I went through 10 guitars this past weekend, was so close to buying one of them, then looked to my right, saw this very PRS, picked it up, strummed, turned up the volume, and after three notes, I was sold on it.
Same here. 8 days ago I was walking into a guitar store to get the Epiphone Les Paul Custom in Ivory with gold gear. I tried it and it felt sooo clunky. Then I wanted the Epiphone Les Paul 59 standard which also felt super clunky and heavy. I was going to leave when the guy there propose I try the PRS Mccarty SE. I had never even considered PRS. Once it was iny hands and I played a bit it took me 20 minutes going back and forth between the PRS and the Epiphone LP's because in my mind I couldn't believe that the PRS would be better. I definitely was
@ 34:36 this is such great advice. I went to the store to buy a Fender Vintera when they came out, picked it up and didn't like it. My wife saw my face, said "you don't like it do you?" and then went around the whole section pulling out different Strats from all over the range/brands for me to try. Very quickly you start to go I like that, not that, maybe that one. And because some one else pulls them off the wall you have no idea what you've been given if you don't look, and also no idea what it cost so that comes out of the decision. Left with a G&L S-500, which I love.
I'd love to see a shootout between 'Plek set-up' and 'tech set-up' guitars. How much work could a tech do for the money spent on a Plek set up? Could you tell the difference?
@@WinstonWhite-l9j Are you sure about that? I once tried a post Plek Gibson (mine is a 98) and it really did feel absolutely wonderful. And I didn't go hunting for "the one" I just grabbed the nearest and prettiest one with a price tag that didn't make me faint. It made me want to get another Gibson. Once I get the 3 Epiphones, 1 Fender, 38 Harley Bentons and some assorted others including a Jackson Randy Rhoads... I'm not rich... but I hea the Antique Natural Flying V is beibg discontinued and I need a year to save up Gibson money. So now I'm sad and confused. Thankfully my Epiphones are amazing but still. I only have one Gibson Flying V and those are my favourite guitars. And Epiphone makes so few. Les Pauls everyone makes them. Just get the cheapest that feels good and add pickups to taste. No need to go Gibson there. But if you want a good Flying V that, it's Gibson. Besides the Epiphone 58 is 1400€ and the Gibson AN is 1700€ and I already have the cheaper 58 Epiphone.
LTD EC -256 through 1000 are some of the most comfortable, stable LPs that I've had the pleasure of trying. Love the radius and comfort carves, and I'm honestly considering an E-II Eclipse over a upgrading my Tribute to a higher end Gibson.
🤣I like that Lee tears the paper before handing it to Pete, even though he could just as easily give Pete the whole pad as a writing surface and tear it afterwards, since he can't read it anyways
I've just recently started watching the channel again as I've seen more of the blindfold challenges get reintroduced. Also would love to see the Sounds Like series come back w a bumped up budget. Unfortunately in today's climate for 1k everyone just picks the same gear because choices are minimal.
I was just about to comment this exact same thing! Just started watching andertons properly again after a couple year break and was thinking how good the sounds liie videos with bea were
After playing the SE McCarty in a store, I knew before Pete picked it up that he'd be ranking it number 1. They're just amazing guitars, especially for the price.
Not so current now but the Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard Outfit would have been a good instrument to put in the mix. being an Epiphone but with Gibson burstbuckers would have been nuts. Love all the one used for this video. Thank You for making this video.
FIZZY IN THE TOP END!!! Finally someone put into words why I always hated my BD2. It just sounded cheap and aweful. I used it as an OD only, gain on 0 despite liking high gain. Everyone kept telling me I must be doing it wrong it's the best thing ever. After 15 years I gave up, I had already gotten a Vox tube OD, which sounded much better so I sold it for 70€ (free vol pedal included) and I used the money to buy a Behringer TS808 clone and a chorus. I actually got the BOSS in Asia for less than that ages ago so that made me happy. Now I finally realised what my sound needed and what I was always looking for. A tube screamer... even more people told me about those than the BD-2. I am so glad it's gone though. The green Behringer really is excellent. Yes it's plastic but the circuit doesn't care and if you don't activate it with a sledgehammer it'll last forever. It is what I hate about the tone of so many, the fizzy high end. My amp does it massively. I ditched the G12T100 finally and put a Creamback in. Next I put an EQ in the loop, boosted the low end and significantly cut back 6.4k and 3.2k slightly, 0.8k tiny boost. Add tube screamer, vol 10, gain 0-10, add to taste and decent pickups and voila. The amp I always regretted buying and the constant search for a sound that didn't annoy me is over. I have the best sound now. Better than the famous guys! Sometimes I just play boring chords like Em7 - D and back just to enjoy how amazing it sounds. I have as much gain as any one yet a glassy clear fluid tone with no fizzing at all, despite the amp being dimed (except volume, I do have neighbours). It almost sounds Fender clean despite being PAFs into a TS808 clone gain on 5, vol 10, amp has gain on 10 (DSL) Madter Volume 10, pre amp volume below 2 on the cops come and sometimes it's hard to tell if it's clean or a lot of gain, it's just a beautiful bluesy glassy tone for lead, especially on a PAF low output neck pickup and once you play chords it's a real mean heavy metal tone. Amp too, treble on 3 or 4, mids 8, bass 6-7 plus the EQ. I couldn't be happier and now I have to neither buy another amp (I'm sad about that) nor anything else. I wouldn't trade my rig for a Dumble. Well I would and immediately sell it and then buy my rig again and a house! Totally off topic I know... came for the Les Pauls (sorry single cut...) and stayed for the tonehound wisdom. Thank you, and all the best from across the channel!
Great video and Pete perfectly summed up Gibson about half way through with the line "It doesn't feel expensive". Absolutely spot on. That's the issue with the bulk of the modern Gibsons.
