I ordered one immediately when they released them, it’s awesome and I couldn’t be happier. It feels like I got 95% of a Gibson les Paul custom for $1299 instead of paying $5699 for the Gibson. And it won’t turn yellow in a few years
Nice one man, I think they are going to sell an absolute ton of these. I actually thought the price would have been higher, then I saw they had actual custombuckers and it seems like a really decent price. I have a few custom shops with these pickups, they are great and tbh it's gonna force Gibson to come up with a new latest greatest paf for their top tier guitars. Enjoy man.
@@emcg.9655 Sorry to disappoint you there, but it has 490R and 498T ( the same pickups as the Gibson Custom ), NOT Custombuckers… The SG, the 1959 and the 335 have the Custombuckers. Still looks great though, good guitar but too expensive for an Epiphone, made in China without Custombuckers… Price should have been maximum 999$
@@valendis It comes with the 490R 498T combo, which is used on the Gibson counterparts. Taking that into account, the price of the Epi LP Custom is worse than the Epi 355 which has the Custombuckers
Thanks for the video . I like both but I think the old one sounds a little bit better for my taste . The tuning problem is coming from the nut, not the tuners …
I like the yellowing you did, although black is my preference anyways. There is a P90 limited edition of the older IBG LP Custom, so I snagged a used one off Reverb which should be here in a couple days, plan to change the Epiphone P90 "pro bucker" pickups to Lollar mini-humbuckers, making it a Les Paul Custom Deluxe! I'm one of the old guys who watch your videos, nothing else to do when you get this old but play guitar and watch videos. The only good thing about getting old is the social security check each month, just enough to buy another guitar! As a newb here, I'm enjoying your channel, more so than some of those puffed-up channels with gazillions of viewers gawking at them. Cheers!
I bought the last white version as you did. Then low and behold the new version came out 2 months later. Gonna stick with this one. I could not find a flaw on it either. QC was working that day i guess. And it sounds fabulous through either my 1984 Marshall JCM 800 with a 4x12 Marshall cab with Jimmy Marshall greenbacks or my Headrush Prime pedalboard through my computer with ART Studio monitors. For me Epiphone has been good to me over the years, i own an Epi Boneyard/Steve Perry les paul signature with Gibson burstbuckers 2 and 3 in it from factory. Got a nasty epi prophecy explorer with Zack Wylde active EMGs if i really want to go crazy. Great review, keep em coming, Dave part of your old demographic from Canada! TC
Interesting. My '97 Gibson LP has the 490/498 setup (I don't know if there is any difference between today's set and those from the 90's), but there is a huge difference when I play my white Epi LP Custom and the Gibson in terms of sound. The Epi Probuckers are getting shown up big time. I was thinking of putting in the SD JB/Jazz combo in it. Now, when I plug in my other Epi LPC, it holds it own against the Gibson. Maybe the probuckers in my white LPC just weren't made very well or the ones in the Silverburst are just factory freaks (LOL). Even though I did the math in the previous video, I have my doubts that I will upgrade to the new LPC. I look forward to the comparison to the ESP guitar. Also, with the 490, try a little fingerpicking in the clean channel as it can really shine. The 498 really shined in the Metallica riff.
the wild differentiation that can happen with passive pickups(especially Gibson's) are precisely why I enjoy fishman pickups, I don't have to gamble my money on if i'll get a good set or not
Great video. I bought myself an Epiphone Les Paul Custom Koa for my 65th Birthday. Great guitar, rings like a bell. I personally don't care about a Gibson style headstock. I can afford a Gibson but don't play enough to justify it. I play my Epiphone SG Pro the most - extra sounds with the coil splitting and light weight. I play my Godin Redline 2 for my shredding runs. The Les Paul is for when I have time, to savor like good whiskey, practice Santana or Gary Moore. The $799 dollar guitar does it for me, and you seemed to like it a little more too. Keep up the great work!
because they are a different take. Probuckers are paf recreation which unsurprisingly are accurate to paf sound. Where as the 490 is geared for more higher output and brightness compared to the paf lower medium output.
if the 490 series are supposed to be higher output and brighter, then they failed at that. Because you can very clearly hear in the video it's less hot and darker than the infamously muddy probuckers in the $799 version
I really like the Adam Jones model. 1499 is really high for a Chinese guitar sprayed in poly. 1299 is a lot too. If they were made in Korea and sprayed with nitro, it would be a solid deal. I wonder how these new Epiphones will affect the demand for Japanese lawsuit LPC. Will the demand drop and result in a lower price?
Tuners are not the same on both guitars. 14:1 ratio Grovers on the “regular Epi LP Custom”, 18:1 ratio Grovers on the IBCS LP Custom. I’m sure they work just fine, you just have to spin them for longer to get the same result because of the higher ratio. Better for fine tuning.
It should have come with the tulip/keystone look in my opinion, the official website says they are the same ratio, maybe the ones that come with the wilkinson tuners have a different ratio?
my issue isn't how much I have to spin the keys, my issue is they're not holding tuning, which could just be the nut to be fair, but the tuners on mine are exceptionally light, it feels like they'll move if I blow on them too hard
Great review. What pick brand and pick thickness do you use? Great playing. I personally think with the upgraded specs, pick ups and long necktenon, that’s not a bad price point with inflation considered. I still prefer ESP LTD if I was ever go to that price point.
Thanks for watching again dude! I use the purple dunlop tortex's, I believe they're 1.14 thick! The specs are there on these new Epiphone's for the price range, where LTD has always had both Gibson and Epiphone beat is quality control
Eh, didn’t notice much of a difference. If anything it was the pups that just changed the voicing. I think the yellow epi is so unique that you should throw in different pups and sell/return the newer one. Just me tho
Another great video! Your absolutely right about the boomers... I love my 799$ custom but I can say with full humility that it does not compete with my new 1299$ version. It just feels better..it just does...of course it sounds better. But the feel is so much more important. That's what makes the Gibsons special ...the feel. 1300 is a bargain for what ya get. Thx bro
@@johnsmith-ug5tp This too drives me insane. Boomers barely even watch UA-cam and are now well into their 60s. But, just like everyone under 40 is a Millennial to Boomers, apparently, everyone over 45 is a Boomer to the Zoomers. It's like Gen X never happened to some.
I've still got a white Epi LPC from the late 90's, made in Korea (at the Unsung plant I think?). I got it around 15 years ago for gigging, coz I didn't want to risk my old 1990 Gibson version of the same guitar getting damaged. Honestly, it's a great, solid little guitar. I don't really play it anymore, coz I don't gig much nowadays (getting old lol) but I could always dial in a pretty sweet tone using my regular set up. It only cost me a couple of hundred bucks second hand & definitely worth the purchase imo.
The old Epiphone wins in terms of sound, but the new one looks better. Never been a big fan of Gibson pickups, which is why I tend to swap mine for actives or Seymour Duncans. 🤔
Passive pickups are always different from one another, but with Gibson's pickups it's a gamble on whether or not you're getting a decent set or a bad set, their quality control needs a serious looking into, but that seems like the last thing on their minds
Many of Gibson's pickups are Alnico 2, including the 490/498 That's why they're woolier and darker. It's not a QC issue. Magnets are magnets and wire is wire. If Gibson was using cheap materials, you'd have a point, but they're not. The Probuckers are Alnico 5, which tend to be the brightest of all Alnico pickups and have a significant low-mid-scoop, which tones down the muddiness and wooliness. You can compensate for either by adjusting pole pieces or pickup height. Epi and Sweetwater follow a spec sheet for setups created by engineers in the 1950s and 1960s. If you do your own, you can use your musician ears and save a lot of money and not feel so annoyed by tiny tweaks. If you really want to get crazy, you can swap the pot metal Epi bridge for one with titaninum or brass saddles and that helps bring out the high as much as changing pickups.
