All user reviews for the Epiphone Les Paul Classic [1995-2005]

22 frets
Gibson pickups (I have changed xD): a classic 57 '(stick) and a classic 57' + (bridge)
Set neck
2 volume and 2 tone
1 3 position selector

USE

The handle is fine by me; it is not very big and fast enough (although the Start 'remains one master)
Being a Les Paul, the shape of the table does not favor access to acute (compared to the PRS Hollowbody I MacCarty (my favorite of all the guitars)). However, I rarely play solos after box 19 so it fits me like that.
Weight level is satisfactory (3h rehearsal (so standing) and no shoulder pain)
To get the sound you want, not need to be a pro grat '. Sound for rhythm you put the switch in rhythm or 2 and for good distortion and solos, selector treble (and it does I think)

SOUNDS

I play mostly pop / rock with my microphone so it suits me very well. This is a very clean and very powerful.
I plugged into a Marshall avt50 (I got cheap, I would have liked a DSL201). It is a hybrid amp (preamp lamp, the rest in transistors) so it sounds good without impurities (of course with a mesa that would be the total hearts)
I play 90% on the easel microphones (classic 57 '+ so) and many dosing gain and Bass / Middle / Treble amp I can approach the desired sound.
I added an effects pedal (Delay, Tremolo, Chorus, Phaser ...) and it's true that it improves the sound well.

NOTICE GLOBAL

I bought it in August 2005 and aged well
I first chose for its shape (Les Paul) and his rock sound
Quality / good price well what is lost value (but I do not intend to get rid of)
This is my first grat power so when I bought it I did not have a huge budget and my knowledge was not huge. Faced with a gibson I do not find it at all ridiculous so I surely do it again this choice.

I've been playing for about 30 years, a little bit of everything rock, country, pop, alternative, etc.

Was looking around ebay for an Epi paul. Found this one for $200 used. Its about 5 years old I believe, but it's in really great shape.

I like the feel, I like the action, I like the look of it. It's a wine red with gold hardware. Really sharp. This guitar also has a lot of sustain which makes it sweet for old hair metal riffs that are overdriven.

There's a problem keeping the G string in tune. I don't know if it's the nut or the tuners, perhaps even the bridge, but its so sensitive its sort of a pain in the butt. Also, even though the guitar has some decent sustain, it's just not as heavy as a regular Gibson Les Paul, at least it doesn't seem so to me. Not that it matters that much, but to me that sort of tells you about the quality of the axe too.

Other than the wierd tuning issue and my comment about weight (which is probably related to the wood used or something), the fit and finish are pretty good. I'm not sure where these are made, probably Asia, but they're not made in the U.S., I'm pretty sure of that.

Overall, to get an Epi Les Paul for $200 that's only 5 years old and is in great shape is a good deal to me. It was the perfect present to myself. It looks good, plays nice, and sounds great. I'm pretty happy with it. Other than the tuning issue which drives me nuts.. need to take that to the shop to see what they can do.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Bought new at Ramus musik in Lulea, Sweden. Used to be 23 000 SEK but because of the inflation in the US, the price was lowered to 14 495 SEK. And THAT is the definition of a bargain! You could say it was as if a 2300 USD guitar was lowered to around 1500 USD.

Absolutely everything. There's nothing whatsoever that I can complain about. The tone, the look, the finish.. Hell, even the tuning pegs are wholly to my liking.

Well, there is one thing. I don't like the "1960" imprint on the pick guard. But that's just a minor aestetichal detail.

Pure high-quality gear. It's as if this guitar is some part of the master plan of God himself. And I'm an aetheist! The finsih is beutiful, the inlays are close to perfected and I could probably, were it not for the limited life-span of human beings, go on forever about how great this guitar is!

This is, without doubt, the greatest guitar I've ever played. Though my life is but a passing sneeze in the Universe, the magic of The Les Paul is eternal.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this guitar at a local shop called vintage guitars for $1600. i bought this guitar because i love Gibson. The price I paid was WELL worth the money.

I love this guitar and its practically the only guitar i play out of my guitars. 1st of all the playablity is excellent. The neck is slim and VERY fast and very easy to fret. This guitar is great for fast exciting rock and for great classical pieces also. I play rock and classical guitar on this baby. The pickups are GREAT and give you incredible distortion when you want it. And also it stays in tune for practically forever! When it does go out of tune it BARELY goes out of tune. Anyway I can talk about this guitar forever but I can't.

