Epiphone 50th Anniversary Les Paul Custom

Lovely ebony polyurethane finish. The binding is typical Gibson multi-layer, but flawless, unlike the standard production Gibson products. I believe this is one of the last Korean built Epiphones and far surpasses the quality of the current Chinese built product. The gold Grover Imperials are very classy tuners. Typical Les Paul layout; 2 humbuckers, seperate volume & tone controls, set neck, tune-o-matic bridge, etc. Very close to a US Custom Shop built Les Paul Custom in build quality and set up. Only thing missing is ebony fretboard.

Being a classic rock & blues guitarist, the Les Paul sound is an absolute necessity. This guitar replicates the tones and playing nuances of Gibson Les Pauls that would cost 10 times what this guitar cost. I have replaced the pickups with genuine Gibson '57 classics, the pick up selector switch with a genuine Switchcraft, and the volume and tone pots and capacitors have all been upgraded to US built components. To be honest, there wasn't that much improvemnet in the tone, but the stability and reliability of upgraded hardware has made a huge difference. This guitar gigs regularly & stands up to it.

I bought this guitar brand new immediately when they were released, so I've had it for about 5 years. The factory set up was horrible...buzzing strings, loose bridge saddles, crappy feeling selector switch, etc. Surprisingly enough everything adjusted easily into a beautiful playing guitar. All it needed was some time and tender care to be a fabulous instrument. The neck carve is perfect, the nut is cut well, all the routings are clean, the frets are super and the finish is flawless. The rest is all adjustable and replaceable. Gibson stuff breaks too!

This guitar gigs regularly and stands up well. I've upgraded most of the hardware, so I can't say if the original stuff would have held up to regular gigging schedules, but the neck, body, and finish are holding up just fine. The strap buttons were replaced with Dunlop Straplocks. I have no doubt I can depend on this instrument...it has never failed to deliver. I also play a US Strat ('83) and a Mexican built Tele ('01). Honestly, all my guitars seem to hold up well, but I don't beat them. They are kept clean and are lovingly cared for, so they may not get the abuse I've seen some guitars get.

Epiphone provides a limited lifetime warranty on this guitar in the US marketplace. I've never has to test it's protection, but if their coverage and service is anything like their customer support through the Epiphone website, there would probably be no reason to be unhappy. Unlike the arrogance that is displayed by Gibson (at least at their Bozeman MT and Memphis TN locations), Epiphone actually seems to enjoy hearing from it's customers. Gibson gives you the impression that if you don't have $5,000 cash to offer up, they don't want to waste their time with you.

I've been playing 42 years and have owned vitually every kind of popularly available guitar you can imagine, including genuine Gibson Les Pauls. This particular guitar sounds better and plays better than any of the genuine Gibson stuff I've owned in the past. It does exactly what it is designed to do. It can't sound like a Strat or a Tele or a Rickenbacker or a Gretsch. It sounds like a dual humbucker, mahogany body, maple capped, single cutaway, set neck guitar. If it was stolen and I could get another one exactly like mine I wouldn't hesitate. My only gripe is it's weight, but that has been a complaint with Les Pauls since 1952. It just seems that this particular guitar is heavier than most.

same as you have seen in the other reviews.

SMOKIN'!!!!!!!!! great sound and sustain for days!!!! the pickup combination is the best ever! i had a gibson custom shop historic reissue 57' black beauty, and this is much more les paul sounding than that guitar was! AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!

EXCELLENT!!!!!!! again, put together and finished nicer than my old gibson custom shop model!!! the inlays are flawless! the binding is absolutely perfect! and it is built like a tank!!!! no wussy factor here at all!!!

great durability!!! finish is excellent and as i said, built like a tank!!! replaced strap buttons for straplocks (standard move i do with every axe.) and that is all i needed to do!

never needed it.

all in all, i would say forget gibson, buy epiphone!!! i cannot see paying up to 8 times more for a poorer made guitar!!! if it were stolen, i would hunt the person(s) down and whack em'! then sell their bodies for medical experiments and buy another one of these, if i could find one!!! i have been playing for over 25 years and have had every kind of les paul(gibsons, epiphones, jr.s customs, standards, double cuts, u name it), never have i had one that sounds, plays, and is put together as nice as this!!! they outdid themselves and gibson!!! rock on!!!!!