Just put better pickups in the EastCoast and job done. All shops need to do to sell guitars is set them up properly before they put them on the wall. Not many do. The set up gave the EastCoast an edge. Great video though.
@@HoracioGarciaMusic totally! And personally, it's better built than any Epiphone I've played. The finish is also of better quality. It was ready to play out of the box, the only thing I did was putting some Orange drop capacitors and treble bleeds.
The underlying idea of blindfolded playing is Pete is 'our hands', he tells us the experience we can't have; how does it play, how does it feel, how are the frets, the action etc. So we get to know our purchase candidate a little better. We can see it, we know its name, we can hear it. So when Pete tries to guess what make and model the guitar is he is trying to guess what we already know, which is a different kind of sport, loved by many, mainly the elderly, and entertaining in its own right, but not what these videos intent to do, or do they?
I’ve got(won) an old PRS 245 SE and it stands up well against other single cut guitars . I got it after playing one in a second hand guitar shop which is referred to as “ best guitar in the shop “ . Stood up against a 60s reissue LP really well that was in the shop . Lee definitely big hint on the Gibson but Pete didn’t bite !!
I too felt that the PRS had a Fender sound. As soon as he started playing on it my first thought was that, which is interesting given what the McCarty stands for at PRS.
I had a really bad impression of one of them. Pickup ring was cracked out of the box and setup was horrible. High fret spots and fret outs all over the place. Glad to hear others having better experience though.
Played one recently and it felt like a boat anchor on my lap. Nothing to write home about, especially as I played it after an Eastman SB59 which felt much better.
I just got my PRS 594 McCarty yesterday - same color Pete played, too. Got it for $499 brand new. To me, it's a steal. The build quality is unreal for the $. It does have a chubber of a neck - but I love it. It makes chords easier and more fluid I think. I had the same thought as Pete about the glossy neck, but after playing it a bit the stickyness went away. I love the pickups - they have great clarity and note definition. I probably wouldn't buy this guitar for heavy metal - more classic rock. The only thing I'm going to change is it came with 10s and the action is kind of high. I'll put 9s on it and lower the action.
I'm *shocked* the Sire ranked so low. I've never felt a "budget guitar" that feels better off the shelf than a Sire. Now, do the expensive version so he can tell everyone how great Heritage is. 😆
I have an Epi Lp. Absolutely love it! BUT... it, along with all the other Epi's I tried, had the action set too high from the factory. Fortunately it was pretty easy to lower it a bit without affecting intonation so I was able to do it myself and now it plays great.
It's like Epiphone is the worst enemy of Gibson. They need to suck more, to justify the price of the Gibson. Soooo many people say they are flat better, out of the box, it's just embarrassing for the US factory crew.
A setup fresh out of the box is to be expected with most brands. That's part of why ordering from a high quality company that inspects and adjusts prior to shipping out is important.
I bought a 2019 Epiphone Les Paul 1960s tribute plus with the classic Gibson 1957 humbuckers and when I ordered it I had them set it up and lower the action when I received it ABSOLUTE FREAKING BUTTER plays comparable to my uncle's 3k custom shop Gibson In terms of action feel and tone and by the end of that jam session 1 person was extremely satisfied and the other highly pissed off. I'm sure you can guess who had what reaction
22:40 Pete got it 100% right. The PRS SE 594 is #1. Country of origin notwithstanding, PRS is bringing the A game. Those split coil tones are impressive. If PRS started making SE's with nitro finishes, or at least satin necks, they'd turn the market upside down.
I have a Ltd ec1000 deluxe exactly like that one. If you’re looking for an old school single cut, the colors are the only thing old school about it. It has huge frets, a neck perfect for metal players, and the nut is cut high. It has a jb in the bridge which will measure around 16k in output and it splits. I bought it cuz I thought it has the quality of something like a Gibson studio and faded series but is way cheaper to buy on the used market, but I had it refretted and swapped the bridge pickup to more of a paf output pickup. It’s great now! Build quality wise is as good as any gibbo though just realize it’s a metal guitar with old school looks and not a hot rodded old school lp.
The Eastcoast guitars are surprisingly good to play. My L1 is one of the few guitars I've owned that has very little fret buzz and it doesn't feel as cheap as it is. Decent workhorse guitars.
Id just wait a bit and get an Epi. They changed the horn carve to make it less plump and slightly thinner exactly matching Gibsons. Sweetwater has some new 50s and 60s bodies latest SNs. And the last Adam Jones w no back art will get the greeny proper Gibson headstock. Maybe the rest of the line to make all us pandemic buyers re buy our Epis in 2024!
I have an entry level Solar GC2.6 for under a grand. The G is a Les Paul style guitar that’s thin, has the comfort relief cut in back and a satin neck that feels awesome. I actually have another GC1.6 with active pickups for a little over a grand. Those are my favorite guitars compared to any others I’ve tried
This was a great shootout, but I think it would be more interesting if all the guitars had the same brand/gauge strings, so thats not part of the equation. Then it just comes down to feel and tone. Of course the eastcoast has cheap strings and the Gibson has at least better quality strings. I honestly think Pete can tel that difference, but it would still level the playing field. Cheers from Long Island.
Ahhhh... The "Lee Lick" in the intro.. Nice! I love my LTD Deluxe. I paid around $789 US, several years back. And it is a killer guitar. SD pickups, JB/'59! 24 fret. Do wish it had the nut width of an LP.
I have an Epiphone Les Paul 50s edition in gold, and it’s the guitar I probably pick up the most. Fantastic bit of kit for a tenth of what I would’ve had to pay for a Gibson. 😁
I find it interesting that Pete chose the se standard 594(all mahogany with pattern vintage). I've always preferred all mahogany and medium round back neck in "singlecut" style guitars. Since my professional career was cut short by health issues, these little affirmations mean a lot to me. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and love it when my knowledge proves worthwhile.
