If you really want a Les Paul Jr, these are a viable option - but if you're a beginner just looking for a guitar, other brands do offer quite a bit more options for the same money. 🔴Reverb: reverb.com/item/32358273?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=Trogly 🍭Shop Sweetwater + Support the Show ➡️ imp.i114863.net/trogly 💰New to Reverb? Get $10 on Me ➡️ reverb.grsm.io/earn10 ❓Private Help Sessions: troglysguitarshow.com/help-appraisals/
Charlie Starr would agree. He bought his Gibson Les Paul junior in 1990s and the previous owner was the guitarist from the Georgia Satellites. He bought it for 600$ from a guitar shop and it's still his #1 guitar to this day. Guitars are really expensive now. I might pull the trigger on a black junior, I'd like to own one.
Yep. A bit more than 10 years ago, but In 2008 -2009 (maybe even later) a new Gibson LP Faded or faded V could be had for 799.99, and a Studio for a grand.
Ya know these days there is no such thing as a bad guitar. If you walk into a Guitar Center or in Canada a Long and McQuade you can drop $200 bucks or $2000 bucks you're going to get a very playable instrument. And as a bonus the cheaper guitars are a blast to mod and customize. I've been an epiphone fan for 30 years now and they never let me down. So when I saw this particular JR model at my local LnM I a/b'd it against the Gibson. And of course I went with the Epi and saved myself $1200 bucks. Epi's are for players. Gibson's are for collectors.
There's some chibson guitars that are like 200$ or even firefly guitars hav some beautiful flying v guitars in the 200$ price range of you don't mind having a guitar tech set it up good
Or. It used and fix em up I have a epi Les Paul and sg I got both for $17.50 a pop a solder iron and $20.00 in parts and a pack of strings both of them are total shred machine's man
@@theccarbiter Of course they do, Gibson owns Epiphone. But how much difference should there be? A Special is just a Junior with an extra pickup. Those pickups are cheap. I looked on ZZ sound and the Junior was 20 bucks cheaper. Maybe a little overpriced compared to the Special but not much.
trogly doesn't a look at at a guitars individual parts and specs, he takes an individual look at the guitars parts and specs cause trogly is a true individual and i respect that
I was really torn between this model and the Special in TV yellow. I eventually went with the special because it has more tonal variety and I love that tv yellow. But, these are super duper nice. Awesome baseball neck, super chunky and great for punk rock.
"It's quite easy for somebody to swap out the pickups" yeah... I tried to find those connectors, couldn't find it anywhere so I'm glad they donc advertise it ^^
Gibson is charging what they think they can get for a Jr. It wasn't that long ago you could get a Jr for under $800 and a P90 Melody Maker for what that Epi costs. Pretty sure the cost of building guitars hasn't gone up 90% in the last 7 years. I do own Gibsons but if I was 20 and making $15 an hour I'd rock the hell out of that Epi
I have a Gibson jazz box.. from back in the day and it's quite expensive.... That was the last expensive axe that I ever got 30 years ago... I buy Epiphone.. my guitar tech hooks me up exactly the way I want it and I'm good to go
Bullshit. If you have a total POS guitar nothing is going to make it sound good. Or if you have shitty pickups nothing is going to make it sound good except changing the pickups. In 2012 I bought an Epiphone Junior and it sounded godawful. The pickups in it were just garbage and the fucking thing wouldn't stay in tune for anything. The new ones (or at least the kind Trogly is playing in the vide) seem miles better than those old $99 Epiphone Juniors GC was always selling.
Jason Allen I can't argue with the fact that if you have a totally POS guitar but from what I've seen and heard you can buy a very inexpensive guitar and still get a very good sound from a quality amplifier. That is my point.
A lot of people say that inexpensive guitars until recently were absolutely horrible. I would love to see a video reviewing some of those old horrible guitars just to see how good we actually have it today! Everyone says "price point" instead of "price". What happened to price? Is price just not good enough any more? We have to add point to it? I like price more than price point. Price point seems like someone is trying to rip me off..to make themselves sound smarter than me. Just use price..it works!
I have 2 Gibson LPj 1 slick finish 1 matte the slick is way more comfortable on your arm especially if you are aggressive player. The epi junior sounds as good as my usa gibs. To me lpj is the ultimate rock machine no matter where it’s born. I really like your vids they hold on to my short attention span
As am I. Quite frankly, a high end Epi is just a middle end gibson at a mark down. Drop in actual gibson pups, and you get a gibson with a different name on the headstock, and about 500 bucks cheaper
Ive got an Epiphone Les Paul and its great. Guitar snobs really dont understand the impact Epiphone has had on music in general. It was in an Epiphone factory where Les Paul built "the log" guitar.
