Thank you to Sweetwater for sponsoring tonight's episode! 🍭Join Their Giveaways here ➡sweetwater.sjv.io/5gZyM9 🍭Shop Sweetwater + Support the Show➡ sweetwater.sjv.io/eKEerD 🍭Talk To Them About a Project ➡sweetwater.sjv.io/9gznM0
I almost bought this guitar but changed my mind and got a Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder PT FR-S instead. I believe I'm done buying Gibson's for now...I have 4 now. I wanted to try something different and I'm glad I did !!!
I disagree with your thoughts on the Fender headstock, I think Fender got it right. Gibson should fall in line and bring their headstock shape to Epiphone, its the name that you're paying a premium for, not the headstock shape. Mind you, Squire and Epiphone have very different histories as well.
Id 100% be more likely to buy an epiphone over a gibson if both have the gibson headstock, one of the main reasons I don’t own an epiphone is because the headstock isn’t as nice in my opinion and I don’t like a lot of epiphone necks
I've never understood why Epiphone hasn't used the Gibson headstock all along. Guarantee they would've sold a lot more guitars up to this point. It's worked for Fender and Squire very well.
It’s to protect Gibson sales, and a classic marketing tactic. Psychological game more than anything. It’s those little irrational things that drive us to spend the big bucks when we know we don’t really need to. This is also Apple Computers entire damn strategy!
They'dve sold even more if they just put Gibson on the headstock too (lol) They're better off with more differences, not less imo.. Why do people need fake "affordable model" versions of everything?? Man, just save up and get the real thing... probably happier result in the end.
I can't believe that you sanded a hole in a great finish. Adam Jones or whoever, that kinda broke my heart. I thought it was a joke at first, but no. You really did that to that finish. Wowza
@@sixslinger9951 agreed. I mean WTF? I hope it comes with a greatly reduced price. It sounds pretty good to me though but yeah nah as we say here. I’d want it in as new condition. Cheers from NZ 😎🎸🤘
It’s even turned me off on this color from other brands (Reverend does both silver and gold burst (which looks like really yellowed over silver) on their Sense model (kind of an SG with a flat top and binding). Nope, not for me thanks to all those Adam Jones models out there!
I love it. I don’t think I’ll buy one until the market gets full of them and maybe see some lower priced used, but I wanted the finish without the artwork. Don’t really care about the headstock but love that they put a custombucker in it.
Your playing is getting a lot better….these Epiphones are really nice, I had a 1970 Gibson custom for 25 years, sold it to buy a house five years ago and just replaced it today with an Epiphone custom. Never thought I’d buy an Epiphone but it’s so close to my old Gibson I had to get it…sounds amazing too
Adam Jones LP Custom Epiphone is $2150CAD in Canada, while Gibson LP Modern Lite is $2000CAD and (pre 2024) LP Studio is $2250CAD. The AJ Custom Epi for sure has some sweet specs but for that high of a price the yellow MOP blocks and lightbulb silver burst QC/QA issues shouldn't be there and spoil the whole point.
I know the specs aren’t the same but a les Paul studio used hovers around $800. All these new epiphone guitars are $500 more than real Gibsons. It’s a wild time.
I'd rather have an expensive Epiphone than a slightly more expensive entry level Gibson. I had a dark knight and that thing had more QC issues than my AJ Epiphone
I bought one and I have to be honest I love it. I know some people are sick of silverburst but I’ve always wanted one and couldn’t afford a real Gibson so I’m made up.
@@MarcusMoji thanks for replying I'm actually willing to buy it so I wanted to make sure that it is a good quality guitar since it is not cheap so cheers
@@hazemalbanna I'm very happy with it. The price is obviously much higher than a usual Epi however I personally feel it is worth it. For me I now own a silverburst LP :)
The 2nd in the art series with the warrior of horseback was the Molly Hatchet album cover for Beatin The Odds... i thought i was going crazy when i caught a glimpse of it... Cheers
I just grab one and replaced the tuners with vintage Gibson Kluson tuners and it matches the antique silver burst perfectly . I do prefer a chunkier neck but it’ll do. I have other les Paul’s with chunky necks. This is such a beautiful guitar with out the Gibson price tag. Love the specs on it, and the mother of pearl block inlays sparkle against the ebony board. ❤ buy what you like and keep rocking 🤘🏼
I have the last art one (Queen Bee) and it's a monster. In a collection with numerous Gibsons and other brands, it sees the most use, especially in live settings. I dunno. They just got it right. Epiphones, to me, have always represented projects - tone chasing guitars. But for some reason, the Adam Jones I have just works. Plug in, sound awesome, rock out. It really has me rethinking my position on Epiphone.
I'm all for making your guitar your own, but when you know you're planning to sell it immediately, sanding off the finish doesn't seem like the smartest thing to do.
Unfortunately the Gibson is nothing close to Adam’s Les Paul Custom in looks or specs. Sure it’s a great guitar but it seems to deviate so much from the silverburst Les Paul Custom Adam uses. The Epiphone at least has the era correct specs and Seymour Duncan pickup.
@@xMaoxoaMx Quite a few artists tour with their epiphones signatures even though they have actual gibson. Matt Heafy, Jarded J Nichols to name but a couple.
But that’s also the Gibson USA version, which isn’t as accurate overall to Adam’s Les Paul as Epiphone’s. The Gibson Custom Shop versions are being sold for crazy amounts on the used market. $1499 ain’t that bad in comparison.
I didn't get to crazy, but since my "The Berserker" custom art edition has EMG's swapped into it. I figured why not use the Probucker Custom out of the neck in the bridge position of this guitar? I flipped the Custombucker in the neck back around to normal. And with the Probucker Custom being just a little hotter at 10kohm, it's a much better pairing for my needs. With Gotoh keystone tuners on both of them, they look and sound devastating! I wouldn't sell either one for a penny under $2000.
in term of build quality,i think slightly better than current gibson USA stuffs, no or less? tool mark on fretboard binding , i think all about QC department, not really wheres made , when you set higher QC standard , eventually worker craftsmanship getting better and better , make higher quality guitar , and make everyone happy.
