Correction: Pickups in the Gibson Les Paul Std 50's are actually Burstbucker 1 in neck and Burstbucker 2 in Bridge... thanks to Glenn Evans for flagging that up! 😎👍
@@franknguitars7671 That is correct, just like the Lazarus LP. For some reason the Gibson Standard 60s LP doesn't have these but 61R (neck) and 61T (bridge) instead. I find this quite confusing. What is the difference between a Burstbucker 2 and a 61R or a BB 3 and a 61T? However my next little project will probably be an Epi 60s LP in black with Seymour Duncan SH-1 and SH-4 or something similar in white without caps.
I much prefer them too... hard case is fine if your chucking it in and out of vans but as a carry around it's soft case all day long and these Epiphone one's are perfect 👍
Lovely though Gibson hard cases are they're useless for lugging a guitar around. My '92 Studio came with a soft case and I used that for my Junior and Standard if needed to travel with them.
I'll prefer a softshell case from Thomann to carry my EPI's! Very good Thomann Chinese quality! Sold all my Gibsons for beautiful prices! This guitar is a very good semiprof 59 axe with a beautiful thin neck! You'll get a neck tuner for free! Do U need much more to play? Than take a Nick Huber or Heritage!
Based on your earlier review I bought an Epiphone 1959 LP Standard, and the tone amazes me. The construction quality is very good and the setup fine right out the case. At $US 850 it’s a remarkable bargain. Thanks for all you do!
There is something soothing about these videos. Interesting to hear the differences in them. I bought a Lazarus after i bought my 2019 Gibson Standard. Its a luxury owning both but if i could revist my decision i wish i'd bought something else instead of the Gibson. It was my first one though and I had to scratch that itch.
Same...I just bought my 1st Gibson and hate to admit that I prefer my Burny Custom& the Gibson is 3 times the price...The Burny is beautiful in every way...The Gibson is beautiful but not 3 times more beautiful...
What a brilliant review Colin, (as always!). I have 3 Les Pauls , all Epiphones, Lazarus, Ultra 3 and Gold Glory. Would I swap those plus pay the extra on top for a Standard? I don’t believe I would, as I’ve never really been able to justify £2k+ for one instrument. I’m a great believer in the law of diminishing returns! And this review kind of clarifies my reasoning. In fact, I think this is one of the most honest and well reasoned comparisons I have seen, thank you so much!
Cheers David, thanks for the kind words and support it's appreciated! 🙏😊 and what a great collection you have there... still kicking myself for not picking up a gold glory!
That was the best video you’ve done Colin. Fantastic to have someone being brutally honest. I knew this was coming up so I honestly closed my eyes and really listened! I found there genuinely not a difference in all the guitars apart from the tribute that seemed a tad higher pitch? Maybe that’s down to the weight relief? Still sounded awesome though. I’m a proud owner of 4 epiphone guitars, the 59 , the riviera, SG 61 and Sheraton and I honestly love them all. I’d love to be able to afford a Gibson les Paul standard but like you said it’s just the name on the headstock to show off to your mates! Sound wise absolutely nothing in it. Great demo mate.❤️🎸👍
Gibsons are also beautiful. So if you want the best looking gibson custom is hard to beat if the money doesn't matter. That being said... pickups can be replaced so any well made guitar can sound exactly like any gibson.
I'm 63 and started playing 3 years ago after having played in high school in the 70ies. Been through over 30K in guitars since I started this journey in 2019. I can afford almost any guitar within reason and love buying and selling them. With my 70ies era exerience the Les Paul was an iconic must have. However when I went for the Gibson LP Standard, it was too heavy and unbalanced. It was my dream guitar but I quickly sold it. Stuck with 335, custom shop telecasters and strats that are all staples of my home studio. Dropped into my local Music Arts store and there was an Epi standard 60ies. Walked out with it for under $650 and it's the LOVE OF MY LIFE! Figured I was wrong about Les Pauls and bought an R7 Custom shop Goldtop. It's up for sale as I write this..the Epi is BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers man, brilliant to hear you rediscovered your first love too… many of us here are born again rockers! 😆👍👍 it’s also good to hear your experience was similar to mine with the goldtop and sometimes this is all you need. Glad you found us man! 😎👍👍
Those Epiphone Standard '50s are hard to beat. Even if you take price out of the equation, they're still all you could want in a vintage sounding Les Paul.
I’ve got 4 Les Paul’s at the moment. 3 Epi’s and a Gibson Les Paul Studio. The 1959 Epiphone sounds by far the best of them, but I haven’t had a chance to set it up to my liking yet. So the one I reach for when I want ease of playing is the Epi Classic in worn Purpleburst. I think the 1959 will wind up being my goto Les Paul, but it’s not there yet. Will I buy a Gibson Les Paul Standard? Yeah… probably. But a custom shop? I think thats a step too far for me. Great video as always Colin!
I have an Epiphone LP Classic in worn Cherry burst. I swapped out the pickups for Seymore Duncan Saturday Night Specials and it is now my favorite guitar. I love that purple burst though! May have to get one!
