Not really when you can get a much nicer G&L tribute for even cheaper. I have a Gibson Es 339 and it's sexy af. I've never had a decent epiphone. Although I haven't tried a newer one
@@benink5690 that’s a personal experience. The general consensus with the newer models that the epiphone can get you 90%-95% if the way there for a fraction of the price. The main difference is the quality of the woods and the feels. Tonally, they are very close and in a band context would be indiscernible for most listeners
Yes man, if you get good pickups and you get it setup by a good luthier it can definitely sound like a gibson... It wasn't like that a couple of years ago but gibsons qc nowadays is trash
I’ve swapped in Gibson pickups into Epiphones and yes, it makes it better, but it still doesn’t bridge the gap. That gap was still huge for me, so I saved and upgraded,best decision I’ve made. I wouldn’t go back🥰
On my Explorer with Probuckers, I found that raising the pole pieces by a full turn and raising the overall pickup height to match Gibson recommended specs really brought them to life and added responsiveness. From the factory they were set a bit low. Great pickups, and miles above some of the older Epiphone offerings!
Great review. Seems to me the quality of the Epiphones is getting very good, and for the price, an excellent value. For the beginner buy the Epiphone for a few years and then if you commit to the Les Paul tradition and investment, go for it. The transition will be smooth. Thanks!
I think that's the idea, to have the Epiphone models mirror the Gibson, so it's an easy transition. I got my first Epiphone in 2020, and my first Gibson in 2022, after not having any gear for over 15 years!
@@mazklassa9338 it changes the tone a little, but not enough to be a huge difference. As long as they use similar density woods, which they use, it's pretty much the same.
@@mazklassa9338 solidbody wood doesnt affect tone. Get the pickups you like and youll have the same sound. The sound most people swear they hear, is just the feeling of the vibration and the sound of the acoustics in the room mixing with whats coming out of the speakers. theres no magic. Just metal strings vibrating magnetic Flux.
@@terran236 lol I'm totally digging this revolutionary spirit against over-inflated price monopolization, just cutting right to the chase with what's what. Tone conoseuirs be like stripped of their own bark and floating like a big ol turd log down the stream 😅
@@mazklassa9338 yeah and it's great because I'm starting to see it more and more as well. hearing the whole Woody tone thing makes me laugh. If people want Woody tone they should play acoustics and classical guitars... or use a piezo pickup that's the only way you're going to record the actual wood. Or just mic up the damn body if that's so important LOL
The formula is simple. Buy the Epiphone and a good tube amp. When you are good enough to make that Epiphone sing ,then buy the Gibson and play the hell out of it
@@kendalgrace9584 We all love our epiphone . Really good guitars. When I got my Gibson, I started playing guitar tech on epiphone. Gibson break in so we’ll the more you play them. That’s what no one talks about in these videos.
@@joseaguilera3939 That is a really nice guitar! I played one about 10 years ago and I remember being impressed. Beat the heck out of it and I wish you the guitar of your dreams in the future
I'm a beginner player and that's the exact thought process. It's like giving a beginner the chance to play an 200k yamaha grand piano when they only know how to play silent night or something
I bought an epiphone for $600. Rewired it with quality parts , replace the pickups with Seymours, replaced the bridge and tail piece with tone pros, tuners with Grover 135’s and smoothed out the frets. I have about $1100 total in the guitar. The thing plays and sounds amazing. But I enjoy that kind of work as well.
I'd really like to hear the difference between that new '59 Epiphone, and this Gibson LP... considering the '59 Epi comes loaded with Gibson USA Burstbuckers.
You can also get it in the tobacco burst but the price is 800 also. I have been eyeing the Wolf AIO les pal copies. they have Grover tuners, bone nut and for 50 bucks you get a 130 buck gator case. They look stunning and I have only seen one bad review out of ten and I think it was fake. the dude said the abilone inlays were stickers and peeled off.
Okay, so Alamo has to be kind to both Gibson and Epiphone. I think the review was worth watching, and was nicely done. What I gathered was: If you want to impress your friends, buy the Gibson. If you want to look good and sound good, buy the Epi, spend the money you've saved on a Super Reverb, and still have enough left over to go out drinking with your friends next weekend. :-)
I can hear that the Gibson is definitely naturally warmer but that's not something that a simple EQ adjustment could not compensate if one desired to do so. I love My Epiphone 60's standard and it's pretty well understood IMO that electronics and digital adjustment is the key to what you want out of pretty much any guitar that is worth playing. JMO and not trying to come off arrogant. I just started playing a few months ago LOL but I have been a vocalist all my life and ammeter sound man and have been studying guitar insanely since I decided to get into playing. Thanks man. You rock.
@@steveeckert8396 No they won't, and they won't play the same either. Enjoy your epiphone and be proud to own it but don't say dumb shit like they will sound the same if you change the pickups lol.
It doesn’t even sound close to me. The Epiphone sounded muffled or choked compared to the Gibson. The truth is that you get what you pay for. I have had/played both over the past 30+ years, and it boils down to how much money you have to spend and can you live with the budget guitar. I would rather have one Gibson than 5 Epiphones or even 3 that are heavily modded. But to each their own. If Epiphone was a “bad” guitar they wouldn’t sell as well as they do, so it’s a good investment for anyone who wants a decent guitar under $1,000. I just don’t see how anyone can compare a Camaro to a Ferrari and say that they’re basically the same car and not worth the huge price difference.
@@MP422ownz Completely agree. It was so cut and dry for me that after 30 minutes I knew the tribute would rarely see any playing time vs the Traditional. I am going to play some Epi's next trip to Nashville for the heck of it however.
Superb comparison video, thank you. I ended up getting the Epiphone (2021 model) and after some minor mods/upgrades and a pro setup I can honestly say it’s more or less as good as any Gibson I’ve played. Build and finish is flawless. They really upped their game. Great time to be into guitars. 😎👍
Great video and excellent playing! I would like to make a suggestion tho: when you do comparisons, I think it would be helpful to switch the audio/video back to back every few seconds so we could better tell the difference in the tones. I saw some comments saying the playing was a bit long winded or self indulgent, and honestly I don't have a problem with that! You wanna shred on that thing, by all means do so, but it gets really difficult to retain the memory of one guitar when the examples you give are so long. That's why I suggested going back and forth. Because of this I could barely tell the difference between the two watching the video how you intended it to be watched; however when I would skip around the video I could hear more of a noticeable difference.
What Benjamin said. Cutting back and forth will reveal a more accurate sound comparison. But great job on the review. I have to say, for the money, the Epi is a freaking no brainer for a beginner, or for someone that just can't justify 2-3k for a guitar. I have the Gibson Standard version and I can't say enough good things about it, but I've been playing for 40+ years and I can afford the Gibson.
