Would love to see some Epi "Widow" Customs at this price! That'd be fun 🟢For Sale on My Website: www.troglysguitarshow.com 🔴Reverb: tidd.ly/4aFiyhC 🐕 Private Help Sessions: troglysguitarshow.com/help-appraisals/
To be honest I don't care which one has the more expensive pickups. I would switch them out with Seymour Duncans anyway. Custombuckers are way overpriced.
I actually just received mine today, and honestly I’m really impressed. I like it much more than I expected to. It looks awesome, it’s lightweight, it plays really well and the Gibson pickups are better than I expected. The sustain on mine is really good. Part of me was hoping I would not like it so I could return it and save the money. But I was so pleasantly surprised that it is now going to stay with me.
How are the frets? thinking about getting one have jumbo frets on it. Thes frets on the actual Gibson custom looks bigger/thicker that the fret on the Epiphone. What are your thoughts?
@@TheEvdavis7 Me too, I'm hoping the are smooth as butter, not bumpy. Most likely, from having played, upper model epi's in the past, they are super smooth.
Bought the black one when they first came out in the spring. Just brought it for a setup. This is what my luthier (he's been at it for over 30 years) had to say about it - I worked on an Epiphone/Gibson most of the day. These Epiphone guitars have all Gibson pots, Gibson pickups, heavy wiring , Grover tuners, very well matched stop tail piece and great machined bridge and studs that actually fit tightly. Intonation was out and the neck was out but all in all a really nice guitar with good weight, not to heavy with that great D shaped neck. The 1/4 jack was heavy duty with good pots, all name brand parts well wired with heavy wire, much larger diameter than what I normally see. - He said he had to do more work recently on a brand new Gibson gold top than he had to do on this Epiphone. Love this guitar.
This is what my luthier with 20+ years experience said about Epiphone Les Pauls “Epiphones in general, have less QC issues than Gibson. I like the Inspired ones a lot. They’re as close to being a real Les Paul without being an official Gibson”.
@@Mikey__R I totally agree. The only brand out there that is legally authorized by Gibson to use the name Les Paul on their guitars. Now, with the release of the Gibson Custom-Inspired Epiphone Les Pauls, it can be argued that they have finally crossed the finish line.
I've wanted a Gibson LP Custom since the 90s. I'm just a hobbyist so I could never justify the price. I had tried some of the previous Epiphone LP Custom versions but they just didn't do it for me despite them being great guitars. When these came out I jumped on an Alpine White one (which does much better at hiding scratches and swirls). It's really fantastic guitar and absolutely scratches that itch for me. I don't see it as I got a worse deal than the other inspired by Gibson guitars. I see it as saving almost $5000 for the guitar I really wanted.
I honestly don’t understand the debate over the new pricing. Really? Have y’all looked at the 1000 series LTDs, or Pro Series Jackson’s? They’re all around $1,500 now! The new Epi gives you actual Gibson pickups just like the Gibson model, ebony, mother of pearl and a hard case for $1,299? I think it’s a reasonable price.
true however those all have stainless frets which can save you hundreds down the line. I think it really depends on what youre willing to spend on. is maintenance a big factor? get the LTD. is the pickup a specific thing you need? go with epiphone. need both? sucks to be you, pay up $5000 or swap in Gibson pickups on an LTD
I think it’s hard to get over the perception of epiphone as a beginner/intermediate guitar. In my experience at least, ESPs are completely out of everyone’s price range so LTD is a good choice if you want that type of guitar, and many people play LTDs on stage without looking like an amateur. Jackson says Jackson on the headstock no matter what series it is, same with fender. But if you play an epiphone on stage people will think you’re an amateur. It’s a dumb and it shouldn’t matter but it does to a lot of people. I guess there would be uproar from Gibson owners if Gibson started putting their name on non USA-made guitars, though.
@@jkeating7906 tbf fender does have the squier series, and even on the mexican fenders i’ve had some bad experiences. that said, american fender doesn’t seem to give a shit about the guitar unless it’s an ultra luxe
@@KellerFkinRyan yeah sure, but a Mexican fender is on the same level in terms of price and quality as a mid-range Epiphone these days, yet you still get to have “fender” on the headstock and look like a serious musician. Again, it’s all dumb but it makes a difference to a lot of people.
@@jkeating7906 i’d honestly disagree, i think the high end epiphones are the shit. imho there’s no difference between one of these custom shop epiphones and a gibson other than nitro lacquer and a different word on the headstock. on the other hand, i think the mexican fenders are quite bad. it’s almost ironic that fender seems proud to put their name on those guitars yet gibson won’t put their name on these kick ass epis. as someone who works at an american guitar factory (won’t say which for job security lol) there really is no excuse for how much of a downgrade in craftsmanship there is going to a mexican fender. they’re all regular humans going to their full time job, and it’s inexcusable how many flaws come out of the mexican factory compared to corona.
Did Sweetwater hook you up with a deal? I want one of these but the price is just a bit too much when I know I can get a MIJ Orville or Greco for around the same price
Sadly no. This is technically my first purchase from Sweetwater. My coworkers recommended them since they set it up for me, and check the quality. @@PicoDePaulo
I purchased one for 1150.00, the I really love the 490/498 Pickups, that with the Ebony fret board, mahogany neck, maple top and real nice case, I cannot justify spending 5500.00 plus for the US made custom.
That is a valid point, but when a 59 goes from $700 to $1,300 and the only real difference is burstbuckers vs custombuckers (which both have the same cost to manufacture) something is definitely going on.
Yeah but you can get a second hand Gibson studio for that money and a new Tribute (if you can find one), which have the same pickups plus nitro finish. I can see the argument for the custom bucker loaded Epiphones with the thinner finish, but not this one.
The real issue is what a Gibson costs. Thats why they can try to justify these prices because if their "real" versions are daylight robbery, then they can justify charging more for the cheaper option. I dislike that mentality.
It's crazy to think that at one point, Gibson couldn't even get ebony fretboards on their custom shop LPs for a time...now they are putting them on their cheapest Epiphone LP customs.
@@leviathan_is_me It's crazy that fools are buying overpriced import guitars made by slave labor. If I'm going to buy a guitar built by slave labor it should be cheap.
@banditkeithkingofduelmonsters right.... slave labor. You DO know 99% of these imports are built in the same factory with the same materials, right? Cort, PRS, Epiphone, etc.. just because something is made in a country other than the U.S. doesn't mean it is slave labor.
@@banditkeithkingofduelmonsters "I don't want to support the multibillion dollar company exploiting chinese workers, I want to support the multibillion dollar company exploiting local workers"
I think people really need to chill on this price stuff, a Gibson LP custom is crazy money, the epis used to be way cheaper when they used cheap pickups, plastic inlays and multi piece necks. Nowadays they genuinely are built essentially like a Gibson but from overseas, the price is fair more or less. We gotta start to see em more like an esp ec1000 or something.
I think it’s the resale value that freaks people out. Having Epiphone on the headstock immediately drops the value as soon as it leaves the shop. Having literally boatloads of these turning up all over the world, all identical, is going to keep the SH prices down, and there is so much competition from other brands at this price point and below. And a lot of people are salty that this used to be the entry price into Gibson with the Tribute range, and that’s been discontinued and replaced with these Epiphones with poly finishes. Having said that, I think the 355 is actually a good deal.
@@tonedowneLegitimately argument for those thinking about selling in the future. I’m thinking about carrying it to every gig I can for the next 7-10 years, hopefully passing in on well broken in to be played for years to come
They spent 20 years teaching us that epi were cheap starter guitars. The brand is DEAD to me. Why don't they just print gibson on the head in the same way fender makes mexi strats?
From Sweetwater...Epiphone’s acclaimed ProBucker pickups The key ingredient to the Les Paul’s early success was the PAF humbucking pickup. The first of its kind to hit the mainstream, the Patent Applied For humbuckers defined the sound of a generation with their fat tone and clear response. With the price of vintage PAFs skyrocketing, Epiphone set out to create their own PAF-style pickup. Thus, the ProBucker humbucking pickup was born. Inspired by the original PAF sound, these pickups pump out full, overwound tones with incredible clarity. When you plug in, you’ll instantly recognize the signature Les Paul punch.
Absolutely these are highly recommended and acclaimed pickups it's amazing these so called experts don't know this but what do you want it's the Internet all walks of stupid are here
Trogly needs to come down his high and realize not everyone can afford a 5k Gibson custom. For $1300 new, that Epiphone makes kids' and even grown mens dreams come true
Agreed. On the Epiphone. But I think even as a LP Custom fan, I'm slightly persuaded to get the SG. It IS a better deal (pickups) and maybe I'll like it more... I don't think so, but for the same exact price it's nice to hear the comparison by what we'd call a "veteran" who knows his guitars. That's my defense of Trogly.
