Battle of the '59 Les Pauls - Epiphone 1959 Standard vs. Gibson Custom Shop

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👆 Could this be Epiphone's greatest Les Paul? Can a £700 Epiphone really compete against a £5000 Gibson? Battling the Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard against its Gibson Custom Shop counterpart, which Les Paul will you decide to be crowned king? | tinyurl.com/ygczv726
» Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard In Aged Dark Cherry Burst | tinyurl.com/yfwcfvqp
» Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard In Aged Dark Burst | tinyurl.com/2yj43m6f
» Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue | tinyurl.com/yj5ecj4j
In one of our most requested blindfold challenges yet, The Captain & Danish Pete take on the task to compare Epiphone's 1959 Les Paul against the Gibson Custom Shop '59 Reissue. Does more money always mean a better guitar? Is there really a tonal difference between a £700 Les Paul & a £5000 Les Paul?
It's time to grab a coffee and join the guys as they answer all your Epiphone Vs Gibson questions in an ultimate '59 Les Paul Shootout!
🎥 Looking to watch something else? Check out our previous episode!
» • The Ultimate RAT Pedal...
⏰ Timestamps ⏰
» 0:00 Intro Jam Between The Captain & Danish Pete
» 3:31 First Look at the Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard
» 4:30 What are the Specs?
» 6:55 What Pedals Are We Using?
» 7:45 Let's Get Some Clean Tones!
» 10:43 How Does It Sound With Some Gain?
» 12:20 Thoughts & Price?
» 14:27 What Are The Pickups?
» 15:17 Epiphone Vs Gibson Blindfold Challenge!
» 18:35 Was Lee Right?
» 21:57 Final Thoughts?
🎛️ Check out Lee & Pete's Pedalboards!
» • The Ultimate Guide to ...
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#Andertons #Epiphone #Gibson

[@Dram1984]

Everyone knows the tone is in the headstock.

[@RaxFx]

which is why a Telecaster is so versatile .-)

[@thelastfeast3849]

There was legitimately a study once that found sustain was affected by the headstock 😂 Don’t think that the nibbled away edges of the epiphone will make that much of a difference tho.

[@teknomanning]

Brilliant 😊

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

@@thelastfeast3849 Bring back the large headstock for all Strats !

[@kennethchou4384]

Toan is in the balls.

[@richardbullwood5941]

The fact that a cheap guitar can stand up so tall against an expensive one is proof that we are living in a golden era of guitar Manufacturing

[@lukebroste1182]

The epiphone is around 1500$ new here in Canada. It’s the same price as some lower end gibsons I literally traded in two brand new Gibson les Paul tributes for two of these 1959’s (one dark, one cherry) and I don’t regret it one bit The Epi 1959s are light years better than any Gibson lp I’ve ever played

[@Hallalo]

@@lukebroste1182but cannot beat a good cs

[@user-lv7ph7hs7l]

​@@lukebroste1182 Have you compared them to the normal Standard 50s Les Paul? I don't really want to spend extra for the 59 and I plan on changing pups anyway, burstbuckers or not... but I would be curious from the guitar itself how you feel about the 50s model vs. your about 50% more expensive 59. Eventually I want both of course but I am not rich. And my Gibson money is reserved for Flying Vs. Everyone makes good Les Pauls. Only Gibson (and Epiphone) make proper Flying Vs. Classic ones, not Rhoads or Laiho style that's a totally different thing....

[@aperezdeal]

@ lukebroste1182 sneak one from over the border in your car. I got one in the lemon burst for $629 USD.

[@adamzalewski6135]

100%

[@S3aChange]

I've never played a £5000 Gibson. But I bought one of these Epiphone 1959's and its the best guitar I've ever owned. It plays like a dream and sounds absolutely spectacular.

[@gregcrain5962]

Same for me, bought a Epi ‘59, and can’t find a single thing to nitpick. Very happy with it.

[@S3aChange]

@@gregcrain5962 Yeah it's a fantastic guitar.

[@leslieayling7932]

I have an Epiphone "Black Beauty - 3 pickup model", sounds and plays fabulously. Needed a little bit of setting up straight out of the shop (couple of frets were a tad high). Dad has a Gibson custom shop 1960 model with a Mahogany top (has a really sweet sound). You *can* hear the difference, but there really isn't much in it. I put it down to his many years of playing :P

[@grungemetalhd1668]

I got an Epiphone Les Paul 60s style coming to my house next week I’m so hyped lmfao

[@janataylor8518]

I got one to never owned a epiphone before but saw all the reviews would love to have a Gibson 1959 reissue but doubt that will happen back to my epi 59 I absolutely love this guitar it sounds plays and looks freaking awesome I'm happy

[@InfectiousGroovePodcast]

I bought an Epiphone 59 (inspired by Gibson) about a year ago. ABSOLUTELY love it! Build, playability, electronics....all fantastic for the price.

[@reverb508]

After nearly 30 years of playing and owning a wide spectrum of guitars, I've come to the conclusion that the tone difference between a decent affordable guitar and an astronomically expensive guitar of similar build is negligible to the listener. The reason players often seek out more expensive guitars is because of how it looks, feels, and makes them feel when they play it. Unfortunately for my wallet, those qualities are worth the extra money to me. Other players couldn't care less.

[@aaronperrotta7055]

Spot on. I'm paying the extra money for the real deal. I know a lot of people don't agree with me, but I've owned and played numerous Gibsons and Epiphones, and the Epis can't touch the Gibsons in my opinion. Especially in feel. Well in tone also. Lol

[@brymills]

The 3 most import things to consider when buying a guitar. How does it look. How does it look. How does it look.

[@robinjgill]

Yep, and that's tone difference in an acoustically favourable environment. When playing in outside or in a noisy bar with a band It's hard to tell the difference - especially with other factors like pedals and amps. I agree it's the feel that's important.