satan finish,les paul,string thouugh boby i belive, non locking tuners ect.

i love heavy meatal,blues as well as folk i tie then all toghter with mt les oaul custm. it is great. i have a roland microcube and a jimi hendrix expirence pedal. wirks great no unwanted noise. it can sound rich,bright or how ever you want. no dislikes abought this i gave my stratacastor to mt 6 year old Girl when i got this.

this was perfect from the frets to the body and controls. no readjustings just plug snd play

no trouble.. its great, perfect

jut got it. with a 90 day warranty, and if something go's wrong they will pay to get it fixed after 90 days. they only sell quality, nothing less not even on special orders.

i have been playing since i was abought 13, so abought 16 years. i am perfectaly happy with this. its the only guitar i will play. ilove the sound, the feel of he neck easy to tone. buy this if you like quility

Made in Korea in 2002 I got number 344 out of 2002.
I'm not going to relist all the specs as before.
I have upgraded the hardware and pickups to tonepros bridge, dunlop straplocks, EMG pickups, and Sperzel locking tuners.

Well before the pickups swap, the orginal pickups sounded very muddy and feedbacked alot. I highly recomend a pickup switch. I used various amps with this guitar such as Line 6, Fenders, Marshall and my current amp the new B-52 AT100 triple rectifier(good amp).

I have tried many many times searching for "The One" I have bought Jackson, Ibanezs, Fenders, ESPs, and Bc rich. While right under my nose was this beauty, nothing matched it. I LOVE LES PAULS!

The EMGs are a god-sent the 85 on my neck is so sustainful and fat (Think Zakk Wylde) I love it! The 81 on my bridge balances really well with the mahogany and you get a good "In Flames" chunky rythm tone with it. BEST GUITAR EVER!

Out of the factory the setup was horrible, the strings were to close to the neck and the bridge had to be raised and intonated.
Pickups were adjusted ok.
Other than the crappy hardware on it there were no other flaws whatsover found on it.

I used to think you wouldn't need a backup.....BAD IDEA I currently have a white epi LP as a backup with the same pickups and hardware but still doesn't beat this baby.

Its been very reliable the last 4 years. Everytime one of my floyd equipped guitars left me in dissapointment this baby rescued me during 3 GIGS!

Never dealt with them

This guitar was basically my first guitar aside from my crappy strat-copy. I have been playing for 4 years. I owned a vast lineup of guitars and amps during those 4 years ranging from Fender, Jackson, Ibanez, ESP, Bc Rich, Line 6, Marshall, Crate, and Yamaha.

I currently use as my live rig this guitar, an Epi LP custom(white) and a LTD Dv8-r into a Boss NS-2 and then straight into my B52 AT100.

I would hate it if this guitar got stolen...which is why I'm buying another used one when I get the chance since they don't make them anymore.

2003 model..I think, Maiden Korea...I think, black finish with the usual LP stuff, mahogany neck, 22 frets, 2 volume controls and 2 tone controls, three-way toggle(CRAPPY), twin hummers, gold Grover tuners, Tune-O-Matic bridge, and a brief Les Paul history on the back. (not sure if I'm diggin' it or not).

SWEEEEET! What else can I say? It's a Les Paul without the $2,500 price tag! I play through a Line 6 Flextone XL with a full floorboard. My band plays acoustic, modern Drop-D stuff, and 80's metal. Pickup's aren't as feedback-ish as I had feared. The neck pickup is a little muddier then I expected, but still gives a nice bluesy tone...

I bought it used (can you say Ebay?), so I can't rate the set-up. It is very easy to play. I can say the toggle was the biggest piece of CRAP ever invented! JUNK!!! I has to replace it as soon as I bought it. Crap, crap, crap. C'MON EPIPHONE, PUT A GOOD TOGGLE ON THIS GUITAR!!!

Now that I have a new toggle and strap locks, I'm ready to rock for years!I know the gold finish will not last. I used to have a Gibson LP Studio, and it was gone after 3-4 years. Very dependable, but never, ever, gig without a backup!

N/A

I love this guitar! Is is soooo good-looking with the black & gold! I would definatly get another if stolen. I have NO problem with the weight issue (the LP, not my weight, which is another story). If you don't like heavy guitars, don't get a Les Paul. Slash, Ace Frehley, Randy Rhodes, Joe Perry, Gary Richrath, and countless others can't be wrong! This plays better then my old LP Studio, which is now about $1100 new. Ive been playing for the better part of 12 years. I also have an Ibanez AE-18 acoustic, and an OLP MM1 Ernie Ball/EVH rip-off that is a GREAT guitar for $125! It played better then my Wolfgang, which I just sold( It's a bit over-rated, if you ask me).