@samuelllakaj5439 Trogly also does things to get views, and the headline on this video is one of them. He focused on the negative. Not everyone can afford Gibson USA
You can criticize all you want these are fine guitars.. as the owner of both Gibson Les Pauls and The 1979 Adam Jones Epiphone Les Paul Custom theres nothing significant enough that I can find to definitively say that my Gibsons are 2K better than the Epiphone inspired by Gibson custom shop… criticism from this guy sounds a bit whiny and nit picky to say the least … Gibsons themselves make PLENTY of dud guitars so don’t be fooled into thinking that just because it’s a Gibson its better.. for example..this guitar is better that a Gibson Les Paul Studio in EVERY way.. it just is … and ANYONE can be a self proclaimed expert on guitars.. do your research people and stop taking peoples personal biases and opinions as gospel truths
Well said, and supposedly if you flip the magnets on the 490/498 pickups it improves both of them, that way you have the AlNiCo-5 in the neck, and AlNiCo-2 in the bridge, which improves the tone in both - otherwise this is one of my least favorite Gibson humbucker sets. I also wish they used a satin finish on the neck, but I like the gloss finish on the body. Except for the gloss neck and pickups this is a great guitar, I'm going to be sanding the gloss off the neck and switching the magnets (haven't done it yet, but everybody that does swears by it)......cheers!
I haven't played these custom epiphones yet. But I own a 2010 Epi Les Paul Standard and a 2021 Gibson 50s Les Paul Standard. The difference in the two is noticeable to me. I rarely play the Epiphone anymore. The feel, the sound of the Gibson is noticeably better. But like I said, maybe these new Epiphones have upped their game.
As an owner of both Epiphones & Gibsons, I agree with you that the Epiphones are great guitars now-- but if you're spending $1,000 on them, you are losing money because of the name on the headstock (whether it's fair or not, that's the market). Gibson, at least, holds better resale value. Maybe that'll change in the future, but it has certainly held true over the years to now.
@@fordhamdonnington2738 Maybe, but Chinese made Fenders hold better resale value than Squiers. These newer Epiphones are perhaps 90-95% the guitars that American made Gibsons are, in terms of quality and joy of playing, but unless the market changes over time, Gibsons are usually an investment while Epiphones rarely are.
ebony used to grow in several country's but guitar company gobbled it all up..their is now only one source for ebony. the owner of Taylor guitars bought the last remaining forest! and of those trees 1 in 20 of them will be black and suitable for fret boards. they used to scrap those 19 trees that went uniformly colored. i was more than disturbed wen i realized how much waste was created. the men cutting the trees only got payed for the black logs..well thankfully that has changed. they now use all of the logs they cut..that's why you might see white and black ebony on some guitars now.
Nice guitar. I own a Black Beauty Japanese Epiphone LPC-80, made by the famous Fujigen factory. It has the open book headstock since back it was made in the 90’s. I bought it back in 2010 straight from Japan, from the renown retailer Ishibasji. It has a long neck tenon, the downsides compared to this guitar are the absence of ebony fretboard, real mother of Pearl inlays, and the pickups/ electronics, although the latter could be upgraded. Japanese craftsmanship is outstanding and people who are aware with the Japanese guitars, know what I’m talking about. It doesn’t need an additional advertisement: ) And I would buy one of these new Epiphones, if they released a Wine red Les Paul Custom.
FGN owner here. Those things can give Gibson a proper run for the money. I got Epiphone and FGN and Gibson LPs and from a purely value perspective, FGN wins easily.
@@ehsanhaq155 I just recently bought a History (Fujigen-made brand made for Japan's Shimamura Music stores) LP Custom copy, and based on that, I'm definitely starting to believe the Fujigen hype.
I think it's really cool that people can get "reasonably" affordable versions of high-end Gibsons that look the part. The headstock makes all the difference. That said, I do kinda wish Gibson revived the Orville brand to do this. Epiphone is a brand with its own history; I'd like to see them focus on making those guitars instead of budget versions of Gibson models.
I have a Gibson Les Paul Modern with 490R and 498T pups and a beautful custom finish which I just love. But I don't like to take it outside to play due to it being so pretty and expensive. So I picked up one of these Epis in white, due to it having the same pups as my Gibson and an ebony fretboard which I love, and I gotta say, it's a wonderful guitar. It feels great in hand and plays really well. Also sounds very close to my Gibson. And I won't be afraid to take it out to play. My Gibson cost me over £3000, the Epi cost £1200. I consider the Epi to be a bargain.
I also have the Alpine White and it’s immaculately gorgeous. There is a UA-cam video where it compared the $1299 Epiphone Les Paul Custom to the Gibson Les Paul Custom and the $799 Epiphone LP Custom. Using Spectrum Analysis, the spectrum analyzer’s visual display showed that the sustain coming from Gibson and the $1299 Epiphone are identical. That video convinced me to get its Ebony version. My 2nd Black Beauty as I already have a 2012 Korean-made 3-pickup Custom that my luthier upgraded with premium components.
custom buckers are not vastly superior. i bought the SG and i hate the pickups. they're good for cleans, but with any kind of actual overdrive or gain they're squelchy sounding and tinny/scratchy. wish it came with a 498 495 and 490
Yes, my experience as well. I had them in my R7 (2019) and the sound was weak and jangly, no bottom end at all. I put a set of Bareknuckel The Mule in it and it sounds so good right now, very balanced. In other Gibsons I have modified 500T pups with one A8 Alnico magnet in it, very good for overdrive. 498T are very good for (hard) rock as well.
I agree. I owned the new IBGC 59 Les Paul with the Custombuckers. I like to play with heavy gain occasionally, and those pickups aren't good for that at all. I sold the guitar and am buying this new Custom. I've always liked the 490/498 combo.
The pickups are a down grade from the other models but as you pointed out, they are the correct pickups and you need the 498t for a modern custom so it is difficult to fault them for that issue. The fretboard is ebony while the other models are Indian Laurel so as woods go, this one is the closest, and to me that makes up for the difference in pickup cost vs the other 1,299 models. So the way I see it, I get a Custom for 1,299 with a finish that is more durable than the Gibson model and no fret nubs to go bad. Mine will be here on Sunday.
Uh, that looks like my very first guitar. Yamaha 80´s LP-Style. Don´t have it anymore but I think it was one of those "illegal" ones. Thanks for the memory trip...
Trogly, I couldn't help but notice that Gibson's 490R/498T set is advertised as having 4-conductor wiring, which has a gray plastic coat. If Epiphone is advertising having that set in this LP Custom, why do I see silver braided wire (2-conductor) instead of a gray-colored wire (4-conductor)? Could those pickups be old stock?
Epiphone Les Paul Custom (490/498) is $1900CAD in Canada versus the Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite (490/498) is $2000CAD. Epi brings the bling. I'm not a fan of the Modern Lite series (colors are awesome but light satin wears too fast; no coil taps in a "modern") so maybe the Epi is more tempting.
epiphone les paul customs had coil taps 2018 and earlier you can find them for $400 just put some 490r/498t gibson pickups in it no coil taps 2020-2021-2024
Nice Steve Jones Riffs! That is from the Sex Pistols LP Nevermind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols and the song is Anarchy in The UK. Steve Jones has amazing riffs on many songs. When guitar players think of The 1974 Gibson Les Paul Custom in Alpine White some say Randy Rhodes but it was Steve Jones way before Randy and his signature will cost you upwards of 15K.
The reviewer is obviously biased towards Gibson, but having both and I can assure you that the Epiphones are awesome guitars, and I actually love my Epi MORE than my old Gibson! I definitely play it more than my Gibsom because I like how the neck feels, and it plays better. As for tone, obviously your not going to hear any differences on this demo and I can assure you the difference between the two are negligible. But if you want to split hairs, I find my Epi to be slightly clearer than the Gibson due to a little brighter tone, but that difference is far less than dialing the tone controls a few degrees. I would LOVE to say that you get what you pay for and that my Gibson is superior, but the honest truth is that it's not the case! In my opinion, the quality of Epiphoes are just as good as Gibson and I wouldn't pay the extra money for a Gibson today. The Epi's are just that good!
Thank you for your honest opinion. On Sweetwater’s website, it’s interesting to read the owner’s reviews. There is a UA-cam video where it compared the $1299 Epiphone Les Paul Custom to the Gibson Les Paul Custom and the $799 Epiphone LP Custom. Using Spectrum Analysis, the spectrum analyzer’s visual display showed that the sustain coming from Gibson and the $1299 Epiphone are identical.
I'm sorry, what exactly is being emulated here? It's got a long neck tenon, it's got a one piece neck, Gibson pickups, mother of pearl inlays, etc. those are all specs, and I don't see anything being emulated. If your real beef is where it's made, just say so.
@Crackshot729 me? If so, my issue is basically what you said. It's a Gibson knock-off, made by Gibson. What's the point? Think of it like McDonald's for a sec. There was a dollar menu...now it's a 1, 2, 3 dollar menu. $5 foot-longs are friggin $13 now (let's see if...no, no one IS THAT dumb..)? Epiphone was a off brand. Now it got everything including the friggin headstock....it's a chibson made under Gibson branding for Gibson money. If I'm the only one with my head tilted, fine. I'll see ya down the road. I'll be the one holding the "hahaha told ya so" sign or eating the big plate of crow, either way.
Good luck owning anything if you're unwilling to buy something Chinese made. As for the Epiphone, you're talking about $1299 versus $5000. If I can get something that is constructed similar to and plays as well as a Gibson for that kind of money, I'll take it. I own Gibson and I own Epiphone and unfortunately the difference is not that stark anymore.
because it isn't a specific year reissue custom so they used the "Nashville Bridge" epiphone equivalent. I'm surprised they didn't do the ABR-1 style inserts too just to have uniformity in the collection
@@Trog wow! My first reply form the man, the myth, the legend,The Trog!!! I am not worthy! I am not worthy!!! Seriously though. Huge fan of your channel. Been watching for many years. ✌️
I have one in Alpine White. And I like it. A lot. For me, everything about it is great. I am taking it to my luthier next week for a pro setup and fret dress. In the meantime, I took off the covers and checked out the parts. Mine has Gibson USA 490R and 498T pickups, CTS pots, Mallory caps and Switchcraft switch and output jack. I was pleased to find that the cavities were super clean and painted white. The wirings were neatly soldered and nicely tucked. I am very happy with this guitar. So impressed that I purchased the IGC 1959 ES-355 in Ebony within a couple of weeks later.
