Glad you made this video. It helps with the agony of waiting for my guitar to arrive. I ordered one at Sweetwater last September 12. I was told ETA will be October/November. In the meantime, I’m enjoying its Alpine White version and the Ebony 1959 ES-355. I love these IGC Epiphones. I literally can’t put them down. UPDATE: Received notification yesterday from Sweetwater that my Gibson Custom Inspired Epiphone Les Paul Custom Ebony was shipped. Arriving tomorrow. My 4th Les Paul Custom.
I got this when they first came out and what a superb guitar it is.. I had tried the full gibson version at the store and it was definitely no better in sound or playability than this.. I like the poly finish because I always wear the nitro in no time, just with the sweat from playing small venue gigs. It basically melts off with my arm contact... The new Epiphone sounds right, looks right, plays right, feels right and is priced right.. Its a fantastic guitar right for the bedroom rock gods all the way to the stage rage powerheads and blues breaking artists.
Hi Steve. man you are a monster playing guitar. I can listen to you play the guitar all day and I'll never get bored! I wish you could be my guitar teacher! I have the epiphone LP modern, and I love it. a guitar with high specs, excellent playability, and beautiful to look at... pro buckers 2, and 3. wonderful. I paid only euros for it. 600! To be perfect, all it needs is a FR tremolo! It would be wonderful if epiphone started creating these LP guitars with FR options! Maybe one day, who knows... This option has to be given to those who love LPS with FR tremolo. and I am one of them. I'm a subscriber to your channel, and in my opinion it's the best in the context of reviewing guitars and entertainment. Long live the channel. cheers.
A dream deluxe Epiphone Les Paul : nitro finish, steel frets, cut-away neck, bone nut, custombuckers, CTS 500k Pots, good gig bag (who needs a cumbersome case!?). NO push pulls or any fancy electronic crap, ebony compound fret board and pearl inlays, locking tuners, Handwired with Orange Drops capacitors, Aluminium Tune-O-Matic bridge. How much could that possibly be? I’d even cut the binding and just have some nice rolled edges… without a maple top, like the Les Paul Special. Let’s call it THE Un-Custom Shop Deluxe !❤
I bought a white version a few years back with the epiphone OG headstock and ebony fretboard, kind of wish I waited for this version to hit the market. This looks sweet!
Wow, what a great looking guitar. Love the ebony board and the mop inlays. I had a Greco LP a few years back and I remember it being an awesome guitar except the frets were so worn down, it almost felt like a fretless wonder so I sold it. If I were in the market for an LP I would definitely get this.
01:19 The 490R & 498T MudMakers are Gibson’s worst-sounding pickups. Epiphone’s PAF-style, ProBucker 2 and ProBucker 3 humbuckers with the just-right-sounding AlNiCo 2 magnets are (despite being wax-potted) and measured in light years - so much better-sounding to my ears in my opinion - and those pickups are what is factory-installed in my 2017 Ebony-finished, Epiphone Les Paul Custom Pro, with its myriad of switching options. Further, I had my dealer correctly fit and properly install, a permanently lubricated and friction-free, Graph Tech TUSQ XL nut.
I've got 4 Epiphone, a Fender, Yamaha n a Jackson. I've got the prophecy satin finish . Les Paul. I got the Epiphone Casino Coupe. Single coils. So fun to just beat it up playing.
Thank you Steve for sharing with us! I once upon a time I owned a Les Paul Standard with the smaller pick-ups back in the seventies. I took it home plugged it into my Twin and was very disappointed the pick-ups were a bit weak for my taste. Latter on in life I had a chance to play a real Les Paul Custom wow what a difference! For $1,200 bucks this guitar is a steal! looks and sounds great! Epiphone is well known so why pay the extra cash. Epiphone has changed their headstocks on a few of their models which make them look a lot like Gibsons but Epiphone looks fine I.M.O. Thanks again.
Agreed. My Slash goldtop is the best Les Paul I ever played. And, my newer SG Modern, my first SG, is an absolute beast of a guitar. IMO Epiphone is killing it. Ebony is my favorite fretboard and the SG has it and split coils, overdrive, custombuckers and the modern neck profile is perfect. At $599.00 for a blem model at Zzounds, it is all the guitar 99% of players would ever need.
I heard from a good source that the bridge is on the wrong way around on these epiphones...I know mine was. Turned it around, straightened the neck, locked the strings and other than some slight rattling solved by highering the bridge it's pretty good 👍
It's funny how I've had several for over thirty years and never had that issue. People who can't afford them and don't own them insist it happens though.
