Epiphone '56 Les Paul Reissue

Standard Les Paul features with single coil soapbars P-90's. This guitar has limited edition on the back....don?t know what that means. Neck seems to be very close to the Gibson ?60's neck, but has a tad more beef to it. Bought it for the soapbars and to play in the clubs. I couldn?t justify spending $2100 for a Gibson Gold Top. I have had a Gibson 60's Les Paul [ri] for sometime. I play Blues.

This is one fine sounding and playing guitar for the buck. If there are differences between this Epi and a real ?56 Gibson gold top, I?m not good enough to pick out them out. I?ve played a number of Gibson gold tops P-90 Les Pauls. I would think the average player should note a soapbar Les Paul sounds quite different from a Les Paul fitted with humbuckers. Think of a soapbar fitted Les Paul as a Tele on steroids. I run these guitars through Fender Deluxe and old Ampeg G-series amps.

It?s superb. I dare say made better than many Gibson Les Paul Standards I?ve seen in the last 10-years, certainly better than the Gibson Studio LP?s I?ve seen. The shields on the back are of a slightly different material than Gibson, but this is getting real picky. Tuning heads aren?t my favorite, but they stay in tune. Pickups are top notch and do what they?re suppose to. Fret board and frets are polished and easy on the fingers. Finish, Fit and functioning hardware: excellent. Frankly, I was pleasantly surprised to see this high quality in what I consider a step or two above an entry level instrument. I really had to reassess my opinions. I wish this quality instrument was available in the 60's being a young, cash-poor player. I don?t think this Epi is a mistake, either. All these Epi guitars seem to offer a lot for the buck. I did have to reset the bridge, pickup and string heights, but I do this to every guitar I buy. I think there was very little to adjust the intonation for 10's. A first-rate working musician?s instrument.

......so far, so good. No dark secrets after playing and gigging this guitar for 12-weeks in clubs and outside venues.

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I?ve been playing guitar close to 40-years, been in music for over 40-years. I still consider myself a serious amateur and student that plays with some very gifted people. I gig at least two times a week, playing blues in the clubs for the last five-years. I have a long and thin record of studio work, too. I?ve had SG?s, a 335, and a Hamer Strat, but I?ve played mostly Strat?s and Les Pauls during my career, and these last two guitars-types I still use for 95% of my work. I only own four-guitars [one?s a bass]. I?ve played many Les Pauls and this is the 5th Les Paul I?ve owned, and I have to say it?s the 2nd best I?ve had. My best Les Paul is the Gibson ?60's [RI]. Both these Les Pauls are highly regarded within the region. If you want to replace items on it, that?s OK. It?s your cash. I think most people can buy this guitar with confidence.

Made 1998 in Korea - I think in the "Cobells"-Factory" (It has the special shielding). It has the same specifications like the big american brother: Mohagany body and neck (set headstock), maple top, bullion gold finish, two P 90 Pickups, 3 way toggle switch, 2 volume, 2 tone knobs, Kluson tuner copies, tunomatic bridge.

The stock PUs were okay, but not more. So I replaced them by used Lindy Fralins. Now the sound is perfect: Warm, with the necessary bite, ideal for Rock and Blues - even in the clear mode. Not too noisy. The sustain is extraordinary, makes a singing beauty out of this axe. Especially when a Marshall JTM 45 (+ 1960 A) is used combined with Big Muff (softly!!!)

Change the stock tuners (don't keep the tuning), bridge (Schaller got a better sound) und PUs, and You got a perfect guitar.

Only one this is to mention: It's an Epiphone, so I have to chanche the controls within a few years.

I have several guitars, the '56 is the rock bitch. And it does the job perfect. It is made from very good wood, is "light weight" for long playing. If you haven't the bucks for the original, it's the perfect alternative. And might be better working than some of the originals.