[@misterknightowlandco]

After 20 years of playing, I’m convinced you’re just paying for looking cool and legit to other people who fall for marketing and branding too… like myself lol. Let’s just be honest here, we want to play what the people we grew up listening to played and Gibson and Fender paid out a lot of money to make sure those idolized players played their guitars. It gives us a sense of “authenticity” or being the real deal. “Oh I’m a real player now cuz I play the real thing now.” We’re being sold a brand. Nothing more. Just like coke pepsi McDonald’s and the rest. Cheers.

[@reverb508]

@@misterknightowlandco You're not wrong. I hate that I fall for the marketing, but I absolutely do.

[@Simto]

"The one guy who's still watching the end of this video" That was me Pete..... Life's been rough....

[@alexitikawa4059]

Hahahaha me too

[@activese]

me 2

[@Ben7seven7]

And me ✋🏻

[@Chemist1076]

I skipped ahead to near end...

[@marcsoriano7161]

Yeep mates

[@mhsigrist]

These new Epiphones are kicking ass in every aspect and are more than enough for the majority of players. Really great job by Gibson.

[@cromBumny]

Every aspect other than the fact the Epiphonea are cheaper for reasons. Those reasons are rather negative.

[@jaycee_nl]

@@cromBumny the main reason is that you pay a lot for the name Gibson, and manufacturing cost are higher in the USA. This has little to do with craftsmanship. So this Epiphone is a very good deal

[@fernandosilva6295]

​@@cromBumny gibson employees earning minimum wage liked this message

[@geordieinexile1973]

My wife and son bought me the Epiphone "59 in the Dark Burst. It took a while to arrive (missed Xmas) but man was it worth the wait!! What a fantastic guitar!! Its the only guitar I've played since it arrived in February!!!

[@Paul-D]

The shop should absolutely set it up and make it the best it can be. That should be the 1st perk of using a store over drop shipped to your door.

[@steviesteakbakes9643]

This! Completely agree. That’s one personal touch you can use to beat online retailers.

[@Paul-D]

@@steviesteakbakes9643 exactly. And you shouldnt be charged for it either

[@Proutt]

@@Paul-D they do it in Canada at Long & McQuade

[@michaelmenkes8085]

My shop refused to let me leave with a poorly cut nut on my epiphone. You shouldn’t do business with a shop that doesn’t

[@sundaynightdrunk]

@@Paul-D That's really easy to say unless you own the shop and want to pay a good tech to do a good job. Small shops are already struggling. I'd rather pay a good tech and get it done right than some guy who's making minimum and just banging out setups.

[@dowaliby1]

Phenomenal opening jam, Boys! I am beyond AMAZED at how those Epiphones sounded. The fact that the EPI could stay in the ring with that custom shop, and more than hold its own head-to-head with the Gibson, is mind-blowing. The sound of the Epiphone is HUGE!

[@Edwarbr]

I played a Gibson inspired Epiphone while I was with my son out window shopping and I was extremely impressed with the new line. The Gibson pickups and better electronics make all the difference. The biggest issue I had with Epiphones of my youth is the muddy tone from the cheap pickups. I always swapped everything out with used Gibson parts. In the states, the upgrade is about a $300 dollar difference between Epi models. You can barely upgrade an Epiphone with “new” Gibson parts for $300. Add another $100 for a hard case that you don’t get with the less expensive line. Congrats Epiphone, you got my attention.

[@tjdultra6982]

We are all watching til the end. Most notably when we're waiting for an outro jam! Always a sicc video you two! 🙌🏼

[@JoshuaC923]

Shout out to the editor, you're the best, the best, the best, the best!

[@teknomanning]

Ortiz?from AEW?

[@cedricbaccay633]

As always, get the guitar that you yourself would appreciate the most. Doesn’t matter if it’s an epiphone or gibson, it’s all about enjoying the music you make. 🙂✌️

[@eddycerb]

Yes but that doesn’t really say much as everyone would appreciate a £6000 Les Paul over an Epiphone, it’s just a psychological thing?

[@eddycerb]

But the Epiphone is excellent 😆

[@ces69]

It basically comes down to what you can afford, if you can afford a Gibson Custom shop, go fo it. If you can’t, no big deal as affordable guitars are very playable these days with the differences often being marginal, particularly with a few upgrades and a decent setup!

[@ferox965]

@@eddycerb Whatever is right in your hands is what's right in your hands.

[@ferox965]

@Sweet Rebel Everyone's different I guess. I've had success with both. Cheers.

[@rikkertbraber1228]

captains vibe has been sky rocketing the last year. the man is improving so much!

[@kravitz1999]

I'd like to hear the Epi 59 vs the least expensive Gibson

[@lodrezzon]

I just watched this one back to back versus the 2020 Gibson Les Paul Tributes. While not on the same video, I think the Tributes still sound better for about the same price. Gibson just has a magic to it, even stripped down.

[@KillaCityKid427]

So a Special, or Studio?

[@KillaCityKid427]

I’ve it matter much. I’ve gotten a Epi Trad. Pro IV. My grandfather has a 59. He tells me if his wasn’t played in as much as the way it is, he would have no problem having a new epi Les Paul like mine and keeping it the same way he he did his Gibson 59.

[@pads-zr9ln]

I think for the £200 I'd pay that for the gibson name on the headstock

[@guitarflyer172]

Man I've got a Gibson Traditional as my cheapest Gibson and I don't care what someone says, the Epi just don't compare. I've compared the two. You would have to change everything out on the Epi including pickups to get it even close. And a good sounding pickup will be $350 and then another couple hundred for hardware. This of course is my personal opinion. I've did all the customizations and it just doesn't add up to a stock cheaper Gibson. People just try to say an Epi or other economical guitar is just as good to make themselves feel better LOL

[@wadesummers4102]

Got my 59 Epi LP in the aged cherry (the one the Captain was playing) about a month ago. Loving it.

