Epihone Les Paul Studio! BEST USED BUDGET FRIENDLY GUITAR Out There! THE KING OF CHEAP GUITARS??
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- čas přidán 23. 07. 2023
- In this video I check out a killer Epiphne Les Paul Studio my friend bought for $200 at a local pawn shop here in Orlando Florida . I'm not gonna lie I'm a little jealous now that I've fixed it up for him and played it. So what do you think do you think he got his money's worth? And do you know when this guitar was made or any information on it would be greatly appreciated put it in the comments please. Here's a long list of stuff I recommend--- a lot of the tools that I use and some of the guitars that I reviewed that I actually liked!
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Epiphone LP Studio for $200: Is a very good deal man.
First of all, unicorns rock. Secondly, alligator clips on multi-meter leads rock. Third, I think "open" on the pickups is Epi's way of saying open coil (uncovered). And last of all, this channel rocks so everyone should hit the Like button, cause if you don't, you'll get hit in the nuts with a 2X4 or something. I'm just sayin, it could happen. :)
And it will happen lol
That’s one hell of an Epiphone guitar for that price! No need to change a thing!
I just made up a poem when you asked us to comment to say if it needs any upgrading:
Parts rattling around on a guitar that looks and sounds a hot mess?
Fiddle around to see which upgrades work best.
The guitar’s already got killer mojo and tone?
Better leave that guitar the hell alone!
You and your wife can feel free to use this poem if you like for a shop/set decoration or to sell on merch. Literally just made it up right now! It’s not Shakespeare, but it gets the point across and answers your question!
😂😂😂😂😂
markpell8979 got close, but not quite. EE is the plant code. That is Quing Dao (pronounced Ching Dow) in China, owned and operated by Gibson. The 06 is the year (2006), 07 is the month (July), and 4413 is the number in the production run. I’m guessing mid to late month. The sticker with the number 28 is the number of the inspector here in the US who set up the guitar before it was shipped to the store. I don’t remember who that was, but it wasn’t me. My number is 12.
All right!
Thanks @RandalSmith for the correction. I was trying to interpret the 'EE' prefix in the way letters are generally used by factories as dates, just making a guess here as I said. Currently the location code is at the 5th and 6th digits of the sequence in the modern Epi numbering scheme, correct?
You're a master at your craft Shawn. Thanks for sharing.
Guitar Info
Your guitar was made at the
Qingdao Plant (Epiphone), China
on July, 2006
Production Number: 4413
Gibson: Qingdao
The Gibson Qingdao Plant was opened in October 2002, Qingdao, China. It is the only plant run by Epiphone in Asia.Both acoustic and electric guitars are made here. The factory is dedicated to making Epiphone and only Epiphone guitars with the aim of producing higher quality guitars.
Thank you brotha!
That Epi sounds great to me, I wouldnt change those pickups at all. Great find!
Right on!
I've got a very similar Epiphone LP 100, and if you use higher-quality pickups, the guitar will be transformed. I've used Gibson 490 R & T and the result is great !
In February 2021, I qas able to buy a used Epi LP Standard in DarkCherry sunburst with a little Marshall practice amp for $175 CAD. My best guitar buy ever. Turns out it's a Made in Korea 1994 model.
I bought a beautiful 2003 Made in Korea EPI Ebony LP 100 ($279) same setup as yours owner had returned it to the store BC “...the bolt-on neck was horrible”. Took it in to a Luthier and had it setup and intonated and it plays awesome. Great sound from the pickups, no buzzing and great sustain! Still playing it 20 yrs later!
I just upgraded a Epiphone SG with locking bridge and tail piece, DiMarzio Evolution set pickups, hipshot locking tuners,for fast string change and a wiring harness from a place called Gunstreet. Quality pots and caps and SwitchCraft jack and switch.
I wish I could level my frets like you.
You can buddy! Just takes practice!
I was just thinking I have 4 guitars that need fretwork.
Oh, my acoustic needs some love too!
