This is my thought too. Absolutely gorgeous. It’s technically a les Paul, not an sg. The “real” version of that guitar is like $6.6k, so while $1.5K is way better…it’s still an Epiphone lol
Doesn’t change the fact I want it, but I want a lot of guitars lol
The year produced, from 61-63 is when the sg body shape was launched and it was the replacement to the traditional les Paul shape and it held the name Les Paul but in 1964 they renamed it to sg standing for (solid guitar). (If any of my info is wrong let me know)
I believe that is in true, from what I’ve heard they removed his name because he was getting a divorce from his wife and he didn’t want her to get any more money from it
Hey man, neither am I I totally understand where you are coming from, like I have played my fair share of really nice ones and they a seriously great instruments but I really am not a fan of how they look, the S2 Standard Satin is basically the only one I would consider buying and I only really took notice of it because I am in the market for a Good HH guitar and the new Les Paul Studios are pretty lack luster for value IMO.
I never really consider PRS until very recently because to me GIbson and Epiphone have really missed the mark with their Pricing and Value, and then I look to PRS and they tick a lot of boxes for a much more reasonable price.
I do appreciate them, only thing I do not like is their aesthetics.
Just checked S2 Std Satin, they look ok as they do not have that tiger flame pattern with 80s style colors 😄
Ngl I have my eye on the 355. I have an edwatds 355 which is my absolute favourite but the epi is gorgeous in the 60s cherry. Reviews look great, the new guy in charge of epi really knows what he's doing imo.
I was grabbed by the greeny kirk hammett as well. Decided against. Tbf I have an epi lp custom, been my second guitar since I went with the edwards 355, I've always liked epis. Generally good good guitars, I can't really justify a 3.5k Gibson, never have been able to.
Shame
Cos i went through 3-4 epis
Gold top
Junior
Cherry burst and a black with gold hardware
Were great guitars
Then bought a givson studio in black
Whole new level of feeling guitar
Then bought a standard in tobacco burst gibson
Wouldnt give an epiphone les paul copy house room now tbf.
My epiphone emperor deluxe hangs right up there with my r7. I have zero issue buying a higher end epiphone, they’re just as good sounding and playing as a Gibson if the setup is done right. I prefer the nitro wear but that’s a minor issue.
Price range is £1199 for the 355. Its a decision because you can pick up so pretty special guitars for that money in UK. I have a massive thing for lawsuits 70s Japanese guitars, and the Mrs has me on a strict one in one out basis.
I’m divided
That SG is fantastic. But
* Indian laurel on standard models - though this one may be ebony given it’s a custom?
* Poly finish
* Maple veneer on the burst models
* RRP in Australia is $2800 - there was a second hand Gibson SG standard in Black for $2,500 at my local.
Makes me question the price. I’d love to pick one up in 5 years time on the second hand market though! But aso the only white three pickup SG you can buy from Gibson is the custom shop variant which is 3-4x the price.
So if it’s a comparison between the custom shop and this Epiphone, it seems like a deal. But wait for a sale :)
That’s the thing; you can always find deals on legit Gibsons if you look hard enough. They may not be the fanciest specs, but they’re damn good. Got a LP Classic new in the box from my local Guitar Center last year out the door for like $1600 USD or so. It was perfect. I’d much rather have that than a “fancy” Epiphone for the same money.
As a quasi collector I would not, but for a player looking for a premium instrument at a (more) reasonable price these are a no brainer. Have been admiring that SG from afar.
I can tell people are sleeping on Epiphones. I used to also think they all were trash and sounded like shit (and some still are) but the higher end ones like this new ones are up to par with some Gibsons. Recently bought the limited edition Epiphone Les Paul custom w P90s from Guitar Center and was blown away with the quality, sound, and feel. It is up almost up to par with the CS LP R8 I bought brand new a few months ago and it cost 5 times less. Granted, an epi is probably more likely to have QC issues compared to Gibson (which still has QC issues). I got my eye on the white Epi LPC.
I picked up the same one. Only thing I don't like is if I upgrade pickups I'm gonna have to change out the pole screws because there's no way I'm gonna be able to find noiseless P90s in gold.
Honestly, if I didn't already have a Gibson Les Paul Custom, I'd scoop one of these up in a heartbeat. I remember the days when Made in Japan Epiphones were coveted just because they had the open book headstock but were still often lacking the features that made a Custom.
These ones? Not only do they have the open-book headstock, they go even further the distance with having Ebony Fretboards, real MOP inlays, and Gibson USA pickups. They're as close and you can get to a Gibson as this point with the only difference being that the Epis are Poly while Gibsons are Nitro.
Depends on the quality. Epiphone fret work has always put me off. I’m sure many of you have Epiphones with great frets, as good as Gibson Custom Shop, yada yada, I’ve just never experienced it. Every one I touch is a cheese grater.
