Les Paul Custom... Epiphone vs Gibson Custom Shop

Today I #compare two very different #LesPaul Customs... one from the #Gibson Custom Shop & another (much cheaper) one from the good folks at #Epiphone. How do they compare? Is the £3,000 price difference worth paying?
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[@calbrockocat8728]

It's all about how it feels in your hands. The Gibson should deliver "custom" bling along with exceptional playability as well as durability. The Epiphone needs to look like a Gibson and play like one. With the right set up, it will. Nice demo of both at once, John!

[@bravestarr8857]

Many thanks for the series. Never felt I could justify Gibson prices, but have always wanted a custom. Looks like the Epiphone more than holds it's own! Getting one tomorrow! 😁 All the best, mate.

[@jasq99]

Lovely comparison video, thanks John

[@Dvdkar]

Thanks very much, loved the comparison. Very helpful

[@hgostos]

Very interesting..thanks John!!

[@rob8482]

Maybe I'm just a goofball but I hear no discernible difference whatsoever. After hearing that I would never spend four grand when I could get the same sound for under a thousand. Good show, Hoss!

[@rockonbaz]

I guess I'm a goofball as well.

[@gho7241]

Same here.

[@steel_horse7570]

agree there was no difference other than price

[@cornucopia8591]

You would hear it more on clean without effects, and importantly, you'll feel it in your hands. Well set up guitar leads you where you wanna be, it plays with you, it welcomes you in a good direction. It's just flawless and comfortable instrument, what else. Price is an external thing. But if you make a blind test as a guitarust, no doubt which one you'll choose.

[@batphink2655]

Both those guitars sounded killer! That is deffo one of your best songs I love that!

[@rogersyme1368]

Superb presentation...

[@jimmyjames2022]

Great compare arrangement, thanks! Epi and Gibson Custom LP both sound good, though I think I like that Gibson 498T. What makes this Epi LP attractive to me is the ebony fretboard on an affordable LP, I love ebony fretboards. Pickups / electronics can always be upgraded.

[@sgtmac62]

I'd be willing to bet that the more you played the Gibby, the more you'd love it. For some reason they have that effect. There is a sound difference- more bright and jangly. Surprisingly, I liked.

[@alexstrums]

I agree, but I think it’s partly because you go past the point of being able to return the guitar and have to play it every waking moment to justify laying down 2k plus for the privilege 😂

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

Question John, If you had to choose between an Epi 59 LP and a Epi Custom LP which would you choose, and why? 🤔😉😊

[@belmontbutty4143]

I've never owned a Gibson LP John, unlike your good self, but I did play a number of them (standards, not custom shop) before buying an epi gold top for £478. Have to say, it does everything I want that style of guitar to do for blues, without my credit card wincing from the price a Gibson would have set me back. My take is for players of my modest ability, these post 2020 epis are all you need to not only improve your chops but appreciate the characteristics of an LP without breaking the bank. I agree about flogging the custom shop and spending the cash on three or four different guitars. Honest and valuable review as ever.

[@GRBAquatics]

Very Cool, Thankyou. Both Stunning Looking and Sounding Guitars and Playing. I am a Big fan of The White Les Paul Custom, I have a very cheap copy which is a Great Fun guitar, that I will 'upgrade' to an Epiphone one day. Cheers

[@Richard-ck7sr]

I have two Epiphone Les Pauls, (left-handed) 20 years apart. They sound identical and are excellent, especially which a setup from a pro. I had an Antoria Les Paul Custom Black Beauty & wish I still had it. I would love to get the Epiphone Custom in black. Love the inlays and headstock. BTW: Thankfully the only Gibson (sawn-off) headstock not on display at the Hard Rock cafe in London (last year). Hope it stays that way.

[@nellayema2455]

Excellent playing in the demo! I couldn't hear any difference between the 2 guitars. If I didn't already have a Gibson Les Paul Custom and wanted an L.P. Custom, I'd go with the Epi., like I did when I bought the Epi SG Custom. It has the looks and sound (IMO) for $629.

[@RF944]

How is Ebony nitrocellulose finish holding up? I have another make of guitar with Ebony nitro that scratches if you look at it wrong.

[@JRobsonGuitar]

I was careful (as it wasn't my guitar) but it didn't seem too delicate 👍

[@laurencehastings7473]

Great comparison John. At the end of the day it's down to, how much do I want a 'real' Gibson and how much cash I'm willing to spend. No doubt the Gibson will hold it's value better but I think most of your viewers are players as opposed to being collectors. Regarding the sound I actually prefered the Epi but there wasn't much in it and at an eighth of the price it would be a no-brainer for me but that's just me.

