Business Branding – “Only a Gibson is Good Enough”.Phase Control and Bypass Capabilities – Some More Electrical Variations.Pickups – When Electronics Come Into Play.Guitar Aesthetics – The Actual Design of the Guitar.Video – Can you tell the difference between the Gibson and Epiphone?.There are a few points of discussion that will hit along the way, including: So without for ado, let’s dive into the varied world of the Les Paul. Instead will be taking a look at the hardware of these two guitars. To do this as fair as possible, we’ve made an attempt to avoid subjective statements (i.e. Whether or not that difference is worth the extra two grand. To settle this issue once and for all, we’ve done some investigating to determine what the variations between these two are. Now we recognize that Epiphone is Gibson’s junior brand ( not to be confused with the Gibson Les Paul Junior). Pictured just to the right of the Gibson is the Epiphone Les Paul Standard, which clocks in at $499 (or $599 for the Standard PlusTop Pro). You can purchase a Gibson Standard for around $2,500- $3,500. The instrument on the left is perhaps the most recognizable guitars in the guitar community: the Gibson Les Paul Standard. Gibson can cost as much as seven times higher than the Epiphone Les Paul. Gibson Les Paul Compared to the Epiphone Les Paul Each respective headstock is patent to the parent company Gibson Brands, Inc. Gibson has more of an outward arch that goes sharp up the sides for pointy edges. Whereas, Epiphone has more of a droop headstock with a rounded contour in the middle with the sides trimmed off, giving each headstock a distinctive winged-shape style. What’s the difference in Gibson and Epiphone Les Paul headstock? Gibson has the “Gibson” symbol and Epiphone as the “Epiphone” symbol embedded in the headstock. While each Les Paul looks almost identical, the major difference you will notice, aside from the logos being distinctive, is the characteristics in the winged-shaped headstock. Some musicians might even have trouble distinguishing between the two.
Had that been the situation, perhaps we would not have these iconic Les Paul rockers such as Peter Frampton, George Harrison, Jimmy Page, Joe Perry, Ace Frehley, Zakk Wylde and Slash among others.Īt first glance, these two guitars appear quite similar. Without their ‘rival’ back in the mid-to-late 40s, through the mid-50s, there may not be the influential Les Paul solid-body electric guitar, at least not how we know it today. Leo Fender were in a ‘friendly’ race to develop the first solid-body electric guitar to the public. Gibson Les Paul and the Fender Stratocaster are, without doubt, the most iconic solid-body electric guitars since their invention.
( formerly Gibson Guitar Corporation)? Let’s put your mad guitar knowledge to the test! Please feel free to comment at the bottom of this comparison review! How does the Gibson Les Paul compare to the Epiphone Les Paul when Epiphone is owned by Gibson Brands, Inc. guitars modeled after Gibson shapes will get the classic Epiphone Kalamazoo headstock.An interesting debate was brought before our attention and felt we should pass it along to you good folks. influence and inspire new generations of fans with our Artist Collection simplify nomenclature and price/feature benefits – follow Gibson nomenclature for Inspired by Gibson Collection add to Original platform including USA electrics and acoustics and Masterbilt acoustics made overseas recalibrate product architecture based on Original and Inspired By Gibson Collections, leveraging Gibson quality & heritage The Epiphone range of instruments follow the same philosophy with : Large-scale investment were made to renovate manufacturing base, in order to offer better quality instruments, with a more realistic price, and smartly rethought range of products that will satisfy Gibson lovers regardless their budget. Les’ first solidbody guitar, nicknamed “the Log”, would go on to inspire the Les Paul Standard, what many consider the greatest electric guitar ever made.Įver since the arrival of new CEO James "JC" Curleigh in 2018, a wise businessman with a passion for guitars, Gibson quickly gained its nobility back. Les Paul began in 1940 when Les built one of the world’s first solid body electric guitars while working nights at the original Epiphone factory in Manhattan.
Featuring Epiphone-designed Alnico Classic™ Open-Coil humbuckers and world class Grover™ machine heads in new color finishes including Alpine White, Ebony, Wine Red, Smokehouse Burst.Įpiphone’s long friendship with Mr. Les Paul Studio is the modern version of the 80s classic originally intended for players seeking the classic Les Paul sound with no frills and less weight. The EPIPHONE Original Collection Les Paul Studio (EILTWRNH1) solid body electric guitar is part of Epiphone’s Inspired by Gibson Collection.