I ordered this guitar the second it was announced. I've wanted a Gibson LP Custom for over 25 years and just could never justify it. This absolutely scratches the itch in every way. What I think is interesting is that I have a 2002 Gibson Les Paul Studio with 490r/498t pickups in it as well so I assumed these guitars would sound almost identical. However, the Studio is definitely more mellow and smooth. The Epiphone LPC is brighter and hotter. Mine doesn't come across as darker though and is much brighter. I'm pretty shocked with how different they sound considering they're suppose to be the same pickups. Both sound great in their own right. Probably a change in the manufacturing process over the last 20 years. The tuners on this Epiphone aren't great so I agree with his analysis there, but the turners on my much more expensive Gibsons LPs and SGs suck as well. I really think it's part of the "experience".
The answer is: Made in China… low quality mahogany… That’s why it sounds diferent with the same pickups. Also the nitro finish of the Gibson might have something to do about it. But as you say, it depends on the sound you are looking for. Still a good guitar.
@maelalentorn incorrect, it's not the wood. It's the pickups, passive pickups will never sound exactly the same, but when it comes to Gibson's passive pickups you're basically gambling on whether or not you'll get a good set because their quality control is so lackluster, I've played so many gibsons with bunk pickups, even one of their 10 grand korina flying V's had one of the WORST sounding sets of custom buckers i've ever tried in it
I've got the 2020 model and it's my favourite guitar. Honestly, it plays like a fucking dream. I've got the Wino as well, and again, it's amazing. Having said that, I'm absolutely going to pick one of these premium models up in the future. They look incredible.
I had a Gibson LPJ and a SG standard both wouldn’t stay in tune that’s the reason I sold them both , I bought a Epiphone classic it stayed in tune no worries ,now that new Epiphone is going out of tune with the Gibson headstock the headstock is the problem although it looks better it has tuning issues
I'm 54 and have owned A LOT of Gibsons over the years. USA line, vintage, and Custom Shop. Now, I only own 1 guitar: a 2021 Epiphone LP Custom in silverburst. It's easily as well made as any of the Gibson USA line that I've owned. Really, the only difference in quality is the lacquer vs poly finish.
wow i got to get one (alpine)the new headstock does it for me , and my favorite pickups 490r/498t which are so versatile, nice even at that price. great review den den
You complained about the tubers many times, but at the end, you complained that the G string doesn’t stay in tune. So, are these the same complaints? Are you complaining that Grover tuners suck? Or instead are you just saying that the G string won’t stay in tune? Also, did you try a little lube at the nut and saddle? Perhaps the nut notch needs to be widened at the G string.
On certain guitars I don't mind the kidney tuners at all (my Epiphone Gothic Explorer I've had for 21 years for example) but with Les Pauls... give us them tulips! Lol. The tulip tuners compliment the points on the headstock so much more. I definitely prefer the brighter sounding pickups but that isn't the biggest concern to me. I really enjoyed the Classic 57 pickups my old 2012 Gibson Les Paul Classic Custom had in it. So maybe I'll put those pickups in if I don't jive with them. You can always upgrade electronics but you can't usually upgrade the feel of a guitar. Also, when I heard Stricken come in ❤ It's funny you telling the story about coloring the older Les Paul because I recall you making a post about it in the Epiphone Facebook group. Your story here made me remember. Thanks for this comparison video!
Great comparison, thanks for the video! I own a Gibson Les Paul Standard and a 1979 Adam Jones Epiphone Les Paul (the non art, gibson headstock style). I noticed that when it comes to tuning stability with Les Paul's its the nut and not actually the tuners/tuning pegs. For my Gibson Les Paul I put a String Butler on it and that made a HUGE difference. Google "String Butler". I actually enjoy playing that guitar now and find myself picking it up more often lol. For my AJ Epi Les Paul, the nut is just really well cut and oiled. It's set well so I have no issues with tuning so far. Fingers crossed. But yeah I'd look at the nut or have a guitar tech look at the nut if tuning stability is an issue. Thanks!
Nice guitars. I have a Chinese epi les paul classic and love it. I personally haven't played the 1299 version, so I can't say if the price is worth it. It seems like a lot for ceramic pickups and a different headstock. Nice axes brother
I could here the difference for sure. But what does someone like but with some mods or rolling off the tone. Who would know? A bit of cash in the cheaper one is better.
Dude, you are literally comparing 2 guitars that I am trying to compare online. Thank You so much and subscribe at once :D oh, and Yes, white sounds more full and has a nicer tone, at least for me.
I thought the pro buckers sounded better which is weird because those Gibson pup's are normally my favourite. Also with the more expensive one having a maple cap that should make it sound brighter?? Tonewood debate in....1..2...3..
I literally would’ve bought the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Les Paul Custom already if they put Custombuckers in them instead of the 498t/490r pickups. They put the Custombuckers in the other Epiphone Inspired by Gibson guitars. I know I could buy the Custombuckers but it’s sort of the principle. They’re like $500 for the set and now I’m spending $1800 plus the time to solder in new pickups. I may just go with with the ES-355 Epiphone Inspired by Gibson but the color on the red one is that bright red. I’d want a wine red. Then again, I can’t complain because it is significantly less money than a Gibson.
Nice vibrato on Whole Lotta Love solo. Sounds good. I've not owned an Epiphone guitar but played a few of their LP's and they were all nice guitars. I'm probably more fussed about the amp I use than pickups.
@@MoeVanprick Taken right from epiphone official website: "The new Les Paul Custom is part of Epiphone’s Inspired by Gibson Collection and honors the 1950s classic designed by Mr. Les Paul himself in 1954 as the “tuxedo” version of his groundbreaking solid body masterpiece. Featuring the traditional Custom bound all-mahogany body, 60s SlimTaper™ neck profile, ebony fingerboard with block inlays, gold Epiphone LockTone™ Tune-O-Matic™ bridge and Stop Bar tailpiece, a pair of critically acclaimed Epiphone ProBucker™ humbuckers, and Custom split-diamond inlay on the headstock. This Epiphone Inspired by Gibson model also has the 60s style Kalamazoo headstock, rolled neck for a comfortable feel, Graph Tech® NuBone® nut, era-appropriate wiring, and CTS® pots. Optional hardshell or EpiLite Case is available." Notice the "Featuring the traditional Custom bound all-mahogany body" 😅 I guess reading is hard for some people... smh
@@valendis I suggest you also look at the specs of the 2020 model then come back and tell us all what you read..just don't read the new ones read the specs on the 2020 buddy
I ordered one of the expensive epi 13:27 firebirds and the QC was terrible.I had to set it up and polish the fret, the fret-ends were fine. That being said last year I ordered a Gibson SG, and it had all the same QC issues, so I figured epiphone was being inspired by Gibson and not QCing the guitars properly.
I think i've recieved enough data from comments like yours to confirm that these new epiphones do not come with improved quality control, which is quite the bummer
I hear deeper low mids with the new one, the older one has more treble bite. Personally I don’t mind the now older Kalamazoo headstock at all, especially at $500 cheaper. Tonally they just sounded a bit different, but hard to say which is better. I had a 2022 Epi Custom, but mine didn’t sound or play all that great. Seems like you have a good one, I guess you should ask yourself if you’d keep the new one if it didn’t have the Gibson headstock…
i'm still not sure if I want to keep it or not, which I think that and the fact that people are still debating on whether or not these are worth the price says a lot
honestly they sound pretty damn similar but the newer one is considerably sexier edit - with the gain up you can definitely tell the newer one has more definition
It may be due to the fact that I'm listening through the filter of my computer speakers, but I didn't hear any appreciable difference between the two guitars. There's definitely a cool factor with the Gibson-shaped headstock, but not enough to justify the price difference for me.
The 498T/490R sound amazing in my new 2024 ebony epiphone les paul ...I guess it depends on if you get a good one or a bad one with any guitar... My new one is a 9 pound weight which is perfect for me... It arrived from the supplier all fully set up with new daddario strings so it plays brilliantly and stays in tune even with the most extreme string bending... The sound, feel and overall quality are impeccable.. No more ugly duckling headstock as the gibson style looks light years better on a custom model... The extra bite and superb clarity of the 498T/490R matched pickups works so well in my guitar.. Sooo much better than those old mud buckers that epiphone were famous for...