You'll be fixing all your friends guitars in no time.
Watching Sean convinced me to do my very first refret!
It's not perfect but the neck feels and plays great.😊
You can definitely do it. Pick up a couple cheap used guitars and practice on them. You have all the resources at your fingertips. That’s what I did then I donated the guitars to kids who were learning to play.
I got my 2005 Epiphone Les Paul standard plus top, birdseye maple with the hardcase for $250 in south Florida. The market is bountiful down here
It ain't the purtiest guitar. She's not very sexy... but dang she sounds great! And that is just one solid, well-built, simple guitar that would serve anyone well, if they needed a guitar. Rock solid.
I had one. Gave to a friends son. His Strat got Stolen. I miss that Guitar!
Those readings on the pickups mean that they're the Epi equivalent of the 490R/498T Gibsons. The neck is a hair hotter, the bridge a bit cooler, but that's modeled on what Gibson puts in their Standards.
Yeah, had one of the new Epi Studio’s in Smokehouse Burst, got it on sale for $399 new and man that thing was good. I took off the pickup covers and removed the pick guard filled the holes. Didn’t change a thing about it playability-wise, she was ready to rock from the box.
I bought a smokehouse burst inspired by Gibson LP Studio last year and you're right! Awesome guitar right from the start! 👍🤘
Love the intro!
Just an fyi - lately ive been using those cheap bamboo chop sticks from a chinese take out to fill these holes for fixes. The chop sticks can be whittled down to the exact size you need and it takes glue really well. The bamboo is much more sturdy after the repair also.
Its probably what the guitar is made of anyway...😊
I purchased the same type of guitar at a pawn shop in Gulfport Mississippi It played good and still does but I did replace the pickups with gold-plated Les Paul style pickups I also took the heat gun to it and remove the finish and took oak veneer for front and back and after I glued it all on and stained it it look like a different guitar and played so much better but if you don't want to make any modifications on this type of guitar it is a real nice guitar however I was shocked and I found out why eppes phone cells are guitars cheaper than other places when I took off the coating I seen that the body was made with 2-5 ply pieces of plywood.ñ
Right. It takes time and restraint & patience. It is really to keep walking. It ruins their day to see the back of your head leaving with all the fincial recources you came in with.
This is an Epiphone Les Paul Studio LT, they sell new for $229.00-$269.00 from all the major retailers like Sam Ash, Guitar Center, Sweetwater, Etc. It's got a Mahogany body and neck and a Rosewood fingerboard. It comes in three colors, Ebony, Heritage Cherry and the Vintage Burst shown here. Pickups are Epiphone Ceramic 8's and the term "open" is to denote that there are no chrome covers on the pickups. The main advantages over the Les Paul Special II are the individual pickup controls, and authentic placement of the control pots and selector switch. Additionally, the neck pocket is angled just like a set-neck Les Paul, where the Special II has a flat neck pocket similar to a Fender. The tuning machines on the Studio LT are also a marked improvement over those found on the Special II. Finally, a pick guard is included, and anybody who's tried installing a pick guard of this style on a Special II should appreciate this feature, as the pickup placement of the Special II won't allow for the installation of such a pick guard.
The Studio LT you're referring to has a bolt on neck. The one in this video has a set neck. Also the serial number indicates it's a 2006 model. I don't believe there was a Studio LT in 2006. I think the LP-100 would've been the closest version to the Studio LT.
I've always loved the sound of a epiphone so much I've got 3 of em.
I would like to find a SOBE Epiphone special guitar. They don't have inlays on the fret board.. I think I would like to try and put dot inlays on the fretboard. If I can find one cheap enough. Have a good day.
yup in my day if you had those clips on the workbench it was legal, but if you hung em off the mirror with some dyed feathers strung on em cops would write a ticket and search your ride haha great work and info cheers
Epiphone les Paul's are awsome guitars. Awsome score
That thing is a bona fide banger now. Great job and a great video.