That black shine will outlast any lacquer finish Gibson can produce, although I'm personally a fan of the last Epiphone headstock. Has a slightly straighter string pull, and I'm a "renegade" kind of guy, and don't think Gibson deserves to have their ass kissed quite so much. Epiphone was here FIRST! It does sound good, but every guitar sounds good when this guy plays it.
@@Newbomb_Turks_Punch Nitro, or nitro-cellulose ARE both lacquers. Plasticizers are just polymer solvent additives that allow the "lacquer" to conform to the surface and harden to a more easily finished product. Look it up. Nitro-cellulose lacquers were developed in the 1920s, by Henry Ford, and has been the standard lacquer formula ever since. Plasticizers are NOT plastic but organic polymers found in plants.
About 1 year ago I bought a new Epiphone Les Paul 50s model. Full Les Pau Custom features and p90s that I just love. This is a great guitar in every measure. I bought it at Guitar Center, and (surprise), they didn't even really know what it was. Like with your Custom, they sold out very quickly. I've seen some ads recently, so I looks like they have some more.
Great video! IMO when Epiphone had their,(I guess we will call it their rebirth) at the start of 2020. The more expensive models have been GREAT. I purchased the Epiphone Joe Bonamassa Lazarus. After I had the nut cut right and a few frets addressed the guitar plays amazing. Cheers
Sounds like it’s a kalamazoo headstock… I believe that’s what they call it anyways . It replaced the old epi style headstock with the corners cut out a few years back
I believe the one you have with the Kalamazoo headstock is called Epiphone Inspired by Gibson. The guitar that is being shown in this video is called Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom. Both awesome guitars.
Ive got a late 90s early 2000s 57 Gold-Top by Epiphone. I love that guitar. It just feels so good in my hands. I do want to upgrade the pickups however. The 490 and 498 I believe are what I had in my 96' Les Paul Classic Premium Plus 1960 Reissue. It was a great guitar. Sounded fantastic, but I still liked the feel of the Epi better.
absolutely correct. This guy is a monster playing guitar... and the best guitar reviewer I've ever seen and heard... I can spend all day listening to him play the guitar and I'll never get bored. long life for him. cheers.
I have the Ebony version. Hand-polished it to high-gloss. Changed the knobs to Tophats with metal inserts. Changed the Grover tuners to Grover locking Rotomatics. Fantastic guitar. My 3rd from this IGC range.
My Epiphone Frampton is a les paul custom with gold hardware, ebony fingerboard and three pickups. It is the lightest Les Paul I own and was $700 without a case.
Full Gibson would be nitro finish and over fret edge binding :D This is basically what the good old japanese Fuji Gen Epiphone/Orville was but at the same price 30 years later in China.
Not even in the same universe, and I have both. This is a kick ass guitar with full Gibson specs, excuse me BETTER Specs than the Standard that costs $600 more. Mine is a tone monster, and it is possibly the only guitar one would ever need. It covers every genre and lead, overdrive country. It's not as nice as my Epiphone Slash goldtop but in many ways, much more diverse.
Back in 1990 I bought a guitar almost just like this and played it for years. It was a good guitar. I think it was the only year with the headstock that looked like that. I have less Paws now, but I always like that guitar it really it worked great and sounded good. It was really good.
Nice Axe Steve... I had the original in 2004, it just got too heavy to do a long gig with. Hey love your show Steve, keep going my friend, what would we do without you.....Graham K Cooper here from OZ!
That guitar is so sweet. I have the prophecy which I bought earlier this year and love it.The Fishman pick ups are nice but seem to be limited. I love the fact that they have the 490 and 498 pick ups in there. Just imagine if they had the Custom Buckers in there like they did with the 59
Looks a lot like my 2012 Epiphone Les Paul Custom Pro accept the headstock is different. My Epiphone hard case looks the same too....however mine has red fur inside.
Not sure if Gibson sales will go down if Epiphone makes Gibson copies almost for cheaper but seems that way. I wouldn't get an Epiphone back when but now I would. I need my fret inlays, fret binding, , ebony or baked maple fretboard, my good looking headstock, and high quality pickups and this has all of it.
Same here. An Epiphone LP was one of my first guitars as an inexperienced guitarist. It played like crap and I hated it. Traded it for an American Strat and hated anything named Epiphone. These Gibson/Epiphone inspired guitars have changed my whole attitude towards epips. I have the 355 and I’m thinking about that new gold top they just released.
