Which One Stays Which One Goes? Epiphone 59 Les Paul vs Gibson Les Paul Tribute

[@dmarlan]

I have the '59 on my lap as i type, also happens to be my birth year. So that's my vote ; ). It's more than a nice Epi, it's a nice guitar. Cheers.

[@80shairmetalband]

Epiphone for the win! Their Burstbuckers sound clearer with gain than the Gibson Tribute pickups. The Tribute pickups sound like a blanket over the speaker in comparison.

[@poodleguiderpeyes7388]

and the 59 I think, looks better with the white binding. I don't notice a plastic feel on the neck, it's super smooth. The Epi is also not as expensive, new.

[@petergoddard1960]

I'd made that choice before watching! It's true, from the evidence of the playing example, the Burstbuckers have an edge over the 490's in the Tribute, I'd still take the Gibbo any day. A pickup swap down the line for some Seth Lovers or Antiquities or Monty's or whatever would make the Tribute a forever guitar for me. So I'm glad the dice fell that way for you too, John.

[@longbow5423]

I have the 59 Lemon Burst by Epiphone and compared it to a Tribute from the HOG some months ago. Chose the Epi for better tone and a better feeling neck. Most people go for the name and that is understandable. However in no way shape or form is the Gibson a better guitar at all at least the one I tried. The Epiphone I purchased has better frets, better feeling neck, and better sounding pickups. If I was a professional I would in all likelihood choose the the Gibson just because folks relate better to to a big brand name. But since I don't play out and I am not a professional I chose the Epi specially for the reasons named. Plus it came with a decent case. I also have a Zenox by Cort made I think in the 90's and that is a fantastic guitar too. Has excellent pickups and a great feeling neck. thanks PS good vid's too. stay safe

[@alexandregilabert3711]

I got Gibson les paul studio and that one, Epiphone les paul 59. I have huge hands and in my opinion the 59 is really the best feeling, the neck is bigger if you compare to the other one, the pickups and electronics are better. More sustain even if it's no't nitro because you have a long neck tenon. You don't have long neck tenon on gibson les paul standard, i think it's a shame personally. And if you are a pro and tour with a gibson you just risk to be stolen. My conclusion, nowadays gibson les paul are really more appeling yes but no't vintage accurate. The long neck tenon for me is a dealbreaker

[@Hotelguitarplayer]

I also have the epi 59 and love it. I'm no famous guitar player, and if I'm going to get a Gibson, I'm getting the standard 50's. But to spend thousands of dollars to me personally is useless being I play for myself and whoever wants to listen lol. So I'll stick with my awesome southern fade epi 59!

[@antoniotorregrosa7630]

Having learned on a Spanish guitar, I am perfectly at home with glossy neck finishes. My old and beloved Cort Zenox has a satin finish in the neck back, and I love it, but both my Gretsch streamliner and my Ibanez AG75 have a glossy finish, and I also love them. They three have incredibly smooth (and dark!) fretboards, and it seems that this is what really matters to me: The front side of the neck😉.

[@kingstumble]

I agree. Glossy necks have never bothered me either. Same with fat or thin necks. Couldn't care less.

[@ehsanhaq155]

Man I had no idea when I started 20 years ago as a teen what is glossy and what is a satin neck finish. After 14 years I realised I've always played gloss and I'm honestly most used to that now than satin. I own too many guitars now but I've never found myself to have a problem with gloss necks despite the fact that my hands do get sweaty here in my home country of Bangladesh 😅

[@davidgibson6063]

I had a 2018 LP tribute for 5 years and I never gelled with it i bought an SG at the same time it it feels great. Saw your comparision video and decided to try the Epiphone.Your right it does play great long story short in my opinion much better guitar feels better plays better sounds better.sold the Tribute bought the Epihone happy happy happy..In the end its what feels good to you the buyer .

[@markb3758]

I just bought a used Gibson Les Paul Tribute (2021). The neck is really nice, pleked rosewood fretboard and nice vintage tone. I got it for only $700 in excellent shape. US made for an affordable Gibson Les Paul.