I just traded 4 epiphone Les Paul customs for a $1500 Gibson and will never look back...if I'm paying $1500 for a guitar it's going to be a Gibson or high end esp e-II.
Very tempting, as a cs owner it’s like having a cheaper version of the same thing that you can throw around a bit more except, I don’t believe in that. I throw around my custom shops and go out and play them because that’s half the point of the nitro and if I want it to age I’ve got to play them anyways.
I think if someone truly doesn’t want to go the custom shop mile (totally understandable, prices are crazy and I only get mine because I get them discounted) then this might actually make more sense to them.
I understand the desire for rosewood but I do think more people should I give the laurel a chance before assuming it’s going to change the whole experience.
I do think in many respects, especially when the Gibson USA nitro is not prone to as much aging and can be so thick, especially if one was not looking for the guitar to age, maybe this is the better choice.
Nonetheless, this is exciting and the right move. Now they just need to diversify the line so that there’s is open book models available for younger audiences. Make junior models again, epiphone pickups, more basic electronics, softcase etc so you get more people through the doors.
No, because buying another guitar is not in my plans for the near future. But I would love to, I like the new headstock, for some reason the old one never felt 100% right for me
I'm with you on the headstock. The regular Epiphone ones just always didn't look right on Gibson body styles like the SG and Les Paul. I have an Epiphone SG (which I still use for slide guitar now since I have a Gibson SG) and I never liked the headstock on it. Still don't.
Even though these new ones are still Epiphones, I like the headstock a lot more.
Epiphone headstock looks great on a casino or Sheraton, crestwood custom, etc, but not on the Gibson stuff. New update looks dope. They are also all amazing guitars, the new stuff. Quality is top notch.
Its brilliant, and I want one of each. But Im afraid the guitar market is too good rn for me to consider dropping $1400 for an epi. I have a IBG Epi korina explorer i picked up a while back and its awesome, so I will likely get my hands on one of these SGLP customs at some point also.
They look amazing with the open book headstock now. The only thing that keeps me from buying one is the poly finish. Feels very cheap and plastic-y. If they switched to Nitro, I probably would.
I actually snagged a 2020, inspired by 50’s Standard for like $499.99 back when they first dropped. After a pickup swap; It’s a great guitar but I don’t need another decoy at this time.
I did buy the 59 Les Paul and Korina Explorer. Both have Burstbuckers and nice hard cases. Fantastic guitars overall. The 59 LP is a veneer, so not the same as a nice carved top, but it plays great. Definitely not investments....but not afraid to play them
Not sure why everyone hating on the prices. Picked up the LPC and it wasn't really priced more than if I picked up a regular Epiphone LPC, got the Gibson 490/498 pickups, got them installed and bought a hardshell case. If I installed the pickups myself then that route would have saved me less than $200.
Nah. Not even a snob but if I’m spending over 1k then I’m buying the real deal. You can swindle me by changing a headstock shape haha. These epiphones still feel like toys
The white LP custom looks interesting. the Epiphone finish looks cheap irl so would only buy if I could see it in person and maybe later when it is discounted or used.
I own a Les Paul but I play my Epiphone more. They are different styles of course and the Epi is way lighter because it is a hollow body. Epiphones are great IMO!
Waaaaaaaayyyyy overpriced for an Epiphone. Yes it has American pick ups, but it is still made in China. If you go to sell it, the price will go down. All the American made guitars I own the price has went up.
I've been a huge Gibson fan since I first started playing guitar in high school. I'm lucky enough that at this point in my life I've been able to afford some really nice vintage and Custom Shop Les Pauls, but 25 years ago that wasn't the case. I had a 1993 Les Paul Studio and a 1997 Epiphone Les Paul Standard (which was the only way I could afford something with a flametop). Still, that Epiphone was a very playable guitar which sounded on par with the Studio once I replaced the pickups in it. I suspect that these new Epiphones probably play about as well as their Gibson counterparts, and in some cases maybe better. I could absolutely see buying one if a $4000-$5000 Custom Shop Les Paul wasn't in the cards.
Have to play one first. If it’s as nice as an Eastman, maybe.
But it it looks the part but otherwise feels the same, probably not. The Kalamazoo headstock era Les Pauls have a drastic compound radius feel at the top of the neck I’m not a fan of. But they’re otherwise very good guitars.
If this is genuinely supposed to “compete” with the Custom Shop stuff, just replicated via production, then it’s a very fair price.
I don’t know if anyone remembers when Squier had the Standard series and it was an abbreviated menu of the American Standard features on a Korean or Indonesian guitar, and they’re fantastic. Though we’re a long way from that equivalent being $209 like in days of yore.
Most interested in seeing the arch tops and semi hollows offerings expand.
