Epiphone [Les Paul Series] Zakk Wylde Bullseye Les Paul Custom Plus user reviews ( 9/10) - 19 user reviews

• 08/31/11

  King Loudness's review "For Zakk Wylde fans"

  Characteristics

  The Epiphone Les Paul Zakk Wylde edition is meant to be a lower priced alternative to his famed Gibson signature model that sells for several thousand dollars new. It has a lot of the same (or very similar) appointments to his Gibson Custom Shop model. The most notable thing about it is its iconic bullseye white and black finish. This is something that Zakk popularized and it's fairly unique to his brand. Other than the cosmetics, it's basically your standard Les Paul Custom '70s reissue. It has a mahogany body, a maple neck with rosewood fretboard and 22 frets, Grover tuners, tune-o-matic bridge, EMG HZ pickups and a typical Les Paul layout as far as the controls go. They're made in one of Epi's various overseas factories depending on what year you have.

  Utilization

  The guitar is really no more or less ergonomic than a standard Les Paul guitar. It's medium to heavy weight and somewhat clunky neck heel may be a turn off for some players who are used to superstrat type guitars. It's got reasonable upper fret access for a Les Paul, but it's still nowhere near the left of something like an Ibanez or Jackson in that department.
  
  
  
  Getting a good sound out of this guitar isn't difficult if you play metal styles. The EMG pickups aren't very versatile and the mahogany/maple wood combo really doesn't work for more vintage textures, so if you're doing the high gain thing like Zakk does, you're set. The pickups sound like a reasonable facsimile of EMGs, but they're a tad muddier and more compressed, which is a bit of a drag.

  Sounds

  This guitar unfortunately is a bit of a one trick pony as far as its sounds go. The clean and low gain tones are not really a strong point of this guitar. The pickups are too compressed and high output to really allow the subtle dynamics that make a good clean tone to come through on any level. The high gain tones delivered are decent for heavy metal - they're fairly tight and aggressive and work well for palm muted riffs, pinch harmonics or fast alternate picked lead passages. The pickups aren't quite as good sounding as real EMGs or Seymour Duncan Blackouts, but they do a decent enough job I suppose. It's not really versatile, but for the high octane metal thing it does a decent job.

  Overall Opinion

  All in all I think the Epi Zakk Wylde is a decent guitar for a younger player or someone looking for a decent Les Paul to play metal on for not a lot of money. If you aren't a fan of the bullseye white and black scheme Zakk has done a few other designs over the years with varying cosmetics. These run about $800 new which isn't too bad a deal for this guitar, but really it's only worth it if you're playing metal or you're a diehard ZW fan.
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• 07/07/11

  Hatsubai's review "Signature model by Epiphone"

  Characteristics

  Zakk Wylde has been one of Gibson's more famous artists. He's had tons of different signature models throughout the years, but this is Epiphone's take on his most famous model. It has a mahogany body with a maple top, a set maple neck with a rosewood fretboard and trapezoid inlays, 22 frets, binding all around, tune-o-matic bridge, two humbuckers, two volumes, two tones and a three way switch.

  Utilization

  The first thing you always notice with this guitar is that it has a pretty outrageous paintjob. The paintjob on this was surprisingly almost as good as the actual Gibson version. I saw a few bleed marks, but they were extremely minor, and you'd really have to take a lot of time to look for them. The fretwork on this guitar was iffy. There were some low frets that needed attention, and you start to notice it once you lower the action. The nut was cut decently, so that wasn't a huge deal. Aside from that, it's basically a standard Les Paul.

  Sounds

  The guitar didn't sound as good as the original version, and there are a few reasons for that. First of all, these are EMG HZ pickups. The HZ pickups are passive pickups that don't really sound like a real EMG. I believe Alexi Laiho uses these, but they're really not the best pickups out there, IMO. The bridge pickup did sound similar to an EMG 81, but the neck pickup wasn't really my thing for whatever reason. If you convert these to real EMGs, be sure to disconnect the bridge ground.

  Overall Opinion

  The guitar could use a pickup swap and an ebony fretboard. Aside from that, it's pretty close to the original one. Considering that the actual Zakk Wylde costs a fortune, this could be a decent alternative. However, pay attention to things like fretwork and how nicely the nut is cut. Play a few and see how you like them.
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• 06/23/11

  tjon901's review "Budget Zakk Wylde signature"

  Characteristics

  Epiphone is the official budget line of Gibson. Unlike Gibson guitars Epiphone guitars are made outside of America. Since they are official copies they have the exact same shape as the Gibson guitars do. This is the Epiphone version of the Zakk Wylde Les Paul custom. The main difference with this guitar is the electronics and some of the wood selection. The guitar still has a mahogany body and a maple neck but the fretboard is made of rosewood instead of ebony. The electronics are still EMG pickups but they are not active EMG's. They are EMG's budget line of passive pickups which are pretty poor but better than what this guitar would have come with. The guitar has Zakks Bullseye motif and after all these mods it is your typical Epiphone Les Paul. Each pickup has its own tone and volume control and there is a 3 way switch for your pickup selecting.

