Epiphone Les Paul Special II, Vintage Sunburst

The Epiphone LP Special II Les Paul Collection Electric Guitar is a GREAT GUITAR for $169.00 (The average selling price at the time of this review). The pickups, tune-o-matic bridge and stop piece are the same ones used in Epiphone's more expensive guitars, and are similar to what's used in much more expensive Gibsons. Although the tone adjustments have been simplified to a toggle between the three pickup combinations and an overall tone control for both pickups, this is not as big a deal as many might make of it. Given the vast array of other things that influence electric guitar sound -- strings, amp choice and settings, effects pedals and so forth -- the guitar sounds great as is. The finish and general fit and balance of the guitar are great. There was a time when budget guitars screamed cheap and were quite obviously low class in a lot of areas. Those days are past with the Epiphone LP Special II. All that said, there a few things to remember. * The guitar comes with very light bendy strings. This is probably due to market data that tells Epiphone that the bulk of buyers for this guitar are teen Guitar Heros who think that string bending every note is an essential aspect of shredding and wailing. If you plan to put heavier strings on the guitar (like 12-51s for example) for jazz or other styles of music then you will probably need a truss rod adjustment to compensate for the added tension. If you don't know how to do this, ask someone who does. You can ruin a guitar, permanently, by being too aggressive with a truss rod adjustment. * The guitar has a mahogany neck, but a basswood body. Do not let anyone tell you this is a bad thing. Basswood is a completely acceptable wood for musical instruments. It is not worse or better than mahogany or maple. It is just different. Once again, the differences involved will probably be irrelevant when added into all the other things that players do with amps, strings and pedals to create tone and sound from an electric guitar. * Epiphone has more than one factory making these guitars. One is in China, the other in is Indonesia. The guitars made by each are very close in every detail, but not exactly, perfectly the same. * The Chinese examples of the sunburst model that I have seen have a slightly golden-orange tone to the sunburst pattern, more like the traditional sunburst color in American guitars. The Indonesian examples I have seen have a much more over all orange look. Basswood does not have a lot of visible grain. The example guitar shown in the official Epiphone product photos, the photos you see on most web sites like Amazon and Musician's Friend and so forth, are probably a little optimistic when it comes to visible grain and the golden hued quality of the sunburst finish. * The Chinese examples I have seen tend to weigh more. One Indonesian model I saw weighed a full pound and half less than the Chinese model right next to it. There is not, unfortunately, any way to tell from the box or from the barcode or SKU number on the box what factory a given example inisde the box came from. The system will deal out whatever is in stock at the moment. The world is full of guys who will zero in on all the details they find inferior about this guitar by noting the rather obvious fact that this is not a Gibson Les Paul Standard costing $3,000.00. There are some people who will complain that this guitar has a bolt on neck. True, the set necks of the more expensive Epiphones and Gibsons are nicer. But, considering the fact that every Fender Stratocaster ever made had a bolt on neck, is this really a big deal? Would Jimi Hendrix have played "Purple Haze" better if his Strat had a set in neck? Probably not. The guitar this model is probably closest to, in spirit and purpose, is not the Gibson Les Pauls but, rather, to the old Gibson Melody Maker guitars from the 60s. That said, this is a hell of lot more guitar for the money than any Melody Maker ever was, and adjusted for inflation, relative to what a Melody Maker would have cost you in 1968, for example, it is almost like Epiphone paying you to play it. People listen to music, not guitars. Music is made by players, not by pickups and electronics. If you're on a budget, this is an outstanding choice. If you're not on a budget, it's still a very good basic instrument. RECOMMENDED.

