2022 Epiphone Les Paul Studio - Unboxing and Review!

[@bradleyhunt936]

Enjoy it! I'm a bedroom player and have always wanted an SG even though I gravitate towards Fender or Fender inspired guitars. Ended up finding an older Korean Epiphone SG on GC's used section online for a very good price. It scratches the SG itch and I'm not afraid to tinker with it as far as mods.

[@BigJakeMusic]

As a lifelong Fender guy, my first experiences with these type of guitars was mindblowing. I always wanted a "real" one. I'll probably always be a Fender guy at heart, but this one is special and I will always keep it close to me! Even the cheaper Epiphones(ESPECIALLY the Korean ones) are amazing guitars!

[@I.am_Groot]

My Epi SG was great just could not get past the neck dive. Good guitar though nice tone played great.

[@scott83074]

Congrats brother..proud of the way you showed your wife how grateful you were. Rip it!

[@captainbongwater8469]

The most honest down to earth epiphone review, thank you

[@miguelangelcolon1345]

Epiphone makes beautiful guitars. I have the Epiphone Les Paul Studio in wine red since many years ago and still looks great.

[@obi-twokenobi9914]

Amazing review. It's really nice to see the passion and motivation you put in your video instead of just explaining a few things and playing the guitar. Good luck!

[@kenkel98]

I know it's been a year, but I wanted say congrats. I heard Hendrix, Vaughn, Slash and a few others in your playing. Brother, you ROCK! Love the LP's, have wanted one since the I first saw one in the 70's. Finally going to do it, will probably go with the Epi LP Custom. BTW, hope you, your Wife, and the Baby are all doing great. Lucky man!

[@richierick96]

Bro, i just played this guitar today at GC and I'm shook. It's crazy how good this thing is... Its superb quality. I have two les paul customs but seriously thinking of picking up a smokehouse burst

[@ryanoblea8407]

such a useful video, have never been so convinced from a 20min vid like this, definitely buying this. Thanks for sharing.

[@BigJakeMusic]

Thank you! I’m glad I was able to help :)

[@toastedsandwich2474]

I share your enthusiasm. I've got the Wine Red version and I think this guitar is perfect. I've seen a few people gripe about quality control but mine was perfect. I keep toying with the idea of upgrading the pickups but I'm not sure that there will be any improvement. It may sound different but probably not better necessarily. This is the second guitar I've had with the Epiphone Classic PRO's and they're very good quality.

[@BigJakeMusic]

I bought a set of Alnico Classic Pro’s and installed them in my 2020 Epiphone SG Standard and absolutely love them. These pickups are incredible and I can’t really find any fault with them at all!

[@GazHogan]

Hello my friend. I'm looking to get a Cherry vintage model but cannot find out anywhere if these Guitars have a contoured body or a flat body like Special ii, The one I'm looking at has a matt finish so it's difficult to decide,, any help would be much appreciated 👍

[@BigJakeMusic]

These are definitely rounded on the top and flat on the back, and the dimensions match a Gibson Les Paul Studio!

[@GazHogan]

@@BigJakeMusic Thank you so much bro that's a great help in influencing my decision

[@sloppyprogrammer4373]

When I saw this model come to market, I was like yup good move with the open book headstock. Because the headstock was always the reason Epiphone wasn't appealing to me. Then I tried one in store and took it home. I have alpine white.

[@BigJakeMusic]

It's my favorite guitar and my main axe!

[@clemdewitt687]

Good review, good guitar, good wife! Thanks Jake...enjoy!

[@BigJakeMusic]

Thank you! She's the best. I'm very lucky and I love this guitar!

[@themanalligator4813]

Amazing guitar. I own a gibson les paul standard 50s & a epiphone inspired by gibson les paul standard 50s. In my honest opinion, the epiphone plays & feels identical to the gibson. Epiphone guitars are at such a high level now. It's the same with squier guitars.

[@BigJakeMusic]

Thank you! I’m very happy with Epiphone’s current quality. These “Inspired by Gibson” models are incredible!

[@bubbaswiss5543]

Awesome gift Jake! I hope you and yours are having a wonderful holiday! 🎸

[@BigJakeMusic]

Thank you, and same to you!!