[@davidmurphy4844]

Although I haven't played the Epiphone I do own the same Gibson Tribute and I think its a fantastic guitar. I have changed the frets to jumbo size as I have on all my most played guitars and the neck on the Tribute is just so comfortable. Great video as always John. All the best mate.

[@jonathanjohnson8656]

Is your neck the round 50s profile? I'm shopping between these two leaning towards tribute.

[@davidmurphy4844]

@@jonathanjohnson8656 it is a fairly fat neck and certainly not a slim 60's type. I haven't got big hands but I find it very comfortable.

[@jonathanjohnson8656]

@@davidmurphy4844 Thanks for the reply. I mostly play teles and have a thing for somewhat " chunky " necks.. not necessarily fat like the baseball bat ones. I'm getting a little older, (51) and arthritis is an issue along with neck pain that causes me to wonder about a lespaul ( I have a few Dean soltero guitars that resemble the l.p. and they are a little heavy) . But a chunky neck would be more in line with what I prefer. Thanks again! I really appreciate hearing from someone who has firsthand experience with one.

[@plantagenant]

I'd sand the finish off from the back of the Epiphone....it's got a big 59 neck so there's no danger of changing the profile too much as long as your sensible. You could then refinish with nitro or danish oil etc and get it to feel more like your holding a piece of wood

[@dallastoto3189]

Totally agree !

[@JBM_71]

I think you made the right choice John! Every time you pick up your Tribute, I think how nice the finish is on the top of the body, especially when you catch it at certain angles. Much prefer it to any other Les Paul's I've seen including all the more expensive ones. It's classy without being OTT or bling.

[@davidneath8194]

Great playing John! The Epiphone does it for me. Mho. Cheers.

[@sunjamm222]

I am the same. I would not change my gold top Epiphone now for a more expensive GIbson after two years of useage. I got use to it and like the feel and play now after I have sort of played the guitar in. Much like a new good car.For me it would be the Gibson if I had it a while and can play it without much fuss.

[@SayonaraSixString]

Right off the bat I can tell you are fully bonded with the Gibson! The Epi is a nice guitar, but the Gibson neck is in another dimension.

[@johnmac8084]

I think I'd have made the same choice. For me I guess there's something about having a real Gibson, and I prefer the headstock shape of the Gibson too. Both great guitars, but you've got to choose.

[@kevinsimmons7182]

I’ve had my cherry sunburst Tribute for a week and love it. I got it used for a great price. Lots of character in the sound and the appearance.

[@dennyd4848]

I agree with you! I bought the same version Tribute after playing both for a few hours. I couldn’t put my finger on “finger” on why I didn’t jive with the ‘59 - I really wanted to! But I didn’t. The Tribute felt like it was worth it.

[@jimmyjames2022]

Yup the Burstbucker's clarity and sparkle wins for sure (given that the CTS pots are half decent). I generally prefer BBs over 490s (I like 1 and 2 the most but these are 2 and 3). I also prefer the Tribute's plekked frets and build (with US spec hardware, not metric) and then simply swap in BBs to suit. But I have to say the Epi's "Aged Dark Burst", which is really 'vintage sunburst', looks pretty sweet.

[@che2335]

The good news is Gibson opened the pickup shop so you could drop some Burstbuckers in that Tribute and make it sound as good as the Epi.

[@benallmark9671]

Lol

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Epi sounds good 👍

[@GitarrenimNetz]

Nice Playing - Good decission - Thank you very much for the video.

[@Baci302]

Excellent comparison. Thanks.

[@mortonwilson795]

Nice comparison! I tried both over a few weeks and went with the Epiphone in the end. Both good, satin finish is great etc. etc. I have a 1968 LP Custom I bought in 1974 so 'Gibson' on the headstock not essential and was quite interested in trying the 59 fatter neck style etc. just for a change after hearing so much about it, hence the Epiphone . . . given that I may well slam some Monty's Underspun PAFs or even Bethnal Greens into it at some point.