To be fair to Pete, the only two guitars he had in 1st as his favorite was the PRS and the Gibson. Of course he can play blindfolded. Can't imagine how many dark gigs he's played.
Love my Washburn parrallaxe LP styled guitar. Stays in tune for ever. My hubby Les Paul was hot garbage and had a cost multiplier. Though I did like the 61 zebra pickups. My Godin plays great and the p rails are so versatile, but I would rather play a super strat for great tones all around.
Gibson les paul sounded way better than the replicas. For me, there doesn’t seem to be much if s difference between a Mexican and US strat, but for les pauls the price makes a big difference to the sound
Loved this and loved that Danish Pete makes the same joke I make when the word "clarity" is said. We both sing it to the tune of "Gravity" even though John Mayer literally has a song called "Clarity," which is incidentally one of my favorites of his.
A couple of years ago I bought a Vintage/Encore LP copy. This is a 'student' range of guitars. It plays and feel so good I don't even look at LP guitars at stores anymore. I have my LP. I'm done. ...for now...
I get why Pete thought the last one was an aria. I got an aria myself (obviously the cheaper quality) and the pickups do sound muffled. That's also why I want to replace it in the near future. I love these vids. It's not comparing theoretical things but playability for a certain style. I remember playing every single guitar in a small shop a few years ago, and I liked a Gretsch for about €420 way more than a similar Gibson. The lower mid-range guitars already can have what you want, on the EastCoast I think a new pair of Pickups would make it a great guitar.
Im sure if you repeated the test with same guitars 5 times you'd get 5 different results. I think the pressure/tension of being tested is affecting results as much as anything. I love blindfold challenges but not convinced they produce any usable recommendations.
I got the PRS 594 double cut on my wish list at Sweetwater. Almost pull the string today, but I didn’t because the Pauls Guitar is laying in the back of my mind.
I've used a Helix LT for a couple of years now and the standout feature that sets it apart for me is the Command Centre. I have mine connected to both my Boss VE500 with midi and a laptop via USB which runs our lighting rig. When I switch patches or snapshots which of course changes my guitar sound, the lighting and vocals change too for verses, choruses, special sections etc. Can't see anything else that will do that currently.
This is very consistent with my experience. Epiphones, especially the new ones (though the same is true for my 2004 LP Standard) have very scratchy frets, particularly as you go up the register. The SE 594 Standard is astonishingly good, both for the money and in general. I would have its quality control as better than Gibson, though obviously some of the parts are cheap in order to hit the price point
I liked the sound of the Epi and the Gibby most! Every time i here an LTD on Adertons its the worst sounding guitar in the room to my ears, i thought they used to sound good with the Dimarzios but those Duncans sound hot and dead.
@@che2335 Im still thinking of trying one because i know they are well built but those pups will have to go, they are spitting way to much fire for my taste.
More focus on how the neck feels. Rounded? Ease of play/bending? Stiff? Sticky back? Etc. a run through of the pickups would be enough because the feel is more important. The fiets can be changed.
Pete is right about the muffled ring. It's because of the tune-o-matic and bridge material. Custom shop is alumin(i)um with brass saddles and all the other are zamac and some other cheap metal.
Pete always digress from only feeling the quality by playing to actually figure out exactly what guitar it is... Love Pete 😂 All these cats here at Andertons would prob make a super hang 100%. Would be amazing to do that sometime. 🌹❤️🔥
Picking the prs 594 is what I've been picking in videos. Better sounding than a gibson lp imo. The se sc594 in the release you did of the se 594 line sounded the best over yt to me, even over the core. One day I want a core prs, but I feel dirty because I'd replace the pickups. I wouldn't feel as bad about it with an se or s2.
I had the opportunity the other day to put my hands on a $7k Murphy lab '58 standard, then a $3000 60's LP standard, playing through a 35 watt boogie mk5. I can't get over how uncomfortable they are to play, and I really wanted to like it, on the floor on a stand was a used Indonesian 594 singlecut it had been retrofitted with the good top locking prs tuners, and brass bridge hardware, setup perfectly, and that guitar was just world's better than any les paul in that entire shop. Sub $1000 PRS is just on another level IMO.
@Andertons Music Co You know what would be cool. If you made a similar video, with guitars that had the same specs and setups, but we're of different shape. For instance, you could compare a Yamaha Revstar, a Reverend of the same scale, a Fender or Squier HH offset, a Charvel HH, a Gretch single cut or Jet, and Flying V or Explorers from different brands or Gibson /Epiphone.
In terms of midrange guitars/imports, LTD 1000 series guitars and the new PRS Mccarty SEs are seriously amazing guitars, not just for the money. They're solid, dependable, and beautiful. I've owned many 1000 series LTDs, and now own my a Mccarty SE. They totally stand up to guitars that cost significantly more.
About the "rolled" feel fretboard on the East coast I think its the same on Harley Bentons and the like, sometimes the poly doesn't get all the way up the binding until the fretboard and gives that impression. I find it really nice btw
I love these videos. Then again I love nearly all of the Anderton’s videos and the ones I don’t love I still like a lot 😂 I like that the affordable guitar is included and played under the same conditions and the more expensive ones. The Eastcoast was not my favorite sounding one but it still sounded good compared to the others and for folks that want a nice sounding guitar but don’t want to or can’t afford to spend a lot it’s nice to know they can still get a good instrument. I am a sucker for a PRS so to me that one sounded the best but I also loved the warmth of the Gibson but blindfolded I couldn’t have picked any of them out so kudos to Pete!!!
The world is steadily discovering that the SE McCarty 594 is one of the greatest modern day guitar creations. Haven't picked up another guitar since I got mine (and I have two Gibson LPs and plenty of others way over the SE's price level)
I LOVED this! Can you do another single cut LP style for under 1k with another 6 brands? There's loads to choose from... this price bracket interest me so much more because it's at least feasible. Also could you do a hollow/semi-hollow blindfold test please, again for not too much dough?