Love the channel my dude. Never thought I get this into guitars. Since I found your channel I got an electric Ibanez and a fender acoustic guitar. And I love it!
I've had one of these since February. It's my favourite out of my collection, even above my Gibson SG. The pickup is excellent, I think it even looks nicer looking than the Gibson. I hope they do an SG junior next.
The one I bought is awesome! One problem I seem to find with this one and some of the other new Epiphones are the Nuts. The action on the one I have was way too high at the nut. Easy fix to file down the nut slots. Also, Intonation was also off until I put some standard 10-46 gauge strings.
The juniors with an uncompensated Stop-Bar can be intonated fairly well. You will need to choose your string gauge and brand very carefully. A wound third is usually necessary. With a 'Lightning Bolt' you may have to choose carefully also. I originally used a thinner plain g string. It was okay for rock but it didn't feel balanced. The luthier suggested a wound 18 and it worked well even with the smooth Stop-Bar. Thanx Trophy for the documentation of the Epiphone LP Jr.
I have the jr. and the special. The jr. is loud and unruly. The special is more refined. They are not the same at all. The sustain on the jr. is amazing! It just makes you want to play LOUD! Just buy both. You won’t be disappointed.
My first electric I actually still have it... It’s an Epiphone Les Paul Jr ‘57 Reissue with almost that exact paint job... It’s more of like a light brown sunburst along with it being all black...
Scarf joints are also to strengthen the neck where the headstock angles cutting off the fibers in the wood, so on a engineering level it's better than a Gibson.
@@IrisGalaxis It's just science! One piece mahogany neck with angled headstock is the worst thing guitar manufacturers still do to this day. And I have about a bazillion examples of broken Gibson's to prove it.
I've read and heard that the Dog ear pickups that Gibson used back in the day always sounded hotter and ballsier, (Is That a Word?), then the soap bar counterparts of the same era. Players that have both Jr's and Specials say the Juniors had the hotter, raunchier tone. Wonder if they wound those hotter or the way they were mounted to the body has some effect? I own a 2022 Gibson LP Jr, and an Epiphone Jr. The Epiphone is surprisingly a nice guitar. Not quite the quality of the Gibson, but for real, we're talking a one pickup, 2 control guitar originally made for students. And they both kick butt when pushing an overdriven amp. The "Less is More" factor draws me to these styles of guitars.
Great guitar save for the tuning machines and the jack. Installed Grover machines and a Switch craft jack and plate. With D'Addario pure nickel strings the intonation is ON. The wrap bridge makes this an ideal first electric - acoustic players should find this comfortable. Also, the single pickup is good for former acoustic only players - articulation and hand placement make the tone. Aesthetically the pickguard and veneers could go.
Good comment. I had a new'94 MIK G400. Looked great with the plain grain but never was right,,,,partial fret mill made it play better but it still had dead spots. I gave up and sold it. MIC G400 used $249 like new,,,not in love with the stripy look but at one time, my go to guit., After 10 years, works.
I think the Les Paul Special Tribute P90s is the best value for someone looking at getting a Gibson. The humbucker version is also $999. 600 bucks less than the LP Special TV yellow. Epiphone versions are great value, for sure, but it’s great to have a middle option US made ones. Plus, with that white satin finish and a sharpie... the possibilities are endless! 🤘😎
The quick connect on the pickup wire probably means that there is no soldering done within the guitar itself, reducing the chances of burning the finish. The pots, ground wire and jack are probably soldered together from template outside of the guitar, then dropped into the control cavity and the pickup is connected at the end.
To be quite honest, I was pleasantly surprised by this guitar. I have a 2000 Gibson les Paul classic premium plus in the rare cinnamon burst finish. Original owner. I will never get rid of my Les Paul. Nice review trogly. I have been way way surprised by the epiphone stuff. Nice stepping it up epiphone.
No doubt that with that price, these guitars are great. One thing I really do not like is how they are putting these veneers... It just does not do it to me. If you really want the best guitar for the money, the Les Paul Special can't be easily beaten.
