Edwards E-LP-85SD Les Paul Copy

This is a correction that is very noteworthy for Whitehalls review.

Yes there is a veneer on the top of flame finish Edwards, but the veneer sits on top of a 17mm maple cap.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i148/cessrcd/edwardscap.jpg

I reckon that Edwards like Gibson weight relieves their mahogany back and maybe the rest of the wieght is shed with their quite deep carve

All the hardware is the same as a Gibson, as Gibson get their hardware from Gotoh, and Edwards ESP use the same woods as Gibson (from trees)

the only real difference between an Edwards E-LP-9x is no full nitro, and no fret end binding, and no Gibson pickups

On the basis that it's 95 of what you get on a Gibson LP I'll give it a 9, if it was a navigator or Tokai LS-130 and above with nitro finish and fret end binding it'd have to be 10

They sound a tad naff if you keep the JB, but then after getting a LP at this price you can afford some damn good pickups:)

When you do fiot a good set of pickups and I'm talking from Toneriders up, this will sound as good as any LP...period

Action is up to you or your tech to sort out

Stuff fits on it

And the finish is nigh on perfect

Myslef and quite a few other worldwide us ethse guitar everyday at home, in the studio and on stage and they damn well RAWK

You don't really get any customer support

I've been playing for nearly 900 hundred years and during this time I've played around 34 000 guitars....ahem, seriously. Been playing since I was 19 and I'm 45 now. These are not Gibson Custom Shop quality, but they are as good as the average Gibson. I have ordered around 5 of these now and they have all been faultless.
I would order an Edwards sight unseen form Japan, I would not do the same with Gibson. I have one Gibson at the moment and it'll stay with me for as long as I can afford to keep it, it's a 54 VOS and it's stunning, however whenever I go Gibson shopping, I have to visit the guitar and play and go over it with a tooth comb

John Sykes replica

BODY : (Top)Hard Maple
(Back) Mahogany
NECK : Mahogany
FINGERBOARD : Ebony , 22frets
SCALE : 628mm (24.75 inch) / Medium
JOINT : Set-Neck
PICKUPS : (Front) Seymour Duncan SH-6n(JS)
(Rear) Seymour Duncan SH-6b(VW,JS)
CONTROL : Front & Rear Volume
Front & Rear Tone
Toggle PU Selector
BRIDGE : Tune-Matic / Stop Tailpiece

I do progressive rock/metal.
I use a rack system and 4x12 cabs.
Has the Duncan Distortions.
These are very high output pickups.
Very suitable for metal.
But, may not be for those looking for a classic rock tone.
Then a regular E-LP-85CD would better fit ones needs.

Read my full review in the forum.
http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1465631

I've been playing for over20 years.

This is a 2005/6 Edwards ELP85, MIJ and bought brand new from Ishibashi in Japan. The specs are pretty well known, duncan pups , veneer top, no ,sorry it's not a real flamed maple regardless of what you may have been told. Neck is a medium profile, about a Gibson 50's. I have a lot of Gibson 's to compare to. This is not an R8 neck. Here's the thing you need to know. THE GUITAR WEIGHS 7.5 LBS. Now that may or may not be a big thing to you. It didn't bother me at all. But why is it so light ? well lets take it apart and see. The cap is very,very thin and the routs are very deep. Ah, so that's how they do it. The guitar has a long neck tenon and the joint is supurb. An excellent feature. Frets are medium wire. And as on all MIJ guitars the fretwork is supurb.

Plugged in the Duncans sound quite bright . The tone pots actually work for more than 1/4 turn. Unlike most MIJ pots. I play thru a lot of amps and it sounds good thru all of them.

All the MIJ guitars I have owned (and it's a lot) came out of the box pretty close to perfect. Frets are always where they should be and intonation is almost always spot on. As 90% of them have veneer tops and are finished in poly they are all pretty identical. Real maple tops are very much like fingerprints, no two are really identical. Most MIJ guitars are veneer, although the sellers don't like to tell you this. Just look at the tops on the MIJ guitars on ebay . This isn't a bad thing, but I laugh when kids compare them to Gibsons.

All the MIJ guitars I've had were very reliable, although a lot of the older ones were boat anchors in the 9.5 lbs + category. In the case of this guitar, sure you could gig it out of the box. Poly tops are very durable and they never fade.

I've bought a lot of guitars from Noriko at Ishibashi over the last 6 years. Never a problem, and their service is first rate. Of course the used ones you buy on ebay from the "experts" have no return policies. I guess that's whay the descriptions are so amusing.

