It's Pretty... But Is It Any Good? | NEW 2020 Epiphone Les Paul Classic Worn Purple Burst | Review

[@Trog]

💰New to Reverb? Get $10 on Me - reverb.grsm.io/earn10 🐕 Episode Guide: 0:15 - "Inspired By Gibson" 0:41 - Epi LP Modern Series 1:08 - Classic VS Classic Worn 2:39 - Finishes 3:02 - First Impressions 5:16 - Inside Look / Specs 15:14 - Tone Talk 16:50 - Tone Demos 20:13 - Final Thoughts 21:57 - Blacklight 22:31 - Box 📹 Mentioned Videos: Gibson Les Paul Classic 2019: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmrOoKiqnZeSgqM Black Panther Les Paul Studio: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKSrYq2hgJKCmMk Les Paul Goddess: kzbin.info/www/bejne/haald6SYga14eJY Epiphone SG Classic Worn: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHyqkHttdtiSn8U

[@Dr.Turkey]

I really wish they'd start doing the binding over the frets like the Gibson models

[@DDE_ADDICT]

your playing is getting way better Austin

[@rogerdumas8390]

The Trogly's Guitar Show 9’’:)

[@stevwills1445]

the ridge on the nob are there for easier gripping for coil taps. to pull up the pot.

[@deanrichardson5930]

Hey Trogly. So I watch your channel religiously and I’ve recently decided I want a few different Les Pauls with different looks and features/pickups. But I don’t want to pay Gibson prices for each one. I’m fascinated with the idea of getting a few nice cheapLes Pauls while I save up for my next Gibson. I bought a 2019 Epiphone Plus Top Pro Blueberry Burst a couple weeks ago. Lovely guitar apart from the frets that I need to get sorted at some point. Pickups sound great. Was pleasantly surprised after owning one years ago. Stays in tune as much as my Gibson does. Pickups aren’t as hot as a Gibson but I really dig their sound. Nice amount of clarity and bite with a Marshall. So anyway, I have a request. After buying this very pretty but cheap guitar, and talking to my tech about adding a phase switch, I found an article on a Peter Green Les Paul clone that costs the same as an Epiphone. And I’m seriously tempted to get one. But I’m curious if it really is as good as people are saying. Is there any way you’d be able to review one? As you seem to be THE expert on KZbin, and I know you love checking out unique models, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. It’s called a Vintage V100 Lemon Drop. I’ve heard that the relic’d version looks a bit naff but that the non relic’d one is nice. I’m dying to know what it’s like but it’ll be a few months before I can buy one so not only would a review be helpful, I’d get a kick out of the review itself regardless. Regards, Dean.

[@powerchordgamer]

I really want purple guitars to be more common. purple is such a good color.

[@eavena98]

Dude fr why is everyone scared of purple?

[@crocketgsxr6]

seriously Prince loved purple and he was a Killer Guitarist

[@biru4531]

I love dark purple or any purple for that matter

[@jazzy8949]

Finally someone said it 😭🥺

[@andrewbendahan1379]

Can't agree more

[@prettynoose8497]

This is seriously the MOST thorough and detailed review I've seen on any guitar!!!

[@AmperahGaming]

Trogly is by far the most thorough reviewer on KZbin 🤘🏿

[@Nate-vk7gu]

I would want a super dark purple sg.

[@QS-si3cq]

So, you don't watch 60 Cycle Hum then.

[@S1MN05]

I’m a woodworker and I can tell you that all the “wood grain craters” in the top are from router tear out/poor sanding. Maple is a very tight grain wood, not at all open like the mahogany on the back. That is a QC problem for sure.

[@kbkman7742]

I also haven't seen maple end up like that after proper sanding... since they already put fake mahogany veneers on things maybe they do it on purpose so kids think it's cool legit wood grain or something?

[@S1MN05]

kabukiman69 lol that would take extra time. It’s just not sanded properly out of laziness/time constraints.

[@alwaysopen7970]

CNC don't care and QC proves it.

[@S1MN05]

alwaysopen what I don’t get is why these price points are being targeted. I would pay more for a model like this if all these little things weren’t skimped on. The wood tear out is genuinely unacceptable.

[@keesketsers5866]

S1MN05 : they aim for a price bracket, not a quality bracket. They already have a "better" and slightly more expensive option in the same company : Gibson. Spend a bit more to get a Gibson LP studio and most of these issues are gone. That is exactly what they count on. Customers that have 450 to spend have no option but to take the drawbacks. If you have more to spend, you have more options. In the lower pricebrackets nothing beats Ibanez in my opinion.