No doubt a Gibson is a great guitar. I purchased my Gibson Les Paul Custom new in 1971. It is my pride and joy. Having said that, around 15 years ago I purchased a used Epiphone 2009 ‘56 gold top with upgraded P90s (I don’t know the brand as it wasn’t mentioned in the listing). At some point I had a custom bone nut installed. Even before the bone nut, that guitar blew me away. It plays like butter with nice low action and the pups sound incredible in all three selector positions.. Fast forward to today and I recently purchased an Epiphone 2013 50s Tribute Plus Les Paul and a 2008 Epiphone Les Paul Standard. Both are gorgeous instruments that play and sound fantastic. Fast forward to today, just minutes ago I submitted an offer on reverb for a 2021 Epiphone Les Paul 50s standard Heritage Cherry. Epiphone makes great instruments.
The Epiphone sounded so good at the beginning of the demo that I didn't need to hear the Gibson. The latest pickups and wiring in the Epi's is so much better than just a few years ago. I can buy four of the Epi's for the price of one Gibson so...
I was just up in my music room doing an a/b comparison between my 2020 gibson classic and my 2020 epiphone custom koa. Both are great guitars but the gibson blows my epiphone straight out of the water. No contest. Great video man!
I’ve had my Epiphone for over 20 years. It’s ok for an entry level guitar. The only thing that aged on it is the binding color. The polyurethane finish hasn’t changed at all. Fret board shrunk and I had to get it filed down. If you get your Epiphone set up it’s an ok guitar.
The biggest difference is the Gibson is 5x as much. Epiphones are amazing bang for your buck guitars and they keep getting better every single year. I'd take a high end Epiphone over an entry level Gibson all day long. Also, 99% of people aren't professional musicians and don't need a 4k guitar.
Great review, Cooper! You are articulate enough to describe the quality, design, heirloom and resale value, and great comparison play, too! I could hear the difference with my PC 's CA speakers, without using the burgundy Senal cans. The new learner and Taylor/Breedlove collector...
@Shawn, I agree, that's what I heard, Gibson richer, more articulate sound. That said, I prefer the Epi look. I had both Gibson LP Std with Bursbuckers Pro, and Epi LP Tribute Plus Outfit with Gibson Classic57 . The Epi had a better finish, the Gibs 2011 having some flaws. I ended selling both, the Gibs for those flaws that upsetted me ( but I now regret selling it), and the Epi for the slim tapper neck I didn't cope with. ( now enjoying a Tokai made in Japan LS1000)
I have an 04 Korean Epiphone Les Paul Standard, it has a bone nut, upgraded electronics and Seymour Duncan 59's and it sounds pretty sweet. I'm sure if i put a better bridge and tail peace it would add to it. It weighs 10 lbs and unplugged its got nice sustain. My son and I get to play the real deal at one of our local used shops and I have not come across one Gibson that made me want to spend the money to get the "real deal". I did play a 1997 PRS Mira that was a Gibson killer 👍
Both sound great , it's so easy to be a headstock snob but I reckon for the vast majority of players a good Epi is all you need . I have a 2002 Epiphone Les Paul that was built in the unsung factory, I really cannot fault it , it plays great and stays in tune ! Perhaps I was lucky. The finish is great also .
Both great guitar, same character no doubt. Gibson is just more thick sounding which is very classic tone. But Epiphone is astonishingly great for its price.
I found a 2020 Epi Lp 50s a few months back. I like the specs. It's has one dead spot on the 14th fret on the b string. The pickups are kinda mild. But other than that it plays good. Wide neck, long neck tenon would seem to only help sustain. No weight relief. Bought it used for $399, no case. It's heavy just like I prefer them
Cooper, great video. The Epiphone sounded a little less substantial than the Gibson; however, the difference was small. If the Epiphone was played without the Gibson for comparison, it would be difficult to say that there was a big difference. The points you made regarding the longevity of the instruments and the future value are well taken. I have been of the opinion that if you are a serious guitar player, you should get the best instrument that you can afford. However, if the budget does not allow, the Epiphone would be an excellent choice. Once again, you did a good job.
The main tonal difference listening to the video without seeing the screen is the clarity on the Gibson, but it is in the wiring and pickups. Having owned both Gibson and Epi Les Pauls if you want the look and the feel the Epi goes a long way and leaves you with budget for upgrades.
The Epiphone is amazing. But if two guitars look exactly the same but one feels and sounds better. I’m playing it way more. So if you can afford the Gibson buy it. If not the Epiphone is still very high quality.
They both sound great 👍. Sold my Gibson Standard Les Paul years ago. My bro-in-law from Japan sent me a Les Paul “Super Real”. I think it is made by the Fujigen company. It has an aftermarket bridge pickup and I will be keeping that one ありがとうございます to my bro. Now if I could find an SG Supreme, that would be great.
great review! Although after hearing the playing i may use my quitar for kindling and put my boot through my amp. I will say this- get the Gibson if you can... then you won't want it later.
The Gibson is a better made, better sounding and unmatched feel of a guitar that it you will not have to put any upgrades in unlike the Epi. I have owned both over the years and the Epi stays in the case.
Having recently acquired a Gibson 2019 Traditional, if there is a comparable Epiphone somebody else will have it because I don't have enough time or money to look for it. They have their place and fill many a need but if you get seriously good enough you'll get the Gibson because once you find it you won't be satisfied with less.
Damn dude! You can play! The pickups in the Gibson definitely sound fuller / bigger to me, but the Epi's have really been impressive lately. Also, shout out to the Montreal shirt!
Dare I say it but the flame maple top on the Epiphone looks better. Looks like it has more depth and definition to the flame. Upgrade the pickups and I am.sure you'd be a lot closer sound wise. Great playing by the way.
@@karlmiller3623 technically it’s not. It’s just a thin veneer off a really nice piece of flame maple. The depth of the grain on other guitars looks nice cause it’s actually a thick full piece of flame maple whereas the epiphones mostly have a slightly thicker than paper thickness so you don’t get the depth kind of like you just get the stripey part of the flame maple look.
There is a huge sonic difference between the Epiphone and the Gibson, still, and it’s over RUclips, on a decrepit iPad mini’s speaker. BUT, the Epiphone itself seems to have an improved sound over its past iterations! Especially the neck pickup! Before I would have advised people to stay with Gibson if they’re buying a Les Paul, but with this new lineup of theirs I’d tell people to probably buy an Epiphone, then to replace the pickups with Gibson ones after the warranty runs out. Good job, Epiphone!
Big difference in terms of sound in favour of the Gibson here, I felt. That being said, last time I went to my music shop, I preferred the feel of the satin neck of the Gibson LesPaul tribute 2018, compared to a LesPaul standard that was £1000 more 🤷🏻♂️
I was complete opposite as much as I liked my 2019 Tribute the Traditional was so far superior it wasn't even close but there is no wrong in either. I just have the opinion that there is a Gibson LP that will make any Epiphone pale in comparison. I played fender for years and even have a EBMM but it ain't no Gibson LP.
