I watched this Les Paul review a few times and i want to say I dig how honest and acurate your lp comparison review. And i did guess right on the b guitar being thw Gibson. I own 4 2020 and up epi lp's one being the 59 re issue Standard in cherry sunburst. I love them all. The Gibson Inspired Series collection is more true to Gibsons specs and standards way better than the older epi lp's. Very informative. Great review...
Hi Kyle, welcome back from your short hiatus, 2 weeks without a video from you is a long time to wait and see what you have in store for everyone. Must be my sense of tone is improving as I picked guitar B as the Gibson. When playing with crunch and high gain is where the big difference is, the Gibson is clearer it doesn't over sustain the chords. Both guitars have their own merits and like you mentioned, it will all come down to personal preference and I guess just as important a factor is how much can one afford. I think if you sell your Gibson you may later on wish you hadn't because it will cost that much more to get another one. The one I bought from The Music Zoo was around $2250 , today it sells for $2699 talk about inflation. Well another great video and don't make us wait too long for the next one😄
Yeah I’ve had some family things going on, the videos may be a little more spread out for the next month or so but I’ve got a couple I’m working on. The Gibson has that clean ring behind it that just makes it sound better, but I don’t know if I could tell if it wasn’t back to back like this. I’m not sure if I’ll sell it or not but I have noticed I play the Epi more. I may keep it to sell later, like you said the prices just keep going up.
Hi Kyle, thanks for this interesting review, I'm a owner of a epi '59 that I really love, and lately I had the opportunity to try the gibson LP '50 like you, in fact the difference was pretty huge, the '59 sound darker and lack dynamic, precision, even playability is different So I choose to go on the gibson and sell the epi, '59 is a great guitar but can't compete with a gibson standard
I saw a video and people mentioned they pit their Epiphone in the sunlight for about an hour to age it. On average it was about 5 hrs total to get it nice and worn
I came here to get some reassurance on my planned buying of a gibson standard 50s but I feel the same … high gain: Gibson all the way. But clean was very close and I also liked the epi a touch more (and clean/mild crunch is all that matters to me)
I immediately could tell that Guitar B was the Gibson. Better all-round tone and harmonics. However, the difference is marginal and the Epi sounded very good. I think it comes down to kudos and how fat your wallet is. For me, if money was no option Gibson every time but for the price the Epi is a very good guitar and hard to beat.
My opinion: Clean: both nice 👍( would even prefer epiphone's sound) Crunch & high gain: gibson wins But yeah, i mean, it's a comparison. The epiphone on a stage with a good guitar player behind, can blow minds too. But i was a little bit shocked, because gibson in crunch and high gain sounded way more... open? More... standing on the ground? I dont have the epiphone 1959, but i really like it though: Looks good, and it's way more affordable. I think one can have a really good time with it... Nice video!
Hey Kyle - great review. I also have the same Epiphone. Just a quick note on the finish. I tried to love it but - no depth to the veneer. So I polished the front with Meguiar’s Cleaner Wax. The result is very satisfying. Not full poly - not nitro either. Because the finish is so thin it buffs up quite easily. Now the “depth” is noticeably much better and the guitar sounds, feels, and looks like the quality instrument it is.
This guy had his Epi fully glossed on the top. th-cam.com/video/OPy6THdsTrQ/w-d-xo.html I think i prefer the hazy worn look like the old 1959 originals as opposed to brand new gloss like his in the video. Epi did not get that right unfortunately.
I cannot tell you how GRATEFUL I am to see this. I felt exactly the same. To each his own, but I got the Aged Dark Cherry Burst with just the right amount of flame I wanted and when it came it looked like it had a frosted window pain over it - ALL the time. I have experience hand-finishing guitars using Maguire's products so this gives me the courage to go at it and release the inner glorymof my 'Jimmy Page Les Paul Nearly 1' :-) THANKS!
I got it right…Gibson is the B. I cringe when people buying used are worried about the authenticity of a Gibson. Like bruh, if you ever played a Gibson before YOU’LL KNOW. The SOUND AND PLAYABILITY are unmatched. You can’t just fake that. The CHEAPEST Gibson is better than the most expensive guitar of any other brand out there
Thanks, Kyle! Just purchased the Epiphone today. I always love your reviews… You got a real trustworthy face my friend, it’s obvious you know what you’re talking about. Thanks for your honesty and your easy to discern style of playing when you’re doing an A vs. B vid.. You’re one of my favorite guitar TH-camrs.
Thanks Kristen! That’s very kind! I love playing and talking about guitars, being able to share it makes it even better haha. Congrats on the new guitar!! 🎸🤘
WoW. On clean and gain A sounded fuller, richer to me - B just sounded weak and bit thin. I had a sneaking suspicion iA might be the Gibson, so very pleasantly surprised to find out it was the Epi! I bought one a few months ago and love it! Thanks for the comparison. I have own eda 68 LP Custom since 1974 and have switched between it with the Epi a lot in the studio - they each have their own personality but both really lovely. BTW, I prefer the satin finish on the Epi to nitro or poly gloss anyday.
Between these 2 guitars the Epiphone felt better, with the caveat that I had to file the fret ends on the Epi at one point. I think the Epi is great value for money!
Thanks for the great review! Very well thought out as well as a very fair comparison/contrast. I've owned a couple of Gibson Les Pauls. They were great guitars but heavy. I found an Epi 59 LP Outfit at 8.2 lbs. It is a keeper. Love the Burstbucker 2/3 combination. Great guitar.