  Utilization

  This guitar plays like any other Epiphone Les Paul. Other than the raw back of the neck this guitar is a pretty standard Epiphone. The raw neck helps make the neck a bit faster because with a finished neck you can get a sticky feel. If you are use to modern guitars with thin necks the Les Paul neck will be very big for you. Because of the set neck design there is a large neck tenon and joint. This can make the upper frets hard for some people to reach because the body essentially joins the neck at the 17th fret. After the 17th fret you are reaching around the body to get to the frets. The tuning stability is good because there is no tremolo. The quality of hardware Epiphone uses is not that great. I have had problems with the input jack unscrewing itself and things like that.

  Sounds

  This guitar does not really sound like the Gibson Zakk Wylde Custom but it sounds better than a normal Epiphone Les Paul. The passive pickups are built to emulate the tone of the 81 and the 85 but it just doesnt quite get there. The bridge pickup is tight like an 81 but it doesnt quite have the same top end sizzle as a real 81. The neck pickup is closer to the active version than the bridge. The 85 naturally has a warmer more passive sound so the passive version does not differ much in the sound department. Since these pickups are EMG's they have the quick connect wiring system so you can easily swap these pickups out with a set of active EMG's when you get the chance and this guitar will really rip then.

  Overall Opinion

  The Gibson Les Paul Zakk Wylde Custom is pretty outrageously priced. This guitar is very reasonably priced with only a few differences. With a 200 dollar pickup swap you will have pretty much the same guitar as the Gibson for thousands less. If you are a Zakk Wylde fan and cant justify playing thousands of dollars for a Les Paul Custom this Epiphone is a good option.
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• 04/28/11

  skybertie's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " great value for money"

  Characteristics

  made in china, classic easel, it is version comouflée. the handle is not screwed but it seems sticky resin, 22 button, 2 humbucking passive, 2 tone 2 volume 1 selector switch number 3 position.

  Utilization

  nice handle, access to acute correct, the setting is simple and even its simplicity, to have several different sounds and even effects pedal or amp, but the guitar itself does not offer a big pannel

  Sounds

  I use an ibanez valbee top (lamps) by relying on the amp j'aubtient a good crunch and a clear sound and a nice metal sound funny.

  Overall Opinion

  I use it for a month I use it the more I like ... I also play with a ibanez roadmaster series 2 and a Ibanez Artcore AFS95TMBU TREMOLO BLUE TRANSPARENT. The only annoying thing is the lack of bar distortion, but we made it. This is a guitar that asked me a bit of time for me aproprier really but I find very endearing.
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• 10/15/10

  johnfr38's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  I will not repeat:)
  
  I reminds jsute even finish of this guitar are truly magical for this small price.

  Utilization

  This guitar and heavy for my taste and too high but good middle epiphone violin is not a madman's sattendre furiously 2500/3000 was € logic!
  
  the handle and forcing large enough to play with the guitar a little higher AC can seem weird at first but it has done its handle sy wide.

  Sounds

  Sound level I'm up in emg 81/85 and I think what has nothing else to envy as the guitar gibson lp studio
  
  if we know the set is obtained from very good clean sound and distortion just as nice
  
  I play mostly metal and I did some walking around with it and honetment shipping! The sweeping will be a little harder on my high frete cest drawback of the LP form, but we gain neck pickup delivers a beautiful roundness.
  
  You Fassier ballads, blues, rock, metal this guitar will do that Laffaire and good value for money.
  
  Cepeda if you made the big drop metalcore Do or Drop If careful with pulling the handle as hard as a wholesale agreement cest and twists leaving room has ptite frisouille the notes: /

  Overall Opinion

  I been using it for 2 years now and this guitar has great value for me because a tight budget, lupgrader in emg active, I dun raproche his true lasting til I can gather enough money to make men do: p
  
  it is on this guitar and a real gem but it should not forgetting cest small defect
  
  violin too pull the top middle handle, ignoring the big rope pulling his weight.
  
  if I have to redo this choice I n'esiterai not one second, because despite the default I think it sent the gibson lp studio as we gain by taking this money epiphone better finish and lightweight small defect can be prevented by good EQ:)
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• 05/28/09

  NicoMetal85's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  I think, makes in an Asian country is being "custom shop" behind the head
  
  -22 Frets, 2 EMG HZ-4 humbuckers
  
  - Tune-o-matic dor!
  