I actually much prefer the finish of the Epiphone over the Gibson. Surprisingly I think it has a better top burst. As for the sound? The Epiphone sounded quieter to me! Was the volume settings the same? If that's the case I guess the pickups are lower output or the pots and electronics are just different. Epiphone didn't sound bad by any means, the Gibby had more low end for sure.
Yes, the Gibson sounds louder; also in person. It has both more bass and a sharper top end. More grit. More sustain. The strings and sound resonate a bit more. The top on the Epiphone is a veneer, so it's simpler and cheaper to get a nice looking top. On the Gibson, the look that you see is the actual maple cap.
From 1992 l've been playing my 1991 Gibson Standard Les Paul and for me it's the best guitar in the world...it's now a month that l bought my Epiphone 50s Les Paul Gold Top and l think it's a great guitar too... If you're are not a professional musician at the highest levels l think it's difficult to say what's better and plus you got to think that at the price of one Gibson you can get 4 Epiphone LPs... Cheers👍👍👍
I think the only difference was the pickups that had a nice warm tone but if they were not side by side would a everyday player pickup on the sound. It's like when you buy a new TV and there are so many to choose but very little difference until you look close at the screens. Hope that makes sense. I understand that Gibson are a classic Guitar and you can't go wrong, but there is definitely nothing wrong with epiphone these days as long as you buy a decent standard model.
First-Very good guitar playing! Great to listen to demos when the guitar player is that good. Of course Gibson better win this comparison IMO, but Epiphone has its place too. If you buy a great looking Epiphone with a good neck, new pickups and locking tuners go a long way to make it an awesome guitar and still come in cheaper than Gibson.
Bad Badger Good words man. I’m on an epiphone forum. Decent tuners n Seymour Duncan antiquity pick ups I believe are the way forward for an epiphone mod n they piss on the Gibson. I’m no head stock snob lol To be fair I can’t afford to be. Would I love a Gibson ?yeh of coarse I would.would I by one?probably not.
Gibson has a richer tone but that would be due to the finish, pickups and wiring. Epiphone are making some great guitars and as a musician, I would have no problem hopping on stage with an Epiphone LP out of the box. The Gibson is to hand down, the Epiphone is a work horse.
@Mark Seymour it's all a combination, wiring is important. Like a jigsaw, you need all the pieces to make it complete. I agree wiring on its own wouldn't make a massive difference.
i just played a bunch of gibsons and epiphones in the guitar store. For sure the setup, and fretwork were better on the gibsons but not by that much. i think a good set up, a little work on the frets plus some better pickups would get you really really close to the gibson.
i m a lefty guitarplayer from belgium. i play epiphone i like it very much. the sound is better with gibson that s a fact but a lefty gibson order its a lot of money . its shit to be a lefty in the music world
I have a couple of the high end Epiphone Les Pauls..A plus top Standard and the 1959 Epiphone Les Paul Standard with the Gibson Burst Buckers. They are and were both excellent guitars and I liked the tone in both of them although they were a little different. I installed Tonerider AC2 PAF, scatter-wound pickups in both Epiphones and they are better than the 2 Gibson LP Standards that I also own. In fact, they are the best sounding guitars I've ever owned in 38 years of playing.
@@stricknine8623 Ive had plenty of Epiphones and a couple PRS SE. I went through the whole pickup change, upgrade thing ...never did quite cut it for me. I just wasnt quite satisfied. I saved up and got me a Gibson standard. I said I never would, Im not a brand snob but its the sound I always had in my head. Sound is subjective, whatever works for you or sounds good to you...is what you should hang on to.
@@JT-gm4fk Agree,...Totally subjective. Nothing is objectively or factually better tone. If you ever have the extra cash and the curiosity,..I highly reccomend the Tonerider AC2 pickup set. particularly the bridge pickup.
Gibson is better as a long term investment. And you will hear that minor difference in tone in a comparison. But I believe that plugged into two different amps he could make the two guitars sound the same by adjusting the amp. The Epiphone is good enough for a good guitarist to tweak the tone. Gibson acoustic vs Epiphone acoustic would be different because you can’t tweak anything. Just my two cents. I can’t play worth a damn but my ears are still good:)
Just picked up my ordered lefty '50's heritage cherry sunburst les Paul from guitar center in orange California it came from Missouri, I lowered the action and raised the pickups. Stock I think it s plays pretty good, I had a lefty Gibson Les Paul '79 and I gotta say the sustain is pretty good on the epi the Gibson was pretty chunky but in 79 they weren't doing weight relief at all, I'm happy with the epi and dropping $3,000 on another Gibson vs $750.00 on the epi much easier on the wallet.
There is a slight difference in tone between these 2 guitars. The Gibson sounds slightly richer than the Epiphone but that could be an adjustment issue. The top on the Epiphone is actually a bit more flamed (yes I know it's a veneer). I would be happy to gig with either of these guitars. To be honest, someone sitting in the audience is probably not going to be able to tell the difference when you put the guitar in with the rest of the band. If you are looking for something that's going to hold it's value then go with the Gibson. If you are looking for a player that you can gig with then either of these will work but the Epiphone is much easier to replace if it's damaged or stolen.
Not a setup or adjustment issue. The Gibson has a lot more clarity, more defined top end and heavier bottom end. The tone on the Gibson also has more texture/grit and sustain; a lot more accoustic resonance. But yes, someone in an audience and through a band mix and sound system will not be able to tell there's any difference. Maybe on a quiet, hi-fi type of band and mix. Definitely not on a rock scenario.
In this case, the harmonics on the Gibson is definite far superior. Okay, maybe not "far", but certainly it's a student model vs a professional model type of difference. I am curious as to how an Epiphone will sound with a set of BB pros.
So I bought the 50s epiphone standard gold top about 4 weeks ago. It had some sharp fret ends but I fixed that. Overall excellent guitar, especially at its price point. I sold it and got the Gibson 50s standard. The epiphone was very good, and most would be happy. However the Gibson is on another level. Now if you put burstbuckers in the Epiphone..... they would be very very close..... the Gibson however will retain value and will be passed down to my kids. If I needed a gigging guitar for bars etc, I would play the Epiphone. The epiphone neck was a little thicker too.
Man I feel the same way! I have studio models, tributes, etc. But as soon as we started to record with the 50s standard, the difference was night and day.
Great play Cooper!! As usual.😁 Hey, how do you think the Eppi would sound with a set of Gibson pickups in it?? They are both great..but the Gibson does have that nice fat sound to it. Thanks again Cooper!!😎👅
I got my Gibson LP just like the one in the vid, and the wiring is such that the up position activates the bridge PU and down is the neck PU. I don't really mind. I love the guitar.
Sorry, I did the comparison and I will buy the Gibson. I hear and feel the difference. Not to say that the Epiphone is not good. It would make a great second Les Paul for an alternative tuning or one with P90's.
