All user reviews of 4/5 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.

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

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

I bought this guitar from American Musical Supply
$1399.99

I like the neck and the finish on this guitar the most. The neck is the 1960 profile neck. the finish is honeyburst

I really do not like the pickups. I haven't a clue why gibson puts high output pickups in a classic guitar such as this. I would prefer covered humbuckers with maybe the 57 classic series. I am gonna switch these out for duncan classic covers 59 models neck and bridge.

the construction is awesome for a 1400.00 les paul I mean I can't see paying 500.00 more for the standard just for pickups. Plus I hate the neck profile on the standard. My favorite is the slim taper. The hardware is top rate. I might add a tonepro's bridge stopbar tailpiece unit to make it more stable.

I like the guitar basically the way it came except for the pickups and I also added straplocks this guitar is typical for a les paul. I am tired of people complaining about les pauls wieght I mean its a les paul its always been this way either play one or play something else bottom line! Great Guitar.

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

Purchased: Sam Ash Website Price: $1290.00




The neck is awesome, very thin, easy to play. the pickups are very hot and love to be overdriven..


Pickups might be a bit too hot for my taste. I am gonna try installing covers. Hard to play sitting down. Expensive guitar, should come with strap locks.




Good fit and finish, a well made instrument. However, poor setup out of the box and stock Strings stink.


Excellent instrument overall, should come with Straplocks, and pickup covers if one is interested in installing them. Any guitar over $1000 should have a good set up right out the box. This one did not.


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

22 frets
Gibson pickups (I have changed xD): a classic 57 '(neck) and a classic 57' + (bridge)
Set neck
2 volumes and 2 tones
A 3-position selector

UTILIZATION

The handle fits me very well and is not very big and fast enough (of course stratum 'is sole mistress)
With 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 plays solos after the box 19 so it suits me like that.
Weight level is satisfactory (3h Repeat '(ie standing) and no shoulder pain)
To get the sound you want, not need to be a pro at Grat '. Sound for the rhythm you put the selector on the pace or two and for good distortion and solos, treble selector (and the fact that I find)

SOUNDS

I play mainly Pop / Rock with my microphone so it suits me very well. It's a very clean and powerful.
I plugged into a Marshall AVT50 (I had not loved, I loved a DSL201). It's a hybrid amp (tube preamp, the rest in transistors) so it sounds good without impurities (of course with a mesa it would hearts total)
I play 90% on the bridge pickups (classic 57 '+ so) and assaying much gain and bass / middle / treble of the amp I can approach the desired sound.
I added an effects pedal (Delay, Tremolo, Chorus, Phaser ...) and yes it is much improved sound.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought it in August 2005 and aged well
I first chose to form (LP) and its rock sound
Price / quality ratio is very good well what lost its 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 find it ridiculous at all so I probably do it again this choice.

The Epiphone Les Paul Classic is one of the more popular guitars that Epiphone has in their lineup. The guitar features a mahogany body with a mahogany neck, chrome hardware, 24.75'' scale length, carved maple top, optional pickguard, rosewood fretboard, 22 frets, trapezoid inlays, tune-o-matic bridge, binding, two humbuckers, two volumes, two tones and a three way switch.

UTILIZATION

The guitar itself is put together decently. You can tell it's one of the lower models because of some fretwork issues. For one, the frets weren't perfectly level. You could tell this once you start lowering the action. It wasn't bad, but there were some frets that wouldn't perfectly ring a note because they were low. The ends themselves weren't too bad on this one. The nut needed to be recut, however. It would cause some tuning issues, and this was particularly noticeable once you start bending. You could hear a slight ping every time you tuned up, so it's obvious it was binding. A new nut should fix that issue, but again, these are fairly standard problems on these guitars.

SOUNDS

The pickups in this are pretty bland, I've found. The bridge itself is muddy and undefined. It has some bite to it, but I find it's not enough to help cut through the mix for what I'm looking for. The neck pickup is decent, but I find that it's not thick and smooth enough for me. I like super powerful and thick sounding neck pickups, and the only way I could get that tone was by rolling down the tone knob. Even then, it wasn't the same. The clean tones were half way decent on the neck pickup, but they sounded pretty bad on the bridge.

OVERALL OPINION

If you're going to get one of these, be sure to play through a bunch to find one that is setup nicely. These tend to have issues with fretwork and nuts, so pay close attention to those. Once you get one you like, spend some money and invest in some nice sounding pickups for it. That'll make it rival any Gibson out there.