Les Paul Custom Comparison! Epiphone IGC Les Paul Custom Vs. Gibson Les Paul Custom! Is it Close?!

In this guitar comparison, Clay dives in deep to compare the sounds and aesthetics of the Gibson Les Paul Custom (Ebony) and the Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom (also in Ebony).
Let us know what you think of each guitar in the comments below!!
Time Stamps for Guitar Sounds:
17:58 - Gibson Neck Clean
18:32 - Epiphone Neck Clean
19:50 - Gibson Middle Clean
20:44 - Epiphone Middle Clean
21:52 - Gibson Bridge Clean
22:45 - Epiphone Bridge Clean
23:50 - Gibson Neck Dirty
24:30 - Epiphone Neck Dirty
25:22 - Gibson Middle Dirty
26:10 - Epiphone Middle Dirty
27:05 - Gibson Bridge Dirty
29:27 - Epiphone Bridge Dirty
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All guitar amp sounds created using a Line 6 Helix. US Princess model for cleans. Brit 2203 for gain/overdriven tones.
Thanks for watching and hanging with the MME gang!

[@deanmccaskill5495]

I like that. 85% for 25 % of the price. This is a good channel!

[@claytonjones705]

Thank you! 😁😁😁

[@TX_Chris]

I’ve had this guitar for about a month. It stays in tune better than my USA LP, sounds incredibly punchy when I want and smooth when I need it to, it feels great when I play it, looks absolutely stunning, and most importantly inspires me to play and play and play. Does any ordinary person regret buying this? I absolutely love it.

[@claytonjones705]

I still can’t believe they hit so many marks so close with this one! Heck of a good value. Thanks for watching!

[@javeduddin]

Had mine for a little over a month now. Absolutely love it. Great point about it inspiring you to play more. If a guitar can do that then it's worth it. I replaced most of my gold hardware with black to make it look closer to Kirk Hammet's black custom haha

[@michaelsakells169]

I got mine in alpine white on april, and I love it. Best guitar ever.

[@mr3klax]

I definitely love my Alpine White. I love holding it in my hands. Just looking at it makes my day. I have changed the stock black speed knobs to the black Gibson Tophat knobs with gold metal insert. Gives it a vintage look. Just ordered the Grover 502G gold locking tuners with keystone buttons. If this is the bride, the Ebony is the groom then. The groom is arriving in a month - my 4th Epiphone LP Custom. And my 6th Epiphone Les Paul over-all. I’m not even a musician. I’m an intensive care healthcare professional who happens to love Les Pauls since I was a teenager.

[@mr3klax]

I have the Alpine White version of the Epiphone and I am super happy. My 5th Epiphone Les Paul. Thanks for your excellent take on these guitars.

[@jessehurtado2056]

I’ve had three Les Paul Customs which I regret selling, due to the cost of a new one which is around 5500.00 or more after this test I think you get around 90% as close to the Gibson with the Epiphone,as far as build and hardware you get 85% as close, the Epiphone is a fantastic value

[@claytonjones705]

Couldn’t agree with these percentage numbers more!

[@dmac3316]

Thanks for the vid, great comparison! Really informative 👍

[@claytonjones705]

I can definitely say the pleasure was all mine on this one lol LP Custom is my favorite whether Epi or Gibson! Lol Appreciate the kind words and thanks for watching!

[@williamtm1965]

Thank you, nice comparison! Personally I would get the silverburst Adam Jones Epiphone LPC, that is one sweet guitar!

[@claytonjones705]

It’s incredibly accurate to its exorbitantly more expensive Gibson Custom Counterpart. Right down to the correct pickups and neck volute!

[@mr3klax]

Wow! Nice video comparison of these 2 Les Paul Customs. Excellent playing too! I have a 2012 Korean-made Epiphone Les Paul Custom 3 pickup Black Beauty which my luthier upgraded with Gibson USA pickups and American-made premium electronics, bone nut & Graphtech graphite saddles. I also have the new 2024 Epiphone IGC LP Custom in Alpine White which is drop-dead gorgeous. I love both of them. Both plays fantastic and feels great! The new line impressed me so much that I bought the 1959 IGC ES-355 in Ebony a month later which I believe has the most value. Regarding whether there is a noticeable difference significant enough to warrant the $4200 difference, I just would like to respectfully share this KZbin link where the video creator compared his Gibson to his 2 other LP Customs - $799 Epiphone and $1299 Inspired by GC Epiphone. With the aid of a spectrum analyzer, he found that the sound from both his Gibson and the $1299 Epiphone were remarkably identical. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jl6ngKpnjMpgkMksi=d4Bl1dOoFboOpV6a