[@hkguitar1984]

Thank goodness the pickup base plates are no longer made of brass. Those Grover Tuners are a cheaper Foreign made version of the domestic manufactured units. You can easily tell the difference by quality of the tuner body's casting. Even the cheap Grover tuners are an improvement over what has been offered in the past. Like the solid black finish to the back of the guitar something has got to change for the price to be so low. Concerning the cheaper electronics/pots, more than likely the whole "Classic Worn" Series was developed as a mechanism to use up some of the old parts Epiphone has left over at the factory. Those components/parts have to be used by Epiphone one way or another, they can't really not use them! All said and done at the end of the day its a really nice sounding guitar. A bright sounding Les Paul guitar is a thing of beauty. Great playing demo Austin, Thank You.

[@staple_gun7889]

Are brass base plates bad for tone or something?

[@Michael_Baranyaiofficial]

A coating of tuners doesn't matter for tone. Thats like saying the finish matters to tone. Its just aesthetic

[@hkguitar1984]

@@staple_gun7889 The more mass a pickup's base plate has the lower the resonant frequency of the pickup's coils. The lower the resonant freq. of the pickup the does color its output/tone. Depending on what kind of brass is used it can affect the pickup's tone. Traditionally steel base plates were used in the first PAF pickups, for that reason I personally try to stick with traditional design and constructed components.

[@tomsnowden6201]

@@Michael_Baranyaiofficial we all know white is the best color for tone buddy. stop blowing smoke

[@shaft9000]

Rock Lob-stahhh!! One thing though - if you're gonna have a LesPaul flying through space, then you're gonna have to learn some *Boston* riffs, too 8>).

[@bboyzagy]

I went to the dentist the other day, he said that I need more than a filling. :)

[@Dog_Stare]

@@bboyzagy I bet your breath is rank if you need more than a filling would be my feeling on this. Brad Delp concurs from the grave.

[@cypresscollectiblesinc.2098]

Philip McKnight has a "who owns who" video about the tuners. He says Epiphone (or whoever) will contract with Grover to use their tuners, but since those tuners are expensive, Grover turns around and uses another cheaper brand that they then slap their name onto. Kind of a rip and a way to make you think you're getting more value than you do.

[@ford4point0]

same thing with most car companies. For example some cars come with special "aftermarket" parts, but those parts are actually cheaper than what that same exact third party would sell through their company. A company notorious for doing so are Brembo brakes.

[@Spartanm333]

TBH I doubt this about Grover - it would be the equivalents of BMW using cheap Korean parts and calling them German engineering. Brand (and potentially company) suicide. I work as a Marketing Executive at board level. There is no way we would sign off the use of inferior (foreign?) parts on a premium brand, if that is still Grovers reputation. It's not a case of being found out, it's a case of crap parts failing to operate to spec and damaging the reputation of the parent.

[@ford4point0]

@@Spartanm333 for someone who works in marketing, you still have a whole lot to learn.

[@sourav2328]

@@ford4point0 like BYBRE

[@gregmiller7123]

@@Spartanm333 I have an Epi Les Paul Ultra II and the original Grover branded tuners wouldn't keep it in tune so I ordered basic Grover Rotomatic tuners from Sweetwater. They look the same as the originals but are much heavier and work great. As I learned on an Ibanez their Floyd Rose tremolo systems are "Licensed by Floyd Rose" which means that Ibanez has them made under license but the materials are much lighter and the tremolo will "wallow" out over time. My guess is that Gibson has some type of the same arrangement with Grover. And Grover has tuners at multiple price levels so I wouldn't expect an Epi standard to be the same as a Gibson standard tuner based on the price differences. But I also know going in that I can upgrade an Epi with better pups and parts and still be way below Gibson prices which is fine if you're not in it for the resale value.

[@jarryd2018]

I just bought one of these yesterday. It felt great in my hands. I had been looking at more expensive models but this one just felt good in my hands. I agree with the cleans bring good and it sounds great on the bridge pickup with overdrive but the neck gets muddy. As far as the frets, the shop leveled and cleaned the edges for me as well as set up the bridge height and intonation for me so I'm pretty happy with it. I plan to swap out the electronics but haven't chosen anything yet.

