ESP Eclipse vs Gibson Les Paul

[kmanick]

I'm also looking into the "VS" I need a Les Paul type of guitar but I hate chunky necks and smaller frets, so the thicker 4 knob versions of the Eclipse is what I will be chasing down.
I 'd be in heaven if I could find one with 24 frets and passive pickups. It's just a much more "playable" guitar for me personally.
I gigged a 1975 Les Paul Deluxe for years. A close friend of mine has it now and I don't really like it anymore. I've gotten too used to Jackson/Charvel neck profiles.

 

[MoshJosh]

Alright guys, thanks for the replies! Sounds like finding "the right" Gibson Les Paul is going to be my best bet. That means saving for the next year, and driving 4 hours to Denver in hopes of trying as many Pauls as I can, and maybe getting a credit card haha

The things you gotta do for GAS

 

[thebunfather]

I've owned and played a bunch of LP's a a couple of the LTD EC series. Your best bet with Gibson, is to play a bunch of them. As many as you can. I had my heart set on a Traditional and was saving up for it and ended up with a 2013 LPJ. It just "felt right". Not to mention that I got it for $500. New. I get what you're saying about wanting the LP with the binding and gloss finish, though. It's sexy. The LPJ is more of a working man's LP. But if you find a good one, they're great.

I do like the Eclipse and EC series, but the LPs felt right to me. I'm old, though. I'm sure that makes a difference.

 

[yellowv]

While the Eclipses are nice guitars I find they don't sound like an LP. My advice would be to look for a Traditional Pro or Traditional Pro II used. They are great guitars. I love mine.

 

[ToneLab]

I'm also looking into the "VS" I need a Les Paul type of guitar but I hate chunky necks and smaller frets, so the thicker 4 knob versions of the Eclipse is what I will be chasing down.
I 'd be in heaven if I could find one with 24 frets and passive pickups. It's just a much more "playable" guitar for me personally.
I gigged a 1975 Les Paul Deluxe for years. A close friend of mine has it now and I don't really like it anymore. I've gotten too used to Jackson/Charvel neck profiles.

I've never owned either but I love my MIJ Jackson Dominion. I feel like it is the best of both worlds in that you get the Jackson neck, compound radius, body style that still has the thick Mahogany body/neck tone, more comfortable to me to play, yet the 24.75 scale, switchs to split coils etc.

 

[source field]

Every Eclipse I've tried sounds and plays nothing like a Les Paul.

TBH It's like comparing a shredder Ibanez RG to a Fender Strat.

 

[bhakan]

The ESPs are noticeably thinner and as such are somewhat brighter than Les Pauls.

This is true most of the time, but there are "Full Thickness" Eclipses which are the same thickness as a Les Paul. They're a lot harder to find, but they do exist for those who want the fat, LP tone with a slightly thinner neck.

 

[cpfc_fan]

Has anyone played the new USA made eclipses yet? Mine doesn't come till January so was hoping for a review from someone on here as to how it plays compared to a Les Paul and a MIJ Eclipse.

 

[will_shred]

IMO, there isn't any substitute for a real Gibson Les Paul. There's just something about the look, the feel, the sound, that's really unique to them. I like Eclipses as well but they're a completely different animal, vastly different neck profile and body feel. I would go with a Gibson over an ESP, but I would also love to own either one because they're both awesome guitars.

 

[MoshJosh]

Ok well now I'm thinking of getting one of these first

ESP | EDWARDS | E-LP-130ALS

Should be a good substitute until I can fork over a couple grand for a Standard or Custom

 

[bnzboy]

eclipse for me:

-lighter weight
-comes with (personally) preferred choice of pickups (duncan/emg/etc)
-easier neck to play (some comes with satin finish-personal preference)
-easier access to higher frets
-(personally) preferred choice of hardware (tone pros/locking tuners/etc)
-taller frets
-looks badass (maybe not as classy as a lespaul)
-lighter weight
-lighter

 

[Steinmetzify]

Ok well now I'm thinking of getting one of these first

ESP | EDWARDS | E-LP-130ALS

Should be a good substitute until I can fork over a couple grand for a Standard or Custom

Don't do it. Not that they're not serviceable guitars, but it's not what you want so you're gonna kick that $ and then still have to buy the LP. Save up, dude. The Custom is worth it.

