Also if you’ve finally got the budget to purchase the name, If you are someone who is obsessed with tone, the Gibson Les Paul will satisfy you, You’re looking to pass the Gibson Les Paul throughout the generations of your family, You are a guitar player by hobby and only play your guitar for your own personal enjoyment, If you are a young or inexperienced musician who is just getting started playing guitar. Gibson Les Paul Studio and Tribute models are the least expensive authentic Gibson Les Pauls you can buy. The Gibson Flying V is an electric guitar model introduced by Gibson in 1958. It could be. Thankfully, the new team has listened. The new ProBucker pickups that Epiphone has installed on the Les Paul Standard (full review) has really improved the overall sound of the Epiphone LP. In the guitar community, it’s extremely common for musicians to discuss the different types of woods that companies are using to create their instruments. 1990 – Les Paul Classic introduced 1996 – Les Paul SmartWood introduced 1998 – Double-Cutaway Les Paul Standard introduced 2002 – Gibson Digital Guitar introduced 7. A lot of Gibson’s older bridges are comprised of aluminum, but in more recent years Gibson has made bridges from Zamak. As expected, the LP Classic is crafted with a mahogany back and maple top coupled with a slim taper mahogany neck and bound, rosewood fingerboard. Most of the Gibson ES models have a three-ply laminate of either combination such as maple, poplar, maple or a maple, basswood, maple. If you’ve had the time to play some rock and roll with both guitars, it’s totally okay to choose a side. It keeps the purists happy while giving the company room to evolve. In fact, it has been going on for many years. Whether playing in a band or learning music, You have wanted to get your hands on the Gibson inspired sound. If you’re someone who is just looking for a great guitar to play on, it can get really confusing trying to figure out which guitar is better for you to choose. It’s super-easy to get up the dusty end of the fretboard. In July, we featured Gibson Custom’s flagship 2019 model, the 60th Anniversary 1959 Les Paul Standard. We are left with two guitars that support the hypothesis that says the P-90 soapbar is pound-for-pound the best pickup ever. It too can perform as a rock machine, with similarly hidden depths there, and an all-time classic finish. At the end of the day, the choice is up to you. While Gibson does produce guitars that are higher in quality by using traditional tonewoods, they have begun to branch out to using different woods to become friendlier to the environment. One sign that it is working is that on first impressions it was only the fact that the SG Special arrived in a Gibson hard case that distinguished it from the others, which arrived in padded gig-bags. If you’re looking for a bit of a clearer guide to  help you make your decision, here are my tips: At the end of the day, your decision to purchase a Gibson Les Paul or an Epiphone Les Paulis all up to you. Epiphone comprises their fingerboards out of rosewood, but the pieces that Epiphone picks for their fingerboards aren’t as cosmetically appealing as the pieces that Gibson uses. The collection was simplified. AU $3,200.00. They are priced similarly to the Gibson SG Standard. Zakk Wylde, Les Paul, Bob Marley, Slash, and Jimmy Page are just some of the famous musicians that have performed with the Gibson Les Paul and have helped to shape the sound and history of music. It is Faded Pelham Blue, and it dates back to the early 60s when Fender was taking inspiration from classic automobiles and rolling out a host of cool solid-block colours, and Gibson wanted in on the action. Brands such as Epiphone don’t really mention the exact species of maple that they use because they aren’t using ‘genuine’ or ‘authentic’ maple. FINISHES: Worn White Satin [reviewed], Ebony Satin, Vintage Cherry Satin, Natural Walnut. The Les Paul Standard is Gibson’s flagship model and … Typically, Epiphone uses a very thin maple veneer, which is common for many companies when using a figured or flamed maple; however, Epiphone still uses a thin maple veneer when using plain maple tops too. From the Original and Modern Collections comes a pair of new production Les Pauls that might just prove less is more. At the end of the day, your decision to purchase a Gibson Les Paul or an Epiphone Les Paulis all up to you. In this review, we looked past any preconceptions and emotions that many people feel when comparing Epiphone and Gibson. There is also a large selection of hardware that Gibson creates in-house for custom models or any historic models. Gibson. In order to disguise the number of pieces that the brand is using to create the body of their guitars, Epiphone applies a solid veneer on the back of the instrument; in the case of Gibson, that is not something that Gibson does on their guitars. In the same time, the average price tag on an Epiphone guitar is $583. With all of that said, there are definitely some reasons why someone may want to choose an Epiphone over a Gibson. While both Gibson and Epiphone have very different baseline price points, a lot of musicians still end up purchasing a guitar with plans of upgrading various parts of the guitar, even if they’re buying a brand-new guitar. Also, your personal preferences, and your ideal music styles. AU $4,650.00. Gibson 2018 SG Faded Electric Guitar w/Bag, Worn Bourbon from Reverb. 