it started that they were built like you said on another site. Twenty pages in the OP circled back and said that the info wasn't correct and it was a short time when they were.

From Edwards Guitars: "We are using our China factory building bodies & necks for Edwards products. We have 5-6 Japanese craftsmen work there to do main works and to do total quality control, and using Chinese workers to assist them with simple jobs like sanding, buffing etc. Then, they are sent here at Tokyo factory and assembled by same assembling guys who also works on ESP. And, all these makes us possible to have Edwards products in that Edwards price range with high quality level close to match ESP level.

We make Edwards bodies in our own factory in China under Japanese level quality control and complete them in Japan with using parts from US, Japan and Korea. We technically could say its made in Japan with considering the bodies & necks as parts. And, I judged we say its made in Japan with considering the importance of final assembling process in the musical instruments. "

I have no horse in the race, but if you do a little digging, they are MIC and assembled in Japan. (Other than some first run models) Heilongjiang ESP Electronic Audio Co. is the place that makes them. Does not mean AT ALL that they can't be quality guitars though. I have played some Chinese made Squires that blew my mind. Personally I don't care WHERE the guitar is made if it plays and sounds well.

See post 259 on this page https://www.mylespaul.com/threads/edwar ... 88/page-13

For whatever reason ESP doesn’t share much info. I spent a lot of time researching this before I got mine because I’m an admitted guitar snob. All my other guitars are USA made.

 

[napalmdeath]

I think I'm about to order an Edwards LP Custom, myself. Just waiting for seller to respond to some questions.

His price is the best on Ebay, (for new), and he's already answered a couple questions and seems legit and owns the guitar. I don't feel any shadiness at all, and his feedback is stellar.
Here's his response to the price, (LP Custom $965 new - $115 shipping)

"Hi, thank you for inquiry.
About the selling price, I always sell guitars at proper price.
There are so many bad Japanese resellers in eBay. They steal item pictures from guitar store website without permission, and list it at higher price (their profit added) as if they own it.
Please don't worry, I have the item in stock now, and can ship immediately after careful inspection and packing.
Thank you so much. Jun" .