@@vadwanuu7825 I just noticed the purpleburst hanging in the window of a local pawn shop. I got it pretty cheap. I will upgrade the pickups at some point and it should make a nice backup to my 1959.
I listened to the video without watching while I was working. When I heard a tone that caught my attention and looked at the video, it was the Gibson R8.
I have a large collection…I laughed when u said..about the R8 a beauty by the way..how we kind of justify it’s the best..as it’s most expensive..My R9 2007 vos lemonburst..is awesome but is it 4K dollars worth more than my epi 1959…no it’s really not..I’m just old enough..to finally have the opportunity and means to gather a few…But by no means wud I not gig with an epiphone the ones today..
Another great video. It all comes down to the enjoyment of the guitar. It is funny how price can dictate our happiness or how it affects our ego. Please keep it up. What people such as yourself are doing is bringing back that the enjoyment of playing is the most important thing not monetary value of the guitar.
I love this channel. So glad I found you. I really love the music you're playing in this video. Did you make it up? Anyone know what scale he's playing? I'd like to try it. I'm trying to learn and that looks like fun.
I owned one and still sold the Gibson and kept the Epiphone 59. From a recording stand point, I couldn’t hear enough difference to justify the Gibson Standard 60s. Great show as always!
I just did the same thing. I sold my 2019 Gibson Les Paul Traditional and kept my Epiphone 59. I just placed an order for an Epiphone Korina Explorer, too. I'm hoping it's the same great quality.
@@Za7a7aZ Mine appears to be genuine Korina, it's a two piece body with a veneer on the front and back. It's a very light guitar, weighs almost nothing. Especially compared to my Les Pauls
If you care bout one piece neck and one piece body that is only different that and a capacitor maybe I got 3 of the Epiphone 59 burst the dark lemon southern now just need a good cherry burst and if you take the time you can polish of the satin aged finish
I was really on the fence about which to buy as really wanted a Gibson model but was struggling to justify the cost. Started looking at the tribute but then fell in love with an Epiphone Les Paul standard 50s… zero regrets at half the price!
Great content, as usual. I'm a Les Paul addict so this was heaven. I have two of the five you compared, albeit a 2017 Gibson Tribute with a mahogany neck and maple cap, and a 59 Epiphone Les Paul Dark Burst (also have the Cherry Burst 59 as well). I have other Gibsons and Epiphone Les Pauls but I must say I gravitate towards the Tribute and the Epiphone 59. The Tribute has a very sweet sound and the 59 just kicks major ass. Cheers!
Great review, I really appreciate your honesty. I think one of the nastiest thing about the guitar community is the obsession with the price tag, or who can afford what. I'll admit I own a Gibson Les Paul Special pretty much solely for the name, the history that comes along with it, I think it looks great and because I think a Les Paul Standard would be overkill for myself. I jam with a friend every now and then, even the Special is overboard. My main guitar is a made in mexico Telecaster, that sits on a stand (not in its case for protection), always within reach, always in tune, and I've put time into making improvements and really taught myself how to fix/maintain a guitar on. I don't think I'll ever sell the Special, I love that guitar, but I've got my money's worth out of the Tele, over and over again.
Ya man! I once had a Mexican built Fat Strat. I played the poop out of it and actually learned most of my "blues" on it. Mexican built Strat's were put down a lot. Really they were very good guitars. ;-)
Gibson have been in survival mode for the last few years. It’s essential they earn good margins to offset operational loans that pulled them out of a half billion dollar bankruptcy in 2018. So, they built a strategy around their strongest asset - their culturally significant iconic brand legacy (about the only value the company had back in 2018) as well as their past trustworthy craftsmanship quality (products made before the rot set in). High sale prices are a great mechanism for good margins as cost cutting may lead to poor quality. However, high pricing only works if you sell the damn stuff! So they market an indefinable prestigious value founded on their good history. The other mechanism to improve margin is through very high volume sales - > enter Epiphone to the rescue - > good quality at prices to good to be true (compared to iconic Gibsons) drives high sales and contributes to margin improvement. Manufacturing Epiphones in countries that have low cost of labour also helps margins and who cares where it’s built at those prices? They protect and add further value to Gibsons by marketing a Nationalistic catch phrase “Made in the USA”. Perfect! It’s now four years since their bankruptcy and Gibson appears to have survived with this strategy but more time will tell if it’s a real success.
@@antoineveling2650 You seem to know your stuff... there's some fairly hefty investments going on in building the 'brand' outside of the core business of making guitars how does that reconcile with things? is Gibson headed to become just a legacy brand selling high priced guitars to the well oiled while Epiphone carry the weight of earning the cash to pay off the loans and provide guitars that most people can afford? I'm not saying their strategy is wrong btw but worth questioning it... for instance what's this with a record label when long established record labels don't even make one these days?? Cheers man!