Why is the plastic still on the pick-ups? Was just wondering if it would affect the sound quality. I have a Epiphone Les Paul Custom Pro in KOA and love it. Great video!
I am wondering where are they made? Sounds great! I had a EP black beauty triple humbuckers gold hardware and it was a beast - I bought it in the early 90s for around $400 and sold it years after for the same - sellers regret.😢
considering context (price) they have actually stepped down their game since you could buy an epiphone les paul custom for 300 dollars and this one is 1300 dollars
Yep, I think they are priced well. Hardshell case, Epiphone model doesn't include one.Gibson Headstock, which I prefer.Mother of pearl inlays vs Pearloid. Upgraded pickups. Looks and sounds great. 👍
I have so far purchased 2 Epiphones from this Gibson Custom-Inspired range - the Alpine White LP Custom and the Ebony 1959 ES-355. The ones I have are extremely well-made. I had my luthier look at them. He was very impressed - like a Gibson but less QC Issues. The closest you’ll ever get to a Gibson without paying Gibson price. I have the Ebony LP Custom on back order. I have 4 Epiphone Les Pauls that I bought in 2012 that were professionally upgraded with Gibson USA pickups and premium parts. The purchase price plus the cost of the upgrade brought it around the price range of these new IGC Epiphones. So, from personal experience I think these new IGC ones are fairly priced.
Not a gold hardware fan myself. So I'd went with the second edition of the AJ sigs. The Frank Frazetta "The Berserker " custom art version, for that same price of $1299. It's a better spec'd guitar in many ways. Then, the non art versions dropped. After all the other custom art models in the series flopped. I think Epiphone seriously underestimated the impact the art would have on sales? At $1499, the Gibson headstock versions, are the literal king of the hill guitar from Epiphone. With the chainsaw case and custom wound pickups, specifically for the AJ sigs. I can tell you firsthand, they're both excellent guitars that are well worth the price. I caught some sour comments for awhile from the doubters. Mostly because they were some of the first models released with the higher prices. Well, now that there's literally dozens of other models at that price from Epiphone. They don't seem so outrageous anymore. The neck carve and antique silverburst paint are the the main differences. But the custom wound pickups are the real star of the show. After converting the art model to my new EMG equipped guitar. I used the neck pickup from it, for the bridge position in the non art version. Wow! This Custombucker set is the fuck'n bomb brother! I paired the two chrome covered pickups together, to create the ultimate overwound Custombucker set! These pickups are on a whole nother level. They're NOT, I repeat, NOT, regular Custombuckers. They're much hotter and are by far the best set I currently own. I highly recommend people try this combo out themselves. Might cost a couple grand to do it like I've done. But you'll end up with two of the most excellent custom built guitars on earth for the price. If the China thing is still holding people back? I think your missing the boat, literally! Ha, ha! Peace!
i got one because it has a maple cap , ebony fingerboard, cts pots mallory caps long neck tenon mine weighs 8 # 13 oz i run it thru a boss Katana MK2 100 watt head
If you change the Locktone bridge out for a goto or Gibson Nashville, replace the nut for a nice fitting and rounded edged bone one and then have stainless steel frets fitted..... Then this guitar is hard to beat for the money spent.
I want two guitars the Taylor 114ce and the beauty your playing, I’m calling Sweetwater tomorrow to see if they have this and stock and ready to ship if not I’m buying the Taylor and later the epiphone later.
I'd have no problem playing these professionally. Always thought the higher end Epis were not bad except for the ugly headstock and cheesy electronics switches. I played one of these at GC and truly impressed!