Fair enough review. It's certainly a bargain value, even in 2024. I do agree with the thought about a Special vs Junior.... the second pickup for less than the cost of lunch at a real restaurant. I don't have any problem with the mahogany veneer grain (it's more attractive than the yellowed out center of the present Gibson models), but think matching the sides with the burst would be prettier. It's a cheap guitar made in numbers that would keep it from reaching "vintage" status, so break out the rattle can to lose the cheesy black to clear demarcation. Original Juniors were dark on the sides (maybe the wood darkened over the decades?)- a friend still has an original '54 that he won't give up to me. This one sounded good on computer speakers, but a pickup upgrade wouldn't be rocket science if desired, and most people buying these are playing in their living room anyway, like I would as an old man. ....used Specials in Burst start around a grand right now in January '24, and some say the used market is coming down. I never liked TV Yellow even back in the 60s.
I bought a metallic gold top standard with coil split at both pickups a couple months back. I did have to lower the action a little but other than that I pretty much haven't done anything but fine tune it. Plays great and loving it. So much so that since I cant seem to find one in a dark blue metallic dust finish I've ordered a kit and with the guidance of a friend who I know that builds I will have that one to add in my collection.
@@IrisGalaxis its pretty much the best brand in that price point, so i guess it will stop when someone makes an even higher quality and affordable brand.
Hey trogly! I really love the content, you should try to get some harley benton stuff on the bench. I’ve heard they are the best guitars for a budget. would love to hear your opinion on them.
Just got a modded Gibson 09 Melody Maker LP style with a Seymour Duncan humbucker in place of the single coil for 329. I love Squier stuff but have a hard time wrapping my head around the ask of Epis
Now see Austin you make no sense lol. You said you couldn't understand the $20 difference between the Junior and the Special since the Special has twice as much electronics on it. That's what I have been saying about the Gibson Junior and the Studio models!! for $100 more for the Studio you get twice as much as the Juniors have to offer! I really like that finish!! I have an older Epiphone Special that I bought at a pawn shop that was going out of business for $50! Originally it was just the plain black but I sanded it down and the finish I have on it closely resembles the Gibson smokehouse finish and I love it!! Mine is a bolt on neck which was good because the original neck had a twist to it lol.
Hi, there, I recently got a "like new" 2019 Gibson LP Jr. It has become one of my favorite guitars to hear and play. Comes with a super Gibson hard case, and all the sound and vibe I could ask for. For the record, I have many Gibson and Fender guitars, including my first "real" guitar, a '76 Les Paul Custom I bought new in '78 (I'd been working 2 yrs by then. Yeah, I'm old). I also have (thanks to you) a totally original '79 The Paul that I love... and a few others. Not gonna bore ya. Is the Les Paul Jr. worth $1000+? To me it is. If you have the means, by all means. I just wish I'd live long enough to wear it out. Thanks for a great show, Trogly.
I bought a cheap Epi LP Special with a bolt on neck new for about $100 on a lark. Fun guitar. I’m used to playing high end American guitars, but it’s fun to play and sounds decent. I actually enjoy playing it more than a real Les Paul because it’s light as a feather. It’s lighter than my Strat!
Looks good, sounds good, seams to play good, doesn’t coast much, sure the fretboard isn’t a beauty, and ok you had to set it up, but it seams decent for the amount of money that we are talking about. The body back and the neck is cool looking, and it seams that you have upgraded you playing skills, noice !
For the price these are great guitars. Epiphone owns its own factory in China, and it makes its own guitars. They have been getting better recently, and considering the cost of a USA built instrument they are pretty good. I wouldn't pay a grand for one of the Gibsons
You should try the Harley Benton DC fat junior, $230 Im sure it will give the Epiphone a run for its money, it has a bridge that allows you to internate the different saddles it also has a satin finish to the body and a stacked P90, what more not to like??? The Fussion 2 from Harley Benton was reviewed in the Guitarist in Septembers issue. 😎😎🤔🤔
Les Paul Juniors are my absolute favourite guitars in the world. This model here is actually a really nice sounding guitar. Only thing I’ll do is change the black pick guard to a red tortoise shell. I just like the fire on the black
Another nice review. I purchased a 2020 Epi SG Special and like it a lot. I've been thinking of getting the Epi LP Junior, but I'm not really that crazy about that sunburst finish or the look of the veneer on the top. Still, it seems like a great guitar for the money.
@@jfmusicbox3477 i just bought one for 450 on ebay. Its two p90s with a wrap around tail piece. Very bare bones but quality is top notch. I own 3 now looking for the red one so I have one in every color 😆.
They Gibson Custom Shop Jr.’s are nuts. $4k for a slab of painted wood and a couple pick ups. I have some pricey guitars, but it’s Epiphone for Juniors and SG’s for me.
I looks great! I have an original Epi Jr from 89. It’s my go to practice guitar, but has been upgraded. I would buy a new one, but like you said, I’d buy the special over this model.