[@motorcyclemark2889]

Mine came with wilkonsons tuners they are fine stays in tune great

[@GazHogan]

Great review bro and seeing your face when you unboxed it on Christmas day was heart warming. You have a great wife buddy

[@BigJakeMusic]

Thanks, and I agree! I'm very lucky.

[@larryfranklin3305]

I just got one same finish, I love it it had a small issue with the output jack took me 5min,to fix it otherwise a beautiful guitar I got 10percent off display model I looked it over and got it I'm really pleased with it 🤗🎧🎵🎶

[@BigJakeMusic]

I love the finish on this!! It’s an amazing guitar. I’m sorry you had an output jack issue, but yeah, that’s an easy fix!

[@giovannimaldonado3198]

Awesome brother!!! Enjoy that bad boy! That is definetely a gorgeous finish!!! 👍🏽🤘🏽

[@BigJakeMusic]

Thank you! I absolutely love the finish on it too. It’s my main axe now, and it feels amazing to play and I love the way it sounds.

[@motorcyclemark2889]

I just bought a brand new epiphone 60s les Paul standard from zzound about 3 months ago its crazy good I love it its as real as I'm gonna get $649 today I ordered a purple Kramer Beretta special from them its gonna be here in about 2 days can't wait you can't have to many guitars you'll love the less Paul its awesome congratulations

[@BigJakeMusic]

Thank you!! I love this guitar. These “Inspired by Gibson” Epiphones are incredible. I have a red Baretta special and it’s one of my favorite guitars. Gibson is really knocking it out of the park right now with their lower-priced instruments!

[@motorcyclemark2889]

Ya I commented on your Beretta special last night on one of your videos and today I ordered one

[@BigJakeMusic]

They are amazing guitars and it has become one of my favorites!

[@jameshatch5324]

Fantastic video. Just bought this for my sis. Can't wait to hear it played.

[@BigJakeMusic]

Thanks! It’s an amazing instrument.

[@pierre6625]

Hello, I just bought the same guitar you got for Christmas. I just love it. it is a Les Paul. Not Gibson but very similar. You will love it.

[@raulalcideslobostapia2610]

You make it sound very good, it looks like a good guitar, and above all, you can see that you have talent... Like

[@BigJakeMusic]

Thank you very much!

[@markpell8979]

I have a wine red Epi Studio LP made in Dec '20. Bought it "used, good condition" in Feb '21 directly over the phone from GC Joliet, not the GC website (thanks Rachel!) for $249 + tax and $20.50 for UPS, so about $290 total, delivered to my front porch half a continent away in less than three days. It had been returned by the original buyer because of an obvious 5" scrape in the finish on the front of the lower bout by the tailpiece. This reportedly happened accidently and the customer was a regular big spender at their store so they took it back and gave him store credit on another guitar, leaving them with this one which couldn't be resold as new so they let it go for cost just to clear it, and I saw it on their store's used inventory the morning it was listed and jumped on it after talking with them on the phone. I was able to polish this scar out of the poly varnish by hand with Turtle 'Renew Rx' rubbing compound in about two hours, then I polished the rest of the top to feather out the repair and finished up with Johnson's Paste Wax. The scar absolutely disappeared and the top looks fantastic. Otherwise the guitar was great right out of the box. They had set it up nicely at the store but I refined that more to my liking and oiled the fretboard the first time I changed strings. So with luck, timing and careful shopping as well as being able to work on guitars, I got an amazing Les Paul for under $300 that's honestly better than new. One of the best guitars I've ever owned in 50yrs as a player. I hope others have similar luck finding a real bargain like I did but even at full price (now $649 retail in 2023) you can hardly go wrong with these Epi Studios considering the first-cousin Gibson equivalent goes for 3-4X the price.

[@billydworrell8259]

I have a Gibson LP Studio Plus with the push pull coil taps in the Bourbon burst. Like you the Smokehouse burst has such a visual appeal and draw to the eyes. I also purchased a EPIPHONE 60s LP Standard in the Smokehouse burst. Both look and feel and play amazing. Actually I love the Smokehouse your wife got you looks amazing!! In my OCD state of mind. I have to have the poker chip pick up selector on the guitar, just a personal quirk of mine. Great reaction.