  -1 Volume, 1 tone micro
  
  3-position selector
  
  - Handle but enough pais super easy to play!

  Utilization

  - Access in acute fawn Les Paul! Is not Jackson but the highs are ISSA
  
  - Trs good ergonomics and lighter than my les paul translucent in 1998! I find lgre for a Les Paul
  
  - Great sound on the TRS had the great good microphones and violin! if you have a mesa sounds like me a line!

  Sounds

  - I play hard rock / heavy with! in STEEL RANGERS http://www.myspace.com/steelrangers but I also do death at home for fun! Pete and his own trs
  
  I live in my branch Mesa Boogie single 50 w and correct the harmonic Zakk go live!
  
  -Unlike what I could read sounds pretty good clean sounds but the distortion that is its strength! Rock 60 'big-death! sweep over the super sounds like the bluesy solos that come out like diamonds!

  Overall Opinion

  - I use it for 4 days dates which I Aquis secondhand! but I had to try before you shop, the notammant Buzzaw MODEL
  
  Nothing wrong, I love the mouth, the egg of violin, the sound ...
  
  "I have more worth trying a lot of MODEL, I know what I want! I have both a strato a flying v Jackson.
  
  - Prices are down! Guitar Legend 599 Paris before it was worth almost 900! I've been on this site for 450 OCCAZ! It shut almost new!
  
  I do it again-this choice without hsitez! made of the same fans of Slash, Zakk ...
  
  
  
  * Since I sold because the typical large handle 50 'silent was not so comfortable on hard with my little fingers! I bought a Gibson Les Paul Classic with a handle 60 'which is run as carrment mieu! shame because she had a mouth sacr this guitar!
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• 04/08/09

  Toox's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Cf: other posts

  Utilization

  I tested this guitar with a friend. N'tant not a regular gibson or epiphone, I did gure held rglages, I can not say too much if it is not easy o this ct.
  
  
  
  Moreover, it is certainly a good guitar trs. Comfortable, although heavy (like any LP), relatively comfortable in any position (although my Ibanez ct, was sitting comfort misreux matter xD), trs good balance, it absolutely does not move when playing quietly and the rest o it was put.
  
  
  
  The handle: enjoyable trs, trs instinctive. I am used to big sleeves Bourin typ highway with surleves frets, well I must say that I still had that handle IMMEDIATE hand, no problem to send potatoes in every sense, has come alone.
  
  
  
  Access in acute: bah, it's an LP that, the end of the handle is thick and trs trs recessed but with large hands (like me), has passed without problem.

  Sounds

  So the slap. I knew of EMG active pickups for his barbaric (which I favor ^ ^), then I must say that the HZ-H4 passive absolutely convinced me.
  
  We pass allgrement clear sound nice (although rather unusual, it's true it's not the gibson 498), a crunch round and warm (I think)
  
  Distos for large, well no secret, it's specially for emg.
  
  But these liabilities are not limited. They REALLY can reach absolutely every style.
  
  My buddy just purchased this guitar because he loved her (he plays the blues rock) and also the reason pout, and Zakk Wylde did not know before discovering the guitar (and thus no influence of c t to purchase)
  
  He leaves continuously in all styles and guitar followed without hesitation, that it gives the sound a DSIR period.
  
  It is a little mushy at times, but I have heard that a low-end amp and a few minutes on my Marshall, but I find that instead of pushing as is the case with emg active, a here gives a warmth and a ct vintage sound.

  Overall Opinion

  My friend has been six months and told me clearly that he intends to resume the same when it will make me.
  
  
  
  At this price, even without floyd, there are relatively few quality of this guitar. the violin is more than satisfactory, the sound is impeccable, the Resistors at all is satisfactory, the handle is a rgal ...
  
  
  
  a true wonder for guitarists who want a versatile guitar look fabulous at low prices
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• 10/20/07

  mini-james51's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Bridge: tune-o-matic
  
  micro: emg81 and 85 HZ
  
  Frets: 22
  
  Mechanical: oil bath

  Utilization

  The handle, a bit wide, trs is taken well in hand, Access in acute is rather impressive beginners but if done quickly
  
  we do not forget it is a form les paul
  
  weight is rsonnable I find, unlike what people say
  
  2 EMG-HZ's are made easily by hand
  
  I think we will get a big sound forcment and the use o no ser only for metal but not at all

  Sounds

  In saturation, biensur, when playing in the bass, the sound reflte the personality of the guitar but it is perfect for rock
  
  in clean, sound is not audible but quite satisfactory. by making the switch to a lowering intermdiaire had the bridge pickup volume, we get a nice little sound that goes well and trs that makes you want to play more often in the clear
  
