Epiphone Les Paul Special TV Yellow Review | The Most Rock 'n' Roll Epi Out there?

[@LMacNeill]

P90s are, by far, my favorite pickup ever. You can make them scream if you really want to, but that clean, jazzy tone just cannot be had with any other pickup. They're the best of both worlds.

[@larryburwell8550]

i bought one of these, and i love it. took 3 months to get from musicians friend because they are so cool. being a les paul player since 1976 i still love the humbuckers but this guitar is in a world of its on in sound. dont waist your money on the gibson version ive played them too. its like flushing 1100 bucks down the toilet

[@googlegilbertlevinmars322]

Thank you for the wise words!! Appreciate a Gibson guy who can low key always recommend the Epiphone

[@Jason.King.at.your.service]

The Gibson versions destroy the Epiphones. They're FAR better made.

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

Besides the rock and roll sound of the p90s they also tone down and clean up nicely. I’ve been playing more jazzy stuff on mine this winter. Yes, I think they use the standard Gibson headstock shape, like they do on Japanese made Epiphones. But you got to admit, the new 2020 inspired by Gibson shape is better than the usual one. Also the build quality is very good on this one. Best $400 guitar with p90s out there imo

[@BB-pe9fe]

This is such an honest great review. Showed us the clean sound is a big plus. Some don't do that. Thanks so much. Nice.

[@markmcdonald5711]

I bought this guitar in October 2023, it is 500 dollars now but still a great deal. Love those P-90's, they remind me of my telecaster. The bound neck is really nice too once you get used to the thickness of it. I got a Gibson LP Junior recently and I like the Epi Special almost as much.

[@microchrist6122]

I love that epiphone almost changed the headstock all the way haha

[@TheWhale0101]

man , the way you played this guitar made me order it . fkn awesome ..... thnx a lot

[@AndyDion]

Your Dodgers won it all! Congrats! I’ve got a few buddies that have this guitar and they love it. Nice demo! Cheers

[@bsideguitar]

Really is a great guitar! And I must say, my 9 year old was going nuts after the last pitch of the game ;)

[@dougmorato]

What a beauty 😍 For that price, there’s nothing like it!

[@bsideguitar]

For that classic Les Paul P90 tone you can’t beat it!

[@brianporter138]

Great review! Finally somebody not afraid to turn up the distortion. I love Mike Ness's sound. How close does this sound to the Epi Les Paul Good top with the p90's? They are hard to find so I was thinking about getting this instead.

[@rareform6747]

Just in 2/9/21 great player guitar . Pull those nasty strings off , clean freeboard , adjust truss rod and bridge some intonation . Adjust pickups . BOOM !

[@voiceofexperience]

The Epiphone "Inspired by Gibson" range is amazing vfm, and the TV Special is "the best of the bunch" imho. Strangely, the P90s in this body shape definitely sound superior to the same pups in the Epi SG Special. I have no idea why. (Edit: I also got the new "Epiphone inspired by Epiphone" Crestwood with the mini-humbuckers. A unique model which looks like it should cost 2x as much as it actually does, it rocks like a demon & is a slide-playing monster!)

[@archo0518]

I have been looking for a p90 guitar for a while now, Years ago I tried a Godin guitar with Seymour Duncan p90s and wished i had bought it. I liked that it had jazzy tones as well as rock tones. Any suggestions for cool P90 guitars?

[@chrisb8193]

When demo-ing the middle position it would be cool to hear it with both pickups on full, as well as the neck pickup turned down a bit to sharpen things up a bit. Jimmy Page’s favorite trick.

[@sambleach]

It's just a greaaaaaat instrument, I bought mine a few weeks ago and I'm really glad with it, I can honestly compare it with any of my Gibsons

[@bsideguitar]

I don't think anyone would be unhappy with this guitar. Solid build, good pickups.. only $399!

[@AuntAlnico4]

@@bsideguitar everything is great about this guitar except for the fret work, not tall like Gibson and a couple dead frets and a couple high frets making it uncomfortable to play .

[@carlbaumeister3439]

@@AuntAlnico4 That can be fixed, and if it bothers you (it would me), take it into a guitar shop and have to frets and intonation fixed. It could also be a truss rod adjustment. They might suggest a new bridge that’s easier to make adjustments on. I’m planning to buy the LP Special, and would like the Gibson, but the Gibson is at least $1000 new, and $1600 for TV Yellow (not sure why so pricey for that one color.) I don’t think the Gibson is 3-4 times better than the Epi. That’s my dilemma.

[@antoonhermans8953]

@@carlbaumeister3439 i guess the standard of the modern day epi's and squire's has become so good , that buying an gibson or fender is for pro musicians , as an hobby player who is just playing for fun in some coverband these guitars are good enough , and pricewise it's absurd what an "real " fender or gibson will cost you these day's , there for sure not so much better to justify the insane pricetag .