Epiphones don’t have fret nibs. So there’s a lot less hand shaping that goes on, which means less tool marks. Just a few swipes to round the fret edges whereas Gibsons require a lot more work to have the nibs shaped.
@@PickupsAreNotTrucks make sense then ,gibson really need some extra care for those binding tool marks , quite frustrated when you pay $2000 for brand new guitar , by the way , why pickup are not truck?😅
@@bukwok oh, idk. I like seeing that hands were used. Play the guitar for a year and you’ll wear all them tooling marks smooth anyways. There’s always slight marks when rounding frets and whatnot. I couldn’t care less. As long as the neck is straight and the guitar plays well, the cosmetics will get beat and scuffed as time goes on anyways. Grew up farming. Semi trucks were trucks, pickups were pickups. Using “trucks” for everything just made stuff confusing. It’s stuck with me since I was a kid and now I’m confused when someone calls their pickup a “truck.”
Hey he’s just documenting these and showing us the differences between all the models so that if any of us decides to buy one we can make an informed decision. I’m not a Gibson fan at all. I have 5 Solar guitars, 2 strats, a rare Ibanez Sun Dew Gold Pia, PRS Tremonti and an entry level Ibanez AZES40 which i love. Mr Troglys videos are informative and basically an archive or library for people looking for info. I mean he even bought 2 Pias and took it all apart like he always does and i am so grateful he did that because I didn’t want to mess with mine to have a “look see” - Mr Trogly did it for me, so to speak. Cheers from NZ 😎🎸🤘
The 'pinky wear' needs more feathering and the bare wood needs some darkening of the wood (to mimic the discoloration from finger oils and dirt over time). Otherwise, it just looks like a blemish on a new guitar.
@@csharp57dude no probs. That's why things sell - they appeal to different people. I like it, you don't like it and that's fine. It gives us the opportunity to chat and debate about such things !!
Yeah, that bridge pickup in that tuning without any dirt definitely turns into some kind of dragon creature. It was explosive enough without distortion.
That’s one of the FIRST things I noticed about my Epi Lazarus compared to my older Epi les Paul,was how much thinner the finish was,because my older Epi seemed like it was slathered in Poly. I also like how there is no veneer on the back.
15:00 that's where the scarf joint is. it's not always in the middle of the neck and I'm not sure whether epiphone actually ever made a "one piece neck" as some claim. I've shaved a few necks and the heel on epiphones.. usually a gap in the tenon area but that line is the scarf joint almost certainly
It is not a claim. Certain Epiphone models do in fact have one piece necks. No scarf joint or heel joint. Straight one piece necks. Certain Bonamassa guitars do, along with those 1961 custom shop reissue SG Les Paul's. The SG also comes with a two piece body, but still gets freaking probuckers.
Would love to know what the headstock angle is. Is it Epiphone 14 degrees or Gibson 17 degrees? I know you have a meter to measure angle, would be great if you could include in ' parts and specs '
I have seen a lot of comments about the value of this guitar and that many people would prefer to buy a more affordable gibson instead BUT think about this : for whom is this guitart for guys? I always loved customs ok? An american standard you might be able to find it for around 2K but a custom? A CUSTOM is waaaaay more expensive guitar. So if you want the look and can't afford the real thing...well this one is a good alternative for a silver burst.
As someone who bought the AJ Standard not too long ago, I’m a little annoyed this closed the gap even further between the art series and the Gibson. How would you compare the two @Trog?
I think epiphone should use this headstock on all of their Les Pauls. i also think that Gibson should start back bursting the backs sides and necks like the did in the 70s and early 80s like my 2 from that era. the red or natural backs just look cheap and are cheap for them to do. they should add this at no additional cost and i think people would think they are getting prettier guitar for the inflated prices from gibson. this adam jones is a really nice looking guitar
This is great but as someone who bought an art guitar not knowing Epiphone had these “upgrades” planned…I’m also a bit bitter and annoyed. Would have waited to buy this if I knew about the upgraded specs from the art model.
@@Trog Thanks Austin! Reassuring to hear this from you especially, as you know the market better than most. I was fortunate to get the second release with the Frazetta artwork so glad to know I can recoup what I paid and put it towards this new one. And hey you’re right, I got to own an Adam Jones over a year earlier by getting the art one.
@@Trog i got the 4th one for 1180 after shipping so I think I'm stuck for now, but a new headstock isn't quiet worth an entirely new guitar for me, and I do enjoy the artwork, but especially the limited availability, makes it feel more collectory for me.
That line under the finish on the headstock was not from a glued on volute, it is where Epiphone does there new style scarf joint so that it is not as noticeable like the old style and they can claim it as a one piece neck because it is just the headstock that is glued on
Anyone else noticed that the toggle switch is recessed in this like a Gibson? I compared it to my Epiphone art series and they’re completely different. The art series has your traditional style used by Epiphone then the 79 non art guitar has a recessed toggle switch exactly like my Gibson Adam Jones standard. Nice attention to detail.
as someone who owns and loves one of the “art models,” i’m honestly really tempted by this version. i personally really never got on with silverbursts, the aged greenish goldish color really made it for me. however, that price tag is pretty heavy. i totally understand that inflation and supply chain issues will increase the price of literally everything, but the prices of guitars, epiphones especially, are really hard to accept. it’s unfortunately a pass for me, as much and i genuinely really want one, and that’s such a bummer. i was hoping that the non art release would be around the same price as the other models
@@Kyush4 If you put an Epiphone and a Gibson side by side, the cutaway horn cuts are different. The Gibson is a little deeper and more rounded, while the Epiphone is shallower.
