Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Custom, Silverburst Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this guitar, first and foremost, because I am a huge Tool fan and I love the look of of Adam's Gibson Silverburst. Secondly, I love the look, feel and sound of the Les Paul Studio (although technically this is a Les Paul Custom, but its still a Studio design). Also I very much prefer the tone switch to be in the location it is on LP studios.

That being said, You should know that this guitar is among the higher end Epiphone LPs. I also own another Epi LP Studio, a cheaper model, which I can tell you has much less attention to detail. It's still a good guitar because it has it has great tone at a low cost, but the look of it isnt that sharp. The finish on those guitars isnt as nice as what you get here with the Silverburst. You may have heard horror stories about the frets popping out on those low cost Epi LPs but that has never happened on mine.

But Back to the Silverburst... The look of this guitar is stunning. The paint job and finish is excellent, really slick from bottom to top, front to back. The chrome hardware looks great too and seems to be really good quality... not just a cheap chrome finish on some mystery metal or something. The inlay on the fretboard and headstock are great too, very shimmery and marbley (if those are words).

In terms of hardware; The pickups sound great. Lots of tonal color and good harmonic response. I have noticed I have to crank my amp up a bit to get good feedback, but thats sort of the nature of feedback. The tone switch is well built, as in it stays put and doesnt wobble about. I've seen tone switches that basically unscrew during use to the point where they are at a 30-45 degree angle from their orignial position. This doesnt happen on this guitar. The switch itself does pop a tiny bit when switching between pickups... I dont mind it that much, but its worth saying. The frets are more rounded and stick out from the finger board more than a Gibson would. This can become an issue if you really push hard on the string because you can push the note from in-tune to sharp without really "bending" the string. This isnt an issue unique to this guitar, from what i've seen this is fairly common-place with all Epiphones. It doesnt really become a problem unless you are strangling the neck. The action out of the box is set a bit high; To the point where as you move up on the neck the notes tend to go sharp, which basically destroys any chords you play past the 12th fret. All i had to do was lower the action to resolve this problem. Even with that, i notice no fret buzzing anywhereon the guitar. The tuners work great... they ARE Grover tuners. I have no complaints with there. My biggest complaint with this guitar is the Nut (this was an issue with my other LP Studio too and is a common issue with lots of guitars that havent been customized). It grabs and can make tuning a real pain. This issue has improved somewhat since I bought the guitar, probably because with play and repeated tunings the strings have likely filed the nut a little bit. There are many solutions to this problem however; file the nut down yourself, buy some graphite and rub it in the nut under the strings, or you can actually use the graphite "lead" from pencils, or you can actually replace the nut with a graphite nut. Graphite essentially acts as a lubricant which stops the strings from binding... it has to do with the atomic structure of graphite, it doesnt take lateral tension very well. Idealy, apart from replacing the nut, a combination of these solutions is best.

Now the big question, Tone; I will keep this short and sweet. I like a wide variety of tone in the music I play. Depending on your amp and effects setup you can greatly effect the tone coming from the guitar. This guitar is heavy and has a really thick rich tone. Most LP's do. If you are after that Gibson sound, you've got it here. I've sized this guitar up with Gibson LPs and its up to par for sure. I've played this guitar and a Gibson LP back to back on the same amp with the same effects and settings and I saw no real noticiable change in tone. Tool songs sound perfect on this guitar, as do cleaner, bluesier tones. Lighter tones are certainly attainable on this guitar as well... but just about any tone is possible these days with all the electronic weaponry out there. Another thing I would like to mention is that this guitar has no buzz AT ALL. It's really well built in that respect, everything is grounded. You can play loud and when you stop the strings, its quiet(provided you havent cranked the amp so high you get feedback from nothing). Getting back to that Epi vs Gibson tone arguement though; It's worth saying that my dad owns 3 Gibsons (2 Electric - a LP Recording and a Firebird, and 1 acoustic) and he recently bought an Epiphone Flying V and right now, THAT guitar is his pride and joy.

All in all, If you are looking for a quality Gibson sound at an affordable price, Epiphone is the way to go. More specifically, If you are after an Epi LP; while I have no complaints with tone and no significant complaints in construction of the cheaper Epi LPs... I would definitely recommend going with one from their Les Paul Custom line (which is what the Silverburst falls under). They are about double the cost, but the attention to detail is palpable. If you can put down a few hundred extra, go for it. Get a guitar like this. And narrowing the scope even further, if you are like me and you love Tool, really like LPs, love that silverburst paintjob and are on a limited budget... then look no further, you found your guitar. The only thing I would recommend is to try to buy it below $[...]. I've seen them range from $[...], so do some looking around.