I honestly don't care about the name anymore. I've always wanted a "Gibson" but I bought 2 of my favorite guitars I've always wanted to own, a 58 black beauty and a 63 custom SG, and yes, I bought the bonamassa versions, I could care less about the headstock. I have 9 guitars right now, and the only one I own that is a so called guitar name that people would, pay big bucks for is a 1996 washburn EA96 electric acoustic. It's my favorite acoustic. But I'll never get rid of it. But all my other guitars are epiphones. I've done mods to them to make them my own. I'd rather do that then just by something, but I love this one. If I had an extra 1300 to spend on another guitar. It would definitely be this one 🤘🤘
that’s my favorite pick up set. They don’t put them in Gibsons anymore. I don’t even think they put them in the studios anymore, which was used to be the only Guitar you could get them in anymore because I burst buckers
Wow❕ It looks like the Black Beauty as best I remember it. And it sounds amazing. Love an ebony fretboard. The pearl inlays and binding make that a primo guitar 🎸. If I wasn’t a Strat grrl I’d get one. Alas, I’m really seriously a Strat 🎸grrl. But I’m always listening to other stuff because I can change if I have to. You are some kind of player 🫵. 👍☮️🌞🎸🎵💖
Awesome tone! the Randy Rhoads tone at 14:20, how do you achieve it? would you do a video of your setup? Thank's Steve, I always enjoy watching your videos. Rock on. 🤟
Are the pickups in the exact position as a custom Gibson if you measure them because there is normally a difference in pickup placement when you measure the distance between which creates a different tonality to the instrument
meeting Les Paul in the late 90's he said too me Epiphones are damn good guitars, check out my Les Paul collection in October issue of Vintage Guitar vol 39 readers Gallory #5 2013LPJ 2021 Lazarus 2024 Greeny 2024 LP custom 2017 Mary Ford (seymore duncan P -rails)
How do you like the Lazarus? I have a Slash goldtop with all the "custom shop" specs, and I have to say it is the best Les Paul I have ever played. Not as versatile but better than my Gibson Classic. I have had people tell me that is impossible, that the Classic is a way better guitar. I don't know if I just got a really good one, butI absolutely love that guitar. Havent learned any Slash somgs on it because I pretend it is the Dickey Betts guitar.
I think you need to keep this one Steve. Beautiful guitar.👍
Glad you made this video. It helps with the agony of waiting for my guitar to arrive. I ordered one at Sweetwater last September 12. I was told ETA will be October/November. In the meantime, I’m enjoying its Alpine White version and the Ebony 1959 ES-355. I love these IGC Epiphones. I literally can’t put them down.
UPDATE: Received notification yesterday from Sweetwater that my Gibson Custom Inspired Epiphone Les Paul Custom Ebony was shipped. Arriving tomorrow. My 4th Les Paul Custom.
I got this when they first came out and what a superb guitar it is.. I had tried the full gibson version at the store and it was definitely no better in sound or playability than this.. I like the poly finish because I always wear the nitro in no time, just with the sweat from playing small venue gigs. It basically melts off with my arm contact... The new Epiphone sounds right, looks right, plays right, feels right and is priced right.. Its a fantastic guitar right for the bedroom rock gods all the way to the stage rage powerheads and blues breaking artists.
I could listen to you play all day man, the badass Epiphone is just a bonus. Thank you for sharing time with us!
Super sounding, and that mop really pops on the close up camera.
Hi Steve. man you are a monster playing guitar.
I can listen to you play the guitar all day and I'll never get bored!
I wish you could be my guitar teacher!
I have the epiphone LP modern, and I love it.
a guitar with high specs, excellent playability, and beautiful to look at...
pro buckers 2, and 3. wonderful.
I paid only euros for it. 600!
To be perfect, all it needs is a FR tremolo!
It would be wonderful if epiphone started creating these LP guitars with FR options!
Maybe one day, who knows...
This option has to be given to those who love LPS with FR tremolo.
and I am one of them.
I'm a subscriber to your channel, and in my opinion it's the best in the context of reviewing guitars and entertainment.
Long live the channel.
cheers.
Your tone is gorgeous, please make a video explaining how to get it
yep
I’ve heard him talk about his setup in depth in past video. Wish I could remember which one. But it exists
Hey Pix, I got ahold of a demo in white. It's all I could find in stock anywhere. Great guitar! Good to see you!
A dream deluxe Epiphone Les Paul : nitro finish, steel frets, cut-away neck, bone nut, custombuckers, CTS 500k Pots, good gig bag (who needs a cumbersome case!?). NO push pulls or any fancy electronic crap, ebony compound fret board and pearl inlays, locking tuners, Handwired with Orange Drops capacitors, Aluminium Tune-O-Matic bridge. How much could that possibly be? I’d even cut the binding and just have some nice rolled edges… without a maple top, like the Les Paul Special. Let’s call it THE Un-Custom Shop Deluxe !❤
I got an Epiphone greeny coming in later today, can't wait to try these Gibson inspired guitars.
Congrats! Happy NGD!
How is the greeny?
@@TheEvdavis7 oh man I love it, sound good and feels good.
The frets feel a little sandy to me but I Can fix that no problem.
Im learning to play and I picked up the siverburst version for about 650 and man... its absolutely beautiful! Im so happy with it.
It's not the size of the wand, is the magic of the magician !!! 💯
Gospel.