2 . They are deceivingly versatile. ... To me, it is still not worth the extra scratch. The Epiphone vs Gibson debate is one of the biggest debates in the guitar community. They’re fine guitars, the pickups are decent and they look beautiful. Here, there is no maple cap. $649.00. With the Epiphone Les Paul, the resonation doesn’t really compare to Gibson; even when the Gibson LP is unplugged, you can feel the chord that you just played resonate in your body. I don’t know why, but they are. - Great humbucker pickups set, Gibson Epiphone Les Paul guitars. But for a few dollars more, the more refined experience of the SG might be more your speed. As for resonance, you should be looking to physically feel the chord that you just played in your body, even if the guitar is unplugged. I have been looking at the new 2020 Les Paul Custom in white. In this review, we looked past any preconceptions and emotions that many people feel when comparing Epiphone and Gibson. The only thing that I would add, is that Gibson actually purchased it’s rival, Epiphone Guitars, back in 1957. Conclusion: Epiphone Les Paul vs Gibson Les Paul. If you’re really interested in learning how to play guitar and are looking to keep your guitar around for years to come, long-term cost is another important factor to consider when you’re going out shopping for a guitar. Posted August 3, 2020. While I appreciate the depth of your article (I could have written it myself, but it would have been better ;-)) I have to disagree on your why buy an Epi vs. Gibson & vice versa. Yeah, sure, it’s stripped down – kinda – but there is some luxury there. I also am someone who firmly believes that each individual guitar has a personality of its own; the sound of all guitars is unique because no piece of wood is created equally. belong in this area. The Gibson will retain value, while the Epiphone can be thrown in the trash after use, or sell it for $150, whatever. Epiphone has its positives in comparison to Gibson, just as much as Gibson has its positives in comparison to Epiphone. They feature an Alnico II magnet and were wound to create a more versatile PAF ’bucker that could work better with high-volume amps and new rock styles, and were often wired so they could be coil-tapped. PICKUPS: 2x Gibson 490 Humbuckers It plays better, it’s more reliable, the components are better, it’s just a better guitar. However, if you’re a newbie who hasn’t had the opportunity to play with either an Epiphone or a Gibson, I would highly recommend that you keep an open mind. The SG feels slick and speedy, with a nice taper going on with the neck. - Designed to duplicate that classic warm sound yet they have slightly more output to give you a bit more crunch for the punch. Gibson Les Paul guitar discussions. A Greco Les Paul Custom. While this may seem like it’s going to be a lot of work to put into a brand-new guitar, it really all just depends on what you’re looking for in an instrument. Yes, there’s no catch. FINISH: Satin Tobacco Burst [reviewed], Satin Honeyburst, Satin Iced Tea, Satin Cherry Burst 127 . I just purchased my first Epiphone Studio IG Les Paul electric guitar ($400.00 total) a couple days ago, and it does have at least one authentic Gibson part……..Grover tuning pegs, that’s better than nothing. These two factors are: The overall clarity of a Les Paul can differ based off of the quality of the electronics, the quality of the wood used to create the guitar or a combination of both of these things. At Andertons Music Co. we have a huge selection of Les Paul guitars available from Gibson and Epiphone, from affordable entry-level models to full-fat Custom Shop wonders! Gibson’s idea of splitting its collection into the Modern and Original makes sense. Gibson Custom has made chambered versions of its iconic 1959 Les Paul Reissue over the years, as well as Limited Run models like the Les Paul Custom Chambered Blackout. ESP vs LTD Guitars: Which Is The Best For Your Needs? Alongside the Standard 60s, Custom, Junior, Special and higher-end 1959 model in the Original Les Paul Collection, the range allows players to hone in on the specific Les Paul experience they want. If the Les Paul Tributes feel ostensibly the same, albeit with less bulk around the body on the Specials, plugged in there is enough variance to give you pause for thought. CONTROLS: 2x volume, 2x tone, 3-way selector switch HARDWARE: Aluminium Nashville Tune-O-Matic The selection of wood that a company chooses to create their guitars out of truly impacts the overall sound, tonal quality, and resonation of their guitars. Minor spec changes occurred with the introduction of Gibson's Modern Collection, including a new nut and new finish. As a matter of fact, you probably wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the two instruments. Conclusion: Epiphone Les Paul vs Gibson Les Paul. In the example of rosewood and maple, the species that are used by Gibson and Epiphone are extremely similar, which is why you may not hear a large difference in sound or tonal projection. Because the Gibson is a better guitar. The sound that the Gibson Les Paul produces is legendary. However, since Gibson owns Epiphone, the Epiphone Les Paul is a real Les Paul. They all play and sound incredible. While the guitars in this comparison are exact replicas for each other, they are similar enough to compare to each other. By not being setup in the United States, Epiphone guitars are comprised of cheaper quality materials and cheaper labor. Gibson USA ; 2020 Les Paul Classic Sign in to follow this . The Gibson Les Paul™ Classic combines the early 60's style Les Paul model with some functional and time-tested modifications. The Epiphone LP has a thinner body, and for the LPs that have sunburst finish. I have been playing Gibson Les Paul Standards and Customs over the past 40 years. The wait is finally over. Gibson officially announces its Slash "Victoria" Les Paul Standard Goldtop. However, many Epiphone models (such as their Riviera model) use a five-ply design, but this isn’t always the case for Epiphone. You will receive a verification email shortly. Read More ; New Gibson Slash Collection - Slash Signature Gibson Guitars. I do own a Gibson Les Paul Standard from 2013 and that one is my favorite. No, but the difference in sound is going to cost you a few thousand dollars. Epiphone does use the same types of woods that Gibson uses, but Epiphone sources their wood from locations that are closest to their factories. It is. On the lower registers, the sound produced is a bit heavy and round, while the higher registers are much less pronounced. Fender Duo Sonic HS Review: Compact Guitar with Outstanding Versatility, Fender American Professional Precision Bass Review. Your fingers will fly on this guitar’s silky, bound rosewood fingerboard and Plek’d frets. 1959 Les Paul Standard. The Casino Coupe is the iconic hollowbody Casino reborn in a smaller ES-339 body size. Get the best price on Gibson 2020 at Guitar Center. Today, this design remains as the gold standard for all Les Paul guitars, and the fact that Gibson continues to follow the same manufacturing process is a testament to how timeless it is.