« Epiphone Les Paul Custom »

On March 17th 1999, I had asked my dad if we could go into a local music shop so I could get some strings for my electric guitar, and also check out some new stuff that they had. I have always mentioned to my dad that I would loved to get my hands on the Epiphone Les Paul Custom. Upon entering the shop, I seen it! There it was, the Epiphone Les Paul Custom (Black with Gold Hardware). The only guitar that proudly stood out from all other cheap strat look alikes. I then asked the guy if I could try it out. I plugged it into a Marshall Valvestate 100 watt 2x12 combo (ah, sweet Marshall power!). It sounded amazing! Everything sounded excellent, from Mello stuff to the down right dirty full gain. It had all the lows-mids-and highs that I've been hearing everyone talk about. My dad told me to ask my mom if I could get it, but with all the excitement, I didn't really understand him quite well. I put the "Les Paul" back up on the rack thinking that I could never get it. I told my dad that I really wanted it, but at around $500 bucks(US). I needed some financial support. My parents agreed to let me borrow the amount since I could pay them back with my summer job. With my luck we went back the next week to pick it up.



When I started to play it, I felt like the spot light was on me. This guitar is just perfect! The string action is great, not to low and not to high but just right. The first few songs I played were from Metallica. This guitar sounded just like their ESP customs worth over 2 grand. But everyone can sound good with the Marshall's full gain right? Well I then played some Mello tunes, and I was surprise at just how good this guitar sounded. I prefer to use neck/bridge pick up selection for playing without distortion. For even more lows, just switch to the neck pick up. For what ever pick up selection you chose, you'll find the right tone. This guitar also stays in tune perfectly, I've played in many different tunings with no problems. Not only does the Epiphone Les Paul Custom play great, but it looks like it's worth thousands! The Gold Hardware also helps to add that expensive look. I showed the guitar to my guitar teacher one day and he loved it, in fact it sounded a lot better then his $1,500 strat! I had to actually tell him to stop playing so I could play on it. Everyone that has encountered me and my new Epiphone Les Paul Custom has been shocked with it's brilliant one of a kind sound. And it's funny to see that everyone thinks I payed a lot more for it than what I really did cause of it's "Les Paul" history of being very expensive. The guitar has also helped me to actually play better, and I often try to imitate the great rock and roll legends!



I noticed a big difference in the weight of the "Paul" compared to my Slammer guitar. At first after a usual playing session of about 3 hours, my shoulder would start to get sore. I got use to the felling though, and what a feel that is!(No pain, No Gain!) Another very small thing is that since it's black, every thing shows (ie. finger prints). But just take a cloth and wipe it off and it will be fine (No harm done there!).



My Epiphone Les Paul Custom was made extremely well. It's weight ensures me that it's going to take a lot more then the casual nick to hurt this sucker. I've heard many stories that people have actually dropped their Les Paul's (God Forbid's if this happens to me!), to just pick it back up and retune. The lacquer finish is great! It help's to prevent those nasty belt scratches. The paint job is excellent with no faults what so ever. Gibson/Epiphone also dips the gold pick-ups into wax to prevent feedback when playing, and the guitar also comes with a life time warranty! (Ask your dealer for more information about the warranty.)



The Epiphone Les Paul Custom is in my upon one of the best guitars that any one can get for as little as $500 bucks (US). It's low in price (compared to the Gibson version), plays and sounds so good that I even have a hard time to describe it. It is far more Superior than anything I've ever played on! And I've never doubted this purchase, cause I know it's worth every penny and then some. If circumstances agreed, I would've not hesitated to buy the Epiphone Les Paul Custom even it were twice the price! So if you're thinking about getting another guitar or just feel like browsing around, I seriously urge you to try it your self, and only then will you hear and understand what I'm talking about. Oh and it's also a Gibson product, just without the 3-4 grand price tag that is!



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