I've been playing over 30 years and have bought /sold 100's of guitars. As far as copies go, these are pretty nice if you don't mind the featherweight. - 7.5 lbs. If you think you are buying a Gibson, your not. All the MIJ guitars LOOK like my Gibsons, but none of them really ever feel like them. Sorry kids, that's just my take on them. Their are just way too many differences in the materials and construction of the MIJ guitars, even the old ones. BUT, for about $700 shipped this is a hell of a guitar.

THIS IS AN UPDATE OF MY PREVIOUS POST.

The pots are NOBLES Japan. Excellent/highest quality.
5 years of use, never had a problem. Capacitors have been replaced. Switch is still very strong. Much sturdier than cheap Epi ones. All japan electronics. Tailpiece and bridge are nickel GOTOH japan, not cheap zinc chrome ones. Tuners are also GOTOH deluxe kluson-style, they are still very sharp and fine, I love 'em. Pickups replaced : tried Antiquities, now Dimarzio V-Paf, they are perfect for this guitar.

Highest level of sustain I ever heard. The whole "tone generator" is located at the neck joint ; there's a powerful energy transfer there, mostly due to the long neck tenon.

Using a '67 SuperBass with 4x12 Greenies.

Finish is perfect, top-notch.

Ive owned lots of guitars so far, with lots of effects. I'd definitely buy another Edwards. Im planning on selling this one and buying a Jimmy Page replica by Edwards. Twice the price however...

You're not going wrong with Edwards. Believe.

I think it was made in 2004, because the guy I bought it from got it from a store this year (2005) and it was brand new. Not a scratch, not a sign of customers playing it at all.
It's got a beautiful gold top, awesome seymour duncan JB and '59 pick-ups, great tuners and great bridge. It's a 1957 Les Paul GT copy, though it's not a perfect replica. The carved maple top is a bit more narrow than the original and there was no pick-guard included, nor the pick-up covers, so I asked my "dealer" to fix that for me.
When it arrived in Sweden (where I live) it needed a bit of work on the intonation, but otherwise it was superb! It sounds great, feels really, really good and stays in tune really good too.

One complaign though: It was set up with a set of 009-042 strings and the nut was set up for that kinds of sets too (i'm not sure how to explain it in english, but a set of 011-52 was too fat and wouldn't fit), so I handed it in to a guitar repairman and had him do his business.

As it is a Les Paul it has Les Paul features with 2 volume and 2 tone pots, a toggle switch, two humbuckers, tune-o-matic bridge and vintage looking tuners. So the features aren't very impressive at quantity, but the quality is great! Real high standard!

I play it through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe with a T-rex Mudhoney, a Boss Dual Overdrive, a Dunlop Cry Baby (Limited) and a Dunlop Tremolo. For crunch/lead sounds I love the bridge pick-up (seymour duncan JB)! It's got plenty of bite and awesome harmonics. For clean sounds I always use bridge/neck och simply the neck pick-up (seymour duncan '59). It's got all the tone i desire and all the good warmth I want!!

When I don't play my Edwards I usually play my Fender american vintage 1962 reissue Stratocaster and they make a great pair.

It' simply great. No flaws, good set-up (exept intonation and the mensioned nut-problem i experienced).
Otherwise, nothing bad to say at all.

I can really depend on it. It stays in tune, doesn't eat strings great strap buttons (but I swapped for strap locks) and I could gig without back-up, but I never do in case a string really would go.

haven't dealt with the company, but my contact in Japan is really nice and helpful! he took my order, went to a store and bought it and customized it for me! he's got lots of auctions at e-bay too.

I love it! It's much better than Gibsons Studio models and cheaper too. It's about the same class as Gibsons new standards (I compared it to a Gibson Standard 2004) in quality, but with better pick-ups and it's a bit lighter and plays better.

OH MY GOD i love this guitar i just got it been playin on it for about 5 hours now. the guitar is edwards (esp) only available in japan for obvious reasons if you play 1. i got it off e-bay what a find!!!.it comes with a s.d 59' in the neck and a s.d jb in the bridge. the body is mahogany with a awsome maple cap REAL THICK MAPLE bwt 2-3mm beautiful flame 2 the finish is between cherry burst and sunburst.

i havent really had time to tell yet because i play alot of different styles but im sure it will fit most even metal through the right pedals ive been playing zakk wylde songs n it sounds fine. . . . . . . . . . . . very fine i use it with my marshall valvestate 8100 stack and mxr dimebag distortion, digitech metal master and digi whammy, marshall jackhammer,boss digital delay and my crybaby. the guitar produces a rich full sound but also very clean.

