Meet Mae...

After a week or so of switching back and forth between the strat and the LP junior trying to get the sound I wanted for the lead lines on a particular song, unhappy w/ the strat because of the single coils and unhappy w/ the LP Junior because it only has a bridge pick up (and the neck doesn't seem designed to allow fluid movement of the wrist so I prefer to use it for simple/rhythmic stuff anyway) my wife sent me over to Sam Ash to pick an early birthday gift.

Walked in there, asked to see Fender and Squier HSS strats and Epiphones LP. Since I already have my main guitars, I was looking for something cheap, just to fill the gap so to speak. I wanted relatively easy to play, a humbucker in bridge position, and whatever in neck position.

Tried a couple of little LP Studios - they were okay for the budget I guess, but they didn't feel all that different from the LP Junior - though they had the advantage of having a second humbucker in the neck position. Saw a LP standard on the upper rack, but it was a bit pricey for my taste, even if the salesman offered to lower its price a bit. 

Still, I tried it and fell under the charm immediately - unlike many LP I've played - including the more expensive Gibson - this one felt just right, instantly. But, being budget-conscious I told the guy I wanted to try one of the strats.

So I started playing w/ the little Fender - which felt quite cheap. Salesman asked me what I thought and I told him "well, I don't like it that much, but I'm trying to, because this one fits my budget"... So he went back to his counter and let me play for a while. 

As I was beginning to think I'd go back home empty handed, I lift up my eyes and saw Jimmy Page on the tv screen up on the wall, playing a black LP pretty much exactly like the one I had just tried. I figured this was some sort of message. ;) That's when the salesman told me from the other end of the room - hey man, I can get my manager to approve for an even better price on the LP Standard.

I call her Mae. And seriously, it's pretty much the easiest/funniest guitar to play I've put my hands on since I first bought my black strat in the 90s. I've seen plenty of relatively bad Epiphones, some barely playable, but this one is a true gem. I just can't stop playing it.




 

sure looks pretty nice. 

nothing like a guitar that just feels right. It's magic. 

I know, Mae.  He cut his hair.  No, honest.  On purpose.  You'll get used to it, just give it some time. 

By the way, don't be alarmed if he keeps pretending he's Jimmy Page.  It's okay.

I bought an EPI Les Paul over 12 years ago, after ordering 2 Gibsons that were both flawed. I replaced the original pickups with Gibson 57's and its the best playing guitar I own. I've had a couple of Gibsons since but they just don't sound or play as well for me. Nice find.

Randy

You know they keep a guy in the back whose job it is to synchronize the video feeds with whatever will get the customers to buy gear, right?

Enjoy!

Drool...

Nice to meet you Mae look forward to hearing your voice.

Personally I've actually never really liked LPs. I can't get used to the way they feel because they are SO different than anything else I've played. The good ones are really nice and I appreciate what they can do but mostly when they are in OTHER peoples hands. I find the necks too fat and rigid (even though I have rather large hands myself) and I could never dial in the tone I want from them unless it's a completely clean tone going to a super bright amp (in those scenarios they are awesome). With distortion it just wasn't happening, especially for live. Too wild and uncontrollable at high distortion levels. Someone GAVE me an Ibanez ART300 a while ago which is a Les Paul copy. It is actually a really really nice replica and surprisingly sounds great (and they are very inexpensive... like under $300) but I never use it. It will become a mainstay on my rhythm tracks eventually though I think as the bottom end is a lot better than my Pacifica but for practicing and general soloing it's a bit of a hog. I need to adjust the truss rod and set it up properly as I'm getting fret buzz higher up on the neck so maybe that will make it more appealing. It's still a good tonal weapon to have around but I'd rather have an SG or something. Cheers.

Very nice.  I've been eyeballing the same guitar.  Glad to hear you like her so well.