Epiphone Elite Les Paul Standard Plus

04' epi. les paul std plus. two us made humbukers. mahogany neck and body. rosewood fingeboard. 22 frets. mine is a faded cherry burst...looks extremelly beautiful 45 degree from the top...not as nice look directly from the top tho..but still gorgeous... awesome Grover tuner..big big plus.for more info about the spec. check the epi website o other reviews.

well..how to begin...the stock pups are a bit too harsh for ma ears. they are like the 490/498 gone bad...i like my pups close to my strings...to get a warmer and louder tone. but that still didn' do. they are covered pups but sounded like open coil...which are nice i like open coils. but they just don bring home the tone for me. anyways. so i changed em to burstbucker 2 for neck and 3 for brige. same ones i have on my gibson LP custom. if u ever get a chance... hear those babies out...they are at the same level as the PAF 57's.

the action was awesome rite out of the box. didn't have to do anything to it. but just like anyother LP productions...the stock strings are terrible. u should always change the strings when u have a facotry sealed gutiar. the strange thing is...the strings were in perfect pitch when i got it rite out of the box...that never ever happens...

this is my back up guitar for my les paul custom. but somehow i feel like this guitar is much more reliable than my LP custom. the tuner is the biggy. Gotoh, Sperzel & Grover are awesome tuners. they stay in tune night in and night out...it's a pain to worry about tuning when u r on stage. as the gig gets longer and longer, u r goin to start to appreciate the beauty of them.
of couse the Bridge is no match of the Nashville TOM but they get the job done.

never dealt wit em...limited life time worranty...oh well who cares...

this is a truly great gutiar for it's price. i cannot tell the difference between this guitar and a Gibson LP std. yes there is a huge difference in tone when u compare this guitar to a Gibson Custom or the level above that.
the worksmanship is great. it's made by the same factories that also make Gretsch...nuffsaid!
if u want a LP and don't have to money for Gibson. get this gutiar and don go for the Korean made Epi and use the rest of the money on Amps or effects. u r goin to regret it someday. i was realli surprised about the depth of this guitar. although i wish they have more color variation. but still faded cherry burst looks twice better than Heritage sunburst. i realli can't think of anything bad to say about this gutiar...

Features? It's a Les Paul! (as described in the reviews below...)
Since the guitar's got everything what a Les Paul needs, it deserves a 10.

I play cover rock, stuff from 70s, 80s to Likin Park. My amp is a Diezel VH4. The guitar sounds as a Les Paul should sound, creamy, full and punchy. The pickups are very quiet, they have a bit more output than a standard PAF-type, enough to give the sound a nice transparency at highgain settings, which often tend to sound muddy with regular Les Paul pickups.

This was my biggest reason to buy this guitar (instead of a Gibson LP Standard). The overall finish on this beauty is absolutely flawless!
I tried a lot of Gibsons (not every Gibson out there of course...), Standards and some Studios, too, but I was very disappointed of the poor quality most of them showed. Soundwise there were some nice sounding ones, but again,the workmanship in relation to the price was simply ridiculous.

A big plus for you Epi guys in Japan! Setup and playability on the Elite was real good right out of the box, I can get an extremely low action without any buzz! Very nice flame top. Not too heavy. In one word: Excellent!!!!

Everything as solid as it should be!
I changed the strap buttons to strap locks (I do that on every guitar I own), and no, I would NEVER go to a gig without backup guitar!

I had a question about the serial number and got response from the customer support in a few hours. Nice. Does this deserve a 10? I don' t know!

If you want a perfectly playable, sweet sounding high quality Les Paul, go for the Epi Elite. If you buy a guitar for the name on the headstock or the resale value, get yourself a Gibson!

