Customer Reviews

Epiphone LP Special II Les Paul Electric Guitar, Vintage Sunburst

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

This is a great guitar. If you want a Les Paul styled guitar this is your guitar. Just be aware that just cuz it looks like a L.P. guitar does not mean that it will sound like the real thing (a Gibson L.P.) That was something I learned very quickly. Ha Ha. But all in all for the price this is a great looking, great feeling and good sounding guitar.

This is a good guitar with great sound. I also have a gibson Les Paul and i wanted another les paul without having to pay $1000 Dollars. This guitar is the closest guitar out there to an actual les Paul. Great buy great price. Overall, worth every penny I love it.

I have been playing for 18 years i have many guitars. This is one of my favorites

Great guitar for the money spent. Intonation was good and string
heights Ok. Dual humbuckers not of 3,0000 Les Paul quality
but all in all a great little guitar for beginner to the
advanced student. Lots of bite and can always be fitted with
better pick-ups when or if you desire to. Fret board nice and
straight and not a bad action right out of the box. Would buy
another for sure.

When I 1st got this guitar I was really nervous. I heard mixed reviews about it, some saying it was awesome and some saying it sucked. I was pleasantly surprised when i plugged it in 2 my amp(it's a crappy amp and the Les Paul sounded way better than my Strat!). It's easy 2 move your fingers, sounds great, looks great and makes it so ur cables never fall out. my one complaint is there's only 1 tone and 1 volume, but it still has that Les Paul sound! It sounds great dirty and clean and is great for rockin out!!
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This guitar is by far my favorite guitar.(and 1st one) if you want to make a statement by getting a beautiful creation of artwork get this guitar, the price i got it for was $170 and is worth every cent. with even the wost amp in the world, this guitar is still the best for its money. but once i got a Line 6 amp, i could play any song. the special 2 Les Paul is the best yet!

I am retired and have been wanting to learn to play an acoustic and electric guitar. As I am a new learner and not an expert, I will give sensory perceptions of the guitar. To the touch, it feels excellent. To sight, it is beautiful and to hearing, the sound is superb. It is going to be enjoyable.

I brought this guitar as a beginner guitarist, and it was so easy to learn on! The guitar produces a nice sound on my 10inch Marshall. It has a nice clean look and a easy to maintain as well.

This guitar put a huge smile on my face when I opened it up. Not only because it looked great but it also had a wonderful sound! If you are looking into getting a guitar around this price turn to this one. It is only $165 and it seems like it should be worth like double that!!! Also, those mixed reviews of it sucking are incorrect. This is nowhere near sucking. I give it a rating of 8 out of 5!! It is one of the best les paul's in the business! Great guitar! Just wonderful!!!!

When I first tried the guitar in the store, I was amazed at how loud it was acoustically. Nice sounding guitar. Great sound for the price. What I like the most is the action on it. It is such a fun guitar to play on. The neck is very comfortable. I take it everywhere. Mine is black and was made in China. Had it for 5 years and played on stage at least 20 times. Never had problems. Very quiet with the humbuckers.

Replaced the stock pickups with Gibson Classic and Gibson Classic+ (Bridge) pickups and all I can say is wow!! What a difference. I can really make it squeal when I want it to or put the swithch in the middle for a nice mix. Playing chords on it is very nice. Play through a 1983 Fender Concert Amp (great amp, by the way. designed by Rivera) and a Zoom G9.2TT processor. Very versatile guitar for the money. Smooth jazz guitar if you want or push the gain and you wail ZZ Top leads through it.