Thanks! When I started working on the video I thought the Gibson would be the obvious winner but I was surprised that I preferred playing the Epi. The 59s are some great guitar, and I prefer the 2/3 too.
I have an epi 59 and the Gibson standard 50s . The 50s standard has custombuckers and has more touch sensitivity and has a more clear and refined sound but I belive this is mostly down to the custombuckers . They are more open and have less output. I really notice the difference when you play lighter and then really dig into the strings .. if both guitars had the same pickups the difference would be much less. I don't like the BB2 as a bridge pickup but the BB3 is awesome in the bridge. So in this video I like the epiphone .
Great video. I absolutely love my 59 epi, but I also absolutely love me Gibson LP classic. Both for different reasons. If I could only have one and it boiled down to price I'd be perfectly content only having the epi. It plays and feels like a much higher priced guitar.
I have owned the Epi 59 for about two months now and find myself playing it every day. I really enjoy everything about the playing experience with it. I am constantly questioning whether i would get any greater enjoyment from a Gibson Standard.
@@booshting3520 I‘m deciding between a epi 59 and Gibson 50s. And while the brain says epi (moreso since I run modeled amps in a room …) I‘m afraid that you are right… same with my ibanez as93. Love it, but I wonder what it was like with an es 335 …
I've had more than 6 Epiphones over the years (Sheraton, Broadway, Swingster, etc...). Last year, to satisfy my GAS for a P-90 guitar, I bought the Epi LP Special in TV Yellow for $450 hoping it would help me stop thinking about the Gibson LP Standard 50s Gold Top. In the end I bought the Gibson as well because I just couldn't get it out of my mind. Obviously, the Gibson just feels premium in every way. But in terms of tone and even playability it's nowhere near 7x better than the Epi LP Special. Like he said, the Gibson is a work of art. When I take it out, I'm always worried about scratching it or knocking it. The Epiphone however is a really good tool that you can just play and not think about anything else while playing it. And the difference in tone between the two is way less than you might think. In a blind test, someone might easily prefer the tone of the Epiphone. I know when someone gets a Gibson in their mind it's hard to get rid of it. But as someone who loves his Gibson goldtop, I can say definitively that if you have an Epiphone LP, especially the 59, the tone and playability differences are absolutely not worth the extra cost of the Gibson.
Nice to see you back! Epiphone are making much better guitars, and if you prefer the feel to the Gibson, I would definitely gig the Epiphone. Like you, I had my heart set on a Gibson Les Paul for years. Decades even. I'll keep mine. :-)
Thanks good to be back! Yeah between these two I do like the way the Epi feels more than the Gibson. If I move this one on it just means I’ll have to try another Gibson LP sometime, can’t be upset about that haha!
Hey Kyle, thanks for this awesome review! It helps me definitely to make a decision to go for the Epiphone. Nevertheless I can´t afford the Gipson, but I wasn't sure whether to go for a Epiphone 50s, 60s or the 59. So, because of the "inside" like pots and Burstbuckers I think the 59 is the one to go for. Thanks again and greetings from Europe!
The epi is nice deal for the $$$ but i still prefer the Gibson. In a fair world the Gibson would only be $500 more and i would be fine with paying that for it. So the epiphone sells for $850 and the Gibson would be $1350 and both would still come with cases. The Gibson is NOT worth almost $2K more!
@@dogpd3 I actually did decide to go Used. I am looking at a few now at $2K which is a lot better than $2800 new! Funny thing is the ones i am looking at do not look all that used. Visually they are fine but i guess it is the fact they have been played and actually taken out of the store that knocks the price down $800 which is crazy! If the store is selling it for 2K then what did the poor soul that bought it new get? $1200? $1500 maybe?
Thank you for the review! I have gotten better to think about buying an Epi 59 but not good enough to buy a Gibson, and your video convinced that Epi is a great choice for now as I have also played one at tge local GC. But one day, as you said it: "God intended for me to play a Gibby" 🙂
What many people don't understand is that a wood veneer is just as real as the peice of wood that it was cut from. They cut the veeneer very thin from a slab of flamed maple and a micro thin layer of glue holds it to the plain maple cap. This saves a lot of money and provides a genuine look of flamed maple, because that is exactly what you are looking at. Although these early "1959" Epiphone Les Pauls do not have as nice of a flamed maple top as their normal Epiphone 50s and 60s Les Paul Standards. For whatever reason. To me....the veneer is the smartest way to go for a flame maple top, for those that like that look....Gibson could save a substantial amount of money if they did this on their USA branded models and it wouldn't effect a thing. But would they pass the savings on by lowering the price ? Probably not.
A very clear review. I have a Epiphone 1960 Tribute Plus with Gibson 57 Classic PUs. I had a Gibson Les Paul in 1994. After a long time then , last year I bought a Gibson 50s Standard. Both are great guitars.Both play just as well. The Gibson is a much better looking guitar, but the 57 Classics sound better to me. So, to me, on balance playing great and sounding better, beats playing great and looking better. Like you I wonder, if I sold the Gibson, would I ever buy another?
Some degree? Gipson’s guitars are always worth something, even broken ones! Epiphones are mass produced in China and simply will never be worth what you originally paid for it after you’ve brought it. No amount of custom hardware is ever going to change this fact.
I brought this exact epiphone yesterday used for £500 not a mark on it and with the case. It sounds amazing. Absolutely no issues with it at all and well worth the money for how close it compares to the real deal.
"We will plug these Les Pauls directly into a Marshall, just as God intended." That's one of the best quotes ive ever heard in regard to guitar / music.