[@chaipup7045]

the 498T is legendary.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

Bravo John! 👏👍 Serious hard rock riffage and soloing.

[@dewey7330]

It’s hard to believe those epi pickups are that mellow. And so close in output

[@sunjamm222]

A good video once again. They sounded about the same to me. But I would get more fun from playing the Epiphone and know it can take a belting. The Gisbon ok, its the top one and costs £xxxx. But I would only take it out just to show friends, I would still need something like the Epiphone or cheap Gisbon to play most other times.

[@anthonygraham8838]

Nice comparison. I played acoustic (an encore, yeah don't even go there..) up to my late teens. After that it's never been picked up or played since. 52 now and looking to start all over again, but fancy a Les Paul style guitar. I think you may have just teased me even more. Will have to learn from the beginning once again but I'm sure with the soggy weather of late here in North Cumbria I'll have plenty of time to practice. Next will be looking for a half decent amp..

[@JRobsonGuitar]

Cheers mate. As for the amp, the Katana is a popular choice 👍

[@anthonygraham8838]

@@JRobsonGuitar if that's the 50 MK II then that's one that I did consider along with the Fender 40W Acoustasonic...

[@alexstrums]

Just picked up a used 2020 Epi LP custom for £350. Planning to put a couple of clear coats of nitro on it so it gets that nice cream colour. Big fan of probuckers, so I won’t be changing those.

[@greenslider]

I have the firebird inspired by gibson and she's very nice.

[@emgex]

Epiphone for jazzy clean tones and warm crunches and Gibson for spicy resonant distortion leads.

[@MarkLysaght]

Have to agree 100% with your opinion John. I recently bought a secondhand Epiphone Custom and it definitely ticked all the boxes. Honestly if I had the Gibson version I'd be concerned about dings, scratches, damage, theft...it'd be a constant worry! This way I have my own Black Beauty and saved over €4,000!

[@FelixIsMyName]

I've now owned 3 Gibson Les Paul Customs (the first was not a custom shop version). The last two I got in the last year and the first one I paid £4300 for it and you're right, I was frigging terrofied of it and filpped it after a month. The one I just got it a bit different (60's neck) and I got it £3100 and feel somewhat more at ease playing it. I have played the Epiphone version and while bloody good for the price, just didn't have the right headstock.

[@BrentAdams]

At one point (I believe it was on some of the rhythm sections) I thought the Epi had a slightly brighter tone. Overall I agree...they are pretty much the same guitar. The Gibby will be worth the $4000.00 to those that Gibson has targeted. I truly wanted to be a Gibson Player.... they just don't feel "right" in my hands, so I've found a used Cort CL1000 (older L.P. style) that suits my needs for this style of guitar very well. I need one that has a more modern shape in the upper bout and more comfort carves including a more modern heel shape. I also prefer no neck binding & do NOT like those fret "nibs"! .... but I do like the sound of them!

[@SandordrEsik]

The summary of every John Robson video ever: In the hands of a professional guitarist with 30+ yrs of experience, solid musical theory background, the knowledge how to set up a guitar and dial in the tones, basically anything North of a junk guitar will sound good. As soon as it's not about microphonic ceramic pickups and fret buzz, John will squeeze decent blues rock out of it. A 500+ EUR/GBP/USD guitar has OK components so John will make it sound good. Anything after that comes down to personal taste...and how you can play.

[@JJ_Davis]

If I were to win a guitar like that, I would play it long enough to know nothing was wrong with it, sell it on, buy a PRS SE, and save the rest of the money.

[@Reeldin58]

Hi John, to my ears there's really not a not of difference between the two. I've always said that owning a proper Les Paul is the number one thing on my bucket list. The Epiphone certainly fits the bill as a proper Les Paul so seeing the last few posts with that guitar has made me realise that the proper Les Paul thing is certainly do-able. To be honest if I had to choose between the two it would be the Epiphone, I think it's a stunning looking guitar in white.

[@johnmac8084]

If I just listen to the audio, blind test, I can't tell which bits are which guitar, and I doubt most people could. They're not getting my money either John😀

[@Stratboy999]

Both are perfectly ok. Sound like les pauls to me.