Hey always remember Les Paul worked one his solid body guitar AKA the Log that eventually became his Les Paul guitar in the Epiphone factory not Gibson so reality is the Les Paul was born in the Epiphone factory and Les Paul was associated with Epiphone also from 1940 until his death 2009
I thought this was great. The only real difference, to me, is the pickups. I have owned many Gibsons, of all different models. They all fell short, in quality. That was an expensive lesson learned. I have Epiphones and they never fell apart or had any of the issues I had with Gibsons. That being said, it’s about the player and what you can live with over all.
Let me be 100% clear, The Real Gibson Les Paul Standards are the most awesome guitars I own!!! I should know I own 2. A60’s slim taper neck, and a 50’s neck with Emg’s Zack Wyldes 81’ and 85. Shear madness with 18volt systems! SMOKIN!!!
The Epiphone sounded fantastic. The Gibson sounded just a tad more "full"... But, a mod in harness and pups could easily surpass the Gibson with concern to tone (still at a fraction of the price!). However, the value of Gibson will most likely retain. but, if you're a player, my vote is for the Epi!!
Epiphone’s flame top is instantly head and shoulders above the Gibson. WOW!!! I know Epiphone’s is probably a thin veneer, but I’m not about to sand it anytime soon. Gibson’s pickups are instantly more full rounded sounding. I would buy the Epiphone and swap out the pickups. That’s easy enough, Heck.
Truth is, a lot of guitars can come close.. but there will only ever be one true original. As an owner of the Gibson Les Paul Modern I recently played an Epiphone in a guitar center and although it was a decent guitar.. it just didn’t feel right, you know what I mean? You get what you pay for and I’m willing to pay whatever they charge because you can’t get a bad Gibson. Remember these guitars are handmade so of course now and then there may be an imperfection in the finish or something... but in my opinion that gives it character. Anyway to each his own.. not everyone can afford a Gibson so I’m glad Epiphone is doing this.
Nice Video, noticed the Gibson sounds warmer on the clean tone, but on the distorted, not going to lie, if you blind folded me, I would not have been able to tell the difference, still Epiphone is a great guitar, even for the expert, times are tough, money is tight.
they sound very similar but I have yet to pick up an epiphone that feels anywhere near as nice. an expensive problem for a guy looking for his next guitar
All depends on the player. Def tell a difference in sound but not majorly. I have vintage Gibson guitars only because when I bought them they weren’t VINTAGE yet. But..... I would recommend Epiphone for a starter guitar and when you get rich and famous you can buy all the Gibsons you want. I bought an Epiphone acoustic tobacco burst jumbo and it sounds awesome for jam nights at the local bar and it plays like a dream. $600. Which is good price. I WANTED the Gibson version same color but it cost $5000.00 😳 big difference when I have to get up for my day job instead of being on tour like I wished I was!!!
Thanks for the info!! I love the new Epiphone headstock, I have the 2020 TV Yellow Les Paul Special, big improvement. Love your Tshirt by the way, I live in Montreal, not far from the festival venue.
In fact since I live about two miles for you a may have you do that comparison in person on a better amp. I'm in the market for another 6 string for standard tuning.
Y’all like to compare tonal difference. I’d say the quality in the epiphone is definitely 200 times better than what it was , wether it be in the sound quality or the build it is amazing what they have done. Especially the tops on those things. Gibson has always been good. They will always be good. I hear the Gibson’s a bit richer. Fuller in tone. But I say with the right pedals the epi sounds just the same. Either or. Getting what your getting for the price on the epiphone , I say it’s worth your money absolutely.
I have a Gibson les paul standard and a Chibson les Paul Custom and I had it pro set up. I put real Gibson burst buckers in the Chibson and upgrded the tuners to grovers. that Chibson kicks the shit out of that Gibson Standard.
For the money epiphone is beast of a guitar
that's what all cheapasses say! LOL
@@94SexyStang woah, just take it easy man
Not really when you can get a much nicer G&L tribute for even cheaper. I have a Gibson Es 339 and it's sexy af. I've never had a decent epiphone. Although I haven't tried a newer one
@@benink5690 that’s a personal experience. The general consensus with the newer models that the epiphone can get you 90%-95% if the way there for a fraction of the price. The main difference is the quality of the woods and the feels. Tonally, they are very close and in a band context would be indiscernible for most listeners
Does the mic make the sound difference ??
I think a small investment in pick-ups in the Epiphone would go a long way to bridging the gap...
I was just thinking that I wonder how close they’d be with the same pickups.
or tweaking the EQ
Yes man, if you get good pickups and you get it setup by a good luthier it can definitely sound like a gibson... It wasn't like that a couple of years ago but gibsons qc nowadays is trash
....it has Gibson Burstbuckers in it
I’ve swapped in Gibson pickups into Epiphones and yes, it makes it better, but it still doesn’t bridge the gap. That gap was still huge for me, so I saved and upgraded,best decision I’ve made. I wouldn’t go back🥰
On my Explorer with Probuckers, I found that raising the pole pieces by a full turn and raising the overall pickup height to match Gibson recommended specs really brought them to life and added responsiveness. From the factory they were set a bit low. Great pickups, and miles above some of the older Epiphone offerings!
Thanks I will do this tomorrow when I change strings
@@markntexas8265 epiphone has different pickup placement
Great review. Seems to me the quality of the Epiphones is getting very good, and for the price, an excellent value. For the beginner buy the Epiphone for a few years and then if you commit to the Les Paul tradition and investment, go for it. The transition will be smooth. Thanks!
Well said! Thanks for watching!
I grabbed the 2020 Epiphone Standard '60's ...you can reach the 22nd fret easily now and that was snuff improvement for me
I think that's the idea, to have the Epiphone models mirror the Gibson, so it's an easy transition. I got my first Epiphone in 2020, and my first Gibson in 2022, after not having any gear for over 15 years!
$800 to $5.5k, yeah, pretty smooth transition.
The real reason in the tone difference: The pickups. While Epiphone pickups are nice, the Gibson pickups are just great. You cannot beat that.
So the wood build quality has no baring on the tone whatsoever?
@@mazklassa9338 it changes the tone a little, but not enough to be a huge difference. As long as they use similar density woods, which they use, it's pretty much the same.
@@mazklassa9338 solidbody wood doesnt affect tone. Get the pickups you like and youll have the same sound. The sound most people swear they hear, is just the feeling of the vibration and the sound of the acoustics in the room mixing with whats coming out of the speakers. theres no magic. Just metal strings vibrating magnetic Flux.
@@terran236 lol I'm totally digging this revolutionary spirit against over-inflated price monopolization, just cutting right to the chase with what's what. Tone conoseuirs be like stripped of their own bark and floating like a big ol turd log down the stream 😅
@@mazklassa9338 yeah and it's great because I'm starting to see it more and more as well. hearing the whole Woody tone thing makes me laugh. If people want Woody tone they should play acoustics and classical guitars... or use a piezo pickup that's the only way you're going to record the actual wood. Or just mic up the damn body if that's so important LOL
The formula is simple. Buy the Epiphone and a good tube amp. When you are good enough to make that Epiphone sing ,then buy the Gibson and play the hell out of it
That’s the same thing I did about a year ago!. I still love my Epiphone though
@@kendalgrace9584 We all love our epiphone . Really good guitars. When I got my Gibson, I started playing guitar tech on epiphone. Gibson break in so we’ll the more you play them. That’s what no one talks about in these videos.