My Elite is a japanese made 2003 model in a honeyburst finish. All of the features are typical of a Les Paul - a pair of medium output humbuckers, volume and tone controls, and a 3 way toggle switch for pickup selection. Woods used in the Elite series are the same as their Gibson counterparts - mohagany bodies with maple tops, and a 1 piece mohagany neck. A tune-o-matic bridge and Grover tuners make for very stable tuning. One of the nicest features of this guitar is the neck. It is quite beefy, but very comfortable and playable. A very nice Elite series case was also included. Overall, this is a pretty traditional guitar without a lot of features, but it has everything most players would need.

The sounds that this guitar is capable of producing is quite surprising. As expected, for rock music, it does a great job. It is very thick and crunchy, but retains clarity and definition. I was pretty shocked at the clean tones that are available. In the middle position, the tone is fairly bright and detailed. The neck pickup alone sounds relatively dark, but is still clear. I use this guitar with a Peavey Transfex Pro 212 amp and a few pedals (chorus, flanger, phaser, and wah) and can get just about any sound I'm after from Marshall type overdrive to Jazz Chorus clean. It does not quite have the nuances to touch that, for example, a Gibson Historic has, but it comes surprisingly close.

This is an area where the Elite series instuments really shine. The factory setup was perfect. The top is properly bookmatched, the binding and fretwork is flawless, the hardware is of high quality and well set up. The only thing that I needed to do was have the nut slots opened up a little to accomodate a heavier sting guage (with the factory strings, it was cut perfectly). The actual finish of this guitar is very impressive. From certain angles, the top appears to be fairly plain, but, as you move, a very beautiful 3-D flame appears. The producers of Elite series intruments pay very close attention to very small details which result in an incredibly well made guitar that rivals instruments at twice the price.

With reasonable care, this guitar will last a lifetime. I don't really gig anymore, but a backup would likely not be required (I'd bring one anyway-you never know what could happen!). The components are of high quality and the workmanship is excellent.

I have never needed to deal with them.

I have been playing for 25 years and have owned a lot of gear in that time. I currently own guitars by Gibson, PRS, Washburn, and Squire, as well as an F bass. I've been searching for a "real" Les Paul (that was better than my Washburn WP-50 clone) for the better part of the last 10 years. Although Gibson's quality has dramatically gotten better in the last several years, I do not believe that their production Les Pauls are significantly better than the Elite series. I certainly don't think that they are worth almost double the price of the Elite. If you are concerned with the name on the headstock or re-sale value, then a Gibson would probably better fit the bill. If you're looking for a great value and a guitar that plays, sounds, feels, and looks great, the Epiphone Elite series is very hard to beat.

Beautiful 2003 model year Epi Elite LP Standard Plus , faded cherryburst, made in Japan, solid flamed maple top, 50s style solid mahogany neck, poly finish, grover tuners, bone nut, and gibson case. If you are looking for what a real gibson used to be, and can't buy a custom shop LP, this is it.

Range and Tone, I can play Johnny Cash, Dire Straits, ZZ TOP, or AC/DC with it. It has no electronics snaps or pops that you might associate with a Epi, and the Gibson P/Us are good. I have played several $3000 gibsons, and the sound was just as good.

This is where my ONLY complaint about this guitar will be. The ivory P/U edge covers were not aligned properly, the corner screws are too close together and warp the center of the ivory neck P/U cover up about 1/8". They are aligned correctly otherwise, just too tightly spaced. This does not affect the playability.

Otherwise the fit and finsh is awesome, the 3K gibsons had a rough and coarse finish and a high action compared to this. The bone nut is perfectly fitted, no buzz, came factory with about .07 relief at the 9th fret. All binding was perfect, the poly finish is tough, and will not age and crack like gibson's low-tech out of date nitro. Beautiful book matched top, just like the 50s gibsons were, soft flames, not IN YOUR FACE BRIGHT NEON TIGER STRIPED like today, subtle.

The only setup I had to do was adjust the height of the bridge for my personal taste, and adjust the polepieces on the P/U.

I am satisfied.

Tough, built like a tank. (and for you Fender guys: weighs like one too).
I still added strap locks anyway, for their top of the like Pro grade axe, why can't Epiphone get the fact that we all want strap locks, put them on for me.