I am editing my previous review on this little guitar after taking the time to properly set it up, dial it in and play it for a while. I edited yet again as someone didn't appreciate my "gloating" over other guitars I own. Sorry to offend YOU. I made a knee jerk review (again) right after I got this. But in all fairness I received my Gibson Les Paul on the same day, buying IT from my local music store and professionally set up, ready to go. I was comparing apples and oranges, so to speak. But now, even after comparing them to each other, they really aren't that far apart. The Gibson is the best guitar I've ever owned and made my previous comparison based on it. But this little baby is now my second favorite. My other review was NOT FAIR!!!!!! I paid a lot more for the Gibson and 149 bucks for this Epiphone. Dollar for dollar this little Ephiphone is a steal!!!! WOW!!! I must honestly admit, the edge goes to my Gibson, but not by as much as you'd think. This little Epiphone is an outstanding guitar, regardless of price. If I were to play them each blindfolded I would never guess one was $149 guitar, ever! The tone of the Epiphone is much like the Gibson Les Paul. It's easy to play, comfortable and has a sweet sound. I can either rock out with it or mellow out and play the blues or classic rock. To be honest, I will probably play this Epiphone a LOT more than the Gibson. After all, if I ding this one up I haven't broke the bank. I think I'll tend to use this one a lot more than the other. I am very happy with this Epiphone Les Paul and will proudly play and OWN it. I am amazed they can make this thing for the money they charge. I may purchase another one and put it away as I'm sure the price won't stay this low. PLUS, I'll get another one in a different color!! You can never have too many guitars.. I am going to an a pickguard to this one. The finish on it is outstanding and I'd like to keep it that way. If I were thinking of learning to play the guitar, this one is a no-brainer....BUY IT!!! If you're an established player looking for a really nice practice guitar, I'd buy this one is a heartbeat. I was shocked at how sweet it sounds, how good it looks, how comfortable and light it is and how well it plays. Sure it was way out of tune and required a few height adjustments but now it is FANTASTIC. New rule for me, no writing reviews until I own the product for at least one week!!!!!

Beautiful instrument . Delivered in great out of the box working plug and play condition. Looks and sounds quite like my Gibson Les Paul . Perfect for my 16 yr old who has taken up guitar playing

Guitar is amazing!

That there are new guitars, with this quality and at this price is indeed a marvel of 1) modern technology; and 2) a good reason why Trump had better not screw up the good thing Americans (and western consumers) have in dealing with Chinese manufacturers (this was made in China, not Indonesia as some have mentioned). Were this a Made in America guitar, it would cost two-to-three times the price - and the quality - who knows if it would be as good? And if it were Made in America, chances are it would be Made by American Robots. With that said....this is a fine guitar. It's not a great guitar. But it is an admirable knockoff of the Les Paul. It plays well and sounds well. My primary guitar is a Telecaster - but I always wanted a Les Paul. This is close enough for my purposes at this stage of life . I'm having fun with it, and I wholeheartedly endorse this guitar, for beginner players or as a second ax -- or even as a primary ax if you are not real particular and fussy. For 30-40% of average gig playing guitarists, this fine guitar might just be good enough. At any rate, it is an EXCELLENT value.