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Product Description:
With the same vaunted visual vibe of the original, this Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul has all the fixin's - 5-ply top, back, and headstock binding; bound rosewood fretboard; split diamond mother-of-pearl headstock inlay; and 4-ply pickguard. Dual humbuckers on an alder top with mahogany back and set neck.

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Epiphone Les Paul Ultra-II Les Paul Collection Electric Guitar, Midnight Ebony Review

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(More customer reviews)I love the sound of a Les Paul, but I refused to buy one because having been a Strat player for years, I just felt that LP's were uncomfortable to play. This Les Paul addresses the two major factors in why a traditional LP is uncomfortable:

#1, Weight. Ever pick up a real LP? They weight a ton and by the end of a show, your shoulder and lower back are killing you. This thing is super light! The acoustic chambers make it essentially a hollow-body. I'm not sure what the actual weight is, but it's significantly lighter than a solid body LP, but sounds the same (actually better with the piezo).

#2, Body Contours. I don't have a huge belly, but the sharp corners on regular LP's cut into my gut and just aren't comfortable. This guy has a nice body contour in it, so it's really quite comfortable.

The neck has some kind of radical "satin" finish on it that is LIGHTNING fast to play on. It's almost like a rough finish, but it's great because your hand doesn't stick to it like it would to a traditional painted finish. You just have to try it.

This thing has that LP growl that all guitar players associate with a LP. The humbuckers are phenomenal!! In my band, we play classic rock covers with a few heavier tunes thrown in. I figured this guitar would fit right in with some of the more "mild" songs, and songs that were recorded on a LP. "Hold On Loosely", "Deuce", "Life In The Fast Lane", and a couple of Journey tunes... stuff like that. This guitar certainly covers those styles perfectly. But wait... The first time I took this to practice, we started playing "Man In The Box" with a heavy overdrive, and when I hit an artificial harmonic in "G" on the low "E" string... O-M-G!!! The rest of the band members jaws all dropped and they commented that this guitar screamed like a Zakk Wylde. It's VERY responsive!! Then I dialed it back, and tried out the piezo acoustic pickup for our rendition of "Comfortably Numb". I know, shudder at the thought of playing a LP for a Pink Floyd song... The piezo acoustic sound was absolutely incredible, but then when I turned the piezo down and the humbuckers back on for the solo's, it filled the bill again!
This guitar will get you pretty much ANY tone you want (except for the buzz of a single coil). All I can say is, try it!!

There are only 2 things I don't like about this guitar, hence the 4-stars. While the body is light, the headstock isn't, and it tends to pull on the shoulder. It's just not very well balanced, so it takes some getting used to. Also, it's still tough to get to the higher frets just like any LP.

Otherwise, you get the killer LP sound with the added bonus of an acoustic, and the unexpected bonus of COMFORT! This guitar is well worth the price and I'd say it's essential to any collection. You can cover so much ground with it!

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Product Description:
Most guitar experts would agree, it's really, really, really hard to improve on the Les Paul Model. In over 50 years, the master's design is unbeatable. However, we took a cool concept for a lighter version, our Ultra II and played up to it's surprising acoustic bonus properties by adding a Shadow NanoMag pickup system. We embedded the small, powerful, device into the actual end of the fretboard, right at the sweet spot for grabbing rich, acoustic harmonics. We also added the versatility of stereo output, and altogether, yeilding one of the most incredible, award-winning Les Paul models ever. The Epiphone Les Paul Ultra II, with internal chambers making it three pounds lighter than an average LP, still sounds like you'd expect the "King of Solidbodies" to sound with Humbuckers engaged. The comfortable contour on the back is also a plus. The carved Mahagany body features a Quilted Maple top with a set, Mahogany neck with Rosewood fingerboard and is voiced bya pair ofhigh-output Alnico Classic Humbuckers, and the Shadow NanoMag system. Add Gold Grover™ tuners, and our newEpiphone LockTone™ locking Tune-o-matic bridge and Stop-bar tailpiece for even more sustain and unparalleled versatile tone.