“It’s impressive…” I couldn’t have said it better myself. Excellent review and playing!
I bought a white version a few years back with the epiphone OG headstock and ebony fretboard, kind of wish I waited for this version to hit the market. This looks sweet!
Love that headstock
Me too
⚡💘⚡
Really great!
PIXXY STEVE, THIS IS A KEEPER
Wow, what a great looking guitar. Love the ebony board and the mop inlays. I had a Greco LP a few years back and I remember it being an awesome guitar except the frets were so worn down, it almost felt like a fretless wonder so I sold it. If I were in the market for an LP I would definitely get this.
I love it Steve! I'm waiting for the Alpine White that's on order.
01:19 The 490R & 498T MudMakers are Gibson’s worst-sounding pickups. Epiphone’s PAF-style, ProBucker 2 and ProBucker 3 humbuckers with the just-right-sounding AlNiCo 2 magnets are (despite being wax-potted) and measured in light years - so much better-sounding to my ears in my opinion - and those pickups are what is factory-installed in my 2017 Ebony-finished, Epiphone Les Paul Custom Pro, with its myriad of switching options. Further, I had my dealer correctly fit and properly install, a permanently lubricated and friction-free, Graph Tech TUSQ XL nut.
I like the burst bucker 2 & 3 quite a bit better.
I've got 4 Epiphone, a Fender, Yamaha n a Jackson. I've got the prophecy satin finish . Les Paul. I got the Epiphone Casino Coupe. Single coils. So fun to just beat it up playing.
That guitar sound awesome in your hands! and looks great to.Thanks for the video.
Thank you Steve for sharing with us! I once upon a time I owned a Les Paul Standard with the smaller pick-ups back in the seventies. I took it home plugged it into my Twin and was very disappointed the pick-ups were a bit weak for my taste. Latter on in life I had a chance to play a real Les Paul Custom wow what a difference! For $1,200 bucks this guitar is a steal! looks and sounds great! Epiphone is well known so why pay the extra cash. Epiphone has changed their headstocks on a few of their models which make them look a lot like Gibsons but Epiphone looks fine I.M.O. Thanks again.
Agreed. My Slash goldtop is the best Les Paul I ever played. And, my newer SG Modern, my first SG, is an absolute beast of a guitar. IMO Epiphone is killing it. Ebony is my favorite fretboard and the SG has it and split coils, overdrive, custombuckers and the modern neck profile is perfect. At $599.00 for a blem model at Zzounds, it is all the guitar 99% of players would ever need.
Steve your playing is a definate example of excellence!
Awesome LPC back in black,love it,Cheers!
I heard from a good source that the bridge is on the wrong way around on these epiphones...I know mine was. Turned it around, straightened the neck, locked the strings and other than some slight rattling solved by highering the bridge it's pretty good 👍
Awesome sounding guitar and great demo!! Nice playing brother! Subscribed ...
Got the MKH model and with the exception of fret buzz 1\3 on the low e it is phenomenal and that was fixed with a string change 😎👍
Beautiful guitar nice specs
It has the authentic Gibson snap-o-matic neck and headstock that cracks off if bumped.
yep got one of those.
I actually solved that issue by not dropping my guitars.
@@RayC234 I actually bought one like that for cheap and Im going to glue it. It works.
It's funny how I've had several for over thirty years and never had that issue. People who can't afford them and don't own them insist it happens though.
That black shine will outlast any lacquer finish Gibson can produce, although I'm personally a fan of the last Epiphone headstock. Has a slightly straighter string pull, and I'm a "renegade" kind of guy, and don't think Gibson deserves to have their ass kissed quite so much. Epiphone was here FIRST! It does sound good, but every guitar sounds good when this guy plays it.
Gibson doesn’t use lacquer. Nitro with plasticizers. Unless you get a Murphy Lab, which is just nitro cellulose finish. Know before you speak.
@@Newbomb_Turks_Punch Nitro, or nitro-cellulose ARE both lacquers. Plasticizers are just polymer solvent additives that allow the "lacquer" to conform to the surface and harden to a more easily finished product. Look it up. Nitro-cellulose lacquers were developed in the 1920s, by Henry Ford, and has been the standard lacquer formula ever since. Plasticizers are NOT plastic but organic polymers found in plants.
About 1 year ago I bought a new Epiphone Les Paul 50s model. Full Les Pau Custom features and p90s that I just love. This is a great guitar in every measure. I bought it at Guitar Center, and (surprise), they didn't even really know what it was. Like with your Custom, they sold out very quickly. I've seen some ads recently, so I looks like they have some more.
