Epiphone Slash Les Paul Standard Electric Guitar Appetite Burst

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The Perfect, Imperfect Les Paul

I'll start by saying I was super super hesitant to get a Slash Epiphone Les Paul. I like GNR but I am by no means a fan-boy. I am not Slash or will I ever be able to play like Slash. I have an Inspired By Gibson Epiphone ES-335 and was impressed with the quality so I was open minded to a Epiphone LP. I am a hobbyist so it's hard to justify the huge upcharge for the Gibson name, especially with the great quality Epiphone is pumping out. I was wavering between the Epi LP 50 standard, '59, and Slash because I wanted a chunkier neck that these three only seemed to provide. Though the '59 is probably the best bang for your buck, I wasn't a fan of the fact they all have the aged look. I love a glossy/ polished looking guitar- so the '59 wasn't doing it for me. I know some people dig the aged look and I get it, but it ain't for me. I didn't go with the 50 standard because the colors didn't speak to my soul even though it had the polish I was looking for. Which brings me to the Slash collection. Man... I was really digging the Anaconda and Vermilion Burst. I loved that it wasn't the traditional colors. In my opinion (that means absolutely nothing), I think these non-traditional colors gives the timeless Les Paul more personality. I searched far and wide until I found a Slash LP with the top I liked the most. I settled on the Anaconda Burst because I think a green-flamed Les Paul is just the coolest thing since sliced bread. Here's the thing... This isn't the best valued Epi Les Paul. It's a signature guitar, which you pay more for the artist royalties. The pick-ups are nothing to be impressed about. I'll probably end up upgrading them. It doesn't have a rosewood finger-board (it's Indian Laurel). The Epi Les Paul customs have an ebony finger-board and are cheaper. The Jerry Cantrell's Signature Epiphone LP Custom has an ebony finger-board, a case, and that beautiful diamond headstock; It still manages to be cheaper than this. The Epi LP '59 comes with a case, has Gibson USA pick-ups, AND is cheaper. If you want a good "Bang for your buck" guitar, this is not it. This is not a guitar you get for "the value". Not to mention, since the Slash collection is now going to be apart of the regular line-up, it won't hold it's value like other signature models that come out temporarily (though my understanding is that the Anaconda and Vermilion burst are limited runs so maybe those will be the ones that hold value). Bottom line, if you're the person who values specs and value, look else where. This is a guitar you get because you WANT it. Period. And that should be the only reason you need to get this. Despite all the flaws, all the alternative options, all the better Epi values out there, I love this. I feel like I own a proper Les Paul. I love the chunky neck, I love the proper weight, I love the AAA maple top, the piece of Indian Laurel on mine looks beautiful and dark, and it feels well crafted despite being made in the Far East. The pick-ups can always be changed. But the weight, feel, and looks are much, much harder to tweak. Play the guitar you want, not what a reviewer on YouTube or the internet says is the best. I wanted this despite everything I ranted on about and still couldn't be happier.