I got it completely wrong in the blind test. I have just ordered the Epiphone & was disappointed when I thought that A was the Gibson. Now I know, I'm thrilled.
What do you make of the new 59 LP Custom with Gibson open book headstock and Custombuckers, it also has a one piece neck, MoP inlays, Gibson ABR1 bridge and Aluminium tailpiece.
I have both guitars that's in your vid the exact ones your talking about ,and play them beside each other ,and the sound of the 59 is very close to the Gibson now I don't know if I got lucky with the 59 Epiphone
Wow i thought A was the Gibson and better sounding I’ve ordered my Epiphone 59 😊 The Gibson sound wise definitely isn’t worth the price difference , maybe looks and kudos only
Do you ever notice how often high compliments regarding Epiphones are often followed by “ for the price”. “It’s an amazing guitar, considering the cost”. That’s because it’s NOT an amazing guitar. But it IS an amazing guitar for the price. I also don’t understand people who are nervous to pull their Gibson out of the case and play it onstage. Unless you’ve got a true vintage guitar (like your grandpa’s ‘59 sunburst) then don’t be afraid to play it and bang it around. I always laugh when I hear about a guy who plays his Epiphone at gigs and hides his 2019 Gibson LP Standard under his bed.
Let me summarise the quintessential difference between the two. The Gibson brand on the headstock. Excluding those with far too much surplus cash to spend, that is the sole questionably rational if comprehendable quirk of human nature reason the average amateur and even professional Joe might part with the $$$$ for a Gibson Les Paul over pretty much every other brand Le Paul clone out there including Epiphone's. Superficial peer approval seeking and mindset of self-belief of their own status somehow being elevated through association with the brand. This singular factor has to be Gibson's primary marketing and selling point. In terms of value, no comparison. Clones win every day of the week. As for value retention, the second hand buyer demographics for any expensive guitar is always going to be much narrower than a significantly more proportionately priced less expensive unit. On any expensive guitar, not exclusive to the Gibson brand, potential depreciation is much higher to achieve a sale in reality. Outside niche signature editions sought after by cashed up collectors, also likely to take much longer. Depreciation on sale of a second hand clone is going to be minimal if at all, and will achieve a fairly quick sale if priced proportionately because it's so affordable to all. The singular caveat I would make to the above is that the dynamics of the US marketplace distort this, but in ROW which make up the overwhelming bulk of the world's population, undeniably this = true. By way of specific and general example my Vietnamese manufactured Harley Benton SC Custom truly sh1ts on those Chinese made Epiphones in EVERY respect including being around ¼ the price equivalent new respectively at the time I purchased including delivery from DE to my door! Although the original OEM humbuckers were up to speed with those fitted to the Epiphones, this permitted me to outlay on a pricey pair of Seymour Duncans upgrading to a '59 neck and TB-4 bridge, yet owing me significantly less than ½ the price of the Epiphone. Overall the BQ and finish was superior to Epiphone's. And it came with a TUSQ nut, Grover tuners, D'Addario strings etc. If the tailpiece and bridge are "potmetal" as alleged (?) who would even know? Functionally there's no difference, and if that was truly a concern, quality Korean manufactured replacements of an equivalent to Japanese manufacture Gotoh are affordably available for a relative pittance. Seriously, if I wanted a quality built classic neck Le Paul style guitar, Cort's CR300 would be my go to in terms of looks, performance and value. FACT. Gibson Corporation is having a big drink, but not at my expense. AFAIC like Fender Corporation, they are an anachronism today very much dependent upon the brand mythology for trade.
I'm about to trade my cherry '59 and custom silverburst for the instore credit to cover the new Adam Jones LP sig. I have on preorder. I'm not parting with my southern fade '59 anytime soon though. Epiphone is doing some good things since 2019. My fingers are crossed this outrageously expensive limited edition AJ sig is on a whole nother level. The specs are actually better than the most recent Gibson version selling for 3k. Between the ASFB '59 and the AJ LP sig. I'm set for Les Pauls. I don't need to spend 10k each on Gibsons.
Epiphones are legit Les Pauls. I know no one is stating otherwise here, but just felt like typing it because I see many players throw shade at them. As for the chirp, I think the pick you use can help with that. Picks with beveled edges do it for me :D That 'v' profile on the edges gives me a nice ring with all my guitars. You could argue the attack, the angle, all that has a lot to do as well. As always, thanks for another enjoyable video!
I couldn't give the right answer. I thought A was Gibson, B was Epiphone. I have an Epiphone les paul. It is very good one! For me, Gibson is a little expensive, but I would like to get a Gibson some day.
To me there is a significant difference in the sound between guitar A und B. B (Gibson) is on the neck pickup and also on the bridge pickup much richer in its sound. I prefer B.
Sadly i like the feel and the sound of the Gibson a bit more. But not even close to 2000$ more. Imma search for a 50s standard with a properly fixed broken headstock and original parts replaced with better ones. I hope to find one for 1500-2000$ in the next couple of years.
I'm not sure if there's a difference in sound at all. I am however, very sure it's not a 2000 dollar difference. You're basically buying a Les Paul then paying an extra 2000 dollars for a different word on the headstock and your top to look "better" .
I have the Epiphone 59. The key, change out the Epiphone's cheap capacitors. One of the capacitors in my guitar would cause humming if touched. If you buy the Epiphone and it has a grounding hum, they sometimes forget to solder the bridge grounding wire to the volume pot. And mine had a wire on the toggle switch barely connected that I had to re-solder.