[@goosegaskins]

You still liking it a year later?

[@wavetoearf]

Updates?

[@corporalrich]

Trogly, I just want to say thank you for reviewing all of the new Epiphones. I have an LP special II LTD I've been playing with for several years, I'm looking to up grade but I'm never going to have the money for a Gibson. Your reviews are by far the best on KZbin and the depth of knowledge you have is amazing. Its obvious that you really like what your doing. Thanks again!

[@masonbroussard6265]

It sounds great for the price

[@Bigmax1209]

7:11 So that’s where the Minecraft switch sounds came from

[@hafidriba3470]

I can't unhear it now

[@ThorneyedWT]

Going to fix frets? Remembering Austin's hand crafted control cavity cover, I feel sorry for this poor Epi...

[@DrillSergeant379]

Здарова, Торнайд!

[@Smart-Alex]

I saw it in person yesterday. Looks great from a distance, I’ll keep it at that.

[@HighSpeedirt1]

Same here, the open grain look on top is a pity. It should have been a smooth matte finish.

[@Smart-Alex]

HighSpeedirt1 yep, agreed!

[@brokemanfishing6413]

So it's like going to the bar. Looks good in low light but at full light yeesh!

[@jscott893]

The muse series is much better if you get one setup right. I got the white one and I'm more than pleased.

[@alexislace]

Thank you very much for the warning, I was really considering buying it but your comment made me have a closer look at the photos and the video. I guess it's a no from me!

[@florentintise9425]

Ah ... the purple one ... I was waiting for this one ... watching now 🧐🎧🙋‍♂️

[@oliwerljungqvist]

The litte cut out on the knobs sre there to get more grip when coil spliting Love the videos :)

[@alwaysopen7970]

That's it. Other than that, knobs are knobs.

[@johnblack9492]

A few years back, Epiphone were advertising that their knobs were designed with a ridge at the top to make it easier to pull them up when coil splitting.

[@Scott__C]

It's great they have a good product at that price point, but of all the things on a guitar, that's arguably the most important. They're basically saying, hey these guitars really cost you about $100 more than we're selling them for.

[@alwaysopen7970]

$200.

[@domformula1]

Really cant say that in 20 years, I've ever pulled a new guitar apart to check there are no splinters in the pickup cavities. I suppose each of us has their own priorities!

[@cutrepon7171]

Can't wait for your Epi LP modern figured review.

[@Henriktranoy]

First (but not last!) video I've seen by you, and I just wanted to thank you for giving numbers in SI units so that the rest of the world aren't left guessing!

[@ResoBridge]

High frets are very common on low to medium price guitars. I'm not sure if this means that not all the frets were pressed fully home into the slots, or if the frets actually move on new guitars as the fret board reacts to heat and humidity. I have found it is well worth doing some gentle tapping on these frets with a fretting hammer. Even better is to use a brass fret punch - quite a large punch with a groove cut in the end to match the top of the fret. This can save having to do a full fret level, re-crowning and polishing.

[@thebarondisco7741]

I bet they are trying to crank these out as fast as possible to meet the hype. Here are the results.

[@alwaysopen7970]

@Aquatic Mullet they make 100 versions of each model and pump them all over the world. How in hell can they keep track?

[@keesketsers5866]

They were always like this. Don't believe the hype. I owned several 90's Epi's....none were any good.

[@danejurus69]

Underwhelming.

[@edwinpringle7342]

@@keesketsers5866 Korean epi les Paul are definitely as good as early 2000's Gibson and in my opinion a lot of them are better. I have a early 2000's epi 56 gold top with mojotone p90's and cts pots and I love it. I would say it's every bit as good as my 2019 Gibson tribute.

[@Alejandro-we2yv]

8:49 Trogly measures the shaft 😍

[@ForeverDownByLaw]

and loves knobs

[@Wayneextremity]

Hahahaha i noticed that as well

[@jonislow]

LOL!!

[@andysanchez1]

Thanks for the video, I saw a sign this morning in front of a store. “ don’t buy low quality stuff and the factories will stop making it.”

[@AQMusic10]

Nice looking guitar. Great video.

[@thinkingape7655]

I hope you film how to use the Stewmac stuff.

[@v8dreaming]

seconded

[@egmccann]

There are quite a few "set up your own guitar" videos, but yeah, seeing his experience would be good.

[@patrickhayden1977]

Keep the great reviews coming. These are invaluable for someone who is interested in the new Epiphones. Great work!! I wonder if Sweetwater will iron out fret issues prior to shipping???