@pauljohnson3686 of course, every mass produced guitar will always have some bad examples, they aren't all gonna be great. But brands like PRS and LTD have Incredibly good quality control to where it's like 1 in every few hundred or so is bad, but when it comes to gibson and epiphone it's like a 50/50 chance you could get a bad one
I'm not keen on what you have done with the yellowing, if its going to go yellow then I prefer to it happen naturally. I didnt notice much difference in sound, the differences that were there I couldnt say one sounded better than the other.
I yellowed it specifically because poly doesn't yellow, and if it does it takes like twice as long as nitro. I wanted a heavily aged white les paul that wasn't even white anymore, and my options were to either age it myself or spend thousands of dollars on a real one
I'm 67, and I think workmanship of guitars made in China has really improved. I think the only flaw with the new Epiphone Customs, is the pickups. The 490 series pickups are ceramic, which I do not like. All the other "New Inspired by Gibson" Epiphones comes with Custombuckers. I will only buy the Custom if they upgrade the pickups.
The 490/498 are Alnico 2, which are hardly discount Gibson pickups. The ceramic you're thinking of are the 496R/500T. That said, I have confused these with the 490/498 set too. When names are too similar, customers can't remember. I also agree with you it's lame for Epiphone to give the new 59 Standard $225 Custombuckers and then skimp on the LPC just to be historic (490/498 are about $150/each). Maybe they wanted to balance out the added costs of ebony and mother of pearl.
Here's the specs on the 2021 modern figured Sgs..3/4" plain Canadian maple cap with AAA flamed maple veneer on top CTS Electronics the works nothing really different between 2021 to present..The SG Modern Figured from Epiphone's Inspired by Gibson Collection has a classic SG profile made from Mahogany with a AAA Flame Maple Veneer top and Trans Black Fade finish. Powered by ProBucker humbuckers with coil-splitting, phase switching, and CTS electronics. Featuring an Ebony fingerboard and world class Grover Locking Rotomatic tuners with Tulip Buttons with an 18:1 ratio.Body: Material: Mahogany Top: AAA Flame Maple (3/4") Neck: Neck wood: Mahogany Profile: Asymetrical Slim Taper with Contoured Heel Fingerboard: Ebony with Pearl "Trapezoid" Inlays Scale length: 24.724" Number of frets: 24 Hardware: Brige: LockTone ABR Tailpiece: Stopbar Knobs: Clear Top Hats with Ridge Tuners: Grover Locking Rotomatic tuners with Tulip Buttons with an 18:1 ratio Electronics: Neck pickup: ProBucker-2 humbucker w/coil-splitting and phase switch Bridge pickup: ProBucker-3 humbucker w/coil-splitting and phase switch Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone, CTS electronics
@DenDenBMX strange. I know ow mine did because I bought it new, and I just converted mine to all black hardware and I removed the jack and switch and they are both labeled Switchcraft. Mine is a 2020 model.
now that's a comparison I wish I could've made, I look at the prophecy series to be a lot similar to an LTD than an epiphone so I think it depends on if you want a guitar with more vintage specs or one with more modern specs
Hey there Myfingersstinklikefish is some kind of Epiphone bot with a couple of additional accounts. Is there any way you can ban this guy? He’s on EVERY Epi video looking to start trouble. Thank you.
he's not starting trouble in my comments, in fact I agree with him that people need to actually do research about Epiphone's factory instead of just reverting to dated stereotypes and red scare mentality
Bought a Epiphone Custom Black Back on sale for $699...spent a hour on a Sunday watching Football and filing fret ends with a StewMac fret file. My Custom has the same specs as the $1200 version....sounds just as good...plays just as good....and I kept my $600 bucks. Plot twist...buy a Schecter Solo 2 for $999 and you will have a guitar that is much better than both of these.
Those cts pots everyone keeps talking about are chinese pots like in the other guitars not the brass shaft pots in the gibson and sweetwater dosent set up the guitars ive got some terrible Epiphones from sweetwater
I like the way the spray made the first lp look man has that real old school look 😂 like it was in a club were each person had five cigarettes in each hand lmfao jk it looks real cool though
Alternatives put the Gibson pups in the $700 Epi and the $250 in the bank. Or spend an additional $250 and buy a Gibson Studio with 490 pups and channel switching???😂😮😂
@@DenDenBMX What quality problems? I would expect minor issues with a guitar in that price range. I heavily modified my "Kalamazoo" Epi Custom. Acoustically it sounds like an Murphy Lab R8. I had a chance to compare it to a Gibson Custom Shop LP Custom and my Epi was hands down the better playing guitar
Even Japanese guitars aren’t created equal. They used to make junky guitars, to be quite honest. They do make great guitars now, but I think the fetishism of *Japanese craftsmanship* like they’re the elves of Rivendell is very pervasive in the guitar community. TLDR: Japanese guitars aren’t necessarily better than any other country of origin.
honestly I do not care what name is on the headstock, the shape had always been more important to me, especially when these days most Gibsons are violently overpriced and have just as bad quality control as epiphone
I can definitely understand why you feel that way. If epiphone wants to compete in the $1200/$1500 price point, they might need to put a little more effort into these, especially when it comes to quality control
I like this guy and think he’s funny. But some advice would be to eliminate the “boomer” talk. First, you’re applying that name to a generation who are not Boomers. Second, Boomers and Gen X grew up with a sense of patriotism in the fear of imminent death from nuclear war. They also grew up playing dodgeball. In short, they are mentally stronger and will kick your ass physically. Respect your elders.
@@BrandonNop I’m not a Boomer, which proves the veracity of what I wrote. What would you have written? “Death to America?” “Where is my participation trophy?”
Damn right I won’t buy an Epiphone because it’s made in China for several reasons in fact! First is quality, I do not care what you say there’s a difference between Gipson and Epiphone from the wood the electronics. Secondly, that mass produced made in China slave labor guitar isn’t going to hold any value no matter what you do to it! The moment you buy it you’ll never again get anything close to what you paid for it! Even a broken Gipson has value and often sells for more than a new Epiphone! And lastly, I CARE ABOUT AMERICAN WORKERS! Every single day I see someone talking about American jobs being shipped overseas and yet these exact same individuals do nothing to stop it! Buy American made goods and support American families, not the Chinese government!
I’m 42 and if we could have gotten a guitar with that playability at a 1997 price then it would have been phenomenal. If the SE was around it would have killed epiphone back in the day.
I mean, if you actually paid attention to the specs of both guitars, the more expensive one does have better specs. But i'm still unsure if that alone justifies a $500 premium
@@DenDenBMX yes I did. Great video by the way.but come on.its the headstock and the pick ups.thats it.and the pick ups sound different not better than the previous one. That's what I mean.dont get me wrong.i have the previous one I love it and I d love to have the new one instead.but it's the Same fucking guitar.
The real fucked up part is that the actual boomers made the Les Paul famous in the 60s and 70s. Hell even Slash missed being a boomer by only one year.
The epiphone Quindoa facility is completely American owned and operated with American and Asian luthiers and only Epiphones are made there no other outside brands are made there..
These are way too expensive for an Epi in my book. For the same price, you can grab a used Gibson. So yeah, IMO, makes no sense. But I am slcurious to know if these Epi's have multiple piece tops and backs.
@@BlueberryStinkFinger62 I do and own multiple... also own a few Epi's. But if you want that heasstock, grab a Standard for the same price and get a better instrument.
I don't see anybody selling gibson les paul standards for $1299, MAYBE classics, but probably just tributes or studios. And honestly id take a fully spec'd out epiphone over an incredibly barebones Gibson. I care about specs, not where it's made
Actually, in the side by side comparison, I think the $799 ELP sounds better. Not much, but I like it better. Are you going to yellow/ age the new guitar, too?