wel i didnt get it from the factory so i dont know but when i got it its near enough perfect nothin that a little tweak cant fix. i think the guitar must have had a knock because there is a slight chip out of the cap and binding but im gonna try and fix this with alot of coats of lacquer other than that its awsome . . . . . . i havent had the chance to play a gibson les paul standard and i dont really care too although i played a gibson les paul studio and this guitar totally kicks its ass.

i think this guitar will definatly last a while it seems tough and very heavy!!! i would depend on it but i dont need to as i have a prs santana se, dean z sig series, kaman gtx 23, and an epiphone explorer which are all pretty decent guitars. . . . . .i guess we'll have to see if it lasts im sure it will though...

i dont think u'd have much luck but u wont need it and you should be able 2 fix it yourself.

Ive been playin about 2 years and have had way too many guitars if thats possible.If this guitar was stolen or completely broken i would try my hardest to acquire another but i dont know how easy that would be. i have a prs santana se, dean z sig series, kaman gtx 23, and an epiphone explorer thats the guitars. marshall valvestate 8100 stack fender skx65r, marshall mg30dfx thats the amps. and mxr dimebag distortion, digitech metal master and digi whammy, marshall jackhammer,boss digital delay,ProCO. turbo rat and my crybaby

Les Paul copy--it's not a dirty word in this case. I live in Nashville and am proud to not own a Gibson LP but rather this Edwards. Thick maple cap, long neck tenion, Duncan '59 and JB pickups (almost too hot), beautiful flame top with Lemon Drop finish. The top is carved a bit deep just before the edges of the guitar top (probably to get around copywright infringements). That would be the only thing I don't care for on this guitar but it's not a show stopper. You have to get up close on it to see. The mother of pearl inlays look synthetic (too perfect to be natural). Other than that, the guitar has solid electronics, a heavy gig bag, cool brushed nickle hardware. The Edwards and Navigator series are made by ESP. The specs are taken from the vintage Gibsons, Fenders, etc. they have on display at the ESP store in Tokyo. Even the binding on the cut away is as you'd see on a '59 LP Standard. Lot's of attention to detail.

Sound is very warm and has incredible sustain when through a tube amp overdriven. I use a Peavy Classic 4-10 and a Tech 21 Trademark 60. When I run a Boss GE-7 Eq pedal I get wonderful tones. There's the difference you immediately feel and hear...if you've ever played a high end PRS you may know what I'm talking about. Difference is that I only paid $700 for this guitar new while in Tokyo.

The finish is unlike anyting out there today. It's a thin laquer and has a matte-like look. I think this lets the guitar breath more than the standard coat after coat of nitro or polyurathane (yuck) that manufacturers feel they need to use.
Action is smooth and feels snappy/responsive with a set of 10s. The craftsmanship is top notch...Japanese manufacturers are putting out some of the most incredible guitars we'll never see in this country. Unfortunately, Fender and Gibson do their best to choke out the market in the USA (my opinion). All electronics and hardware are solid and of high quality.

Everything is solid.

I bought the guitar this year while in Tokyo. The Edwards brand is made by ESP. The ESP store was awesome...I was like a kid in a candy store. They had at least 50 old Fenders, Gibsons, Gretch, and other vintage guitars on display (couple of '59 LP Sunbursts and 335s, 50s Teles/Strats). It was like being in a museum. These are the guitars that ESP/Edwards/Navigator uses to model after. The manager of the store spoke English very well and was very helpful. Hey if you're in Shabuya, Tokoyo...don't miss this place. It's about two blocks from the Tower Records store.

I've played for about 30 years and have owned many old Gibsons and Fenders. These Edwards (ESP) guitars are an exceptional value. I live in Nashville, TN and have seen how Gibson operates and I'm not impressed with the company. They are great guitars based on the commitment/professionalism of their employes and not by senior leadership (my opinion). I am very proud to own a high quality Les Paul guitar that turns heads and is not a gibson. Don't pass up this brand. You won't be disappointed.

It's a recent model, not more than 5 years for sure, unless it has been kept in a case all that time. Made in Japan. Exact '59 LP replica. Thick flamed-maple top, 1-piece mahogany body, 1-piece mahogany neck. 2 zebra Seymour Duncan ('59/JB). Fat neck, very fat, I love it!
Oh and it also features a long-neck tenon !

