Epiphone Les Paul Custom PRO Electric Guitar Ebony

Most Liked Positive Review

Epiphone Raises The Bar

I have played for 32 years, and have owned many guitars, including 3 Gibson LPs and 1 Epi LP Standard. I don't just hand out glowing reviews like Halloween candy, but this deserves it. I needed a Les Paul to use while I am in Russia (since shipping one of mine here would be risky and costly) and so I tried a few at a shop in Saint Petersburg. I am quite familiar with LPs, so I knew what I was searching for. The white Custom Pro I ended up buying was definitely better than the two Standard Pros I tested. Something about its acoustic AND its electric tone was better, and the feel of it was superior. I noticed that the Custom was made in Indonesia, while the Standards were made in China (like the Standard I used to own). I also noticed that the Custom was a good weight -- about 9-9.5 pounds, which is right where it should be, IMO. After I got the guitar home, I measured the body. What I found was that this Custom Pro is just under 2 inches wide, which is exactly what my Gibson measures. The Epi Standard that I used to have measured only 1 3/4 inches wide. The sound of the ProBucker pickups is a giant leap forward from the pickups Epi had been using before. They are fat, bright, sweet, and crunch well. Not underwound and not over. The added tapping feature is a nice plus. So many tones! The overall look, fit & finish, hardware, and fretwork are all excellent. (though there is a small gap between the pickguard and the neck pickup bezel) I also love the neck profile, which I think would suit many other players too. My new Custom does everything a Les Paul should, IMO, and is a keeper - even with two Gibsons waiting for me back in the USA. I can honestly say that it holds its own with those guys. Of course it will never be exactly like an American-made Gibson, but I think that's beside the point: it gives a great Les Paul experience, does it with good quality and for a terrific price. Amazing.