@7:55 About that Gibson "chirp". I hear it, but what's responsible for it? Both have the same body wood and maple caps, the figured part of the cap on the Epiphone is a veneer, but there's a real maple cap under the veneer. The nut is TUSQ. Maybe the Epiphone tune-o-matic or fret wire material? I much preferred the tone of guitar A on most of the sound clips
The average audience member will not care but I could tell B was a Gibson. As for the chirp as you call it. I can make any guitar chirp to any degree I want. I call it pick or pinch harmonics and it has more to do with the kind of strings you have than anything else. Put Ernie ball super slinky's on the Epiphone and you will be chirping like the birdman of Alcatraz.
I guessed B was Gibson. It’s sound like it’s tiny bit of reverb or delay on it, I guess it the “chirp” that does that. B sounded better for the two cleaner sounds, but A sounded better on the heavier distortion.
I was correct about Guitar B being the Gibson. It has a more melodic sound to me and the notes seem more developed. Plus the wood and resale value are other factors. If money is not a concern then I would think Gibson would be the better choice. However, for a low income person like myself I will be getting the Epiphone.
i've got the epiphone 50's and the 59 the difference in sound between these two is about the same as between what you just played. for the $4000 i saved on my 2 i could have bought 1 gibson, name don't mean that much to me unless it;s making me money.
I actually thought the epiphone sounded as good, after all, who plays two guitars at once? Love the gibson because, well its a gibson. Put on a blindfold and hold on!
Epiphone during the last 5 -7 years have been fantastic. i have bought two Epiphones between 2016 and 2018 and i rarely do things like that lol. very happy with Epiphone LATELY. very close to the same Les Paul type of guitar as a Gibson is, for a fraction of the cost. now i am thinking of getting another Epi (never the chambered/weight relieved type though), it's an addiction, thanks Epiphone!
best comparison ive seen bud. I wish i could settle for the epi but i know i wont be happy in the end so thanks! Its gotta be the gibson for me, hopefully without divorce lol
Great Comparison Vid. I just picked up a Epi 59 in Lemon Burst over here in the UK from Andertons and I have to say its an amazing guitar for the money. think I will put off going full on Gibson for a long time! :) Wishing you all the best.
I was surprised that the epiphone had more treble and a clearer clean tone. The gibson really rang out with the high gain, but I still thought the epiphone was the gibson lol
Turned it off when he said the wood used by Gibson makes a difference in the sound and tone of the guitar vs Epiphone wood. Bull hockey!!!! WOOD MAKES NO DIFFERENCE AT ALL.
I learned a long time ago you will never lose more than $900 on a $900 guitar but you aren’t guaranteed to get $2800 for your $2800 guitar 😐
Exactly
I would never buy a guitar with re-sale in mind. To me, a guitar is not a financial investment. But that's just me.
I watched this Les Paul review a few times and i want to say I dig how honest and acurate your lp comparison review. And i did guess right on the b guitar being thw Gibson. I own 4 2020 and up epi lp's one being the 59 re issue Standard in cherry sunburst. I love them all. The Gibson Inspired Series collection is more true to Gibsons specs and standards way better than the older epi lp's. Very informative. Great review...
Hi Kyle, welcome back from your short hiatus, 2 weeks without a video from you is a long time to wait and see what you have in store for everyone. Must be my sense of tone is improving as I picked guitar B as the Gibson. When playing with crunch and high gain is where the big difference is, the Gibson is clearer it doesn't over sustain the chords. Both guitars have their own merits and like you mentioned, it will all come
down to personal preference and I guess just as important a factor is how much can one afford. I think if you sell your Gibson you may later on wish you hadn't because it will cost that much more to get another one. The one I bought from The Music Zoo was around $2250 , today it sells for $2699 talk about inflation. Well another great video and don't make us wait too long for the next one😄
Yeah I’ve had some family things going on, the videos may be a little more spread out for the next month or so but I’ve got a couple I’m working on. The Gibson has that clean ring behind it that just makes it sound better, but I don’t know if I could tell if it wasn’t back to back like this. I’m not sure if I’ll sell it or not but I have noticed I play the Epi more. I may keep it to sell later, like you said the prices just keep going up.
Hi Kyle, thanks for this interesting review, I'm a owner of a epi '59 that I really love, and lately I had the opportunity to try the gibson LP '50 like you, in fact the difference was pretty huge, the '59 sound darker and lack dynamic, precision, even playability is different
So I choose to go on the gibson and sell the epi, '59 is a great guitar but can't compete with a gibson standard
Comes down to what hurts less. Price, Playing, holding, breaking the headstock......
Great video comparison. Hurry back…we miss your reviews!
I saw a video and people mentioned they pit their Epiphone in the sunlight for about an hour to age it. On average it was about 5 hrs total to get it nice and worn
i never noticed it before but the body shape of these is actually quiet different!
Both guitars have same pick ups. They both sounded the same. The 1959 Epi is a good guitar for the money.
I actually preferred the Epiphone to the Gibson during the clean neck pickup demo.
I came here to get some reassurance on my planned buying of a gibson standard 50s but I feel the same … high gain: Gibson all the way. But clean was very close and I also liked the epi a touch more (and clean/mild crunch is all that matters to me)
@@chrismowag6919 Clean/mild crunch is also what matters to me. Many times when people get a Les Paul they tend to go high gain
Sure kid.