The Probuckers sounded bigger, louder and clearer. There were moments of harshness on the probuckers. However, that could be due to pickup height. The Gibson p'ups 490/498 I really do like, and they did sound excellent, I would have to say that I would give the edge to the one with the probuckers. At $799 new, I'd say you are still getting a great value for the money. Here are a couple of thoughts as I own several Epiphones as well as Gibsons. Both have their strengths and weaknesses that seem to present themselves at various times. Sometimes, it pays to save up a few hundred more and get an entry level Gibson, if it happens to be the RIGHT one, and sometimes it is perfectly great to have an Epiphone, and some I own play exceptionally well, but they are indeed two different animals, and while putting Gibson Pickups in an Epiphone will generally sound better as an upgrade, it still won't sound like that same set of pickups will in a Gibson, because the woods are treated and kiln dried completely differently, and for different lengths of time, and of course the Gibson woods will be far superior in tone because of this. Not to mention, as you know, the permeable nitro finishes on the Gibsons vs Poly Urethane finishes on the Epiphones. With either guitars, as you see by the white Epis tuning keys, it really helps to be handy with some degree of luthier skills, because at some point, you'll need them. First thing I do with ANY Epiphone, is take the string off, dress and polish the frets. Things like this and a lot of the quality control in general are the reason why companies like ESP/LTD really take a bite out of Epiphone and Gibson. When you get and ESP/LTD, you dont generally have any issues at all coming out the gate.
I agree, Gibson and Epiphone will do anything except address their quality control issues, until they do that they aren't going to be able to compete with esp/ltd, prs, etc. It's funny you mention pickup height because the bridge pickup on the new one is closer to the strings than the bridge pickup on the 2020 version, it seems my pair of Gibson pickups is another example of their flawed QC
Nice to see that demo, I'm a bit dissapointed by the sound of the expensive one pickups, I prefer the Probuckers... I'm waiting for mine to arrive, I bought both aswell, I'm pretty sure I will pick the expensive one already, I like the specs on them except the pickups, I knew I wouldn't like it but I plan on changing the whole hardware to nickel one so.... And put mojotone 59 clone low output pickups in it...
I too was pretty surprised at the performance of the Gibson pickups, you'd think for as big of a stink they made about them they would've spanked the probuckers. Gibson QC strikes again
Great video! I bought the 2024 epi LPC in ebony and find the 490 pickups to have plenty of bite in the mids, but perhaps thats just how mine is setup. I like it overall and I think I will end up keeping it. Also enjoyed how you included the demographics from your last video, I think those boomers are just jealous because this Epiphone gives their $5000 custom shop LPC a run for its money!
I'm pretty sure I just got a bunk set of Gibson pickups, which i'm not surprised based off Gibsons's QC And I don't think the olds are jealous, I think the red scare really messed them up and still affects them to this day
Just recently got a Epiphone 60s Les Paul, it's been so interesting learning about them. My main axe is a USA Strat. I didn't realise the lower custom had no maple cap. I know this like Les Paul blasphemy but I like Kalamazoo headstock better it looks classier to me.
I sanded top on l the cheaper one down to get the Mick Ronson look and it turned out to be an all mahogany body with no maple... It pissed me off a bit but it still looks ok.... I have the new 2024 one now and that does have a maple cap... But I will not be sanding that one down at that price... Lol
I believed one of the so called experts on UA-cam. Looked it up at Gibson, they say the 490 series pickups have Alnico II pickups. I have Burstbuckers in my Epi 59 and love them. I wish the new Customs had Custombuckets like all the other new Epiphone’s. But if the custom had them, they would be 1,699.00 and who pay that? Buy the last model of the Custom and upgrade the pickups. I don’t really like the open book headstock, I like the Kalamazoo more. But I would really like to have the new 355 , they’re sweet
I think they could do some very cool things with this new "premium" line of epiphones once they get the quality control a bit better. But yeah unless you LOVE the way the new one looks and want a bigger neck, id recommend getting the kalamazoo headstock version
THANKS FOR WATCHING!
Hello neighbor! I'm the guy across the street who talks guitars with you! This is awesome!
Hey dude! Thanks so much for checking it out, stoked to hear you enjoyed it!
younger demographic viewer here, i got that epi custom video on my homepage, it slapped, now you have a subscriber. great work
aye thank you so much for the support dude!
Gid up there my boy. What a selection of riffs, deftones and system at the end 🫶🫶🫶
aw shucks glad to hear you enjoyed it dude, thanks for watching!
Another main difference is the hard shell case that you get with the new LPC! That’s like $100-$150 right there! Cool video 🤘🏼
very true
I ordered one immediately when they released them, it’s awesome and I couldn’t be happier. It feels like I got 95% of a Gibson les Paul custom for $1299 instead of paying $5699 for the Gibson. And it won’t turn yellow in a few years
Nice one man, I think they are going to sell an absolute ton of these. I actually thought the price would have been higher, then I saw they had actual custombuckers and it seems like a really decent price. I have a few custom shops with these pickups, they are great and tbh it's gonna force Gibson to come up with a new latest greatest paf for their top tier guitars. Enjoy man.
@@emcg.9655 Sorry to disappoint you there, but it has 490R and 498T ( the same pickups as the Gibson Custom ), NOT Custombuckers… The SG, the 1959 and the 335 have the Custombuckers. Still looks great though, good guitar but too expensive for an Epiphone, made in China without Custombuckers… Price should have been maximum 999$
@@emcg.9655 the LPC one doesn't have Custombuckers
@@valendis It comes with the 490R 498T combo, which is used on the Gibson counterparts. Taking that into account, the price of the Epi LP Custom is worse than the Epi 355 which has the Custombuckers
@@WaurufEx I agree, but I love the look of the LP Custom ^^, receiving mine on friday!
Thanks for the video . I like both but I think the old one sounds a little bit better for my taste . The tuning problem is coming from the nut, not the tuners …
I like the yellowing you did, although black is my preference anyways. There is a P90 limited edition of the older IBG LP Custom, so I snagged a used one off Reverb which should be here in a couple days, plan to change the Epiphone P90 "pro bucker" pickups to Lollar mini-humbuckers, making it a Les Paul Custom Deluxe! I'm one of the old guys who watch your videos, nothing else to do when you get this old but play guitar and watch videos. The only good thing about getting old is the social security check each month, just enough to buy another guitar! As a newb here, I'm enjoying your channel, more so than some of those puffed-up channels with gazillions of viewers gawking at them. Cheers!
thanks for watching dude! Hope you enjoy the new axe!
Love the low mids in the newer one. I don’t think either sounds objectively better but definitely prefer the ‘24
I agree with this, although I wish the 24's pickups were just a little bit hotter
I bought the last white version as you did. Then low and behold the new version came out 2 months later. Gonna stick with this one. I could not find a flaw on it either. QC was working that day i guess. And it sounds fabulous through either my 1984 Marshall JCM 800 with a 4x12 Marshall cab with Jimmy Marshall greenbacks or my Headrush Prime pedalboard through my computer with ART Studio monitors. For me Epiphone has been good to me over the years, i own an Epi Boneyard/Steve Perry les paul signature with Gibson burstbuckers 2 and 3 in it from factory. Got a nasty epi prophecy explorer with Zack Wylde active EMGs if i really want to go crazy. Great review, keep em coming, Dave part of your old demographic from Canada! TC
Great video! I find the depth of information in your videos to be refreshing. Keep up the great work. Following and I hit the bell.
aye thank you so much for the support dude, i'm glad you enjoyed the video!
Interesting. My '97 Gibson LP has the 490/498 setup (I don't know if there is any difference between today's set and those from the 90's), but there is a huge difference when I play my white Epi LP Custom and the Gibson in terms of sound. The Epi Probuckers are getting shown up big time. I was thinking of putting in the SD JB/Jazz combo in it.
Now, when I plug in my other Epi LPC, it holds it own against the Gibson. Maybe the probuckers in my white LPC just weren't made very well or the ones in the Silverburst are just factory freaks (LOL).
Even though I did the math in the previous video, I have my doubts that I will upgrade to the new LPC.
