Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top Review – Is It Worth the Money?
Like the Fender Stratocaster, the Gibson Les Paul has become a guitar icon, cherished by players in such different styles as rock, metal, blues, jazz, and country. From Slash to Jimmy Page, the lovers of the Les Paul are everywhere.
There\’s one downside, though, to having one of these treasured pieces of rock and roll history. These are not bargain-priced musical instruments.
A new Les Paul Standard will cost over $2,000, an expensive musical investment to be sure. So what can we do?
The Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus is a favorite and less pricey alternative.
Aside from its signature Epiphone headstock, an Epiphone Les Paul is a Korean-made instrument that looks, feels, and plays like a Gibson Les Paul without the considerable price tag. It even bears the signature of the late, great Les Paul on the headstock. So how does it measure up?
The guitar we went over had an absolutely exquisite Transparent Blue top, which is laminate but nevertheless quite beautiful. The top was complimented by attractive creme-colored binding and snazzy chrome hardware.
Suffice it to say, that that the Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top is one really attractive instrument.
Having owned a Gibson Les Paul Standard for a few years, I was curious to see how the Epiphone Les Paul would stack up, and I have to say that I was really impressed. The slim-tapered neck is reminiscent of the 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard neck and in many ways was much faster than my Gibson Les Paul Standard with a 50\’s style neck.
Though not as well done as my USA-made Gibson, the fretwork was real well done with the frets being smooth and nicely polished. Similarly, the rosewood fretboard felt real comfortable.
The alnico classic pickups have the classic Les Paul bite out of the bridge pickup and a smooth, round tone from the neck pickup. All The Same, I normally trade pickups out of most standard instruments and would probably do the same here.
I\’m personally partial to Seymour Duncan JB and Jazz Pickups, so I would in all likelihood add those to the Epiphone, but this isn\’t really a necessity.
The stock Epiphone pickups sound very nice as they are, and they just might suit your needs as is. I did observe some \”squealing\” at high volumes, but it wasn\’t that much of an pain.
The compromises in a model such as this guitar aren\’t easily obvious. Epiphone saves money by having a veneer flame top glued to non-flamed maple. Likewise, where Gibson Les Paul Standard bodies are made from a single mahogany slab, the Epiphone mahogany body is laminated, as is the neck.
The plus side to the cutting costs with this instrument, though, is that the Epiphone Les Paul will actually weigh much less than a similarly appointed Gibson, which anyone who gigs with a Les Paul can prize. Overall, we think this guitar is a solid instrument for the cost and one that could bring you a lot of playing delight for years to come.
If you are searching for a great deal on an Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top, then look no more! Ray\’s Guitar Shop has the best deals on all new and used acoustic and electric guitars available online. Go visit Ray\’s Guitar Shop today!