Great video! IMO when Epiphone had their,(I guess we will call it their rebirth) at the start of 2020. The more expensive models have been GREAT. I purchased the Epiphone Joe Bonamassa Lazarus. After I had the nut cut right and a few frets addressed the guitar plays amazing. Cheers
Just got an epiphone les paul custom p90s! It's not the correct head stock, but the corners aren't cut! Gibson inspired? Thanks Steve 🤘
Sounds like it’s a kalamazoo headstock… I believe that’s what they call it anyways . It replaced the old epi style headstock with the corners cut out a few years back
I believe the one you have with the Kalamazoo headstock is called Epiphone Inspired by Gibson. The guitar that is being shown in this video is called Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom. Both awesome guitars.
Now that is a nice guitar !
Ive got a late 90s early 2000s 57 Gold-Top by Epiphone. I love that guitar. It just feels so good in my hands. I do want to upgrade the pickups however. The 490 and 498 I believe are what I had in my 96' Les Paul Classic Premium Plus 1960 Reissue. It was a great guitar. Sounded fantastic, but I still liked the feel of the Epi better.
To be frank -You are the best guitar demonstrator on TH-cam period .
absolutely correct.
This guy is a monster playing guitar...
and the best guitar reviewer I've ever seen and heard...
I can spend all day listening to him play the guitar and I'll never get bored.
long life for him.
cheers.
I got the epi es-355 GCI. it’s a ridiculously great guitar. Swings way over its weight.
I have the Ebony version. Hand-polished it to high-gloss. Changed the knobs to Tophats with metal inserts. Changed the Grover tuners to Grover locking Rotomatics. Fantastic guitar. My 3rd from this IGC range.
I would get the one with the custom buckers.
That guitar was a piece of art
My Epiphone Frampton is a les paul custom with gold hardware, ebony fingerboard and three pickups. It is the lightest Les Paul I own and was $700 without a case.
Beautiful instrument. Sweet!
I have that same guitar a 1995 black double diamond, rosewood fretboard plays and sound amazing.
Full Gibson would be nitro finish and over fret edge binding :D
This is basically what the good old japanese Fuji Gen Epiphone/Orville was but at the same price 30 years later in China.
Not even in the same universe, and I have both. This is a kick ass guitar with full Gibson specs, excuse me BETTER Specs than the Standard that costs $600 more. Mine is a tone monster, and it is possibly the only guitar one would ever need. It covers every genre and lead, overdrive country. It's not as nice as my Epiphone Slash goldtop but in many ways, much more diverse.
@@johndaugherty4127 Same universe as what? Fuji Gen or Gibson USA?
Leave the Gibsons for the rich ones who (most) can't play 😅
Back in 1990 I bought a guitar almost just like this and played it for years. It was a good guitar. I think it was the only year with the headstock that looked like that. I have less Paws now, but I always like that guitar it really it worked great and sounded good. It was really good.
Nice Axe Steve... I had the original in 2004, it just got too heavy to do a long gig with. Hey love your show Steve, keep going my friend, what would we do without you.....Graham K Cooper here from OZ!
2:48 I thought that sounded low, They are now $5499 🤯 I should’ve bought one when they were half that price new
That guitar is so sweet. I have the prophecy which I bought earlier this year and love it.The Fishman pick ups are nice but seem to be limited. I love the fact that they have the 490 and 498 pick ups in there. Just imagine if they had the Custom Buckers in there like they did with the 59
Looks a lot like my 2012 Epiphone Les Paul Custom Pro accept the headstock is different. My Epiphone hard case looks the same too....however mine has red fur inside.
Not sure if Gibson sales will go down if Epiphone makes Gibson copies almost for cheaper but seems that way. I wouldn't get an Epiphone back when but now I would. I need my fret inlays, fret binding, , ebony or baked maple fretboard, my good looking headstock, and high quality pickups and this has all of it.
Same here. An Epiphone LP was one of my first guitars as an inexperienced guitarist. It played like crap and I hated it. Traded it for an American Strat and hated anything named Epiphone. These Gibson/Epiphone inspired guitars have changed my whole attitude towards epips. I have the 355 and I’m thinking about that new gold top they just released.
@@csharp57 355 is nice but a gold top is also nice. Tough choice lol
Have one.LOVE It!!! Had the Gibson version in 80s.Sounda exactly the same.
You need to keep this one!!