Havent dealt with them. I probably should, because of the P/U issue, but I couldn't live without my LP for more than a few days.

Can't afford a real Gibson custom? want great value in a guitar that will last as long as you? Want tone, fit, silky finish and a pretty flame top? buy it. I have never regretted it.

The usual features, as indicated on the other reviews in this section. Mine is a beautiful honeyburst flametop.

I played the Epi through Marshalls (both JCMs and the AVT).The sound is wonderful. The bridge pickup has a biting top end to it and the neck pickup sounds very smooth and fluid. All notes are clear when chording, even with overdrive. Think of Jimmy Page's guitar sound in "Heartbreaker" from Led Zeppelin II. This is the sound the whole world wants.

There are absolutely no flaws whatsoever on this guitar. The finish is immaculate and the set was perfect. No fret buzz at all while the action was reasonably low. I put on new 10 guage strings (the guitar came with 8s, which felt like rubber) and despite that the strings weren't yet stretched, the guitar stayed perfectly in tune. I attribute this to the Grover tuning heads that come with the guitar.

I agree with others in this forum that if you're playing live, the strap buttons should ideally be changed. The guitar feels very, very solid.

I just purchase it today, so this hasn't been an issue.

I've been playing for almost twenty years, but I've only recently started playing again after a long hiatus. I'm playing the Epi through a Marshall AVT 2000 (for my home recording studio). I also own an 1968 Gibson SG Standard, a 1985 Ibanez Roadstar 2 RS1300 - Marine Sunburst (1 of only 6 made!)and I have a Peavey VTB NTB guitar on order (the reissue of the Adrian Vandenberge model Peavey used to make). I've played many, many guitars during my years of playing and this guitar has undoubtedly impressed me. I actually went into the store intending to purchase a Gibson Standard. However, when I saw the Epi Standard Plus hanging on the wall winking at me with its gorgeous honeyburst flametop, I just had to try it. I compared this Epi with various Gibson Les Pauls in the store (the Standard, the Custom) and this blew them away in terms of sheer quality and craftsmanship. The Gibsons just didn't feel as polished: it appeared that not as much care went into making them as with the Epi. The sound of the Epi was comparable to those of the Gibsons - no difference other than being a little brighter (which is good). I can only attibute this difference in quality to the fact that the Epi Elites are made in Japan.

It's been sometimes said that you buy a Gibson for its resale value, not for its quality (which may pale compared to some of their Japanese copies). The converse of this assertion is that you buy a Japanese guitar for its quality, not for its resale value. This is no longer true. For example, Ibanez Artists made in the 1970s and early 1980s (while they were still made in Japan) are fetching pretty significant prices in the used/vintage market, far in excess of their original price tags. Theses Artists were essentially double-cutway Les Paul copies made better than the Gibsons made in the 1970s and early 1980s. I believe that the Epi Elites will become similarly collectible. Some food for thought.

I Have a 2002 Epiphone Elite Les Paul Standard Plus. Mine is a flametop in a honeyburst color(looks alot like Jimmy Page's). It is made in Japan but all the parts are made in the USA. It has two Gibson made humbuckers that both have a volume nob and a tone nob. The tuners are very nice Grovers. Includes a hardshell case.

Great sound. I am playing through a Marshall MG50DFX which is a solid state amp(going to upgrade soon to a tube amp) and it sounds awesome. I have played a bunch of Gibson Les Pauls and I still haven't foun one that has sounded better than my Epiphone. I play a lot of classic rock like Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones and blues. It is awesome for both of those.

Everything was great. I raised the pickups a little bit(not much) and made it a little louder. The action was amazing. Great for lead guitar which I play. Great looking Flamed-top in honeyburst.

I have had a few gigs and it worked great. I have probably had 6 gigs with it and it was very reliable. I could depend on it but I still do have another guitar that I use too, but not as much.

It has a limited lifetime warrant. Haven't had to deal with them. Hope I don't have to.

Absolutly great. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a great guitar!!!