[@alwaysopen7970]

Do they open every box and check tolerances?

[@edwinpringle7342]

@@alwaysopen7970 I think not. They sell em, they don't build em.

[@czyprodigy]

@@alwaysopen7970 yes sweetwater has considerably higher standards than the manufacturer, they do a 55 point inspection of every instrument and if it’s fucked they don’t sell it

[@dms5154]

Really looked forward to this review as I'm considering purchasing one of these. The bad frets has held me back. So now, with my newly acquired StewMac fret tools, I am REALLY looking forward to your video on fixing the high frets. Puts a whole new light on actually buying one of them, thanks!

[@alwaysopen7970]

Buy a guitar repair book from them. They have videos all over their site showing Dan Or Eric doing it.

[@manpigfilms]

The one I got from Sweetwater had 9 high frets. I wasn't excited about having to do a fret level but when I do it I know its done right. My best recommendation if you don't know how to repair / setup guitars is to physically buy one in a store instead of online.............. JT :-)

[@mcg5167]

Yup, still best to try it out in the store if you can. The factories just pump them out so there's bound to be imperfections of some type. That's why high end domestic made guitars are so expensive, they are personally set up in house from start to finish resulting in a perfect instrument.

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

he said the same damned thing ironically in the video were he opened up 5 of them and 4 needed fret levelling

[@acoffeewithsatan]

One of the big reasons online retailers can charge less is exactly that, you're less likely to come back demanding extra services, or taking things back.

[@unclefungus7395]

yeah the last time i got an epiphone i just had to play a bunch of them at the store until i found a good one. was a great guitar for years never let me down.

[@juliancarreon5569]

Not gonna lie that’s real hard for me because the nearest guitar store is about an hour away

[@fugamantew]

This one sounded good! Hey Trogz, given that you are now going to try and set up the frets, might consider a buffing vid on one of these faded models to see how much sheen you can get off from them if one would put on the effort. Also, as a platform to experiment even further (maybe relic’n) these Epi’s seem like a pretty good deal-although we all now you aren’t a “luthier” when it comes to the guitars you feature on the channel, but still. Great series on the 2020 Epiphone line of re-headstockes electrics! Excellent content, thanks!

[@jeffreyvargo7963]

Bought a Korina Epiphone 58 V (built early 2019) and had to recut the Nut...change to a new set of strings and set intonation ....no reason Gibson can't check guitars here in the US before shipping to Retailers..... Gibson has addressed quality on Gibson's but not Epiphone's.

[@brianmcfarland6548]

JEFFREY VARGO it’s still a little unfortunate but I’ve heard that manufacturers leave the nut tall so that they can be adjusted because you can remove but but not add

[@JoshBattershell]

Having to change the strings should be expected. Very few brands, especially on cheaper guitars, use good strings. Even when I buy a new guitar or bass, the first thing I do when I get home I’d change the strings.

[@alwaysopen7970]

@@JoshBattershell The bad thing is you could be putting the same brand strings on it. We are being sold a lot of bullshit these days.

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

what you did has very little cost and just a little time,gibsons need the same love and have the high nut cuts as well.

[@JoshBattershell]

alwaysopen even if they are the same brand, I don’t ever use stock strings because I can’t play on 9’s. I’ve also started to pretty much only use Ernie ball Conakry strings, which Ernie ball owns the rights to use cobalt as a metal for strings and are the only company that makes them. To my knowledge not a single new guitar by and brand comes stock with them. So yea, still changing the strings immediately on any guitar I buy. Especially if it’s a floor model from a store and they’ve already been killed.

[@dztryr]

KZbin's algo done an amazing recommendation. I was looking to buy this guitar just recently. Love the format and information given about it.

[@-jeffk3339]

GC has a new “Trad Pro IV” with a worn finish. It looks exactly like the same guitar as the Classic Worn to me, I don’t see a world of difference. Didn't the Trad Pro IV come out way before the 2020 Modern worn series? Even the Trad Pro has the Kalamazoo headstock.? What is the actual differences between the two models?

[@jackpasternak7586]

the only reason i couldn’t get behind epiphone is because of the ugly headstocks, but now i have zero problems with them, they look great

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

very stuperficial......funny part is the 4 epi les pauls i have(2 customs,1 trad,1 standard) never had fret or finish issues and still dont.the old head stocks are actually more like Gibson than the ugly new ones.i laugh at idiots who dislike the fact two 1/2" 45 degree pieces of wood are missing and think it makes some kind of difference.ps:it doesn't.