I immediately could tell that Guitar B was the Gibson. Better all-round tone and harmonics. However, the difference is marginal and the Epi sounded very good. I think it comes down to kudos and how fat your wallet is. For me, if money was no option Gibson every time but for the price the Epi is a very good guitar and hard to beat.
Anyone that say's this guy is Not Honest is insane. i think this was the most unbiased and honest comparison on YT.
I thought the epiphone sounded better clean, the Gibson was better on crunch and high gain
I really like how the Guitar A (Epi) sounds, even with high gain.
My opinion:
Clean: both nice 👍( would even prefer epiphone's sound)
Crunch & high gain: gibson wins
But yeah, i mean, it's a comparison. The epiphone on a stage with a good guitar player behind, can blow minds too.
But i was a little bit shocked, because gibson in crunch and high gain sounded way more... open? More... standing on the ground?
I dont have the epiphone 1959, but i really like it though:
Looks good, and it's way more affordable. I think one can have a really good time with it...
Nice video!
Hey Kyle - great review. I also have the same Epiphone. Just a quick note on the finish. I tried to love it but - no depth to the veneer. So I polished the front with Meguiar’s Cleaner Wax. The result is very satisfying. Not full poly - not nitro either. Because the finish is so thin it buffs up quite easily. Now the “depth” is noticeably much better and the guitar sounds, feels, and looks like the quality instrument it is.
I'm really interested to see your results. Could you show pictures? Message me directly.
Nice to know...
This guy had his Epi fully glossed on the top. th-cam.com/video/OPy6THdsTrQ/w-d-xo.html I think i prefer the hazy
worn look like the old 1959 originals as opposed to brand new gloss like his in the video. Epi did not get that right unfortunately.
I cannot tell you how GRATEFUL I am to see this. I felt exactly the same. To each his own, but I got the Aged Dark Cherry Burst with just the right amount of flame I wanted and when it came it looked like it had a frosted window pain over it - ALL the time. I have experience hand-finishing guitars using Maguire's products so this gives me the courage to go at it and release the inner glorymof my 'Jimmy Page Les Paul Nearly 1' :-) THANKS!
I got it right…Gibson is the B. I cringe when people buying used are worried about the authenticity of a Gibson. Like bruh, if you ever played a Gibson before YOU’LL KNOW. The SOUND AND PLAYABILITY are unmatched. You can’t just fake that. The CHEAPEST Gibson is better than the most expensive guitar of any other brand out there
Wow. The tonal difference is more than i expected. Epi sounds way less powerful. Gibson growls in low end and clear in high end. I prefer gibson❤
Guitar B is Gibson, am I right? 😂 Excellent review Kyle...🙏
I'd guess that the Epiphone sounding more muted is cuz the nut is Graphtec and the Gibson's isn't
To me, Gibson sounds brighter but also thinner, therefore dry and uninteresting compared to Epi. Please, don't wipe the floor with me 😢
Thanks, Kyle! Just purchased the Epiphone today. I always love your reviews… You got a real trustworthy face my friend, it’s obvious you know what you’re talking about. Thanks for your honesty and your easy to discern style of playing when you’re doing an A vs. B vid.. You’re one of my favorite guitar TH-camrs.
Thanks Kristen! That’s very kind! I love playing and talking about guitars, being able to share it makes it even better haha. Congrats on the new guitar!! 🎸🤘
WoW. On clean and gain A sounded fuller, richer to me - B just sounded weak and bit thin. I had a sneaking suspicion iA might be the Gibson, so very pleasantly surprised to find out it was the Epi! I bought one a few months ago and love it! Thanks for the comparison. I have own eda 68 LP Custom since 1974 and have switched between it with the Epi a lot in the studio - they each have their own personality but both really lovely. BTW, I prefer the satin finish on the Epi to nitro or poly gloss anyday.
The same impression. I was already thought I'm deaf.
Great review! Clean and crunch had slight differences to me, but the gain of the Gibson really stood out from the Epiphone
Great review, Guitar A sounded better and more lively, I was surprised it was the Epiphone.
Guitar B on cleans is too sharp while A is a little bit more warm and rounded. Like it more than the Gibs
For sure the Gibson is a nicer guitar but the Epiphone gets close in terms of look and sound (cant comment on feel) for a fraction of the price.
Between these 2 guitars the Epiphone felt better, with the caveat that I had to file the fret ends on the Epi at one point. I think the Epi is great value for money!
Thanks for the great review! Very well thought out as well as a very fair comparison/contrast. I've owned a couple of Gibson Les Pauls. They were great guitars but heavy. I found an Epi 59 LP Outfit at 8.2 lbs. It is a keeper. Love the Burstbucker 2/3 combination. Great guitar.
Thanks! When I started working on the video I thought the Gibson would be the obvious winner but I was surprised that I preferred playing the Epi. The 59s are some great guitar, and I prefer the 2/3 too.
@@onemoreguitarchannel Awesome.
I have an epi 59 and the Gibson standard 50s . The 50s standard has custombuckers and has more touch sensitivity and has a more clear and refined sound but I belive this is mostly down to the custombuckers . They are more open and have less output. I really notice the difference when you play lighter and then really dig into the strings .. if both guitars had the same pickups the difference would be much less. I don't like the BB2 as a bridge pickup but the BB3 is awesome in the bridge. So in this video I like the epiphone .
The BurstBuckers in the Epiphone are also unpotted!!! I love mine!!!
Great video. I absolutely love my 59 epi, but I also absolutely love me Gibson LP classic. Both for different reasons. If I could only have one and it boiled down to price I'd be perfectly content only having the epi. It plays and feels like a much higher priced guitar.