I love it. Finally I can get a LP Custom. That being said I will be buy the Epiphone Les Paul 59.
Why is the plastic still on the pick-ups? Was just wondering if it would affect the sound quality. I have a Epiphone Les Paul Custom Pro in KOA and love it. Great video!
I am wondering where are they made? Sounds great! I had a EP black beauty triple humbuckers gold hardware and it was a beast - I bought it in the early 90s for around $400 and sold it years after for the same - sellers regret.😢
always got that cool tone ...1800 up here in canuckada
well kramer will be next with a gibson coppie and im cool with that that epiphone looks great steve
Hey Johnny ✌️
Dude! You still make videos!?!?!? Heck yeah!!!!!
It sounds great with that saturated metal style distortion.
Real killer guitar and worth every penny from what I can see and hear.
I really hope the neck is thicker on these than on the previous Epi LPC guitars. Those are pretty slim.
That is a really nice Les Paul, Epiphone have really stepped their game up! This will be the first new Epiphone I purchase!
considering context (price) they have actually stepped down their game since you could buy an epiphone les paul custom for 300 dollars and this one is 1300 dollars
Yep, I think they are priced well. Hardshell case, Epiphone model doesn't include one.Gibson Headstock, which I prefer.Mother of pearl inlays vs
Pearloid. Upgraded pickups. Looks and sounds great. 👍
I have so far purchased 2 Epiphones from this Gibson Custom-Inspired range - the Alpine White LP Custom and the Ebony 1959 ES-355. The ones I have are extremely well-made. I had my luthier look at them. He was very impressed - like a Gibson but less QC Issues. The closest you’ll ever get to a Gibson without paying Gibson price. I have the Ebony LP Custom on back order. I have 4 Epiphone Les Pauls that I bought in 2012 that were professionally upgraded with Gibson USA pickups and premium parts. The purchase price plus the cost of the upgrade brought it around the price range of these new IGC Epiphones. So, from personal experience I think these new IGC ones are fairly priced.
@@thelongvirtuesignal8551 where are you buying a epi les Paul custom for 300 dollars? Even the standard epi les Paul’s are more than 300 dollars
Past 4\ 5yrs Epi has been vastly improving...
Thinking Mark Agnesi (norms rare guitars) has helped implement changes ? 🤔
Sounds awesome!!!
What do you think of this versus the new Gibson Les Paul Studio?
Thanks, always cool reviews.
Much appreciation. 🤘☘️🎸
Not a gold hardware fan myself. So I'd went with the second edition of the AJ sigs. The Frank Frazetta "The Berserker " custom art version, for that same price of $1299. It's a better spec'd guitar in many ways.
Then, the non art versions dropped. After all the other custom art models in the series flopped. I think Epiphone seriously underestimated the impact the art would have on sales?
At $1499, the Gibson headstock versions, are the literal king of the hill guitar from Epiphone. With the chainsaw case and custom wound pickups, specifically for the AJ sigs. I can tell you firsthand, they're both excellent guitars that are well worth the price. I caught some sour comments for awhile from the doubters. Mostly because they were some of the first models released with the higher prices.
Well, now that there's literally dozens of other models at that price from Epiphone. They don't seem so outrageous anymore.
The neck carve and antique silverburst paint are the the main differences.
But the custom wound pickups are the real star of the show. After converting the art model to my new EMG equipped guitar. I used the neck pickup from it, for the bridge position in the non art version. Wow! This Custombucker set is the fuck'n bomb brother! I paired the two chrome covered pickups together, to create the ultimate overwound Custombucker set! These pickups are on a whole nother level. They're NOT, I repeat, NOT, regular Custombuckers. They're much hotter and are by far the best set I currently own. I highly recommend people try this combo out themselves. Might cost a couple grand to do it like I've done. But you'll end up with two of the most excellent custom built guitars on earth for the price. If the China thing is still holding people back? I think your missing the boat, literally! Ha, ha! Peace!
Beautiful Black & Gold color combo!
This thing sounds pretty sweet!
i got one because it has a maple cap , ebony fingerboard, cts pots mallory caps long neck tenon
mine weighs 8 # 13 oz i run it thru a boss Katana MK2 100 watt head
Best digital amp tone
Hell yeah!!! It DOES sound amazing. And it looks the part!! So cool
I have that exact epiphone but as a triple hum bucker.
If you change the Locktone bridge out for a goto or Gibson Nashville, replace the nut for a nice fitting and rounded edged bone one and then have stainless steel frets fitted..... Then this guitar is hard to beat for the money spent.