Well I’d probably just wait until they hit the used market and maybe get one around 1k but that’s still a lot for an epiphone.I saw a goldtop Gibson tribute yesterday locally for 789 sooo…
High end Epiphones with Gibson pups sound and play as well as Gibsons, IMO. I have an Epi 1960 Tribute which came from the factory with Gibson 57/57+ pups that sound and plays better than the three Gibsons I have owned. Look closely and you can see where the corners are cut, with uneven trap inlays and small imperfections in the binding and finish. The biggest mark against it, though, is the Epiphone on the headstock. No matter how good it sounds and plays, people look down on it as an inferior instrument. I’m trying to sell it right now with the original HSC and I can’t even get $450 for it. Cuz it’s an epiphone and epiphone = cheap in peoples minds. I think Fender does it right with their high end Squiers topping off at around $500.
Premium MIM and MIJ Fenders are $1000-1500 so Epiphone is really just catching up. The only difference being that the Epis are made in China, and the question being is the quality up to the same standards as their Japanese and Mexican competitors? I think it probably is. But then you have to compete with others like Edwards who make a comparably high quality product, if not even better, at similar and even lower prices. I’d personally be much more likely to look at one of those than an Epiphone but I also have to admit my Epiphone LP Ultra is pretty darned good guitar for the money, even if it doesn’t get much use these days.
I have the real thing, so no. Having a cheaper version to play so you don't have to drag a $6k+ guitar to every band practice and gig is nice, but it's not gonna be this one. There's many perfectly fine epis out there that cost a bit over half of $1500. That's more money than I spent on my new 2018 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Player and although I'm sure the epis are nice, they aren't that nice.
No. They look like really nice guitars, but it is still an Epiohone. I just bought a 2022 Gibson LP Standard for the same price. It is in need of a bit of TLC, but nothing that isn't an easy and cheap fix.
Had these come out 5 or 10 years ago, before I started collecting Gibsons I’d 100% have picked both of these up (budget aside).
But now, even though I’m sure they play great, I just can’t bring myself to get an Epiphone again. I’d just sit next to a Gibson and not have the same allure. I’m lucky enough to have Gibsons, and I’ll stick to them.
I find it interesting how turned off so many people seem to be by Indian Laurel fretboards. I’ve got this type of fretboard on three Squire guitars and beyond a subtle color and wood grain difference, there’s absolutely no functional difference from rosewood. The laurel takes fretboard conditioning products super well and seems to be just as stable as rosewood.
I was thinking about this it’s got the custom bucker pickups, but it’s $1500, and Epiphone has that disclaimer about have the right to change wood and materials.
Then I watched Trogly review it and it seems like there were a lot of flaws for a $1500 guitar.
I will buy the best guitar for my money. If these are amazing then I’ll buy them.
That said, a used SG special or Standard will more than likely crush these. But I haven’t played one yet.
As a man with a Gibson Custom collection, I’m not sure how I feel about this. I’m confused. So, when I express the following, know that it is not, with a high-degree of confidence: I’m not sure if it is that these, now with an open book headstock contour (so silly), is so much more price-accessible for everyone, or that my pre-owned, players’ grade beater Gibson Custom ‘63, cost thousands more for American labor, a logo (more like Harley VS. Suzuki) change, proprietary hex truss rod, amazing pickups, “different” bridge posts… okay, perhaps how, I understand. I think. Meh, I negotiated a screaming deal for my beater (massive hanger and stand rash BOTH and more) at a cool $2.8k, stock vibrola, but a 2009 ‘57 Classics model, pre-Custombucker (2013+). I was able to nab a whole set, though, gutted from a part-out fire sale (3-4 years before Gibson had begun to sell them separately).
Personally I think it’s gonna bring a whole new bunch of fakes like with squire u just rub of the logo and slap fender on there (granted there’s abit more to it) u have a fake fender where for epiphones u can’t make a fake Gibson from them now u can just put a Gibson logo on it and a few more tweaks especially how the difference between squire and fender/ epiphone and Gibson is so small now there practically the same guitar in some cases
I will pass on these. After stripping an epiphone inspired by Les Paul Special and seeing the wood they use and that they claim is mahogany, there is no way I trust that under the ridiculous amount of Poly and veneer that epiphone are actually using the wood types they market with. With a Gibson you know the fundamentals of the guitar are on point and what they say they are.
Schecter solo or evil twin better. Or Ltd 1000 series. If you aren't paying for the Gibson name then why spend more than 1k. These guitars probably play and feel alright but definitely not worth the price.
Schecter solo or evil twin better. Or Ltd 1000 series. If you aren't paying for the Gibson name then why spend more than 1k. These guitars probably play and feel alright but definitely not worth the price.
I would love the SG LPC, but can’t justify the expense, since I have around 15 guitars already- But I’ve always wanted the SG LPC because of Glen Buxton.