I look forward to the comparison to the ESP guitar. Also, with the 490, try a little fingerpicking in the clean channel as it can really shine. The 498 really shined in the Metallica riff.
the wild differentiation that can happen with passive pickups(especially Gibson's) are precisely why I enjoy fishman pickups, I don't have to gamble my money on if i'll get a good set or not
Great video. I bought myself an Epiphone Les Paul Custom Koa for my 65th Birthday. Great guitar, rings like a bell. I personally don't care about a Gibson style headstock. I can afford a Gibson but don't play enough to justify it. I play my Epiphone SG Pro the most - extra sounds with the coil splitting and light weight. I play my Godin Redline 2 for my shredding runs. The Les Paul is for when I have time, to savor like good whiskey, practice Santana or Gary Moore. The $799 dollar guitar does it for me, and you seemed to like it a little more too. Keep up the great work!
Thanks for watching!
The standard sounded way clearer than the Gibson pickups surprisingly.
because they are a different take. Probuckers are paf recreation which unsurprisingly are accurate to paf sound.
Where as the 490 is geared for more higher output and brightness compared to the paf lower medium output.
if the 490 series are supposed to be higher output and brighter, then they failed at that. Because you can very clearly hear in the video it's less hot and darker than the infamously muddy probuckers in the $799 version
I really like the Adam Jones model. 1499 is really high for a Chinese guitar sprayed in poly. 1299 is a lot too. If they were made in Korea and sprayed with nitro, it would be a solid deal. I wonder how these new Epiphones will affect the demand for Japanese lawsuit LPC. Will the demand drop and result in a lower price?
That would be sweet if that were the case, the mij les Paul's are better than gibsons
Tuners are not the same on both guitars. 14:1 ratio Grovers on the “regular Epi LP Custom”, 18:1 ratio Grovers on the IBCS LP Custom. I’m sure they work just fine, you just have to spin them for longer to get the same result because of the higher ratio. Better for fine tuning.
It should have come with the tulip/keystone look in my opinion, the official website says they are the same ratio, maybe the ones that come with the wilkinson tuners have a different ratio?
my issue isn't how much I have to spin the keys, my issue is they're not holding tuning, which could just be the nut to be fair, but the tuners on mine are exceptionally light, it feels like they'll move if I blow on them too hard
Great review. What pick brand and pick thickness do you use? Great playing. I personally think with the upgraded specs, pick ups and long necktenon, that’s not a bad price point with inflation considered. I still prefer ESP LTD if I was ever go to that price point.
Thanks for watching again dude! I use the purple dunlop tortex's, I believe they're 1.14 thick! The specs are there on these new Epiphone's for the price range, where LTD has always had both Gibson and Epiphone beat is quality control
Eh, didn’t notice much of a difference. If anything it was the pups that just changed the voicing. I think the yellow epi is so unique that you should throw in different pups and sell/return the newer one. Just me tho
haha I just might do that!
Another great video! Your absolutely right about the boomers... I love my 799$ custom but I can say with full humility that it does not compete with my new 1299$ version. It just feels better..it just does...of course it sounds better. But the feel is so much more important. That's what makes the Gibsons special ...the feel. 1300 is a bargain for what ya get. Thx bro
That age demo isnt boomers, its Gen Xers! Freaking kids! lol
@@johnsmith-ug5tp This too drives me insane. Boomers barely even watch UA-cam and are now well into their 60s. But, just like everyone under 40 is a Millennial to Boomers, apparently, everyone over 45 is a Boomer to the Zoomers. It's like Gen X never happened to some.
@@revolead Exactly, The boomer generation ended in 1964.
I've still got a white Epi LPC from the late 90's, made in Korea (at the Unsung plant I think?). I got it around 15 years ago for gigging, coz I didn't want to risk my old 1990 Gibson version of the same guitar getting damaged. Honestly, it's a great, solid little guitar. I don't really play it anymore, coz I don't gig much nowadays (getting old lol) but I could always dial in a pretty sweet tone using my regular set up. It only cost me a couple of hundred bucks second hand & definitely worth the purchase imo.
aw hell yeah dude!
Not a fan of the fuller neck on the new epiphone lp custom. Would rather have the 60s slim taper.
Love your channel 😅
honestly I agree, thin necks are just better
The old Epiphone wins in terms of sound, but the new one looks better. Never been a big fan of Gibson pickups, which is why I tend to swap mine for actives or Seymour Duncans. 🤔
Passive pickups are always different from one another, but with Gibson's pickups it's a gamble on whether or not you're getting a decent set or a bad set, their quality control needs a serious looking into, but that seems like the last thing on their minds
In my experience, Gibson pickups lack clarity and bite for high gain, even the high-output ones. They tend to be a bit wooly and muddy.
Many of Gibson's pickups are Alnico 2, including the 490/498 That's why they're woolier and darker. It's not a QC issue. Magnets are magnets and wire is wire. If Gibson was using cheap materials, you'd have a point, but they're not.
The Probuckers are Alnico 5, which tend to be the brightest of all Alnico pickups and have a significant low-mid-scoop, which tones down the muddiness and wooliness.
You can compensate for either by adjusting pole pieces or pickup height. Epi and Sweetwater follow a spec sheet for setups created by engineers in the 1950s and 1960s. If you do your own, you can use your musician ears and save a lot of money and not feel so annoyed by tiny tweaks.
If you really want to get crazy, you can swap the pot metal Epi bridge for one with titaninum or brass saddles and that helps bring out the high as much as changing pickups.
I ordered this guitar the second it was announced. I've wanted a Gibson LP Custom for over 25 years and just could never justify it. This absolutely scratches the itch in every way. What I think is interesting is that I have a 2002 Gibson Les Paul Studio with 490r/498t pickups in it as well so I assumed these guitars would sound almost identical. However, the Studio is definitely more mellow and smooth. The Epiphone LPC is brighter and hotter. Mine doesn't come across as darker though and is much brighter. I'm pretty shocked with how different they sound considering they're suppose to be the same pickups. Both sound great in their own right. Probably a change in the manufacturing process over the last 20 years. The tuners on this Epiphone aren't great so I agree with his analysis there, but the turners on my much more expensive Gibsons LPs and SGs suck as well. I really think it's part of the "experience".
The answer is: Made in China… low quality mahogany… That’s why it sounds diferent with the same pickups. Also the nitro finish of the Gibson might have something to do about it. But as you say, it depends on the sound you are looking for. Still a good guitar.
@maelalentorn incorrect, it's not the wood. It's the pickups, passive pickups will never sound exactly the same, but when it comes to Gibson's passive pickups you're basically gambling on whether or not you'll get a good set because their quality control is so lackluster, I've played so many gibsons with bunk pickups, even one of their 10 grand korina flying V's had one of the WORST sounding sets of custom buckers i've ever tried in it
I wonder if viewers of this video would die seeing a Heritage headstock.
Edit: Yeah the yellow one has more attack. Interesting.
fr tho Heritage gotta be using that headstock as a joke lmao
I've got the 2020 model and it's my favourite guitar. Honestly, it plays like a fucking dream. I've got the Wino as well, and again, it's amazing. Having said that, I'm absolutely going to pick one of these premium models up in the future. They look incredible.
haha I love my 2020 as well! If anything this video just made me enjoy it more!
I had a Gibson LPJ and a SG standard both wouldn’t stay in tune that’s the reason I sold them both , I bought a Epiphone classic it stayed in tune no worries ,now that new Epiphone is going out of tune with the Gibson headstock the headstock is the problem although it looks better it has tuning issues
I'm 54 and have owned A LOT of Gibsons over the years. USA line, vintage, and Custom Shop. Now, I only own 1 guitar: a 2021 Epiphone LP Custom in silverburst. It's easily as well made as any of the Gibson USA line that I've owned. Really, the only difference in quality is the lacquer vs poly finish.
yeah once you get past the mystique of owning a gibson, you realize you can get 99% of what they offter for MUCH cheaper
wow i got to get one (alpine)the new headstock does it for me , and my favorite pickups 490r/498t which are so versatile, nice even at that price. great review den den
thanks for watching!
You complained about the tubers many times, but at the end, you complained that the G string doesn’t stay in tune. So, are these the same complaints? Are you complaining that Grover tuners suck? Or instead are you just saying that the G string won’t stay in tune?