My first guitar and it rocks and rolls like a beauty

Guitare incroyable ! J'avais prévu de changer les micros, et après le réglage de la hauteur de ceux d'origine, le son est juste énorme, donc j'ai laissé tomber l'idée de les changer. Honnêtement, ils valent déjà plus que le prix de la guitare. Ils sont assez proches des EMG81, et portent une étiquette avec marqué dessus "made by Gibson USA". La guitare nécessite pas mal de réglages (8 heures pour ma pomme, un peu plus ne lui ferait pas de mal) et le tout est de bonne facture. La quincaillerie aurait pu être plus solide. Le manche est très agréable et bien épais : il sied donc parfaitement aux grosses mains. Techniquement, il s'agit d'une SG plus que d'une Les Paul (un volume et un tone). Les micros sont très éloignés des P90, mais plus que largement satisfaisant et très versatiles. Pour peu que vous connaissiez un bon luthier, ou que vous soyez doués dans ce domaine, cette gratte peut laisser sur place nombre de ses rivales valant dix à vingt fois plus cher. En l'état, elle ira très bien pour un débutant. Bien optimisée, c'est une tuerie. Achat que je referais les yeux fermés et les doigts dans le nez sans hésiter. AJOUT A MON COMMENTAIRE INITIAL : =============================== Beaucoup de personnes se demandent si cette guitare est bien pour jouer tel ou tel style de musique. Je l'utilise et la conseillerais donc pour le jazz, en utilisant le micro manche (position "rhythm") et en réglant la tonalité basse (de zéro à cinq) : ça donne un son très chaud en son clair, et un son identique (oui ! identique !) à celui de Carlos Santana en saturé (Penser "Smooth" ou "Europa"). Ou pour les musiques à gros gain (métal, hard rock principalement) : donc genre AC/DC, Toto, Metallica, Dream Theater, ... Ce sont là ses domaines de prédilection, mais vous pouvez très bien jouer du blues vintage avec ou de la country; la différence ne se ressentira que pour un guitariste de haut niveau (si c'est le cas, vous n'avez pas besoin de mes éclaircissements, n'est-ce pas?). Pour d'autres styles, je conseillerai : - Telecaster pour la country ou le rock des années 50 (rock en majeur façon Elvis, surf music) - Stratocaster pour la musique des années 60 (rock en majeur, rock en mineur, Blues, RnB : genre Hendrix, Cream, Doors, Grateful Dead, ...) et 70 (Funk, Disco, ...) - Les Paul avec micros P90 : mêmes usages que Stratocaster en plus hard + Jazz et Blues chauds - Electroacoustique (guitare avec caisse de résonance) avec P90 pour Jazz et Blues chauds (plus permissive au niveau de la prise de son, ainsi qu'un sustain plus long si le volume sonore n'est pas excessif. En bonus, on peut jouer unplugged) - Typée Ibanez ou Jackson pour le Heavy Metal et la musique moderne (Configuration H-H ou H-S-H) - Les Paul, Flying V ou SG avec micros Humbucker (H-H donc) pour les mêmes usages que la précédente + Jazz et Blues chauds (dont fait partie cette guitare). Il est important de garder à l'esprit que la guitare n'est qu'un partie du son. L'ampli est tout aussi important. Eviter les petits combos merdiques avec des HP de 6", ou les amplis à modélisation qui amusent au début mais amènent à avoir une très mauvaise philosophie du son : car à un moment, vous ne trouverez pas ce qui cloche dans votre son, ça vous empêchera d'avancer et vous risquez de chercher longtemps la cause du problème, puis un jour vous finirez par comprendre que rien ne vaut un vrai ampli. Je parle de vécu. D'après vous pourquoi Santana, Clapton ou même Petrucci jouent-ils encore sur des vrais amplis et non sur des modélisations ? Réservez les Frontman ou amplis dans le genre que si vous n'êtes pas sûrs de vouloir persévérer dans la guitare, avec optique de les revendre dans les six mois qui viennent. Ou acheter les d'occasion. Penser à les pousser à fond et à les utiliser plus de trente minutes pour voir s'ils n'ont pas de défauts (son qui crache, qui vibre de manière déguelasse, son mou qui fait douter des 50W annoncés; ...) J'ai testé les Vox AC15 fabriqués en Chine (vendus neufs dans les 500 euros), et ils sont tout à fait corrects. Un bon investissement qui durera plusieurs années. Les tubes ne sont pas une nécessité, à part pour ceux qui en ont vraiment l'usage. Mais dans les "bas" prix, ils vous assurent d'avoir un ampli qui sort réellement la puissance annoncée, avec un HP de qualité. En dernier lieu, la guitare est montée prête à l'emploi (avec les cordes donc), mais nécessite des réglages pour en tirer le meilleur. Les réglages de base se font en trente minutes dans un magasin de musique, et ils se feront une joie de le faire. Les réglages pointus demandent beaucoup plus de temps et l'intervention d'un luthier, sauf si vous en avez l'expérience.

Acquistata solo per curiosità. Sono possessore di altre chitarre di classe professionale e questa non sfigura assolutamente sia come suono che come agibilità. Facilissimo regolare l'action e l'accordatura tiene abbastanza essendo comunque ancora nuova. Da consigliare a tutti come strumento da studio e da strapazzare. Ottimo per modifiche ed esperimenti. Piccola leggera comoda. Le rifiniture del mio esemplare sono perfette. Nessuna critica e nessuna imperfezione. Unico appunto: il selettore dei pick up ha richiesto un poco di petrolio perché faceva male contatto sul PU del ponte. Prezzo incredibile conn consegna a casa in due giorni.

El producto estaba programado para hace dos dias, aun no llega, no hay actualizacion de mi pedido, ni manera de rastrearlo. ACTUALIZACION un mes despues aun no llega mi pedido y la tienda unicamente me da largas

Llevo usándola ya más de 7 meses, y ha salido excelente. La he utilizado para practicar, aprender canciones, la he conectado a la computadora por medio de una interfaz, y en todos los sentidos funciona muy bien. Hasta me vino con un cable de cortesía. La relación calidad-precio es excelente.