Thanks for the review! I ordered a black one last week with a 18% discount at Baxshop (Holland) and that price is okay for me (1125 Euro). I always wanted a Custom next to my USA Gibsons and R7 CS but for gigs I would not dare to bring a Gibson Custom and I don't want to spend 5330 Euro as well. It's a personal choice you make and what suits best in a certain situation.
I just got a purple Les Paul Modern. The volume knob sat really high. The frets are actually pretty level, and the action was set at 3/64s for the high e and nothing fretting out...but fret ends aren't good
I love mine; I bought the Ebony finish. The pickups don’t have quite as much oomph as my 2017 Custom Lite, but sound great nonetheless- end the difference might be as simple as a pickup height adjustment. It plays itself and even unplugged, the tone and sustain are amazing. I don’t really care about a thin nitro finish, though I realize tastes differ.
I do not know why Gibson and Epiphone always use a white(ish) switch tip on the Ebony LP Custom. Changing it to a black switch tip is the first thing I changed on my Gibson Custom LP Custom. The white switch tip looks so out of place with the rest of the guitar.
I’ve always wanted a black LP custom, I have Gibson USA guitars but I just can’t justify spending between £5k and £7k on one depending on the model. This new Epiphone one is very tempting.
I own an IBG ES 335, and a Fender Japan aerodyne. The Epiphone i paid $500, the Fender $700. The differnce in craftsmanship is IMMENSE. The Epiphone required $250 to get up to snuff, and it still isn't in the same ballpard as the Fender out of the box. The Fender feels as nice as american ultras. For me the name doesn't matter, but same as guitar pedals, i will not be wasting any money one anything coming out of China. America, Japan, UK, and Germany only for me.
well said honest review, I got a 2024 Alpine LP custom 5/3/24 got a great deal from instrumental music thousand oaks Ca, a mom and pop music store. The custom does have a maple cap and a long neck tenon unlike the 2021 model .
I've never played a Gibson/Epi with Custombuckers, but I love the 498T/490R combo. Perhaps more than the Burstbuckers. It comes down to that hot bridge pickup. If I reach for a humbucker guitar, my Les Paul Studio is my choice.
Not sure what speakers you're listening on, but there was a clear cut difference between them - the Gibson had a much clearer tone and more bite to the attack of the notes.
I've noticed huge difference, the Epiphone sounded tinny/thin while the Gibson sounded warmer fuller. Pretty sure the feel is different too due to the nitro finish on the Gibson.
@@PrisonerD There is definitely a difference, but I would have liked to have heard the Epiphone with a new set of strings. If you notice, Trogly almost never changes the strings on the guitars he throws on the bench. If you have ever bought a used guitar with old strings or a new guitar with cheap strings, you know how much of a difference a new set of your favorite strings will make. Not saying the Gibson pickups are not better, but they are not 4-5 times as good IMO.
I actually dig the 490/498 pups but then I got most of my Gibsons in the 90's so they all came stock with them & I guess I just kinda got used to them over years of playing. You're getting a like though for playing 'Anarchy' lol. I love the Pistols.
They call it ebony, but Tbh, I wouldn't care if it were richlite: those boards feel infinitely better than the Indian laurel, and, frankly, look great. I wish that richlite were the go-to option.
I’ll take this any day over the 1959 Standard just like I’ll take an Ebony fretboard over Indian Laurel. I can swap pickups but I can’t swap fretboards. I’m not saying it can’t be done but for all practical intents and purposes, changing fretboards would be impractical if not difficult.
i have the epi LP custom Jerry Cantrell "wino" guitar....gorgeous, flawless.....on Sweetwater right now for $849.....you can get it for $799....comes with hardshell case.....AND it has an ebony fretboard.
@@ronyeahright9536Thank you very much my friend for the heads up. My SE at Sweetwater since 2013 takes care of me. He always gives me the best deal. He always tells me, “for you it’s always on sale!” I already have 5 Les Pauls - all upgraded by my luthier. I recently bought the new IGC 1959 ES-355 in Ebony, my first ever semi-hollow body. And I’m blown away by its woody and airy tone. It has Gibson USA Custombucker pickups and of course an Ebony fretboard. I am saving my next purchase for another semi-hollow, hopefully a burst or natural. Thanks again.
My most expensive Les Paul was over $7000, and I've had or still have quite a few in the $$3500-$5800 range. That being said, I love my ruby red Epi Les Paul Alex Lifeson model
You can get a ltd ec1000 for te same and it will have a fancy top, name brand pickups and tonepros bridge and tail piece with locking tuners, stainless steel frets
The ESP is a MUCH better guitar than the Epiphone. For 1500 you can get a Fgn 20 Les Paul out of the Ibanez factory in Japan (Where they make the Japan custom shop Ibanez) and it is a better guitar than the Gibson.
The EC1000 is gonna be a much better guitar. Sadly it doesn't look like a Gibson so it's a no go for a lot of people. Also the upper fret access is much better
I also recently took a hard pass on Gibson. For €2400 you can get an Eastman, Maybach Lester or Tokai that is made with quality materials, feels and sounds just as good as the €3000 Gibson if not better and has a fit and finish twice as good.
Epiphone is a Gibson. It’s a Gibson with a shitty nut, iffy fretwear, and good electronics with crappy wiring. Way more bang for your buck and they sound identical.
@@TayTayKemp I’ve been a professional luthier for years. I know the difference in quality and have repaired many vintage Gibsons from their golden era. After you’ve repaired a couple thousand guitars, you get pretty familiar with how it all works, and what matters and doesn’t.
@@gavinsomerville7690 that’s nice, I gave my opinion, I clearly disagree with yours. I feel differently based on my many years of playing and working on guitars too
I've owned several Gibson Les Paul guitars. I purchased the Epiphone Les Paul Custom Koa Top. It's a really good guitar. I love it. CTS POTS, GRAPHTEC NUT, EBONY FRETBOARD, GROVER TUNERS. I did a blind test at Guitar Center, and I couldn't tell the difference between it and the Les Paul Standard. I added orange drop capacitors when I had the luthier Curt Cobain used and this guitar screams! I've been playing since 1963. Criticize all you want. My Epiphone Les Paul is a good guitar!
I used to own an Epiphone Elite Les Paul Custom in black (MIJ) and regretted selling it for years. This is a better guitar. It has much better specs and it plays much nicer, plus it's got the headstock! These are really good guitars, and the QC is actually better than my real Gibson Les Paul. Trogly's doing a little cork-sniffing here!
The even bigger let down I would say is that the Custom is THE ONLY ONE that still uses the epiphone style bridge. Every other guitar in this line up has the Gibson style thin post bridge.
Thanks for this video. It has been a month actually since I got this guitar in Alpine White. And I am loving it. Since I don’t have a Gibson, I don’t have an idea what I am missing. I am really happy and contented with my 5 Epiphone Les Pauls. And since I already have an MIK 2012 Epiphone Les Paul Custom in Ebony, I decided to order the IBGC 1959 ES-355 in Ebony. This would be my first-ever semi-hollow body. Can’t wait.
It's crazy to me that these cost twice as much as the Ibanez DT520 that had way more high end appointments made in the same factory a few years prior. They came stock with Dimarzio pickups to. Anywho, I'd buy this model just because it doesn't have that nasty Indian laurel.
The prices of the Orville and Orville by Gibson are on par or more than this Epiphone and you don't get the Gibson electronics ... I say a great deal ! Can't wait to find one used
@@fuzzymuppet1990 if they did, I wouldn’t play. I can’t play right handed. I tore the tendon in my left wrist and can’t form the shapes needed for chords with it. Hence why I play left handed.
Wild to me how many guitar snobs are so against the IBGC collection. They’re not for you. Please wipe your tears with the cash you’re all saving by not buying these
I've had a Gibson studio, an Epi standard, an Epi custom, and a Gibson Les Paul traditional .. all of them from different decades.. all of them played, felt, and sounded killer.. the two Epi ones played really really easily, but the Gibson traditional was my fav.. it just felt more, organic if that makes sense.. but they each had low action, fat tone, and sustain for days. All the Gibson hate nowadays is just haters.. no USA made decent guitar is cheap.. for the money, i had no complaints for my two Epi Les Pauls..i did change the pickups in each one, a JB Duncan Bridge in one and an a set of Slash zebra Duncans in my Epi custom pro.. after that, both Epi Paul's screamed, and sounded much much stronger but i gotta say even the lower rung Epi standard with a good setup and better pick-ups it was a Damn good playing , feeling and sounding guitar ..i played my first several gigs with it .
If you contact one of the large online chains like GC or SW, you can usually get 10% off the MSRP, which brings the price down to what appears to be a more realistic number. So in this case, the price would be brought down to $1170 Instead of $1300 or in the instance of AJ79 MSRP was $1500. I paid $1349 however with GC make sure you specify you want a guitar that is still sealed in the box from the warehouse otherwise you might get a floor model.