 

[MoshJosh]

Only problem is we are talking about roughly 4 years saving haha not sure I can wait that long.

 

[Steinmetzify]

Ok so that blows then. Screw it, get the Edwards....no interest in that Sig T I sent you the link for? Gibson, binding, nice guitars for just over a graaaaaaaand....

 

[MoshJosh]

That is still very much an option (well not that specific one as I'm at least 6 months out from making this purchase) I really dig the sort of tobacco burst ones

 

[Steinmetzify]

Right on, keep em in mind. They're discontinued so you'd have to buy used, but at least they'd be cheaper that way lol.

 

[AnthonyPuddu]

As a proud owner of both, I can honestly say I prefer my Les Paul tenfold. Incomparable imo. BUT... that being said, the thing to be noted about Les Pauls, that leads a lot of peoples' negative opinions is that a lot of their magic lies in the nitro finish, and that their guitars differ drastically from one to another because of it. The nitro ages way differently, and thus every used Les Paul you play will sound and play significantly different. I remember looking at Les Pauls and hating a lot of them, and new ones especially lack the magic because they haven't worn in yet, but I picked up a slightly rough condition older one, and it played and sounded worlds better. My eclipse would have beat the other les pauls, but couldn't hold a candle to this one. Eclipses and 99% of guitars today don't use the same finishing techniques and thus they don't have the same woody tone, and won't age in the same way.

 

[dr_game0ver]

Tokai MIJ LP?

 

[1b4n3z]

Ok well now I'm thinking of getting one of these first

ESP | EDWARDS | E-LP-130ALS

Should be a good substitute until I can fork over a couple grand for a Standard or Custom

Should be an excellent substitute indeed!

As for future - how about the ESP Navigator - the big brother to Edwards? You get a 'vintage vibe' with ESP craftsmanship for less or the same as a Gibson LP?

I assure you, it will blow your mind :

 

[Tuned]

I don't like Les Pauls, to begin with.

I've owned a GLP Studio non-faded, it was decent for the money, I might buy it back sometime. I've shortly owned or played a few LPJ, a Standard, a Standard Plus Doublecut, a 1974 Black Beauty. LPJ is not a great instrument, but of all the GLP models niches it is most worth the money: it needs work but it pays. Most of Gibson products, including a Std.V, weren't worth the price asked, compared to many makers.

I have played or owned a few Japanese-made instruments, including really cool LPs (Greco EG700 and EG900, Yamaha Studio Lord???) and they were more honest pricewise: you pay a $100 more, you get worth a $100 more. Not so with Gibson.

I own an MIJ ESP Edwards superstrat (like a ESP KH-2 bolt-on) and sometimes use my drummer's ESP Std. Eclipse I Snow White. Being made by the same hands in the same plant, they're totally different. The ESP Edwards is a fast player with a Jackson-like sound, it has a thin neck and asks for shred. Not so the ESP Eclipse. Its neck is very substantial and it makes a great rock guitar for heavy riffing that asks to be beat up and rewards you with fat sound, but isn't helpful with fast licks. I must say I don't find it smallish at all: the LP Std Plus Doublecut neck is a lot smaller, and the LP Studio neck - noticeably smaller.

Also, most ESP Eclipse guitars come with EMG pickups and that makes a difference. ESP Edwards you may be able to find with Seymour Duncans.

All in all, if you look for a LP, try a MIJ full-thickness guitar. With many brands (and I mean: MANY brands, they are numerous in Japan), the numbers of the model designation roughly refer to its price, like the E-LP-130 refers to $1300 and tax, and that is a hell of a great guitar. Any 90 and up is a cool working horse and anything above 120 will be great. A 130 will beat a $1300 Gibson any day of the week, and you can't ask more than a 180, it is top notch, and it is hard to compare it to a Gibson that costs $1800 new in a shop.

...and then come the Navigators that are made in ESP custom shops.