I saw Leslie West when I was like 15 years old, first pro guitar player I ever saw live. It was 1966, I was 14., it looked like a tiny violin when he was playing his jr., he was like 400 pound's, and the guitar looked so small. He's the reason I'm looking for a jr. right now, he made that thing talk.
If you really want a Les Paul Jr, these are a viable option - but if you're a beginner just looking for a guitar, other brands do offer quite a bit more options for the same money.
🔴Reverb: reverb.com/item/32358273?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=Trogly
🍭Shop Sweetwater + Support the Show ➡️ imp.i114863.net/trogly
💰New to Reverb? Get $10 on Me ➡️ reverb.grsm.io/earn10
❓Private Help Sessions: troglysguitarshow.com/help-appraisals/
The Trogly's Guitar Show Hey Trogly!
When I change the pickups out on the 10 S silverburst I'll enail you a short video of how it sounds.
ua-cam.com/video/fRUae9azhVI/v-deo.html
If they made a double cut I'd be sold
Do check out the Epiphone Les Paul Standard 1959 Aged Dark Burst!
Gibson Junior's should be $1000 new. It's a solid body mahogany, no maple, no binding, one pickup, easy to route.
They should be 800 bucks...
@@Samana009 They should be free with every 3-pack of overpriced strings.
@@Hexspa hahaha... agreed. Talk about an overpriced slab of wood...
@@Samana009 fuckin pirates
Agreed! Gibson Greed
"Good old days" 10 years ago when a faded Gibson Junior was around $600 and was everything anyone would ever need. Inflation is a b-word.
Charlie Starr would agree. He bought his Gibson Les Paul junior in 1990s and the previous owner was the guitarist from the Georgia Satellites. He bought it for 600$ from a guitar shop and it's still his #1 guitar to this day. Guitars are really expensive now. I might pull the trigger on a black junior, I'd like to own one.
Yep. A bit more than 10 years ago, but In 2008 -2009 (maybe even later) a new Gibson LP Faded or faded V could be had for 799.99, and a Studio for a grand.
Ya know these days there is no such thing as a bad guitar. If you walk into a Guitar Center or in Canada a Long and McQuade you can drop $200 bucks or $2000 bucks you're going to get a very playable instrument. And as a bonus the cheaper guitars are a blast to mod and customize. I've been an epiphone fan for 30 years now and they never let me down. So when I saw this particular JR model at my local LnM I a/b'd it against the Gibson. And of course I went with the Epi and saved myself $1200 bucks. Epi's are for players. Gibson's are for collectors.
I like it when you review lower priced guitars instead of the guitars I can’t afford.
Yo bro what's your budget
There's some chibson guitars that are like 200$ or even firefly guitars hav some beautiful flying v guitars in the 200$ price range of you don't mind having a guitar tech set it up good
Or. It used and fix em up I have a epi Les Paul and sg I got both for $17.50 a pop a solder iron and $20.00 in parts and a pack of strings both of them are total shred machine's man
They shouldn’t raise the price of the special, they should lower the price of the junior
@@Rand_al_Thor372 ikr, the junior should be $80-$100 cheaper than its current price
Lol gibson lowering a price? johnny thunders! Lol every heroin addicted guitarists favorite player...
@@kiezersosay49 pretty sure gibson doesnt decide epiphones prices
@@Rand_al_Thor372 Thunders played Specials too.
@@theccarbiter Of course they do, Gibson owns Epiphone.
But how much difference should there be? A Special is just a Junior with an extra pickup. Those pickups are cheap. I looked on ZZ sound and the Junior was 20 bucks cheaper. Maybe a little overpriced compared to the Special but not much.
I want epiphone to make double cut specials and juniors, they just have a more interesting look
I knooooow. Right now the Gibsons are $1500 and up. Way too much haha
If Epiphone could make a cherry double cut Junior I'd sell my soul for one.
@@leewhitworth9142 same bro
That thing SCREAMS
trogly doesn't a look at at a guitars individual parts and specs, he takes an individual look at the guitars parts and specs cause trogly is a true individual and i respect that
I was really torn between this model and the Special in TV yellow. I eventually went with the special because it has more tonal variety and I love that tv yellow. But, these are super duper nice. Awesome baseball neck, super chunky and great for punk rock.
I got the TV yellow to. I love it. Except those 2 little screws that stick out of the part that holds the strings - they snag on a long sleeve shirt.
Love one pickup guitars. That sounds good and for the money it’s a decent deal.
Your playing has really improved, man! Kudos!
