Epiphone, as you probably know, is owned by the legendary guitar manufacturer Gibson. Up until that purchase though, it was Gibson’s main rival. Originally known for its mandolins and archtops, it eventually changed into producing affordable alternatives to its parent company’s models, such as the Les Paul. These designs were quite successful, and many artists, including top musicians such as Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and John Lennon from The Beatles, The Edge from U2, and jazz guitarist Joe Pass, preferred them to the more expensive guitars made by Gibson. Even now, contemporary artists such as Gary Clark Jr and Matt Heafy of Trivium rock out with their Epi models on stage. On a much smaller scale, my Joe Pass Emperor model has accompanied me on countless hours of practice and gigging during my university days.
I had the chance to test drive an affordable entry model recently: the Les Paul Limited Edition Special I. I’ve received three guitars in different finishes, and I’ve filmed a video of my impressions and showcasing their tone (in different settings) and versatility.
The spirit of the Les Paul
True to its name, the Epiphone Les Paul delivers a simple 2 humbucker guitar. These pickups double the coils to produce a louder, thicker sound than the single coil versions. When played with a minimal amount of gain or overdrive, they produce a warm, beefy tone perfect for jazz lines and classic rock accompaniments. With some hair, they produce some of the most satisfying crunch tones guitarists crave perpetually. With thick overdrive or distortion, they sing with massive sustain and personality. Although the particular models in this guitar aren’t the most complex sounding, they get the job done, in any situation.
Being a Les Paul style guitar, it features a 24.75 inch scale which is slightly smaller than Fender’s 25.5 and offers easy playability and bending—ideal for younger players starting off on the electric. The neck is also on the smaller side, especially when I compare it to my Gibson models. This makes these Epiphones a breeze and a joy to play.
Other specs include a basswood body, mahogany neck, and rosewood fretboard. It features no carved maple top usually found on regular, more expensive Les Pauls. The absence of this feature and the selection of basswood help to lower production costs. The classic trapezoid and block inlays are replaced with dots (which I find quite refreshing actually), and a very nice dark binding wraps around the neck.
The tuning pegs’ stability is hit or miss, unfortunately. It’s probably due to the affordable nature of the instrument, but angled headstocks are notoriously hard to keep in tune. Make sure you either have a tuner nearby or some nut lubricant to make your playing experience more enjoyable. Down the road, you might consider upgrading to locking tuners; an upgrade that is well worth the low price of admission!
Three wonderful finishes
The Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Special I guitar is offered in three different finishes, two of which salute Gibson’s history. All three of them are worn, meaning they are slightly faded and transparent, something I feel most guitarists will enjoy. The tactile sensation is quite enjoyable also, presenting a satin feel on the body and neck.
The first variation, black, is the least adventurous of the three, but still holds up well and features an understated, yet elegant presence. Black also matches with all colors, so the fashion minded guitarist will enjoy this one!
Next, the worn cherry finish is a lovely homage to one of Gibson’s most beloved colours. Although the sunburst isn’t present on this model, the fiery red is very eye-catching, and fans of Jimmy Page and company will be able to easily channel the raw energy associated with that particular imagery.
Finally, the TV Yellow finish is a sight to behold (and is my favourite of the three options). It’s so easy on the eye that I still find myself scrolling through my pictures of it in my studio. The origins of the colour’s name are also interesting—and are at the centre of an ongoing debate amongst guitarists. Some state that TV Yellow refers to the colour used to finish a certain model of cabinet that housed televisions back in the 50s.
Others believe that Les Paul himself commissioned Gibson to build him guitars in this colour for his TV work. This colour would counteract the distracting glare that his white guitars would produce in the black and white screens of the time. At this point, it seems that it is lost lore to anyone but Gibson employees, but what I know for sure is that this wonderful colour looks amazing in your hands, on a stand, or hanging on a wall.
Affordable, yet built to last
This guitar is ideal in a couple of situations. First of all, for a first time buyer, the price and specs are excellent. With a small, comfortable neck and a 24.75 inch scale, this will be an inviting home base for inexperienced hands. Being able to handle jazz, pop, and all shades of rock, it’s quite versatile. As you can see in the video, it also plays very well with different pedal and amplifier combinations.
It’s also an excellent guitar to grow with. It’s no secret that guitarists love to tinker with their instruments. As you cultivate your style, you’ll probably want to also. Some popular upgrades include changing the tuning pegs, the bridge, and pickups. This is the perfect affordable platform to experiment with.
Also, for guitarists that already own another type of guitar (such as a stratocaster, telecaster, hollow-body, etc), this is a very affordable entry point into the magnificent world of Les Paul style tones. If you are looking for something to complement your single coil tones without breaking the bank, look no further.
Source of Inspiration
The Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Special I guitar is impressive, especially when you take into account the price tag. What surprised me the most was that I had an easy time extracting riffs, melodies, and solos from this guitar. Finding inspiration to build songs also came naturally. Not all entry level guitars award that kind of individuality.
Check out the Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Special I (coming soon online at Best Buy) and other Epiphone products on Best Buy’s website.