[@riheg]

Inspired by Gibson QC

[@SilverXIIVI]

riheg they’re that good copies!

[@MICHIGANGIRL4TRUMP]

I own this guitar… my husband bought it for me for Christmas. Purple is my favorite color .💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@JENDALL714]

Because of quality control issues on off the rack guitars like Epiphone, I just buy kit guitars and build my own. It's far more satisfying and I know exactly what kind of hardware is on the guitar. I used to buy off the rack guitars and used to change the hardware anyway, than I figured, I shouldn't have to do that on a new guitar, so might as well just build my own.

[@Cymanytb]

I m so glad you are now doing some epis providing great guitar info for every pocket :)))

[@allenmitchell09]

Trogly’s dying words will be “first fret neck depth”!

[@adrianrafolsapacible9171]

😂😂😂😂

[@lemagreengreen]

I'm with you on the matte finish, looks particularly good in black.

[@icemansxl]

Since this video has been made I've bought one and there's been a price hike of close to 100$ and mine has no high frets, no chips or splinters on the plastics and over all epiphone seems to have listened to most of the complaints aired in this video, Although my only guitar to compare is the $200 epiphone vintage edition les Paul that was the cheapest name brand guitar on the market and I had to dump an additional 500$ on to make it a half decent imitation les paul.

[@coryeastman5084]

The purple and gold combo is fire! I'm naming mine 'The Guitar Formerly Known As Prince"....

[@kiltymacbagpipe]

Having to level and recrown a new guitar at that price point is inexcusable. There are plenty of imports that don’t have this issue at this price.

[@alwaysopen7970]

I bet an ESP is a better deal.

[@Spartanm333]

Agree totally, and legally it must be borderline for a misrepresentation case because the instrument isn't fit for purpose if it arrives with high frets and fret buzz. We already know that Gibson's SOP is to set the bridge and nut high to avoid fret buzz although at least in recent years the majority of Gibson guitars had the Plek fret levelling as standard - the machine is computer controlled for accuracy and if it is set up correctly this does a decent job (on my 2017 Les Paul at least). I still had to cut the nut (lower and the channels improved especially at the headstock side) and lower the action a good 2/3 mm as it was above Robben Ford high. Which is high. If the Epiphone has bad frets as well as these two 'standard' conditions then it isn't fit to play. It is atrocious at any price that you have to take a new guitar to an expert to have it finished so that it plays acceptably - these are not shipping movements, temperature changes or personal preference on action, this is poor build / finishing at the factory to cut down on production time.

[@Spartanm333]

Gretsch guitars for one. The budget lines built in Asia such as the Electromatic are better equipped hardware / electronics wise and well finished. Don't arrive in this condition.

[@acoffeewithsatan]

PRS SE is the same deal, perfectly set up, nicely crowned, leveled and rounded-off frets. Not only mine, but all the others I've tested at two different stores.

[@patrickbrown8540]

I bought a Squier Telecaster for $129 recently. Frets are perfect and wood grain on neck is perfect. Not sure why Gibson can’t figure out how to make a quality budget guitar. It can be done.

[@tonybutlertb7615]

Hey Trogly, I got my Purple Burst Worn in the UK last week. During this time, I have played, marvelled and admired this latest ‘inspired’ Epiphone LP. I love it. I seem to be lucky that I did not have the problems you found with the frets etc, but I suppose if the electrics were upgraded as per the other new issues, it would not be the price point it is. I love it, from colour feel and sounds. Even if I could, I would not pay for a Gibson original. This works for me on so many levels, I’m grateful that they decided to cater for the less financially endowed. I await with bated breath for the Nagma Modern I have on pre-order. Nice review. TB

[@juanrajara2887]

Maybe you got lucky and didn't have any problems because all your frets were high.