"It's quite easy for somebody to swap out the pickups" yeah... I tried to find those connectors, couldn't find it anywhere so I'm glad they donc advertise it ^^
Gibson is charging what they think they can get for a Jr. It wasn't that long ago you could get a Jr for under $800 and a P90 Melody Maker for what that Epi costs. Pretty sure the cost of building guitars hasn't gone up 90% in the last 7 years. I do own Gibsons but if I was 20 and making $15 an hour I'd rock the hell out of that Epi
I have a Gibson jazz box.. from back in the day and it's quite expensive.... That was the last expensive axe that I ever got 30 years ago... I buy Epiphone.. my guitar tech hooks me up exactly the way I want it and I'm good to go
Perfect timing! As I’ve been looking at one of these recently.
A good over driven amp makes any guitar sound good.
Bullshit. If you have a total POS guitar nothing is going to make it sound good.
Or if you have shitty pickups nothing is going to make it sound good except changing the pickups. In 2012 I bought an Epiphone Junior and it sounded godawful. The pickups in it were just garbage and the fucking thing wouldn't stay in tune for anything.
The new ones (or at least the kind Trogly is playing in the vide) seem miles better than those old $99 Epiphone Juniors GC was always selling.
Jason Allen I can't argue with the fact that if you have a totally POS guitar but from what I've seen and heard you can buy a very inexpensive guitar and still get a very good sound from a quality amplifier. That is my point.
A lot of people say that inexpensive guitars until recently were absolutely horrible. I would love to see a video reviewing some of those old horrible guitars just to see how good we actually have it today!
Everyone says "price point" instead of "price". What happened to price? Is price just not good enough any more? We have to add point to it? I like price more than price point. Price point seems like someone is trying to rip me off..to make themselves sound smarter than me. Just use price..it works!
You never realize that you sound best on ones you don’t dig, scratchy fret wire? It sounded awesome
LoL yeah right 😂
@@michaeljoseph8229 you ever notice that? I guess it’s a matter of taste or ears,100% of the time when I think Troy sounds good he dumps on it
I have 2 Gibson LPj 1 slick finish 1 matte the slick is way more comfortable on your arm especially if you are aggressive player. The epi junior sounds as good as my usa gibs. To me lpj is the ultimate rock machine no matter where it’s born. I really like your vids they hold on to my short attention span
Why did you stop putting centimeter conversions?
I am very fond of epiphone guitars
As am I. Quite frankly, a high end Epi is just a middle end gibson at a mark down. Drop in actual gibson pups, and you get a gibson with a different name on the headstock, and about 500 bucks cheaper
Ive got an Epiphone Les Paul and its great. Guitar snobs really dont understand the impact Epiphone has had on music in general. It was in an Epiphone factory where Les Paul built "the log" guitar.
One thing I love 'bout Epi's is they're easily upgradable. Standard CTS pots? That's a very nice touch!
Got one near mint today for 100$ at a pawn shop. Very happy with it
Love the channel my dude. Never thought I get this into guitars. Since I found your channel I got an electric Ibanez and a fender acoustic guitar. And I love it!
I love these, that thing rips.
Yes it seems to have a too big of a black border. Black just around the edges would have looked great!
Great review, I put mine on lay away last week! Excited to get it, I've tried it and personally I love it, perfect modern rock/punk guitar
I've had one of these since February. It's my favourite out of my collection, even above my Gibson SG. The pickup is excellent, I think it even looks nicer looking than the Gibson. I hope they do an SG junior next.
They have done a SG Junior couple of years ago. Great guitar. Take it every where in gig bag. The guitar I pick up most
@@philodonoghue3062 I know, I had one... It was a far cry from a proper SG Junior & definitely not on a par with the inspired by Gibson guitars.
I have a TV yellow satin SG Jr by Epi. But with 1 humbucker... Sounds great though I am curious if with P90 it would sound better...
The one I bought is awesome! One problem I seem to find with this one and some of the other new Epiphones are the Nuts. The action on the one I have was way too high at the nut. Easy fix to file down the nut slots. Also, Intonation was also off until I put some standard 10-46 gauge strings.
For the $$ nice guitar. I thought the overdriven sound of the P-90 was really cool. Great video.
im on the fence with this and the harley benton dc
Gustavo Delarosa imo the Epiphone looks cooler, not sure which plays/sounds better.
The juniors with an uncompensated Stop-Bar can be intonated fairly well. You will need to choose your string gauge and brand very carefully. A wound third is usually necessary. With a 'Lightning Bolt' you may have to choose carefully also. I originally used a thinner plain g string. It was okay for rock but it didn't feel balanced. The luthier suggested a wound 18 and it worked well even with the smooth Stop-Bar.