I want two guitars the Taylor 114ce and the beauty your playing, I’m calling Sweetwater tomorrow to see if they have this and stock and ready to ship if not I’m buying the Taylor and later the epiphone later.
Hello Steve! Since the Les Paul doesn’t come with the Custom buckers like the others, would it be worth it buying and installing some?
Would love to try one of these. The neck profile of the the $799 model is very comfy and fast playing, same on this?😊
Epiphone LPC90 that was made in Japan had the Gibson headstock and ebony, fretboard, but not Gibson pickups..
Steve from Boston plays better than anyone I've ever heard lol geez
Joe f'n Perry 😅
A touring ax it is ❤very nice waited 40 years for a chance to own a les paul for a decent price 😊
I'd have no problem playing these professionally. Always thought the higher end Epis were not bad except for the ugly headstock and cheesy electronics switches. I played one of these at GC and truly impressed!
Great video of great guitar!
Only thing that sounded cheap were the pick sounds being louder than the amp sound. Just turn it up some more!
I honestly don't care about the name anymore. I've always wanted a "Gibson" but I bought 2 of my favorite guitars I've always wanted to own, a 58 black beauty and a 63 custom SG, and yes, I bought the bonamassa versions, I could care less about the headstock. I have 9 guitars right now, and the only one I own that is a so called guitar name that people would, pay big bucks for is a 1996 washburn EA96 electric acoustic. It's my favorite acoustic. But I'll never get rid of it. But all my other guitars are epiphones. I've done mods to them to make them my own. I'd rather do that then just by something, but I love this one. If I had an extra 1300 to spend on another guitar. It would definitely be this one 🤘🤘
Nice Gibiphone ,a lot of boxes checked , Thanks for the Demo Steve. No-----You Rock----!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks so much for this review, your videos are always nice to watch. What plugin you using ? Tones kickass😊
Dad rock rules!! Epiphone really nailed it, I own many Epi's but not with that headstock!! Sweet!! Fine chops btw! 🎸
that’s my favorite pick up set. They don’t put them in Gibsons anymore. I don’t even think they put them in the studios anymore, which was used to be the only Guitar you could get them in anymore because I burst buckers
Finally done right Epiphone!
Be nice to hear it played through an AMP. Like the Highes and Kettner behind ya'.
Wow❕ It looks like the Black Beauty as best I remember it. And it sounds amazing. Love an ebony fretboard. The pearl inlays and binding make that a primo guitar 🎸. If I wasn’t a Strat grrl I’d get one. Alas, I’m really seriously a Strat 🎸grrl. But I’m always listening to other stuff because I can change if I have to. You are some kind of player 🫵. 👍☮️🌞🎸🎵💖
Been watching you since pixxy lyxy days. Still watching your blog since we have same passion guitars and Van Halen.
Awesome tone! the Randy Rhoads tone at 14:20, how do you achieve it? would you do a video of your setup? Thank's Steve, I always enjoy watching your videos. Rock on. 🤟
She’s a beauty and sounds great !
You still got all those Chibsons that you used to buy on ebay or some shady site then do upgrades to make them playable?
The Inspired by 1955 LP has an ebony fretboard, is this so very different?
I own an epiphone ax and I love it.
What are you running it into? Love the overdrive tone!!
Which finish if yall had to choose one ? Ebony or Alpine White ?
Are the pickups in the exact position as a custom Gibson if you measure them because there is normally a difference in pickup placement when you measure the distance between which creates a different tonality to the instrument
anyone have any info on gibson is up for sale seen a few streams on it but am not sure on how much truth there is to the story
My first guitar was a Epiphone, I have a place in my heart for them.
meeting Les Paul in the late 90's he said too me Epiphones are damn good guitars, check out my Les Paul collection in October issue of Vintage Guitar vol 39 readers Gallory #5 2013LPJ 2021 Lazarus 2024 Greeny 2024 LP custom 2017 Mary Ford (seymore duncan P -rails)
How do you like the Lazarus? I have a Slash goldtop with all the "custom shop" specs, and I have to say it is the best Les Paul I have ever played. Not as versatile but better than my Gibson Classic. I have had people tell me that is impossible, that the Classic is a way better guitar. I don't know if I just got a really good one, butI absolutely love that guitar. Havent learned any Slash somgs on it because I pretend it is the Dickey Betts guitar.
I would definitely start buying epiphone id they keep the inspired by Gibson headstock for sure...