[@sometimesdimneverthin]

Interesting. I have an Epiphone LP 1960s Tribute Plus which is similar to this Epi. I like it a lot and have been tempted by Gibson Tributes and Studios but always been put off by having the basic principle that each of my guitars need to be different.

[@JS-gp3xd]

I have the same Epi, 1960 Tribute Plus, great guitar.

[@thomasbarr5940]

Me too ..love the thing lol

[@georgestanley8837]

Same here. I have 2 Tribute Plus guitars and a 59 Dark Burst. All great guitars. If I were to pull the trigger on a Gibson, it would be a Tribute for sure.

[@shadowminister4090]

Great history lesson. Quite enjoyed it. Some years ago, one of my kids (he's 35 yo now), said to me that he'd come across this band that he liked. It was called Queen. We must be getting old 😅

[@emartinezr]

Agree. I have an Epiphone LP Classic and it feels like a plastic guitar. Sounds pretty good, but feels like plastic. I tried the Epi Alex Leifson Custom which is as close to top toer from Epi and still felt like plastic. On the ither hand, that Tribute and even the Studios feel a LOT more real. Like you have a wooden guitar under you. And that wooden feel is tied to the resonance you feel, to the vibrations you feel, etc. Also the fretboard... feels like real wood.

[@famtoonen18]

Great vid mate. I am a convert. I used to be a Strat fanboy and turned into a Les Paul fanboy. I just counted, oops, 5 single cuts in the family. Very interested to see this comparison. I follow your judgement. I stay on my current collection and dont need a addition....

[@borrogove]

Hi John, I'm weighing which one to buy. Which one do you think has better sustain? I fret that the weight relief affect the Gibson's sustain.

[@JRobsonGuitar]

There's no lack of sustain with the Gibson, to be honest. The only issue are the usual fit/finish cosmetic imperfections you encounter with a Gibson. But feel, tone, sustain & playability are all there in spades 👍

[@borrogove]

@@JRobsonGuitar Thanks John. Thts reassuring. I'm more towards Gibsn from the beginnng.

[@sgtmac62]

Yep. The neck on the Tribi is a real winner. Plex'd. The only change I'd make would be putting in some authentic Burst Buckers. It'll make your Marshall randy.

[@garyslespaul]

I rub all my necks with 000 steel wool! I LOVE my 59 Epi.

[@dmatt1116]

I had my Epi '59 set up, polished frets, and it plays like butter.

[@dw7704]

I’d be tempted to go with whichever one feels best to hold (& play)- especially the neck Recently got an Epi Special after comparing two, and the better feel, esp. neck went to the cheaper of the two, although I liked both.

[@jimwoodard64]

I would have made the same choice. I own five Gibson guitars and each of them is it’s own beast. These will go to my kids and grand kids. They will one day make the future version of whatever guitar videos are and will talk about the guitars grandpa left them.

[@Edward1312]

The epiphone has better pickups, sounds better (IMHO) has binding has a mahogany neck (the Tributes is maple which isnt normal for an LP) and comes with a hard case and is cheaper. No contest IMHO. You are paying the extra simply for the Gibson name and made in USA badge. Preference for a Satin and Matte finish is a completely subjective opinion plenty of people prefer the matte.

[@JRobsonGuitar]

Good points but this was about which guitar *I* wanted to keep based on *my* preferences. I agree the p/ups on the Epi were marginally better, but it's easier to change the pickups than change the feel of a guitar. As for the binding, like Gary Moore, I prefer it without. The Gibson also comes with a case... A pretty chunky solid & sturdy, "gig bag" which, to all intents & purposes is a case which is pretty hard (although not technically a "hard case"). More to the point, it's taken me 30yrs to find a single cut that I bonded with. The Gibson is that guitar & I'm not letting it go.

[@samueldubois9790]

I sold my 2017 Tribute for buy the epi 59’, and i have, really, no regrets! Its a real les paul, insane sound and feel!