[@benpowersguitar]

PRETTY!!! I really enjoy watching your vids. Always some fun stuff & informative. Thanks

[@maekong2010]

I don't know if this is an anomaly, but my July '21 Epiphone Modern (graphite) has the best fret-job I've ever played. Over the past few months I've gone to a few shops and picked up random Gibsons just to see if bends could possibly be any smoother. So far, not even one of the Gibson fretboards could hold a candle to this guitar. And as far as the rest of it? Freaking flawless. The wood is drop-dead gorgeous and the backs (clear-coated) are like glass. The tops, including binding have no discernible problems. Granted, some of the strings on the Gibsons could make up the bulk of the perceived grittiness, but all of them? Besides, upon close visual inspection, it became clear that the higher-end Epiphones just had a better polish. As for leveling, I've done nothing but check the string height and condition the Ebony. Grover locking tuners are and should be deal-breakers. Once I pick the guitar up, I can't put the damned thing down. I've heard similar reports in other places. There's something special about the new Moderns. Just an FYI for your viewers. You're always the best, Trog.

[@mr.rjryno5274]

nice edit Mr. Trogster at 18:55, the background compliments the guitar finish nicely! the only thing missing is the judas priest rob halford attire.

[@Zoso981]

They're advertising the Les Paul Standard 50's as having a long neck tenon. I emailed Gibson to ask if the 60's Standard also has this feature, they said only the 50's will have it. But I'd love to see that on an Epiphone. After a proper set-up, these could all be great instruments.

[@kingstumble]

The lip on the knobs are to make them easier to pull up for the coil split.

[@leenewsted9484]

That has got to be the most thorough review ever! Thanks!

[@zrozic]

Hey there. Thanks for the video. I really enjoyed it and it is a great review of the guitar. I wanted to ask if you had a chance to check out the classic that is not the worn version? I'm in the market and have been debating between these two. I really like the idea of the satin finish on the worn but I worry about the durability. Do you think it will hold up well?

[@markjamesmeli2520]

I'm digging the color on this. As for the finish, I like that color, but, I've never seen any guitar "wear" like that. It's kind of a buffed down finish, which looks like it was done on purpose. I love the natural "twang," or like you say "bright" sound.

[@josephgaffney7829]

Great review, keeping it real as always. I contacted Epiphone and asked about the Neck Tenon - the 50's Standard has a long Tenon and the 60's has a short one. Kind of strange considering they cost the same.

[@mboyer68]

I take impeccable care of my guitars. My oldest guitar... I've never scratched or dented thre finish anywhere, not even up on the headstock during string changes. I'm extremely picky also. That being said... screw holes under the pickuo switch cover would not bother me in the least. I'm really surprised you said that. And even though Gibson owns Epiphone, I'm sure you wouldn't have said that if it were a Gibson guitar with extra screw holes under a cover.

[@SirJamalong]

Excellent Job on this Guitar Review! Thanks for posting! Subbed

[@moreguitarplease6199]

Extremely good reviews on this channel - you learn a lot - thanx!

[@Pulse2AM]

Doesn't sound exactly like a Les Paul but sounds good, it's much brighter and thinner to my ears.

[@davidsteuer4601]

Epiphone has upped their game in 2020. I saw this guitar at NAMM and I had to have it. The Les Paul purple worn is a stunning guitar. I dont have any fret buzz, and my top has no harsh grain issues.

[@oscarnaranjo844]

sup, just ordered it because just as you, I fell in love with this purple finish as soon as I saw it, how has your experience being so far?

[@davidsteuer4601]

@oscarnaranjo844 been a terrific guitar

[@oscarnaranjo844]

@@davidsteuer4601 How has the worn finish age? im wonthering that as there is no lacker layer maybe the guitar finish wears faster or maybe the satin polishes from contact areas like the area where you rest your right arm or maybe it is easier to scratch

[@dnottis]

Ive owned about 20 Epiphones... from 90s till new in the last 1-2 years. They all needed fret level and crowns. When I buy one I start there without even changing strings first.

[@jonnysac6859]

Been waiting for your review on these my Caucasian

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

The trick with level and re-crown is to start with the neck perfectly straight, no relief at all. Take a Sharpie and mark each fret so you can keep track of your progress. Take it nice and easy and don't get aggressive. You can always take a little more off later, hard to put it back on. The Stew Mac crown files are awesome.

[@stageb2233]

Would have looked 100x better if the top was gloss.

[@DoubleDguitar]

Stage B it is easy to gloss up a top like this with polish. I think it does look good, and the purple would pop so much more polished up.

[@jh134mvp8]

Yeah I agree, wish they made a les Paul with black and purple burst

[@alabamahebrew]

@ROD Rosi Accept that they did not fill the wood grain in so you would still have that to deal with. I refinished a LP special and did not fill the grain in, I so wish I had! That glossy finish and still feeling the grain is kind of annoying lol.