  I marshall a body double MG100HDFX

  Overall Opinion

  I learned that I possde a limited edition that is why in the shops with me, I could not have
  
  I d buy it in Paris, a guitar legend, where he had in store
  
  I love the look, sound and multi-faceted as this guitar cache
  
  many say the price is excessive, I personally think it's a good quality trs price, go find a guitar that is so versatile, with a devastating look, and still more the signature of Mr. Zakk Wylde was the price the
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• 10/12/07

  greatsessions's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  See the other view, otherwise I had directly with the ale kit EMG Zakk Wylde active, so the sound will be reviewed solely on these criteria

  Utilization

  The neck is slightly thinner than a Les Paul Standard, which I like, but a good round is not forcment a handle end!
  
  the one I find very pleasant to walk
  
  the weight is fairly standard but less than lev
  
  Ergonomics is the les paul, neither more nor less. It is very well balance. access to the treble is quite difficult.
  
  we obtain an exellent with emg's assets.

  Sounds

  It spits direct torque emg active / paul custom kill all the
  
  the les paul guitar and a rather warm in nature, the cold and powerful EMG pickups, all is amazing!
  
  in its saturated ca depot serious, the sustain is impressive, a good scratch in the bottom of the ears!
  
  its clear, ca donnepas much for cons, the sound is very full and direct, and very cold, regardless of the position of the microphones (inverss or not)
  
  in crunch, it's also cold trp.
  
  I really do not understand how we dare say that with a Zakk Wylde can do jazz, totally beyond me!
  
  the sound is warm but a cold saturated Relentless clear or crunch.
  
  arrter that it is imperative that the urban lgrende Zakk Wylde can do anything, it's true arch!
  
  
  
  empty, the sound already sounds very hollow in the mids, the EMG active rajoutent spirit very metal, making it 100% a guitar cohrente, implacable!
  
  
  
  frankly for the metal, AC disconnects!

  Overall Opinion

  Excellent guitar emg active config!
  
  microphones and violin in perfect harmony, we are in a real signature model, which really other than a Intrets marqueting
  
  800 euros frankly with HZ pickups I think it is not too bad a price etr
  
  the violin is perfect (sound was very empty metal guides, That's good!)
  
  if you add 150 or 200 euros for active pickups ca us of 1000 euros, and that price I would do without hsitation!
  
  (My having had for 650 with Gibson flight case and strap lock dunlop, ah qd stroke of luck you hold us!)
  
  qd we see that the model gibson costs 4 to 5 times more expensive, has less to be bl pt I do not know if it's worth it.
  
  
  
  (C gibson's a little different, because the sound jumps the guitar, the violin has to be largely improved, but the overall sound CHARACTERISTICS are the same)
  
  
  
  run to buy it, run to buy the kit emg active, run to your luthier, run, run, run!!
  
  this guitar is a killer!
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• 08/18/07

  ekerisann's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  See more advice ...

  Utilization

  The neck is very thick and very Reche you really love or be used, for my part I have trouble especially ue is much easier on other LP ...
  
  Access to acute is not so easy to hand the set neck LP ...
  
  This guitar is very heavy in terms of form there is no problem to play standing or sitting. Lequilibre seems still manageable ..
  
  For sound just connect the woods are doing rather well but the pickups are a little weak and in dire need of dynamic, almost the same for the heat ...
  
  A big plus point for me is the place where the selector is placed (ie the top of the body) which is very practical ...

  Sounds

  It suits my music style metal type on paper but seems quite versatile in the clear as distortion, except it seems to me too heavy and warm ...
  
  I tested it on a Fender amp with built-in effects and ca tro not already sounded bad but on the AC neutral may be a little way ...
  
  The interest of the knobs is to adjust each microphone volume and tone which can allow things nice
  
  The pickups sound a little cold but it's true with a good amplifier and then AC can offset this are not active pickups and if deemed not

  Overall Opinion

  I tested it in stores a little while and I admit I was very disappointed in the lack of comfort offered by this guitar, I would never buy a guitar with a neck so thick (but a Les Paul standard yes) if not for the rest I was pleased at finishing ...
  
  I tested several brands and I must say that for the LP forms I would tend to ESP / LTD LP beneficially or because they are lighter and have thinner handles leus
  
  The price / quality ratio is very average to the extent that we pay a lot of Zakk's name since we end up with passive EMG for 800 euros which is very questionable and after the handle is a bit hard ...
  
  If I had money I do not buy it because for the same price you can get better microphones and even to level the wood and then, for me, comfort is absent with the scraper
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