Thanks 👍
That’s so awesome Kathy did the intro
Absolutely lovely. I learned alot from what I just finished watching. Thank you.
The "HOTCH"-bridge pickup gave Epiphone pickups a bad reputation for sounding muddy. It was used on many models for decades. I'm glad they've finally abandoned it a couple of years ago.
Studio is my favorite LP. Making a lower-cost one play great is fun. I would probably scuff the back of the neck to smooth it out.
I just found one at my pawn shop for $100. Same smokehouse burst but mine has trapezoid markers, coil split nobs and a stamped serial number. It's grimy, has loose jack and the pots need to be tightened but it played good. Blew my mind that I'm paying 100 for basically everything I want in a guitar.
Sounds like you've got a killer Guitar for minimum bucks,,,, nice one,bro.
Great cam work Cathy! 🤘
Really dig this channel and content. You definitely made it a worthy guitar .
Hi Shawn, awesome video, this beauty was made at the Qing Dao plant in China on July 2006, production number: 4413. Now i happen to be a quite big collector of Epiphone guitars and i have the rare cherry red 355 from that particular factory which is a limited edition guitar and it plays just great. I just love those, aspecially those that play like my Gibson Les Paul from the Nashville factory with the lowest action you can imagine.😊The quality, playability and the pricerange of theese are just mindblowing. Thanks man! I appreciate everything you do and it really made my day! ~Rob
Ok, more comments. The pickups are the standard cheap Boo Heung from Korea. I always thought they sounded good, but a lot of people say they’re muddy. Your pickups would definitely be a major upgrade. Mahogany body, no maple cap. Great guitar for the money. $200 is a really good deal. And I agree with you. Buy some tools, watch some videos (yours, Dan Erlewine, others) on setup and learn to work on them. Save you some money and gain some knowledge.
Thanks for sharing!
Great video brother, just picked up Les Paul modern for the same price. Going to go through it this weekend. Those are some pretty good guitars especially for the money. Love your channel man.
Rock on!
Loving it Sean...
Open pickups means that they don't have a cover, like on the PAF humbuckers. That guitar's so good sounding with a killer tone. I have a Harmony Les Paul Custom with those open PU's, love them too. 😁~Rob
Hilarious intro!! I always wondered where you got those pizza hut hats!! LoL love the roach clips!! Epi sounds great too!! Shout out to wifey!! Keep up the great work!!
Got the same in CB, bought new in 2007 for 300€. I learned to play and had some fun, then putted it away for some years. I took her back about seven months ago, checked by a luthier and with a fine set-up, man as you say that one is really a killer guitar for her specs.
I was 17 when i bought it, now at 34 I'm really able to understand. I remember everybody snobbing those original pickups it had (Epiphone classic Alnico 2, they're still there) and they're not so bad as everybody said back on those days, and her wood is always been good.
It was a lot funny to see you taking care and loving this guitar, thank you for this video
I live on a 3rd world country, here it's nearly impossible to have a Gibson, due to the price tag, so Epiphone is one of the highest quality brands that is somehow accessible (it's a bit on the pricey side, but no impossible to own)
I've played Fender and Gibsons from professional musicians before, and I think that Epiphone and Squier are good enough to make it or fail it.
If you make it, you'll have money to buy yourself a Gibson/Fender, if you fail it, it's not an issue with Epiphone/Squier, it's a human factor
In conclusion, Epiphone/Squier are good enough for 99.9% of musicians, the top 0.1% has so much money that they don't care to buy a cheap instrument, because when you have so much money eveyrhing is cheap as hell lol
I've logged more time on my guitar unplugged than plugged in.
GIGGITY! Bro you're killin' me lol.
That guitar sounds killer and if I never saw it I'd think it was at least a mid range guitar not a budget job! Great video Sean and great playing!
Love your shows and tips 🎉
love your confidence, no tape fret job , very nice!
I seened him hit the fretboard a few times leveling the frets.
I kinda got scared but looks like no damage done.must know his strength.