Thats looking like a better deal than the USA AJ standard. Better pickups, the full custom look. Half the price. Prob plays just as well with a good setup
Anyone notice that all the Epiphone Les Paul bridges have half the saddles flipped around, including this one? None of the Gibson USA or Custom models I could find do that, including Adam Jones models
I was on track to get that guitar before finding out about the art versions in November. I do really wish mine had this awesome headstock but the playability and tone is great. I do own an LTD EC-1000 though, and tbh you cannot compare the two, the LTD crushes the epi in virtually every way, its got a sleeker profile, a cutaway on the top for your picking hand, its got 24 extra jumbo frets and locking tuners. So If you are purely concerned with playability go with the LTD imo, both silverbursts are awesome.
This is really tempting. Adam is amazing, but I can’t swing the custom shop version, and the Gibson USA one isn’t doing it for me. This just might be my next purchase!
I played one of these yesterday in a store and it feels cheap. It's rediculous heavy as well. Like heavier than my Artist TC59 that I demoed a few years ago. The neck is super sticky and feels exactly the same as a Epiphone Les Paul standard or Epiphone Les Paul Custom You're paying 300% more for a Seymour Duncan pickup, a Silverburst finish and fake Schaller tuners that are not very precise and jump a bit as I discovered oh and a cheap plastic Epiphone hardcase. Also just below the Adam Jones hanging on the wall in the store was a Brand New Gibson SG standard in limited TV yellow for the same asking price. Beautiful👍And to the left was a Fender Ultra Strat for less than both. You'd have to be an absolute Smeg to buy a Chinese guitar over a US.😂
If only Epiphone had used Gibson headstock from the start, I would have bought one. I agree with Fender using the same headstock on Squier. That's one of many factor the Squier sale so well too
Some thing I remember you saying in regards to the volute on this Guitar looking like it was a piece that was glued rather than actual part of the neck. I went and looked at the art series version, and the volute is actually part of the neck you can see the three pieces From the headstock through the entire neck. On the non-art version I’m wondering if the decal or rather the design on the back of the headstock is not a veneer itself, which is what causes that line making it appear as though the added on later rather than an actual part of the neck. Just thought I’d add that piece of information. If anybody has any insight, please enlighten me on this. The more I look at it it still looks like a veneer just like the front of the headstock is a veneer.
i’ve always found it weird for gibson and epi to have different headstocks considering fender and squier don’t, neither do prs and their SE series. the open book headstock shouldn’t be a symbol of your worth, and i’ve never understood the reason behind it.
Lol, I have been buffing off the Seymour Duncan logos since they started installing them!! A trick I picked up from Lee Garver of GMW Guitarworks. Whenever he builds an old school custom, the no logo Duncan's is a nice touch. I love Seymour Duncan pickups, but I can't stand the 'in your face' advertising logo. Until the day that I become a Seymour Duncan endorsee, and they give me the pickups for free? They will all get buffed off. I do it by hand with a little bit of plastic polish on a rag. It takes a good bit of elbow grease, but I prefer not to use a Dremel etc. it's too easy to melt and burn the plastic pickup bobbins. Ask me how I know!!
Gibson/Epiphone are making such a fuss about using the "correct" headstock shape on these and the Greenies and future "premium" Epiphones (but still built in the same factory as the regular ones, so it's not like they're better quality all of a sudden), but how is it they're still not getting the body shape right? The body shape is far more off-putting to me than the headstock.
I can't believe that no one is saying that the price is totally silly. You pay 1700 euros for what? the difference with the 600 euro standard (that was less that 400 euros until some time ago) are the upgrades worth 1100 euros? I love silverbrust, but it's just a paint job, nothing more, you can buy 2 Gibson tribute on the used market, or 1 new studio modern or countless Harley Benton.... It's a cool guitar? YES for sure, it's worth the price?? NO WAY, to me, Epiphone should stay under 1000 (and they will manage to make a good margin in any case)
For that price and headstock, MIJ Epiphone/Orrville should make these. I get that China factories have come a long way, but "Made in China" still gives me 90s Chinese guitar nightmares, and that will always be cemented in my brain.
@Trog just got mine today, when I went to replace the plastic-Chrome switch tip for an actual real chromed metal switch tip, I got a surprise - the chromed metal Epiphone switch tips I ordered were too small - the toggle switch on the non-art AJ Les Paul has a Gibson threaded switch - What's that about, why would they do that? The Art series AJ Les Paul's use the normal metric Epiphone tips - I put one on my Veil of Bees LP, weird.
I wonder if the art on the back of those first runs was done by his wife. She’s a fantastic painter that works in human figure and human figure abstraction from what I’ve seen.
I like what Gibson/Epiphone has done here except I would have matched the Custombuckers. I'm not the biggest Adam Jones fan, no offence to anyone who is. I hope Gibson/Epiphone makes this a non signature with custombuckers. The guitar looks really cool.
I like this guitar because of the specs and not so much that it's an Adam Jones model even I do like Tool. I'm not crazy about the "silver burst" finish, but it has a green hue to it, and now I'm starting to like this color, especially since I just ordered one !!! (17:25) Yeah I'm not interested in the demo piece! I don't care for the "relic" thing.
the art series models are very different. The neck profile, the pickups, the headstock, the inlays, the paint. Its not really the same guitar, and thats a good thing.
Im so on the fence with getting one of these. For $2150 Canadian plus tax is hard to swallow for an epiphone. But long neck tenon, proper pick ups, correct burst on back, sides and neck kind of has me sold. Much closer to Adam's custom than the usa standard version. Gibson will hold its value better but this epiphone is half thw price of the usa standard jones
As a blind man who just started playing about five years ago, I wanted to ask if this guitar is aged? I have to admit that I think the aging they do on these brand. New guitars is kind of stupid because it’s age on its own as I play it And I don’t need something that looks exactly like Adam Jones used guitar when it comes to all of the aging problems. Can people tell me if this guitar looks clean, nice and new or does it have an aging affect with it?