Hi Colin, found this vid very interesting indeed. the weight difference between them in terms on Bridge and Tailpiece was an eye opener. Once again, think I made the right choice going for the Epi 59 (Lemon Burst) and will put off going for the full on Gibbo for a good few years yet! All the best mate, have a great weekend and look forward to next weeks vid! :)
More LPs than Tower Records! Great work Colin - always good to hear your thoughts. As a friend of mine said quite a few years ago... "This car/watch/motorcycle/guitar will be used when I sell it, so it may as well be used when I buy it."
Well , from what i have learned for myself over the last 40 years : value and brandname don't mean dick to me . I have had about 8 gibson lp's ( cs , standard , classic , tribute ) and now i have an epi lp special tv yellow ( from 2020 , inspired by gibson ) with upgraded P 90 pu's and i'm just as happy with this guitar as i was with the gibson lp's . The epi sounds and play's just as good as any gibson and with the pu upgrade it cost me 525 euro , and oh yeah , i also bought an case for it for 50 euro , and voila , i dare to compare this guitar to any gibby and see if any one can hear the difference .
While considerably more expensive, the new Gibson Les Paul Special feels/plays/sounds noticeably better than the Epiphone version, great though it is - plus the Gibson version has real Honduras mahogany body and neck, and Indian rosewood fretboard, plus better quality hardware and electronics. Maybe not worth 3x more, but definitely noticeably better to me, but ymmv.
@@pharmerdavid1432 I agree... I bought a 2020 TV Yellow Epi LP Special...I swapped out the p/ups for Gibson P90s, put on an intonatable bridge, bought a case for it...it came with high frets, lousy intonation...I paid to have the p/ups switched out and to have it set up twice already.. I've got about $800 invested in the guitar When you factor in sales tax, that makes it a little less than 1/2 what the Gibson was going for at the time... Ive subsequently played the Gibson version and although the Epi is a thoroughly playable, gig-able guitar, there's just no comparison - the Gibson slays it...Sounds better, plays better, feels better, looks better, intonates better - you name it The next time I'm faced with a choice between an Epi and a much more expensive Gibson model, I'll definitely bite the bullet and go for the "real thing"...Or if I can't afford it I'll just pass on the notion completely... Just my opinion (but based on real life experience at least)
@@BizarrePudding well , maybe i got lucky , mine was perfect from the beginning ( no high frets , good intonation ect. ) but i just don't like the epi's pu's ( even the newer ones wich are better but still lack in some areas ) so i swapped them . I also don't like gibson P 90 's , there alnico 5 wich is to hot for me , for P 90's and humbuckers i prefer alnico 2 magnets , so i went for the tonerider vintage P 90's wich are a lot cheaper then gibson , lollar ect . pu's , but sound great , it really gave the guitar the sound i was searching for ( open , airy , and not to hot ) . I have bought tonerider pu's before and have alway;s liked them , they make good pu's for a not to absurd price , there not cheap , but a lot less then seymour's or lollar or frailins . For the rest this guitar has already some fine specs , CTS pots , nubone nut ect. , what's not to like about that for 400 euro's , sorry to hear you're guitar was not that well , i guess that's the thing with "bugdet " guitars , there is some luck involved , but if you you find the right one then they can be just as good as any major brand guitar after upgrading the "weaker " parts .
You hit the nail square on the head with this one!!! Since I got my Epi '59 Les Paul my Gibson cravings are few and far between these days. What I love about Epiphones is they have all of the pedigree but none of the prissiness. The comparison between Gibson and Epiphone stays pretty close until you get to the price. Then, the difference starts to widen considerably, and like you pointed out, people start getting defensive about spending so much money for a guitar. It would also be nice to get more than three finish options on a $2600 guitar too. If they offered the '50s Les Paul in Iced-Tea Burst I just might be foolish enough to swallow that $149 hook for the next 18 months...lol. Thanks for an objective and informative commentary on such a divisive topic. Especially since you picked an Epiphone as your keeper... 😁😁😁 See ya'next week!!! 🙏☮️🇺🇦
Cheers Joe, you seem strong and the difference is certainly not really worth the cash but for the 'prestige' of the brand.... but I note you leave yourself a little excuse for if (when) they introduce new colours 😜 the lure of the headstock and interest free credit are strong but you must resist!! 😂👍
I recently bought my first real LP, an Epiphone Classic 2022. I had the chance to try a bunch of models and I can’t believe how good this one sounds, cheers!
My wife got me a epi 2022 classic in honeyburst for Xmas. Absolutely love it. It sounds great, the coil tap and phase switching make it equally as versatile as a variax (which I also own one of). But the epi sounds as good as I will ever need a guitar to sound.
Loved your videos and they helped a great deal in choosing a tribute over a 1959 epiphone almost a year back. What ultimately sealed the deal for me was realizing that as I'm not proficient in playing, I wouldn't really be able to bring out amazing sounds out of a 1959, but I would most likely be able to appreciate the fit and finish of the tribute. As a noob, I very much enjoyed the smell of the nitro coating, as well as the wear marks it's gathered, the frets were nicely done with no sharp edges and while it is a shallow argument, the name does contribute to the appeal. It sounds good enough to me through my lt25 amp. You summed it up great with that line "How you feel about the guitar" and while it may not have the same potential as other guitars in lower price ranges, the tribute does manage to get me off the couch and into playing. I wish I'll get good enough to the point where I'll be able to extract a guitar's full potential, but until then, this will do just fine.