Looks ok to me. I had a gibbo custom years ago ( 2nd hand and in a bit of a state ) but sounded great . The epi isnt a gnats hair off it, and for the price? Seems a good deal.
I really like it. If an Epiphone is good enough forJared James Nichols and John Lennon, I could probably find a way to make it work. Yes, it's overpriced for a Made in China product. But, maybe wait a few years and look at a used one, probably be in the $500-600 range, then...DEAL!
These Inspired by Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom have been in back order for quite some time now at Sweetwater. Just placed my order today (my second). I was told that the October and November shipments are already sold.
It’s kind of funny the comments complaining about the cost of these, they don’t seem to understand how inflation works and that the company including its workers need to make money, there’s a lot going into that. Businesses have to be sustainable to stay in business, whether you like or think Gibson and Epiphone is worth it is certainly up to you but you should consider all of that. I bought my Epiphone Les Paul Custom used in 2003, it’s a 2002 model so not very old at that time for about $450 if I remember right, which is almost $800 in todays money. I’ve modded and upgraded it and been very happy with it and it just gets better with age, the alpine white has aged to a nice yellowing and looks awesome. Feel free to disagree with me but if you’re thinking about cost of things like this that needs to be considered. I know I’m making a lot more money than I was at the end of my senior year of high school when I bought that guitar! And I bet all of you are as well! 😆
The SG has 3 The middle and bridge are wired together out of phase and it sounds amazing. The 335 does too. And I'm pretty sure the Les Paul standard too.
What I want to know if the pickup routes are exactly routed in the same spot as the Gibson. The consistency between the MIK and CHINA years of Epiphones I doubt are the same.
@@bartonkj does a 490 ever go in the bridge? Cuz I swear my guitar (at least according to my local shop) has a 490 R in the neck and at 490 T in the bridge
@@garettturbettmusic Yes, I bought a new Gibson Tribute Les Paul that came with a 490R in the neck and a 490T in the bridge. I replaced the wiring with a 50's harness, and replaced the 490T with Pearly Gates. The PG definitely has a wider dynamic range--I'm happy 🙂 🎸
I think $1,200 is about how much a friend of mine paid for an actual Les Paul Custom in 1978. It was black with gold hardware, just like this one, except it came with one of the chainsaw cases.
I would love to see the Inspired by 1955 Les Paul Customs come back to the Epiphone lineup, even though sadly those didn't come with a staple pickup. I ended up putting in one of Lollar's staple pickups in mine because I didn't want to do any additional routing as well as some other mods to get it closer to an 50's custom. Very cool model though.
I grabbed the AdamJonez silverburst and its sweet! I have the 2 Rydon Art the Standard and the V2 ML aged signed so I can compare it well sounds identical all across the board except the standard has more growl and sustain of the bunch I also have an 07 custom silverburst so yes the price is worth it
15:30 - I am glad you said that. I have the Gibson and Epiphone Adam Jones signatures. The Epiphone is a better build than the Gibson. BUT, the way the two guitars feel is totally different. Once you get that nitro finished Gibson in your hands vs the poly Epiphone, it's night and day when it comes to how the guitars play, react, and feel. It's like a toy vs the real deal.
I think the value also depends on if you like that set. The bridge is much hotter than the others and pretty bright as well. Money wise they are cheaper but if you like them then at least you don't have to replace them or anything.
I played one of these in the Rockshop (New Zealand) a few days ago. It had a number of sharp frets on the bottom of the fretboard. not what I expect at this price.
I love the way you do the "sound check" playing randon riffs e common chords. Usually people would shred the hell out of the guitar and we wouldnt be able to recognize anything kkkkk
I happen to own on ebony Les Paul Custom $5,000 guitar I bought an epiphone Alpine White and the bigge😮st difference is just the weight of the guitar the Epiphone I have is 100% quality to the Les Paul Custom by Gibson
I have the alpine white LH, the “gold” humbuckers and saddle plating wore off with in three months of play. Don’t try to clean them with anything more than a clean rag. All it will do is take off what plating is left.
These new Epis look amazing and I love the headstocks. However, they are asking a large premium for shoddy work, at least with Mexican made fenders and PRS SEs you get great build quality and affordability. Not 100% sold in these yet. Need a year of tweaking of quality before I will consider it.
Can u do an episode with a hollow body or semi hollow body? I realize that’s not quite ur forte but I’m interested in seeing some like L-5 type or es-175 or es-150 style stuff that doesn’t have a really pointy carve cutaway…😳 I understand this is a rather specific question but…how many Les Paul style guitars can one own? After all isn’t variety the spice of life?
I still can’t get over the price, for $1200 I’d just get an early 90s Gibson studio, has an ebony fretboard and the same pickups. Also it’ll be interesting to see what these epiphones are worth used in a couple of years time, I’m not convinced they’ll hold their value but time will tell.
I disagree with this review. Just received one a few days ago in Alpine White. I love it! Fantastic guitar. Opening the case the aesthetics are great, it feels plays and sounds great. I’ve owned three Gibson LP Customs and a lot of EC-1000 series guitars. This new Epiphone is not as fine as the Gibson, obviously, but it absolutely is worth the higher price. I’m planning to sell a couple of my other guitars now.
2020/2021 LP customs were epi best seller. i got $100 off a 2024 from a thousand oaks ca. mom and pop music shop. 5/3/24 with the maple cap and headstock made the diff for me
I once found a Kalamazoo Epi LP on Ebay for over a grand ($). I can't get stuff from Sweetwater 'cause I don't know how it works for Europe but I'm surprised the white ones on ebay are so expensive still. And this one Japanese seller was selling the new Epi for sixteen hundred. Like, come on. I'm no expert but this doesn't seem like it'll get cheaper... or maybe I'm justifying my compulsive purchases XD.
Would love to see some Epi "Widow" Customs at this price! That'd be fun
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To be honest I don't care which one has the more expensive pickups. I would switch them out with Seymour Duncans anyway. Custombuckers are way overpriced.
I actually just received mine today, and honestly I’m really impressed. I like it much more than I expected to. It looks awesome, it’s lightweight, it plays really well and the Gibson pickups are better than I expected. The sustain on mine is really good. Part of me was hoping I would not like it so I could return it and save the money. But I was so pleasantly surprised that it is now going to stay with me.
How are the frets? thinking about getting one have jumbo frets on it. Thes frets on the actual Gibson custom looks bigger/thicker that the fret on the Epiphone. What are your thoughts?
@@TheEvdavis7 Me too, I'm hoping
the are smooth as butter, not bumpy.
Most likely, from having played,
upper model epi's in the past,
they are super smooth.
Bought the black one when they first came out in the spring. Just brought it for a setup. This is what my luthier (he's been at it for over 30 years) had to say about it - I worked on an Epiphone/Gibson most of the day. These Epiphone guitars have all Gibson pots, Gibson pickups, heavy wiring , Grover tuners, very well matched stop tail piece and great machined bridge and studs that actually fit tightly. Intonation was out and the neck was out but all in all a really nice guitar with good weight, not to heavy with that great D shaped neck. The 1/4 jack was heavy duty with good pots, all name brand parts well wired with heavy wire, much larger diameter than what I normally see. - He said he had to do more work recently on a brand new Gibson gold top than he had to do on this Epiphone. Love this guitar.
This is what my luthier with 20+ years experience said about Epiphone Les Pauls “Epiphones in general, have less QC issues than Gibson. I like the Inspired ones a lot. They’re as close to being a real Les Paul without being an official Gibson”.
They are a real Les Paul. It says right there, on the headstock. 😊
@@Mikey__R I totally agree. The only brand out there that is legally authorized by Gibson to use the name Les Paul on their guitars. Now, with the release of the Gibson Custom-Inspired Epiphone Les Pauls, it can be argued that they have finally crossed the finish line.
I've wanted a Gibson LP Custom since the 90s. I'm just a hobbyist so I could never justify the price. I had tried some of the previous Epiphone LP Custom versions but they just didn't do it for me despite them being great guitars. When these came out I jumped on an Alpine White one (which does much better at hiding scratches and swirls). It's really fantastic guitar and absolutely scratches that itch for me. I don't see it as I got a worse deal than the other inspired by Gibson guitars. I see it as saving almost $5000 for the guitar I really wanted.
I honestly don’t understand the debate over the new pricing. Really? Have y’all looked at the 1000 series LTDs, or Pro Series Jackson’s? They’re all around $1,500 now! The new Epi gives you actual Gibson pickups just like the Gibson model, ebony, mother of pearl and a hard case for $1,299? I think it’s a reasonable price.
true however those all have stainless frets which can save you hundreds down the line. I think it really depends on what youre willing to spend on. is maintenance a big factor? get the LTD. is the pickup a specific thing you need? go with epiphone. need both? sucks to be you, pay up $5000 or swap in Gibson pickups on an LTD
I think it’s hard to get over the perception of epiphone as a beginner/intermediate guitar. In my experience at least, ESPs are completely out of everyone’s price range so LTD is a good choice if you want that type of guitar, and many people play LTDs on stage without looking like an amateur. Jackson says Jackson on the headstock no matter what series it is, same with fender. But if you play an epiphone on stage people will think you’re an amateur. It’s a dumb and it shouldn’t matter but it does to a lot of people. I guess there would be uproar from Gibson owners if Gibson started putting their name on non USA-made guitars, though.