[@zerolatitude2923]

It is not a Gibson, it is better than that... it is EPIC! Glad they don't stoop to the gibson headstock. Epiphone is killing it, bought the 59 and Lazarus.... Amazing guitars. Better than my Gibson LP's. These are the real deal. Get one, 50 years from now your grand kids will love you.

[@Jason.King.at.your.service]

Doesn't come close to the Gibson version. At least the Gibson's string alignment is correct. The frets and nut on the Epiphones are laughable (but not for the customers). I've played better chibsons than the garbage Epiphone is offering. If you actually had those Gibson's you claim to own you'd not be spouting this nonsense.

[@tedthompson9379]

Love the review Bside, my LP Special is sitting under the Christmas tree atm, I'll be unwrapping it in a couple of hours.

[@GuitarFabi]

How do you like it so far?

[@tedthompson9379]

@@GuitarFabi Love the guitar, play it everyday. Its my first electric, it is everything I wanted in a guitar.

[@GuitarFabi]

@@tedthompson9379 It would be my green guitar too. The only thing I really don't like is the color. Change the yellow with white and I would pay 100€ extra. It's sad that Epiphone doesn't have this model with a white finish. Do you think it's possible to change the color somehow or is this stupid?

[@tedthompson9379]

@@GuitarFabi Personally, I love the TV Yellow, it is a iconic color.

[@carlbaumeister3439]

@@GuitarFabi Gibson has it in faded white for $1000. Looks great! That’s more than the extra 100€ you mentioned, but might be worth it bc your workmanship will be more detail oriented, wood better, finish higher quality (nitro cellulose, which some ppl feel is better for guitars bc it can “breathe” and the sound resonates better, and you’ll see the grain slightly), slightly hotter pickups, etc. Plus, bc it’s a Gibson, it will hold its value better. And of course, you’ll have the Gibson inlay (not sure if pearloid or mother of pearl) on that classic Gibby headstock, not the Epi logo, sprayed or embossed.

[@jrracing2132]

Very good review!

[@bsideguitar]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@user-jb4um9tl8d]

The Epi sustains longer than its Gibby counterpart

[@justincork3838]

I have one, but I’ve rewired it 50s style with all braided wiring, switchcraft switch and jack

[@bsideguitar]

Very cool. How much difference has that made?

[@justincork3838]

@@bsideguitar the roll off on the controls is different to stock and a lot more usable for me as I like to use my tones and volumes to find sounds. They are vintage taper cts pots, the 50s wiring keeps some treble when rolling the volume back.

[@bsideguitar]

Thanks for the follow ip. I was just talking to someone about this yesterday so perfect timing.

[@MrBossei]

Yes. Rewire to 50s. Cant understand why Epiphone and Gibson stick to modern wiring. On P90 the whole thing is to get great tone when rolling back volume. Especially on the neck pickup. With 50s it does not get muddy. The custom shop specials have 50s wiring because they are true to the great originals.

[@3556Heisenberg]

Great review thank you!

[@AngelMartinez-qs3cf]

Well, very cool video as usual! I have a Reverend Sensei Jr., it's like a Les Paul Junior, but I like this guitar! Do you still have it?

[@infinitedurr]

Big agree on the headstock issue

[@shanedavis3414]

I had the other Epiphone TV yellow special. It appears that this one blows the other Epi off the stage. More $$ than the other , but it sounds to me like the extra $$ is worth it here. The other did not have binding on the frets , nice upgrade !!

[@bsideguitar]

Definitely worth the extra $$. This one is a seriously cool guitar 🎸

[@edwardmarks4293]

My 4th (and newest) electric guitar. I can't imagine a better $400 guitar than this. Really love it. My only complaint is the mustard yellow color which is nothing like a proper TV yellow. It's closer to a Butterscotch Blond Tele.

[@voiceofexperience]

Yeah, the solid color finish is definitely where they saved some $$$. Better than doing it anywhere else tho I suppose.

[@markmaggs4406]

Change the bridge and tuners do a set-up and its golden.

[@jordanlarson6210]

Damn that guitar sounds amazing

[@johnmaag9230]

I love mine. Great bang for the buck and it holds its own against my Gibson's.

[@Jason.King.at.your.service]

No it doesn't. I've bought three and they were all garbage. After the third one I demanded a refund.

[@adamp6401]

Looks lush. Would it be suitable for pop punk do you think?

[@Jason.King.at.your.service]

Any guitar is.

[@Ivicakolaric]

Great Video, thank you so much

[@jongordon6461]

And there's a whole other bunch who don't give a s**t about the headstock. LOL Great video, I'm just having fun.

[@stevenpotter-en2me]

No screaming eagle poo buddy! What is the situation with folks and a shape on the headstock???? I've seen this online for several years now, glad you chimed in on it because I honestly don't think they have a reasonable answer. They're just repeating or retyping what A Gibson Guy once said??? IDK, but personally I'm more concerned about the Pickup selection of a guitar, the neck,what wood is the Fretboard made of? Maybe pot sizes and cap values? Wonder if my Orange Drop Caps would make it better?