Even though Im just repeating other information - the Guitar was made in 2002 and only 2002 were actually made. So therefore there are 2001 others out there! The Guitar has a very nice black finish with Mahogany neck, 22 Frets, 2 Volume controls and 2 Tone controls, Rhythm and Treble switch, Gibson manufactured Humbucker Pickups (not sure what type), Gold chrome Tuners and THE LES PAUL STORY written on the back of the Guitar which is a slight Wank! I play Blues and Rock so this Guitar is perfect for both. I also got a free hardcase with it.

THIS GUITAR SOUNDS SO AMAZING. When I went looking for a Guitar I played Stratos, Teles and other Les Pauls but nothing sounded and suited me more than this Guitar! I couldnt believe how crisp it sounded. The clean settings sound extremely warm and the Distortion's GRUNT IS AMAZING!!! I love chugging away just for the fun of it. The Tone and Volume knobs should be played with to get some tones because the switch on its own WILL NOT get you all the good sounds. This is no ordinary Epiphone sound.

As everyone always says: "The strings buzz". This is true but you can ignore it. I dont really give a stuff if they do. The Fret board handles VERY well and the knobs are nice and smooth to change. The switch is slightly clunky but all is forgiven! The Guitar IS heavy. I have a lot of mates that are surprised by the weight of this baby so youd better make sure youre strong!

This guitar will last ages! Ive only been involved in a few minor shows (Im only 16 and in High School). Ive dropped it once and nothing happened to it so it is VERY durable. Never need a Guitar like this again!

Dont know

Im 16 and I love old classic Rock (Zeppelin, Creedence etc) and this Guitar is REALLY good for that style. I also am fond of the Blues and it does them perfectly. Im not the most experienced player of all time but I record at home heavily and Ive gotten to know my Guitar very well. Its very tough, Warm and has LOTS OF GRUNT! This Guitar is very good for all styles.

2002, 22 frets, usual les paul controls (2 tone, 2 volume, 3-way selector) mahogany body and neck, nice looking grover tuners.

some people critcise the les paul for being too heavy but there just not using the volume and tone knobs enough, its great what you can get out of this guitar by using the controls.
with the neck you can get a great blues tone and a convincing jazz tone but this aint no new york arch top so dont complain that your not wes montgomery.
at the bridge a sharp rock tone for all classic and contempory styles (just look at all the people through the years who have played les pauls its a who's who of guitar greats except possibly dave gilmour who is about the only great i can think off that hasnt used one).
but the best position is the oft neglected both pickups on middle position as it gives you more control over the tone by having both volumes and tones working for you, this is the one i use in my punk-rock band, but i play a bit of everything and this seems to cut it for everything

the set up was ok out of the box but i gave it to a ex employee of peter cook's guitar workld to set up properly.
i hightened the pickups a bit but most new guitars have there pickups fairly flush to the body to start with. all the bits were fitted well and the finish was fine, pickup slector looks a bit dodgy but thats easily fixed if it does go

this guitar has allready taken a few live onslaughts with only one string snappage, but i was getting a bit viloent with my playing style at that point, and it allways seems to end up on the floor at the end of a gig, but these things way a ton and theres been no damage to it. i would take a spare but only because this thing ways a ton and after about 40 minutes playing i would want to have something lighter around my neck.

never had any problems thus far

if this was broken id track another aniversary model down immediately because i love this guitar, its a robust and solidily built guitar that is a les paul in all but saying gibson on the headstock, and you can really tell the difference between an epi and another copy. and to everybody out there USE THE MIDDLE POSITION.
and with the price i paid for it being year old stock it really is ridiculous value for money

if u wunna know the features jus look at the reviews below

AMAZING MUTHA F-ING SOUND.I play jazz ,rock,metal,and punk and this guitar suits all of them,i dont use a lot of effects i have a fender cyber deluxe but i fdont bother with the effects i usuallyu use clean and distorted but the epiphonns is amazing it doesnt feed back alot like my fender strat .