@@jkeating7906 tbf fender does have the squier series, and even on the mexican fenders i’ve had some bad experiences. that said, american fender doesn’t seem to give a shit about the guitar unless it’s an ultra luxe
@@KellerFkinRyan yeah sure, but a Mexican fender is on the same level in terms of price and quality as a mid-range Epiphone these days, yet you still get to have “fender” on the headstock and look like a serious musician. Again, it’s all dumb but it makes a difference to a lot of people.
@@jkeating7906 i’d honestly disagree, i think the high end epiphones are the shit. imho there’s no difference between one of these custom shop epiphones and a gibson other than nitro lacquer and a different word on the headstock.
on the other hand, i think the mexican fenders are quite bad. it’s almost ironic that fender seems proud to put their name on those guitars yet gibson won’t put their name on these kick ass epis.
as someone who works at an american guitar factory (won’t say which for job security lol) there really is no excuse for how much of a downgrade in craftsmanship there is going to a mexican fender. they’re all regular humans going to their full time job, and it’s inexcusable how many flaws come out of the mexican factory compared to corona.
I got mine in alpine white last month from Sweetwater, and I've been playing it almost every day. I love it so much.
Congrats! Alpine White looks so nice on a Custom. Randy Rhoads fan?
Yup, well any rocker who plays a Les Paul. I chose the custom in Alpine white because it pops out a lot more than the ebony version @reverb508
@@reverb508plus I wanted a custom shop les paul, but the gibson versions are too expensive, and I don't want mine to yellow too quickly
Did Sweetwater hook you up with a deal? I want one of these but the price is just a bit too much when I know I can get a MIJ Orville or Greco for around the same price
Sadly no. This is technically my first purchase from Sweetwater. My coworkers recommended them since they set it up for me, and check the quality. @@PicoDePaulo
I purchased one for 1150.00, the I really love the 490/498 Pickups, that with the Ebony fret board, mahogany neck, maple top and real nice case, I cannot justify spending 5500.00 plus for the US made custom.
I got one in white.
I've used it twice live and it sounded and played great. No regrets and I love the 498t as well. Would definitely buy again
I mean, 1.3k USD is still very cheap compared to an actual Gibson, considering that a Standard is pretty much 3k at this point.
That is a valid point, but when a 59 goes from $700 to $1,300 and the only real difference is burstbuckers vs custombuckers (which both have the same cost to manufacture) something is definitely going on.
There’s a LOT of really good single cuts in this price range though
Yeah but you can get a second hand Gibson studio for that money and a new Tribute (if you can find one), which have the same pickups plus nitro finish.
I can see the argument for the custom bucker loaded Epiphones with the thinner finish, but not this one.
Gibsons costed 1k for studio/special models before the bankrupcy, I'll be damned the day I pay 1000 bucks for an epiphone.
The real issue is what a Gibson costs. Thats why they can try to justify these prices because if their "real" versions are daylight robbery, then they can justify charging more for the cheaper option. I dislike that mentality.
They really should have re-introduced the Orville brand name and put that on the expensive epiphone headstocks.
The best copies and Gibson realized that and took the line over back then.
Dont agree because Epiphone as a brand has far more Kudos and history than Orville.
It's crazy to think that at one point, Gibson couldn't even get ebony fretboards on their custom shop LPs for a time...now they are putting them on their cheapest Epiphone LP customs.
It's crazy that the cheapest Epiphone is over $1000. Especially in today's environment.
@@leviathan_is_me It's crazy that fools are buying overpriced import guitars made by slave labor. If I'm going to buy a guitar built by slave labor it should be cheap.
@banditkeithkingofduelmonsters right.... slave labor. You DO know 99% of these imports are built in the same factory with the same materials, right? Cort, PRS, Epiphone, etc.. just because something is made in a country other than the U.S. doesn't mean it is slave labor.
@@banditkeithkingofduelmonsters "I don't want to support the multibillion dollar company exploiting chinese workers, I want to support the multibillion dollar company exploiting local workers"
It’s crazy someone would pay over $1000 for tiis
I loved my Epiphone LP Custom when I had it. However, the pricetag on that one was 1,000 USD lower. I’d rather have something MIJ at this price point.
That would be awesome. I’d be a buyer for sure if they were MIJ.
Yes I have a nice 1989 Greco EG59-70 made in the FujiGen factory and it is amazing.....
Any Edwards, Tokai, Greco etc would wipe the floor with that overpriced thing. This is a nice 500$ guitar.
It’s true this is what I would say a ANYTHING Fujigen - like my Les paul blows all this epiphone and even most Gibson out the water
Agreed! MIJ is way better value at this price point.
I think people really need to chill on this price stuff, a Gibson LP custom is crazy money, the epis used to be way cheaper when they used cheap pickups, plastic inlays and multi piece necks. Nowadays they genuinely are built essentially like a Gibson but from overseas, the price is fair more or less. We gotta start to see em more like an esp ec1000 or something.
I think it’s the resale value that freaks people out. Having Epiphone on the headstock immediately drops the value as soon as it leaves the shop.
Having literally boatloads of these turning up all over the world, all identical, is going to keep the SH prices down, and there is so much competition from other brands at this price point and below.
And a lot of people are salty that this used to be the entry price into Gibson with the Tribute range, and that’s been discontinued and replaced with these Epiphones with poly finishes.
Having said that, I think the 355 is actually a good deal.
I would agree if the quality was on par with an EC1000, and it's not
@@tonedowneLegitimately argument for those thinking about selling in the future. I’m thinking about carrying it to every gig I can for the next 7-10 years, hopefully passing in on well broken in to be played for years to come
They spent 20 years teaching us that epi were cheap starter guitars. The brand is DEAD to me. Why don't they just print gibson on the head in the same way fender makes mexi strats?
@@Les537 Or bring back the Orville brand name, or do like PRS by adding something like SE onto the headstock.
Maybe IC for Import Custom
From Sweetwater...Epiphone’s acclaimed ProBucker pickups
The key ingredient to the Les Paul’s early success was the PAF humbucking pickup. The first of its kind to hit the mainstream, the Patent Applied For humbuckers defined the sound of a generation with their fat tone and clear response. With the price of vintage PAFs skyrocketing, Epiphone set out to create their own PAF-style pickup. Thus, the ProBucker humbucking pickup was born. Inspired by the original PAF sound, these pickups pump out full, overwound tones with incredible clarity. When you plug in, you’ll instantly recognize the signature Les Paul punch.
Absolutely these are highly recommended and acclaimed pickups it's amazing these so called experts don't know this but what do you want it's the Internet all walks of stupid are here
Trogly needs to come down his high and realize not everyone can afford a 5k Gibson custom. For $1300 new, that Epiphone makes kids' and even grown mens dreams come true
Agreed. On the Epiphone. But I think even as a LP Custom fan, I'm slightly persuaded to get the SG. It IS a better deal (pickups) and maybe I'll like it more... I don't think so, but for the same exact price it's nice to hear the comparison by what we'd call a "veteran" who knows his guitars. That's my defense of Trogly.
@samuelllakaj5439 Trogly also does things to get views, and the headline on this video is one of them. He focused on the negative. Not everyone can afford Gibson USA
No, it won't. They still won't have Gibson. The dream will still be unfulfilled.
You can criticize all you want these are fine guitars.. as the owner of both Gibson Les Pauls and The 1979 Adam Jones Epiphone Les Paul Custom theres nothing significant enough that I can find to definitively say that my Gibsons are 2K better than the Epiphone inspired by Gibson custom shop… criticism from this guy sounds a bit whiny and nit picky to say the least … Gibsons themselves make PLENTY of dud guitars so don’t be fooled into thinking that just because it’s a Gibson its better.. for example..this guitar is better that a Gibson Les Paul Studio in EVERY way.. it just is … and ANYONE can be a self proclaimed expert on guitars.. do your research people and stop taking peoples personal biases and opinions as gospel truths
Well said, and supposedly if you flip the magnets on the 490/498 pickups it improves both of them, that way you have the AlNiCo-5 in the neck, and AlNiCo-2 in the bridge, which improves the tone in both - otherwise this is one of my least favorite Gibson humbucker sets. I also wish they used a satin finish on the neck, but I like the gloss finish on the body. Except for the gloss neck and pickups this is a great guitar, I'm going to be sanding the gloss off the neck and switching the magnets (haven't done it yet, but everybody that does swears by it)......cheers!
I haven't played these custom epiphones yet. But I own a 2010 Epi Les Paul Standard and a 2021 Gibson 50s Les Paul Standard. The difference in the two is noticeable to me. I rarely play the Epiphone anymore. The feel, the sound of the Gibson is noticeably better. But like I said, maybe these new Epiphones have upped their game.
As an owner of both Epiphones & Gibsons, I agree with you that the Epiphones are great guitars now-- but if you're spending $1,000 on them, you are losing money because of the name on the headstock (whether it's fair or not, that's the market). Gibson, at least, holds better resale value. Maybe that'll change in the future, but it has certainly held true over the years to now.
Isn't it more than just the name on the headstock though? As these are manufactured in China.
@@fordhamdonnington2738 Maybe, but Chinese made Fenders hold better resale value than Squiers. These newer Epiphones are perhaps 90-95% the guitars that American made Gibsons are, in terms of quality and joy of playing, but unless the market changes over time, Gibsons are usually an investment while Epiphones rarely are.
ebony used to grow in several country's but guitar company gobbled it all up..their is now only one source for ebony. the owner of Taylor guitars bought the last remaining forest! and of those trees 1 in 20 of them will be black and suitable for fret boards. they used to scrap those 19 trees that went uniformly colored. i was more than disturbed wen i realized how much waste was created. the men cutting the trees only got payed for the black logs..well thankfully that has changed. they now use all of the logs they cut..that's why you might see white and black ebony on some guitars now.