Nice work! It’s always interesting to see different pickups sound so similar when there is growl on a les paul. I’m enjoying my tribute but have nothing to compare it to, the 59 was always out of stock and was torn on just going up to the 50s standard.
This was a very thorough evaluation of each guitar and a honest assessment of each guitar. I really enjoyed it and I learned a lot about each guitar. I am glad you chose the guitar you enjoyed playing the most regardless of price or features. 😎
I was expecting you'd pick the Epi 59 but glad you ended up choosing the Epi goldtop because that was my mine, too. It's just too hard to justify the prices Gibsons go for. My Epi TV Yellow Special is my go-to guitar ever since i bought it in October last year. It just sounds better than all my guitars right now. This was one of your best videos so far. And that's saying a lot because all your videos are great. Cheers! 🍻
As a primary player of Strats and Teles, I find myself wanting a Les Paul for the collection. This video was very informative and now I can't wait to play some to take home! I was eyeing the 60s Epiphone standards, but after this thorough analysis of audio and measurements, I may give a closer look to the Epi 50's. Thank you for this wonderful information and I look forward to digging into more of your videos!
Great review as usual. Certainly glad you chose the Epiphone gold top. Lol. I don't even like epiphone pickups, but I dig the hell out of the ones you have in that guitar. They are in my wheel house. Thanks Colin. Hurry back to us. Cheers 🍻
Ah yes I've been looking forward to this! It's fascinating to see that even though they differ so much in price, they actually aren't that much different as an instrument. I can't say that I'm not curious on how a Gibson feel though, when given the opportunity I will definitely try one Great video as always!
I already have 6 Epiphones and 4 Gibbys, and now I want an LP tribute. The maple neck looks beautiful. G.A.S is real and I kinda dig it. My other half, not so much. But, custom SG and LP trib here I come. The epi JJN LPC is a hell of a guitar for those who want a solid p90 LP
The backside I believe is known as the upper bout Colin, its interesting that the R8 doesnt appear to have thumb bleeders but the volume knobs still seem to sit quite high above the top like it has bleeders. I think your conclusion at the end sums up how far Epiphone has come in the last couple of years. Some of the best value guitars out there at the moment IMHO. I think Epiphone are getting back to where they were in the 50's and 60's the real difference now is that most of the the brands manufacture is in South East Asia ( except for a few acoustics like the US made Frontier in Bozeman) not the US so shows how much the Indonesians and Chinese have caught up. I've been blown away by the quality of the Inspired by Gibson range and the Masterbilt reissues!
Hey Tony, the R8 does have the bleeders.. the pots on it are sitting very high which is maybe why they are not obvious. There's a lot of 'vintage correct' ill-fitting parts and quirks on this beast! 😆👍
I’m actually quite drawn to the Tribute because it has the maple neck. My favorite guitar is a ‘77 Les Paul Deluxe, there is just something about a maple necked Les Paul that does scratch an itch for me.
Great video the best reviews online I reckon. I just ordered my R8 lefty as a treat to myself for not having many options open to me as a lefty and my girlfriend said it was the best sounding to who am I to argue? .. it arrives on Tuesday. Looking forward to the next video❤️🖤
Have fun with it! I love my 2010 R8 in Honeyburst and never will give it away! Chose it out of three CS Les Pauls and the fatter neck wins! Greetings from Germany!
The difference your hearing is the wood not dried, multiple pieces and plastic finish. I honestly do love the Epiphones, but they are a 1/3 of the price and those corners have to be cut to make price point.
Got to admit sound wise there dosn't appear to be a lot in it. From a visual i like them all apart from the 59 which does nothing for me what so ever, in fact i'd go as far as saying it's b****y awful. Theres something about the tribute with it been unbound and the almost plain looks that i like and would say that is my favorite.
I recently went to Guitar Center and had them pull an $8000 Gibson Les Paul down from the TOP SHELF. I pulled out my tuner and started to tune to open E and the kid freaked out! "You can't do that!" I told him to go get the manager... when they came back I was shredding...the manager pulled out a Strat and we had a great little jam. I really enjoyed it , but the point of this was to "feel" the difference between my '59 Epiphone and the Gibson. I'm even more pleased with my purchase.... now let's talk about SG's. great comparison video Colin! I always look forward to Friday coffee and lessons from Guitaristas! CHEERS!!!!!
I have many Epiphone Les Paul and one Gibson Tribute HB. Sincerely I don't change my cheapest Guitars for the faces. What's more, I use the Epihpone Custom Koa or Special TV yellow than the Gibson that is new. The important thing is that it is a good guitar well built and that it sounds good. Make your own.