[@wicked3564]

I’m on Sweetwater’s site right now and this exact guitar has Grover’s. They must have changed it.

[@scottanderson4175]

Congratulations 🎊🎉🎈 my first guitar was a 1973 Fender Stratocaster my next 27 guitars were Les Pauls Epiphone Gibson and PRS Les Pauls 🥂

[@BigJakeMusic]

Thanks! I love this guitar and it’s definitely become my main axe. It’s agonizing to choose #2 for my shows every weekend, but it’s a good problem to have! 😂

[@dirktucker77]

That's a badass guitar bro. I have the guitar center exclusive Ephiphone LP custom silverburst inspired by Gibson. It's an awesome guitar especially for me in only a few years in. Got it on sale for like 529

[@BigJakeMusic]

I absolutely LOVE that silverburst custom. I’ve wanted one for years and never got around to it. Those Inspired by Gibson models are fantastic! I have the SG Standard and this LP studio from that line.

[@harbonip]

Wow , sounds nice . I'm in Germany and the same guitar retails for 448 euros . Due to the lack of funds I had to settle for the SG Muse by Epiphone. But I'm saving up for this guitar or the Honey Burst for 495 euro . Thanks for the playing sample . 😎👍🏽

[@BigJakeMusic]

Of course, thank you!

[@harbonip]

@@BigJakeMusic sorry I forgot to say the music store is Thomann's.

[@BigJakeMusic]

I’ve looked at Thomann’s before. They usually have a pretty good selection!

[@harbonip]

Bro, I had to send the Epiphone SG Muse back to Thomann's. Toggle switch super loose, volume controls aren't straight . This is the second guitar I had to send back to them . 🤬 I don't know who to blame ? Epiphone QC needs to be retrained on quality control , I can't believe they would send musical instruments out like that ,and Thomann's QC needs to get better QC for shipping it to customers too . Only had the equipment for two days and I have to send everything back again . I think I'm done with musical equipment. I can't trust the musical instrument store anymore . Get me once okay, get me twice , but never a 3rd time . Glad you can enjoy your Epiphone . 👍🏽

[@Sound-Lord]

btw great wife! :)

[@Dave062YT]

Nice.You can drop a set of locking grovers in there without any messing around with drills .Not that there's anything wrong with Wilkinsons of course.

[@robertmellang6998]

Cool. I have been shopping for a Gibson Les Paul Studio. I started looking at the Gibson Les Paul Special because they were a little cheaper. I just can’t throw $900.00 at a used better just because it’s a Gibson. Now I am about to pull the trigger on an Epiphone Les Paul Studio. I have an Epiphone Les Paul plush top pro. I am after a certain vibe. I am looking at the one with the bolt on neck. These videos helped me out

[@Okay-George]

awesome guitar... may have to grab one myself! so will this be your new gigging guitar????

[@BigJakeMusic]

Absolutely, I’m at a gig right now with it in fact!!!

[@motorcyclemark2889]

The epiphone is a great real Les Paul its not worse than a Gibson its just different they are both great guitars I love mine

[@BigJakeMusic]

I played a bunch of Gibson studios and honestly like the Epiphone just as much!!

[@motorcyclemark2889]

I played a Gibson custom for years I had a 1983 gold custom I wore it out gigged with it for ten years I love my Epiphone just as much

[@motorcyclemark2889]

The epiphone is lighter the Gibson was a boat anchor it weighed about 12 pounds my Epiphone weighs 9

[@BigJakeMusic]

That’s why I didn’t get an Epi LP Custom and wanted this one instead! No sense in breaking my back for aesthetics when this one sounds and plays amazingly well!