[@bobbeamer6797]

I’m only 1:30 in, and I just want to say that Captain’s playing is fabulous! You really have grown leaps and bounds since I first started watching your videos and following your Facebook page a few years ago, maybe several years ago. Really, really beautiful, soulful playing. Wow. Cheers!

[@rinseyvessel6523]

You guys play off of each other beautifully. A real pleasure to listen to!

[@heymrzanzeeba]

Quite happy that Danish Pete has replaced Chappers tbh

[@undersoundproductions1915]

Don't take it personally Chap. You like what you like. But not everyone does. Rock on.

[@joeformayor]

Captain your playing with the budget friendly pedal board it looks like. Pete looks like the expensive board…. Great playing guys. Always love to watch!

[@andertons]

You noticed correctly ;) The budget pedalboard will be making more appearances in videos to come!

[@fredepstein]

I think that is the reason Pete's guitar is sounding much better...

[@prikshitgharu3291]

First ....love Pete's playing but captain has improved over the years it's always fun to watch

[@the_armada5579]

Yea he's so good now!

[@jackphillips939]

Has he, I personally think he plays the exact same easy boring shit he played 9 years ago👍🏻

[@the_armada5579]

@@jackphillips939 how good you are at guutar doesn't depend on speed or variety of scales you can quickly swap between. It's determined by how good you can sound with everything you know. He has improved greatly and it's people like you that discourage others from playing guitar. No one cares if you want to criticize someone just to be rude. Sit down

[@jackphillips939]

@@the_armada5579 ok cooool👍🏻👍🏻

[@prikshitgharu3291]

@@jackphillips939 that's so mean...u can never be a musician pretending like u are a guitar god🖕

[@davepetersen6975]

Another awesome video! Suggestion: would love to see after each jam a brief tidbit (even if just 10-20 sec) on a solo technique….ie “this is a cool lick I used here, major pentatonic, box 4, over this chord” etc. - from both Lee and Pete. Love watching you guys play!!!

[@jimlutz1290]

Hello guys, I just want to say, thanks for a great video presenting the "Battle of the '59 Les Paul's - Epiphone 1959 Standard vs. Gibson Custom Shop". 🎸I just purchased one for my birthday (Aug 5th) and could not be happier about it.🎸 You've both been a great source of knowledge and entertainment all through the Covid-19 days. I'm most grateful for your hard work and awesome consistency producing very informative videos. Audio, Video and Lighting are very well done. As a Audio, Video and Lighting person myself you guys do a A+ job. Thank you and best to you all, Jim - Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA 🎸🚜🌽 🐄🤠 🎸

[@beng808]

Lee ending with “on that note” gave me instant flashbacks to Top Gear with Clarkson ending with “on that bombshell”

[@krisberntzen]

"Sadly, James May is still alive. And on that TERRIBLE disappointment, it's time to end."

[@sanozfamily]

I have the Epi 59' and I love it! Sounds great in a mix and I've compared it with $2500-$4k Gibson's pretty much side by side. I couldn't agree more with you two, the Epi is great, but... there's that little something you just don't get, nor should you for the price difference. My bandmate and I dialed our amps in to sound almost identical and he was pretty awestruck that he paid $4k for his Custom and I paid $700 for mine. Of course, his will just increase in value and mine will decrease, but probably not 4-5 times as much.

[@Indobiker61]

I just bought the same 59 Epiphone and its a great value for money. I was going for a Epiphone Modern....but decided on the spot to go for the 59. I can't stop playing that thing, i love it...

[@chrisvsmusicny]

I have one of the 59 Epiphones in Lemon Burst and it's a dream. It's my first Les Paul, and I'd have no concerns if it was the only one I ever have - though I wouldn't mind getting an Epiphone 50s/60s Standard one day just to have a nice proper gloss burst finish. 😅

[@ardiris2715]

"I'm going to be using Telecasters." - My best laugh this month.

[@jamesgalliers7233]

Tickled me too

[@cchavez248]

I would have lost it if Pete would have thrown his tele into the mix and The Captain would have picked it as the Custom Shop Gibson! Lol

[@guitar_fed]

14:12

[@wtfdelicious]

@@guitar_fed that's what she said.

[@Deliquescentinsight]

Retail waffle, nobody takes it seriously or cares very much, yet we still watch...it is just good to watch guitars being played.

[@toledo2983]

the players are superb and when you take the effort to rerecord the sound examples and import it to your recording software, you can level out the instruments and have a real good impression how big the difference is. the more expensive guitars are mixed louder to give a good/better example than the budget instruments. In this case its crazy as i know how megaloud these burstbucker pickups of the epiphone are. But in the comparison video they are mixed/recorded not as loud as the gibson pickups.

[@markcafebrown2883]

BEST CHANNEL EVER! Found you guys last weekend and have been watching non stop

[@jamessutherington3471]

Been waiting for this for over a year!!!!! Worth the wait 👍 the epiphone sounds awesome 😎

[@timothylambert7919]

I would love to hear a shoot out of the new Epiphone ES335 and a custom shop 335. Go on...

[@ArA12459]

0:20 “That's where all the trouble began....That smile....That damn smile."

[@PeterDad60]

I own a Gibson Les Paul Tribute ($1,299) and a Epiphone Limited Edition '59 Les Paul Standard (Sale $799) and I like them both equally. They are very similar in every way. I will be keeping them both! Both have American Gibson Pick Up's. Both sound wonderful and play so very well.- Peter age 73

[@emo_galaxy9413]

Thanks guys! I hear exactly what he heard in the comparison. I didn't think I would be able to tell the difference. I am really shocked at the little difference there was but it was there. I cant at this time in my life spend more on a guitar than I do on a car. So for the money I am going with the Epi 59. I would really like to heat the Epi modern LP against the Epi 59 and the Gibson's. If you are going to do a shoot out lets get all the guns in the room and see who is left standing! You are able to do that since you are a guitar store that has the inventory of a small country. So the pieces are in place. But what a great video. You guys do a great job of making me want to buy a guitar and have it shipped across the pond. That way it's an Anderton's Gibson or Epi on to boot. Nice work and keep them coming.