Fabulous comparison, so good to have such honesty in a review. Brilliant ending when you pulled out the epi '61! Unlike many here I've not owned any of these and I currently have an annoying itch for a LP (I had an Avon copy black beauty back in 1973, and loved it. Cost me £40 used) and find it difficult to justify two grand plus for a Standard. So I've been looking at the Tribute and wavering. No longer, I'll try the Epi 50's standard, Custom ebony and the '59 (the lemon burst at Andertons looks the nicest). I'll also give the '61 a try and pick one from that lot. Best YT guitar channel by far. Keeping it real, man.
Mate - before you get the Epi - Take a test drive on the 2011 60s Tribute with P90's - IT IS FANTASTIC! I have a LP Studio too- and it puts it to shame - the P90s tribute with its lighter weight, satin body and neck --- i fly on it and the neck, its got a medium to chunky neck, so coming from usually playin strats and teles - the 60s Tribute is a godsend!
@@petergoddard1960 Dont get me wrong - the EPI 59 and 61 are great guitars - but after getting the 60s Tribute with the P90s - I just advocate that you take a test drive on Tribute before making a final decision - I grabbed one off of Offerup/FB Marketplace for $700 cash - best 700$ spent. The Tribute with my VOX AC30 w/ greenbacks (offerup for $700 as well) - i went from playing a few hours a week on my Strat and Tele with a Fender amp - to playing hours a DAY! with the tribute and vox - greatest combo!
Fantastic work my Friend, great detail. I’m in my later years and fiddle my knobs at home so I’m going for the 50’s Epiphone Gold Top. Your welcome, your even cooler now that I know you ride 🤟🤟
This was a good one. I've had a few of these and I concur with your findings. I'm currently enjoying playing my new Epiphone 59 LP Standard very much, through a Gries 5 amplifier, because (1) the guitar sounds great, and (2) it was not expensive.
Good honest summary Colin! I have to confess to being a victim of guitar snobbery to some degree - not proud of it, and I can’t really defend my position. I own the guitars of my dreams (mainly custom shops) and went into debt to achieve ownership of them. I’m over the moon with all of them and they inspire me. Are they better than Epiphones? I’m frightened to think about that question, because I might not like the answer 🤣.
Thanks Paul, I was definitely a snob myself before I started on this journey but after being ‘forced’ (tough life! 🤣) to play some of these cheaper guitars it opened my eyes a bit to the fact that not all custom shop guitars are the holy grail they are made out to be. Although there’s no question that ownership can be very satisfying I’m playing devils advocate a bit in this comparison. I’m sure you’ll agree the difference in price can’t easily be justified in the differences in feel and sound, so for those without the means I’m trying to show they aren’t really ‘missing out’ on anything, especially if it comes down to thinking about what you actually play most. But as we know it can make you feel great to own such beauty and be very inspiring and worthwhile if you have the means. Incidentally while this comparison film was about these 5 guitars specifically, my actual favourite Les Paul is a custom shop R4 goldtop i am also lucky enough to own… don’t tell anyone! 😜😆👍
Great video Colin! Thanks for doing it. Maybe you could add a section where you give us your thoughts on how long these guitars stay in tune. I have never understood why an off the shelf 2000 pound Gibson typically won’t stay in tune while 400 pound Epiphone will. What sort of business model is that? 😀
Angle at the nut, and nuts at Gibson not correcting that, or at least cutting the nut so it stays in tune better, which CAN be done - they supposedly "Plek" every guitar now, so the nut issue should be easy to program into the Plek-machine I would think....?
This is the greatest Les Paul comparison ever. Finally not someone who's a salesman, and not someone who's spent their life savings on custom shop and needs to justify it. I have two Gibson Les Pauls, and two Epiphone Les pauls. The Epiphone's had better fret work out of the box by miles. I'll be selling two of them and I will keep the Gibson LP special and the Epi LP Florentine. To be honest, they all play the same, they all sound the same to me.
Cheers Jeremy that's really appreciated 🙏😊 my comparison can only be about the guitars I have in front of me so it's good to hear other owners of both feel the same way... helps to confirm I'm not losing the plot! 😎👍
One of your best..! Have a 2011 Epi Bonamassa Les Paul Gold Top, a Gibson Standard, Gibson Classic ,Gibson Deluxe and a 2020 Gibson Special Tribute P90...AND the Epi and Special which are the cheapest are the 2 that I play the most which is similar to your conclusion.
I have wanted a Les Paul since I was 16. I just turned 46 and my wife surprised me with one for my birthday. She is letting me pick it out…wisely. For me, there are a few things that I associate with a “real” Les Paul. The mahogany body & neck, the humbucker sound, a flame top and Gibson on the headstock. I want a guitar that is as versatile as possible, one that I can play and gig without being afraid of damaging it and one that I can leave behind as a family heirloom. I’ve pretty much narrowed it down to a new Studio or a used Standard. The Studio has pretty much everything I want except the flame top. The Standard has a beautiful, stunning top, but is about $700 more. I feel a little stupid about paying $700 more for essentially purely aesthetic reasons and I would feel much worse about breaking the neck of the standard compared to the Studio in the unfortunate case that might happen. I originally was leaning towards the tribute, but the lack of flexibility in the pickups and the maple neck steered me away pretty quickly. Nothing wrong with the Epis and if I was just looking for a player, that’s probably where I would go, but I can’t imagine a Chinese guitar as a family heirloom. I think I’m going to go with the Studio unless I can find a sweet deal on a Trad Pro.