Also, did you try a little lube at the nut and saddle? Perhaps the nut notch needs to be widened at the G string.
it could be the nut, but the grovers that came on this guitar feel astoundingly loose, it feels like it'll go out of tune if I breathe on it too hard
On certain guitars I don't mind the kidney tuners at all (my Epiphone Gothic Explorer I've had for 21 years for example) but with Les Pauls... give us them tulips! Lol. The tulip tuners compliment the points on the headstock so much more. I definitely prefer the brighter sounding pickups but that isn't the biggest concern to me. I really enjoyed the Classic 57 pickups my old 2012 Gibson Les Paul Classic Custom had in it. So maybe I'll put those pickups in if I don't jive with them. You can always upgrade electronics but you can't usually upgrade the feel of a guitar. Also, when I heard Stricken come in ❤ It's funny you telling the story about coloring the older Les Paul because I recall you making a post about it in the Epiphone Facebook group. Your story here made me remember. Thanks for this comparison video!
thanks for watching dude! I agree kidney button tuners work on basically every other guitar shape, but les pauls need keystones or tulips
I'd probably try to save up for the newest version Epi Les Paul Custom, even though I'd eventually change the pickups and tuners. Thanks for the vid!
Thank YOU for watching!
Great comparison, thanks for the video!
I own a Gibson Les Paul Standard and a 1979 Adam Jones Epiphone Les Paul (the non art, gibson headstock style). I noticed that when it comes to tuning stability with Les Paul's its the nut and not actually the tuners/tuning pegs. For my Gibson Les Paul I put a String Butler on it and that made a HUGE difference. Google "String Butler". I actually enjoy playing that guitar now and find myself picking it up more often lol.
For my AJ Epi Les Paul, the nut is just really well cut and oiled. It's set well so I have no issues with tuning so far. Fingers crossed.
But yeah I'd look at the nut or have a guitar tech look at the nut if tuning stability is an issue.
Thanks!
Thanks for watching! I just might swap this one for an adam jones version
@@DenDenBMX IMO best Epiphone Les Paul I've ever played. I play this more than my Gibson lol
Nice guitars. I have a Chinese epi les paul classic and love it. I personally haven't played the 1299 version, so I can't say if the price is worth it. It seems like a lot for ceramic pickups and a different headstock. Nice axes brother
I agree that price hike is pretty crazy, but thanks for watching!
I always try to watch. You're 1 of the few honest reviewers on here
I could here the difference for sure. But what does someone like but with some mods or rolling off the tone. Who would know? A bit of cash in the cheaper one is better.
Dude, you are literally comparing 2 guitars that I am trying to compare online. Thank You so much and subscribe at once :D oh, and Yes, white sounds more full and has a nicer tone, at least for me.
haha glad this helped you out dude, thanks for watching!
I thought the pro buckers sounded better which is weird because those Gibson pup's are normally my favourite. Also with the more expensive one having a maple cap that should make it sound brighter?? Tonewood debate in....1..2...3..
dude i'm saying the same things, everything should point to the newer one being the snappier, brighter one. But that is just not the case
I literally would’ve bought the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Les Paul Custom already if they put Custombuckers in them instead of the 498t/490r pickups. They put the Custombuckers in the other Epiphone Inspired by Gibson guitars. I know I could buy the Custombuckers but it’s sort of the principle. They’re like $500 for the set and now I’m spending $1800 plus the time to solder in new pickups. I may just go with with the ES-355 Epiphone Inspired by Gibson but the color on the red one is that bright red. I’d want a wine red. Then again, I can’t complain because it is significantly less money than a Gibson.
the custombuckers really would have made these insane
Nice vibrato on Whole Lotta Love solo. Sounds good. I've not owned an Epiphone guitar but played a few of their LP's and they were all nice guitars. I'm probably more fussed about the amp I use than pickups.
aye thanks dude! I agree that the amp does most of the heavy lifting when it comes to tone
They both have the same CTS Electronics same wiring..same ebony fretboards same graph tech nut same Grover 18:1 tuners same Maple caps
No maple cap on the 800$ one... Not the same capacitors, etc... it's not the same
@@valendis get it right buddy there's a maple cap on the $800.00 one I suggest you research first before you open your mouth and stick your foot in it
@@MoeVanprick Taken right from epiphone official website:
"The new Les Paul Custom is part of Epiphone’s Inspired by Gibson Collection and honors the 1950s classic designed by Mr. Les Paul himself in 1954 as the “tuxedo” version of his groundbreaking solid body masterpiece. Featuring the traditional Custom bound all-mahogany body, 60s SlimTaper™ neck profile, ebony fingerboard with block inlays, gold Epiphone LockTone™ Tune-O-Matic™ bridge and Stop Bar tailpiece, a pair of critically acclaimed Epiphone ProBucker™ humbuckers, and Custom split-diamond inlay on the headstock. This Epiphone Inspired by Gibson model also has the 60s style Kalamazoo headstock, rolled neck for a comfortable feel, Graph Tech® NuBone® nut, era-appropriate wiring, and CTS® pots. Optional hardshell or EpiLite Case is available."
Notice the "Featuring the traditional Custom bound all-mahogany body" 😅
I guess reading is hard for some people... smh
Well, the website is the official epiphone one, it says "Featuring the traditional Custom bound all-mahogany body" buddy
@@valendis I suggest you also look at the specs of the 2020 model then come back and tell us all what you read..just don't read the new ones read the specs on the 2020 buddy
Awesome review, really helped me make a decision :) by chance could you name the songs you played in the video?
Thanks for watching! I'll have to rewatch it and get back to ya, I don't remember what all I played atm
@@DenDenBMX haha thanks, much appreciated
I ordered one of the expensive epi 13:27 firebirds and the QC was terrible.I had to set it up and polish the fret, the fret-ends were fine. That being said last year I ordered a Gibson SG, and it had all the same QC issues, so I figured epiphone was being inspired by Gibson and not QCing the guitars properly.
I think i've recieved enough data from comments like yours to confirm that these new epiphones do not come with improved quality control, which is quite the bummer
I have an $800 custom silver burst and I think the only things I’d change is the pickups and the selector switch cuz mine works but it came bent.
aw hell yeah, I think if I keep the more expensive epiphone id swap the pickups on it too
I hear deeper low mids with the new one, the older one has more treble bite. Personally I don’t mind the now older Kalamazoo headstock at all, especially at $500 cheaper. Tonally they just sounded a bit different, but hard to say which is better. I had a 2022 Epi Custom, but mine didn’t sound or play all that great. Seems like you have a good one, I guess you should ask yourself if you’d keep the new one if it didn’t have the Gibson headstock…
i'm still not sure if I want to keep it or not, which I think that and the fact that people are still debating on whether or not these are worth the price says a lot
honestly they sound pretty damn similar
but the newer one is considerably sexier
edit - with the gain up you can definitely tell the newer one has more definition
It may be due to the fact that I'm listening through the filter of my computer speakers, but I didn't hear any appreciable difference between the two guitars. There's definitely a cool factor with the Gibson-shaped headstock, but not enough to justify the price difference for me.
yeah if anything this video just shows how great of a deal the cheaper custom is
The 498T/490R sound amazing in my new 2024 ebony epiphone les paul ...I guess it depends on if you get a good one or a bad one with any guitar... My new one is a 9 pound weight which is perfect for me... It arrived from the supplier all fully set up with new daddario strings so it plays brilliantly and stays in tune even with the most extreme string bending... The sound, feel and overall quality are impeccable.. No more ugly duckling headstock as the gibson style looks light years better on a custom model... The extra bite and superb clarity of the 498T/490R matched pickups works so well in my guitar.. Sooo much better than those old mud buckers that epiphone were famous for...
I'm glad to hear you got a good one, epiphones disappointing quality control seems to be the only thing holding back this new line
@@DenDenBMX I guess that can be said of any guitar manufacturers quality control, including gibson.... Every guitar is different no matter the brand
@pauljohnson3686 of course, every mass produced guitar will always have some bad examples, they aren't all gonna be great. But brands like PRS and LTD have Incredibly good quality control to where it's like 1 in every few hundred or so is bad, but when it comes to gibson and epiphone it's like a 50/50 chance you could get a bad one
@@DenDenBMX I guess but I find prs and ltd boring.. I never got on with them
I'm not keen on what you have done with the yellowing, if its going to go yellow then I prefer to it happen naturally. I didnt notice much difference in sound, the differences that were there I couldnt say one sounded better than the other.