[@claytonjones705]

Thank you for the kind words! Sounds like you’re also an LPC aficionado. They’ve always been my fav. I’m actually gonna check out this link as well, right now 😎 very curious

[@AlexLacorum-hf9ie]

I had a Gibson Les Paul classic and I live that guitar so much.I don't care if it's expensive what I care is I had an iconic guitar that I should be proud of. This guitar will be priceless as time goes by

[@MrFrampo56]

Classics are pretty much the runt of the Les Paul litter. So nothing to brag about

[@DragonBolo]

How do the body , headstock , neck binding color look like in real life , comparing the Gibson and the Epiphone inspired by Gibson in ebony? I have seen both next to each other in a shop and the only optical difference I saw, was, that the Gibson binding seems to be a little thicker on the body and more clean white, while the Epiphone is a little bit thinner and not as white , more like a aged white binding. Thanks !

[@frettingitforward]

To an Audience, nothing matters least, of what it written on the guitar players headstock. Rock On 🤘😎with the One you’re with!

[@claytonjones705]

Facts!!!

[@mr3klax]

I’ve seen this video countless times. Very well made. The only thing ‘significantly’ and objectively different is the price. But, if you MUST get the Gibson and for you, only a Gibson is good enough, by all means get the Gibson. Thank you for your excellent take on these 2 very different guitars yet very similar, if that makes sense. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@deanmccaskill5495]

I have quite a few LPs. I think I even have an Epiphone somewhere but I’m more of a Gibson guy. I have an R8(in love) R9( in like) but no Les Paul Custom! Every time I I think all my itches are scratched I find a new thing I want to The new itch is a white Custom. I’ll tell you one thing for free though ( as nice as they are) it won’t be an Epiphone

[@ferox965]

That's not a several thousand dollar difference in tone. I'd have to have it in my hands to feel the difference...the neck would be the deciding factor for me.

[@claytonjones705]

Necks are pretty close, but the Epi did feel a bit thicker to me. I could also feel the difference between the poly and nitro as well. Legit a tough comparison, especially if both guitars were set up with the same neck relief, action, etc.

[@ferox965]

@@claytonjones705 Great point. Haven't seen one of these in the wild yet.

[@Za7a7aZ]

Would like to see my yesterday recieved epiphone Korina flying V compared to the real 10k reissue 1958 Gibson korina V

[@Za7a7aZ]

These guitars Will be sought after in a decade or so. Dont think epiphone Will crank out this quality /price for much longer

[@mr3klax]

Exactly my thoughts my friend.

[@raymondmcglynn3556]

Only thing you didn't mention was the nut material on each guitar, I've heard that the Epi has an inferior nut compared to the Gibson ? can anyone elaborate on this..thanks

[@mr3klax]

This guitar has the GraphTech nut which is fine. I took mine to my luthier for fretwork and set-up. He was very impressed. He likes these inspired ones a lot. It’s as close to a Gibson Les Paul but without the Gibson price and a lot less QC issues than the Gibson he said. He recommends upgrading the bridge saddles to the GraphTech graphite ones.

[@monmixer]

Gibson has the humbucker group and Fender has the Single coil group. More innovative players will customize guitars to their likings so they can mix the two. That is not for the beginner or even the mid level player. You will know when you get there. Just practice and play. No bad comes from it. Just good.

[@claytonjones705]

Truer words never spoken. Rock on 🤘🏻

[@bernhardwa6555]

The more gain the more I prefer the sound of the epiphone

[@christopherwilliams7222]

Is body thickness the same with these two guitars? Is headstock break angle the same?..

[@pauljohnson3686]

The body thickness on the epiphone is slighty thinner than the gibson and the headstock angle lesser than the gibson.

[@christopherwilliams7222]

@@pauljohnson3686 thank you. I wondered. Not sure how much difference it makes as far as the Gibson being 4 times the price but it’s nice to know the differences between the two of them!

[@pauljohnson3686]

@@christopherwilliams7222 The body thickness is very little in difference.. I have the black epiphone gibson custom inspired and it is brilliant...Most of the original for a much lower price. It has great mojo and the open book headstock and gibson pickups are fantastic.