[@Lalairu]

Hi! Have you ever tried the Tokai version? The LSS58 model. Thanks for sharing, the Epi sounds nice, no doubt.

[@bsideguitar]

I have not had a chance to play the Tokai version. I have heard great things about them but are not super available around here.

[@Lalairu]

@@bsideguitar Few stores sell them here (I live in Spain), but all are too far away so I can't try them... I also considered the Gretsch 5220 Jet, but I don't know if it's too heavy.

[@pdbreach]

@@Lalairu I have one of those. I love it. The pickups are between a humbucker and a single coil. Well worth a try if you get the chance

[@Lalairu]

@@pdbreach they seem lighter than a LP too. I like Gretsch guitars a lot too. I can't decide which second guitar buy. I already have a tele 😂

[@pdbreach]

@@Lalairu yes the body is chambered. It's much lighter than my les paul. I also have a telecaster. I would say that sound wise it sits between the two guitars. Build quality is awesome. I would definitely recommend checking one out.

[@carlbaumeister3439]

I thought I was the only one to play the invisi-pick! (Sometimes on purpose, sometimes bc I’m too lazy to find a pick.)

[@jamesmoffatt6435]

What amp were You using? Thx...

[@bsideguitar]

It’s a Victory V40 Deluxe. Very cool amp :)

[@rayz8268]

Made in where?Thx

[@teodelnorte]

I have the Gibson Special but sometimes wish I'd saved my pocket a thousand bucks and got this one. Seems to be 99% the same! Saying that, the Gibson is a total beast and was set up amazingly out of the factory

[@Jason.King.at.your.service]

No you don't. The Epiphone versions have terrible string alignment and god awful fret jobs. I've had three and sent the three of them back.

[@teodelnorte]

@Richard.Cannon.1652 didn’t know. Yes, I'm delighted with the Gibson. I know someone with the Epi version and he is super happy. He has a few Gibsons too and knows his guitars

[@sawbonesquad4876]

Just got mine. Killer!

[@bsideguitar]

Awesome!!!! 🎸🎸🎸

[@brin57]

Great guitar. My only gripe is - What is with the weird TV mustard yellow?? Only beaten in the weird stakes by the Harley Benton Baby Shit Yellow!!! TV Yellow is TV Yellow, not some variant of it. C'mon Gibson/Epiphone!!

[@pinkpantherer]

Mines on order,I hate waiting grrrrr

[@bsideguitar]

It will be worth the wait! 🎸🎸

[@user-jb4um9tl8d]

If you had rolled off some of the bass while on both pickups durring the clean example, you would have seen that this guitar is verry TELLE-ISH

[@petemitchell6788]

My bad, I found your vid. I was confused on the model.

[@bsideguitar]

🎸

[@phillipholt6005]

I've only bought two guitars unplayed and that was the 339 and Muse LP! I can't see buying the Special for clean sound! It's a Rock N Roll machine!

[@phillipholt6005]

I had played the Gibson and Epiphone 339 before and I honestly liked the Epiphone better but when I traded my defective Special towards the Epiphone 339 to Sweetwater unplayed and they set it up! I've been with Sweetwater ever since!

[@phillipholt6005]

I'll keep my Epiphone Muse!

[@Jason.King.at.your.service]

I've had 3 and they were all terrible. The worst fret jobs I've ever had. Strings all out of alignment. Nut and string alignment so bad that the high E string practically hangs over the binding at the low end of fretboard. Fret-buzz and strings choking out when bending. Absolutely terrible. Sad, because the sound great.

[@bubu89136]

The necks on these are super fat and uncomfortable. They are even fatter than fat Gibson necks. I highly suggest you play one before buying or you might not be able to bond or adjust to the size.

[@bsideguitar]

While it is a fat neck it was not as fat as my Les Paul 50s. But definitely worth the point t hat this is not a slim neck.

[@antoonhermans8953]

i just bought this guitar , i do like this headstock design a lot more then the "old " epi design headstock , and P90's always sound killer to me , i don't like humbuckers .

[@bsideguitar]

Agree, the new headstock is definitely better and the truth be told, you can’t go wrong with some good P90s!!! Rock on 🎸

[@bsideguitar]

Agree, the new headstock is definitely better and the truth be told, you can’t go wrong with some good P90s!!! Rock on 🎸

[@unabonger777]

sometimes I wonder why people use a laptop mic to record guitar demos. that is just useless. I mean, lots of things sound more rock and roll than a fart in a tin can. nothing personal, and I appreciate that you're sharing, but I think it could be better. And by better I mean useful.

[@jongordon6461]

Tide. Swim against the tide. Trust me, I'm English.

[@kensheeler7914]

Epiphone is older than Gibson

[@user-jb4um9tl8d]

$500.00 as of 2024