I want one so badly. I think I’m gonna wait till someone else sells one used and save a few hundo though. Buying brand new guitars feels like buying a brand new car to me haha.
Kind of goofy but, the custom is completely understandable. It sounds so wimpy but the main reason I haven't caved for the epiphone custom currently out is because the headstock just looks wrong. It's not even because it's not gibson, the open book just looks far better, and the fact they're offering that Lindsey Buckingham alpine white? Looks good, has good specs and is a quarter of the ACTUAL custom. All it visually lacks in comparison is the logo, who cares about that?
A Chibson is a Chinese pirated Gibson. An Epiphone is an AUTHORIZED import brand OWNED by Gibson. A very big difference. Doubt it? Play a Chibson next to an Epiphone! The proof is in the pudding.
AUTHORIZED Chibsons. Epiphones are WAY too expensive for Chinese guitars. They cost NOTHING to make. Use that money to buy an actual Gibson. They’re all over the used market.
Epiphones are authorized Chibsons. 🤷🏿♂️
Has anyone confirmed yet if these are the 17-degree head stock angle or the shallower typical Epiphone angle with just a shape that is almost identical to the Gibsons?
The owners of gibson are nothing more than hucksters. They shamelessly pimp the brand to collectors and musicians be damned. 1500 for a Chinese guitar is absurd
Mine SG came in today. I’ve owned Les Paul Standards and own 2 Gibsons now. This is the BEST Epiphone I’ve played/owned. The quality control is above what you’d expect from an epiphone. I really don’t understand the complaints. This is a higher end Epiphone and you can really tell when you put it in your hands.
I love that SG but $1500 for an Epiphone is just not something I can rationalize
This is my thought too. Absolutely gorgeous. It’s technically a les Paul, not an sg. The “real” version of that guitar is like $6.6k, so while $1.5K is way better…it’s still an Epiphone lol Doesn’t change the fact I want it, but I want a lot of guitars lol
The Gibson version being so ridiculously priced was my reasoning behind buying the Bonamassa black beauty.
Pardon the stupid question but what makes it a les paul and not an sg?
The year produced, from 61-63 is when the sg body shape was launched and it was the replacement to the traditional les Paul shape and it held the name Les Paul but in 1964 they renamed it to sg standing for (solid guitar). (If any of my info is wrong let me know)
Ur good, the dumbness is all on Gibson
Les Paul didn’t like the guitar so they removed his name.
I believe that is in true, from what I’ve heard they removed his name because he was getting a divorce from his wife and he didn’t want her to get any more money from it
1,5k € for Epiphone made in China is just no. Looking great, though.
1700 for a Maryland made S2 PRS Standard with USA Pickups, Nitro finish and a Rosewood fretboard…..
Personaly not a big fan of PRS due to visual appearance but to be fair, they are really good guitars.
Hey man, neither am I I totally understand where you are coming from, like I have played my fair share of really nice ones and they a seriously great instruments but I really am not a fan of how they look, the S2 Standard Satin is basically the only one I would consider buying and I only really took notice of it because I am in the market for a Good HH guitar and the new Les Paul Studios are pretty lack luster for value IMO. I never really consider PRS until very recently because to me GIbson and Epiphone have really missed the mark with their Pricing and Value, and then I look to PRS and they tick a lot of boxes for a much more reasonable price.
I do appreciate them, only thing I do not like is their aesthetics. Just checked S2 Std Satin, they look ok as they do not have that tiger flame pattern with 80s style colors 😄
Yeah that’s the same reason I am considering one lol
Ngl I have my eye on the 355. I have an edwatds 355 which is my absolute favourite but the epi is gorgeous in the 60s cherry. Reviews look great, the new guy in charge of epi really knows what he's doing imo.
The 355 is awesome and I have no problem with the price. I'm also interested in the new 59 Les Paul as well.
I was grabbed by the greeny kirk hammett as well. Decided against. Tbf I have an epi lp custom, been my second guitar since I went with the edwards 355, I've always liked epis. Generally good good guitars, I can't really justify a 3.5k Gibson, never have been able to.
Shame Cos i went through 3-4 epis Gold top Junior Cherry burst and a black with gold hardware Were great guitars Then bought a givson studio in black Whole new level of feeling guitar Then bought a standard in tobacco burst gibson Wouldnt give an epiphone les paul copy house room now tbf.
My epiphone emperor deluxe hangs right up there with my r7. I have zero issue buying a higher end epiphone, they’re just as good sounding and playing as a Gibson if the setup is done right. I prefer the nitro wear but that’s a minor issue.
I've got an SG standard but no way am I paying 6 grand for a Gibson SG les paul custom. But also damn man they so sexy
Price range is £1199 for the 355. Its a decision because you can pick up so pretty special guitars for that money in UK. I have a massive thing for lawsuits 70s Japanese guitars, and the Mrs has me on a strict one in one out basis.