I just bought my Korean Epiphone Ultra. I am planning to do the same thing!
@@joseaguilera3939 That is a really nice guitar! I played one about 10 years ago and I remember being impressed. Beat the heck out of it and I wish you the guitar of your dreams in the future
I'm a beginner player and that's the exact thought process. It's like giving a beginner the chance to play an 200k yamaha grand piano when they only know how to play silent night or something
I bought an epiphone for $600. Rewired it with quality parts , replace the pickups with Seymours, replaced the bridge and tail piece with tone pros, tuners with Grover 135’s and smoothed out the frets. I have about $1100 total in the guitar. The thing plays and sounds amazing. But I enjoy that kind of work as well.
I love doing the same thing doing quality upgrades and then it’s almost identical spec wise to the Gibson.
Why waste all that time and money? Just makes more sense to buy the Gibson.
Epi is laminated to hide the poor quality wood.
I'd really like to hear the difference between that new '59 Epiphone, and this Gibson LP... considering the '59 Epi comes loaded with Gibson USA Burstbuckers.
You can also get it in the tobacco burst but the price is 800 also. I have been eyeing the Wolf AIO les pal copies. they have Grover tuners, bone nut and for 50 bucks you get a 130 buck gator case. They look stunning and I have only seen one bad review out of ten and I think it was fake. the dude said the abilone inlays were stickers and peeled off.
I was about to say the main difference seems to be the pickups here...
@@danielferrera8773 yeah upgrade the Epi and in a blind test most won't hear any difference.
@@monmixer But with that guitar you also get a nice hard shell case.
@@danielferrera8773 On the Gibson the bridge pickup is noticeable closer to the bridge!
Epiphone clean 3:12
Epiphone clean 3:38
Epiphone clean 4:00
Gibson clean 4:26
Gibson clean 4:54
Gibson clean 5:16
Epiphone Drive 5:43
Epiphone Drive 6:06
Epiphone Drive 6:19
Gibson Drive 6:49
Gibson Drive 7:06
Gibson Drive 7:19
Okay, so Alamo has to be kind to both Gibson and Epiphone. I think the review was worth watching, and was nicely done. What I gathered was: If you want to impress your friends, buy the Gibson. If you want to look good and sound good, buy the Epi, spend the money you've saved on a Super Reverb, and still have enough left over to go out drinking with your friends next weekend. :-)
I wish the video edit would have been done differently and that the switch between the two models would occur while using the same pick-up position.
Second it
Same. I had to keep skipping around the video to get a good comparison
I can hear that the Gibson is definitely naturally warmer but that's not something that a simple EQ adjustment could not compensate if one desired to do so. I love My Epiphone 60's standard and it's pretty well understood IMO that electronics and digital adjustment is the key to what you want out of pretty much any guitar that is worth playing. JMO and not trying to come off arrogant. I just started playing a few months ago LOL but I have been a vocalist all my life and ammeter sound man and have been studying guitar insanely since I decided to get into playing. Thanks man. You rock.
If I had the coin to throw down on a Gibson, I would do it in a heartbeat. Until then, I’m more than happy with my 2020 Epiphone Goldy.
Put s set of Burstbuckers in the Epi, they'll sound identical and you'll still have 1500 left in your pocket.
@@steveeckert8396 Exactly!
@@steveeckert8396 No they won't, and they won't play the same either. Enjoy your epiphone and be proud to own it but don't say dumb shit like they will sound the same if you change the pickups lol.
It doesn’t even sound close to me. The Epiphone sounded muffled or choked compared to the Gibson.
The truth is that you get what you pay for. I have had/played both over the past 30+ years, and it boils down to how much money you have to spend and can you live with the budget guitar.
I would rather have one Gibson than 5 Epiphones or even 3 that are heavily modded. But to each their own. If Epiphone was a “bad” guitar they wouldn’t sell as well as they do, so it’s a good investment for anyone who wants a decent guitar under $1,000. I just don’t see how anyone can compare a Camaro to a Ferrari and say that they’re basically the same car and not worth the huge price difference.
@@MP422ownz Completely agree. It was so cut and dry for me that after 30 minutes I knew the tribute would rarely see any playing time vs the Traditional. I am going to play some Epi's next trip to Nashville for the heck of it however.
Superb comparison video, thank you. I ended up getting the Epiphone (2021 model) and after some minor mods/upgrades and a pro setup I can honestly say it’s more or less as good as any Gibson I’ve played. Build and finish is flawless. They really upped their game. Great time to be into guitars. 😎👍
What kind of upgrades did you do
Great video and excellent playing!
I would like to make a suggestion tho: when you do comparisons, I think it would be helpful to switch the audio/video back to back every few seconds so we could better tell the difference in the tones.
I saw some comments saying the playing was a bit long winded or self indulgent, and honestly I don't have a problem with that! You wanna shred on that thing, by all means do so, but it gets really difficult to retain the memory of one guitar when the examples you give are so long. That's why I suggested going back and forth.
Because of this I could barely tell the difference between the two watching the video how you intended it to be watched; however when I would skip around the video I could hear more of a noticeable difference.
What Benjamin said. Cutting back and forth will reveal a more accurate sound comparison. But great job on the review. I have to say, for the money, the Epi is a freaking no brainer for a beginner, or for someone that just can't justify 2-3k for a guitar. I have the Gibson Standard version and I can't say enough good things about it, but I've been playing for 40+ years and I can afford the Gibson.
No doubt a Gibson is a great guitar. I purchased my Gibson Les Paul Custom new in 1971. It is my pride and joy. Having said that, around 15 years ago I purchased a used Epiphone 2009 ‘56 gold top with upgraded P90s (I don’t know the brand as it wasn’t mentioned in the listing). At some point I had a custom bone nut installed. Even before the bone nut, that guitar blew me away. It plays like butter with nice low action and the pups sound incredible in all three selector positions.. Fast forward to today and I recently purchased an Epiphone 2013 50s Tribute Plus Les Paul and a 2008 Epiphone Les Paul Standard. Both are gorgeous instruments that play and sound fantastic. Fast forward to today, just minutes ago I submitted an offer on reverb for a 2021 Epiphone Les Paul 50s standard Heritage Cherry. Epiphone makes great instruments.
The Epi is just slightly thiner sounding. Both are great versions of the 50’s Standard. Better than their pre re-structuring versions! ⚡️
my feelings exactly
That’s his wack amp settings. The neck pickup is the beefiest by default.
The Epiphone sounded so good at the beginning of the demo that I didn't need to hear the Gibson.
The latest pickups and wiring in the Epi's is so much better than just a few years ago.
I can buy four of the Epi's for the price of one Gibson so...