Chinese doesn't always mean bad now. 20 years ago they were making horrible "western" instruments, and wonderful Chinese instruments. I bought a Chinese episode today, and I almost didn't because it was made in china, but I'm glad I did. It seems to made very well, has actual gibson pickups, and looks sweet. Sounds great, but gibson customs do have their hand picked pickups
The Pickup readings varies quite a bit. Gibson made a lot of changes over the 4 or so years they made the PAF so a 57 sounds different to a 58 and thats different to a 59 and a 60 then the T tops after that were different again.
How are you getting on with your modified Epi 335? I am loving my Epiphone guitars. Recently bought a vintage burst 339 which is great, to go along with my les paul 50s goldtop and cherry sg special. I wouldn't mind a Firebird because it has the mini-humbuckers, but it's just a bit too pricey for a guitar that I like but don't like enough. My next target is probably a Classic Vibe Squier Mustang.
Hey William, trouble is I haven't really had time to play the 335 and it's not something I take home to practice on as it's too bulky... lining up for another 335 shoot out though so will spend some quality time with it then. CV Mustang highly recommended.... I have eyes on CV FSR 60's Jaguar and maybe Firebird too... all in the interests of 'work' obviously! 😁👍
@@theguitaristas I have a CV Jazzmaster so I can't quite find enough reason to get a Jag, as they seem too similar. Maybe I'm wrong on that I haven't played one. The only concern is like the Jag I've never held a Mustang. Does it feel like a proper full sized guitar? It doesn't feel noticeably smaller than your average guitar? Say even a Les Paul which is really fairly small, at least in all ways except body depth. Just things like that bother me for some reason, I think I just like the head, neck and body to be nicely in proportion with each other.
@@williamarthurfenton1496 Don't worry they do feel like real full size guitars...obvilisy not as physically large as JM but suitably different and worthwhile owning as the scale length makes the playing experience and sound quite different. Mustang first is the way to go I reckon.
I've tried, I've really tried but I've never warmed up to the Les Paul. That being said - I really enjoyed your very thorough look at all the possibilities and I agree - the Epiphone models are spot on and great bang for the buck.
Why are we buying RED & yellow guitars? You still haven't mentioned colours and clashes with clothing, yet. In the last 50 years, the public hasn't been in charge of their own image (with guitar). They've been worrying about the manufacturers pallet of construction 🚧 🙄 Let's point 👉 out you HAVE a SET of guitars but you always talk as if 1 is what you should go down too. You play the elimination game. I'm sick of the thrifty elimination game. I've heard this behaviour for far too long. It's very boring 😴 I feel like I'm repeating the same mental exercise for 5 decades in a row. You lost money 💰 on your custom shop sales cause WE'RE ALL STUCK ON BEGINNERS LEVEL.
Recently picked up an Epi Modern and I love it. Really good tone, even on the coil splits (the out of phase option is pretty cool too). I'd say the coil splits sound even better than my PRS. Also has Grover locking tuners. Also loving the cutout on the back of the neck. Makes playing higher way easier and more comfortable. Just a really good and enjoyable guitar. Cost around 700 US. No case or bag though.
So, now you're acting like a pretend manufacturer, you should realise it's time you MOVED ON from this type of behaviour. Each guitar is different, right down to the tail piece. They're clearly labelled as being different or unique in some way. Now you've seen they're all different you must stop ✋️ talking like this. You, the customer must get off 1st base and evolve. Evolve into being a USER or A guy with a SET of Les Paul guitars. Each Les Paul HAS a 3 sound set of sounds. Gibson varies THE SET not individual pickup sounds. So we can conclude that after 50+ years, you're still struggling. You're just struggling to stay on 1st base. At this rate, you will reach home plate in about 200 years.
You're dead on about the negativity around Gibson. I used to show up to jams and gigs with my Les Paul and guitarists fawned over it. At some point that completely flipped. Same me, same guitar; totally different reactions. I always considered it just my guitar but lately I've been feeling the urge to "defend" Gibson against haters. Which is odd because I never really cared about the brand that much but I get riled up when people just outright lie about the guitars and pretend they're just terrible.