When you use the Dremel on the body and removed the paint, did you find a veneer underneath and if so, did you go through that too or stop at the veneer? I’ve been given information from Gibson that seems to contradict everything in the IGC lineup of guitars for instance The 63 custom I was told has a flame maple top to enhance the figuring. A 63 les Paul custom with a figured top according to Gibson was an original spec in 1963. I was told they used the veneer again to enhance the appearance but in my experience I have never never seen this. Figured on that particular model? Am I missing something or are they telling the truth?
Hi Trogly, I have two questions; At what price point does Sweetwater plek their guitars? Also, I noticed they offer a plek plus service for this model. Are there different types/tiers of plek work?
I want both Epiphone and Gibson to start making their old archtop acoustic models that made both companies famous. Both made great guitars pre-war, and right now the only company making those kinds of guitars is Loar. Neither Gibson nor Epiphone should stand idley and just watch Loar corner the market that Gibson and Epiphone built.
@@Trog I know you did it as fun Austin but some of us cringed hehe. I’m glad it found a new home as TBH watching you play it and hearing it through my studio monitors? It sounded pretty awesome to me. Cheers bro.
I wanna know how they put the artwork on the backs. That has to be difficult. Silk screening? I am very proficient in draftsmanship and art ,and the way they put that art on there is crazy. I wish they would make a Epiphone Steve Jones Les Paul. Fender should do his Twin too. Sorry for the off topic. LOL
Thank you to Sweetwater for sponsoring tonight's episode!
🍭Join Their Giveaways here ➡sweetwater.sjv.io/5gZyM9
🍭Shop Sweetwater + Support the Show➡ sweetwater.sjv.io/eKEerD
🍭Talk To Them About a Project ➡sweetwater.sjv.io/9gznM0
❤
I almost bought this guitar but changed my mind and got a Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder PT FR-S instead. I believe I'm done buying Gibson's for now...I have 4 now. I wanted to try something different and I'm glad I did !!!
I disagree with your thoughts on the Fender headstock, I think Fender got it right. Gibson should fall in line and bring their headstock shape to Epiphone, its the name that you're paying a premium for, not the headstock shape. Mind you, Squire and Epiphone have very different histories as well.
Agreed!
100%
I concur!
Id 100% be more likely to buy an epiphone over a gibson if both have the gibson headstock, one of the main reasons I don’t own an epiphone is because the headstock isn’t as nice in my opinion and I don’t like a lot of epiphone necks
I always hoping for Gibson to use Orville for import models instead of using epiphone name (who have their own original lines)
I've never understood why Epiphone hasn't used the Gibson headstock all along. Guarantee they would've sold a lot more guitars up to this point. It's worked for Fender and Squire very well.
Also PRS uses the same headstocks as well
That’s why Fender is the #1 brand worldwide imo
It’s to protect Gibson sales, and a classic marketing tactic. Psychological game more than anything. It’s those little irrational things that drive us to spend the big bucks when we know we don’t really need to. This is also Apple Computers entire damn strategy!
They'dve sold even more if they just put Gibson on the headstock too (lol) They're better off with more differences, not less imo.. Why do people need fake "affordable model" versions of everything?? Man, just save up and get the real thing... probably happier result in the end.
7:36
I’ve got one pre ordered 🤘🏼 I won’t be destroying it like you did.
I can't believe that you sanded a hole in a great finish. Adam Jones or whoever, that kinda broke my heart. I thought it was a joke at first, but no. You really did that to that finish. Wowza
Me too. If I’m going to buy one of these even if it’s used / secondhand I want it as close to new as possible.
now it's an eyesore.
@@sixslinger9951 agreed. I mean WTF? I hope it comes with a greatly reduced price. It sounds pretty good to me though but yeah nah as we say here. I’d want it in as new condition. Cheers from NZ 😎🎸🤘
Yeah he just turned a $1500 guitar into maybe a 1000 bucks. 🤷♂️
And why did he erase the Seymour Duncan from the pickup?! Stupid!
Playing "Mr Jones" on an Adam Jones sig, nicely done :')
That is so sick! And it has a Volute too! 😍😍😍
EDIT: the goofy mirror has to go though!
oh…yay….. another silver burst…..
That's what I came to say. Like give me a break?
I swear I never want to see another silver burst for as long as I live!!
It’s even turned me off on this color from other brands (Reverend does both silver and gold burst (which looks like really yellowed over silver) on their Sense model (kind of an SG with a flat top and binding). Nope, not for me thanks to all those Adam Jones models out there!
So damn ugly ill never get it (by get it I mean understand why people like it, but also ill never buy it either haha)
I love it. I don’t think I’ll buy one until the market gets full of them and maybe see some lower priced used, but I wanted the finish without the artwork. Don’t really care about the headstock but love that they put a custombucker in it.
Your playing is getting a lot better….these Epiphones are really nice, I had a 1970 Gibson custom for 25 years, sold it to buy a house five years ago and just replaced it today with an Epiphone custom. Never thought I’d buy an Epiphone but it’s so close to my old Gibson I had to get it…sounds amazing too
Just my opinion...
For that price Epiphone Id rather have an entry level Gibson Les Paul.
Still is a nice looking paint job.
Buy one of the artwork pieces and keep it cherry...be worth more later im sure but yeah for that price...rather have that Gibson logo right
I agree.
It's just a name though ... The expensive Epiphones (for the last 5 or so years) have all been well above the quality level of the entry-level Gibsons
But it doesn’t say Gibson on the headstock, that still means a lot to a lot of people
Or a Japanese Epiphone.