This les paul was made in 2003 in Japan. It has 22 frets and a carved flame maple top in faded cherryburst. Same as every paul, 2 volume, two tone, and a three way selector. Two made in USA pickups. Body is bookmatched mahogany and the neck is one piece mahogany. The guitar comes in a urethane finish. Nice nickel-plated hardware add to the overall quality. Comes with hardshell case.

I play everything from the Stones to Metallica, and this guitar gets the job done. The pickups have great clarity and a nicely distinctive vocal quality to them. Mine looks almost exactly like Jimmy Page's '59 les paul, and can definately nail Zeppelin's sound. Overall, the guitar has a very full and rich sound, comparable to anything Gibson makes (excludes custom shop). I am really amazed at the tone of this instrument. It reproduces all the classic les paul tones at a fraction of the gibson price. An outstanding guitar.

When I recieved the guitar, the set-up was dead on. Pickup height, bridge height, everything. The top was very vibrant, but not over the top, and had that classic early les paul vibe. I have looked this guitar over numerous times and have found absolutely no flaws. As hard as that is to imagine, it's true. The binding, the inlays, the finish, all of it was extremely well executed and precise.

This guitar feels extremely solid, and I would say that it would hold up as well or better than my gibson les paul in a gigging situation. As I said before, the hardware is top notch, being nickel-plated as opposed to chrome. The finish is beautiful, and will no doubt hold up better than the more fragile laquer on my gibson. The strap buttons of course suck, but that is a given with les pauls. I could definately depend on this guitar, but only an idiot would gig without a backup.

Never had to deal with epiphone or gibson, but don't think it will be a problem.

I am 20 and have been playing seriously for 6 years now. In addition to the epi and gibson les paul, I also own a Fender SRV guitar to cover single coil sounds. All the guitars run through an old Boss sd-1 distortion, a vox wah, and finally to a Peavey classic 50 4x10 (really great amp). If this guitar were lost or stolen, I would replace it immediately. This guitar has everything I could wasnt in a flame top les paul. After wanting a gibson historic model for some time, I can honestly say that this elite les paul fills that need and then some. It is a truly beautiful instrument worthy of being passed down for years to come.

This review is for a 2003 Epi Les Paul Standard Plus. 22 frets, made in Japan. Flame maple carved top in faded cherry finish. General les paul setup.

I play anything and everything that rocks (zeppelin, AC/DC, metallica, etc., and this guitar truly excells. I am playing it through a Peavey Classic 4x10 (great amp) with NO effect, just like it should be. Ths guitar has character in all three pickup positions, especially the neck. The sound leans more toward classic les paul sounds, bright but full. It can handle just about any style, but was made to wail classic rock and metal. The only thing I would improve is the pots, as the taper is somewhat lacking. Other than that, this instrument sounds better, yes, better than my 2001 Gibson Standard and at almost half the price.

I raised the action a bit because I like it a little higher. The pickup height was dead on. The bookmatched maple top reminded me of the pauls my heroes played. It has beautiful flame figuring, but it's not a PRS perfect flame top, which I think would take away from the vintage vibe of this guitar. The thick maple top even has some "leakage" under the binding, also a characteristic of vintage pauls. Structurally, I could find no flaws. The binding was excellent, and the real MOP inlays had no epoxy run-out. The bone nut was well cut and makes gibsons with their plastic nuts look cheap in comparison. This guitar feels, looks, and most importantly sounds better than my Gibson standard, which is ridiculous. I know gibson has made some improvement to the standard in the past year or two, but I have played them also, and the epiphone truly matches or outshines them in all categories.

The guitar I tried at the store that most closely mirrors the excellence of the epi was a gibson 58 re-issue. I would say that the epi is at least as durable/reliable as the gibson. The only thing I will change are the strap buttons. I am sure I could depend on this guitar at a gig, but only an idiot would gig without a backup.

I have never dealt with gibson/epiphone and don't think I will be any time soon.