I feel like they covered all the best brands for an affordable single cut. I personally want an Edwards LP for the price but they obviously aren't going to show that. The problem with hollow or semi hollow bodies is they require so much hand labour. They're still a few good ones like sire, d'angelico, wouldn't go Epiphone.
@@Marinatina2 Nah there are pelenty more LPs maybe you just don;lt know about them. Also nah again on the hollow and semis, there are plenty of great ones to review.
Just listening I thought the east coast sounded too muffled and inarticulate. For me the PRS sounded too much like a Fender to buy it in a LP style guitar. I wanted to like the Sire because I like gold tops but I would be happiest with the sound of either the Epi or the Gibson.
I feel like it was a miss not giving him that "special eddition" Epiphone 59 Les Paul in this mix. The Burstbuckers sound great in it. Have a few Epiphones with upgraded pickups and wiring, so I haven't purchased one just yet - honestly thinking R9 is next for me, though... I just want to find one that just has that "thing"... but typically, I love the ones that are like 20k not 6k but I just can't justify buying one that expensive... can barely justify 6k. I might prefer to just get another standard and throw in custom buckers and 50's wiring. Problem is I have a 20k ear for tone but more like the sub $1000 preferred budget.
Confused? Why the LTD EC-1000 which is over 1,000 Pounds and NOT an LTD-256 (which I paid, iirc, $549 US a 'few yrs ago?) That 256 ROCKED; I just couldn't get used to the X-Jumbo Frets, so I gave it to my Grandson to add to his 'growing collection' (he's now a Music Major in College).
I heard that Lee Anderton is a part owner in the company that makes the blindfold goggles.
Legend
🤣🤣🤣
And Persian rugs
I suspected the same thing…funny how Rob, Lee, and Pete all happen to have their own signature goggles 👀 Got ‘em!
And he has a stool company.
Watching Pete swing and miss on these is as good as watching Rob knock them out of the park 😅
Don't let a Telecaster player judge Les Pauls, cuz he'll always pick the one that's most like a Telecaster.
I went through 10 guitars this past weekend, was so close to buying one of them, then looked to my right, saw this very PRS, picked it up, strummed, turned up the volume, and after three notes, I was sold on it.
The PRS sounded far better than any of the others to me.
I've got a Ibanez RG970, and a PRS Santana SE, I've got to admit as easy as the Ibanez is to play I enjoy the PRS and it certainly sounds better too.
Same here. 8 days ago I was walking into a guitar store to get the Epiphone Les Paul Custom in Ivory with gold gear. I tried it and it felt sooo clunky. Then I wanted the Epiphone Les Paul 59 standard which also felt super clunky and heavy. I was going to leave when the guy there propose I try the PRS Mccarty SE. I had never even considered PRS. Once it was iny hands and I played a bit it took me 20 minutes going back and forth between the PRS and the Epiphone LP's because in my mind I couldn't believe that the PRS would be better. I definitely was
When you meet your soul mate lol
unfortunately there is no lefty-version of this guitar :(
@ 34:36 this is such great advice. I went to the store to buy a Fender Vintera when they came out, picked it up and didn't like it. My wife saw my face, said "you don't like it do you?" and then went around the whole section pulling out different Strats from all over the range/brands for me to try. Very quickly you start to go I like that, not that, maybe that one. And because some one else pulls them off the wall you have no idea what you've been given if you don't look, and also no idea what it cost so that comes out of the decision. Left with a G&L S-500, which I love.
G&L was a great choice. I'm had similar experience many times, had a idea in my head and then felt numb when I had it in my hands.
Best way to choose a guitar 👍 Ignore the price and brand and try them on.
I'd love to see a shootout between 'Plek set-up' and 'tech set-up' guitars. How much work could a tech do for the money spent on a Plek set up? Could you tell the difference?
thats a superb idea..,,,, maybe even with a pair of the same yay and nae in the mix....
Great idea
Although Gibsons come with the Plek fret levelling at the factory, for several years now.
@@Spartanm333
A proper Plek takes up to 2 hours on the machine, Gibson only spends 10 minutes plekking their new guitars
@@WinstonWhite-l9j Are you sure about that? I once tried a post Plek Gibson (mine is a 98) and it really did feel absolutely wonderful. And I didn't go hunting for "the one" I just grabbed the nearest and prettiest one with a price tag that didn't make me faint. It made me want to get another Gibson. Once I get the 3 Epiphones, 1 Fender, 38 Harley Bentons and some assorted others including a Jackson Randy Rhoads... I'm not rich... but I hea the Antique Natural Flying V is beibg discontinued and I need a year to save up Gibson money. So now I'm sad and confused. Thankfully my Epiphones are amazing but still. I only have one Gibson Flying V and those are my favourite guitars. And Epiphone makes so few. Les Pauls everyone makes them. Just get the cheapest that feels good and add pickups to taste. No need to go Gibson there. But if you want a good Flying V that, it's Gibson. Besides the Epiphone 58 is 1400€ and the Gibson AN is 1700€ and I already have the cheaper 58 Epiphone.
I’ve tried that Mccarty SE and I understood how Pete felt. Exactly what I thought as well. The guitar is amazing 👍🏻
@@BkBk-gy6vr "I can't be genuine so no one else can be either"
Everyone I have seen, rates them very high as well.
I've got one. It's great. I've also got an SE 24-08 and they're both fantastic.
I just bought one. Love at first sight moment.
Me too. Better than my Les Paul Studio imho
LTD EC -256 through 1000 are some of the most comfortable, stable LPs that I've had the pleasure of trying. Love the radius and comfort carves, and I'm honestly considering an E-II Eclipse over a upgrading my Tribute to a higher end Gibson.