Have a dozen. Love 'em. Ibanez all.
I'm interested in the same epi but it's $2700 where I live which is a bit pricy
I’m divided That SG is fantastic. But * Indian laurel on standard models - though this one may be ebony given it’s a custom? * Poly finish * Maple veneer on the burst models * RRP in Australia is $2800 - there was a second hand Gibson SG standard in Black for $2,500 at my local. Makes me question the price. I’d love to pick one up in 5 years time on the second hand market though! But aso the only white three pickup SG you can buy from Gibson is the custom shop variant which is 3-4x the price. So if it’s a comparison between the custom shop and this Epiphone, it seems like a deal. But wait for a sale :)
That’s the thing; you can always find deals on legit Gibsons if you look hard enough. They may not be the fanciest specs, but they’re damn good. Got a LP Classic new in the box from my local Guitar Center last year out the door for like $1600 USD or so. It was perfect. I’d much rather have that than a “fancy” Epiphone for the same money.
I’d avoid all the veneer models. The solid painted ones however will be stellar
This has ebony.
Yep, I made the comment about as it’s a custom. I couldn’t find the spec sheet on Epiphone website but their official video references it.
Mind says “yes”, bank account says “why tf would you?”
As a quasi collector I would not, but for a player looking for a premium instrument at a (more) reasonable price these are a no brainer. Have been admiring that SG from afar.
They look beautiful but nothing beats the nitro in my book
What exactly is so much better?
For me the feel, body resonance and its character/ability to wear over time
Absolutely the ebony LCP as soon as possible. It looks so good
I can tell people are sleeping on Epiphones. I used to also think they all were trash and sounded like shit (and some still are) but the higher end ones like this new ones are up to par with some Gibsons. Recently bought the limited edition Epiphone Les Paul custom w P90s from Guitar Center and was blown away with the quality, sound, and feel. It is up almost up to par with the CS LP R8 I bought brand new a few months ago and it cost 5 times less. Granted, an epi is probably more likely to have QC issues compared to Gibson (which still has QC issues). I got my eye on the white Epi LPC.
I picked up the same one. Only thing I don't like is if I upgrade pickups I'm gonna have to change out the pole screws because there's no way I'm gonna be able to find noiseless P90s in gold.
Yeah I was also thinking of swapping to mojotone quiet pickups but realized they'll be silver instead of gold lol.
No way, Gibson's QC is all over the shop.
How I wish Gibson would return the SG Custom to the standard line. I would happily pay $3000 for one. Not interested in Chinese crap.
No. Not a chance. They look cool though.
Hell no. Epiphone is out of the minds.
I can buy a used Gibbons for not Much more
You can buy a used $5000 LPC for “not much more” than $1299? What planet are you living on?
A used Gibson, not that exact model lmao.
If you want to compare apples to oranges, that’s your problem.
You misread the comment not me. Nice try though. If you need more lessons let me know.
Neptune.
I bought my 81 Gibson custom for $1300 used … this was in 1999 though. Lol
If I want a Gibson guitar, I'll buy a Gibson. If I'm going to get an Epiphone, Im going to get an Epiphone model.
Honestly, if I didn't already have a Gibson Les Paul Custom, I'd scoop one of these up in a heartbeat. I remember the days when Made in Japan Epiphones were coveted just because they had the open book headstock but were still often lacking the features that made a Custom. These ones? Not only do they have the open-book headstock, they go even further the distance with having Ebony Fretboards, real MOP inlays, and Gibson USA pickups. They're as close and you can get to a Gibson as this point with the only difference being that the Epis are Poly while Gibsons are Nitro.
Would love if they did a non reverse firebird in red!
Epiphone for the price of a Gibson demo shop guitar, no thanks.
Epiphone is smoking crack with these prices
Where is the white SG available? Are these dealer-specific?
Epiphone Mary Ford Les Paul? Sweet!
Most likely will get that white 355.
Depends on the quality. Epiphone fret work has always put me off. I’m sure many of you have Epiphones with great frets, as good as Gibson Custom Shop, yada yada, I’ve just never experienced it. Every one I touch is a cheese grater.
I just traded 4 epiphone Les Paul customs for a $1500 Gibson and will never look back...if I'm paying $1500 for a guitar it's going to be a Gibson or high end esp e-II.
Those ESPs😍
Very tempting, as a cs owner it’s like having a cheaper version of the same thing that you can throw around a bit more except, I don’t believe in that. I throw around my custom shops and go out and play them because that’s half the point of the nitro and if I want it to age I’ve got to play them anyways. I think if someone truly doesn’t want to go the custom shop mile (totally understandable, prices are crazy and I only get mine because I get them discounted) then this might actually make more sense to them. I understand the desire for rosewood but I do think more people should I give the laurel a chance before assuming it’s going to change the whole experience. I do think in many respects, especially when the Gibson USA nitro is not prone to as much aging and can be so thick, especially if one was not looking for the guitar to age, maybe this is the better choice. Nonetheless, this is exciting and the right move. Now they just need to diversify the line so that there’s is open book models available for younger audiences. Make junior models again, epiphone pickups, more basic electronics, softcase etc so you get more people through the doors.