I have owned the Epi 59 for about two months now and find myself playing it every day. I really enjoy everything about the playing experience with it. I am constantly questioning whether i would get any greater enjoyment from a Gibson Standard.
Owning a Gibson is an itch that won't go away until you scratch it.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Ever tried the Gretsch GS 2215 P90?
@@booshting3520 I‘m deciding between a epi 59 and Gibson 50s. And while the brain says epi (moreso since I run modeled amps in a room …) I‘m afraid that you are right… same with my ibanez as93. Love it, but I wonder what it was like with an es 335 …
I've had more than 6 Epiphones over the years (Sheraton, Broadway, Swingster, etc...). Last year, to satisfy my GAS for a P-90 guitar, I bought the Epi LP Special in TV Yellow for $450 hoping it would help me stop thinking about the Gibson LP Standard 50s Gold Top. In the end I bought the Gibson as well because I just couldn't get it out of my mind. Obviously, the Gibson just feels premium in every way. But in terms of tone and even playability it's nowhere near 7x better than the Epi LP Special. Like he said, the Gibson is a work of art. When I take it out, I'm always worried about scratching it or knocking it. The Epiphone however is a really good tool that you can just play and not think about anything else while playing it. And the difference in tone between the two is way less than you might think. In a blind test, someone might easily prefer the tone of the Epiphone. I know when someone gets a Gibson in their mind it's hard to get rid of it. But as someone who loves his Gibson goldtop, I can say definitively that if you have an Epiphone LP, especially the 59, the tone and playability differences are absolutely not worth the extra cost of the Gibson.
Thank you for your honesty! Have you tried the Gretsch GS 2215 P90?
Nice to see you back!
Epiphone are making much better guitars, and if you prefer the feel to the Gibson, I would definitely gig the Epiphone. Like you, I had my heart set on a Gibson Les Paul for years. Decades even. I'll keep mine. :-)
Thanks good to be back! Yeah between these two I do like the way the Epi feels more than the Gibson. If I move this one on it just means I’ll have to try another Gibson LP sometime, can’t be upset about that haha!
Hey Kyle, thanks for this awesome review! It helps me definitely to make a decision to go for the Epiphone. Nevertheless I can´t afford the Gipson, but I wasn't sure whether to go for a Epiphone 50s, 60s or the 59. So, because of the "inside" like pots and Burstbuckers I think the 59 is the one to go for. Thanks again and greetings from Europe!
i tell everybody , a 800-900 epihone is just as good as a 1.5k ,2k gibson.
It’s impressive what you can get from Epiphone in that price range!
I think the Gibson "chirp" maybe something to do with the Aluminium bridge and tailpiece appointments Gibson uses.
A sounded better-p
How about a comparison between the 2024 Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard and Epiphone Les Paul 60's ?
The epi is nice deal for the $$$ but i still prefer the Gibson. In a fair world the Gibson would only be $500 more and i would be fine with paying that for it. So the epiphone sells for $850 and the Gibson would be $1350 and both would still come with cases.
The Gibson is NOT worth almost $2K more!
Great point! Maybe even at 1600 you could even reason the price difference. At 2700 it’s crazy priced. I’d say get a used 50s standard
@@dogpd3 I actually did decide to go Used. I am looking at a few now at $2K which is a lot better than $2800 new! Funny thing is the ones i am looking at do not look all that used. Visually they are fine but i guess it
is the fact they have been played and actually taken out of the store that knocks the price down $800 which is crazy! If the store is selling it for 2K then what did the poor soul that bought it new get? $1200? $1500 maybe?
Most Gibsons use glued on wings on the headstocks too.
snakeoil
Thank you for the review! I have gotten better to think about buying an Epi 59 but not good enough to buy a Gibson, and your video convinced that Epi is a great choice for now as I have also played one at tge local GC. But one day, as you said it: "God intended for me to play a Gibby" 🙂
What many people don't understand is that a wood veneer is just as real as the peice of wood that it was cut from.
They cut the veeneer very thin from a slab of flamed maple and a micro thin layer of glue holds it to the plain maple cap. This saves a lot of money and provides a genuine look of flamed maple, because that is exactly what you are looking at. Although these early "1959" Epiphone Les Pauls do not have as nice of a flamed maple top as their normal Epiphone 50s and 60s Les Paul Standards. For whatever reason.
To me....the veneer is the smartest way to go for a flame maple top, for those that like that look....Gibson could save a substantial amount of money if they did this on their USA branded models and it wouldn't effect a thing.
But would they pass the savings on by lowering the price ? Probably not.
A very clear review. I have a Epiphone 1960 Tribute Plus with Gibson 57 Classic PUs.
I had a Gibson Les Paul in 1994. After a long time then , last year I bought a Gibson 50s Standard.
Both are great guitars.Both play just as well.
The Gibson is a much better looking guitar, but the 57 Classics sound better to me.
So, to me, on balance playing great and sounding better, beats playing great and looking better.
Like you I wonder, if I sold the Gibson, would I ever buy another?
Some degree? Gipson’s guitars are always worth something, even broken ones! Epiphones are mass produced in China and simply will never be worth what you originally paid for it after you’ve brought it. No amount of custom hardware is ever going to change this fact.
I brought this exact epiphone yesterday used for £500 not a mark on it and with the case. It sounds amazing. Absolutely no issues with it at all and well worth the money for how close it compares to the real deal.
"We will plug these Les Pauls directly into a Marshall, just as God intended."