Hope they used the rest for other stuffs
Nice guitar. I own a Black Beauty Japanese Epiphone LPC-80, made by the famous Fujigen factory. It has the open book headstock since back it was made in the 90’s. I bought it back in 2010 straight from Japan, from the renown retailer Ishibasji. It has a long neck tenon, the downsides compared to this guitar are the absence of ebony fretboard, real mother of Pearl inlays, and the pickups/ electronics, although the latter could be upgraded. Japanese craftsmanship is outstanding and people who are aware with the Japanese guitars, know what I’m talking about. It doesn’t need an additional advertisement: )
And I would buy one of these new Epiphones, if they released a Wine red Les Paul Custom.
FGN owner here.
Those things can give Gibson a proper run for the money. I got Epiphone and FGN and Gibson LPs and from a purely value perspective, FGN wins easily.
They have released a wine red Custom. It’s the Jerry Cantrell signature LP Custom.
@@ehsanhaq155 I just recently bought a History (Fujigen-made brand made for Japan's Shimamura Music stores) LP Custom copy, and based on that, I'm definitely starting to believe the Fujigen hype.
I think it's really cool that people can get "reasonably" affordable versions of high-end Gibsons that look the part. The headstock makes all the difference. That said, I do kinda wish Gibson revived the Orville brand to do this. Epiphone is a brand with its own history; I'd like to see them focus on making those guitars instead of budget versions of Gibson models.
I have a Gibson Les Paul Modern with 490R and 498T pups and a beautful custom finish which I just love.
But I don't like to take it outside to play due to it being so pretty and expensive.
So I picked up one of these Epis in white, due to it having the same pups as my Gibson and an ebony fretboard which I love, and I gotta say, it's a wonderful guitar.
It feels great in hand and plays really well.
Also sounds very close to my Gibson.
And I won't be afraid to take it out to play.
My Gibson cost me over £3000, the Epi cost £1200. I consider the Epi to be a bargain.
I also have the Alpine White and it’s immaculately gorgeous.
There is a UA-cam video where it compared the $1299 Epiphone Les Paul Custom to the Gibson Les Paul Custom and the $799 Epiphone LP Custom. Using Spectrum Analysis, the spectrum analyzer’s visual display showed that the sustain coming from Gibson and the $1299 Epiphone are identical.
That video convinced me to get its Ebony version. My 2nd Black Beauty as I already have a 2012 Korean-made 3-pickup Custom that my luthier upgraded with premium components.
custom buckers are not vastly superior. i bought the SG and i hate the pickups. they're good for cleans, but with any kind of actual overdrive or gain they're squelchy sounding and tinny/scratchy. wish it came with a 498 495 and 490
Yes, my experience as well. I had them in my R7 (2019) and the sound was weak and jangly, no bottom end at all. I put a set of Bareknuckel The Mule in it and it sounds so good right now, very balanced. In other Gibsons I have modified 500T pups with one A8 Alnico magnet in it, very good for overdrive. 498T are very good for (hard) rock as well.
I agree. I owned the new IBGC 59 Les Paul with the Custombuckers. I like to play with heavy gain occasionally, and those pickups aren't good for that at all. I sold the guitar and am buying this new Custom. I've always liked the 490/498 combo.
The pickups are a down grade from the other models but as you pointed out, they are the correct pickups and you need the 498t for a modern custom so it is difficult to fault them for that issue. The fretboard is ebony while the other models are Indian Laurel so as woods go, this one is the closest, and to me that makes up for the difference in pickup cost vs the other 1,299 models. So the way I see it, I get a Custom for 1,299 with a finish that is more durable than the Gibson model and no fret nubs to go bad. Mine will be here on Sunday.
Exactly my thoughts. 👍🏼
Uh, that looks like my very first guitar. Yamaha 80´s LP-Style. Don´t have it anymore but I think it was one of those "illegal" ones. Thanks for the memory trip...
Japanese??
Trogly,
I couldn't help but notice that Gibson's 490R/498T set is advertised as having 4-conductor wiring, which has a gray plastic coat.
If Epiphone is advertising having that set in this LP Custom, why do I see silver braided wire (2-conductor) instead of a gray-colored wire (4-conductor)?
Could those pickups be old stock?
When you get new strings what strings do you use.
Epiphone Les Paul Custom (490/498) is $1900CAD in Canada versus the Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite (490/498) is $2000CAD. Epi brings the bling. I'm not a fan of the Modern Lite series (colors are awesome but light satin wears too fast; no coil taps in a "modern") so maybe the Epi is more tempting.
epiphone les paul customs had coil taps 2018 and earlier you can find them for $400 just put some 490r/498t gibson pickups in it no coil taps 2020-2021-2024
Nice Steve Jones Riffs! That is from the Sex Pistols LP Nevermind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols and the song is Anarchy in The UK. Steve Jones has amazing riffs on many songs. When guitar players think of The 1974 Gibson Les Paul Custom in Alpine White some say Randy Rhodes but it was Steve Jones way before Randy and his signature will cost you upwards of 15K.
Yeah, massive Pistols fan here. I got my white Gibson LPC in the early 90's coz I was in a punk band & Jonesy had one (still got her too)
The reviewer is obviously biased towards Gibson, but having both and I can assure you that the Epiphones are awesome guitars, and I actually love my Epi MORE than my old Gibson! I definitely play it more than my Gibsom because I like how the neck feels, and it plays better. As for tone, obviously your not going to hear any differences on this demo and I can assure you the difference between the two are negligible. But if you want to split hairs, I find my Epi to be slightly clearer than the Gibson due to a little brighter tone, but that difference is far less than dialing the tone controls a few degrees. I would LOVE to say that you get what you pay for and that my Gibson is superior, but the honest truth is that it's not the case! In my opinion, the quality of Epiphoes are just as good as Gibson and I wouldn't pay the extra money for a Gibson today. The Epi's are just that good!
Thank you for your honest opinion. On Sweetwater’s website, it’s interesting to read the owner’s reviews.
There is a UA-cam video where it compared the $1299 Epiphone Les Paul Custom to the Gibson Les Paul Custom and the $799 Epiphone LP Custom. Using Spectrum Analysis, the spectrum analyzer’s visual display showed that the sustain coming from Gibson and the $1299 Epiphone are identical.
Every time I hear "premium like feature" I really hear "Charges hundreds for something they kinda trued to emulate..."
I'm sorry, what exactly is being emulated here? It's got a long neck tenon, it's got a one piece neck, Gibson pickups, mother of pearl inlays, etc. those are all specs, and I don't see anything being emulated. If your real beef is where it's made, just say so.
@Crackshot729 me? If so, my issue is basically what you said. It's a Gibson knock-off, made by Gibson. What's the point? Think of it like McDonald's for a sec. There was a dollar menu...now it's a 1, 2, 3 dollar menu. $5 foot-longs are friggin $13 now (let's see if...no, no one IS THAT dumb..)? Epiphone was a off brand. Now it got everything including the friggin headstock....it's a chibson made under Gibson branding for Gibson money. If I'm the only one with my head tilted, fine. I'll see ya down the road. I'll be the one holding the "hahaha told ya so" sign or eating the big plate of crow, either way.
@@Crackshot729 It's still made in China, that's the beef!
Good luck owning anything if you're unwilling to buy something Chinese made. As for the Epiphone, you're talking about $1299 versus $5000. If I can get something that is constructed similar to and plays as well as a Gibson for that kind of money, I'll take it. I own Gibson and I own Epiphone and unfortunately the difference is not that stark anymore.
Where it is made means little to nothing to me. I own guitars from Mexico, Indonesia, China, Japan, USA, etc.
Needs a middle pickup for some Jimmy Page Black Beauty mods. 😂
I imagine that will be coming, or held back to make a Bonamassa sig.
This guitar has the regular Epiphone bridge adjustment. The other new epis have the Gibson style adjustment. Im curious why that is.
because it isn't a specific year reissue custom so they used the "Nashville Bridge" epiphone equivalent. I'm surprised they didn't do the ABR-1 style inserts too just to have uniformity in the collection
@@Trog wow! My first reply form the man, the myth, the legend,The Trog!!! I am not worthy! I am not worthy!!! Seriously though. Huge fan of your channel. Been watching for many years. ✌️
I have one in Alpine White. And I like it. A lot. For me, everything about it is great. I am taking it to my luthier next week for a pro setup and fret dress. In the meantime, I took off the covers and checked out the parts. Mine has Gibson USA 490R and 498T pickups, CTS pots, Mallory caps and Switchcraft switch and output jack. I was pleased to find that the cavities were super clean and painted white. The wirings were neatly soldered and nicely tucked. I am very happy with this guitar. So impressed that I purchased the IGC 1959 ES-355 in Ebony within a couple of weeks later.
My problem with these is the choices! Between the 2 customs, 59 std, korina explorer, and 355, how can I possibly pick just one?
you can pick 4 of them for the price of one gibby....so, enjoy.
Thanks for the review! I ordered a black one last week with a 18% discount at Baxshop (Holland) and that price is okay for me (1125 Euro). I always wanted a Custom next to my USA Gibsons and R7 CS but for gigs I would not dare to bring a Gibson Custom and I don't want to spend 5330 Euro as well. It's a personal choice you make and what suits best in a certain situation.