Coolness buddy 👍💯🎸🎸. I have an Epiphone special , similar. Pickups are good. Super clean. Guy I bought it from used it as a Wallhanger. I paid $50. My practice guitar ✌️✌️
@OfficialScarMyGuiTar1 ok send me your name, address, phone number, and Social security number. 🤣🤣🤡🤡💩💩
He said Roach Clip so I had to do a Bong Rip then Push Play Man that is a Well Spent 200 bucks Hey Shawn can you learn the Intro to Hwy Song By Black foot and Play a Bit of it
Great video man, love your accent and content 😎
@OfficialScarMyGuiTar nice try fake account
According to serial number it’s a 06 or 2006 model.
Definitely a gem.
I have a basic$200.00
LP (very basic) special. But that pawn shop find is great!
Great video. I subscribed.
Solid playing guitar for $ 200 & labor. Came with the right parts from the Pawn Shop, the Grover tuners may have been upgraded between new purchase & 2023 ? Doesn't matter, it's what is on it now and it was part of the $ 200 resale. The more I play my own Epiphone, the more I realize how much just a little better they are than a Squier at the same price point for tone. I mean I'm comparing a LP Special P90 with Bullet & Affinity Strats though. Maybe I oughta be comparing the LP with a Tele Bullet/Affinity (or Sonic, whatever it is that they rebadged it for 2023). The Teles I have are Monoprice Indio and they match up better with the Epiphone bolt on neck level guitar. The edge still goes to Epiphone though.
I have to agree, I’m playing a Les Paul special I got used for $225. It has the black satin finish which I hated so I stuck stickers all over the top and sides. Super thin neck, but it plays pretty well and sounds great. As does that one! Wow! And I love that finish on it too.
(EDIT) Folks, another commenter below (Randal?) about the ser.# had a correction on this and also some other inside info so check it out. He was replying to my first comment. So anyway this Studio is an '06 or '07 probably. Over the years manufacturers are not always consistent or thorough about how they number their guitars. Gibson is fairly notorious for this up until the modern era but now the numbers read as Randal said.
(FIRST POST) An educated guess on the serial # EEO6074413 is 5/5/06 at Plant 07 in China, and it was the 4,413th guitar in that production run, or to roll out on that date. Btw I have a 2020 in Wine Red that I also got a steal of a deal on. Great guitars!
Thanks for the info!
@@scarmyguitar Yeah man! I hope someone else can tell you about the pickups because there's been all kinds in Gib and Epi LPs. I think mine has Alnico3 and 2 ProBuckers and they coil split. I don't use that feature much but I do use it and like it. Later bro.
Great one 😊 thanks you 😮
You're welcome 😊
I just ordered some set up tools this week on Temu 😊👍👍i need to seriously quit all my lip flapping & make it happen, lol 😝 so I’m thinking of doing something similar to what i saw you do, with the koolaid stain & I have bellied the lefty and I think I want to go sunburst vignette style from blue razz to black cherry sides & back I’ve been kinda worried about the humidity lately it’s been muggy lately so I haven’t done much work on it but I do have a picture of my gf’s son helping me sand it so I can share it 😊
sweet epi gem!
i used to "dismiss" the LP style guitars.....till i actually spent time with one in a music shop....man was i blind all them years!
Great video as always. Someone gave me an epiphone special ii because it has a busted nut. I'm going to see what I can make out of it. I have $80 worth of parts: some fleor brand alnico pickups, some locking tuners and a bone nut. Will be a fun learning project for sure.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Good luck!
Thank You, for making me feel like I do know what I'm doing, that you taught and have started going over my Epiphones. Epiphone Les Paul guitar in Canada $400.00ca.
That Gorgamyte stuff will remove human gunk really well.
Job well done. You take them cheap guitars and make them better than new. That Epiphone is sounding good. I will still hold on to my Gibson I got used but may give it a good set up.
I love it! It makes me sad that I traded mine for an acoustic several years ago.
Oh no!