That's one of the best quotes ive ever heard in regard to guitar / music.
50s sounds better... There is a Difference .... I'd better pay Gibson if i am serious about playing hi level.. but for fun maybe cheaper one...
I got it completely wrong in the blind test. I have just ordered the Epiphone & was disappointed when I thought that A was the Gibson. Now I know, I'm thrilled.
The price of the Gibson is REDICULOUS 4.700 dollars no that's not worth that
Wow. Was I wrong. I thought B was the Epiphone as I found it slightly more brittle. Hmmmm... something to consider now. Thanks for the review! ✌
What do you make of the new 59 LP Custom with Gibson open book headstock and Custombuckers, it also has a one piece neck, MoP inlays, Gibson ABR1 bridge and Aluminium tailpiece.
I have both guitars that's in your vid the exact ones your talking about ,and play them beside each other ,and the sound of the 59 is very close to the Gibson now I don't know if I got lucky with the 59 Epiphone
It's all in the player. I know guys who play that could make a 5000+ Custom Shop guitar sound like crap.
Wow i thought A was the Gibson and better sounding
I’ve ordered my Epiphone 59 😊
The Gibson sound wise definitely isn’t worth the price difference , maybe looks and kudos only
Do you ever notice how often high compliments regarding Epiphones are often followed by “ for the price”. “It’s an amazing guitar, considering the cost”. That’s because it’s NOT an amazing guitar. But it IS an amazing guitar for the price. I also don’t understand people who are nervous to pull their Gibson out of the case and play it onstage. Unless you’ve got a true vintage guitar (like your grandpa’s ‘59 sunburst) then don’t be afraid to play it and bang it around. I always laugh when I hear about a guy who plays his Epiphone at gigs and hides his 2019 Gibson LP Standard under his bed.
Let me summarise the quintessential difference between the two. The Gibson brand on the headstock.
Excluding those with far too much surplus cash to spend, that is the sole questionably rational if comprehendable quirk of human nature reason the average amateur and even professional Joe might part with the $$$$ for a Gibson Les Paul over pretty much every other brand Le Paul clone out there including Epiphone's. Superficial peer approval seeking and mindset of self-belief of their own status somehow being elevated through association with the brand. This singular factor has to be Gibson's primary marketing and selling point. In terms of value, no comparison. Clones win every day of the week.
As for value retention, the second hand buyer demographics for any expensive guitar is always going to be much narrower than a significantly more proportionately priced less expensive unit. On any expensive guitar, not exclusive to the Gibson brand, potential depreciation is much higher to achieve a sale in reality. Outside niche signature editions sought after by cashed up collectors, also likely to take much longer. Depreciation on sale of a second hand clone is going to be minimal if at all, and will achieve a fairly quick sale if priced proportionately because it's so affordable to all. The singular caveat I would make to the above is that the dynamics of the US marketplace distort this, but in ROW which make up the overwhelming bulk of the world's population, undeniably this = true.
By way of specific and general example my Vietnamese manufactured Harley Benton SC Custom truly sh1ts on those Chinese made Epiphones in EVERY respect including being around ¼ the price equivalent new respectively at the time I purchased including delivery from DE to my door! Although the original OEM humbuckers were up to speed with those fitted to the Epiphones, this permitted me to outlay on a pricey pair of Seymour Duncans upgrading to a '59 neck and TB-4 bridge, yet owing me significantly less than ½ the price of the Epiphone. Overall the BQ and finish was superior to Epiphone's. And it came with a TUSQ nut, Grover tuners, D'Addario strings etc. If the tailpiece and bridge are "potmetal" as alleged (?) who would even know? Functionally there's no difference, and if that was truly a concern, quality Korean manufactured replacements of an equivalent to Japanese manufacture Gotoh are affordably available for a relative pittance. Seriously, if I wanted a quality built classic neck Le Paul style guitar, Cort's CR300 would be my go to in terms of looks, performance and value. FACT. Gibson Corporation is having a big drink, but not at my expense. AFAIC like Fender Corporation, they are an anachronism today very much dependent upon the brand mythology for trade.
The Epi sounded better in my opinion and I thought A was the Gibson and that B was the Epi and I was totally wrong about that and couldn’t believe it.
I'm about to trade my cherry '59 and custom silverburst for the instore credit to cover the new Adam Jones LP sig. I have on preorder. I'm not parting with my southern fade '59 anytime soon though. Epiphone is doing some good things since 2019. My fingers are crossed this outrageously expensive limited edition AJ sig is on a whole nother level. The specs are actually better than the most recent Gibson version selling for 3k. Between the ASFB '59 and the AJ LP sig. I'm set for Les Pauls. I don't need to spend 10k each on Gibsons.
Epiphones are legit Les Pauls. I know no one is stating otherwise here, but just felt like typing it because I see many players throw shade at them. As for the chirp, I think the pick you use can help with that. Picks with beveled edges do it for me :D That 'v' profile on the edges gives me a nice ring with all my guitars. You could argue the attack, the angle, all that has a lot to do as well. As always, thanks for another enjoyable video!
I couldn't give the right answer. I thought A was Gibson, B was Epiphone. I have an Epiphone les paul.
It is very good one! For me, Gibson is a little expensive, but I would like to get a Gibson some day.
To me there is a significant difference in the sound between guitar A und B. B (Gibson) is on the neck pickup and also on the bridge pickup much richer in its sound. I prefer B.