[@Otis-Isom]

I’ve always thought that if you can comfortably afford the much more expensive instrument get it. If you can’t get the epiphone. Either way your gaining something. You haven’t lost something in getting a new guitar.

[@Boosuf]

I mean, you’re losing the potential to get more stuff, I’d rather have the epiphone and also an entire home studio than gibson

[@PRS19649497]

I agree all the way. Get what you can afford and play like hell. Epiphone makes a great guitar, hard to tell the difference in my opinion.

[@oldschool1107]

I'd say buy the Epi and save the rest of the thousands in order to get the best amp you can, or some pedals.

[@booshting3520]

@@Boosuf I'd get the Gibson and the home studio. Option 3

[@brandonlesko3126]

Epiphone has really stepped up its game lately. I've owned a Gibson Les Paul, a Gibson 335 Studio, and a Gibson 335 satin cherry finish. All great guitars. They all had that extra little bit of something that was hard to describe. But for me, I'll take a well made import and do some mods & upgrades because it's fun and gives me a better connection to the instrument. Epiphone is really turning out some great guitars.

[@bazitube390]

I did the blind test too while reading the comments. in the clean section i wasn't too sure but as soon as pete played at 17:42, I said yup that's the Gibson. Great video

[@thomasvannatter6361]

I love the intro sounded 👍 great.. the feed back awesome and showed the awesome les paul tone great job gentlemen..

[@gchros9292]

I got mine approximately a month ago...It is spectacular. Literally flawless fit and finish. Plays like it was Plekt and sounds amazing. I can't believe how good it is!

[@JT-gm4fk]

I've tried to like these but every one of them I've handled in stores have had bad QC issues.

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

@@JT-gm4fk I have heard horror stories where the Epis wouldn't stay in tune.

[@Dram1984]

If Lee was Rob he could have told Pete how many scratches were on the finish by ear alone.

[@verruckterwissenschaftler]

Watching this again, as the video quality is complete dope with the new recording video K values through the roof. On an iMac giant screen this is amazing. Then with Dolby Atmos it is sounding incredible. It is like I am in the room. When The Captain said he was going to non shalant, "Turn up the GAIN" I just was in awe. I think The Captain is a hair band rocker at heart, he just does not know it yet. Excellent jamming Captain. Your idea to blind ear the test was extreme wise. I did the same and then went back. It was fun to do this like that. I think that Epiphone is worth a buy. I sure wish it was easy to buy one from your store and get it to the USA. I have thought about it, but there are some scary statemtns before hitting the final button. I wish I was in England or Europe as your shipping is very very good. Maybe if it is beneficial you could do a short section in a video of how to ship the the States. I have almost got just a pedal to see how much trade tax or whatever they call it would get me for. I think Andertons would be a must visit when coming to England. Are you and all the guys on the videos really at the store to say hi to, or are you in offices and stuff?

[@jooyoonchung3593]

Clean, the differences are very apparent, especially on the bridge pup. The Gibson just sounds more full range. But distorted, things get very hard to distinguish. I’d be happy with either!

[@lemac3200]

You know what would be a really, really, really cool video? Take a Gibson and an Epi LP to one of your techs, document how he sets up both guitars to take the max out of em and then do a comparison. OR let him just set up the Epi and see how they compete. 🤘

[@jst601]

Agreed. That expensive gib$on has had extensive attention to detail where the neck & frets are concerned & the Epi has not. Major factor in terms of feel & playability.

[@luisg1653]

Even a simple setup and new strings would make a good difference on the Epiphone. I set mine up and raised my pickups just a bit, it barks way harder. My neighbor I play with has an 80s Gibson, we played together a lot of times before I set up my Epi, when he heard it after setup he grimaced and turned his gain up.

[@cdnnielsen5964]

These are definitely times when Epiphone gives Gibson a serious run for its money

[@Voxguitarsrock]

My wife bought me a Gibson Les Paul tribute for my birthday. I already had a Douglas Shadow pro from Rondo music . The Douglas is made in China. The Douglas is a better guitar in almost every way.

[@downshift00]

The Epi 59 is just a tad muddier than the Gibson.

[@chriscantplay...2933]

I have a Gibson but honestly these days you can’t go wrong with the Epiphone.

[@downshift00]

@@chriscantplay...2933 ya i have 3 gibsons and I recently bought 4 Epis with the new headstocks 😂. They are really great guitars for the money.

[@nishihundan1257]

@@Voxguitarsrock LOL

[@geoffdillon6013]

Great video fella’s as always. Fortunately I live in Australia, but unfortunately I can’t really buy from Andertons as shipping is just too expensive, which is to be expected . But, I have bought many (15-20) products from your recommendations. Keep up the good work. Thanks

[@ilikeblackguitars]

Thank you I've been wanting the epiphone but I have not been happy with what I was hearing and seeing on review vids. I can't afford the Gibson. The sound you produced and your genuine thoughts. I fell comfortable moving forward on the epi. I have a older epi custom I've been happy with. Nice review thank you again

[@toms5951]

I've only the a chance to play a CS '59 once, it belonged to the manager at a local music shop that he let me play. To this day I still haven't experienced the amount of volume it put out. Same amp I always use under the same settings, but so much more out of it. I have to have that in my life at some point.

[@samuelxavier2473]

Epiphone have definitely improved over the past few years. As for the headstock, I'm with Lee on this; after all, Gibson had the Orville range in Japan with a regular, Gibson style headstock.