I feel you man. They're really great to play on.
I would get one myself, but I already have an H1000 and M1000. I need more diversity.
I agree that LTD/ESP guitars are super underrated. To me, only a LP is a LP, but you can get a great guitar for a lot less money with other brands.
the Seymour Duncans as opposed to the EMG's don't disappoint either.
My EC1000 with fishmans is one of my favorite guitars
Pete plucking away blind folded with such precision is so incredibly impressive
🤣I like that Lee tears the paper before handing it to Pete, even though he could just as easily give Pete the whole pad as a writing surface and tear it afterwards, since he can't read it anyways
I've just recently started watching the channel again as I've seen more of the blindfold challenges get reintroduced. Also would love to see the Sounds Like series come back w a bumped up budget. Unfortunately in today's climate for 1k everyone just picks the same gear because choices are minimal.
I was just about to comment this exact same thing! Just started watching andertons properly again after a couple year break and was thinking how good the sounds liie videos with bea were
Man that LTD EC-1000 has been calling my name for years
Dewit. I've had one (the satin black with Seymour Duncans) for a few years now, and I still can't think of a bad thing to say about it.
I have one with the Het Set (another's doing)
Great guitar, but get passives
I have a vintage black w/ EMGs and it's fantastic
Dude get one. Here new ones for sale at 600usd
That's a great guitar actually
After playing the SE McCarty in a store, I knew before Pete picked it up that he'd be ranking it number 1. They're just amazing guitars, especially for the price.
Those SEs and the LTD Eclipses are the clear cut best value for money in this bracket IMO (for single cut guitars that is)
Pete recognized the genuine article but preferred the PRS that’s like a Tele.
The epiphone les Paul 1959 standard outfit would have been great to see in this lineup.
that epiphone became my number one for about a year and i have real gibsons!
I was surprised that it wasn't included.
I hate cooking. Every day for supper I cook while watching your episodes. Helps me alot to get through the day😊
Pete still scarred from the last blindfold test with his tele lol
what happened ?
@@DEZZA12 rated his own custom shop tele lowly in a blind t-style shootout
lol 😂😂
Not so current now but the Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard Outfit would have been a good instrument to put in the mix. being an Epiphone but with Gibson burstbuckers would have been nuts. Love all the one used for this video. Thank You for making this video.
that is the best epiphone ever made. it became my number one for about a year and i have real gibsons.
The Gibson pups are cheating IMO.
FIZZY IN THE TOP END!!! Finally someone put into words why I always hated my BD2. It just sounded cheap and aweful. I used it as an OD only, gain on 0 despite liking high gain. Everyone kept telling me I must be doing it wrong it's the best thing ever.
After 15 years I gave up, I had already gotten a Vox tube OD, which sounded much better so I sold it for 70€ (free vol pedal included) and I used the money to buy a Behringer TS808 clone and a chorus. I actually got the BOSS in Asia for less than that ages ago so that made me happy.
Now I finally realised what my sound needed and what I was always looking for. A tube screamer... even more people told me about those than the BD-2. I am so glad it's gone though. The green Behringer really is excellent. Yes it's plastic but the circuit doesn't care and if you don't activate it with a sledgehammer it'll last forever.
It is what I hate about the tone of so many, the fizzy high end. My amp does it massively. I ditched the G12T100 finally and put a Creamback in. Next I put an EQ in the loop, boosted the low end and significantly cut back 6.4k and 3.2k slightly, 0.8k tiny boost. Add tube screamer, vol 10, gain 0-10, add to taste and decent pickups and voila. The amp I always regretted buying and the constant search for a sound that didn't annoy me is over. I have the best sound now. Better than the famous guys! Sometimes I just play boring chords like Em7 - D and back just to enjoy how amazing it sounds. I have as much gain as any one yet a glassy clear fluid tone with no fizzing at all, despite the amp being dimed (except volume, I do have neighbours).
It almost sounds Fender clean despite being PAFs into a TS808 clone gain on 5, vol 10, amp has gain on 10 (DSL) Madter Volume 10, pre amp volume below 2 on the cops come and sometimes it's hard to tell if it's clean or a lot of gain, it's just a beautiful bluesy glassy tone for lead, especially on a PAF low output neck pickup and once you play chords it's a real mean heavy metal tone. Amp too, treble on 3 or 4, mids 8, bass 6-7 plus the EQ.
I couldn't be happier and now I have to neither buy another amp (I'm sad about that) nor anything else. I wouldn't trade my rig for a Dumble. Well I would and immediately sell it and then buy my rig again and a house! Totally off topic I know... came for the Les Pauls (sorry single cut...) and stayed for the tonehound wisdom. Thank you, and all the best from across the channel!
Whatching blindfolded Pete, going to the fifteenth fret and nailing it, is awesome!
I got one of those PRS McCarty 594s from Andertons this week. Beautiful guitar 🔥❤️🔥🎸
Hey! Digging the Captain's signature lick in the new title intro!!! Nice!
Love the Comedic duo with lots of knowledge n unbiased opinions.
Simply awesome.
Great video and Pete perfectly summed up Gibson about half way through with the line "It doesn't feel expensive".
Absolutely spot on. That's the issue with the bulk of the modern Gibsons.
Remember he also couldn't name his own favourite guitar on a previous challenge lol
@@superderv That just shows how much our eyes lie to us.
Just put better pickups in the EastCoast and job done. All shops need to do to sell guitars is set them up properly before they put them on the wall. Not many do. The set up gave the EastCoast an edge. Great video though.
The Sire L7 is a great guitar for the money! The best affordable guitar I've owned
I just got the P90 L7V! Great sounding guitar!