Playing mainly classic rock. My amp is a Laney GH50L loaded with JJ E34Ls, JJ/EH 12ax7 and a Mullard 12ax7 in V1. No noise, quality components. It has a rich sound. Thick. The thickness of the neck makes it sustain sooooooo nice!

This is truly a '59 LP replica. The feel, the sound, everything is there. I'll replace the SD soon 'cause the JB is way too hot for me.

Guitar arrived not setup (long way home, strings were slacked). No problem, I know how to setup my guitars. Nice bookmatch, neck at perfect angle. The tuners are great! Better than expected, no need to replace 'em (they are Gotoh Deluxe). Everything, I mean, everything is perfect on this guitar so far!

Sure it will withstand any abuse! But it's a nice one, so I wont throw it around on stage. The hardware looks high quality, probably Gotoh-made. Strap buttons are to be changed (like any LP).

No. dont need to deal with 'em.

Been playing for over 15 years. I own a '97 Gibson SG Special, a Fender Deluxe Strat, a Fender MIJ Fotoflame w/ USA neck (and a trusty old Aria nylon/classical from the 70's).

I'd buy another one at any moment, there are exceptionnal. I owned a Greco EG-700 Les Paul (late 70's Fujji Gen Gakki wonder). I sold it back 'cause the neck was too thin. I though the Greco was the best LP I played so far, but no!! The Edwards beats it!! I love its big fat neck and the 1 piece body/neck, and the long-neck tenon, and the finish... and the price I paid :D

It really compares to any Gibson Historic/Custom Shop (not the std product line please...). No doubt, as I did compared it!!

Go buy 'em ! They wont stay at this low price that long!

2000(?)Not sure of the year, although it is obviously reasonably new, and unplayed. Made in Japan Edwards (a division of ESP Japan) E-LP-85SD. One piece mahogany body, 2 piece plaintop maple cap(not laminate!), Standard Les Paul controls, factory installed Seymour Duncan JB and 59 pickups, and the pots and wiring are quality stuff - not mounted on a PC board and not those crappy mini-pots. It's Heritage Cherry burst with just a subtle touch of flame. Big fat neck and Gibson style jumbo frets (wide but sorta low). Oh, and Long neck Tenon. Total weight is about 8.5 pounds.

Hey, it sounds like a Les Paul, nice and fat with great sustain. The Duncan JB and 59 are great pickups, they are what I put in my last Gibson 60's classic after I threw away the crappy stock Ceramic pickups. I run it thru a modded BD-2 and either into an 18 watt Winnie Thomas November for some serious crunch or a Carlson Songbird for fat clean sounds. I play tele's primarily, and I needed a Humbucker guitar for heavier stuff that I do with an original band... check it out at www.Hieroglyphmusic.com. It fits the bill nicely, and I didn't have to spend a fortune for a high quality instrument.

I didn't get it from the factory, I bought it from an Ebay seller named Ultrabass7(Great Seller). Action and playability was really good right out of the box, but it was setup with 10's and I threw 11's on it and reset it up anyway. The fit and finish rivals custom shop guitars I've seen/played... Japanese manufacturers seem to be pretty meticulous when it comes to a guitar's fit and finish. Fretwork was flawless, no overspray or messiness with the binding etc. Definite High quality workmanship.

This guitar will definitely withstand some abuse. Hardware is not top of the line but it's pretty good... As for finish Edwards offers a model with a Nitro top and poly sides, but this one's a straight poly finish, which is fine by me. I don't buy into that whole nitro for tone nonsense... and poly holds up a whole lot better. Tonally a guitar is the sum of it's parts In my opinion, and this thing sounds killer. As for gigging without a backup... well I learned the hard way that aint a good idea with any guitar, but if I had to I wouldn't be uncomfortable.

Don't think I'll have much luck with this unless I bring it to Japan. That's OK with me, if you play you should learn how to do all the basic stuff yourself... and you should always find a good tech for the heavier stuff.

I've been playing about 20 years, started out on my dad's Les Paul and Marshall 50 watter. Eventually I moved to tele's, but i still love LP's also. I don't think I'll be "losin" it anytime soon... but if it was stolen I would definitely look for another on Ebay as that's pretty much the only way to get them unless you go to Japan. The bang for buck factor on these is incredible... this is a high quality guitar for the money. The pickups alone are worth about $160... I don't know how the Japanese do it... they pump out some high quality stuff for not a lot of money. As for me, I just can't see gigging every week with a $2000 guitar... I'd be a nervous wreck. This guitar fits my budget, and is of higher quality than any other LP copy I could buy. I played it side by side with a couple of Gibson's and it was as good as the few I A/B'ed it against for a whole lot less money. If you're a player it's a great buy... if you're a collector you should stick to a Gibson. I love the high end Gibsons, but unless I get an endorsement deal(Ummm, yeah good luck) these Japanese Edwards copies are it for me.

