Anyone who's ever played "Guitar Hero" or watched MTV knows that the Gibson Les Paul is one of the most favorite electric guitars in the world, preferred by a number of guitar players in numerous styles, from rock and blues to jazz and country.
The problem for many of us, though, is that Gibson Les Pauls are a bit on the costly side.
A new Les Paul Standard will cost over $2,000, an expensive musical investment to be sure. So what can we do?
How about the Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus?
Don't let the "Made in Korea" sticker fool you. This Epiphone-branded Les Paul Standard Plus sounds, plays, and looks like its American-made brethren. But how does it compare in every detail?
Our review instrument had what Epiphone calls a Transparent Blue top, which is frankly one of the most enchanting tops I've ever seen on a guitar, irrespective of price. Sure, it's laminated, but it's still real attractive. In addition to the pretty top, the Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top also has chrome hardware and lovely creme-colored binding.
Suffice it to say, that that the Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top is one extremely attractive instrument.
I've been lucky to have owned a Gibson Les Paul Standard for quite a while, so I felt like I was in a good position to compare the two instruments. Honestly, I was quite impressed. The neck actually reminded me of a 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard. It was, in fact, quicker in some ways than my own Les Paul, which has a 50's style neck.
The fretwork overall is quite well done, though perhaps not as nice as my Gibson. The rosewood fretboard had a real nice feel to it, and the frets were smooth and well-polished overall.
The alnico classic pickups deliver the classic Les Paul bite out of the bridge pickup and a smooth, round tone from the neck pickup. Nevertheless, I usually trade pickups out of most stock guitars and would in all likelihood do the same here.
I believe a Duncan JB and Jazz would sound wonderful in this guitar, but the substitutes would be more of a preference than a necessity.
These pickups sound superb and might be what you're looking for without the need for replacements. They did tend to squeal somewhat at high volumes, but not annoyingly so.
The compromises in a model such as this guitar aren't easily apparent. Epiphone saves money by having a veneer flame top glued to non-flamed maple. Likewise, where Gibson Les Paul Standard bodies are made from a single mahogany slab, the Epiphone mahogany body is laminated, as is the neck.
The veneer body, however, actually allows these Korean-made Epiphones to weigh less than the made-in-USA Gibson instruments, a welcome change. The bottom line is that the Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus is a terrific guitar for the money and far less costly than its Gibson sibling. - 32370
The problem for many of us, though, is that Gibson Les Pauls are a bit on the costly side.
A new Les Paul Standard will cost over $2,000, an expensive musical investment to be sure. So what can we do?
How about the Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus?
Don't let the "Made in Korea" sticker fool you. This Epiphone-branded Les Paul Standard Plus sounds, plays, and looks like its American-made brethren. But how does it compare in every detail?
Our review instrument had what Epiphone calls a Transparent Blue top, which is frankly one of the most enchanting tops I've ever seen on a guitar, irrespective of price. Sure, it's laminated, but it's still real attractive. In addition to the pretty top, the Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top also has chrome hardware and lovely creme-colored binding.
Suffice it to say, that that the Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top is one extremely attractive instrument.
I've been lucky to have owned a Gibson Les Paul Standard for quite a while, so I felt like I was in a good position to compare the two instruments. Honestly, I was quite impressed. The neck actually reminded me of a 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard. It was, in fact, quicker in some ways than my own Les Paul, which has a 50's style neck.
The fretwork overall is quite well done, though perhaps not as nice as my Gibson. The rosewood fretboard had a real nice feel to it, and the frets were smooth and well-polished overall.
The alnico classic pickups deliver the classic Les Paul bite out of the bridge pickup and a smooth, round tone from the neck pickup. Nevertheless, I usually trade pickups out of most stock guitars and would in all likelihood do the same here.
I believe a Duncan JB and Jazz would sound wonderful in this guitar, but the substitutes would be more of a preference than a necessity.
These pickups sound superb and might be what you're looking for without the need for replacements. They did tend to squeal somewhat at high volumes, but not annoyingly so.
The compromises in a model such as this guitar aren't easily apparent. Epiphone saves money by having a veneer flame top glued to non-flamed maple. Likewise, where Gibson Les Paul Standard bodies are made from a single mahogany slab, the Epiphone mahogany body is laminated, as is the neck.
The veneer body, however, actually allows these Korean-made Epiphones to weigh less than the made-in-USA Gibson instruments, a welcome change. The bottom line is that the Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus is a terrific guitar for the money and far less costly than its Gibson sibling. - 32370
About the Author:
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