[@johndef5075]

I agree. Just looks a little cheap somehow.....

[@seanhershey3390]

@@DoubleDguitar what exactly would you use?...the other option would be spraying clear over it?...( I have a satin gold one & would love to shine it up

[@alabamahebrew]

Hey Austin, did they change the shape of the truss rod cover? It looked in the video that it might be slightly skinnier and where it curves in at seems a little more curved in. It might just be an optical illusion from being on camera though. I keep trying to figure out why Epiphone would be having these fret issues all of a sudden. Last years models did not have this issue so what has changed since then? I also wonder about other necks like on their hollow bodies and such, such as that Kat you unboxed but haven't reviewed yet, hint hint hint, lol. The only thing I can think of that is causing all the fret troubles would be if they either changed their machines or if these are newer neck shapes and the machine has not been set properly for them. I wish they had this in the gloss finish, man it sure would look pretty. I was actually thinking that if I got one of these I would remove everything off of the guitar, electronics and such, and then spray it with my Nitro I use on my other guitars I refinish and then I would have the one I wanted... but then you told us about the differences with the electronics and well everything I want is on the gloss model lol. I am hoping you did get a new Custom, it does not have the maple cap only the solid mahogany body and I am curious as to how it sounds. I love everything about the custom accept for the mahogany.

[@pabloruiz1982]

Great video! Any plans of reviewing an Epi LP Custom 2020?

[@GuitarMooseMusic]

Nice looking guitar! Sounded decent what are your plans for it?

[@kevinrodriguez2209]

17:50 What song is that riff from ? It sounds so good!

[@BREEbreeJORjor89]

agreed!

[@jackengels5077]

hey Trogly's almost gonna get his Silver KZbin button, keep it up!

[@jacobflores3852]

Great video. Any thoughts on the SG muse?

[@ceelee5850]

The new Epiphone Alnico Classic Pro is my new Holy Grail.

[@davidsteuer4601]

I bought a 2020 purple worn Epiphone, and it looks stunning, and plays beautifully. No fret buzz, and my guitar doesnt have the issue with the wood grain around the burst. Plays just as good as my Gibson Custom.

[@alexy33t46]

How does it feel when playing?

[@davidsteuer4601]

Very comfortable

[@CicciocosoGG]

ah yes, the les paul eggplant burst

[@Wiplash12345]

I’m sold just cause of that purple burst, I like wacky colours

[@ericbgordon1575]

Would be worth getting just to have a purple guitar. That's my favorite color, but I have yet to get one in that finish.

[@misterknightowlandco]

I just got an fsr bullet squier tele in butter scotch today from musicians friend. 158 bucks shipped. No high frets. I got a harley benton sc400 goldtop a month or so ago. Worn finish just like this epiphone. No high frets, the finish is great and pickups sound fine. 141 shipped to my door. Epiphone has no excuse at 450 bucks.

[@michaelwillinger]

Totally shined with the dirt settings. Seems like a pretty solid mid grade guitar.

[@theshotgunscientists]

Fret leveling is actually super simple. I do it all the time for people. You just get the neck perfectly straight, sharpie the top of the frets, get a leveling beam long enough to cover every fret, attach 220 grit adhesive back sandpaper to it, and run it back and forth until all the sharpie is gone, sharpie the frets again, get a crowning file crown the frets and polish and you’re done. I’ve done it so many times I can have a full level and crown job done in less than an hour.

[@walunifor]

Have you seen the glossy rosewood fretboard on the Tommy Iommi monkey SG? It is just beautiful! I remember of sometime you saying that never saw a gloss finish rosewood board.

[@timmiller4205]

I have been saving money so I can purchase either LP CLASSIC in the satin Gold or the SG classic in the Inverness Green after watching the videos on both I believe it will be the SG with P90s I really wish they would make it in worn Black ✌️ out and Rock on 🤘🎸

[@johnhart2861]

Awesome professional objective reviews. I’m disappointed in the QC on these new Epi’s. I won’t be putting down $$ on one of these anytime soon. Can you please review the new D Angelico solid bodies?

[@sethfuture]

Many memories when i look up at the poster at the end of video. I got This Epiphone G-400 with 3 pickups in 2009. Picked this guitar only by a looking, not even touched it before. Can't say this was a good one.