[@paulcatarino2209]

Thanks for this video its been a long time in the making and waiting, sounds great. Now that we can appreciate the quality of Epiphone guitars, maybe Andertons could work with Epiphone to expand this "custom shop" line by replicating the Captains '58 or Pete's '58 (Gibson is already replicating Pete's, they have the specs, they've taken the measurements).

[@allanwhittick2930]

Yes Pete that is an amazing idea. I'd like to see that shoot out epi Vs Murphy lab. I'd also like to see the shoot out as Lee suggested both videos would be a great idea. I'll keep tuned to see if you upload them.

[@ledhendrix5054]

Always loved Epiphone guitars , great value great sounding too , never had any problems with the guitars after purchase.

[@martinweston7144]

I think the differences are so small [Still observable ] that you could possibly put it down to the capacitors used in each, Paper-in-Oil Capacitors on the Gibson and Mallory polyester in the Epi. It would be interesting test if you changed the caps on the Epi to the same type used on the Gibson to see if the differences were still there, and if the Epi opened up more to sound more like the Gibson. If that did open up the Epi more, maybe Andertons could consider doing the cap change to the Epi Les Pauls making then different to those sold elsewhere.

[@Twirlyhead]

Small improvements in tone can make the difference between a great recording that will be listened to forever and a so-so, also-ran (or even bad) recording that will disappear without a trace. Plus, we all know how much better we work and are inspired to create with an instrument we love playing and love the sound of don't we folks. That's what those small, top-end percentages are all about.

[@jamesortiz5388]

Good job Peter and Captain! Thank you Andertons!

[@connormoore4718]

The captain has definitely been practicing, and it's paying off! Sounds great

[@christineperine8015]

I've been playing guitar for 46 years. I started playing at age 10. Did my 1st gig at age 13 and have been steadily gigging since 1980. A couple of things I've learned is if you're gigging around town or at home either the Epi or the Gibson Les Paul will be a good choice. When you're actually on a gig nobody in the crowd gives a damn about what guitar you are playing. Is there a difference in the quality of a Gibson Les Paul Custom or Standard and their Epiphone counter parts? I believe there is a huge difference. I play for a living and am constantly recording for various artist and i use to do a lot of national gigs. When I'm doing a session or stepping out on a stage in front of 25, 000 people I always have the high end guitars with me, it's kinda expected on those kinda gigs. But you know an Epiphone Les Paul is not a bad guitar. And for the money they're asking you can get a nice guitar at a good price point. Whatever floats your boat is cool with me. Joe D.

[@nicholasjsanchez]

The only Les Paul I own is a 1997 Orville and I play my PRS guitars mainly. Those Epiphones are sweet guitars. That said, that R9 was just stellar. Since I was watching the video and knew what guitar was being played, I called my wife in to take the blind test. She liked the R9. It really was something.

[@ukaszpasternak3088]

"The one guy who's still watching the end of this video" me too for sure:) I can't wait for the comparison of the Epiphone 59 standard vs. Gibson Standard to begin! Greetings @Captain & @Pete

[@davidburke2132]

I think Lee’s description of the comparison is spot on. The Epiphone sounded quite a lot more compressed to my ears. No criticism of the Epiphone intended here because given the respective prices and how they’re built it should be this way, but I thought the difference was really pretty noticeable.

[@mikesalt8248]

I agree I think the wood density would have a lot to do with in all my years of playing and trying guitars I've always found the lighter ones to resonate better and Lee said how much lighter the Gibson was

[@dobiqwolf]

I believe that with the same pickup in both guitar it would be almost impossible to differentiate their sound. Nice video, looking forward to my Anderton's shop visit.

[@andrewswann3043]

Great video again guys. Pete has said before about doing a P90 Les Paul Special shootout, so what about Comparing the Epiphone, Gibson Tribute, Gibson ‘regular’ LP Special with the custom shop version…and if you can find one an original ‘57…

[@zaccarter3801]

Holy hell that intro jam was butter from both of you! They always rock but that one sounded so well composed. Love this guitar. Picked up several mid range gibsons and this guitar had that feel. To be fair in every model of gibson, I recommended trying a couple from each model as gibsons have quite the spectrum of “taste.” But I found one of these epi in lemon, absolutely killer.

[@Cookie4yabro]

I watched the video where you guys showcased the 59 Epi at NAMM about 100 times before becoming a proud owner of a Dark Burst. It’s a seriously amazing guitar!

[@shawnhockey4841]

Beautiful guitars played by beautiful people 🤘🎸

[@neverreckless]

Thanks guys! How about a shoot out across a range of Gibson humbuckers to hear the differences from standards to custom shop and Les Pauls to SGs.

[@laxmd43]

Decided to start playing again after 20 years away. Lusted for a Gibson LP Standard. Watched this video and confidently sprung for a much cheaper Epiphone to start with. So glad I did. It’s such a great guitar. I’m in love. This was great to watch and listen to. I WISH I could play like these guys! Maybe someday…

[@adamwatson6916]

I would like to hear the epi 59 with custombuckers compares to the Gibson custom 59 to see how close they really are.

[@JamFactoryUK]

I would love to see a gig based test with guitars at different price points. As things start to re-open!? How much difference is there in a band and what are the pros and cons you are looking for. 🙏🙏

[@Arcturian1111]

Purchase what you can afford. I myself have a Gibson LP Faded Cherry. Nice guitar, $800 used on Reverb. I bet that Epiphone stands up to my Gibson, it may be better. I'd probably consider one of these Epis down the road

[@automatoncollectives7237]

The funny thing is: I’ve yet to hear a Gibson sound for or five times better than an Epiphone, but they cost four to times better in most cases.

[@benharper4942]

Would definitely love to see a full les Paul shoot out between all the different Gibsons and epiphone!