ABSOLUETLY NONE!

The quality couldn't be better. First of all like all Les Pauls the body is two pieces of wood. The top is carved maple and the back is mahogany. The neck is mahogany and is a 1960s slim taper neck. The fingerboard is rosewood and it has faded pearl trapezoid inlays for a classic look. It has nickel hardware with a hardtail bridge. The neck pickup is a 496R ceramic humbucker which gives the tone plenty definition without feedback lik those aggravating single-coil pickups give. The bridge pickup is a 500T "Super Ceramic" which gives you bone crushing rock with extreme clarity and tone.

If you are interested absoluetly buy this instrument. It well suit you well for all purposes.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Ebay Purchase from a dealer with a shop in the south

The weight and balance are perfect. The Grover machine heads are very responsive and it keeps it's tune.

I can honestly say there isnt anything I don't like, but I would say that about most guitars.

Next to the Gibson version, you can tell the Epiphone may not be as expensive, but it still holds its own, and feels solid. It can be handled confidently, without fear of too much wear and tear.

This is the right guitar if you want to play any kind of rock based music. It sustains well and handles like a dream. If you havn't got £1700 to spend on a gibson, get the Epihone (the only company liscenced by gibson to produce Les Pauls by the way). However do not regard it as second best, it's more than that.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought it from Musikborsen (sweden) for about 2,226 USD
cuz it's the most beutiful guitar ever made!

Plays like a dream. It's drop-dead beutiful. I can say that this is the best guitar i ever played, i really like the slim taper neck!

The only thing i can complain about is that it comes without straplocks!!!


It's flawless.
I've been looking for scratches or anything to complain about but there is nothing to be found.
I own about 5 other guitars Jackson,ibanez,epiphone,fender... and these feels like plastic toys when you've played the Classic!
GREAT QUALITY

This is a guitar that you can play a lifetime...or two. Outstanding quality.
Plays like a dream.
This is a good investment!
If you got the cash - GO BUY!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought it from Sam Ash in Woodland Hills for $1350.00. I grabbed it beacause it was a very good one and I liked it better than a historic they had there.

This paul has a very hollow midrange that almost sounds like a 335. It has a very distinctive tone that sets it apart from all the others I tried.

The pickups were too hot. I switched to duncan '59s right away. I also switched the truss rod cover to a plain one as well as the pickguard.

The quality is great- as good as the standards I have played.

This paul is exactly 9 pounds. I played 30 of them (mostly used) and this one just grabbed me. I would recomend this guitar to anyone who is looking for a killer les paul.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this guitar in Amen corner for £360(english money. It is my first guitar but i have compared it to others. I started guitar because of Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher.

What I like about this guitar is that it covers a wide range of sounds from metal to the blues. Also the sleek look and of course the enticing price. Another thing is that it is nearly as good as a Gibson.

I have no real dislikes except maybe the green plastic tuning knobs but these are easily replaced.

I have had no problem with the quality nothings snapped or fallen off its been banged against walls and nothings happened its a very solid guitar.

This guitar is solid it has great quality sound and there's nothing big wrong with it only minor details. It is nigh on a Gibson and I love it. I shouldn't need another guitar in ages. You could charge a lot more for it and it would still be worth getting. It has a wide variety of sounds and it easy to play solos. I highly reccomend it.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

1990 "All Gold" limited edition Gold Top Gibson Les Paul "Classic" 1960 re-issue.
Paid $1300 used in mint condition.

The looks are just KILLER! The neck is fast and the guitar plays great!


The pickups are not my favorites. I also tend to prefer the "jumbo" fret wire.

Great neck and playability! The Gold Bullion finish is gorgeous! Heavy, rock-solid the way a Les Paul should be! The finish, build and tone are all excellent.

I love this guitar! Whether I'm playing it, or just taking it out of it's case to look at it! Mine is an early first year of production model with the limited edition "All Gold" finish (gold back and sides as well as front). If you don't mind the high output pickups, it's a bargain compared to a Standard at a few hundred more.