[@Anjohl]

Epiphone should start offering a finish similar to this, but in Nitro! This purple is *so* nice is person! I bought a Honeyburst LP Classic, but TBH, every time I see this Purpleburst at the local shop, I am tempted!

[@julesplace9107]

The channel in the knobs is for a knurled rubber strip that some manufacturers use that REALLY increases friction and ease of use.

[@luisg1653]

Good video. Not to call you wrong, but these models do have a veneer. I found that out after stripping the top from a black one recently. It is paper thin and will lift/bubble if given too much heat or too much dye. The veneer is in the style of a plain top and has the impressions of cracks and vertical stress marks which add to the worn look.

[@texanfournow]

Austin, you really rocked out on this one! And, QC issues aside, it not *sound* like a cheap guitar...

[@geruto17760]

Thanks for the balanced review, Trogly :-)

[@andrewmoseley4029]

I don’t understand the QC issues seemingly just coming up. I have 2 2017 Epiphones and they’re the only 2 guitars I’ve never had to do anything to out of the box. (All of my other guitars are...you guessed it....Gibson’s)

[@kellinash6392]

Your guitar playing is improving Good job

[@harrisondaines1326]

That adventure of a lifetime riff was fire 🔥

[@matthewf1979]

WOW! If you get Stew-Mac to hook you up with fret finishing tools, try to get everything in diamond you can. Their radius’d Aluminum Sanding Beams and 3M sticky back sandpaper are top notch. Don’t forget you need tools to make sure the neck is 100% straight before any fret work is done. Which is what I think the problem is at the factory.

[@matthewf1979]

12 South You know what! I had a ES339 that had a shallow fret slot around the 13th fret. After investigating further, there were around 5 frets that didn’t seat fully. I just refretted the entire guitar.

[@alwaysopen7970]

@@12south31 I bet they CNC everything and expect to bang it all in place perfectly. My luthier buddy has a jig for his table saw and cuts perfect slots. Fretting is an art. You won't do your first job correctly so get an old spare neck and wreck it first..

[@zacharypenfield5510]

I just bought this in heritage burst I hope the worn look looks better on that than the purple burst mine's being shipped now

[@Martyballin]

One of my first guitars was an Epiphone and it took me years to realize how lackluster it was. It’s the little things.

[@egmccann]

Hmm. Do we have one of the Muses incoming, while we're at it? Wondering about impressions of the finish and cutaways...

[@Trog]

I believe I bought both of them

[@blkjakk]

Yes those are real rotomatic Grovers. Rock Lobster? Yeah! I’m sorry they didn’t make this color in high gloss!

[@hasanmir]

Could you please write out the chord names of the chord progresssion you're using at 17:50-18:10?

[@zosojstro]

Have you ever compared the distance from the bridge to the pickup with a Gibson. It appears Epiphone is further away which would make the pups closer in distance and could cause the brightness!! Love your vids

[@jriveramusic21]

Wow! Best review I ever seen. You are the best!

[@yadakc]

Hey Austin, due to the Corvid-19 virus I suspect it will be quite some time before the '59 LP standard Epi's get delivered. However, I emailed Epiphone yesterday to inquire about the QC issues, with emphasis on the fretwork, and finish issues. I'm hoping to hear back soon about the QC, and whether they have a back up plan so it won't be 2022 before I get my 2020 '59 RI. Peace, Keith

[@MikeFromNashville]

Holy cow! I watched more and can’t believe the multiple screw holes in the Switch cavity!? What!? That’s crazy. That’s pretty amateur. That’s pretty bad.

[@alwaysopen7970]

Lots of old Les Pauls have that and it wasn't a factory oops. Owners mess them up as well.

[@acoffeewithsatan]

Yeah, if I'd take off the covers of my new guitar to find that, I'd be pretty upset. But hey, the other option would've been throwing a perfectly good guitar away, ain't that exactly what people complained about Gibson, wasting good instruments? Also, I've had a PRS SE for over an year and despite being a guitar geek, to this day haven't yet taken the control plate off - who knows what I'll find underneath! - now guess what are the odds your everyday player will take it all apart and bitch about every single detail that isn't even visible...

[@cowtowncustoms2110]

I am glad Stew-Mac can help! They have very high quality products and if they can put together an "import tune up kit" for you and everybody to correct these constant import flaws, that would be great!

[@jonathanvisser1814]

Yo Trogly, if this has an actual maple top on it, do you think that the Modern with the locking tuners will have a top as well then :)?