[@JRobsonGuitar]

It was a close run thing for me but I jumped the other way 👍

[@noseyparker6622]

I have owned two Gibson les paul standards, a Gibson les paul classic and two Gibson les paul studios and i can tell you that the Epiphone LP 59 is as good if not slightly better than a lot of the Gibsons.....i own one so I've had a while to mull it over. I'm not sure where you get the plasticky neck feel from but its all down to personal preference i guess.

[@artfulsplodger4828]

Trade them both in & get an ESP Eclipse ll & you'll have a some change to go down the pub👍😉

[@Leo_ofRedKeep]

The difference in clarity might be due to Gibson using 330K pots instead of 500K (which I read elslewhere they do - don't know what the Tribute has). One further improvement would be no-load pots on the tone controls for more high end when they are on full. The "upgrade" can be tested before actually making it since all one has to do is disconnect the tone pots and hear the difference.

[@tobydaynes9658]

Great video

[@Reeldin58]

What a terrible problem to have! Two Les Pauls so which one do you want!! You made the right decision. The Epiphone is a great guitar but in the end it's how they feel in your hands.

[@markcurnow]

I’ve recently picked up both a new Epiphone ‘IBG’ SG with P90’s and a used 2016 Gibson Les Paul Studio faded cherry. They are both fanatic guitars in their own right and price bracket. Different of course but worth every penny and are definitely keepers.

[@charlesdavis5942]

I have the Epiphone 59 and I enjoy it but I still want the Gibson I want them both

[@GitarrenimNetz]

If i didn´t have your Harley Benton SC550 - i may would had try........

[@cylonhibrid]

Epiphone sounds better and looks better, But all down to resale Value. So I would keep the Gibson. end of, not that much difference. Keep the Gibson.

[@MrTimdriver]

Nice composing John.

[@JRobsonGuitar]

Cheers mate 👍

[@oxnegative]

The best rewiew ever

[@dallastoto3189]

Y’all can take a scotch pass to the neck and wah la! Then the necks gonna not have that “ hard stop in the middle of a fast solo”. Cheers

[@gregperkins7723]

I've played them both and cannot imagine choosing the low budget Gibsons over these new Epies. Not even close IMO. If it comes down to what people will see you playing, I will take the Epiphone logo any day over the Gibson logo on a cheap version of it.

[@JRobsonGuitar]

Ultimately it was the rather "plasticky" feel of the neck which I found off-putting about the Epi. You know when you REALLY want to love a guitar, but can't quite get there? That's where I was with that 59. The Gibson may indeed be a budget offering but I preferred the feel of it to play. As far as the badge is concerned, I stopped caring about my "street cred" decades ago... I mean, just look at me for heavens sake 😁👍

[@gregperkins7723]

@@JRobsonGuitar LOL. Actually I am comparing the latest Epi 59 with gibson custom buckers and head shape. Maybe that could be a difference but my finish is really quite pleasant. If it felt plasticky I would spend 20 minutes with some 1000G sand paper and then a 3000G to finish her off. My favorite neck feel texture-wise is a squire bullet. Best feel in the world, even after it warps like a bannana!

[@Hotelguitarplayer]

I personally think if you sanded down the neck a bit, it might change your mind. But the tribute is a nice guitar👍

[@baulder3055]

So that's settled then John, a Burstbucker upgrade for the Tribute?

[@JRobsonGuitar]

I reckon 👍

[@fritzherrmann762]

Both are great kiddies

[@VoxMax1200]

That Epiphone is a real winner in my opinion..!! I'm sorry to say.. It sounds like you "mined" the Epiphone sound a bit.

[@davelewis4215]

The Epiphones seem to be holding there price on the used market at the moment compared to those Gibson’s.

[@TonySmith-lu1pf]

You look loads better pal (Woodstock is over man )take care buddy

[@Truthdosentexist69]

That's says a lot about the tribute, reading between the lines.