That's really interesting to hear that... good topic for further discussion if I had a podcast! They seem to have just created such a lot of negativity with the historical QC issues (which many of us have experienced) but more so lately the blatant gentrification (If I can use that word) of their products. I think most players of a 'certain age' really want to support them, they do make some fantastic guitars and we all want to love them if only they would stop being so elitist. That seems a bit out of step in this day and age and maybe they run the risk of disappearing up their own legacy? Damn I wish I had a podcast!! 🤣👍
It was several years of terrible management (which became evident in variable product quality) that led to the decline in Gibson’s brand and it’s eventual bankruptcy. From a cultural standpoint I think the guitar community at large wanted Gibson to survive no matter where individual loyalties lay because it was such an innovative, iconic company that crafted great instruments over many years. With a half billion dollar bankruptcy filed it took brave people to decide on operational lending that allowed Gibson to continue under its new CEO, James Curleigh from Levi-Strauss in 2018. Four years down the track Curleigh appears to be turning things around in a fashion that would make a great Harvard Business case study. Product quality is imperative for success as are high margins to claw back the cost of operational loans. High product pricing is their main tool to generate better margins rather than via cost cutting which impacts quality. So, when you play your Gibson and enjoy its indefinable prestige value, spare a thought how much you’ve contributed to the backers that kept this iconic brand alive for our pleasure…
Now you've made a thrifty elimination decision, that's taken 50 years to make, now you've got to catch up to where you should be. You must get your choice upto the level of wear & tear and or modifications that you should have done to it after 50 years of imaginary use. You standing next to pristine, looks a miss-match. You're WAY behind, mate. Solve these problems in your mind and move on in life cause you've got a lot of work to do to catch up to where you're supposed to be in life. Manufacturers and retailers have done a number on your head and you've got to grab a hold of yourself and get moving.
thanks for this comparison, it tells a lot about the sound: you don’t need to buy an expensive lp, it is more about the feeling you get. I have a gibson les paul tribute and an epiphone les paul classic, the epiphone has coilsplit and out of phase so it is fun to fool around with , grtz from the netherlands 🇳🇱
Just another note the 50’s Gibson..std..to my understanding has Gibson burstbuckers..1 and 2 hence the 7.40k /7.89k…The 50’s Gibson have burstbuckers neck1 bridge 2…I actually like the …epi 2 send 3 …little more punch..the 1 and 2 are warmer though..
Love the honesty on this. I agree with you 100 percent. I have an 05 epi gc special les paul, a2018 tribute and a2020 standard. All three compliment each other. Although the standard has that full sound imho, the tribute has a certain mojo and it just keeps growing every day.
I would like to see the RU-vid stats on how many times your videos are rewatched. I've watched this video about five times and it still entertains and informs. Often, when I'm considering a new guitar or have recently purchased one, I'll turn to your videos for in-depth analysis and wonderful sound clips.
Aloha and Mahalo Colin. 900 SS Duck nice. In the early nineties I read an article by Luther's Guild that stated the US Navy planted Honduran mahogany on Yap Island in the South Pacific during WWII. They want a source of mahogany for ship repair.
Maybe I'm alone in this, but on a purely superficial and cosmetic level, I actually prefer the honeyburst tribute's looks over any of the others, including the the standard and custom.
Sorry if it annoyed you... I'm always trying to improve and find a good (and entertaining) way to compare different guitars but it's tougher than you might think.
Well that was bloody excellent. I have a definite bias for Les Paul's, although do like a noodle on a 335. My Epiphone 59 Classic is great, set me back about £375, lovely to play, honey burst finish to die for set off by the zebra pick ups, but there is a definite uplift in feel & quality with Lazarus. The satin feel is nicer, but the big difference is in the sound of the pickups, the taper on the pots & wiring. There just seem to be so many more sounds once you start fiddling, which is odd in a way as the classic has coil splits & an out if phase switch. It almost does too much, to the point were you occasionally have a pull & a push of the knobs just to hear that there is a difference rather than it being an optional sound you want to play. For me Lazarus was worth the extra, but love the classic to bits. It does have that thick glossy finish, but in a way I don't think twice about taking it out of the house.The classic & a standard live downstairs, Lazarus upstairs.... at the moment. Really want to try a Gold top with P90s. Come on Epiphone, about time you did a 50s version, may be 3 with the differing tail pieces so we have to agonise over which we prefer & you can do a comparison video. In case you are wondering back on the Cava this afternoon!
Regardless of action, sound or appearance, there really is a feel. Very few guitars have it. The young neophytes think I'm just old. I am old. I try to keep a low profile lest I get institutionalized by them.
Surprising choice Colin has just bust the name brand myth maybe not to others who have to have that prestigious brand name I’m running out of superlatives for this man’s wisdom and content That was a outstanding review it truly was
Great video sir, as usual! I think you stumbled on a great “tag” for a line of merch: “Let’s get Nerdy”. I don’t know about everyone else but I sure need a coffee mug with that on it!
Personally...I like playing my BMW R90/6...AND riding my Casino😁😎👍 However...if I was to choose just one of these Les Pauls... even though I'm a single coil lover, I think the Tribute in all its simplicity is the one I'd pick to ride and play😎👍 Gibson/Epiphone has got you covered no matter which LP's tickle your fancy.😎👍 Today ...With big name manufacturers raising their prices across the board, our guitar(s) at home have just increased in value as well...? Great run down Colin😎👍 How many LP's are available with P90's🤣 My Epi '56 Dark Back Goldtop (P90's) was a beast😉😎👍 😎👍❤🖖 Love Brother
mmm I want R90/6 what year is that?.... 70's in brown perhaps?? 😛 A little bird at Epiphone tells me they may well issue '56 LP again within the year and we all want one! 🤞
I think they’re all good. I just grabbed a 2019 Les Paul Standard 50’s Goldtop and them P90’s sizzle. You should grab a 90’s Studio and compare it to a new one. 90 to 97 I believe are the good ones with ebony fretboard. Thanks I enjoy your videos.