I was just up in my music room doing an a/b comparison between my 2020 gibson classic and my 2020 epiphone custom koa. Both are great guitars but the gibson blows my epiphone straight out of the water. No contest. Great video man!
Did you use the same pickups for both of the guitars?
@@pipibulet dude, it isn't the pickups ...it's the overall quality of a Gibson. you can put $1000 into a 800 epi and it won't sound the same.
Bull ship the Epiphone is just as good as the Gibson
The Gibson is much fuller sounding with more bass.
Couple hundred bucks for different pickups…..save two grand
@@williamsporing1500 nope, still won't make the EPI A GIBSON
@@sixslinger9951 I’d rather hear a good player on an Epi, than a bad player on a Gibson.
Spending money won’t make you a good player
looking like the Epiphone with American pickups is the way to go
I’ve had my Epiphone for over 20 years. It’s ok for an entry level guitar. The only thing that aged on it is the binding color. The polyurethane finish hasn’t changed at all. Fret board shrunk and I had to get it filed down. If you get your Epiphone set up it’s an ok guitar.
These are much better than the ones 20 years ago
Honesty sells guitars.
...... Way yo go Cooper !!!!
The biggest difference is the Gibson is 5x as much. Epiphones are amazing bang for your buck guitars and they keep getting better every single year. I'd take a high end Epiphone over an entry level Gibson all day long. Also, 99% of people aren't professional musicians and don't need a 4k guitar.
Hey, Les Paul worked for Epiphone, not Gibson…Just saying.
The Epi 59 has the same pickups as the Gibson featured for $799 and the darkburst version looks exactly the same as that Gibson!
Great review, Cooper! You are articulate enough to describe the quality, design, heirloom and resale value, and great comparison play, too! I could hear the difference with my PC 's CA speakers, without using the burgundy Senal cans. The new learner and Taylor/Breedlove collector...
Both sound great, gibson sounds a bit richer.
The potential owner for the Gibson need to be a bit richer as well 😉
Change the PUPS in the Epiphone to SD Antiquities $260 and you will have a hard time telling them apart
@Shawn, I agree, that's what I heard, Gibson richer, more articulate sound. That said, I prefer the Epi look. I had both Gibson LP Std with Bursbuckers Pro, and Epi LP Tribute Plus Outfit with Gibson Classic57 . The Epi had a better finish, the Gibs 2011 having some flaws. I ended selling both, the Gibs for those flaws that upsetted me ( but I now regret selling it), and the Epi for the slim tapper neck I didn't cope with. ( now enjoying a Tokai made in Japan LS1000)
Yeah ah though that.
The Gibson sounded warmer buy hey they wee epiphone man 👌🏻ah love them.
Can you split coil them?it's awryt don't answer that ma friend I'm away Tae eBay.✌🏻👍🏻🎸😁
First thing I notice is the Gibson has waaay more presence. They both sound great. You are an excellent player as well. Really slick 😊
I have an 04 Korean Epiphone Les Paul Standard, it has a bone nut, upgraded electronics and Seymour Duncan 59's and it sounds pretty sweet. I'm sure if i put a better bridge and tail peace it would add to it. It weighs 10 lbs and unplugged its got nice sustain. My son and I get to play the real deal at one of our local used shops and I have not come across one Gibson that made me want to spend the money to get the "real deal". I did play a 1997 PRS Mira that was a Gibson killer 👍
The only thing I feel compelled to say:
This guy’s playing is immaculate
i wanna play liek him when i grow up
I agree he is incredibly good
I would like to see a comparison between that Gibson and 2020 Epiphone 1959 reissue. The both have the Burst Bucker.
Good review. Thanks. All the best.
Both sound great , it's so easy to be a headstock snob but I reckon for the vast majority of players a good Epi is all you need . I have a 2002 Epiphone Les Paul that was built in the unsung factory, I really cannot fault it , it plays great and stays in tune ! Perhaps I was lucky. The finish is great also .
Some Korean models I have heard are really really good
Both great guitar, same character no doubt. Gibson is just more thick sounding which is very classic tone. But Epiphone is astonishingly great for its price.
Forget what we or anyone else thinks, just follow your heart......
I found a 2020 Epi Lp 50s a few months back. I like the specs. It's has one dead spot on the 14th fret on the b string. The pickups are kinda mild. But other than that it plays good. Wide neck, long neck tenon would seem to only help sustain. No weight relief. Bought it used for $399, no case. It's heavy just like I prefer them
Cooper, great video. The Epiphone sounded a little less substantial than the Gibson; however, the difference was small. If the Epiphone was played without the Gibson for comparison, it would be difficult to say that there was a big difference. The points you made regarding the longevity of the instruments and the future value are well taken. I have been of the opinion that if you are a serious guitar player, you should get the best instrument that you can afford. However, if the budget does not allow, the Epiphone would be an excellent choice. Once again, you did a good job.
I'm local, so once this quarantine junk is overm I need to get my butt over to Alamo Music. Thanks for the comparisons and awesome chops on each.
Great review,great playing your'e doing a great job Cooper keep it up !
Cooper's pretty great!
The main tonal difference listening to the video without seeing the screen is the clarity on the Gibson, but it is in the wiring and pickups. Having owned both Gibson and Epi Les Pauls if you want the look and the feel the Epi goes a long way and leaves you with budget for upgrades.
I've got the 2020 60s model. I can't find one thing wrong with it. I used to have a Gibson LP studio. This is just as nice with better pickups.
The Epiphone is amazing. But if two guitars look exactly the same but one feels and sounds better. I’m playing it way more. So if you can afford the Gibson buy it. If not the Epiphone is still very high quality.
Exactly. 100 percent!
They both sound great 👍. Sold my Gibson Standard Les Paul years ago. My bro-in-law from Japan sent me a Les Paul “Super Real”. I think it is made by the Fujigen company. It has an aftermarket bridge pickup and I will be keeping that one ありがとうございます to my bro. Now if I could find an SG Supreme, that would be great.
great review! Although after hearing the playing i may use my quitar for kindling and put my boot through my amp. I will say this- get the Gibson if you can... then you won't want it later.
Practice makes perfect!
The Gibson is a better made, better sounding and unmatched feel of a guitar that it you will not have to put any upgrades in unlike the Epi. I have owned both over the years and the Epi stays in the case.
Having recently acquired a Gibson 2019 Traditional, if there is a comparable Epiphone somebody else will have it because I don't have enough time or money to look for it. They have their place and fill many a need but if you get seriously good enough you'll get the Gibson because once you find it you won't be satisfied with less.
But you will be satisfied w/Les.
Sorry, I was turned down to 0 Ohms, & couldn't resist.
Damn dude! You can play! The pickups in the Gibson definitely sound fuller / bigger to me, but the Epi's have really been impressive lately.
Also, shout out to the Montreal shirt!
Dare I say it but the flame maple top on the Epiphone looks better. Looks like it has more depth and definition to the flame. Upgrade the pickups and I am.sure you'd be a lot closer sound wise.
Great playing by the way.