@@HoracioGarciaMusic totally! And personally, it's better built than any Epiphone I've played. The finish is also of better quality. It was ready to play out of the box, the only thing I did was putting some Orange drop capacitors and treble bleeds.
The underlying idea of blindfolded playing is Pete is 'our hands', he tells us the experience we can't have; how does it play, how does it feel, how are the frets, the action etc. So we get to know our purchase candidate a little better. We can see it, we know its name, we can hear it. So when Pete tries to guess what make and model the guitar is he is trying to guess what we already know, which is a different kind of sport, loved by many, mainly the elderly, and entertaining in its own right, but not what these videos intent to do, or do they?
I’ve got(won) an old PRS 245 SE and it stands up well against other single cut guitars . I got it after playing one in a second hand guitar shop which is referred to as “ best guitar in the shop “ . Stood up against a 60s reissue LP really well that was in the shop . Lee definitely big hint on the Gibson but Pete didn’t bite !!
I have an SE 245 also. It was about $700 new and I would put it up against my Gibson Tribute at $1200. I like them both.
I too felt that the PRS had a Fender sound. As soon as he started playing on it my first thought was that, which is interesting given what the McCarty stands for at PRS.
Really wish you included the Gibson LP Tribute. Severely underrated. That matte finish is sublime
But its over 1000 now or?
@@jochen-h You obviously didn't watch the video. LTD EC-1000 was £1099. Gibson Les Paul Standard was £2199.
I had a really bad impression of one of them. Pickup ring was cracked out of the box and setup was horrible. High fret spots and fret outs all over the place. Glad to hear others having better experience though.
Played one recently and it felt like a boat anchor on my lap. Nothing to write home about, especially as I played it after an Eastman SB59 which felt much better.
@@dantem5228 The Gibson was thrown in as the over 1,000 dollar guitar... Obvious hey ..?
Imagine trying to do these blindfold challenges back in the 80's and 90's. We're so spoilt by what is available today.
PRS SE's are insanely good for no money, play great and sound warm, I've got two. They play better than my Gibsons!
I just got my PRS 594 McCarty yesterday - same color Pete played, too. Got it for $499 brand new. To me, it's a steal. The build quality is unreal for the $. It does have a chubber of a neck - but I love it. It makes chords easier and more fluid I think. I had the same thought as Pete about the glossy neck, but after playing it a bit the stickyness went away. I love the pickups - they have great clarity and note definition. I probably wouldn't buy this guitar for heavy metal - more classic rock. The only thing I'm going to change is it came with 10s and the action is kind of high. I'll put 9s on it and lower the action.
I'm *shocked* the Sire ranked so low. I've never felt a "budget guitar" that feels better off the shelf than a Sire. Now, do the expensive version so he can tell everyone how great Heritage is. 😆
I know right! I don't have a sire but I want to get one sooner or later. I really think they are the number one bang for your buck guitar.
I never played one but everyone reviews them as you say, as if they are truly great, and a value.
It would be interesting to have them reverse the order that they were played as part of the test also
These shootouts are awesome ❤
I have an Epi Lp. Absolutely love it! BUT... it, along with all the other Epi's I tried, had the action set too high from the factory. Fortunately it was pretty easy to lower it a bit without affecting intonation so I was able to do it myself and now it plays great.
It's like Epiphone is the worst enemy of Gibson. They need to suck more, to justify the price of the Gibson. Soooo many people say they are flat better, out of the box, it's just embarrassing for the US factory crew.
A setup fresh out of the box is to be expected with most brands. That's part of why ordering from a high quality company that inspects and adjusts prior to shipping out is important.
I bought a 2019 Epiphone Les Paul 1960s tribute plus with the classic Gibson 1957 humbuckers and when I ordered it I had them set it up and lower the action when I received it ABSOLUTE FREAKING BUTTER plays comparable to my uncle's 3k custom shop Gibson In terms of action feel and tone and by the end of that jam session 1 person was extremely satisfied and the other highly pissed off. I'm sure you can guess who had what reaction
22:40 Pete got it 100% right. The PRS SE 594 is #1. Country of origin notwithstanding, PRS is bringing the A game. Those split coil tones are impressive. If PRS started making SE's with nitro finishes, or at least satin necks, they'd turn the market upside down.
I have a Ltd ec1000 deluxe exactly like that one. If you’re looking for an old school single cut, the colors are the only thing old school about it. It has huge frets, a neck perfect for metal players, and the nut is cut high. It has a jb in the bridge which will measure around 16k in output and it splits. I bought it cuz I thought it has the quality of something like a Gibson studio and faded series but is way cheaper to buy on the used market, but I had it refretted and swapped the bridge pickup to more of a paf output pickup. It’s great now! Build quality wise is as good as any gibbo though just realize it’s a metal guitar with old school looks and not a hot rodded old school lp.
The Eastcoast guitars are surprisingly good to play. My L1 is one of the few guitars I've owned that has very little fret buzz and it doesn't feel as cheap as it is. Decent workhorse guitars.
Id just wait a bit and get an Epi. They changed the horn carve to make it less plump and slightly thinner exactly matching Gibsons. Sweetwater has some new 50s and 60s bodies latest SNs. And the last Adam Jones w no back art will get the greeny proper Gibson headstock. Maybe the rest of the line to make all us pandemic buyers re buy our Epis in 2024!
Pete with all the innuendo will never stop being funny 🤣
It will start become more creepy..
@@canopy-guitars_and_gear *to
🎶sitting on a park bench...@@canopy-guitars_and_gear
Pete's licks are so rewindable!! Takes me hours to get through one of these videos!!😂
'through'.
I have 3 EC -1000 and they are all amazing. You get a lot of great features for the price and they play and sound fantastic. Can’t go wrong.
I have an entry level Solar GC2.6 for under a grand. The G is a Les Paul style guitar that’s thin, has the comfort relief cut in back and a satin neck that feels awesome. I actually have another GC1.6 with active pickups for a little over a grand.