I yellowed it specifically because poly doesn't yellow, and if it does it takes like twice as long as nitro. I wanted a heavily aged white les paul that wasn't even white anymore, and my options were to either age it myself or spend thousands of dollars on a real one
love the orbit culture riffs... I dig more the sound the 800, more open just saying, cheers form Colombia
I LUV ORBIT CULTURE
How does the neck feel on the new Custom? Heard it was pretty beefy in comparison, and I've got smallish hands. Many thanks for the video.
It is bigger but not too big for me, I prefer smaller necks too, and this neck shape is about as big as i'm willing to go
@@DenDenBMX Would probably have to try one out first then. Thanks for the reply.
I'm 67, and I think workmanship of guitars made in China has really improved. I think the only flaw with the new Epiphone Customs, is the pickups. The 490 series pickups are ceramic, which I do not like. All the other "New Inspired by Gibson" Epiphones comes with Custombuckers. I will only buy the Custom if they upgrade the pickups.
Very understandable, thanks for watching!
@Gearslayer92 Brustbuckers are Alnico V magnets
The 490/498 are Alnico 2, which are hardly discount Gibson pickups. The ceramic you're thinking of are the 496R/500T.
That said, I have confused these with the 490/498 set too. When names are too similar, customers can't remember. I also agree with you it's lame for Epiphone to give the new 59 Standard $225 Custombuckers and then skimp on the LPC just to be historic (490/498 are about $150/each). Maybe they wanted to balance out the added costs of ebony and mother of pearl.
What tuners do you recommend to make the upgrade?
I personally would get some hipshot open gear locking tuners, with keystone buttons!
Here's the specs on the 2021 modern figured Sgs..3/4" plain Canadian maple cap with AAA flamed maple veneer on top CTS Electronics the works nothing really different between 2021 to present..The SG Modern Figured from Epiphone's Inspired by Gibson Collection has a classic SG profile made from Mahogany with a AAA Flame Maple Veneer top and Trans Black Fade finish. Powered by ProBucker humbuckers with coil-splitting, phase switching, and CTS electronics. Featuring an Ebony fingerboard and world class Grover Locking Rotomatic tuners with Tulip Buttons with an 18:1 ratio.Body:
Material: Mahogany
Top: AAA Flame Maple (3/4")
Neck:
Neck wood: Mahogany
Profile: Asymetrical Slim Taper with Contoured Heel
Fingerboard: Ebony with Pearl "Trapezoid" Inlays
Scale length: 24.724"
Number of frets: 24
Hardware:
Brige: LockTone ABR
Tailpiece: Stopbar
Knobs: Clear Top Hats with Ridge
Tuners: Grover Locking Rotomatic tuners with Tulip Buttons with an 18:1 ratio
Electronics:
Neck pickup: ProBucker-2 humbucker w/coil-splitting and phase switch
Bridge pickup: ProBucker-3 humbucker w/coil-splitting and phase switch
Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone, CTS electronics
neat
Damn that tattoo is so sick
haha thanks dude!
Im getting black one and painting it zakk style... cant afford or find zakk's gibson... this is win win guitar!
oooooooh a zakk wylding a black les paul custom would be interesting, you mean like an inverted version of his bullseye?
How does it feel with the nitro on it? Did you post that video?
I didn't polish the nitro so it's a nice satin finish, but yes I do have a video on how I did it!
@@DenDenBMX the new Epiphone custom would look fantastic with the headstock and other upgrades that get it even closer to Gibson.
That $799 model should have CTS pots and Switchcraft jack/switch. Mine does.
It does have the cts pots but according to epiphones website they don't come with a switchcraft switch and jack stock
@DenDenBMX strange. I know ow mine did because I bought it new, and I just converted mine to all black hardware and I removed the jack and switch and they are both labeled Switchcraft. Mine is a 2020 model.
Did anyone have Japanese version LP custom such as FGN or Momose?
How these guitar compare to new Ep custom?
I too would love to see comparisons of that, hopefully one day I can get a nice edwards or something MIJ
Also, I like the $799 one better. It sounds hotter and snarlier than the more expensive one.
I agree I preferred the extra high end on the probuckers
Gracias por el vídeo compañero 😊
thanks for watching!
New custom or prophecy ??
now that's a comparison I wish I could've made, I look at the prophecy series to be a lot similar to an LTD than an epiphone so I think it depends on if you want a guitar with more vintage specs or one with more modern specs
Hey there Myfingersstinklikefish is some kind of Epiphone bot with a couple of additional accounts. Is there any way you can ban this guy? He’s on EVERY Epi video looking to start trouble. Thank you.
he's not starting trouble in my comments, in fact I agree with him that people need to actually do research about Epiphone's factory instead of just reverting to dated stereotypes and red scare mentality
Bought a Epiphone Custom Black Back on sale for $699...spent a hour on a Sunday watching Football and filing fret ends with a StewMac fret file. My Custom has the same specs as the $1200 version....sounds just as good...plays just as good....and I kept my $600 bucks. Plot twist...buy a Schecter Solo 2 for $999 and you will have a guitar that is much better than both of these.
Great video i just bought the new Epiphone
aw hell yeah, thanks for watching!
In Australia the RRP of a Epi LP Custom is $3199 but pre order and get it for $2699😒😒
capitalism be paying dividends for the 1%
Was that "Is it really you" by Loathe?
jyes
Which one plays better?
Yes.
they both play great, the only thing I prefer is the thinner neck on the cheaper one
I'm 60 and I liked the new Epiphone les paul custom.
I like it too my friend! I just wish gibson and epiphone would take a serious look into improving their quality control
2:21 LMAO Got em! Caught em red handed!
Those cts pots everyone keeps talking about are chinese pots like in the other guitars not the brass shaft pots in the gibson and sweetwater dosent set up the guitars ive got some terrible Epiphones from sweetwater
neat
When you are playing with that much gain and not from a real amp they both kinda sound the same.
except all those times where you can very clearly hear a difference
I like the way the spray made the first lp look man has that real old school look 😂 like it was in a club were each person had five cigarettes in each hand lmfao jk it looks real cool though
haha no that was fully the idea, I wanted that HEAVILY aged white that isn't even close to white anymore
Alternatives put the Gibson pups in the $700 Epi and the $250 in the bank. Or spend an additional $250 and buy a Gibson Studio with 490 pups and channel switching???😂😮😂
very true, however the appeal for these new epiphones are definitely the looks of them, I just wish the quality control wasn't butt
@@DenDenBMX What quality problems? I would expect minor issues with a guitar in that price range. I heavily modified my "Kalamazoo" Epi Custom. Acoustically it sounds like an Murphy Lab R8. I had a chance to compare it to a Gibson Custom Shop LP Custom and my Epi was hands down the better playing guitar
Deftones Digital Bath!
I LUV DEFTONES
Randy's one
I agree
Even Japanese guitars aren’t created equal. They used to make junky guitars, to be quite honest. They do make great guitars now, but I think the fetishism of *Japanese craftsmanship* like they’re the elves of Rivendell is very pervasive in the guitar community.
TLDR: Japanese guitars aren’t necessarily better than any other country of origin.
"used" to make junky guitars is the keyword, right now MIJ is king
they're still using those goofy looking over sized pickup rings and 3 screw truss rod covers.
yeahhhhhhhhhhh
The only meaningful upgrade they could make is putting the right name on the headstock.🙄
honestly I do not care what name is on the headstock, the shape had always been more important to me, especially when these days most Gibsons are violently overpriced and have just as bad quality control as epiphone
Can't see the extra $500 in there.... I wouldn't bother...
I can definitely understand why you feel that way. If epiphone wants to compete in the $1200/$1500 price point, they might need to put a little more effort into these, especially when it comes to quality control
I like this guy and think he’s funny. But some advice would be to eliminate the “boomer” talk.