[@williamr3840]

​​@@BigJakeMusicThe only differences between the Epiphone and the Gibson is that the Gibson is made in the USA, and also some of the materials like fret and inlays are more expensive finishes -- and that is why the Gibson is more expensive. Having said that, as Epiphone is a brand owned and made by Gibson, then it actually is a Gibson! But one that us mere mortals can afford. :0)

[@bludworm1]

Is that a dead kitten beside your left shoulder? But anyhow, I love the guitar and your demo! You sound awesome! I'm headed to Sweetwater now to order me one. Mine, though, is gonna be the cherry sunburst finish. Thanks for the vid! What amp did ya use?

[@BigJakeMusic]

Haha, that’s my dog! She’s always down there with me at night. I didn’t even notice, but I looked back and noticed she didn’t move during the entire first segment of the video, asleep! 😂 Believe it or not, the amp I used was a small Fender Mustang I v.2. I love that amp for recording demos and simple songs because of how easy it interfaces with my PC. I did finally get my microphones set back up to mic up cabs and amps, so I’ll probably be doing that moving forward. But I gotta say, this little Mustang sounds amazing over USB! It is decent with the built in speaker too. I got it for less than 40 bucks and I recommend it to anyone!

[@apersonthatusesyoutube]

i just reacently purchesed a epiphone studio in the same color as yours, thanks for this video

[@HeartYougdda]

In the specifications of this amazing guitar, Epiphone writes that the tuning machines are Grover but I and so many other people when we bought this guitar realized that they are Wilkinson instead. Do you know what happened?

[@davecooper360]

The new Epiphones are so amazing. Sounds great!

[@leodanryan966]

Awesome guitar Jake 🎸, congrats and Happy New Year's eve! Heading over to Dan's to explode a few things and drink some cheap tequila 🙃. Explosives and alcohol 🍸, what a great combination 🙂👍!

[@BigJakeMusic]

Sounds like a great time!!! Enjoy yourself and have a Happy New Year!

[@leodanryan966]

@@BigJakeMusic just got back. It was a blast (literally and figuratively).

[@BigJakeMusic]

That’s awesome!! I played a show with my band. My ears are still ringing and my voice is hoarse 😂

[@leodanryan966]

@BigJake Music Well Jake we wish you well! It seems like you have 2023 off to a great start 👍!

[@BigJakeMusic]

I did, and it sounds like you did too! Thanks!

[@stevenespinoza7735]

badass guitar, great video !

[@BigJakeMusic]

Thank you!

[@Dave062YT]

Nice .As a tele player I fancied a change but didn't bond with the Epiphone Les Paul Special II that I bought and might need to get a studio.That ones a beauty btw

[@tagacale1733]

my influence fro picking up the guitar was Dianna ross. I did the opposite , started out with les Pauls and SGs and ended up with offset fenders. for me its the weight of the instrument and a the flatter fret radius

[@BigJakeMusic]

Offset guitars are awesome!

[@chucklee347]

Wilkinson is made by Gotoh music Inc. Gotoh tuners come on most all budget firefly guitars. They are very good. I've never had any problems with them

[@BigJakeMusic]

I’ve had pretty good experiences with Wilkinson-branded parts, but I definitely miss Grovers on Epiphones like this!

[@DanielMedina-xb7pf]

Love the push pull. I use them everyday.

[@captainbongwater8469]

Just ordered that one today, 499 and I had a 100 dollar gift card. Sick deal

[@therollband1290]

Do you still have this guitar? I really want a Les Paul and the Studio definitely has the LP sound. However I have seen a lot of pictures around the internet of Epiphones with cracks from the nut going down the neck.

[@BigJakeMusic]

I do still have this guitar, and it's my main axe! It goes with me every single weekend to gigs. I've never experienced this nut cracking problem, and I own two of these "Inspired by Gibson" models from Epiphone, a Les Paul 100, and even a Maestro Les Paul. None of them have the issue you are describing. They are very good guitars!

[@chucklee347]

Not sure where those people are located geographically speaking but I play nonthing but Lp's sg' Gibson -esq type guitars and i have never heard of that. But who knows.

[@wickedbishop]

I love the color of that studio is it a exclusive color for musians friend? I don't see that color on the Sweetwater app

[@HorneHarris-no6qw]

I have the red wine Epi and the guitar is awesome. I also own an original Gibson Les Paul but I tend to play the Epi way more.