Thanx Trophy for the documentation of the Epiphone LP Jr.
This is interesting to consider...
I ordered one from eBay I can’t throw 11s on this model?
I have the jr. and the special. The jr. is loud and unruly. The special is more refined. They are not the same at all. The sustain on the jr. is amazing! It just makes you want to play LOUD! Just buy both. You won’t be disappointed.
We need the review of the new Custom!!!
That would be so cool
Very nice axe for a decent price. I think it looks fabulous. That one P90 pup sure sounds damn good.
My first electric I actually still have it... It’s an Epiphone Les Paul Jr ‘57 Reissue with almost that exact paint job... It’s more of like a light brown sunburst along with it being all black...
Doesn’t matter where it’s made. What matters is how it plays and sounds! Just my opinion
Scarf joints are also to strengthen the neck where the headstock angles cutting off the fibers in the wood, so on a engineering level it's better than a Gibson.
@@IrisGalaxis It's just science! One piece mahogany neck with angled headstock is the worst thing guitar manufacturers still do to this day. And I have about a bazillion examples of broken Gibson's to prove it.
I prefer the tone of one-piece Gibson necks. You just have to be careful with them.
@@VIDS2013 If you can prove you can hear the difference I promise to shove my fist up myself.
With the high gain, that guitar sounded killer.
I've read and heard that the Dog ear pickups that Gibson used back in the day always sounded hotter and ballsier, (Is That a Word?), then the soap bar counterparts of the same era. Players that have both Jr's and Specials say the Juniors had the hotter, raunchier tone. Wonder if they wound those hotter or the way they were mounted to the body has some effect? I own a 2022 Gibson LP Jr, and an Epiphone Jr. The Epiphone is surprisingly a nice guitar. Not quite the quality of the Gibson, but for real, we're talking a one pickup, 2 control guitar originally made for students. And they both kick butt when pushing an overdriven amp. The "Less is More" factor draws me to these styles of guitars.
With Christmas 🎄 coming up maybe I'll order two for my Grandchildren who play 😃 Enjoyed your review as always. Ty from Newburgh NY 🙂
Been waiting for this review from ya for as long as I knew this guitar was being made. Still looking to swoop one up.
Great guitar save for the tuning machines and the jack. Installed Grover machines and a Switch craft jack and plate. With D'Addario pure nickel strings the intonation is ON. The wrap bridge makes this an ideal first electric - acoustic players should find this comfortable. Also, the single pickup is good for former acoustic only players - articulation and hand placement make the tone. Aesthetically the pickguard and veneers could go.
This is definitely a budget "Blues Rocker" that pup sounded great.Trogly sounded great,good chord work ,you been listening to Pat Travers?
I’ve just got my new Junior and it’s a 2019 model, fackin great 👍 guitar 🎸
I just wished it was in TV 📺 yellow, But never mind the colour it’s still a Junior
I think the veneer is horrible. I'd prefer a solid non transparent color, or the plain multi piece wood.
Good comment. I had a new'94 MIK G400. Looked great with the plain grain but never was right,,,,partial fret mill made it play better but it still had dead spots. I gave up and sold it. MIC G400 used $249 like new,,,not in love with the stripy look but at one time, my go to guit., After 10 years, works.
I think the Les Paul Special Tribute P90s is the best value for someone looking at getting a Gibson. The humbucker version is also $999. 600 bucks less than the LP Special TV yellow. Epiphone versions are great value, for sure, but it’s great to have a middle option US made ones. Plus, with that white satin finish and a sharpie... the possibilities are endless! 🤘😎
The quick connect on the pickup wire probably means that there is no soldering done within the guitar itself, reducing the chances of burning the finish. The pots, ground wire and jack are probably soldered together from template outside of the guitar, then dropped into the control cavity and the pickup is connected at the end.
Maybe next time you could demo the neck pickup???? Thanks
To be quite honest, I was pleasantly surprised by this guitar. I have a 2000 Gibson les Paul classic premium plus in the rare cinnamon burst finish. Original owner. I will never get rid of my Les Paul. Nice review trogly. I have been way way surprised by the epiphone stuff. Nice stepping it up epiphone.
Have you ever played Harley Benton guitars??
No doubt that with that price, these guitars are great. One thing I really do not like is how they are putting these veneers... It just does not do it to me. If you really want the best guitar for the money, the Les Paul Special can't be easily beaten.
just got one 2e hand for 250 euro ( with gibson gig bag ) , sounds and plays great !