Those are my favorite guitars compared to any others I’ve tried
This was a great shootout, but I think it would be more interesting if all the guitars had the same brand/gauge strings, so thats not part of the equation. Then it just comes down to feel and tone. Of course the eastcoast has cheap strings and the Gibson has at least better quality strings. I honestly think Pete can tel that difference, but it would still level the playing field. Cheers from Long Island.
That Lee lick in the intro is brilliant
Agree with Pete on the PRS SE - I have one and it's better than either of the two Gibson Les Pauls I've had in every important respect.
Totally agree. I bought one too & it's better than my Gibson Les Paul Studio
Gibson and Epiphone actually sounded the best to me, if you check when Pete switched to the neck pup on the Epi ..wow, Les Paul right there
Ahhhh... The "Lee Lick" in the intro.. Nice!
I love my LTD Deluxe. I paid around $789 US, several years back. And it is a killer guitar. SD pickups, JB/'59!
24 fret. Do wish it had the nut width of an LP.
I'm not gonna lie, that Gibson brought a tear to by my eye. It sounds perfect to my ears, and it's a thing og beauty too
We all knock Gibson, but when they get it right, they get it right.
Matte Finish… singed for Forest on deadline day. Comedy gold. Good stuff as always.
I have an Epiphone Les Paul 50s edition in gold, and it’s the guitar I probably pick up the most.
Fantastic bit of kit for a tenth of what I would’ve had to pay for a Gibson. 😁
Waiting for mine to arrive! Hope it's as good as the reviews say it is!!
The company that’s paid obviously, always said you were biased and untruthful here and I was proven right, well done 👏
I find it interesting that Pete chose the se standard 594(all mahogany with pattern vintage). I've always preferred all mahogany and medium round back neck in "singlecut" style guitars. Since my professional career was cut short by health issues, these little affirmations mean a lot to me.
I enjoy sharing my knowledge and love it when my knowledge proves worthwhile.
BTW I own it in the cherry finish. It's what I chose as well.
To be fair to Pete, the only two guitars he had in 1st as his favorite was the PRS and the Gibson. Of course he can play blindfolded. Can't imagine how many dark gigs he's played.
Loving Pete's humour 😂😂😂 Lots of details 😄
i got an eastcoast l1 here in the US and it was the best decision I've ever made. they really are that good.
Love my Washburn parrallaxe LP styled guitar. Stays in tune for ever. My hubby Les Paul was hot garbage and had a cost multiplier. Though I did like the 61 zebra pickups. My Godin plays great and the p rails are so versatile, but I would rather play a super strat for great tones all around.
Gibson les paul sounded way better than the replicas. For me, there doesn’t seem to be much if s difference between a Mexican and US strat, but for les pauls the price makes a big difference to the sound
Loved this and loved that Danish Pete makes the same joke I make when the word "clarity" is said. We both sing it to the tune of "Gravity" even though John Mayer literally has a song called "Clarity," which is incidentally one of my favorites of his.
A couple of years ago I bought a Vintage/Encore LP copy. This is a 'student' range of guitars.
It plays and feel so good I don't even look at LP guitars at stores anymore.
I have my LP.
I'm done.
...for now...
I get why Pete thought the last one was an aria. I got an aria myself (obviously the cheaper quality) and the pickups do sound muffled. That's also why I want to replace it in the near future.
I love these vids. It's not comparing theoretical things but playability for a certain style. I remember playing every single guitar in a small shop a few years ago, and I liked a Gretsch for about €420 way more than a similar Gibson. The lower mid-range guitars already can have what you want, on the EastCoast I think a new pair of Pickups would make it a great guitar.
Yet another video designed to make me miss my old Blues Driver!
Im sure if you repeated the test with same guitars 5 times you'd get 5 different results. I think the pressure/tension of being tested is affecting results as much as anything. I love blindfold challenges but not convinced they produce any usable recommendations.
I got the PRS 594 double cut on my wish list at Sweetwater. Almost pull the string today, but I didn’t because the Pauls Guitar is laying in the back of my mind.
Love these challenges! Keep doing it!
I've used a Helix LT for a couple of years now and the standout feature that sets it apart for me is the Command Centre. I have mine connected to both my Boss VE500 with midi and a laptop via USB which runs our lighting rig. When I switch patches or snapshots which of course changes my guitar sound, the lighting and vocals change too for verses, choruses, special sections etc. Can't see anything else that will do that currently.
McCarty its truely nice to play!!! Its makes it my main guitar to play!!!
This is very consistent with my experience. Epiphones, especially the new ones (though the same is true for my 2004 LP Standard) have very scratchy frets, particularly as you go up the register. The SE 594 Standard is astonishingly good, both for the money and in general. I would have its quality control as better than Gibson, though obviously some of the parts are cheap in order to hit the price point
Absolutely fantastic picks really sheds light on our stereotypes of guitars
Love the new intro, the audio reminds me of a time Pete was bulling the Captain.
The tele trauma wounded Mr Honore pretty deep. Haha love the video, gents! That LTD is gorgeous!
I liked the sound of the Epi and the Gibby most! Every time i here an LTD on Adertons its the worst sounding guitar in the room to my ears, i thought they used to sound good with the Dimarzios but those Duncans sound hot and dead.
LTD usually does best as a high gain shredder. The opposite or Pete’s (amazing btw) playing style lol
Its made to make a Mesa recto chug and thats it i have to roll vol to 2 or 3 to play any clean loops w the SD 59 combo in my EC
@@che2335 Im still thinking of trying one because i know they are well built but those pups will have to go, they are spitting way to much fire for my taste.
More focus on how the neck feels. Rounded? Ease of play/bending? Stiff? Sticky back? Etc. a run through of the pickups would be enough because the feel is more important. The fiets
can be changed.