Adam Jones LP Custom Epiphone is $2150CAD in Canada, while Gibson LP Modern Lite is $2000CAD and (pre 2024) LP Studio is $2250CAD. The AJ Custom Epi for sure has some sweet specs but for that high of a price the yellow MOP blocks and lightbulb silver burst QC/QA issues shouldn't be there and spoil the whole point.
Very good point. My 2022 Gibson Les Paul Classic was $2,500 new. I think I'd rather buy the real American version.
I know the specs aren’t the same but a les Paul studio used hovers around $800. All these new epiphone guitars are $500 more than real Gibsons. It’s a wild time.
I'd rather have an expensive Epiphone than a slightly more expensive entry level Gibson. I had a dark knight and that thing had more QC issues than my AJ Epiphone
I bought one and I have to be honest I love it. I know some people are sick of silverburst but I’ve always wanted one and couldn’t afford a real Gibson so I’m made up.
how is the frets work on it?
@@hazemalbanna not going to lie - better than my Gibson LP studio. Now I know I might have just been lucky but I was seriously surprised
@@MarcusMoji thanks for replying I'm actually willing to buy it so I wanted to make sure that it is a good quality guitar since it is not cheap so cheers
@@hazemalbanna I'm very happy with it. The price is obviously much higher than a usual Epi however I personally feel it is worth it. For me I now own a silverburst LP :)
The 2nd in the art series with the warrior of horseback was the Molly Hatchet album cover for Beatin The Odds... i thought i was going crazy when i caught a glimpse of it... Cheers
I just grab one and replaced the tuners with vintage Gibson Kluson tuners and it matches the antique silver burst perfectly . I do prefer a chunkier neck but it’ll do. I have other les Paul’s with chunky necks. This is such a beautiful guitar with out the Gibson price tag. Love the specs on it, and the mother of pearl block inlays sparkle against the ebony board. ❤ buy what you like and keep rocking 🤘🏼
I have the last art one (Queen Bee) and it's a monster. In a collection with numerous Gibsons and other brands, it sees the most use, especially in live settings. I dunno. They just got it right. Epiphones, to me, have always represented projects - tone chasing guitars. But for some reason, the Adam Jones I have just works. Plug in, sound awesome, rock out. It really has me rethinking my position on Epiphone.
I'm all for making your guitar your own, but when you know you're planning to sell it immediately, sanding off the finish doesn't seem like the smartest thing to do.
allowed me to offer it for a discount which sold it quick and generated lots of comments for the video. Wins all around
You need a job in politics with that kind of spin technique 😂
I've seen the Gibson Adam Jones going for $2200-$2500 on clearance at a few dealers.... at $1499 for an Epi, hard pass.
Unfortunately the Gibson is nothing close to Adam’s Les Paul Custom in looks or specs. Sure it’s a great guitar but it seems to deviate so much from the silverburst Les Paul Custom Adam uses. The Epiphone at least has the era correct specs and Seymour Duncan pickup.
@@rocktorrocks Adam claims to be touring with the epiphone guitars now.
@@BassRacerx
Haha sure he does. And Kirk replaced greeny with the Epiphone version, am i right?
@@xMaoxoaMx Quite a few artists tour with their epiphones signatures even though they have actual gibson. Matt Heafy, Jarded J Nichols to name but a couple.
But that’s also the Gibson USA version, which isn’t as accurate overall to Adam’s Les Paul as Epiphone’s. The Gibson Custom Shop versions are being sold for crazy amounts on the used market. $1499 ain’t that bad in comparison.
I'm going to go all out with mine. A 2nd Custombucker and a pickguard. From what I understand, these aren't limited like the art version, so why not?😊
have fun!
I didn't get to crazy, but since my "The Berserker" custom art edition has EMG's swapped into it. I figured why not use the Probucker Custom out of the neck in the bridge position of this guitar? I flipped the Custombucker in the neck back around to normal. And with the Probucker Custom being just a little hotter at 10kohm, it's a much better pairing for my needs. With Gotoh keystone tuners on both of them, they look and sound devastating! I wouldn't sell either one for a penny under $2000.
That bridge pickup reading is hotter than my 5 Solar guitars and almost as hot as my PRS Tremonti SE single cut!!
Cheers from NZ 😎🎸🤘
Dealers are discounting the art series. I got the other queen bee for 1000 usd on reverb. So a little below msrp.
What a beast. Custombucker, Sd, diamond strap buttons.
in term of build quality,i think slightly better than current gibson USA stuffs, no or less? tool mark on fretboard binding , i think all about QC department, not really wheres made , when you set higher QC standard , eventually worker craftsmanship getting better and better , make higher quality guitar , and make everyone happy.
Epiphones don’t have fret nibs. So there’s a lot less hand shaping that goes on, which means less tool marks. Just a few swipes to round the fret edges whereas Gibsons require a lot more work to have the nibs shaped.
@@PickupsAreNotTrucks make sense then ,gibson really need some extra care for those binding tool marks , quite frustrated when you pay $2000 for brand new guitar , by the way , why pickup are not truck?😅
@@bukwok oh, idk. I like seeing that hands were used. Play the guitar for a year and you’ll wear all them tooling marks smooth anyways. There’s always slight marks when rounding frets and whatnot. I couldn’t care less. As long as the neck is straight and the guitar plays well, the cosmetics will get beat and scuffed as time goes on anyways.
Grew up farming. Semi trucks were trucks, pickups were pickups. Using “trucks” for everything just made stuff confusing. It’s stuck with me since I was a kid and now I’m confused when someone calls their pickup a “truck.”
“Oh neat new Epiphone headsto…AH NOT ANOTHER *&#$@%% ADAM JONES SIGNATURE”
-my genuine reaction to this video
So sick of it
Me too. Exactly another Adam Jones video 😔
Hey he’s just documenting these and showing us the differences between all the models so that if any of us decides to buy one we can make an informed decision.
I’m not a Gibson fan at all. I have 5 Solar guitars, 2 strats, a rare Ibanez Sun Dew Gold Pia, PRS Tremonti and an entry level Ibanez AZES40 which i love.