[@I.am_Groot]

I like Grover's just fine but if those are the 19:1 Wilk's they are pretty solid. The nut would be ABS plastic but that is an easy swap out will bring better tone. My first 'real strat' is a 90's MIM sunburst strat plays like a dream stays in tune even when you use the trem moderately lol. It has plenty of dings and fingerprint marks on the maple neck all those nice legit relic marks that amazing ugly thing cost me $225 about 5 years ago. I was going to swap the pickups out but the warm overdrive tones are too good. If I didn't have a few other guitars on the rack and played it all the time would need a fret job soon. A big key for me enjoying 'budget' guitars is doing the setup and repair myself. Nice guitar dude! Great tone.

[@BigJakeMusic]

Thank you! The guitars that show up on this channel need work 99.99% of the time, and I do videos about them. This is a very rare example of acquiring something that needed nothing and was fantastic as/is!

[@I.am_Groot]

@@BigJakeMusic I am putting a Dean Dime back together had a broken but not separated neck right under the nut can hardly see it got under $100 in it with case. There is something special about a rescue. Those are always harder to part with.

[@BigJakeMusic]

I 100% agree!! Most of my guitars came to me in a similar condition. They definitely become special when we rehab them back ourselves :P

[@vincemincevince]

love this video

[@raulalcideslobostapia2610]

Min 2:46 Innocent... God bless him and keep him... Like

[@BigJakeMusic]

Thanks, I appreciate that very much. :)

[@dimascaesar9690]

Is this the Smokehouse burst color ?

[@garyjulius995]

CONGRATS I HAVE THE SAME BUT IN ARTIC WHITE AND I LOVE THAT Guitar..

[@BigJakeMusic]

It's my favorite guitar that I own!

[@giovannipaolotedesco]

very good review

[@MrMarkeyroni]

Holy shit that one looks cool

[@BigJakeMusic]

Thank you!

[@smagow2320]

Купил в 21году такую же. Очень доволен, но удивлен, что wilkinson установлены, а не Grover. Даже на официальном сайте, ни слова про Wilkinson.

[@BigJakeMusic]

Yeah, that is a bummer. I’m guessing Grover and Gibson’s deal ended and now they use Wilkinson. :(

[@stevenespinoza7735]

glad i found this vid i was thinking about getting the gibson one , but now that i know epiphone has it, ill get the epiphone and save 1200 doll hairs lol

[@BigJakeMusic]

Hell yes, definitely go for the Epiphone!

[@DanielMedina-xb7pf]

Yeah! Nice metal plate and I’m glad there is no poker chip.

[@joekelly9369]

Brian mays guitar was inspired by gibson made in his kitchen in the uk vintage v100s are inspired by gibson every copy of a les paul out there , are inspired by gibson

[@mr_Fl1t]

Порожек пластиковый?

[@billyg1956]

Daddy, I wanna JAM!! lol

[@williamr3840]

I'm pretty sure I'm right in saying that Epiphone were the very first company to make a Les Paul. :0)

[@DanielMedina-xb7pf]

Got mine for 449 demo

[@DanielMedina-xb7pf]

Baby wants to play! Lol😊

[@marcop1587]

Your wife and dad partners in crime letting you open up your very own Christmas gift Les Paul with your child while David Bowie and Bing Crosby sing Little Drummer Boy in the background...I mean, too many things done right I would be crying man tears all over the place! 😂

[@triumphnacked]

1% of pickups have this kind of connector😂 This is the worst thing i want on a guitar seriously. But the guitar sound good

[@billsedge7360]

I got socks 🙄

[@BigJakeMusic]

I don’t understand what you mean?

[@billsedge7360]

@@BigJakeMusic lol I meant you got a guitar from your lady for your birthday,, I got a pair of socks 😉

[@BigJakeMusic]

😂 oh, I get it now!!!

[@m-zurowski]

Now go and kiss your wife! :D

[@BigJakeMusic]

Hell yes!

[@DanielMedina-xb7pf]

Lol

[@marcospintor1333]

I wouldn’t want a studio Les Paul, let alone an epiphone version 😅