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

I'm sure that they wouldn't have all of the various Les Paul models available even within the Gibson range but it would be great if it happened

[@geo5772]

Hi guys, great vid, Thank you,. Pete’s pedalboard was impressive! What was the pedal that cost an arm and a leg? Great tonality and loved the edge of feed back. What pickups come in the Gibson? I do agree about setup making a bit of a difference, the Epi was choking out on the high fret bends whereas the Gibson was ringing true. Again many thanks, loved it, and I guess I’m the guy who stuck around to the end!

[@SohamBhattacharya3105]

I guess Cap'n and Pete are now officially the new Cap'n and Chappers. I ain't complaining.

[@thelastfeast3849]

He’s chappers gone for good?😳

[@tantricpanda]

@@thelastfeast3849 no he's stuck in Malta due to Covid

[@SohamBhattacharya3105]

@@tantricpanda oh. Didn't know that.

[@stanislavmigra]

I do complain. These blindfold challenges are very confusing with Pete. You might not like Chappers, but he kept those pretty organized and understandable.

[@SohamBhattacharya3105]

@@stanislavmigra hmm. I suppose. Although I have to say, I appreciate that with Pete and Lee doing these now, there's a lot less gain that's used so it actually helps me hear the differences better in these blindfold challenges.

[@paullewisjersey5469]

I bought an aged burst Epiphone 59 limited edition from you guys a couple of months ago and I adore it. It does weigh the same as a baby elephant though. But an absolutely stunning guitar.

[@user-om1ur6gq2u]

Baby elephant, ha I like that. I got a Epiphone Les Paul 59 and I'll bet she weighs 10 lbs. But I love the guitar. Had sharp fret ends, and them shitty tuners. Other than that great guitar. peace.

[@rb240tuner]

Man Captain Lee, I'll take that awesome cherry sunburst 59 off your hands lol. Great jamming out! The power duo at their best as usual!

[@11calman]

Andertons Music Co At the 18:18 mark The $5000 Buck one definitely had the greater sound, Plus "WTF" the Captains playing has improved a lot

[@OgamiItto70]

About setups: _Maybe_ the Gibson Custom Shop can do a great setup for a Les Paul built in America and sent to Great Britain, but I tend to doubt it. As for Epiphone, there's almost no hope that a setup, no matter how great in China, where the guitar was built and put in a case for shipment halfway around the world, is going to survive that many changes in temperature, pressure and humidity as it makes its journey in a shipping container across multiple oceans and a truck's trailer across a significant fraction of a continent. I think it's unfair to compare 2 new guitars without doing setups on both of them. These are precision instruments made of wood. They need attention to ensure that they don't go out of spec. As for this comparo, good job. These 50's Epi's seem like great guitars that can be confidently used for study, practice and gigs and give great value for the money they cost. In fact I'm super tempted to get one...

[@kenthhamner2641]

They've come along way for sure!

[@limitededition1053]

I have one, its the best guitar i've ever had. I have had two gibsons.

[@bvanfossen01]

A friend just recieved a MIJ Greco Les Paul from Japan. It arrived 2 weeks after being shipping. It arrived in tune which was shocking.

[@jarrusjenkins]

Definately paying for the Details on a Gibson, I own 2 Gibsons and 1 Epiphone (plus 2 LTDs not the same company but still relivant) The 2 Gibsons I own (both SGs of different variants, 2004 and 2005 models) even after all these years I can get the action down to half a mm with no fret buzz or anything, they setup really nice, play and sound really nice. My Epiphone sounds really nice, play quite nice but I can't get the setup excatly where I want it and the action is too high for my liking due to some high frets etc... I;ve found this to be the case on my LTDs as well. What you're paying for is the attention to detail. My 2 LTDs were cheap... however my Epiphone was actually more expensive than 1 of my Gibsons. The Epiphone was £800 from andertons not that long ago and my black SG (also from andertons in 2004) cost £500 (about £750 adjusted for inflation) The Epiphone does have some nice modern features but for £50 more.... the fit and finish isn't of the same quality of my Gibson. If Epiphone can get it sorted then I don't think I'd buy another Gibson but at the moment its still very much a "you get what you pay for" kind of thing. That being said... I can't see a custom shop being that much better over a us production guitar really considering the massive price gap... (will the custom shop be better.. yes... but for double the price? not worth it IMO)

[@limitededition1053]

@@jarrusjenkins I agree, the Gibsons can be good and are generally made of better select woods etc but not worth the over inflated prices (labour?). You could always have the frets leveled on your Epiphone / LTD's to make them the same as the Gibson. I had a Gibson Traditional Pro 11 the neck was very thin and the frets very big, not a good combination. I was unable to get the neck straight full lengh and certainly not a low action. My Gibson Tribute had no binding and sharp fret ends I had to file them myself. The paint wore of after 12 months on the front and the paint on the back chipped of and marked easily as if there was no undercoat. My new Epiphone '59 is better than both of them.

[@steveeckert8396]

I want to see a side by side comparison with Burstbuckers in both guitars.

[@adamwatson6916]

Or custombuckers.

[@william7108]

I'm actually cooking up from street tacos right now but I couldn't get to my favorite Mexican restaurant before they closed so I had to make my own salsa which when I put it together warm thought it didn't taste very good but I'm just coming off a cold and my taste buds are a little off-centered but coming back strong thank God! Stuck in the refrigerator about an hour ago and letting all the ingredients melt and blend into each other and just tasted it and I wait a minute I think this is going to work! I'm doing this while I'm listen to your video just to let you know that there's real people out in this world doing stuff while the world is turning actually listening to you so you know that it's fun having your KZbin videos going on and you know people are interested and digging it even though we're doing things in between and getting ready to play our guitars just want to let you know what's going on on the other side of the planet

[@danielcook3361]

Shoot out between Epiphone standard and those 59 would be interesting. Also in comparison with other Les Paul's in this price range.