I just got a purple Les Paul Modern. The volume knob sat really high. The frets are actually pretty level, and the action was set at 3/64s for the high e and nothing fretting out...but fret ends aren't good
I love mine; I bought the Ebony finish. The pickups don’t have quite as much oomph as my 2017 Custom Lite, but sound great nonetheless- end the difference might be as simple as a pickup height adjustment. It plays itself and even unplugged, the tone and sustain are amazing. I don’t really care about a thin nitro finish, though I realize tastes differ.
I do not know why Gibson and Epiphone always use a white(ish) switch tip on the Ebony LP Custom. Changing it to a black switch tip is the first thing I changed on my Gibson Custom LP Custom. The white switch tip looks so out of place with the rest of the guitar.
To match the binding.
Black is not a colour.
I put a gold switch tip on mine, looks great
@@ChrisShortyAllen It still look dumb.
@@the_hippykiller22 I thought about putting a brass one on mine too. Good idea..
I’ve always wanted a black LP custom, I have Gibson USA guitars but I just can’t justify spending between £5k and £7k on one depending on the model. This new Epiphone one is very tempting.
You tried and tried, even brought out the Gibson....for 1200$ it's a winner.
Are these available lefthanded?
I own an IBG ES 335, and a Fender Japan aerodyne. The Epiphone i paid $500, the Fender $700. The differnce in craftsmanship is IMMENSE. The Epiphone required $250 to get up to snuff, and it still isn't in the same ballpard as the Fender out of the box. The Fender feels as nice as american ultras. For me the name doesn't matter, but same as guitar pedals, i will not be wasting any money one anything coming out of China. America, Japan, UK, and Germany only for me.
490r and 498t might cost less but don’t let the price point fool you they are a great versatile pickup
well said honest review, I got a 2024 Alpine LP custom 5/3/24 got a great deal from instrumental music thousand oaks Ca, a mom and pop music store. The custom does have a maple cap and a long neck tenon unlike the 2021 model .
I've never played a Gibson/Epi with Custombuckers, but I love the 498T/490R combo. Perhaps more than the Burstbuckers. It comes down to that hot bridge pickup. If I reach for a humbucker guitar, my Les Paul Studio is my choice.
What color/shade are the body bindings,
and do they match the neck bindings?
I hear no difference between the Tribal or the Epi.
Not sure what speakers you're listening on, but there was a clear cut difference between them - the Gibson had a much clearer tone and more bite to the attack of the notes.
Small difference. The Epiphone still sounds great.
I've noticed huge difference, the Epiphone sounded tinny/thin while the Gibson sounded warmer fuller. Pretty sure the feel is different too due to the nitro finish on the Gibson.
@@PrisonerD There is definitely a difference, but I would have liked to have heard the Epiphone with a new set of strings. If you notice, Trogly almost never changes the strings on the guitars he throws on the bench. If you have ever bought a used guitar with old strings or a new guitar with cheap strings, you know how much of a difference a new set of your favorite strings will make. Not saying the Gibson pickups are not better, but they are not 4-5 times as good IMO.
I actually dig the 490/498 pups but then I got most of my Gibsons in the 90's so they all came stock with them & I guess I just kinda got used to them over years of playing. You're getting a like though for playing 'Anarchy' lol. I love the Pistols.
They call it ebony, but Tbh, I wouldn't care if it were richlite: those boards feel infinitely better than the Indian laurel, and, frankly, look great. I wish that richlite were the go-to option.
Richlite’s the best. Feels and looks like ebony but way lower maintenance.
richlite no sound
I’ll take this any day over the 1959 Standard just like I’ll take an Ebony fretboard over Indian Laurel. I can swap pickups but I can’t swap fretboards. I’m not saying it can’t be done but for all practical intents and purposes, changing fretboards would be impractical if not difficult.
i have the epi LP custom Jerry Cantrell "wino" guitar....gorgeous, flawless.....on Sweetwater right now for $849.....you can get it for $799....comes with hardshell case.....AND it has an ebony fretboard.
@@ronyeahright9536Thank you very much my friend for the heads up. My SE at Sweetwater since 2013 takes care of me. He always gives me the best deal. He always tells me, “for you it’s always on sale!” I already have 5 Les Pauls - all upgraded by my luthier. I recently bought the new IGC 1959 ES-355 in Ebony, my first ever semi-hollow body. And I’m blown away by its woody and airy tone. It has Gibson USA Custombucker pickups and of course an Ebony fretboard. I am saving my next purchase for another semi-hollow, hopefully a burst or natural. Thanks again.
Whats the better guitar? This one or the japanese Elite/elitist les Paul from the early 2000?
Elitist is the better built guitar, but the Epiphone has better electronics.
@@trevor4533 I've got 2 elitist/ elite and love them
My most expensive Les Paul was over $7000, and I've had or still have quite a few in the $$3500-$5800 range. That being said, I love my ruby red Epi Les Paul Alex Lifeson model
You can get a ltd ec1000 for te same and it will have a fancy top, name brand pickups and tonepros bridge and tail piece with locking tuners, stainless steel frets
The ESP is a MUCH better guitar than the Epiphone. For 1500 you can get a Fgn 20 Les Paul out of the Ibanez factory in Japan (Where they make the Japan custom shop Ibanez) and it is a better guitar than the Gibson.
The EC1000 is gonna be a much better guitar. Sadly it doesn't look like a Gibson so it's a no go for a lot of people. Also the upper fret access is much better
@@the_hippykiller22 Just ordered an ec-1000fr see-through-black. I like the look of this ESPs version of a single cut as much as Gibson's.
Why do LTD guys always call their guitars ESP?
@@drippinglass Because they come in a box with the large letters ESP ?
How does the neck profile compare to the slightly older 2020 Epiphone LPC model (the $799 one)?
Imma take a hard pass on any epiphone especially one for $1300. I’ll just get a nicer guitar from another manufacturer or a used Gibson
I also recently took a hard pass on Gibson. For €2400 you can get an Eastman, Maybach Lester or Tokai that is made with quality materials, feels and sounds just as good as the €3000 Gibson if not better and has a fit and finish twice as good.
Epiphone is a Gibson. It’s a Gibson with a shitty nut, iffy fretwear, and good electronics with crappy wiring. Way more bang for your buck and they sound identical.
@@gavinsomerville7690 when you know you know, when you don’t know you don’t know
@@TayTayKemp I’ve been a professional luthier for years. I know the difference in quality and have repaired many vintage Gibsons from their golden era. After you’ve repaired a couple thousand guitars, you get pretty familiar with how it all works, and what matters and doesn’t.
@@gavinsomerville7690 that’s nice, I gave my opinion, I clearly disagree with yours. I feel differently based on my many years of playing and working on guitars too
I've owned several Gibson Les Paul guitars. I purchased the Epiphone Les Paul Custom Koa Top. It's a really good guitar. I love it. CTS POTS, GRAPHTEC NUT, EBONY FRETBOARD, GROVER TUNERS. I did a blind test at Guitar Center, and I couldn't tell the difference between it and the Les Paul Standard. I added orange drop capacitors when I had the luthier Curt Cobain used and this guitar screams! I've been playing since 1963. Criticize all you want. My Epiphone Les Paul is a good guitar!
I used to own an Epiphone Elite Les Paul Custom in black (MIJ) and regretted selling it for years. This is a better guitar. It has much better specs and it plays much nicer, plus it's got the headstock! These are really good guitars, and the QC is actually better than my real Gibson Les Paul. Trogly's doing a little cork-sniffing here!
The even bigger let down I would say is that the Custom is THE ONLY ONE that still uses the epiphone style bridge. Every other guitar in this line up has the Gibson style thin post bridge.
I agree but you can easily buy some adapters and put a (Gotoh) nashville style bridge on it if the guitar does really suits you.
Agreed. Same with the 79' AJ.
Thanks for this video. It has been a month actually since I got this guitar in Alpine White. And I am loving it. Since I don’t have a Gibson, I don’t have an idea what I am missing. I am really happy and contented with my 5 Epiphone Les Pauls. And since I already have an MIK 2012 Epiphone Les Paul Custom in Ebony, I decided to order the IBGC 1959 ES-355 in Ebony. This would be my first-ever semi-hollow body. Can’t wait.
It's crazy to me that these cost twice as much as the Ibanez DT520 that had way more high end appointments made in the same factory a few years prior. They came stock with Dimarzio pickups to.
Anywho, I'd buy this model just because it doesn't have that nasty Indian laurel.
Actually these are made in epiphones own factory gibson set up I believe.
The prices of the Orville and Orville by Gibson are on par or more than this Epiphone and you don't get the Gibson electronics ... I say a great deal ! Can't wait to find one used
Superior pickups? I wonder how that would look on a frequency response graph
They need to give us the Lefty option. I’d buy that guitar if it was available in left handed.
Flip it upside down like Hendrix! 🎸 I’m a lefty but I play right handed.
They dont make left-handed pianos, just saying
😊
@@robertdavidtingstrom118like piano
@@fuzzymuppet1990 if they did, I wouldn’t play. I can’t play right handed. I tore the tendon in my left wrist and can’t form the shapes needed for chords with it. Hence why I play left handed.