First, you’re applying that name to a generation who are not Boomers.
Second, Boomers and Gen X grew up with a sense of patriotism in the fear of imminent death from nuclear war. They also grew up playing dodgeball. In short, they are mentally stronger and will kick your ass physically. Respect your elders.
Sounds exactly like something a boomer would say
if u wanna beat sum1s ass over saying boomer ur probably sensitive as fuck 🤷♂️ get over urself. it’s not that deep.
@@BrandonNop I’m not a Boomer, which proves the veracity of what I wrote. What would you have written? “Death to America?” “Where is my participation trophy?”
Get an IPhone, my 13 pro max is still as good as the day I got it and the camera rocks
I will admit the video quality on iphones are great, however literally everything else about apple products makes me want to throw up
Two Customs both the wrong colour.
Damn right I won’t buy an Epiphone because it’s made in China for several reasons in fact! First is quality, I do not care what you say there’s a difference between Gipson and Epiphone from the wood the electronics. Secondly, that mass produced made in China slave labor guitar isn’t going to hold any value no matter what you do to it! The moment you buy it you’ll never again get anything close to what you paid for it! Even a broken Gipson has value and often sells for more than a new Epiphone! And lastly, I CARE ABOUT AMERICAN WORKERS! Every single day I see someone talking about American jobs being shipped overseas and yet these exact same individuals do nothing to stop it! Buy American made goods and support American families, not the Chinese government!
that's great grandpa, let's get you to bed!
I’m 42 and if we could have gotten a guitar with that playability at a 1997 price then it would have been phenomenal. If the SE was around it would have killed epiphone back in the day.
I agree with both of these statements
08:11 💀
GOT EM
epiphone keeps people buying the exact same guitar for no reason at all.only for some aesthetics reason.nice marketing epiphone.thats all i can say
I mean, if you actually paid attention to the specs of both guitars, the more expensive one does have better specs. But i'm still unsure if that alone justifies a $500 premium
@@DenDenBMX yes I did. Great video by the way.but come on.its the headstock and the pick ups.thats it.and the pick ups sound different not better than the previous one. That's what I mean.dont get me wrong.i have the previous one I love it and I d love to have the new one instead.but it's the Same fucking guitar.
No. Not better. Different.
Weird. Dont like 490 and 498T’s
I'd say the cheaper one takes the victory here
I pushed through this video but it would really help if u were a real player..
only fake playing over here baby girl
Learn what generation/age group a boomer is before using the term.
The real fucked up part is that the actual boomers made the Les Paul famous in the 60s and 70s. Hell even Slash missed being a boomer by only one year.
learn to not let a joke that took up like a second of the video get to you so much
China!! China!! China!!
The epiphone Quindoa facility is completely American owned and operated with American and Asian luthiers and only Epiphones are made there no other outside brands are made there..
very profound
These are way too expensive for an Epi in my book. For the same price, you can grab a used Gibson. So yeah, IMO, makes no sense. But I am slcurious to know if these Epi's have multiple piece tops and backs.
@@BlueberryStinkFinger62 I do and own multiple... also own a few Epi's. But if you want that heasstock, grab a Standard for the same price and get a better instrument.
I don't see anybody selling gibson les paul standards for $1299, MAYBE classics, but probably just tributes or studios. And honestly id take a fully spec'd out epiphone over an incredibly barebones Gibson. I care about specs, not where it's made
Both guitars sounds great, pretty the same sound, I am not able to hear any difference.
thanks for watching!
Actually, in the side by side comparison, I think the $799 ELP sounds better. Not much, but I like it better.
Are you going to yellow/ age the new guitar, too?
haha no if I keep this one i'll keep it white, it'll probably go a nice cream color in 10/20 years
I received my Epi LP Custom in Ebony today. So far I’m very pleased with it.
aw hell yeah dude, glad to hear you're enjoying it!
The Probuckers sounded bigger, louder and clearer. There were moments of harshness on the probuckers. However, that could be due to pickup height. The Gibson p'ups 490/498 I really do like, and they did sound excellent, I would have to say that I would give the edge to the one with the probuckers. At $799 new, I'd say you are still getting a great value for the money. Here are a couple of thoughts as I own several Epiphones as well as Gibsons. Both have their strengths and weaknesses that seem to present themselves at various times. Sometimes, it pays to save up a few hundred more and get an entry level Gibson, if it happens to be the RIGHT one, and sometimes it is perfectly great to have an Epiphone, and some I own play exceptionally well, but they are indeed two different animals, and while putting Gibson Pickups in an Epiphone will generally sound better as an upgrade, it still won't sound like that same set of pickups will in a Gibson, because the woods are treated and kiln dried completely differently, and for different lengths of time, and of course the Gibson woods will be far superior in tone because of this. Not to mention, as you know, the permeable nitro finishes on the Gibsons vs Poly Urethane finishes on the Epiphones. With either guitars, as you see by the white Epis tuning keys, it really helps to be handy with some degree of luthier skills, because at some point, you'll need them. First thing I do with ANY Epiphone, is take the string off, dress and polish the frets. Things like this and a lot of the quality control in general are the reason why companies like ESP/LTD really take a bite out of Epiphone and Gibson. When you get and ESP/LTD, you dont generally have any issues at all coming out the gate.
I agree, Gibson and Epiphone will do anything except address their quality control issues, until they do that they aren't going to be able to compete with esp/ltd, prs, etc. It's funny you mention pickup height because the bridge pickup on the new one is closer to the strings than the bridge pickup on the 2020 version, it seems my pair of Gibson pickups is another example of their flawed QC
Nice to see that demo, I'm a bit dissapointed by the sound of the expensive one pickups, I prefer the Probuckers...
I'm waiting for mine to arrive, I bought both aswell, I'm pretty sure I will pick the expensive one already, I like the specs on them except the pickups, I knew I wouldn't like it but I plan on changing the whole hardware to nickel one so.... And put mojotone 59 clone low output pickups in it...
I too was pretty surprised at the performance of the Gibson pickups, you'd think for as big of a stink they made about them they would've spanked the probuckers. Gibson QC strikes again
Great video! I bought the 2024 epi LPC in ebony and find the 490 pickups to have plenty of bite in the mids, but perhaps thats just how mine is setup. I like it overall and I think I will end up keeping it.
Also enjoyed how you included the demographics from your last video, I think those boomers are just jealous because this Epiphone gives their $5000 custom shop LPC a run for its money!
I'm pretty sure I just got a bunk set of Gibson pickups, which i'm not surprised based off Gibsons's QC
And I don't think the olds are jealous, I think the red scare really messed them up and still affects them to this day
Just recently got a Epiphone 60s Les Paul, it's been so interesting learning about them. My main axe is a USA Strat. I didn't realise the lower custom had no maple cap. I know this like Les Paul blasphemy but I like Kalamazoo headstock better it looks classier to me.
I like the kalamazoo headstock too! All this comparison really did is show how awesome of a deal the cheaper les paul custom is
I sanded top on l the cheaper one down to get the Mick Ronson look and it turned out to be an all mahogany body with no maple... It pissed me off a bit but it still looks ok.... I have the new 2024 one now and that does have a maple cap... But I will not be sanding that one down at that price... Lol
haha I think the older custom pro's have a maple top, maybe one day you could do it to one of those!
3:50 That yellow actually looks freaking amazing! 🤣 It's popping out of the screen
it is quite yellow
I believed one of the so called experts on UA-cam. Looked it up at Gibson, they say the 490 series pickups have Alnico II pickups. I have Burstbuckers in my Epi 59 and love them. I wish the new Customs had Custombuckets like all the other new Epiphone’s. But if the custom had them, they would be 1,699.00 and who pay that? Buy the last model of the Custom and upgrade the pickups. I don’t really like the open book headstock, I like the Kalamazoo more. But I would really like to have the new 355 , they’re sweet
I think they could do some very cool things with this new "premium" line of epiphones once they get the quality control a bit better. But yeah unless you LOVE the way the new one looks and want a bigger neck, id recommend getting the kalamazoo headstock version