[@MrMattsac232]

Having owned a tribute myself I would go with the epiphone. I found it to be laughably bad, could have just been the one i owned of course.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

When it comes to Gibson you have to play them in person. Either they have the mojo or they dont.

[@KolaTheBear]

@@johnsmith-ug5tp Lol. That's just a blatant lack of Quality control and consistency from a company that charges a 1200 dollars for their most bare bones model. What a joke.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

@@KolaTheBear I agree, but great Gibsons to have mojo. The tribute does come with a nice $100+ gigbag. All guitar makers have raised their guitar prices 200+ bucks on average. Right before they raised the prices I was ready to buy a les paul and then I said, Bleep that! I`m not paying a penny over $2500 for a standard or $900 for a tribute.

[@sgtmac62]

You've gotta got a "bad." My experience has been very positive with the Tribi. The neck carve is great. Of course being plex'd at the factory is a huge plus. Weight is good. Pups very "70s.Old fart here. Played the Epi, had great hopes. It overall sucked! The Epi Custom out performed it easily.

[@seanmurphy26]

​@@sgtmac62dude! The '59 sucked?! Epi custom better?! Wow! Could afford to get a used custom and put whatever pickups I want in there instead of purchasing the 59

[@stevephale]

Being an owner of a Gibson Studio from 2010, two Epiphones from the latest 1959 run together and also an Epiphone from the 2009 run on 59 limited editions, I can honestly say all my Epiphones are better than my Gibson. Since the Studio is the next step up from the tribute I’m not sure about your choice, but it’s all subjective.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

I bought a new 2014 Gibson studio and it was one of the worst guitars I ever played. ha I sent it back. Horrible from the headstock down to the strap button. Finish, feel and tone. It would take me 2 paragraphs to list everything that was wrong with it. Others on YT agree that the tribute is a better model than the studio. An extra 200 bucks doesnt make it a better guitar. Just my experience and humble opinion. 😉👍

[@stevephale]

@@johnsmith-ug5tp My studio is the Joe Bonamassa gold top and don’t get me wrong it’s a nice guitar, but I paid £1200 for it, my Epi’s the most I paid was £800 and they were better, so is the name on the head stock really worth £400??

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

@@stevephale Its a personal choice. One thing is for sure, The Gibson will hold its value and increase if you plan on hanging on to it compared to an Epiphone. I actually have nothing against the latest epiphones.

[@steveyankees1]

In this video I preferred the sound of the Gibson pickups over the Burstbuckers. I love my Epiphone 2005 ‘56 Goldtop with upgraded P90s. Bought it used and don’t recall what brand pickups they are. My first LP is a Gibson ‘71 LP Custom which I adore. I bought it new. I must say my 2005 Epiphone has the feel of my ‘71. Slightly less chunky neck. It is an awesome instrument. In 2020 I purchased an Epiphone Modern LP from Sweetwater. I never bonded with it so I sold it.

[@Leo_ofRedKeep]

What's that nonsense abOut two guitars of the same type? One's a dark burst and the other is a light burst ;)

[@buddy9577]

GIBSON ALL DAY. EPI IS AN EPI AND NOT USA MADE AND WILL LOOSE VALUE FAST

[@sibariba]

Plastic feel is a hughe bullshit! Fenders are finished with poly and nobody says that! Video players lacks playing experience and usually say silly things like that! 😂

[@JRobsonGuitar]

OK, mate... whatever. 30 years of professional playing; a mortgage that's pretty much paid off with income from playing the guitar; thousands of students over three decades and several courses on playing guitar which are published by reputable companies... But because I prefer nitrocellulose finishes to polyurethane and you don't, ergo I "lack playing experience" apparently. Oh and "hughe"? Too angry to use spell check?

[@giovannibuscone1164]

Which kind of reference do you have to make this assessment? And more, who are you to reply in a so rude way to a fair person? And you don’t even have the courage to put your face in it ☃️☃️☃️

[@giovannibuscone1164]

@@JRobsonGuitardon’t worry John, I’m sure that he’s just able to strum some chord 😂😂😂