Mr Troglys videos are informative and basically an archive or library for people looking for info.
I mean he even bought 2 Pias and took it all apart like he always does and i am so grateful he did that because I didn’t want to mess with mine to have a “look see” - Mr Trogly did it for me, so to speak.
Cheers from NZ 😎🎸🤘
They should just do an silverburst. No aging. No jaundice yellow. And i would put dimarzios in mine
The 'pinky wear' needs more feathering and the bare wood needs some darkening of the wood (to mimic the discoloration from finger oils and dirt over time). Otherwise, it just looks like a blemish on a new guitar.
i picked up the first art model and have been pretty happy with it
Got the Standard and I must say, I am very, very happy with it.
Almost looks like a mahogany top under that paint
Love that headstock. I wish they did this for the Shinichi Ubukata ES-355 Epiphone. It’s the only thing I dislike about my guitar.
I agree. It makes the guitar for me, oddly enough!!
@@PeterMoore350I find Epiphone headstocks very unappealing. I wish I could swap necks somehow 🤔
@@csharp57dude no probs. That's why things sell - they appeal to different people. I like it, you don't like it and that's fine.
It gives us the opportunity to chat and debate about such things !!
Yeah, that bridge pickup in that tuning without any dirt definitely turns into some kind of dragon creature. It was explosive enough without distortion.
That’s one of the FIRST things I noticed about my Epi Lazarus compared to my older Epi les Paul,was how much thinner the finish was,because my older Epi seemed like it was slathered in Poly. I also like how there is no veneer on the back.
Picked one up and love it! There's some paint imperfections but was able to negotiate down to $1250
Would you pick this one over the sg custom one ? Why ? I’m torn between the two
I'm still sad I missed the Frazetta art. 😢
I have one, brand new, never played, on sale :)
15:00 that's where the scarf joint is. it's not always in the middle of the neck and I'm not sure whether epiphone actually ever made a "one piece neck" as some claim. I've shaved a few necks and the heel on epiphones.. usually a gap in the tenon area but that line is the scarf joint almost certainly
It is not a claim. Certain Epiphone models do in fact have one piece necks. No scarf joint or heel joint. Straight one piece necks. Certain Bonamassa guitars do, along with those 1961 custom shop reissue SG Les Paul's. The SG also comes with a two piece body, but still gets freaking probuckers.
@@MaxCohen-mx2rf great.
I've got two Epi's with one piece necks: Bonamassa '62 ES-335 and '61 Wilshire re-issue.
That's a really good sounding axe.
Just pick one of these up. Really like it so far. Thanks for the detailed review
How is the neck !? And is the feet jumbo ? I can’t decide between this one or the alpine white Les Paul custom . What do you think !?
Would love to know what the headstock angle is.
Is it Epiphone 14 degrees or Gibson 17 degrees?
I know you have a meter to measure angle, would be great if you could include in ' parts and specs '
I have seen a lot of comments about the value of this guitar and that many people would prefer to buy a more affordable gibson instead BUT think about this : for whom is this guitart for guys? I always loved customs ok? An american standard you might be able to find it for around 2K but a custom? A CUSTOM is waaaaay more expensive guitar. So if you want the look and can't afford the real thing...well this one is a good alternative for a silver burst.
I'm a long time fan of your channel, but sorry, I'm never going to become a fan of "aged" guitars. That's just sacrilege.😢
Nice but as a lefty it's just another one I'll never get to try 😢
Get the Alex lifeson. They make them in left handed. And equipped nicely. Think they made Matt Healy’s left hand models too.
Man you better hendrix that sucka and jam that joker!
As someone who bought the AJ Standard not too long ago, I’m a little annoyed this closed the gap even further between the art series and the Gibson.
How would you compare the two @Trog?
what I wouldn't do for that badass headstock, the epiphone headstock really bugs me lol.
I think epiphone should use this headstock on all of their Les Pauls. i also think that Gibson should start back bursting the backs sides and necks like the did in the 70s and early 80s like my 2 from that era. the red or natural backs just look cheap and are cheap for them to do. they should add this at no additional cost and i think people would think they are getting prettier guitar for the inflated prices from gibson. this adam jones is a really nice looking guitar
Waiting for Adam Jones Murphy aged Epiphone $2799.00
This is great but as someone who bought an art guitar not knowing Epiphone had these “upgrades” planned…I’m also a bit bitter and annoyed. Would have waited to buy this if I knew about the upgraded specs from the art model.
If you bought one of the first two art models, you should be able to get your money back on the used market!
@@Trog Thanks Austin! Reassuring to hear this from you especially, as you know the market better than most. I was fortunate to get the second release with the Frazetta artwork so glad to know I can recoup what I paid and put it towards this new one. And hey you’re right, I got to own an Adam Jones over a year earlier by getting the art one.
@@rocktorrocksthats the most desired of the artwork ones. Coolest IMO too
Are you a member of the "I purchase things right before the new upgraded model comes out unbeknownst to me club" too?
@@Trog i got the 4th one for 1180 after shipping so I think I'm stuck for now, but a new headstock isn't quiet worth an entirely new guitar for me, and I do enjoy the artwork, but especially the limited availability, makes it feel more collectory for me.
do a review of the epiphone wino les paul please!!
That line under the finish on the headstock was not from a glued on volute, it is where Epiphone does there new style scarf joint so that it is not as noticeable like the old style and they can claim it as a one piece neck because it is just the headstock that is glued on
Anyone else noticed that the toggle switch is recessed in this like a Gibson? I compared it to my Epiphone art series and they’re completely different. The art series has your traditional style used by Epiphone then the 79 non art guitar has a recessed toggle switch exactly like my Gibson Adam Jones standard. Nice attention to detail.
as someone who owns and loves one of the “art models,” i’m honestly really tempted by this version. i personally really never got on with silverbursts, the aged greenish goldish color really made it for me. however, that price tag is pretty heavy. i totally understand that inflation and supply chain issues will increase the price of literally everything, but the prices of guitars, epiphones especially, are really hard to accept. it’s unfortunately a pass for me, as much and i genuinely really want one, and that’s such a bummer. i was hoping that the non art release would be around the same price as the other models
For the $, should have the Classic LP horn cut as well.
what do you mean?