[@claytonjones705]

Someone feel free to chime in and correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the body thickness of the Gibson version is right at 2.00 inches. The body thickness of the Epiphone is 1.94 inches. As for break angle (really a bad term in this context about headstocks right? Lol) I didn’t think to check. Typically a Gibson is 17 vs Epiphones 14. But I’m not sure if the IBGC series changed it up.

[@OptimisticMansion-yl1wq]

I hope they bring out a Randy Rhoads cream colour Custom.

[@jackwinder]

There clearly is a difference in sound. With Gibson I always notice a livelyness and dynamic that copies do not have. So wood and nitro (and bridge?) seem to have influence. Too bad the Gibson is so expensive. The Epi still sounds great on its own and looks nice.

[@claytonjones705]

There is a difference in feel too. But honestly it’s not really “night and day”. Both are excellent guitars for their respective price points. Thanks and take care!!

[@edmondgebara6163]

Glad I’m not the only one. I honestly heard a massive difference. The Epiphone felt thinner and less dynamic. The depth and texture with the Gibson is on another level.

[@allmostbrothers]

Love them

[@michaelcarrig627]

How are they putting 498/500 sets in the Customs? If I am paying 5k+, I would expect a premium set of pickups.

[@rico4772]

Because the Gibson counterpart got the same ones.

[@claytonjones705]

The venerable 490/498 humbuckers have somehow stayed in the custom longer than any other model. I believe they started putting these in customs/standards in either the extremely late 80s or extremely early 90s. Production of the Les Paul Custom moved to the Gibson Custom shop from the USA line in the early/mid 2000s. The 490/498 stayed. I really do love that set though. I think they’re super versatile even if Gibson doesn’t sell them at a “premium” price compared to burstbuckers, etc.

[@michaelcarrig627]

@@claytonjones705 They are solid pickups, no doubt. But when compared to Lollar Imperials, Dimarzio PAF Pro and the 36th Anniversary, much of Duncan's PAF style line, Bareknuckle's The Mule/Stormy Monday/PG Blues, and all the boutique builders that are making great stuff (Curtis Novak and madlove are awesome); or even makers like Bootstrap Pickups that will make a vintage accurate remake for 120 a set, new...it is hard to justify spending vintage money on a guitar that I am gonna swap the pickups out on. That said, I am on a soap box. I have played a 78' 335td (my first good guitar) and a 79' ES-347 for a long time and I bought both for under 1500. I could never afford them in today's guitar market. And I will never spend current prices to get another Gibson. I bought a Korean made Yamaha Revstar II and a 90s MIJ Ibanez SV470 for less than 1200 total and I couldn't be happier. But if someone wants to spend 5,600 new on a Custom and are happy with the pups, I can't knock 'em. Gibson still makes great guitars.

[@jimjim7008]

Huge noticable difference in tone between the two. I hear more clarity and sustain on the Gibson than the Epiphone. If I have the money I'd buy the Gibson once and for all. Nowadays they come with ebony fretboard and long tenon necks. If I don't have the money I'd buy an Epiphone custom (non inspired model) for $799 and save up down the line for the holy grail. I saw a video somewhere comparing the inspired and uninspired Epiphone custome models and hardly any difference. That's my opinion. Thanks for the demonstration done very well.

[@claytonjones705]

Definitely a valid option. Nothing wrong with those customs either! Hope you enjoyed and thanks for watching!

[@ferox965]

I don't think it's a difference of a few thousand dollars.

[@BlueberryStinkFinger62]

I have my 2021 high end Epiphones in video with specs so there's no debate or dispute on my channel.. happy reading

[@Coolbeans1492]

Imagine spending almost 6k for an lp custom before 2018 to have a fingerboard made of recycled paper. Also the bridge is v v important. When you change hardware it makes a diff. But mostly bc better materials work better. I think any diff between nashville and abr are so minimal u cant tell and you probably get more security w a nashville and its less likely to fk up the top of your guitar.

[@claytonjones705]

I don’t say this out loud much but on my own personal guitars… I prefer Nashville bridges lol 🤫

[@Coolbeans1492]

@@claytonjones705 the abr is vintage correct but theres a reason they went to the nashville… you take the bridge screws out enough times itll move on you endlessly. The posts are an improvement on the design and i doubt it can resonate any less tbh.