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Gibson Les Paul Axcess Standard Electric Guitar, Floyd Rose, Gun Metal Gray Review

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(More customer reviews)This guitar is as close to what I have been looking for right out of the box for 35 years. Very versatile, flexible, easy to play , great tone, powerfull and not as heavy as a regular les paul. With the floyd rose,coil split capability, new neck design you have just about every conceivable option possible in a quality guitar, from jazz to heavy metal. Very expensive, forced me to trade in my srv,gibson acoustic and my fender twin to bring down the price, but I couldn't help it. I had to have it.

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Gibson's Les Paul Axcess Standard Electric Guitar: Improving the Standard

For nearly six decades now, Gibson's Les Paul Standard has stood the test time as the most playable electric guitar in the world. While others have attempted to imitate it, none have come close to duplicating the qualities of this legendary guitar. Yet each year, Gibson attempts to improve on the world's best guitar. This time, it's with the new Les Paul Axcess Standard electric guitar from Gibson Custom.

More than Just Different: Gibson's Les Paul Axcess Standard Electric Guitar

The Les Paul Axcess Standard is more than just "different." It's the result of Gibson's drive to build the best Les Paul Standard possible, while staying true to the design and performance of the iconic Les Paul electric guitars of the past.

The new Les Paul Axcess Standard from Gibson Custom carries all the elegant styling, fluid body lines and rocking attitude of a classic Les Paul Standard from the golden era of the late 1950s. Upon closer examination, however, the Les Paul Axcess reveals a handful of upgrades--all modifications made in the name of maximum playability and versatility. As Gibson Custom Operations Manager Michael McGuire puts it, "Everything about this Les Paul has been designed to make it a player's 'player's guitar.' From the easy access to its upper range to the comfortable belly scarf to the Floyd Rose vibrato, this instrument was made to give you optimum performance."

Gibson's Les Paul Axcess Standard Features a Distinctive Floyd Rose Vibrato

The most noticeable addition to Gibson's Les Paul Axcess Standard electric guitar is the Floyd Rose tailpiece, a unit optimized for anything from subtle vibrato wobbles to dramatic, rumbling divebombs. Adding a Floyd Rose to a Les Paul in the past was always a major undertaking, and one that could seriously damage the stability of the instrument if not done right. On the Les Paul Axcess, the vibrato is installed right at Gibson Custom as part of the manufacturing process, which means this potent piece of high-performance hardware interacts seamlessly with the design of this electric guitar. Partnered with an R4 locking nut, it also guarantees fantastic tuning stability and return-to-pitch accuracy.

Contoured Neck for Upper Fret Access on the Gibson Les Paul Axcess Standard Electric Guitar

If you take the Gibson Les Paul Axcess Standard electric guitar and run your fingers up the neck, you'll encounter the clever structural alteration that gives this new model its name: While the Axcess sports what looks from the front to be a traditional Les Paul neck joint, the neck heel and portions of the back and neck joint at the upper cutaway have been contoured to provide a "heelless" feel, and an unimpeded reach right up to the 22nd fret. What does this mean? No more stretching against the traditional neck heel to achieve the upper-fret access that your lead style demands--the Axcess gives you that legendary Les Paul playability all the way up the neck, welcoming you to take it right over the top.

Comfortable Ribcage Contour
To further enhance playing comfort, this smoothly carved neck joint is combined with a "belly scarf" (aka ribcage contour) that allows the body of the electric guitar to hug closely to your own body in the playing position without digging in.

Refreshingly Light Body Style
The Les Paul Axcess's slightly thinner body, made from weight-relieved mahogany (with carved maple top), gives you an instrument that is refreshingly light and a pure joy to play, either strapped on or in a seated position.

Optimum Tone Setup
The Gibson Les Paul Axcess Standard electric guitar is also geared toward optimum tone, as you'd expect from any Gibson Custom creation. Exposed-coil BurstBucker 1 and BurstBucker 2 pickups in the neck and bridge positions--the most accurate reproduction vintage-PAF-style humbuckers Gibson has ever offered--yield everything from warm, fluid vocal tones to fat, sweet growl, while an added push/pull switch on the treble Tone knob provides coil splitting for accurate single-coil tones. These unique tonal combinations excel at delivering everything from singing classic rock lead tones to contemporary crunch to extremes of twang and jangle. Even the pure-nickel wound .10-.46 Gibson Vintage Strings it ships with contribute toward its rich, textured voice.