[@a-vic7559]

Yeah, can't find any. I can't decide between the 50s and the 59...

[@dromoli]

We need a shootout between the Epiphone 1959 LP Standard and the Gibson LP Tribute.

[@jowyong6769]

Yeah I think shoot-outs between really expensive guitars and their budget equivalents is a great idea! Makes for entertaining, funny and even educational content. Like Jackson budget vs Jackson USA. Sterling vs Musicman. Ibanez budget vs J-Custom. Gretsch 2-series vs 6-series. And here's epic one...PRS SE vs S2 vs CE vs Core vs Private Stock 🤩

[@chef22dave]

Loved this comparison, best outta the 20 plus versions out there. Thanks

[@Ginanity]

I feel like the custom shop guitar was a bit too much in the spotlight here. The '59 Epiphone is an absolutely fantastic guitar for its price. I still cannot believe you can get that quality guitar for that price. Absolutely blew my mind.

[@stopUkrainewar666]

Hey they need to sell it ... so what it would be otherwise....but you can hear it gibson is more precise

[@srwaite7]

If you can afford the Gibson Custom Shop '59, good on you. If you can't, you'll be very pleased with the '59 Epiphone Inspired by Gibson. It's great value and sounds terrific through a Marshall or other fine amp.

[@adamwatson6916]

The custom shop 58s are quite cheaper than the 59 and you get the identical guitar save for the neck carve . I see no point in buying the custom 59 when the 58 can be had for considerably less . The gibson 50s standard with upgraded pickups are as good as any of them . I have an epi 59 a gibson custom 58 and a Gibson 50s standard with seth Lover neck and whole lotta humbucker bridge and it sounds every bit as good as the 58 I am going to put an extra set of custombuckers i have in the gibson 50s just to see how close it sounds to the 58 custom shop

[@TheRealCAPerry]

I got one of the 60th Anniversary '59 LP's last week. I've had Gibsons before, but this is the first one that's going absolutely nowhere - the others went a long time ago. It'll get a set of 10-46s put on it and the very lightest of fret polishes, but that is it.

[@danielakerman8241]

The opening shot of Danish Pete with a silly grin on his face as he plays an Epiphone tells you everything you need to know. Period. And LEE!! Channeling his inner Slash on that neck pickup at 1:10. Rock on young fella!

[@heythere6983]

Iv bought 5 Gibson’s in the last year. Supported them for about 20 years . Iv had two customer representatives hang up on me in the past week. One of their names is Wilson and today Vince wynne told me to get his name right and make a video and record our conversation. They represent Gibson USA . Wilson, like Vince both got obviously agitated when I asked basic questions. I asked Wilson about buying a wrap around bridge. He, getting mad told me they had no bridges they sold. He told me to ask luthiers for it, I asked him for Gibson certifies techs in my area. Begrudgingly he gave me some of them. I then realized on their site they sold bridges. I called back and wanted to get more info so I did and he picked up again. He told me angrily he already said they sold no wrap around, I said you do, you sell one with adjustable saddles and another. He then got more angry and said the one I wanted wasn’t available. I asked if I could speak to a guitar tech he said “ I don’t need to a guitar tech to tell you the difference between a stop at and a bridge” I told him I knew there was a difference but asked him what the difference was because I know he didn’t know. He said “a bridge has saddles” I said no, not the wraparound I’ll asking for , it has no saddles . He then said “idk what to tell you “ . I asked for his name he said “click” and I asked “click?” Then he hung Up me and proceeded to do so for the neck half hour , every time he realized it was me. Today I told Vince I usedMy notched stewmac straight edge On my third junior because it had troubles getting setup and as I suspected it had a warped neck or fingerboard. I asked what would happen under warranty (the guitar is a week old). He said they would give me another guitar . I asked if it was possible to simply fix the neck .One could change it or resculpt the radius of the fingerboard . Vince told me gibson decides what to do and they wouldn’t “do major surgery” on my guitar. I said what about sending a replacement neck to a Gibson certified luthier (which I heard it possible) . He angrily said I’m asking too much and 99 percent of people would be happy to get a totally different guitar. I said I’m just curious because all my juniors sound and look different, I like the sound of this one and it looks very nice, it has a unique grain on the body and I would like to keep it is why I’m asking.He angrily made comments about how I should be happy and I reminded him He’s equating it to me like I’m asking for a reprint of another photo I purchase but it’s not. Every guitar has it’s own sound and I don’t want to get an entirely new guitar if I don’t have to . He then said I was asking dumb questions and complaining for 16 minutes , saying ,”you love your guitar and won’t get an exchange “ while I checked and told him we were only on the phone for 9 and I’m not sure why he was so angry the whole time. He told me he “loved to have the conversation because he was getting paid and I was a man baby”. Every time I ask them for a supervisor they say no one is around. I said “I supported Gibson for 20 years despite quality control issues in recent years and have bought guitars and all he has to tell me is they don’t replace necks at all and but he had no patience and was insulting me while being petty .” And he said “you deserve to be insulted” I then stated “ so now you decide who gets insulted ? He also told me to record him and put it on youtube to record him so I said “hold on Im gonna Record this conversation and since you told me to I’m sure you won’t mind.” He then told me I need to get something to do and hung up on me and I said oh so you’re a p***y? I can’t blame Gibson for these people but when Gibson decides to employ these guys to represent their company to an entire nation you gotta wonder what is their problem? I was about to get another junior so I can have a few for live playing. Yet this makes me really resent the fact I spend thousands on this company. Like I told Vince “ without the customers you guys don’t have a job and this is how you’re talking to me” Gibson has major issues and they choose blatantly disrespectful people to represent them freely. Iv seen on forums Gibson customer service employees hang up on people often. I plan on getting in contact with them again and recording the conversation. They never know who will be in a position to relay their experiences with them on a platform. I will remember how Gibson has treated me . While this guy has been picky on yo phone calls for 20 years (like he told me) Iv been playing guitar for twenty years. And I didn’t spark the altercation. I also went back at him too. What a low class group of people that work there. The guitar has a hump in the neck from the high e side from the 1-7 frets and then on the low e side it also has a jump from the 7-14 frets. It makes a consistently playable guitar impossible without extra front now and high action. Gibson apparently doesn’t care about their instruments and thinks they are replaceable like socks. As if they aren’t in the business of making instruments. Any guitarist will tell you a guitars tone matters and wouldn’t want to just throw one away . What a sad state the company is in. I never complained about them but I’d say it’s a worthy complaint .