@@Kyush4 If you put an Epiphone and a Gibson side by side, the cutaway horn cuts are different.
The Gibson is a little deeper and more rounded, while the Epiphone is shallower.
Even Gibson usa has a hard time nailing the horn. The 58' 59' 60' ri get it right.
That does not look like maple below the paint - looks like mahogany, is there even a maple top under the paint - is the question ? 🤔
Thats looking like a better deal than the USA AJ standard. Better pickups, the full custom look. Half the price. Prob plays just as well with a good setup
Anyone notice that all the Epiphone Les Paul bridges have half the saddles flipped around, including this one? None of the Gibson USA or Custom models I could find do that, including Adam Jones models
It’s been like that for ages, you flip the saddles to get more room for intonation
I wonder how this compares to the ESP LTD Bill Kelliher BK-600.
I was on track to get that guitar before finding out about the art versions in November. I do really wish mine had this awesome headstock but the playability and tone is great. I do own an LTD EC-1000 though, and tbh you cannot compare the two, the LTD crushes the epi in virtually every way, its got a sleeker profile, a cutaway on the top for your picking hand, its got 24 extra jumbo frets and locking tuners. So If you are purely concerned with playability go with the LTD imo, both silverbursts are awesome.
All I can think of is that mirror being a teeth checking mirror.
This is really tempting. Adam is amazing, but I can’t swing the custom shop version, and the Gibson USA one isn’t doing it for me. This just might be my next purchase!
I played one of these yesterday in a store and it feels cheap. It's rediculous heavy as well. Like heavier than my Artist TC59 that I demoed a few years ago. The neck is super sticky and feels exactly the same as a Epiphone Les Paul standard or Epiphone Les Paul Custom You're paying 300% more for a Seymour Duncan pickup, a Silverburst finish and fake Schaller tuners that are not very precise and jump a bit as I discovered oh and a cheap plastic Epiphone hardcase. Also just below the Adam Jones hanging on the wall in the store was a Brand New Gibson SG standard in limited TV yellow for the same asking price. Beautiful👍And to the left was a Fender Ultra Strat for less than both. You'd have to be an absolute Smeg to buy a Chinese guitar over a US.😂
I have already had a play with one. They may be a bit inconsistent example to example. Mine had bright MOP inlays and 8.75 pounds weight.
Why did you take off the Seymour Duncan logo lol
It’s worn off of Adam’s actual guitar from years if playing.
Yeah, Adam ain’t playing an Epiphone either. So why take off the logo?
@@joermnyc yeah years of playing.
This is a new Epiphone that he’s probably gonna sell after this video so all that relicing is dumb.
He should've left it there for the next owner to decide what to do with it.
I’ve always thought the logo looked terrible anyway.
Geez this is specced out better than my friggin standard
If only Epiphone had used Gibson headstock from the start, I would have bought one.
I agree with Fender using the same headstock on Squier. That's one of many factor the Squier sale so well too
In the 1970s many Epiphone acoustics had open book headstocks.
Some thing I remember you saying in regards to the volute on this Guitar looking like it was a piece that was glued rather than actual part of the neck. I went and looked at the art series version, and the volute is actually part of the neck you can see the three pieces From the headstock through the entire neck. On the non-art version I’m wondering if the decal or rather the design on the back of the headstock is not a veneer itself, which is what causes that line making it appear as though the added on later rather than an actual part of the neck. Just thought I’d add that piece of information. If anybody has any insight, please enlighten me on this. The more I look at it it still looks like a veneer just like the front of the headstock is a veneer.
i’ve always found it weird for gibson and epi to have different headstocks considering fender and squier don’t, neither do prs and their SE series. the open book headstock shouldn’t be a symbol of your worth, and i’ve never understood the reason behind it.
Lol, I have been buffing off the Seymour Duncan logos since they started installing them!! A trick I picked up from Lee Garver of GMW Guitarworks. Whenever he builds an old school custom, the no logo Duncan's is a nice touch. I love Seymour Duncan pickups, but I can't stand the 'in your face' advertising logo. Until the day that I become a Seymour Duncan endorsee, and they give me the pickups for free? They will all get buffed off. I do it by hand with a little bit of plastic polish on a rag. It takes a good bit of elbow grease, but I prefer not to use a Dremel etc. it's too easy to melt and burn the plastic pickup bobbins. Ask me how I know!!
You might as well stop saying the word "budget" when referring to a $1500 (or even $1200) guitar. I just do NOT see $1500 there....just imo.
Been waiting since march pre-order, i get mine tomorrow!!
Gibson/Epiphone are making such a fuss about using the "correct" headstock shape on these and the Greenies and future "premium" Epiphones (but still built in the same factory as the regular ones, so it's not like they're better quality all of a sudden), but how is it they're still not getting the body shape right? The body shape is far more off-putting to me than the headstock.
I can't believe that no one is saying that the price is totally silly. You pay 1700 euros for what? the difference with the 600 euro standard (that was less that 400 euros until some time ago) are the upgrades worth 1100 euros? I love silverbrust, but it's just a paint job, nothing more, you can buy 2 Gibson tribute on the used market, or 1 new studio modern or countless Harley Benton....
It's a cool guitar? YES for sure, it's worth the price?? NO WAY, to me, Epiphone should stay under 1000 (and they will manage to make a good margin in any case)
For that price and headstock, MIJ Epiphone/Orrville should make these. I get that China factories have come a long way, but "Made in China" still gives me 90s Chinese guitar nightmares, and that will always be cemented in my brain.