[@deanmccaskill5495]

You should use that red Vox though! lol Just kidding

[@claytonjones705]

It does sound really good, though! 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@9unslin9er]

The moment you said "lightweight", I clicked away. Les Paul's need to be 9+ pounds to prevent neck dive.

[@claytonjones705]

By light weight I’m thinking in the 8.5lbs+ range. Definitely no neck dive on either model, but the Gibson is noticeably heavier.

[@9unslin9er]

@@claytonjones705 I don't think people understand what neck dive is. If you put a nylon strap (ie. Ernie Ball) on a Les Paul, and the neck is parallel to the ground? That's neck dive. Any time the neck of a guitar doesn't point up to the ceiling, means you're holding it up with your fretting hand.

[@javeduddin]

​@@9unslin9er That's an interesting point. In the video he's playing in the "proper" stance with the guitar between his legs and it seems to be pretty stable with his left hand free. I have the guitar and I switch between playing it on my right lap and between my legs and both ways feel fine. It doesn't feel like I have to hold it up when I have it on my right lap. Here's a video of me playing like that sitting down. Left hand feels fine: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaLQdWNsabeoa9k

[@9unslin9er]

@@javeduddin You're playing it sitting down. I'm talking about having it on a strap standing up.

[@javeduddin]

@@9unslin9er oh I see. I've been playing gigs with it standing but haven't thought about neck dive. I'll test it out at the next rehearsal

[@alexstrums]

Looking forward to picking one up cheap in 5 years time 😂

[@jeffhansen4592]

Zero difference in sound

[@vintageusedcollector4376]

Hearing from a phone or computer speakers

[@bernhardwa6555]

I can hear differences even on mobile phone speakers. Gibson has warmer and "fuller" sound. But Epiphone is more crispy and brighter.

[@fandangodrive4310]

I would buy neither. Gibson too much money Epiphone because of the necks. Epiphone still can't get the necks right. They just fell funny to me. Fret work does not compare to Gibson

[@rockhaze]

This one he's reviewing has the classic Gibson C shape neck. I have one, it plays great. Feels like a baseball bat in my hand, I love it.

[@Sams911]

I mean using your logic of why the Epiphone is good, one might as well just buy one of the $250 Chinese knock offs.... All you're paying for with the Epiphone is the licensing and profit margins for the Gibson company ... for me, it's only a Les Paul if it's made by Gibson and in the USA.. otherwise it's a knockoff, and that's fine but know that it is just that.

[@fabulousfreddyisready]

How is your $250 knock off?

[@Sams911]

@@fabulousfreddyisready not as good as my $10,000 Custom.

[@fabulousfreddyisready]

@@Sams911 Lol, okay ....

[@lc4754]

There is always someone trying to sell you a chinese guitar made by children in horrible working conditions trying to convince you its "just as good" because its easier to get a couple hundred bucks from you than a couple thousand 😂 Beware of the salesman review.

[@fabulousfreddyisready]

Maybe some people can't afford 2 grand for a guitar.... Beware of tone deaf nobodies....

[@muhammadfitriidris4381]

salesman should say more about gibson if they want more money.. why say more on epiphone 😂

[@javeduddin]

I have a 2016 Gibson Les Paul Standard that I bought new at the time and last month I got this Epiphone "Inspired by Gibson Custom" les paul custom that we see in this video (here's a video of me playing it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaLQdWNsabeoa9k ) I gotta say, I've always been disappointed by Epiphone's quality in the past (pre pandemic) When I'd pick them up at Guitar Center they just wouldn't feel inspiring. I took a chance with the new Epiphones with my first one being the 1979 Adam Jones Epiphone (Gibson headstock, no art) and I gotta say they've completely turned things around. My dream guitar is a Gibson Les Paul Custom in black but I need to wait a few years before my wife lets me buy it so I pulled the trigger on this Epiphone and I gotta say man, it's actually pretty nice. If you're curious, check out the Epiphone Chinese factory tour from about 7 years ago. It looks like it's mostly CNC routers and machines that do the work but it seems like they teach their employees to do the manual hand stuff pretty good now a days. The quality control has gotten MUCH better: kzbin.info/www/bejne/goPGq5eVj6qZaqc I still plan on getting the Gibson LP Custom soon though. Gotta sell a few things first lol

[@killerdude35]

Then you know absolutely nothing about the Epiphone factory in China. This isn't a rubber dogshit factory or one that screws caps on widgets.