[@thelonelydirector]

If you haven't done it, I'd love to see a shootout between Sterling and Music Man guitars. JP signatures, stingray basses, cutlasses, etc...

[@TheYjmfan]

Just got one of these superb sounding guitar. Once you polish the frets makes all the difference.

[@righustle6859]

Thanks for showing this with the affordable pedal board. It makes it a lot more 'real-life relevant' to most guitar players and what we have access to

[@tylerrose2891]

Custombuckers are incredibly bright and airy and tend to come with A3 magnets which aren’t found so often in PAF style humbuckers and offer a VERY unique tonal palette. Bog standard Burstbuckers have long been changed out by players for primarily the reasons Lee mentions for guessing the Epiphone. If both guitars had identical pickups I’d bet a dollar to a donut it’d be darn near impossible to tell.

[@leonthompson8988]

Saw that demo. They were close about as close as this scenario

[@zaccarter3801]

@@leonthompson8988I saw that video too and it’s almost the exact same. This video has a discernible difference between the two

[@davey_tones]

the only paul i want in this video is Pets's Paul's guitar behind him on the right =)

[@RomainG6409]

Would love to see videos about other brands than the big ones : Gibson (& Epiphone), Fender (& Squire), Gretsch (& their Streamliner), PRS, Ibanez etc ... could you do some videos about smaller brands ? up to you to choose of course, but their are plenty on the market : Bacchus, Vigier, Vola, Pensa, Samick, Tom Anderson, Music Man, G&L (although you did some videos but not so much), D'Angelico, Duesenberg (it's been a long time too), Godin, ... that would be fresh air if I may as I have the feeling that this goes in circles a little bit too much since a year or two ... Thanks a million !!

[@kimwohlsdorf4757]

Thanks much, I want the epiphone ,59 with a Greer light speed pedal now threw 65 deluxe reissue the tone controls work nice

[@underdog8797]

The pro buckers in the Epiphones are highly acclaimed humbuckers and if you bought just a set they will cost you $170.00 American dollars their not cheap

[@mikeaustin4138]

Take these two guitars, put the same pickups, e.g., Duncan Antiquities, in each, have both set up the way you like it, and *then* compare them. Yes, the guitars will feel different to play - they have different necks. How different will they sound with the same pickups in both?

[@flowryan5829]

And that‘s the real question right here

[@marcsoriano7161]

The feel of the guitar has a big impact on how you play and therefore the sound you'll get. At least that's my case. I have a '82 LP standard and enjoy playing it like a little kid, but when I take a modified epi, which I bought before I was able to afford the 82, even though the sound used to be similar, the feel makes me come back to earth.

[@SlowerIsFaster139]

My favorite thing ever said (and I forget who said it) was that john 5s lava lamp guitar was made with tone lava! Lmaoo. If you throw the same pickups in 2 different (decent) guitars I don't think anyone could tell the difference. But how a guitar feels to play is what says it all to the guitarist

[@81giorikas]

@@marcsoriano7161 If one is a high action difficult to play...yeah. But, to be honest even cheaper guitars are getting great playability nowadays. Everything else is easy to adjust on the electric world. You'd be surprises how many valueable frequencies are filtered from the second gain stage on most tube amps. (above 3-4 khz and below 120 up to 350 hz on some amps). As guitar electric distortion is multiplied basic notes then you get treble, that are multiple integers of lower, mid frequencies. So if you have a note at 400 hz, just a 5th harmonic would be 2000hz. And that after another gain stage or two will produce 4000 and 6000 hz and even then it is two much because the amp will oscilate. So it will be filtered out again. And the speaker in the end will roll off as well. Not all frequencies are rolled off i.e. eliminated completely but they are eq ed so down (say -12 db) that...

[@jburdsinfuse]

My best “playing” guitar is a and Epiphone SG with Seymour Duncan’s in it. My favorite guitar to play is a Les Paul Classic w/ P90’s. I’ve had to fix the wiring, I’ve had to have the inlays glued back down, and of course the “G” slides out of tune. But it looks amazing and sounds even better. There’s something about the real thing that’s tough to beat.

[@sowhulljnr]

I have the Epiphone 1960s Tribute Plus. This was basically the predecessor of these new Epiphones: Gibson 57 classic pickups, mahogany body, solid maple cap, long neck tenon and 60s slim taper, Grover locking tuners, but a gloss poly finish. I also have a 2020 Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s, which has the fatter 50s neck, burstbucker 1 & 2 pickups, nitro finish, but a short neck tenon. Many people believe that the long neck tenon makes a big difference. I love both of these guitars, but when comparing these two together, the Gibson knocks the Epiphone out of the park in terms of resonance and sustain. I reckon the beefier 50's neck and the thin nitro finish are what allows the wood of the guitar to really sing, that's where the Gibson just shines through above the Epiphone. Since these newer Epiphones have more of a 50s profile than the slim 60s taper, maybe the difference would be less again?

[@dansantospirito5310]

Learned most of my guitar playing on an Epiphone Sheraton II. Great mid priced guitar. Looked great too!

[@ypjaya6658]

Capt always looking at fingerboard while playing whereas Pete looking at Capt doing it 😁