Probably bc Gibson is a real maple flame whereas epi is artificially made
@@karlmiller3623 technically it’s not. It’s just a thin veneer off a really nice piece of flame maple. The depth of the grain on other guitars looks nice cause it’s actually a thick full piece of flame maple whereas the epiphones mostly have a slightly thicker than paper thickness so you don’t get the depth kind of like you just get the stripey part of the flame maple look.
There is a huge sonic difference between the Epiphone and the Gibson, still, and it’s over RUclips, on a decrepit iPad mini’s speaker. BUT, the Epiphone itself seems to have an improved sound over its past iterations! Especially the neck pickup!
Before I would have advised people to stay with Gibson if they’re buying a Les Paul, but with this new lineup of theirs I’d tell people to probably buy an Epiphone, then to replace the pickups with Gibson ones after the warranty runs out. Good job, Epiphone!
The Ephipone's have definitely been improving!
Big difference in terms of sound in favour of the Gibson here, I felt. That being said, last time I went to my music shop, I preferred the feel of the satin neck of the Gibson LesPaul tribute 2018, compared to a LesPaul standard that was £1000 more 🤷🏻♂️
I was complete opposite as much as I liked my 2019 Tribute the Traditional was so far superior it wasn't even close but there is no wrong in either. I just have the opinion that there is a Gibson LP that will make any Epiphone pale in comparison. I played fender for years and even have a EBMM but it ain't no Gibson LP.
I actually much prefer the finish of the Epiphone over the Gibson. Surprisingly I think it has a better top burst.
As for the sound? The Epiphone sounded quieter to me! Was the volume settings the same? If that's the case I guess the pickups are lower output or the pots and electronics are just different. Epiphone didn't sound bad by any means, the Gibby had more low end for sure.
Yes, the Gibson sounds louder; also in person. It has both more bass and a sharper top end. More grit. More sustain. The strings and sound resonate a bit more.
The top on the Epiphone is a veneer, so it's simpler and cheaper to get a nice looking top. On the Gibson, the look that you see is the actual maple cap.
From 1992 l've been playing my 1991 Gibson Standard Les Paul and for me it's the best guitar in the world...it's now a month that l bought my Epiphone 50s Les Paul Gold Top and l think it's a great guitar too... If you're are not a professional musician at the highest levels l think it's difficult to say what's better and plus you got to think that at the price of one Gibson you can get 4 Epiphone LPs... Cheers👍👍👍
I would love to have either one of those guitars man, they are great!
great video ! you are explaining crystal clear ! i like it
I think the only difference was the pickups that had a nice warm tone but if they were not side by side would a everyday player pickup on the sound. It's like when you buy a new TV and there are so many to choose but very little difference until you look close at the screens. Hope that makes sense. I understand that Gibson are a classic Guitar and you can't go wrong, but there is definitely nothing wrong with epiphone these days as long as you buy a decent standard model.
First-Very good guitar playing! Great to listen to demos when the guitar player is that good. Of course Gibson better win this comparison IMO, but Epiphone has its place too. If you buy a great looking Epiphone with a good neck, new pickups and locking tuners go a long way to make it an awesome guitar and still come in cheaper than Gibson.
Bad Badger Good words man.
I’m on an epiphone forum.
Decent tuners n Seymour Duncan antiquity pick ups I believe are the way forward for an epiphone mod n they piss on the Gibson.
I’m no head stock snob lol
To be fair I can’t afford to be.
Would I love a Gibson ?yeh of coarse I would.would I by one?probably not.
Amazing playing man
Very good and very honest review. Thx!
Gibson has a richer tone but that would be due to the finish, pickups and wiring.
Epiphone are making some great guitars and as a musician, I would have no problem hopping on stage with an Epiphone LP out of the box.
The Gibson is to hand down, the Epiphone is a work horse.
@Mark Seymour it's all a combination, wiring is important. Like a jigsaw, you need all the pieces to make it complete.
I agree wiring on its own wouldn't make a massive difference.
i just played a bunch of gibsons and epiphones in the guitar store. For sure the setup, and fretwork were better on the gibsons but not by that much. i think a good set up, a little work on the frets plus some better pickups would get you really really close to the gibson.
Superb chops and the Gibson sounds amazing.
That was some fantastic guitar playing. I like your style
Gibson Just sounds amazing!! Epiphone has improved the quality a lot!!
i m a lefty guitarplayer from belgium. i play epiphone i like it very much. the sound is better with gibson that s a fact but a lefty gibson order its a lot of money . its shit to be a lefty in the music world
Yep, I can hear a huge difference. I always come into these videos hoping I don't hear it due to the prices....but yep it's there loud and clear
I have a couple of the high end Epiphone Les Pauls..A plus top Standard and the 1959 Epiphone Les Paul Standard with the Gibson Burst Buckers.
They are and were both excellent guitars and I liked the tone in both of them although they were a little different.
I installed Tonerider AC2 PAF, scatter-wound pickups in both Epiphones and they are better than the 2 Gibson LP Standards that I also own.
In fact, they are the best sounding guitars I've ever owned in 38 years of playing.
@@stricknine8623 Ive had plenty of Epiphones and a couple PRS SE. I went through the whole pickup change, upgrade thing ...never did quite cut it for me. I just wasnt quite satisfied. I saved up and got me a Gibson standard. I said I never would, Im not a brand snob but its the sound I always had in my head. Sound is subjective, whatever works for you or sounds good to you...is what you should hang on to.
@@JT-gm4fk
Agree,...Totally subjective. Nothing is objectively or factually better tone.
If you ever have the extra cash and the curiosity,..I highly reccomend the Tonerider AC2 pickup set. particularly the bridge pickup.
@@stricknine8623 thanks, Ill give those a try in one of my guitars
Gibson is better as a long term investment. And you will hear that minor difference in tone in a comparison. But I believe that plugged into two different amps he could make the two guitars sound the same by adjusting the amp. The Epiphone is good enough for a good guitarist to tweak the tone. Gibson acoustic vs Epiphone acoustic would be different because you can’t tweak anything. Just my two cents. I can’t play worth a damn but my ears are still good:)
Just picked up my ordered lefty '50's heritage cherry sunburst les Paul from guitar center in orange California it came from Missouri, I lowered the action and raised the pickups. Stock I think it s plays pretty good, I had a lefty Gibson Les Paul '79 and I gotta say the sustain is pretty good on the epi the Gibson was pretty chunky but in 79 they weren't doing weight relief at all, I'm happy with the epi and dropping $3,000 on another Gibson vs $750.00 on the epi much easier on the wallet.
The pickups in the Gibson are warmer and sound so much better hands down.
Forget the guitar test I want a tutorial on what you just played that shit was smooth ! 🔥
There is a slight difference in tone between these 2 guitars. The Gibson sounds slightly richer than the Epiphone but that could be an adjustment issue. The top on the Epiphone is actually a bit more flamed (yes I know it's a veneer). I would be happy to gig with either of these guitars. To be honest, someone sitting in the audience is probably not going to be able to tell the difference when you put the guitar in with the rest of the band. If you are looking for something that's going to hold it's value then go with the Gibson. If you are looking for a player that you can gig with then either of these will work but the Epiphone is much easier to replace if it's damaged or stolen.