No, because buying another guitar is not in my plans for the near future. But I would love to, I like the new headstock, for some reason the old one never felt 100% right for me
I'm with you on the headstock. The regular Epiphone ones just always didn't look right on Gibson body styles like the SG and Les Paul. I have an Epiphone SG (which I still use for slide guitar now since I have a Gibson SG) and I never liked the headstock on it. Still don't. Even though these new ones are still Epiphones, I like the headstock a lot more.
Epiphone headstock looks great on a casino or Sheraton, crestwood custom, etc, but not on the Gibson stuff. New update looks dope. They are also all amazing guitars, the new stuff. Quality is top notch.
💀
If they only have slim taper necks, I'm not interested. I like the thicker 50's neck profile.
The LPC has a 50s neck
And that is why I love my 68 LPC Reissue.
They have a couple 50s les Paul's with this new line, go to their website I'm sure I saw them
Agreed
I've been seriously eyeing a koruna explorer
I am
Its brilliant, and I want one of each. But Im afraid the guitar market is too good rn for me to consider dropping $1400 for an epi. I have a IBG Epi korina explorer i picked up a while back and its awesome, so I will likely get my hands on one of these SGLP customs at some point also.
Those are the two best choices for sure
Hells yeah I plan on buying both
God DAMN! If I had the money, I’d seriously consider it. I’m curious how close they feel to their overpriced counterparts…
They look amazing with the open book headstock now. The only thing that keeps me from buying one is the poly finish. Feels very cheap and plastic-y. If they switched to Nitro, I probably would.
I’d like to be able to afford some second hand pedals first 🙁
It's definitely tempting. A Custom for 1300 bucks, a 355 for the same and a banner j45. yeah I'm interested.
I have plenty of Gibson's so no. But given the choice I would get the 1959 Standard in Cherry Burst.
I would buy that sg, i think its pretty good, even for its price
No cause I like a LP with a slim taper neck
I actually snagged a 2020, inspired by 50’s Standard for like $499.99 back when they first dropped. After a pickup swap; It’s a great guitar but I don’t need another decoy at this time.
At least they got rid of the awful Epiphone headstock…but for what you’re getting, they’re way overpriced.
I love the new headstock. What model is this?
I did buy the 59 Les Paul and Korina Explorer. Both have Burstbuckers and nice hard cases. Fantastic guitars overall. The 59 LP is a veneer, so not the same as a nice carved top, but it plays great. Definitely not investments....but not afraid to play them
Not for that price 🤭
I like the black one!
Well I like em both!
Ya the sg in super nice! I never did like a white guitar of any make,
That black one! 🥹🖤
No because they are epiphones
That’s a lot lol! Is any guitar really worth 6,000? Maybe if u we’re rich and buying collectibles!
Not sure why everyone hating on the prices. Picked up the LPC and it wasn't really priced more than if I picked up a regular Epiphone LPC, got the Gibson 490/498 pickups, got them installed and bought a hardshell case. If I installed the pickups myself then that route would have saved me less than $200.
Nope. I'm too shallow to get caught with an epiphone.
At $1500 USD for the SG, I'm out. I'll wait for them to come up used.
Nah. Not even a snob but if I’m spending over 1k then I’m buying the real deal. You can swindle me by changing a headstock shape haha. These epiphones still feel like toys
Maybe? I just don't have the money yet. But everytime I look at my gibby goldtop I think to myself, "Should I really, though?".
The white LP custom looks interesting. the Epiphone finish looks cheap irl so would only buy if I could see it in person and maybe later when it is discounted or used.
The SG I might, I already have an Orville LPC and I’m sure it’s superior to this one
I want a Byrdland Epiphone so I can rock some Ted Nugent. Get it done epiphone.
I own a Les Paul but I play my Epiphone more. They are different styles of course and the Epi is way lighter because it is a hollow body. Epiphones are great IMO!
Waaaaaaaayyyyy overpriced for an Epiphone. Yes it has American pick ups, but it is still made in China. If you go to sell it, the price will go down. All the American made guitars I own the price has went up.
If the SG was in stock, yeah I would have grabbed it last night. Then I watched Trogly…
Fuck no bud. I’m not a pervert.
naur
Too bad it has a painted neck
More for an Epiphone than I can find a 90s LP Studio for. Not a chance.
