The Gibson Les Paul Special has long been revered as a no-nonsense, rock-and-roll machine. Its stripped-down aesthetic and powerful P90 pickups deliver a raw and authentic tone that has fueled countless guitar heroes. However, the price tag of a Gibson can be prohibitive for many players. Enter the Epiphone Les Paul Special Guitar, offering a more affordable alternative that captures the essence of the original. But does it truly stack up? This in-depth comparison dives into the nuances of both instruments, based on a hands-on review, to determine if the Epiphone Les Paul Special is not just a budget-friendly option, but potentially a superior guitar in its own right.
Body, Construction, and Finish: Examining the Core
The foundation of any electric guitar lies in its body and construction. In this comparison, both the Gibson and Epiphone Les Paul Special guitars feature mahogany bodies and necks, a classic tonewood combination known for its warmth and sustain. However, initial observations revealed that neither body resonated exceptionally well in tap tests, suggesting a somewhat dense character in the wood itself. This doesn’t necessarily translate to poor tone, but it’s a point of differentiation to note.
TV Yellow Finish: A Tale of Two Yellows
Both guitars sport the iconic TV Yellow finish, but the execution differs significantly. The Epiphone Les Paul Special guitar is coated in an opaque yellow polyurethane finish, applied with a noticeable thickness and gloss. In contrast, the Gibson boasts a more refined, translucent nitrocellulose lacquer. This allows the mahogany grain to subtly peek through, adding depth and character to the finish. Nitrocellulose lacquer is also generally favored by tone purists for its breathability and aging qualities. In this aspect, the Gibson’s finish presents a more premium aesthetic and potentially a more nuanced feel.
Construction Quality and Weight: A Surprising Tie
Moving beyond the finish, the construction quality of both guitars was commendable. Neither instrument exhibited glaring flaws, such as sharp fret edges, which is a testament to improved manufacturing standards across the board. Interestingly, the reviewer noted being pleasantly surprised by the Gibson’s fretwork, a welcome departure from some recent experiences with the brand. Both guitars, however, would benefit from a professional fret polish and fretboard cleaning to reach their optimal playability. Weight-wise, the Gibson was marginally lighter, but the difference was negligible in practical terms, especially when using a guitar strap. Therefore, in terms of construction quality and fundamental build, both the Epiphone Les Paul Special guitar and its Gibson counterpart hold their own.
Tuners: Functionality Over Brand Name
The tuning machines on both guitars are Kluson-style tuners, aiming for a vintage aesthetic. While the Gibson tuners operated with slightly more smoothness, neither set impressed as high-performance hardware. The Epiphone tuners were described as stiff and “grabby,” falling short of ideal standards. Neither set offered lubrication points, suggesting a focus on replicating the vintage look rather than improving upon it. The reviewer even speculates that both tuners might originate from the same factory, with the Gibson version simply bearing a stamped logo. This underscores the point that in modern guitar manufacturing, simply copying vintage designs doesn’t always equate to quality, especially when tuner technology has advanced significantly. For players seeking rock-solid tuning stability and smooth operation, an upgrade from either stock set would be a worthwhile consideration for both the Epiphone Les Paul Special guitar and the Gibson.
Necks and Fretboard: Feel and Playability
Neck profile and fretboard feel are crucial aspects of guitar playability. Both the Gibson and Epiphone Les Paul Special guitars feature straight necks and similar, easily adjustable action. Both utilize nickel frets, a traditional choice, although the reviewer suggests that modern stainless steel frets would offer superior durability and longevity. The fretboard wood differs slightly, with the Gibson sporting Indian Rosewood and the Epiphone using Indian Laurel. Visually, Indian Laurel is a bit lighter in color, but in terms of tone and feel, the reviewer found no discernible difference between the two. Both fretboards were deemed adequate but could benefit from further finishing and conditioning.
Neck Profile and Comfort: A Matter of Preference
Both guitars are advertised as having a “50s profile” neck, a term that can be misleadingly broad. The reviewer, possessing a collection of vintage Les Pauls from the 50s, notes the significant variation in neck profiles from that era. In this comparison, the Epiphone Les Paul Special guitar neck was perceived as slightly chunkier, leaning more towards a D-shape compared to the Gibson’s C-shape. Neither neck was deemed uncomfortable, even for players with smaller hands. Ultimately, neck profile preference is subjective, but the Epiphone offers a slightly fuller feel in the hand. Both guitars share a standard Gibson 24 ¾ inch scale length and 12-inch fretboard radius, ensuring comfortable playability and preventing note “choking” during string bends. The necks are finished on the back, and the reviewer suggests that both would benefit from light steel wool treatment and waxing for enhanced smoothness and speed. A notable positive shared by both instruments is the inclusion of Graph-Tech Tusq nuts, a high-quality synthetic material known for its tonal properties and tuning stability.