A US made instrument will hold its value well, however if you can't afford that you could always buy an MIJ one and get the best of both worlds ;)
You do such a good job on these review demo videos. Thank you!
Great video as always. Your playing is really improving!
Man, I was eager to hear those 2nd and 3rd pickups
Fair enough review. It's certainly a bargain value, even in 2024. I do agree with the thought about a Special vs Junior.... the second pickup for less than the cost of lunch at a real restaurant. I don't have any problem with the mahogany veneer grain (it's more attractive than the yellowed out center of the present Gibson models), but think matching the sides with the burst would be prettier. It's a cheap guitar made in numbers that would keep it from reaching "vintage" status, so break out the rattle can to lose the cheesy black to clear demarcation. Original Juniors were dark on the sides (maybe the wood darkened over the decades?)- a friend still has an original '54 that he won't give up to me. This one sounded good on computer speakers, but a pickup upgrade wouldn't be rocket science if desired, and most people buying these are playing in their living room anyway, like I would as an old man. ....used Specials in Burst start around a grand right now in January '24, and some say the used market is coming down. I never liked TV Yellow even back in the 60s.
You should maybe check out the harley benton LP style with a FR 1000. Im thinking about getting it, but I cant find many good reviews
Luka Marinov Im on a budget, haha
As are your replies to everyone who mentions HB.
Congratulations, you've created a bigger fire.
Dog ear pickup height adjustments are done with shims. They are sold on REVERB and others.
yes matey. i placed shims under Harley Benton aka mustard and massive improvement.
I bought a metallic gold top standard with coil split at both pickups a couple months back. I did have to lower the action a little but other than that I pretty much haven't done anything but fine tune it. Plays great and loving it. So much so that since I cant seem to find one in a dark blue metallic dust finish I've ordered a kit and with the guidance of a friend who I know that builds I will have that one to add in my collection.
Have you got any experience with Harley Benton guitars?
@@IrisGalaxis its pretty much the best brand in that price point, so i guess it will stop when someone makes an even higher quality and affordable brand.
Sounds good. Surprisingly lovely instrument.
Hey trogly! I really love the content, you should try to get some harley benton stuff on the bench. I’ve heard they are the best guitars for a budget. would love to hear your opinion on them.
Just got a modded Gibson 09 Melody Maker LP style with a Seymour Duncan humbucker in place of the single coil for 329. I love Squier stuff but have a hard time wrapping my head around the ask of Epis
I finally ordered one today,
thanks to this video.
So you can bill Epiphone
for the advertisement
and refer to this comment😉
🎶It's a GAS, GAS, GAS🎶
Played one of these today. Finally an Epiphone with a Big Neck!
I loved the sound of it on the dirty channel. Has a great big fat sound. Great Epi 🤘🏻
Now see Austin you make no sense lol. You said you couldn't understand the $20 difference between the Junior and the Special since the Special has twice as much electronics on it. That's what I have been saying about the Gibson Junior and the Studio models!! for $100 more for the Studio you get twice as much as the Juniors have to offer! I really like that finish!! I have an older Epiphone Special that I bought at a pawn shop that was going out of business for $50! Originally it was just the plain black but I sanded it down and the finish I have on it closely resembles the Gibson smokehouse finish and I love it!! Mine is a bolt on neck which was good because the original neck had a twist to it lol.
Nice guitar for the price , definitely, but I would rather hang on and buy a Gibson Original collection LP Junior when I could afford it instead.
I wish they made this Epi LP Jr in the vintage sunburst as well
Hey, have you played any of the epiphone custom models? Either this year's or last. I'm curious to hear your thoughts on them.
I unboxed a white one. I wasn't all that impressed by it on first impression, but I never really sat down with it.
@@Trog I gotcha, appreciate the consistent uploads, thanks!
The Trogly's Guitar Show Hey trog, which vid is that on?
@@Trog and I played last years and I had to send it back.
@@Trog
My feelings exactly with every overpriced, out-of-tune Gibson.
For the price, excellent guitar, through a decent amp will sound awesome.
Hi, there,
I recently got a "like new" 2019 Gibson LP Jr. It has become one of my favorite guitars to hear and play. Comes with a super Gibson hard case, and all the sound and vibe I could ask for. For the record, I have many Gibson and Fender guitars, including my first "real" guitar, a '76 Les Paul Custom I bought new in '78 (I'd been working 2 yrs by then. Yeah, I'm old).
I also have (thanks to you) a totally original '79 The Paul that I love... and a few others. Not gonna bore ya.