This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Purchase: I Purchased My Les Paul Classic, through Musicians Friend, New for $1,233.00

Likes: haven't played to many Guitars, other than my 70s Classic Strat, Which I feel has a good sound, and plays easy. My Gibson LP is simply awesome, I Play it on my Fender Hot Rod Deville 4/10s. Its the epitome, of a Fat Worm tone, with a surplus of sustain.With the 496R at the Neck, and 500T for the Bridge, It doesn't seem to matter, what fret and or string, The Notes Cut very deep. No Crapping out in this department. I Found that the 60s Slim Taper Neck, improved my speed and timing, as compared to the strat. My LP is Ebony with Cream trim, and Gold hard ware. The fit and finish is simply stunning.

Dislikes: I got to tell you, This Guitar need's a good wiping down,after each cession, per the Ebony finish. My problem I'm just used to my Strat, it has the solid Ash body with Wood Grain finish, normal handling marks don't show up. But No Strap Locks, A Gibson LP with No strap locks. It sounds like a small Nit Picking detail, put it's the first thing it did, with my LP. Hellow is any one Home,enough said. The set up was terrible at best, I'm no Luther by any stretch,but the action was so high, the Bridge Humbucker was practically all the way out. But with the Tune-O-Matic Bridge, I was able to make the necessary adjustments to my liking in short order,unlike my Strat.

Quality: Gibson has build a reputation for producing a quality Guitar. I hope they don't louse site of what got them their,for the Strap Locks and Set/Up. I was very surprised I had to deal with such miner details, the very details I expected from Gibson.

In summary: Hay what can I say, It's a Gibson Les Paul. As far as the Set/Up and Strap locks. I expected more from Gibson.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Acquired at Pro Sound in Colorado Springs. Paid new Gary Moore in trade, value $1650.

It's a Les Paul, what can I say? It was made with admirable attention to detail, unlike the Gary Moore. The sunburst is fabulous, the parts are authentic to the 1960 specs to which it is built. The top is not flame, but many of the 1960s were not either. It's a good start on an LP collection. A Classic, as the name implies.

I came here to say this to Classic owners: If you hate the '1960' engraved pickguard, as I did, take note: replacement parts ('plain' pickguards) from All Parts, Stew-Mac and even Gibson DO NOT FIT this model. The screw holes by the neck DO NOT ALIGN (pickguard of the 1960 is made to different specs), so if you don't want to drill a hole into a Les Paul, take the 1960 pickguard to a machine shop, cut .007 to .010 off the top as needed, and buff with Meguires #9 swirl remover to restore a mirror shine. Trust me on this.

Outstanding. The strings were dead as doornails in the shop, and I was nervous about committing, but new strings made it practically acoustic in its response. It is a very well-made guitar, perhaps because they were building it to a quality standard that's 42 years old. I had a bad experience with a signature model, but this classic is sweet.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Traded a new, 4 day old, Gary Moore LP for this at Pro Sound in Colorado Springs. Traded the GM away because it was a quality control nightmare -- accidentally beveled edges on the top, tuners misaligned on headstock and not tightened down, tuners that didn't hold tune, and a volume knob that came off in my hand when I turned it. 'Paid' $1659 in a straight across trade.

Quality control outstanding. No defects in finish or setup. Great acoustic tone -- rings in the cavities unamplified. Sweet neck, takes hours of bending 10 gauge strings and STAYS IN TUNE. Maybe I got lucky. Cherry sunburst is perfect.

Kind of wish the pickguards on Les Pauls came 'on the side' as options (as with the Gary Moore), but then it is a reissue of a 60s design. I like the look without a pickguard, but hate the screw holes. No other complaints, so basically it's perfect and I'm too demanding.

Outstanding construction and quality. No blemishes in sunburst, wood, finish, assembly, etc. It's spotless. Beyond that, the superb acoustic qualities convinced me it was a well-made guitar.

Perfect. ALl I need now are some advanced lessons from Phil Keaggy.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I purchased my Les Paul Classic Goldtop from an individual on Ebay. I payed $1,600.00. New the Goldtop has a $600.00 add-on charge. Although now you can't get a new Classic with a Goldtop.

I've always wanted a Goldtop. I've had lots of Les Pauls but have always felt the Goldtop was THE best looking finish.

Another reason I specifically bought this model is that it has the Slim Taper neck. I have small hands and the Slim Taper neck is just much more comfortable for me to play. I have less problems with hand cramps and fatigue.

I love the finish. Gold really is the "Classic" Les Paul finish. Say what you want about "bursts". Gimme a Goldtop everytime. I can't wait to see how it ages.