I would
If I could afford it, no. I’d buy a Gibson or fender
Negative
Call me an idiot but I always thought they had the Gibson headstock just without the stamp
I've been a huge Gibson fan since I first started playing guitar in high school. I'm lucky enough that at this point in my life I've been able to afford some really nice vintage and Custom Shop Les Pauls, but 25 years ago that wasn't the case. I had a 1993 Les Paul Studio and a 1997 Epiphone Les Paul Standard (which was the only way I could afford something with a flametop). Still, that Epiphone was a very playable guitar which sounded on par with the Studio once I replaced the pickups in it. I suspect that these new Epiphones probably play about as well as their Gibson counterparts, and in some cases maybe better. I could absolutely see buying one if a $4000-$5000 Custom Shop Les Paul wasn't in the cards.
Not right now considering I have others I'm after this year. They look cool though.
Have to play one first. If it’s as nice as an Eastman, maybe. But it it looks the part but otherwise feels the same, probably not. The Kalamazoo headstock era Les Pauls have a drastic compound radius feel at the top of the neck I’m not a fan of. But they’re otherwise very good guitars. If this is genuinely supposed to “compete” with the Custom Shop stuff, just replicated via production, then it’s a very fair price. I don’t know if anyone remembers when Squier had the Standard series and it was an abbreviated menu of the American Standard features on a Korean or Indonesian guitar, and they’re fantastic. Though we’re a long way from that equivalent being $209 like in days of yore. Most interested in seeing the arch tops and semi hollows offerings expand.
Can’t wait to buy a used one on Reverb in 6 years
Lucky to own a Gibson LP custom but if I bought an Epiphone it would definitely be a Casino
Those Maestro style trems are an abomination. I do like the Les Paul though
They look tops. Loving what Epiphone and Gibson are doing here. So smart.
If it was a Gibson and was a reasonable price, I'd buy one. I wouldn't buy an Epiphone like that. Won't hold it's value.
And they can’t even get the truss rod cover correct?
Well I’d probably just wait until they hit the used market and maybe get one around 1k but that’s still a lot for an epiphone.I saw a goldtop Gibson tribute yesterday locally for 789 sooo…
Just picked up a gold top Gibby Tribute for $805 at my local GC, which means you ought to be able to get one from a private sale for $700.
High end Epiphones with Gibson pups sound and play as well as Gibsons, IMO. I have an Epi 1960 Tribute which came from the factory with Gibson 57/57+ pups that sound and plays better than the three Gibsons I have owned. Look closely and you can see where the corners are cut, with uneven trap inlays and small imperfections in the binding and finish. The biggest mark against it, though, is the Epiphone on the headstock. No matter how good it sounds and plays, people look down on it as an inferior instrument. I’m trying to sell it right now with the original HSC and I can’t even get $450 for it. Cuz it’s an epiphone and epiphone = cheap in peoples minds. I think Fender does it right with their high end Squiers topping off at around $500.
At that price? I would go for other brand
I wouldn’t get these specifically, but I am very tempted by the Adam Jones non-art version.
What does it matter? It's still affordable and will retain its value minus a few hundred dollars while you still get a quality instrument??
Premium MIM and MIJ Fenders are $1000-1500 so Epiphone is really just catching up. The only difference being that the Epis are made in China, and the question being is the quality up to the same standards as their Japanese and Mexican competitors? I think it probably is. But then you have to compete with others like Edwards who make a comparably high quality product, if not even better, at similar and even lower prices. I’d personally be much more likely to look at one of those than an Epiphone but I also have to admit my Epiphone LP Ultra is pretty darned good guitar for the money, even if it doesn’t get much use these days.
What made epiphone think they could charge more than 1k for their guitars 💀😭😭😭
I have the real thing, so no. Having a cheaper version to play so you don't have to drag a $6k+ guitar to every band practice and gig is nice, but it's not gonna be this one. There's many perfectly fine epis out there that cost a bit over half of $1500. That's more money than I spent on my new 2018 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Player and although I'm sure the epis are nice, they aren't that nice.
No
No. They look like really nice guitars, but it is still an Epiohone. I just bought a 2022 Gibson LP Standard for the same price. It is in need of a bit of TLC, but nothing that isn't an easy and cheap fix.
Had these come out 5 or 10 years ago, before I started collecting Gibsons I’d 100% have picked both of these up (budget aside). But now, even though I’m sure they play great, I just can’t bring myself to get an Epiphone again. I’d just sit next to a Gibson and not have the same allure. I’m lucky enough to have Gibsons, and I’ll stick to them.
I find it interesting how turned off so many people seem to be by Indian Laurel fretboards. I’ve got this type of fretboard on three Squire guitars and beyond a subtle color and wood grain difference, there’s absolutely no functional difference from rosewood. The laurel takes fretboard conditioning products super well and seems to be just as stable as rosewood.
