![gibson les paul vs epiphone les paul gibson les paul vs epiphone les paul](https://www.tenhomaisdiscosqueamigos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Epiphone-Limited-Edition-1959-LP-Standard-.jpg)
Whether it's the chambering or the finish, the Studio resonates more like a semi-hollow, whereas the Epiphone resonates at an obviously lower frequency.
![gibson les paul vs epiphone les paul gibson les paul vs epiphone les paul](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4tloa5PIXEw/UFsqzF7ieyI/AAAAAAAAABc/LD9lHLNw3OE/s1600/sidebyside.jpg)
![gibson les paul vs epiphone les paul gibson les paul vs epiphone les paul](https://www.pmtonline.co.uk/media/wysiwyg/80241-304352-epiphone-limited-edition-les-paul-standard-lite-1.jpg)
This is probably down to the finish as well as the weight, with the Studio being finished in Nitro, and the Epiphone being finished in 3 inches of poly ( that may be an exaggeration). That isn't necessarily a good thing, but the tactile difference in weight compared to a Stratocaster makes switching to a Les Paul somehow more satisfying.Īcoustically, the presence of the weight relief is obvious again, with the Studio being much louder and more resonant. The Epiphone on the other hand has this satisfying feeling of having an armoire on your lap.
#Gibson les paul vs epiphone les paul series
My American Series Telecaster is heavier than this, and just as I'd prefer the Tele to be a bit lighter, I would prefer the Studio to be heavier. I don't have the exact weights, but knowing that my Maple EJ Stratocaster weighed in at just under 7.5, this seems like a pretty good approximation.īack to the Studio - this is just too light for a Les Paul. The Epiphone is easily on the chunky side of 10 pounds, while the Studio, with it's modern weight relief, is likely no more than 7.5 pounds. The first and most obvious difference, beyond color of course, is the weight. That's a little over 3x difference for those keeping score. Most importantly, neither offers any coil splitting/tapping, which to me is such an unnecessary addition to a Les Paul anyway.įinally, setting aside the cost of each new, I'm keeping in mind the fact that I paid $250 for the Epiphone, and $800 for the Studio. There is definitely some preamp push happening, but only to the point where really banging on the strings would yield in natural overdrive.įor what it is worth, the Epiphone Standard dates to 2005, and the Gibson Studio dates to 2007, so they're about the same age. The first picture is the amp settings I used for the test (the Z-Brake was set to "4"). I also tried to avoid fidgeting with settings on the amp or the pedals so that the comparison remained as "sterile" as possible.
![gibson les paul vs epiphone les paul gibson les paul vs epiphone les paul](https://gearaficionado.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Custom-vs-Gibson-Les-Paul-Special-Tribute.png)
For this comparison, we're going to run through a variety of sounds in both the neck and bridge position:įor each setting, I wrote down as much as I could with the guitar on my lap so that my impressions were as uncoloured as possible. Obviously, it isn't going to sound the same, and I really wish I still had the 1996 version. This 2007 version has the same pickups, but has modern weight relief, which significantly changes the construction of the guitar. The first thing I can't help but think of is my first Les Paul Studio - a 1996 non-weight relieved Wine Red version that sported the 498T and 490R pickups. Trying to put obvious bias aside, I've decided to compare the two in an attempt to justify either keeping the Studio or sending it to Kijiji once and for all. But that Epiphone headstock? Might as well be a neon sign saying "NOT A GIBSON". At this price point with a Fender, you get a Fender headstock, so at a distance who's to know that you didn't buy USA. The headstock is definitely another factor.