Wild to me how many guitar snobs are so against the IBGC collection. They’re not for you. Please wipe your tears with the cash you’re all saving by not buying these
I've had a Gibson studio, an Epi standard, an Epi custom, and a Gibson Les Paul traditional .. all of them from different decades.. all of them played, felt, and sounded killer.. the two Epi ones played really really easily, but the Gibson traditional was my fav.. it just felt more, organic if that makes sense.. but they each had low action, fat tone, and sustain for days. All the Gibson hate nowadays is just haters.. no USA made decent guitar is cheap.. for the money, i had no complaints for my two Epi Les Pauls..i did change the pickups in each one, a JB Duncan Bridge in one and an a set of Slash zebra Duncans in my Epi custom pro.. after that, both Epi Paul's screamed, and sounded much much stronger but i gotta say even the lower rung Epi standard with a good setup and better pick-ups it was a Damn good playing , feeling and sounding guitar ..i played my first several gigs with it .
From the moment they were announced I've been eyeing the 355. I'm definitely interested in seeing that review.
If you contact one of the large online chains like GC or SW, you can usually get 10% off the MSRP, which brings the price down to what appears to be a more realistic number. So in this case, the price would be brought down to $1170 Instead of $1300 or in the instance of AJ79 MSRP was $1500. I paid $1349 however with GC make sure you specify you want a guitar that is still sealed in the box from the warehouse otherwise you might get a floor model.
Looks ok to me. I had a gibbo custom years ago ( 2nd hand and in a bit of a state ) but sounded great . The epi isnt a gnats hair off it, and for the price? Seems a good deal.
I really like it. If an Epiphone is good enough forJared James Nichols and John Lennon, I could probably find a way to make it work. Yes, it's overpriced for a Made in China product. But, maybe wait a few years and look at a used one, probably be in the $500-600 range, then...DEAL!
The epis that Lennon played were made here. (Here being America)
JJN needs to get a gibson headstock signature
Epi 355 in White!!!!!
These Inspired by Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom have been in back order for quite some time now at Sweetwater. Just placed my order today (my second). I was told that the October and November shipments are already sold.
I was able to buy one last week from a local music store. Very good guitar.
@@alexandrelamarche42 I hope you got a good discount.
It’s kind of funny the comments complaining about the cost of these, they don’t seem to understand how inflation works and that the company including its workers need to make money, there’s a lot going into that. Businesses have to be sustainable to stay in business, whether you like or think Gibson and Epiphone is worth it is certainly up to you but you should consider all of that. I bought my Epiphone Les Paul Custom used in 2003, it’s a 2002 model so not very old at that time for about $450 if I remember right, which is almost $800 in todays money. I’ve modded and upgraded it and been very happy with it and it just gets better with age, the alpine white has aged to a nice yellowing and looks awesome. Feel free to disagree with me but if you’re thinking about cost of things like this that needs to be considered. I know I’m making a lot more money than I was at the end of my senior year of high school when I bought that guitar! And I bet all of you are as well! 😆
Which Epiphone has the custom buckers in it ???
The SG has 3
The middle and bridge are wired together out of phase and it sounds amazing.
The 335 does too.
And I'm pretty sure the Les Paul standard too.
Can you tell the sound difference between a Gibson & Epiphone when they have the same electronics & pickups?
What I want to know if the pickup routes are exactly routed in the same spot as the Gibson. The consistency between the MIK and CHINA years of Epiphones I doubt are the same.
No.
I picked up an older custom for $125 that needed one fret replaced. Did that. Put some blackouts in and it plays and sounds amazing.
What’s the difference between a 490T and a 498T pickup?
8
490 = Alnico 2, 498 = Alnico 5
@@bartonkj does a 490 ever go in the bridge? Cuz I swear my guitar (at least according to my local shop) has a 490 R in the neck and at 490 T in the bridge
@@bartonkj ok, mine is an SG, so it may be true then
@@garettturbettmusic Yes, I bought a new Gibson Tribute Les Paul that came with a 490R in the neck and a 490T in the bridge. I replaced the wiring with a 50's harness, and replaced the 490T with Pearly Gates. The PG definitely has a wider dynamic range--I'm happy 🙂 🎸
I think $1,200 is about how much a friend of mine paid for an actual Les Paul Custom in 1978. It was black with gold hardware, just like this one, except it came with one of the chainsaw cases.
(not so) fun fact, $1200 in 1978 is actually $5,748.44 in 2024 dollars, so sounds about right.
My 79 Silverburst Custom cost $800.00 USD in December of 1979.
Very misleading if you don't adjust for inflation. That was expensive as hell back in 78.
In 1978 a McDonald’s Big Mac was 95 cents. That burger is $8.17 today.
1978 was a long time ago!
I'm pretty sure that the feeling is different. But the sound is the same. You can verify here: 12:42 and 13:04
I played a silver burst one not that long ago looks and feels great but the knobs are so much higher off the body than I would like
5 minute easy fix, loosen the nut ,push in and re tighten, just did both of mine cuz I thought the same..now much better..
I would love to see the Inspired by 1955 Les Paul Customs come back to the Epiphone lineup, even though sadly those didn't come with a staple pickup. I ended up putting in one of Lollar's staple pickups in mine because I didn't want to do any additional routing as well as some other mods to get it closer to an 50's custom. Very cool model though.
I just placed an order for mine got a sweet deal from my rep at the "Sweet" shop, ETA is within the next week or so.. Can't wait :)
I grabbed the AdamJonez silverburst and its sweet! I have the 2 Rydon Art the Standard and the V2 ML aged signed so I can compare it well sounds identical all across the board except the standard has more growl and sustain of the bunch I also have an 07 custom silverburst so yes the price is worth it
I've got mine 15 days ago..... And really love it!
15:30 - I am glad you said that. I have the Gibson and Epiphone Adam Jones signatures. The Epiphone is a better build than the Gibson. BUT, the way the two guitars feel is totally different. Once you get that nitro finished Gibson in your hands vs the poly Epiphone, it's night and day when it comes to how the guitars play, react, and feel. It's like a toy vs the real deal.
I think the value also depends on if you like that set. The bridge is much hotter than the others and pretty bright as well. Money wise they are cheaper but if you like them then at least you don't have to replace them or anything.
Hi. Does the epiphone les paul custom 2023 or previous "inspired by Gibson" les paul custom has solid maple top ?
Yep
I played one of these in the Rockshop (New Zealand) a few days ago. It had a number of sharp frets on the bottom of the fretboard. not what I expect at this price.
I got one of those $799 LP customs and set it up to my specs and I’m in love with it
I love the way you do the "sound check" playing randon riffs e common chords. Usually people would shred the hell out of the guitar and we wouldnt be able to recognize anything kkkkk
I happen to own on ebony Les Paul Custom $5,000 guitar I bought an epiphone Alpine White and the bigge😮st difference is just the weight of the guitar the Epiphone I have is 100% quality to the Les Paul Custom by Gibson
I have the alpine white LH, the “gold” humbuckers and saddle plating wore off with in three months of play. Don’t try to clean them with anything more than a clean rag. All it will do is take off what plating is left.
How can you tell that the control knobs are different. What is the giveaway?.. And will the genuine gibson ones fit?
The font and styling. I didn't test Gibson knobs
These new Epis look amazing and I love the headstocks. However, they are asking a large premium for shoddy work, at least with Mexican made fenders and PRS SEs you get great build quality and affordability. Not 100% sold in these yet. Need a year of tweaking of quality before I will consider it.
What is the headstock angle of these new Inspired by Gibson Epiphones?
14° as far as I know (and Gibson guitars 17°).
12:48 What song is that? It sounds like Ambition by Glen Matlock.
Sex Pistols - Anarchy in the UK
@@DeltaJazzUK Ah yes. Thank you.
Regardless of whether its an Epi or a Gibson, the pickups are getting replaced with Alnico2 Pearly Gates, Borne's pots and Orange Drop capacitors.
Can u do an episode with a hollow body or semi hollow body? I realize that’s not quite ur forte but I’m interested in seeing some like L-5 type or es-175 or es-150 style stuff that doesn’t have a really pointy carve cutaway…😳 I understand this is a rather specific question but…how many Les Paul style guitars can one own? After all isn’t variety the spice of life?
I still can’t get over the price, for $1200 I’d just get an early 90s Gibson studio, has an ebony fretboard and the same pickups. Also it’ll be interesting to see what these epiphones are worth used in a couple of years time, I’m not convinced they’ll hold their value but time will tell.
I disagree with this review. Just received one a few days ago in Alpine White. I love it! Fantastic guitar. Opening the case the aesthetics are great, it feels plays and sounds great. I’ve owned three Gibson LP Customs and a lot of EC-1000 series guitars. This new Epiphone is not as fine as the Gibson, obviously, but it absolutely is worth the higher price. I’m planning to sell a couple of my other guitars now.
wait until next year and buy these 40-50% cheaper
2020/2021 LP customs were epi best seller. i got $100 off a 2024 from a thousand oaks ca. mom and pop music shop. 5/3/24 with the maple cap and headstock made the diff for me
I once found a Kalamazoo Epi LP on Ebay for over a grand ($). I can't get stuff from Sweetwater 'cause I don't know how it works for Europe but I'm surprised the white ones on ebay are so expensive still. And this one Japanese seller was selling the new Epi for sixteen hundred. Like, come on. I'm no expert but this doesn't seem like it'll get cheaper... or maybe I'm justifying my compulsive purchases XD.
Ya 625 or less a month after Christmas at a consignment shop or vintage ( sorry for odd math percentile) lol