Brilliant video I've got two epiphone Les Paul one the tribute plus I liked it when first got it it's in sapphire blue I think it would have looked better but they where heavy handed when sprayed it so can't see the grain as good as I would like and the push pull pots have now put me off I've got the same epiphone 59 you shown and I love it just subscribed so don't miss future videos and going to watch older ones now loved the sex pistols Riff look forward to the next video stay safe
Like you I was put off with Gibson’s push-pull knobs found on all but one (ie the Tribute) of their “Modern” range of LPs. Fiddling with knobs gets in the way of playing and, to me, offers little sound benefit for the effort. This guided my decision to buy Gibson’s LP Tribute for its haptic simplicity. The old K.I.S.S. 💋
A lot of it is how the guitar makes you feel when you play it. If it makes you feel good then chances are you enjoy it more,will play better - so go for it - whatever the guitar may be. To most it’s the Gibson. But Epiphone’s obviously make quality guitars, whether it be a stepping stone to a Gibson or your main guitar. Would be boring if they were all the same ha. Guitars for everyone and their budgets 😎
I made an oath to myself, "no more Chinese guitars!". I'm probably missing out, but the ones I have are nicely playing and sounding guitars but I've had problems with the electronics in every one of them from switches to jacks, to pots and I'm getting tired of having to do work to them so I vowed to myself to stick strictly to MIJ and USA guitars only, but for Epi I'll stretch it to Korea. So I'm off to find an Epi from Japan or Korea! Thanks for the Vid!! Peace!!
I think the different tone between the Gibsons was because the Tribute has 490 pickups and the others have burstbuckers. I don't think it's because it's thinner or has a maple neck. It just has different pickups. I think the Tributes with the satin finish are the best looking LP's. If I didn't like the sound I'd just buy some different pickups. Bustbuckers, or SD Pearly Gates, etc...
I love 'em all...they are all the best and I would have a hard time choosing only one keeper...I would deffo trade the leather case for the Olde English vinyl though....kushty... and I actually would like a holiday in the sun, but if they've gone up as much as everything else it might just have to be another guitar instead.
I just bought a LP Classic on Reverb. It has the 9 hole weight "relief" and it still weighs 10.3 lbs. About the same as my Dad's early 70's LP Deluxe! lol
Too true. I had to do targeted searches for mass figures when choosing guitars to buy. Most distributor web pages never mention it. BTW, have you tried Fender’s “WeightLess Tweed” straps? They are elasticised and it feels like the guitar is floating.
Cool video! I have a few Gibson LPs and just recently purchased the Jerry Cantrell "Wino" Les Paul Custom. There are differences but I have to say I am extremely impressed with the Epiphone. I don’t know if it’s because it’s the Custom version but the last time I played an Epiphone was years ago and the quality has apparently improved greatly IMO.
I've got a 2011 60s tribute with P90s. Just found out after doing a quick search that the neck is mahogany instead of maple. I wonder what difference does this make in real life.
They might call the wood used in these is mahogany, but they are all different species of the same genus. The old "Honduran mahogany " is mahogany, but it did not come from Honduras, it is only native to Cuba.
With owning 8 Gibson Les Pauls (74 Deluxe Goldtop, 78 Standard Wine Red, 82 Deluxe Tobacco Sunburst, 2005 Faded DC TV Yellow, 2006 Faded Ice Tea, 2022 Studio Wine Red, 2022 Tribute Ice Tea and a 2023 Tribute Tobacco Sunburst) the Tributes are my go to guitars, both have something about them, a certain mojo that just defies explanation but when I put my hands on them I know it. And with owning a 98’ Gibson BB King Lucille Ebony, 2000 ES333 Walnut, and a 2022 Epiphone ES335 Inverness Green the Epiphone has that something special so your Epiphone Les Paul Goldtop makes me think I need to check out an Epiphone Les Paul. Thank you for posting your reviews.
Great Video for me as an absolute Les Paul Fan! Just get a 2016 Gibson Les Paul ES Special I was searching for some years. Great concept - and so I own 4 Les Pauls now - nearly your league! Thanks a lot for your interesting video! Greetings from Germany! BTW 15.400 subscribers - GREAT!
Do you have to remove the strings to do this? I have the oil but I’ve never done it before. My Tribute fretboard does look drier compared to my other guitars…
@@antoineveling2650 I guess you could loosen the strings and oil the fretboard, but if you wanna do it properly it is best to remove them. I usually do at least a couple of layers. Apply one layer, let it rest overnight, then apply a new one and wait 24 h to put the strings back on. Remove the excess with a clean soft cloth. Mine is looking like Indian rosewood now. Cheers