The 496R and 500T pickups were a pleasant surprise. I was prepared to replace these before I even listened to them. However, after playing them through several amps I found them to be great sounding and quite versatile. They're clear and have plenty of high end. I hate most of the stock Gibson PU's. They tend to be a little muddy. These are great PU's. I'm keeping 'em.

As expected the neck is comfortable. I just don't understand the appeal of the '59 baseball bat profile. The Slim Taper has it going on. It's very manageable and fast.

I like the vintage style slim headstock. It definitely looks better than the oversized newer headstock.

The "1960" embossed pickguard is cheesy. It had to go...sorry. Personally I think Les Pauls look better without a pickguard anyway.

The binding in the cutaway is the new style where it gets wider instead of staying a uniform width. Wish they'd used vintage style binding here.

The pickups should have covers. I don't like the exposed coil look. Luckily you can order covers for about 10 to 12 dollars each.

Strap buttons on Gibson guitars are a joke. As a general rule I ALWAYS replace these first thing with Dunlop Straploks. The standard Gibson button WILL NOT hold. Don't take the chance.

The bridge is a vintage style small posts bridge. After a while I've noticed it seems unstable. I've done a couple of things to try yo improve stability. However, ultimately I believe I'll end up replacing it with the more stable Nasville setup.

Construction is what I've come to expect form Gibson. No major problems. Only minor gripes I've mentioned above. Paint job looks great.

Overall I love the guitar. The pickups were definitely a nice surprise. I'm used to changing things on a guitar to get it how I want it. I'm not a collector. I play my guitars. I have no qualms about changing the bridge. Some people may. For me it's not that big of a deal.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

UK dealer sale item (old stock) £1049 GBP

Excellent player, excellent sound and it looks cool too.

The supplied strings (thats all)

This is my 4th Gibson (I have also owned Fenders, Squires, Lowdons etc etc) and my 2nd Les Paul. I kind of know now what to look for when buying a Gibson. This beauty was still in original Gibson Packing case in the dealers stock room and had been made in Nashville in 2000 (serial no 008636). I purchased it in April 2002. The dealer opened the case and when I inspected it I could not beleive what I found. The binding was perfect (no raised edges), no laquer build up around the neck, perfectly fitted inlays, perfect frets on a lovely rosewood board (not dried out and aneamic). The accoustic tone was good and amplified only got better. I payed up and took it home. replaced the strings with 10 guage Slinkys set the pick-up height and intonation and that is all I have ever done to it. My last new Gibson a 93 Standard needed a further £70 worth of work to make it playable and even then the inlays binding and laquer build up were not perfect. The 60's Slim Taper Neck really adds to the playability as well. I do not know if Gibson quality control has improved this much across the range during the 7 years that seperates these 2 guitars or if I have just been lucky, but I am one very satisfied customer. I love this guitar it is the best player I have ever owned in some 30 odd years of playing.

A lot of people think Gibson stopped making decent Les Pauls in 1960. This guitar is testamount to the fact that Gibson can still make great guitars when they put their minds to it.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Got this one as a brand new at Triumps music, Syney. Paid for $AUD 3500.

I always wanted one but never'd had a chance. My first guitar is a korean -made cheappie Les Paul which actually has a nice action but lacks of tone and the heaviness of the real one. My classic is in cherry sunburst and I have to say the craftmanship is fantastic, plays like dream and the feeling of the neck is perfect! Well, many dudes may prefer the standard neck but the slim taperred is in my business. I can play really fast on it. The rose wood fret board is nice and fill up the tone of the guitar superbly well.
I tried the Garry Moore LP before I made up my mind. It looks nice but the neck....fatty!! I like the sounds of GM LP but I wanna mention here that the work piece is not tidy. Some points on the neck and between the joint of body and neck. Then I tried out the classic and in just ten mins, I paid it out of the shop.

The locking system comes with the case sucks!!! I couldn't get it open when I got home!! Dammitt....ended up with screw driver. I'm gonna complain this with the Gibson guys on their web site but I wouldn't expect much as it happenned with my mate before. Another thing is the pick ups are too hot for my little vavle amp so I got them swop with seymoure duncan.

Construction is superb. It is expertly put together and it has all the tones I ever thought for. It's a real workhorse.

They should take the locking system out of the case. .....real pain. But I'll give the guitar 5 out of 5. This is the one that I'll definitely keep it forever.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com