Gibson LP Standard 60s vs Epiphone LP Standard 50s sustains & resonance

[pureofpure]

Hello everyone -

I own a Gibson Les Paul 60s standard (2022) model with an upgraded ABR-1 Bridge (Faber with iNsert Posts) and a Faber Aluminum tailpiece.
I also own an Epiphone Les Paul 50s Standard Goldtop (2022) model with an upgraded Nashville Bridge (tonepros).

I was surprised with how much more sustain (unplugged and plugged) my Epiphone had over the Gibson - around ~5 seconds more sustain than my Gibson, also the Epiphone was louder when strumming chords or playing single notes unplugged ( a lot louder ).

But on the other hand, I feel that my Gibson is more resonant (I can feel the vibrations through the body) than my Epiphone.

Few notes,
- my Epiphone has a long tenon and Gibson short ( does it really matter? )
- Gibson has Erin Ball strings and Epiphone D'Addario
- Both guitars have very similar setups (Action in the low E string is ~ 1.88mm and in the High E string is ~ 1.66 )
- Epiphone has much older strings (2 months old) and Gibson ~1.5 weeks old
- My Gibson is 4.4 Kg and my Epiphone is 4 Kg


I can't digest that my Epiphone is so much louder and has much more sustain. Did I get the perfect Epiphone guitar? or My Gibson is meh? Did I mess up something in the setups?
Do the bridge and tailpiece play so huge role in the sustain and loudness when unplugged?
Maybe it's a matter of strings?

Edit:

Some observations and testing I did for the sustain:
* All these tests were performed through Ampltibue 5 using Fender Twin Reverb amp with a clean channel - no effects were used.

Gibson LP + Faber Tailpiece + ABR1 Faber Bridge:
- Open D string: ~23.61 seconds
- Open G Chord: ~26.53 seconds

Gibson LP + Gibson Tailpiece + ABR1 Faber Bridge:
- Open D string: ~23.43 seconds
- Open G Chord: ~23.97 seconds

Gibson LP + Gibson Tailpiece + ABR1 Gibson Bridge:
- Open D string: ~23.00 seconds
- Open G Chord: ~24.00 seconds

Gibson LP + Faber Tailpiece + ABR1 Faber Bridge + Top-Wrap + New set of strings (Erin ball):
- Open D string: ~24.50 seconds
- Open G Chord: ~33.51 seconds

Epiphone + Nashville bridge tonepros:
- Open D string: ~26.00 seconds
- Open G Chord: ~28.00 seconds

 

[zacknorton]

a thing can't be more resonant and have less sustain than another thing. the thing that has more volume and sustain is more resonant.

Unless we're talking about specific resonant frequency peaks.

How do they compare sound and play wise?

???

 

[pureofpure]

a thing can't be more resonant and have less sustain than another thing. the thing that has more volume and sustain is more resonant.

Unless we're talking about specific resonant frequency peaks.

How do they compare sound and play wise?

???

Yeah, that's what doesn't make sense to me...

Well play wise, the Gibson is "softer" and easier to play I would say. Also, I think it has more "Clarity" if that makes sense, but also a less "warmer" tone than the Epiphone if unplugged (I would say you can hear clearly the stings/notes and distinguish them). Now plugged in, the Epiphone is "muddier" and brighter than the Gibson, I think overall Gibson has better dynamics and is more comfortable to play (and more warmer tone if plugged in).

Again, maybe it boils down to strings - since the Gibson has newer strings, the sound is more "metallic". I just ordered a new set of D'Addario and will run a few more experiments.

I hope my description above makes some sense

Edit:
Also one more note - I would say that Epiphone's sustain fades more "smoothly" over time, but Gibson's sustain looks like it cut more "aggressively" at the end.
Just to make clear - there are not any moving bridges or saddles or nuts - everything looks fine and tight.

 

[Big Al]

More resonate guitars sustain less, and who sustains notes or chords over 20 seconds?

 

[pureofpure]

More resonate guitars sustain less, and who sustains notes or chords over 20 seconds?

You're probably right. I think that I am just spending way too much time on this and overthinking it - also there is always the option of a compressor if you really need that much sustain.
I am happy with my Gibson LP anyway - it looks awesome and plays great!

 

[ch willie]

If you like both guitars, the ways they feel and sound, neither is meh. Play them and enjoy them. It does mean a thing if they’ve both got that swing, bee bop a bop bee bop a bop bop.