Pete is right about the muffled ring. It's because of the tune-o-matic and bridge material. Custom shop is alumin(i)um with brass saddles and all the other are zamac and some other cheap metal.
Pete always digress from only feeling the quality by playing to actually figure out exactly what guitar it is... Love Pete 😂 All these cats here at Andertons would prob make a super hang 100%. Would be amazing to do that sometime. 🌹❤️🔥
Picking the prs 594 is what I've been picking in videos. Better sounding than a gibson lp imo. The se sc594 in the release you did of the se 594 line sounded the best over yt to me, even over the core. One day I want a core prs, but I feel dirty because I'd replace the pickups. I wouldn't feel as bad about it with an se or s2.
Should do more of these blindfold challenges lee.
Always loved them.👏👏👏
I had the opportunity the other day to put my hands on a $7k Murphy lab '58 standard, then a $3000 60's LP standard, playing through a 35 watt boogie mk5. I can't get over how uncomfortable they are to play, and I really wanted to like it, on the floor on a stand was a used Indonesian 594 singlecut it had been retrofitted with the good top locking prs tuners, and brass bridge hardware, setup perfectly, and that guitar was just world's better than any les paul in that entire shop. Sub $1000 PRS is just on another level IMO.
"I play alot in the dark". I think it's best we keep Pete in the dark though.... thanks for an awesome video again.
@Andertons Music Co You know what would be cool. If you made a similar video, with guitars that had the same specs and setups, but we're of different shape. For instance, you could compare a Yamaha Revstar, a Reverend of the same scale, a Fender or Squier HH offset, a Charvel HH, a Gretch single cut or Jet, and Flying V or Explorers from different brands or Gibson /Epiphone.
I love how the "like and subscribe" thing is practically an afterthought. That's authenticity.
Love these challenges, but wish Pete would comment about the fit and finish of the frets for every guitar.
Rob can perfectly guess them just by smelling them.
That was a good therapy session, thank you gents... Oh, by the way, does Matt Finish share a border with Danish Pete? lol
I loved this one ! Great job guys!
Thank you Noel now we all know the settings
Love this episode!!! So much fun. Pete can play.
In terms of midrange guitars/imports, LTD 1000 series guitars and the new PRS Mccarty SEs are seriously amazing guitars, not just for the money. They're solid, dependable, and beautiful. I've owned many 1000 series LTDs, and now own my a Mccarty SE. They totally stand up to guitars that cost significantly more.
Even PRS haters are praising the McCarty SE. They got it right on that one, big time.
Can't believe y'all didn't use a '59 Standard Kit with the burstbuckers in it instead of the Standard 60's.
I think they are even Gibson USA pickups, on that one, right? Or am I confusing it with another Epi?
@@Tijuanabill That's correct. Gibson Burstbucker 2 and 3.
About the "rolled" feel fretboard on the East coast I think its the same on Harley Bentons and the like, sometimes the poly doesn't get all the way up the binding until the fretboard and gives that impression. I find it really nice btw
the rambling is the best part!
Any chance Andertons want to try some Cort guitars? Incredible value for the money.
I love these videos. Then again I love nearly all of the Anderton’s videos and the ones I don’t love I still like a lot 😂
I like that the affordable guitar is included and played under the same conditions and the more expensive ones. The Eastcoast was not my favorite sounding one but it still sounded good compared to the others and for folks that want a nice sounding guitar but don’t want to or can’t afford to spend a lot it’s nice to know they can still get a good instrument. I am a sucker for a PRS so to me that one sounded the best but I also loved the warmth of the Gibson but blindfolded I couldn’t have picked any of them out so kudos to Pete!!!
The world is steadily discovering that the SE McCarty 594 is one of the greatest modern day guitar creations. Haven't picked up another guitar since I got mine (and I have two Gibson LPs and plenty of others way over the SE's price level)
People just gush over them. I tried a Standard 08 SE, and didn't vibe. I should have tried the McCarty instead.
I LOVED this! Can you do another single cut LP style for under 1k with another 6 brands? There's loads to choose from... this price bracket interest me so much more because it's at least feasible. Also could you do a hollow/semi-hollow blindfold test please, again for not too much dough?
I feel like they covered all the best brands for an affordable single cut. I personally want an Edwards LP for the price but they obviously aren't going to show that. The problem with hollow or semi hollow bodies is they require so much hand labour. They're still a few good ones like sire, d'angelico, wouldn't go Epiphone.
@@Marinatina2 Nah there are pelenty more LPs maybe you just don;lt know about them. Also nah again on the hollow and semis, there are plenty of great ones to review.
Just listening I thought the east coast sounded too muffled and inarticulate. For me the PRS sounded too much like a Fender to buy it in a LP style guitar. I wanted to like the Sire because I like gold tops but I would be happiest with the sound of either the Epi or the Gibson.
I feel like it was a miss not giving him that "special eddition" Epiphone 59 Les Paul in this mix. The Burstbuckers sound great in it. Have a few Epiphones with upgraded pickups and wiring, so I haven't purchased one just yet - honestly thinking R9 is next for me, though... I just want to find one that just has that "thing"... but typically, I love the ones that are like 20k not 6k but I just can't justify buying one that expensive... can barely justify 6k. I might prefer to just get another standard and throw in custom buckers and 50's wiring. Problem is I have a 20k ear for tone but more like the sub $1000 preferred budget.
Happy Bday Pete ;-) Great video as usual
🎉
Confused? Why the LTD EC-1000 which is over 1,000 Pounds and NOT an LTD-256 (which I paid, iirc, $549 US a 'few yrs ago?) That 256 ROCKED; I just couldn't get used to the X-Jumbo Frets, so I gave it to my Grandson to add to his 'growing collection' (he's now a Music Major in College).