I am 20 and have been playing for seven years now. I own a fender SRV strat (the best non-custom shop guitar they make), the gibson standard, and now the epi. I originally bought this guitar as a backup for the gibson, but, frankly, it would be a crime to make the epiphone the backup. Please understand that I am not exagerating when I say that, in workmanship, quality, and overall fit and finish, it really does outdue the gibson. Sound-wise, they are about even, but I prefer the epi's more vintage voicing to the gibson's more modern tone. Bottom line: pay 900 bucks and get a truly beautiful sounding and exquisitely executed instrument that puts gibson to shame. After owning this guitar, I don't know why anyone would want to buy an overpriced, poorly-made gibson aside from the resale value. I would be proud to play this les paul at a gig any day of the week. As far as I am concerned, this epiphone elite line is the new standard for what a mass-produced les paul should aspire to be.

2 great warm humbuckers,2 volume 2 tone speed knobs flamed maple top,mahogany back grover tuners block inlays ,binding all impeccable, rosewood fretboard , tun-o-matic bridge , stop tail piece, nice fat neck(baseball bat) with hsc

this guitar "burns" i also have a 1960 reissue les paul standard(which i also love and adore) but i have to say this is made better !and i am a die-hard gibson les paul man ...you know "only a gibson is good enough " . well move over gibson this epiphone rocks with style . it is very quite unlike the gibson at high volumes , sound is bright to fat cat searing to vocal , there is nothing about this axe i don't love ( i am going to get a brown canadian made gibson case for it , the epiphone one is not sturdy enough )

the action and pickups were set perfectly not too high or too low , meaning i can get rich sustain playing single note and chords and switch right to slide without buzz , flame top is first class , beautiful mahogany back , no flaws at all

this guitar is a tank , i would gig with this without a backup with no reserve , awesome quality

never dealt with epiphone

for the beauty,craftsmanship,value,playability that you get for the money you can not go wrong . i love this guitar and will pass it down like the fine instrument it is . i would sell the gibson i have before this and that is the truth

Made in Japan 2003. Solid flame maple carved top(no Veneer). 2 piece mahogany back with a 1 piece mahogany medium fat neck. Standard LP pickup setup, 2 volume, 2 tone, 3 way switch. Gibson told me the pickups are actually 490 series Alnico magnet modern classics. Real mother of pearl inlays. Beautiful aged binding. Grover nickel tuners. The fingerboard is dark rosewood with some lighter streaks. Bone nut. 10-46 Brite wire strings. 9.6 lbs. Faded Cherry finish

I play mostly bluesy rock through a marshall 1960b cab running in stereo through an older rocktron chameleon preamp and velocity amp. The pickups are extremely quiet on all settings. The bridge position just sings, great sustaining violin-like tone. The neck gives you that fat wailing tone. I get great harmonics and the full rich chords a les paul is famous for. The tone controls work well.

The guitar was set up perfectly right out of the box. Having played many LP's in stores, I was anxious about the set up when the guitar arrived. It was perfect. Having only a single humbucker strat style with a fast thin neck, I was worried. This guitar plays like butter, its hard to put down. The flame on the top is edge to edge, not in your face, and gives the guitar a vintage look. The hand-rubbed poly finish is thin and flawless. The aged binding just sets off the whole look. I've found no flaws in the finish(and I'm picky). This guitar is absolutely beautiful.

I replaced the strap buttons with schaller strap locks. Immediately. I just think they're a great idea. I dont play out so I cant say from experience how it would hold up. I'm sure it would be fine.

Gibson customer service always answers the phone. They're very helpful evrytime I've called them. It has a Lifetime warranty.

I looked for a while for the right guitar. I , like many others, couldnt bear to buy anything but a "real" Gibson Les Paul. I looked into Tokai(japan made) and old Orvilles by Gibson. The numbers didnt work. A new Standard LP with good flame is at least $1700. I did my homework. The VALUE is in these guitars. They arent "cheap" by any measure and the workmanship and attention to detail is incredible. If you need to look at the headstock and see Gibson, its not for you. If you can get over it, you'll be really happy..