Pre Lawsuit era LP copy

[elcid]

I'd be interested in checking out some of the Navigators. The idea of making production model copies or Fender and Gibsons that are more expensive than Custom Shop models from them doesnt seem like a good business decision to me. A Navigator Explorer copy goes for over $4K, Im getting my Gibson Explorer for under $1K. Its not out of the CS but still.

[bammbamm]

I was eyeballing the Eclipse 2 relic honey burst.
I was @ Carlino Guitars in Boston and the guy was super cool to deal with, I was going to plunk down the cash then and there, but thought about being able to get an Edwards for a few bucks less...

[elcid]

The horn on the cutaway and those inlays kill the ESP for me. Do you know if Edwards is higher end than ESP?

[D.Vial]

I think it is

[kotornut]

Originally Posted by elcid

The horn on the cutaway and those inlays kill the ESP for me. Do you know if Edwards is higher end than ESP?

Well Edwards is on par with nice LTDs in build quality. There aren't really any LTD guitar over here so most of the really popular less expensive versions of an ESP artists guitar are edwards in Japan. I've played a lot of Edwards LP and I think they are on the same level as a Gibson Studio or Classic slightly les than a standard but they are only about $650-$900 for a decent one.

I recommend them for anyone looking to get a good inexpensive Les Paul. They even come with Duncans which is miles better than what Epiphones come with.

[bammbamm]

It would be nice to have some real knowledge on how well the Gibson's actually are made, vs. the Edwards or any other brand for that matter.
I've heard stories of Gibby's being all over the map with respect to QC. It seems if nothing else, ESP/ Edwards is putting out a nice consistent product.

[elcid]

Of the 21 Gibson guitars I've had between a 1976 Custom and a 2007 R7 and Melody Maker, the only issue I've ever had was on my 05 Standard when the frets were being put in some of the wood next to the higher frets was pushed in too. It didnt effect anything but it was disappointing. Of my one Edwards that I had, it was a great all around guitar, my main complaint was being that they generally arent available in the states I think you pay a little more for a used one. If I remember right I paid about $50 less for a used Edwards than I would have for a new Gibson LP Special, but it was still a good guitar

[IanRG7421XL]

Originally Posted by elcid

So it's like anything else. There's good ones and there's garbage. Oh and they were better than everything Gibson was making 100% of the time thats why they were sued, not because of copyright infringement. Maybe yours was a real Gibson that was mislabeled Ibanez to try to bring in more money.

haha.

[bammbamm]

Originally Posted by elcid

Of the 21 Gibson guitars I've had between a 1976 Custom and a 2007 R7 and Melody Maker, the only issue I've ever had was on my 05 Standard when the frets were being put in some of the wood next to the higher frets was pushed in too. It didnt effect anything but it was disappointing. Of my one Edwards that I had, it was a great all around guitar, my main complaint was being that they generally arent available in the states I think you pay a little more for a used one. If I remember right I paid about $50 less for a used Edwards than I would have for a new Gibson LP Special, but it was still a good guitar

I liked my 63 Melody Maker...
Still sold it for more than I paid.
Traded a beat up Aphex Aural Exciter and 75 bucks for it and sold it for 400 cash and a Charvel that needed some TLC. at times I miss it, for nothing more than the mojo it had.
Cool axe.