Not a setup or adjustment issue. The Gibson has a lot more clarity, more defined top end and heavier bottom end.
The tone on the Gibson also has more texture/grit and sustain; a lot more accoustic resonance.
But yes, someone in an audience and through a band mix and sound system will not be able to tell there's any difference. Maybe on a quiet, hi-fi type of band and mix. Definitely not on a rock scenario.
In this case, the harmonics on the Gibson is definite far superior. Okay, maybe not "far", but certainly it's a student model vs a professional model type of difference. I am curious as to how an Epiphone will sound with a set of BB pros.
So I bought the 50s epiphone standard gold top about 4 weeks ago. It had some sharp fret ends but I fixed that. Overall excellent guitar, especially at its price point. I sold it and got the Gibson 50s standard. The epiphone was very good, and most would be happy. However the Gibson is on another level. Now if you put burstbuckers in the Epiphone..... they would be very very close..... the Gibson however will retain value and will be passed down to my kids. If I needed a gigging guitar for bars etc, I would play the Epiphone. The epiphone neck was a little thicker too.
Love my Gibson. It's the best recording guitar I have.
Man I feel the same way! I have studio models, tributes, etc. But as soon as we started to record with the 50s standard, the difference was night and day.
For its price point that Epi sounds awesome
Great play Cooper!! As usual.😁
Hey, how do you think the Eppi would sound with a set of Gibson pickups in it?? They are both great..but the Gibson does have that nice fat sound to it.
Thanks again Cooper!!😎👅
I got my Gibson LP just like the one in the vid, and the wiring is such that the up position activates the bridge PU and down is the neck PU. I don't really mind. I love the guitar.
I love the t-shirt! Cheers from Montreal!
Sorry, I did the comparison and I will buy the Gibson. I hear and feel the difference. Not to say that the Epiphone is not good. It would make a great second Les Paul for an alternative tuning or one with P90's.
Hey always remember Les Paul worked one his solid body guitar AKA the Log that eventually became his Les Paul guitar in the Epiphone factory not Gibson so reality is the Les Paul was born in the Epiphone factory and Les Paul was associated with Epiphone also from 1940 until his death 2009
I thought this was great. The only real difference, to me, is the pickups. I have owned many Gibsons, of all different models. They all fell short, in quality.
That was an expensive lesson learned.
I have Epiphones and they never fell apart or had any of the issues I had with Gibsons.
That being said, it’s about the player and what you can live with over all.
Let me be 100% clear, The Real Gibson Les Paul Standards are the most awesome guitars I own!!! I should know I own 2. A60’s slim taper neck, and a 50’s neck with Emg’s Zack Wyldes 81’ and 85. Shear madness with 18volt systems! SMOKIN!!!
What were you playing at 5.30 please? Loved that tune.
One of Cooper's originals! You should check out his youtube!
ruclips.net/channel/UCRvOWtwWiVWjAmkehSj7Iww
ruclips.net/channel/UCWNKfS7tAXx_l_pnQiK-EFg
Very cool review. Thanks. ❤ TX.
Buy the Epi replace the pickups
The Epiphone sounded fantastic. The Gibson sounded just a tad more "full"... But, a mod in harness and pups could easily surpass the Gibson with concern to tone (still at a fraction of the price!). However, the value of Gibson will most likely retain. but, if you're a player, my vote is for the Epi!!
I own both Gibson and epiphone and love the ones I have. My 59 epi les paul is the best epi I've ever played
And finally, nice clear picking there
Epiphone’s flame top is instantly head and shoulders above the Gibson. WOW!!! I know Epiphone’s is probably a thin veneer, but I’m not about to sand it anytime soon. Gibson’s pickups are instantly more full rounded sounding. I would buy the Epiphone and swap out the pickups. That’s easy enough, Heck.
Just know I think of it and watching second hand prices on Epiphones lately I can't tell whether Epi's really loose their value that much....
Truth is, a lot of guitars can come close.. but there will only ever be one true original. As an owner of the Gibson Les Paul Modern I recently played an Epiphone in a guitar center and although it was a decent guitar.. it just didn’t feel right, you know what I mean? You get what you pay for and I’m willing to pay whatever they charge because you can’t get a bad Gibson. Remember these guitars are handmade so of course now and then there may be an imperfection in the finish or something... but in my opinion that gives it character. Anyway to each his own.. not everyone can afford a Gibson so I’m glad Epiphone is doing this.
Nice Video, noticed the Gibson sounds warmer on the clean tone, but on the distorted, not going to lie, if you blind folded me, I would not have been able to tell the difference, still Epiphone is a great guitar, even for the expert, times are tough, money is tight.
they sound very similar but I have yet to pick up an epiphone that feels anywhere near as nice. an expensive problem for a guy looking for his next guitar
All depends on the player. Def tell a difference in sound but not majorly. I have vintage Gibson guitars only because when I bought them they weren’t VINTAGE yet. But..... I would recommend Epiphone for a starter guitar and when you get rich and famous you can buy all the Gibsons you want. I bought an Epiphone acoustic tobacco burst jumbo and it sounds awesome for jam nights at the local bar and it plays like a dream. $600. Which is good price. I WANTED the Gibson version same color but it cost $5000.00 😳 big difference when I have to get up for my day job instead of being on tour like I wished I was!!!
The epiphone has a maple veneer not a flame maple cap
Sadly the epiphone had a more distinct looking flame to!
Thanks for the info!! I love the new Epiphone headstock, I have the 2020 TV Yellow Les Paul Special, big improvement. Love your Tshirt by the way, I live in Montreal, not far from the festival venue.
The Epi headstock end is just an upside down “open book” Gibson version. But nice looking
Awesome playing! :-)
The Epiphone is a great tribute but I can hear the difference with the Gibson. The Gibson has more “Stank” on it. And home boi has some chops 😂
great playing! but wow what a huge difference in tone!!
In fact since I live about two miles for you a may have you do that comparison in person on a better amp. I'm in the market for another 6 string for standard tuning.
Y’all like to compare tonal difference. I’d say the quality in the epiphone is definitely 200 times better than what it was , wether it be in the sound quality or the build it is amazing what they have done. Especially the tops on those things. Gibson has always been good. They will always be good. I hear the Gibson’s a bit richer. Fuller in tone. But I say with the right pedals the epi sounds just the same. Either or. Getting what your getting for the price on the epiphone , I say it’s worth your money absolutely.
Nice video but I would’ve liked to have seen it pickup positions back to back.
I have a Gibson les paul standard and a Chibson les Paul Custom and I had it pro set up. I put real Gibson burst buckers in the Chibson and upgrded the tuners to grovers. that Chibson kicks the shit out of that Gibson Standard.