I would like to learn to play that new york sound from bands like The Strokes and Interpol
I need to learn to play yesterday by the Beatles
The family member who needs to learn how to play the guitar is ME! I’d learn to play Eric Clapton’s Layla or Tears in Heaven first. Thanks so much for the chance to win this amazing guitar.
My daughter would love to learn guitar. Smoke on the Water. Easy song to play.
I need to learn the guitar and would love to learn The Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”.
I need to learn guitar. Probably Stairway to Heaven
My Dad wants to learn to play guitar. I think he’d pick a classic rock song to learn first.
I can play a bit of acoustic but I’d love to try electric. Hotel California guitar solo would be the first song I try.
I want to learn how to play guitar! My first song would be something easy with three or so chords, probably classic rock.
I’d like to play some classic rock on it
I’d give it to my son to play whatever he wants
I’d play something easy on it once I take lessons
My son should learn how to play guitar and learn the song Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.
My husband, anything by Leonard Cohen
I do; Hotel California!
I am the candidate. I’d learn the Beatles’ “Yesterday” first
Having a guitar for me and my brother to practice with, and play on would be great!
I’d probably want to learn Go with the Flow by Queens of the Stone Age first.
The Worn Black Les Paul looks so nice, but the more I look at it, the more I’m liking the TV Yellow finish too!
My son LOVES Into the Fire and Flames by Dragonforce….that’s gonna take him a while to learn I think…
My daughter…..Reason’s Why….Nickel Creek
I need to!! Rocket Queen by guns n roses.
I would be the one who needs to learn the guitar. I would start with songs from The Beatles.
I would love for my brother in law to play John Lennon’s Imagine on this guitar!
My daughter wants to learn how to play and the first song would be Check Yes or No by George Strait!
My granddaughter and she should learn anything by the Beatles, maybe Let It Be first.
My daughter is going to start learning soon. She would love anything from the movie Frozen. Maybe Let it Go!
My son would like to learn. Should I stay or should I go by the Clash is the first song of choice.
I would love to win this and learn how to play Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin
I need to learn, and will try Yesterday!
My granddaughter could learn to play Cat Stevens “Morning Has Broken”.
I would appreciate winning this guitar so that I could finally learn how to play and learn to play for the rwat of my life the first song I would leaen is Kathy’s song by Simon and Garfunkel I was able to go sww The Simon and Garfunkel Story in February before covid-19 shut everything down what an impact they have had and continue to have on music
I need to learn how to play. I’d love to play some Beatles songs!
Me
Purple rain
I’m actually learning to play guitar right now, and currently playing on an old beat up hand me down that sounds horriblle, so winning this would be amazing!
I’m currently learning Wagon Wheel.
my son, he always wanted to learn and first song I would make him play is stairway to heaven
I need to learn to play guitar and the first song would be “Tears In Heaven”
I think I need to learn guitar to pass the time in pandemic isolation. The first song I would lear would be “No Rain” by Blind Melon.
I think my husband Matt needs to win this guitar because, between his shift work job and helping support our kids’ in their remote learning, he hasn’t been able to take a lot of time for himself lately. Learning guitar is something he’s been wanting to do for a while and this would be a great opportunity. The first song he should learn should be something by Johnny Cash because he’s a recent convert to country music and Cash is the king.
I play Piano and clarinet, but have attempted a few songs on guitar. I would love to win this and I think I could learn to play on my own with a little on line help This is a real versatile guitar, and I know lots of musicians who take this guitar on the road, because it is so versatile. My dad had a Les Paul Gibson, and he loved that guitar!!
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Maybe this beautiful guitar will help my husband learn how to play a few tasty riffs for me.
I need this as a Christmas present to give to my Godson! His dad shreds so well so he needs to learn too! Maybe I’ll take a crack at it too. I’d learn a few Offspring riffs first!
I would love to win this guitar for my son who is growing up. He watched me play often times and I would like to get this for his as his first guitar.
My oldest daughter is 13 and very musical. It’s time to play her favourite Melanie Martinez!
My son is a guitar player and my partner is professional musician so I think I should be the one to learn to play. I would love to learn to play Holding on to You by Miranda Lambert.
It would be awesome if my girlfriend learned “Crazy Train” even if she learned just the opening riff before Ozzy comes in.
She has an appreciation for that era of hard rock/metal but never put the time in to feel the enjoyment one gets from playing that music.
Rock on!
Or “Panama”, RIP EVH, that would be fun.
The person in my family that needs to learn to play the guitar the most is probably my sister and the song she should learn how to play first should be Leather Jacket by The Arkells. Thank you so much for this amazing contest! I hope I win!
I would love to learn how to play the guitar anything by Lana del Ray
I would love to learn how to play the guitar anything by Pink Floyd
I would love to learn how to play the guitar but am not sure what song sorry
My brother Aaron definitely needs to win one of these. He is a great pianist, but always wanted to learn guitar (our parents kind of forced him down that piano route). He loves the piano now, but I’d love to have him win one of these beauts so he can finally get into guitar like he’s always wanted to!
I would like to learn how to play the guitar!
I would really love to learn how to play Cliffs Of Dover by Eric Johnson.
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