Is the Les Paul Jr. worth $1000+? To me it is. If you have the means, by all means. I just wish I'd live long enough to wear it out. Thanks for a great show, Trogly.
I bought a cheap Epi LP Special with a bolt on neck new for about $100 on a lark. Fun guitar. I’m used to playing high end American guitars, but it’s fun to play and sounds decent. I actually enjoy playing it more than a real Les Paul because it’s light as a feather. It’s lighter than my Strat!
In 2023 they cost $479. If they made a Jr in solid red with a satin finish and a wrap-around bridge with adj saddles like PRS SE 245...lol
Epi makes a short scale les paul express, 2 hum-b's, & its not bad.. Needed frets leveled etc., good sound, like a jr.
Really great review inside and out.
Looks good, sounds good, seams to play good, doesn’t coast much, sure the fretboard isn’t a beauty, and ok you had to set it up, but it seams decent for the amount of money that we are talking about. The body back and the neck is cool looking, and it seams that you have upgraded you playing skills, noice !
10:36 is that Trogly's no copyright version of Good Riddance?
it must be, cos they are blockers and the video will get taken down
For the price these are great guitars. Epiphone owns its own factory in China, and it makes its own guitars. They have been getting better recently, and considering the cost of a USA built instrument they are pretty good. I wouldn't pay a grand for one of the Gibsons
I have the special version with 2 p90s, and it is frikkin awesome! I play it almost daily
Sounds better in my headphones that most of the vintage gibsons he demos
Weeeelcome back, chocolate ice!
You should try the Harley Benton DC fat junior, $230 Im sure it will give the Epiphone a run for its money, it has a bridge that allows you to internate the different saddles it also has a satin finish to the body and a stacked P90, what more not to like??? The Fussion 2 from Harley Benton was reviewed in the Guitarist in Septembers issue. 😎😎🤔🤔
That P90 sounds really good. I've got an SG Classic with P90's and those sound just as good. I'm really impressed with Epiphone these days.
Les Paul Juniors are my absolute favourite guitars in the world. This model here is actually a really nice sounding guitar. Only thing I’ll do is change the black pick guard to a red tortoise shell. I just like the fire on the black
00000p
Another nice review. I purchased a 2020 Epi SG Special and like it a lot. I've been thinking of getting the Epi LP Junior, but I'm not really that crazy about that sunburst finish or the look of the veneer on the top. Still, it seems like a great guitar for the money.
Also I’d wish they’d do a satin finish in TV Yellow
I have a 2014 gibson melody maker in yellow that i bought used in 2015 for 300 bucks at a local store. I'd double my money but i love it too much.
Mister Knight Owl & Co. wow didn’t know you could find those for that cheap. Doesn’t that have a single coil in the bridge?
@@jfmusicbox3477 i just bought one for 450 on ebay. Its two p90s with a wrap around tail piece. Very bare bones but quality is top notch. I own 3 now looking for the red one so I have one in every color 😆.
@@IrisGalaxis yup
I think that when you get an instrument with high action, they are trying to hide a defect or poor design.
I played one of these a few days ago. Very solid feeling and a nice neck. I been wanting a P90 guitar. I think I would go for the TV Yellow Special.
Why didn't they do the burst front, back, and sides like a normal burst?
They ALWAYS miss ONE detail!!!
Have you seen Junior's grades? 😎
Hahhaha. Aw, man gimme a break!
One break comin' up!
Eh, I'll take my less than $200 pelham blue Harley Benton Double Cut Junior over that. It's just as good.
Better
They Gibson Custom Shop Jr.’s are nuts. $4k for a slab of painted wood and a couple pick ups. I have some pricey guitars, but it’s Epiphone for Juniors and SG’s for me.
I looks great! I have an original Epi Jr from 89. It’s my go to practice guitar, but has been upgraded. I would buy a new one, but like you said, I’d buy the special over this model.
I would love to hear the regular SG standard from Epiphones new line-up, I really want to know your opinion on it!
I dont think so, he did a review on the 61 Maestro Vibrola standard...
That thing is a lot more 'Leslie West' looking than the Gibson Jr's.
I saw Leslie West when I was like 15 years old, first pro guitar player I ever saw live. It was 1966, I was 14., it looked like a tiny violin when he was playing his jr., he was like 400 pound's, and the guitar looked so small. He's the reason I'm looking for a jr. right now, he made that thing talk.
Nice sounding guitar!
You used to be able to get a Harley Benton DC JR with a satin finish. Wanted a Les Paul Jr but price wise I got the Harley Benton.
Nice....$350, well worth it