These unique tonal combinations excel at delivering everything from singing classic rock lead tones to contemporary crunch to extremes of twang and jangle. Even the pure-nickel wound .10-.46 Gibson Vintage Strings it ships with contribute toward its rich, textured voice. Each instrument also comes with a Gibson Custom hardshell case and certificate of authenticity.

Gibson's Perfect Setup
The Les Paul Axcess is built to the highest standards attainable in today's market, which includes a final set-up and fret dressing by the revolutionary, computer-controlled PLEK System, which provides Gibson's Perfect Setup.

Hardshell Case and Certificate of Authenticity
Each instrument also comes with a Gibson Custom hardshell case and certificate of authenticity. Top that off with optimum playability, maximum access and unparalleled tone and the Les Paul Axcess Standard is probably all the guitar that most players will ever need.

Additional Specifications and Appointments:

One-piece mahogany neck with fast, rounded profile
24 3/4" scale length with 1 11/16" nut width
22-fret rosewood fingerboard
Kluson tuners
Single-ply cream binding on body top
Pearloid trapezoid fingerboard inlays
Carved maple top with nitrocellulose lacquer finish

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Epiphone LP Standard Plus-Top Les Paul Collection Electric Guitar, Trans Blue Review

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(More customer reviews)This guitar is increadible for the price. I just got mine last month and have been blown away by its quality. It looks every bit as good as the $2000+ Gibsons, it really is gorgeous. The only complaint I had are the pickups. They're a bit muddy, I think I'm going to replace them with some Seymour Duncans. But even then this instrument rocks! Buy it, you'll be glad you did.

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Product Description:
This is the undisputed King of Solidbody Electric guitars with a reign spanning sixdecades. The Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus-Top is an eventual must for a guitarist's collection, because this model lives up to its imposing reputation for unmatched tone and sustain. Legendary guitarist and inventor Les Paul lends his signature to every real Les Paul guitar, authenticating his soveriegn design standards, so you know you are getting "the real thing".From the tone-rich, bound, Mahogany body with beautiful Flame Maple top to the set, Mahogany neck and Rosewood fingerboard with traditional trapezoid inlays, to the rich, vintage tone provided by a pair ofhigh-output Alnico Classic Humbuckers, this guitar is the standard for all others. It also features Chrome hardware, Grover™ tuners, withour newEpiphone LockTone™ locking Tune-o-matic bridge and Stop-bar tailpiece that gives you even more sustain and lasting Les Paul warm tone that you dream about.

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Epiphone LP Black Beauty 3 Les Paul Collection Electric Guitar, Ebony Review

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(More customer reviews)The Black Beauty by Epiphone is the single best sounding guitar I have ever played. I've gone through mounds of Gibsons and Fenders, but have settled on the Black Beauty for the rest of eternity. I'm going to be buried with this guitar. First off, it looks fantastic. The entire thing has a beautiful black finish that is accentuated with gold hardware. Everything is of high quality and it stays in tune after a serious beating. It has not one, not two, but three gold humbucker pickups, each delivering a crushing blow. You can set it at a low tone and get the best bluesy feel, or you can go a little higher and tear the walls down with a death metal tune. You can play ska or reggae, punk and even country. The guitar is that versatile. It is a good sized, heavy, guitar. This is one you can feel when you're playing it and when you strike that first power chord with the volume and distortion cranked, the vibrations resonate through you like an electrocution. It has excellent playability, there are no strange string inclines found on the fret board like other guitars I've played. The only, and only, problem with this guitar is the strange G-string, but I have seen it on EVERY Epiphone I've ever played. Billie Joe from Green Day even commented on that in regards to the Les Paul Juniors. But you can only hear the faulty string when the guitar isn't plugged into an amp. Once the guitar is plugged in it sounds like heaven. Don't waste your money on more expensive guitars. This is THE guitar to have.

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Product Description:
If the Les Paul is the "King of Solidbody Electric Guitars",then the Epiphone Les Paul Black Beauty is in His Majesty's full glory.The appropriately fully-bound Ebony Mahogany body is fitted with a set, Mahogany neck, with Rosewood fretboard brandishing "block" inlay, crowned with "split-diamond" Abalone headstockinlay and is ornamented with Gold hardware, including Grover tuners. The vintage sound of this stunner is provided by a threesome ofhigh-output Alnico Classic Humbucker pickups. Our newEpiphone LockTone™ locking Tune-o-matic bridge and Stop-bar tailpiece gives you additional rich tone and wonderous Les Paul sustain.

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