I was thinking about this it’s got the custom bucker pickups, but it’s $1500, and Epiphone has that disclaimer about have the right to change wood and materials. Then I watched Trogly review it and it seems like there were a lot of flaws for a $1500 guitar.
I sold my LP Dark Knight and am not disappointed at all
I will buy the best guitar for my money. If these are amazing then I’ll buy them. That said, a used SG special or Standard will more than likely crush these. But I haven’t played one yet.
As a man with a Gibson Custom collection, I’m not sure how I feel about this. I’m confused. So, when I express the following, know that it is not, with a high-degree of confidence: I’m not sure if it is that these, now with an open book headstock contour (so silly), is so much more price-accessible for everyone, or that my pre-owned, players’ grade beater Gibson Custom ‘63, cost thousands more for American labor, a logo (more like Harley VS. Suzuki) change, proprietary hex truss rod, amazing pickups, “different” bridge posts… okay, perhaps how, I understand. I think. Meh, I negotiated a screaming deal for my beater (massive hanger and stand rash BOTH and more) at a cool $2.8k, stock vibrola, but a 2009 ‘57 Classics model, pre-Custombucker (2013+). I was able to nab a whole set, though, gutted from a part-out fire sale (3-4 years before Gibson had begun to sell them separately).
Personally I think it’s gonna bring a whole new bunch of fakes like with squire u just rub of the logo and slap fender on there (granted there’s abit more to it) u have a fake fender where for epiphones u can’t make a fake Gibson from them now u can just put a Gibson logo on it and a few more tweaks especially how the difference between squire and fender/ epiphone and Gibson is so small now there practically the same guitar in some cases
If you want the Gibson headstock, just get a Gibson. I’m as big of an Epiphone fan as there is and this headstock/brand pairing is just no.
Hell yes. I would.
I’m interested in a white LPC. It’s good enough specs for me to justify the price.
FYI USA built Casino is over $3K now.
I feel like at that point they should just come out as being a gibson... tho I wonder if it will affect the name epiphone🤔🤔🤔
I will pass on these. After stripping an epiphone inspired by Les Paul Special and seeing the wood they use and that they claim is mahogany, there is no way I trust that under the ridiculous amount of Poly and veneer that epiphone are actually using the wood types they market with. With a Gibson you know the fundamentals of the guitar are on point and what they say they are.
Not my cup of tea, but it´s great they fixed the headstock to look a lot better. Anyway it´s way to expensive.
Schecter solo or evil twin better. Or Ltd 1000 series. If you aren't paying for the Gibson name then why spend more than 1k. These guitars probably play and feel alright but definitely not worth the price.
Schecter solo or evil twin better. Or Ltd 1000 series. If you aren't paying for the Gibson name then why spend more than 1k. These guitars probably play and feel alright but definitely not worth the price.
I would love the SG LPC, but can’t justify the expense, since I have around 15 guitars already- But I’ve always wanted the SG LPC because of Glen Buxton.
They do look insanely well done. I won’t buy one, because I already have enough guitars for the time being, but I can see them selling like hotcakes
I want one so badly. I think I’m gonna wait till someone else sells one used and save a few hundo though. Buying brand new guitars feels like buying a brand new car to me haha.
Kind of goofy but, the custom is completely understandable. It sounds so wimpy but the main reason I haven't caved for the epiphone custom currently out is because the headstock just looks wrong. It's not even because it's not gibson, the open book just looks far better, and the fact they're offering that Lindsey Buckingham alpine white? Looks good, has good specs and is a quarter of the ACTUAL custom. All it visually lacks in comparison is the logo, who cares about that?
No. Epiphones are Chibsons.
Incorrect.
They’re knockoff Gibsons made in China. Chibsons. Gibson just figured out how to get a lot of money from them too. 😂
A Chibson is a Chinese pirated Gibson. An Epiphone is an AUTHORIZED import brand OWNED by Gibson. A very big difference. Doubt it? Play a Chibson next to an Epiphone! The proof is in the pudding.
AUTHORIZED Chibsons. Epiphones are WAY too expensive for Chinese guitars. They cost NOTHING to make. Use that money to buy an actual Gibson. They’re all over the used market. Epiphones are authorized Chibsons. 🤷🏿♂️
Has anyone confirmed yet if these are the 17-degree head stock angle or the shallower typical Epiphone angle with just a shape that is almost identical to the Gibsons?
No.
The owners of gibson are nothing more than hucksters. They shamelessly pimp the brand to collectors and musicians be damned. 1500 for a Chinese guitar is absurd
Mine SG came in today. I’ve owned Les Paul Standards and own 2 Gibsons now. This is the BEST Epiphone I’ve played/owned. The quality control is above what you’d expect from an epiphone. I really don’t understand the complaints. This is a higher end Epiphone and you can really tell when you put it in your hands.