the guitar was set up allright at the factory but i had to raise the pickups higher cause they were all the way in and it was properly bookmatched and its bridge was routed good to.the only flaw was the pickups were pushed in and the tuning pegs were loose

THIS GUITARWIL LDEFFINATELY WITHSTAND LIVE PLAAYING.the hardware about only a week or two the goldplated hardware started to fade.
i got straplocks and i would deffinateley not need a backup guitar wit this one it is really reliablt to me.

havent dealt wit then thanx alot epiphone for making a good lasting guitar

i have been playing for 4 years already and i own a cyber deluxe,fender strat,bc rich mick thompson warlock,ibanez K7,and this epiphone.if this jem got stolen i would deffiantely buy another in fact i would buy two.i really love its feel cause i can play really fast solos and still play slipknot songs on it.i compared it to a PRS Brazilean mcarty and a ibanez steve vai jem and let me tell u i would choose this guitar ocer those two any day.

Read the reviwes below to see a definite characteristc of all the features this guitar has. Great Control, 2 volume, 2 tone, and a 3-way selector. Great sounding pick-ups. One very useful trick is that you can use only one amp setting. For example s.th. ac-dc style and turn down rhythm volume at about 2,3 or 4. This way you'll have almost clean sound in the rhythm possition, rhythm distorted soound in the middle, and solo distortion in the treble. Amazingly huge and powerful tone produced by the neck hum. And very bright and sharp tone by the bridge one.

A used to be a sports guitar's fan. Ibanez, Yamaha, Jackson, floyd, 24 frets. I thought i'd never buy different guitar. But now i see what's the real sound. It's not like Ibanez Jem. It's not like Fender strat, It's just GIBSON. You can have them all, just by switching the pick up and setting the amp/effect. Of course it's a shame to use this guitar with any kind of processor. Straight into the amp. That's what is called SOUND.Amazingly huge and powerful tone produced by the neck hum. And very bright and sharp tone by the bridge one. I don't think i would ever buy any other guitar except for Ibanez Jem (i'm a great Steve Vai fan) but this is just an idea. It's good to have different types of guitars. In fact when i got used to the neck of this beauty, i tried two yamahas of my favourite kind, but they just looked so rediculous in comparison to the Epi. One of them was a custom model with dimarzio HSH cofiguration. Such a funny story. Is there a better guitar in the world. Is there a better guitar in the world for less than 3000$. I wouldn't buy Gibson because of the neck. This suits me best.

I bought it from a friend, but it was set up Just great. Of course some adjustment was necessary in order to become perfect. Awesome work of art, the picture of the back of the guitar gives off vast respect to the owner of the guitar. Wonderful finish, great attitude with it on. I don't find the selector a drawback. You can use this defect to make some interesting effects. The neck is built in the body and this construction in addition to the lack of any tremolo provide the endless sustain.

It looks as if it will last forever while i'm on earth. Then i'll bury it with me. :) The gold hardware wears off at the place where you put you hand while playing. But it looks .... you know ... just the best

I have never had any problems with the guitar.

I have been playing for 7 years now and i think i deserved it. My previous guitar was a funny little babby compared to that giant. I wouldn't let her to be stolen or lost because it's a limited edition and i wouldn't have the second chance to buy such piece of art. I hate the fact that it is very uncomfortable after 15th fret. But when you get used to - no problem. If you ever have the chance to buy one - don't think. That's more than all you've ever needed.

All the details as below

played through a Marshall amp sounds terrific. The neck pickup has a rich bluesy tone and the bridge pickup has a great sharp rocky tone. The pick-ups sound clear as a bell, and used with overdrive produce a fantastic sound. It sustains forever

Appalingly setup with all the strings buzzing on all frets. I have raised the action and it is now great, although the intonation is out. I will adjust this after it is played in a bit more. As for the finish it is totally flawless. The guitar looks absolutely fantastic.

The input jack fell apart after a few days, but this was easily rectified. Not sure about the selector switch as it does look a little flimsy, but it is working fine. The guitar is solidly built and appears to be totally dependable and suitable for live gigging.

12 month warranty, not had any dealings with the company.

I have been playing for 40 years and have always wanted a LP. Could'nt afford a Gibson so went for an Epi. This turns out to be a great choice as I can't imagine what a Gibson would have for three times the price. My previous guitar was a strat, but does not compare as the sound and action were nowhere near as good as this one.