Not bad at all for $200!
This is planting crazy little seeds in my mind to try buying a used one to completely strip down, repaint, new hardware, new pups, nut, the whole shabang with a bellycut and contour. Dare I? Eeesh! It'd be an expensive project, but might be fun. Hmmmm...
Just picked one up looks like brand spanking new.Same year 2006
I would love to find a Les Paul Special for a price like that…
I love those P-90s!
I have epiphone12 string with electronic love the guitar play every much as good as a electric play it every Sunday great guitars
That guitar sounds great
So Cathy's doin da Show,nah!Not bad!For a Pawn deal.2006,I think.Ya gottuh take out the cheap plastic wires,and Chicklets!Intonate,and Rock da Brigade,nah!Yall,take care,nah!Jcsx
Got one in Arctic Blue in 2007. They don't sound like this no more. I got newer pickups of the resent version. They're not as hot for sure.
hey man, I love your channel. I wish you were Florida. I would love for you to set up my left handed Gibson les paul.i have 2 epiphone les Pauls and they are seriously excellent guitars
That would be cool!
I have been buying and playing Epi Les Paul's for years. I do however only buy ones that come from the only Gibson/Epiphone plant in China. They build all of the high end Epi models there, to Gibson specs and almost all the same hand build steps. I then fit the guitar with all new electronics (pickups, pots, switch, plug). Granted, Epiphone makes cheaper, lower end guitars at other plants, so check the serial numbers before buying.
Considering some of the disappointing LPs that Gibson has been turning out in recent years, find a good Epi and build from there. You have a great foundation to build on.
You got a keeper in that guitar, and its all factory. Well worth the $200 smackers. Great video bro!!
I have a '01 LP Studio with EPI case ($200) made at Saein and a '06 LP Studio ($99) made at Qingdao. Saein guitar is significantly BETTER that the Qingdao guitar in every manor.
How do you know where they are made? Thanks
serial number on the guitar
I must say that the finish on low end Epiphone models is basically indestructible because I have a low end Epi Casino that I am trying to refinish and I swear that I could put undiluted battery acid on that finish and it would have absolutely zero effect on that UV finish Epiphone uses. If you know of any chemical that would help me strip that finish off I would love to hear about it . I have tried everything and since they outlawed Methylene Chloride the US of A really doesn’t have a good paint stripper.
Sometimes people have a hard time seeing a diamond in the rough. I own my share of lower end entry level guitars from multiple sources. They all have a stories with lil tlc play & great sound unique on the cheap. And it all started with a series 10 super strat copy some crazy lady wanted to make a hat rack out of but i grabbed it first for ten bucks too lol.
I would love to add that sweet little thing to my collection!
✌💀👍🎸🎼🎵🎶🇺🇸
You and me both!
Worth every penny
July 2006🤘🇺🇸💥
Sweet pups
Roach clips.. yea man🤘🤘🤘
Hey Shawn are you selling that leveling file you use all the time? If not please put them in your store so I can buy one as well as others. Maybe a whole line of Scarred Luthier tools to make it easier to fix all of our crappy fret jobs. Haha.
www.amazon.com/Hordion-Leveling-Sanding-Leveler-Luthier/dp/B088QVBXQB/ref=sr_1_3?crid=10F2U7SI590S8&keywords=leveling+file&qid=1690244637&sprefix=leveling+file%2Caps%2C133&sr=8-3
@@scarmyguitar Thanks!
I purchased one of those , upgraded it, put a new oak veneer finish on front and back, put new pickups, this guitar is made of 2 sheets of 5 ply plywood glued together, with a thin veneer, you have to use a heat gun to get the old finish off. Correction, my purchased one was the special 2 edition.