This Edwards is a "58" Les Paul Replica Gold Top. It was actully made in Japan 1993. It is an exact replica of the Gibson "58" comparing size, materials and features. The weight and fat chunky 22 fret neck make it hard to tell the difference. The body is a solid 1 piece mahogany, top is a solid slab of maple, the neck is a deep tenon set 1 piece mahogany, and the fret board is rosewood with trapezoid inlays. There are 2 humbuckers, seymour duncan sh-1, and sh-4. There are 2 volume and 2 tone knobs, along with the 3 way toggle. Tuners say deluxe on them. They look identical to the 58's tuners. If you noticed, I have not given anything a perfect 10. There would have to be some sort of copulation for a perfect rating.

This sound is incredible, The Tone and Sustain are everything you would want from a Les Paul. I play mostly Blues and dirty rock. I run it with a variety of amps. Everything from a Boogie MKIII to a Behringer GX210. I use a Korg AX1000G for effects. Ever since the original set up I have only changed strings on it. The Edwards produces the clearest of clear, the ugliest grunge and pretty much everything in between. I truly could not ask for a better sound.

The fit and finish of this guitar are excellent. The strings were set a little high from the seller. My luthier remedied that within 15 minutes. The action is now set very low, with absolutley no buzz. Pickups were set perfect, as was the bridge and truss rod. My Luthier is changing the wiring configuration which Dicky Betts came up with long ago. The Gold Top Bullion is incredible. Looking at it up close, you almost get a 3D effect. It does not have a pick guard which I prefer anyway. The back of the guitar is a perfect clear coat over the mahogany. I could not find any flaws in the finish.

As far as the reliability goes, it is very reliable. I for one would never gig without a backup however. This is my main squeeze and it has not let me down. Comparing to it's clone the " Gibson 58" it is as sturdy if not maybe more. It is going on 10 years old and nothing has deteriorated. Except for my own scratches on the back, everything looks factory fresh. The only change made is the strap buttons. I opted for the Schaller locking type because of my own anxieties. I cannot see anything substandard that would decrease the value with age. As probably most of you know, the Les Pauls are heavy. This one included, approx. 9.5lbs. This is no toy. It is as solid as they come.

I have never had to deal with them. The Edwards brand is an ESP, so I am guessing they are pretty good if needed.

In conclusion I will tell you if you are considering this guitar but have never owned an Edwards, buy it. You will not regret it due to quality, fit or finish. I have been fumbling with these hunks of wood metal and plastic going on 25 years now. I have owned a wide variety of gear including Vintage Gibsons, Fenders, Paul Reed Smith's, Peavey, Aria's, ESP's, B.C. Rich, Tokia's, and so on. If this guitar was to no longer be in my possesion, I would truly get the exact replacement. (This would be a little difficult however, due to they are not franchised here in the states. You most likely will have to import it from Asia) There are many replica's out there of the Infamous Les Pauls. When taking the Pepsi blindfold challenge, I am sure you would not be able to distinguish this from the exact "58" Les Paul, or the New Gibson Custom shop replica's. I first struggled with my loyalty to my American brothers who create the American made Gibsons. After I saw the huge financial savings of over $1000, I was a little perturbed at Gibson for the outrageous prices they demand. In the past my gear had to say "made in the USA". I am over that now and search for the best value. I will stick with the Asian or any other countries guitars who offer this type of value untill I am famous enough to have a guitar company label my name on one of their products. If I could incorporate any changes, and still keep the price the same, I would make the body and neck out of Korina. It is the royalty of tone woods, compared to the mahogany which can vary it's tone even when it is cut from the same slab of tree. Also I would add highly figured exotic woods for the tops, such as bubinga. Again, you may have noticed I have not given any rating of 10. Perfect is difficult for me to comprehend. I will however give this Edwards Les Paul a 9.99 rating. To all my American Brothers that are laboring over their finely crafted Les Pauls to distribute them to us noise junkies, thank you. You have set the standard to be matched, unfortunately the Japanese (our 51st state) have successfully complied with this task. Talk to the suits and tell them to take a pay cut so us schmoes can afford one of your fine pieces of art. Thank you all for giving me a forum to rant.