Agreed man, but that ship sailed looooong ago.
@Trog just got mine today, when I went to replace the plastic-Chrome switch tip for an actual real chromed metal switch tip, I got a surprise - the chromed metal Epiphone switch tips I ordered were too small - the toggle switch on the non-art AJ Les Paul has a Gibson threaded switch - What's that about, why would they do that?
The Art series AJ Les Paul's use the normal metric Epiphone tips - I put one on my Veil of Bees LP, weird.
at half the price of the usa version, with the correct era specs, i’m VERY happy with mine
I like epiphone..but im a bass player..
I am waiting for an Epiphone RD bass reissue
That messed up teardrop shape would drive me crazy, I would have to return it.
I have gone through three of these, all have crooked teardrop burst on the back side... This one looks better. Sounds great though.
Gibson please make Epiphone in Indonesia! My opinion they make really good guitars there!
I wonder if the art on the back of those first runs was done by his wife. She’s a fantastic painter that works in human figure and human figure abstraction from what I’ve seen.
You can use Naphtha or "lighter fluid" to remove lettering or gummy residue from stickers. Or you can be a "TOOL" and pay more for Goo Gone 😹😹
Love they’re getting away from the old headstock
Adam Jones and Slash are two names I have grown very tiered of hearing.
Slash sure, but as for Adam, I don’t think he’s had recognition until recently.
Maybe you'd rather hear Greeny? 😂 I'm done with that one as well. How about a John Notto signature Gibson?
So you clicked on the video
What there a major difference in sound and feel of this 1979 when compared to the Art series models?
I like what Gibson/Epiphone has done here except I would have matched the Custombuckers. I'm not the biggest Adam Jones fan, no offence to anyone who is. I hope Gibson/Epiphone makes this a non signature
with custombuckers. The guitar looks really cool.
I like this guitar because of the specs and not so much that it's an Adam Jones model even I do like Tool. I'm not crazy about the "silver burst" finish, but it has a green hue to it, and now I'm starting to like this color, especially since I just ordered one !!! (17:25) Yeah I'm not interested in the demo piece! I don't care for the "relic" thing.
Silverburst for the win! I'd put keystone tuners on as a preference. Looking forward to these hitting the 2nd hand market.
I have a Duncan Distortion on order thanks for the tip I can’t wait to remove that Seymour Duncan label
Finally, an actual reason to buy an epi😂
Wish all Epi LP customs with the broken diamond inlay had the Gibson headstock shape
the art series models are very different. The neck profile, the pickups, the headstock, the inlays, the paint. Its not really the same guitar, and thats a good thing.
Im so on the fence with getting one of these. For $2150 Canadian plus tax is hard to swallow for an epiphone. But long neck tenon, proper pick ups, correct burst on back, sides and neck kind of has me sold. Much closer to Adam's custom than the usa standard version. Gibson will hold its value better but this epiphone is half thw price of the usa standard jones
As a blind man who just started playing about five years ago, I wanted to ask if this guitar is aged? I have to admit that I think the aging they do on these brand. New guitars is kind of stupid because it’s age on its own as I play it And I don’t need something that looks exactly like Adam Jones used guitar when it comes to all of the aging problems. Can people tell me if this guitar looks clean, nice and new or does it have an aging affect with it?
SO who prefers the DC High Gain bridge pickup in the Gibson Standard over the Seymour Duncan Distortion of the Epiphone?
Changed the DC for DD SH-6 in my Standard and like it better, but there isn't a whole lot of difference to be honest.
When you use the Dremel on the body and removed the paint, did you find a veneer underneath and if so, did you go through that too or stop at the veneer? I’ve been given information from Gibson that seems to contradict everything in the IGC lineup of guitars for instance The 63 custom I was told has a flame maple top to enhance the figuring. A 63 les Paul custom with a figured top according to Gibson was an original spec in 1963. I was told they used the veneer again to enhance the appearance but in my experience I have never never seen this. Figured on that particular model? Am I missing something or are they telling the truth?
Hi Trogly, I have two questions;
At what price point does Sweetwater plek their guitars? Also, I noticed they offer a plek plus service for this model. Are there different types/tiers of plek work?
Is the headstock angle the same as Gibson on this?
Same as the Norlin era Gibson 14° not the typical 17°
Place your bets they’ll release a art series with the Gibson headstock
I want both Epiphone and Gibson to start making their old archtop acoustic models that made both companies famous.
Both made great guitars pre-war, and right now the only company making those kinds of guitars is Loar. Neither Gibson nor Epiphone should stand idley and just watch Loar corner the market that Gibson and Epiphone built.
I’d really like to buy one of these. I’d have to sell one though and my local market is soft at the moment.
Are the diamond inlays tiny still?
looks about right to me but I didn't measure them
They are a little smaller then Gibson's. But, it's bigger then the old epi inlay
Any idea if the tuners can be swapped for Schaller M6s with no modificaiton? Thanks as always for a great rundown.
Hey Trogly, are you selling this guitar? If so, why would you do all that stuff?
That’s what I was wondering!!
for fun to make it look like the aged custom shop version. Sold in 10 minutes on my website at a discount
@@Trog I know you did it as fun Austin but some of us cringed hehe. I’m glad it found a new home as TBH watching you play it and hearing it through my studio monitors? It sounded pretty awesome to me. Cheers bro.
that's mahogany on the top, not maple tho
I like that you snuck mr Jones in there
I wanna know how they put the artwork on the backs. That has to be difficult. Silk screening? I am very proficient in draftsmanship and art ,and the way they put that art on there is crazy. I wish they would make a Epiphone Steve Jones Les Paul. Fender should do his Twin too. Sorry for the off topic. LOL
from what I gathered it's a paper print that is sealed /glued on under the clearcoat.