How does the neck feel! It has a set neck. I have that Epi Special with a bolt neck that is brand new all I did was set it up with P 90 soap bars but I can’t play it. That neck is skinny. I used to wear 8.5 work gloves. Is this one thick enough for my hands. Who ever has it, want to trade. I’m in MO, just south of STL. I d trade this brand new Guitar Center one for it even pay a little boot after Sean gets done. I ain’t just flip flapping! I want it! Bad ! It’s the matte black LesPaul Special 2 with the switch down by the knobs. I haven’t been able to play it more than an hour. The bolt neck was a disappointment. I think it is just a cheap ass thing that would be good with a better neck. It originally had a wrap tail bridge but you can’t intonate it, so I put a generic intonation bridge between the soap bar P90 and the wrap tail. Posts are tight, and the neck felt straight and no rock. I even tried Billy Gibbons 7s and it wasn’t the problem.
Hey Shawn where do I get one of them fancy blue neck pillows? That thing is cool!
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@scarmyguitar thanks Shawn!
I really wish I had a studio like that. That Chepiphone Special is just junk compared to that. The neck doesn’t even feel right , bolt on and the back is just flat and it hits my thumb right where the nerves are and my hand goes numb. The P90s sound good. I pulled the back plate and it has dime sized pots and the soldering is awful. I am going to work on it or try to flip it. That one was something to work on. I might flip it and try to get some thing I can work on. Any recommendations guys?
I have a vintage Ventura barney kessel guitar i have to get new pick ups for it and up greads
Woohoo!
Was that bridge really that high to start with? 😮
💥 BOOM 💥🤯
For a so- called knockoff, Epiphone does make nice guitars. I wish they would build a les Paul replica recording bass. Thanks for the presentation. Nothing like an oak toothpick to save the day.
Actually, Les Paul designed this guitar at the Epiphone factory before Gibson bought Epiphone. The LP wasn't released for sale until after they became Gibson though. You can even buy American-made Epiphones now days. I understand that Epiphones normally get the less expensive parts. They range from very budget Chinese made to very nice American Made. They are the budget company owned by Gibson. I still don't consider the Epiphone LP a knockoff though.
@TexanUSMC8089 Not at all surprising to learn. Thanks for the infi.
Did you lower the action?
Dude, why do you never tape over your pickups, when sanding the frets?
I mean, I see that you do good work and all? But those magnets suck in
ALL that dust! It COULD cause some problems down the road? Just kinda
curious that's all. Still like these videos & your channel... Later on bro!
Last week I was able to snag the epiphone slash les paul standard new for $499. It's weird because the website said $799. But if any1 is interested I recommend calling ur local guitar center and asking
It's an 06
As of right now (May 5, 2024), Guitar Center is blowing out their Epiphone LP Studios for $299 brand new. Per the staff, that model is being discontinued. Now is a good time to get a deal!
Not in Maryland,USA.
Still $550
Wonder what the velcro was for inside the cavity?
I saw that too, I’m guessing someone put a active pickup in it at some point.
Those a ceramic 8 magnets. Open means open coil
LOL! She smacked the back of your head like DENOZO!!!😂
@OfficialScarMyGuiTar1
Wassup?
My only complaint with the Epiphone I got has such a skinny neck. I set it up, the P90 s not bad, but that neck is thin my hand goes numb. It’s a bolt on neck but I cant find necks for an EPI. I don’t know when the started using bolt necks. A 10 in radius would be fine for me. I might raise the action and play slide on it.
Those are epiphone special two i am familiar with them those are the lower end models. Still nice for the price used get a digital caliper to check the size should help narrow your search. I modded mine with some used salvaged epoc (a cheap student model as well) pickups an it sounds killer with D'Addario strings.
Love the videos man. Perfect attitude, I subscribed 15 seconds into the first video I saw when you ragged on them finish critiquers.
Id really like to see what you make of a basic Ibanez RG or S series. Not the GRG's but the ones with the floyd system. can pick one up for 150 but they have the bones of high end models.
I'll see what's out there and thanks!
Open means no pickup cover
I’ve got a few epis and I haven’t had such good luck with the bridges - most have been wobbly and needed attention. Luck of the draw I guess. They are mostly wrap tails tho…