Pots, Hardware, and Pickups: Electronics and Sound
Moving to the electronics and hardware, significant differences and surprising strengths emerge, particularly in favor of the Epiphone Les Paul Special guitar.
Pots and Switching: Epiphone Edges Ahead
The potentiometers (pots) controlling volume and tone on the Epiphone were noticeably smoother in operation compared to the Gibson. Epiphone explicitly states the use of CTS pots, which are generally regarded as higher quality components. The reviewer suspects that Gibson might be using less expensive pots in this model. However, both guitars’ tone pots exhibited a somewhat drastic volume and treble cut when rolled off, a common characteristic of vintage-style wiring. This can be easily remedied with a treble bleed modification and a switch to “50s wiring,” a popular modification among Les Paul players, for both the Epiphone Les Paul Special guitar and the Gibson. In a surprising twist, the Gibson’s pickup selector switch felt flimsy and lacked crispness in its positions, while the Epiphone’s output jack was tighter and more secure, indicating superior component quality in these often-overlooked areas.
Hardware and Bridge: Practicality vs. “Vintage” Accuracy
The hardware on both guitars is largely similar in appearance, with minor cosmetic differences like switch tip color. The key distinction lies in the bridge design. Both guitars utilize a wraparound tailpiece, a hallmark of the Les Paul Special. However, the Epiphone Les Paul Special guitar features a compensated wraparound tailpiece. This means it’s designed with subtle ridges to optimize intonation for each string, resulting in more accurate tuning across the fretboard. The Gibson, in pursuit of “vintage” accuracy, uses a non-compensated wraparound. While some purists might prefer the historical correctness, the compensated bridge on the Epiphone offers superior functionality and tuning precision in practical playing scenarios.
Pickups: P90 Power and Tonal Nuances
Both guitars are equipped with P90 pickups, renowned for their thick, punchy tone, and versatility. Gibson literature refers to their pickups simply as “P90s,” while Epiphone labels theirs “P90 Pros.” However, neither manufacturer provides detailed specifications like DC resistance, impedance, or output current, making a truly objective comparison challenging. Subjectively, the Gibson pickups were described as slightly brighter, while the Epiphone Les Paul Special guitar pickups offered a warmer tone with a richer bass response. Playing through a clean amp setting, the Gibson pickups seemed to push the amp into overdrive slightly quicker, suggesting a marginally hotter output. Ultimately, pickup preference is highly subjective, and the reviewer acknowledges that both sets are usable but could be upgraded to aftermarket options, such as Bare Knuckle pickups, for enhanced performance and tonal refinement.
Strings: An Easy Upgrade
Both guitars come strung with .010-.046 gauge strings, which the reviewer humorously deems suitable for “cattle fencing.” This is a common practice with many new guitars, and a string change is almost always recommended immediately upon purchase. Replacing the factory strings allows players to customize gauge and brand to their preference and provides an opportunity to further clean and condition the fretboard and polish the frets on both the Epiphone Les Paul Special guitar and the Gibson. The stock strings are universally considered a low-quality component and should be replaced regardless of which guitar you choose.
Conclusion: The Epiphone Les Paul Special Guitar – A Clear Winner?
In conclusion, the review unequivocally favors the Epiphone Les Paul Special guitar. For players seeking a Les Paul Special, particularly in the desirable double-cutaway, dual P90 configuration and classic TV Yellow finish, the Epiphone emerges as the superior choice. The reviewer states, “I would buy the Epiphone without a second glance. It’s a better guitar. Period.” The significant price difference, approximately fourteen hundred dollars in savings, further solidifies the Epiphone’s value proposition. While acknowledging that the Gibson tested was of surprisingly good quality compared to recent Gibson experiences, it still doesn’t justify the premium price.
The reviewer suggests that even building a Les Paul Special from a kit might be a viable alternative, but the Epiphone Les Paul Special guitar offers a compelling out-of-the-box experience that requires minimal initial investment. For those seeking to further optimize their Epiphone, upgrades to the pickups and tuners are recommended. However, even in its stock form, the Epiphone Les Paul Special provides a fantastic foundation and, arguably, a better playing experience than the Gibson at a fraction of the cost. This makes the Epiphone Les Paul Special guitar a standout choice for players seeking authentic P90 tone and Les Paul Special aesthetics without breaking the bank.