Sadly i like the feel and the sound of the Gibson a bit more. But not even close to 2000$ more. Imma search for a 50s standard with a properly fixed broken headstock and original parts replaced with better ones. I hope to find one for 1500-2000$ in the next couple of years.
I have a Gibson Standard 50s HCS as well and it's way more acustically resonant than every Epiphone I've ever owned. I grew up with an Epiphone LP.
Btw I think adjusting to that thicker neck is worth it. It forces me to play quite a lot cleaner which is a great thing imo.
gibson lp are hollowed out garbage
I'm not sure if there's a difference in sound at all. I am however, very sure it's not a 2000 dollar difference. You're basically buying a Les Paul then paying an extra 2000 dollars for a different word on the headstock and your top to look "better" .
I have the Epiphone 59. The key, change out the Epiphone's cheap capacitors. One of the capacitors in my guitar would cause humming if touched. If you buy the Epiphone and it has a grounding hum, they sometimes forget to solder the bridge grounding wire to the volume pot. And mine had a wire on the toggle switch barely connected that I had to re-solder.
@7:55 About that Gibson "chirp". I hear it, but what's responsible for it? Both have the same body wood and maple caps, the figured part of the cap on the Epiphone is a veneer, but there's a real maple cap under the veneer. The nut is TUSQ. Maybe the Epiphone tune-o-matic or fret wire material? I much preferred the tone of guitar A on most of the sound clips
Great vid 👍🏻👍🏻 very unbiased test ,the Gibson was a small bit clearer especially on the heavier sounds ,also ya wanna be seen with the Gibson 🤟🏻
The Epiphone has a nice brightness to it but the Gibson was more full on the dirty channel.
I’ve noticed with the 59s the resale value has actually went up in value in certain places and also they have not went down in value anywhere.
The average audience member will not care but I could tell B was a Gibson. As for the chirp as you call it. I can make any guitar chirp to any degree I want. I call it pick or pinch harmonics and it has more to do with the kind of strings you have than anything else. Put Ernie ball super slinky's on the Epiphone and you will be chirping like the birdman of Alcatraz.
Hi I'lld ever take the Epi! 🤘🇦🇺 It's a worker one's! For me as a semiprof it's better!
I guessed B was Gibson. It’s sound like it’s tiny bit of reverb or delay on it, I guess it the “chirp” that does that. B sounded better for the two cleaner sounds, but A sounded better on the heavier distortion.
I was correct about Guitar B being the Gibson. It has a more melodic sound to me and the notes seem more developed. Plus the wood and resale value are other factors. If money is not a concern then I would think Gibson would be the better choice. However, for a low income person like myself I will be getting the Epiphone.
i've got the epiphone 50's and the 59 the difference in sound between these two is about the same as between what you just played. for the $4000 i saved on my 2 i could have bought 1 gibson, name don't mean that much to me unless it;s making me money.
Really nice video, and refreshing that you challenged your own views.
I actually thought the epiphone sounded as good, after all, who plays two guitars at once? Love the gibson because, well its a gibson. Put on a blindfold and hold on!
Epiphone during the last 5 -7 years have been fantastic. i have bought two Epiphones between 2016 and 2018 and i rarely do things like that lol. very happy with Epiphone LATELY. very close to the same Les Paul type of guitar as a Gibson is, for a fraction of the cost. now i am thinking of getting another Epi (never the chambered/weight relieved type though), it's an addiction, thanks Epiphone!
best comparison ive seen bud. I wish i could settle for the epi but i know i wont be happy in the end so thanks! Its gotta be the gibson for me, hopefully without divorce lol
I have that Epi. Absolutely love it, so does my 21 yr old son $300 well spent
I was right gibson sounds sweeter buth the price. Makes also the different.
I was check in this review , B sounds better than A , in high gain ‘A’ sounds too dirty , B sounds orgánic
Couldn’t really tell as far as the chirp when playing, kinda seemed opposite rather.
Haven’t watched yet but I’m certain I personally won’t hear a difference
The vast majority of price difference comes down to the cost of labor, facilities, property etc.
Great Comparison Vid. I just picked up a Epi 59 in Lemon Burst over here in the UK from Andertons and I have to say its an amazing guitar for the money. think I will put off going full on Gibson for a long time! :) Wishing you all the best.
Thanks! Congrats on the new guitar!
Plug these Gibsons directly into a Marshall just as God intended...indeed!
Gibson all daylong over the epiphone, if you have to ask then you'll never understand.
The major thing effecting the price point is the manufacturing costs. IE Chinese labor.
I was surprised that the epiphone had more treble and a clearer clean tone. The gibson really rang out with the high gain, but I still thought the epiphone was the gibson lol
I played Gibson Les Paul it was okay I like the epiphone Les Paul better 😊
Kyle, Nice Review! Great job!
Can anyone answer why they used the BB 2 in the bridge on the Gibby and the BB2 in the neck on the Epi
I prefer the sound of the Epi. I thought the guitar A was the Gibson.
GUITAR A WAS THE EPIPHONE?!
WOAH, GOING TO HAVE TO COME UP WITH $1,000 ASAP
Within all types of wood there are grades. Gibson gets the higher grade.
Shouldn't even bother with a high gain comparison...
Turned it off when he said the wood used by Gibson makes a difference in the sound and tone of the guitar vs Epiphone wood. Bull hockey!!!!
WOOD MAKES NO DIFFERENCE AT ALL.
Wow guitar A sounded better, more clear and presice and full!!!
Got it right, Gibson sounded bit brighter.
Now that you have owned both for some time which of the two gets played more often?