[@alexstrums]

Probuckers do this amazing thing where they start to compress when you throw more gain or volume at them and roll down the tone control. If I had the money for a Gibson Les Paul Custom, I’d take the 2020 Epiphone LP Custom all day long and invest the difference 😊

[@gearViewmirror]

4.45kgs.... that's a whole kilo more than my feelgood weight on a guitar....i'm actually glad, that's why i don't get GAS for Gibsons! They sound great and are gorgeous....and way to expensive! To each their own🎸🤘🎸

[@billmumbo2697]

John have you wached Paul Dvids video where he gets 10 guitar players tto solo over the same track some outrageous playing watch it its stunning👀😅

[@JRobsonGuitar]

Yep. Fantastic 👍

[@Malcolm701]

Its all in the mind...

[@gregoaks4413]

ALLO GUVNAH !

[@Snackum]

I would be scared to pick up the Gibson and have a noodle !!! God forbid the strap slipped, I caught it putting it putting it in the rack or the grandson touched it!!! Nah.... But... £700... Epiphone everyday for me. I play a Faircough LP style, professional setup, Tesla Sharks, Home of Tone wiring..... Grandson can have it on his knee, he can have a twang and I just smile :-) Isn't that what it's all about ? And lets be REALLY honest.... how many of us are good enough for a £4k £5k £6k guitar ?

[@pickle-lr6xw]

The Epiphone certainly holds its own. Granted the Gibson cuts through a little better but if I wasn't listening to them side by side would i really know the difference? Probably not.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

With a custom shop Gibson or Fender you are paying for that special 5% for these types of guitars, and it's very real. If you are the type of person that likes trying and swapping guitars then mid price guitars are for you. Or if you are sick of 10+ guitars worth 800 to 1,200 bucks sell em and buy a custom shop fender and Gibson and you will be set for life. Each their own.

[@steel_horse7570]

the black one is no way nearly £3500 better than the Epiphone. Anyone who says it is just wants the Gibson name on the headstock and I get that but is it really worth £3500 to you? But at end of day its how it feels in your hand not whats on the headstock.

[@pads-zr9ln]

I'm not going to spend the thousands for a gibson custom shop, I also think the eppiphone is over priced, sire and vintage with a good set up will get you a lot pf change for a second guitar

[@dmarlan]

Some have to have the Nitro finish. Some need the name on the headstock. Some know the cost of everything and the value of nothing.

[@user-cg6vh5ry4g]

I play the Epiphone and it's just amazing! Fuck Gibson...

[@user-cg6vh5ry4g]

The building is great, the pick-ups are just fantastic. I bought it in 2020 and I'm still satisfied. A great sounding instrument. Love it!

[@mrskint55]

I have an epiphone Les Paul and also a Gibson .Tonewise there is nothing in it to my ears anyway.

[@kingdomfunding]

Hopefully I get money for being hurt

[@stuartmiller7419]

The ultimate p**stake is the fact that the Gibson will turn yellow on the binding/headstock after a few years (completely yellow, if you buy a 'white' one), yet they train you to believe that this is a 'good' thing because it proves that you have a Gibson and that it's older than it used to be. Hilarious, when you think about it. Great video, John. I have the same one as you and it's great.

[@peter-borthwick]

The difference is obvious...one's black and the other's white, and that's about it. I was reading the other day about Gibson that their first guitar was the ES150, 'ES' for Electric Spanish and '150' because it (complete with an amplifier) cost $150. I await the Gibson ES19000 soon.

[@NancyDavis-xn4we]

The Gibson looks better and sounds better, but it's not worth the price difference. The people who can afford it are trophy hunters not guitar players.

[@mikewindley3382]

I'll stick with my Epiphone Custom Blackback. I don't think any guitar is worth that much. Gibson is just a name.

[@killerdude35]

Is that the one with the bone/cream top? I saw one of those at GC the other day and man I thought it looked gorgeous!

[@mikewindley3382]

@@killerdude35 Yes it is and it plays like it looks, like butter.

[@pyratoothNL]

To me no difference in tones. Even with the hotter bridge pickup, with drive it's negligible. That double lead part is very telling. More proof your really only paying for the name.

[@johnwylde8232]

Make an episode on the Epiphone Custom Pro Les Paul. An even better instrument than the custom.

[@danielhartman5086]

I'm going to have a big lump of change in my pocket anyway. Because I am not buying either 1. I love my Gibson SG. Not a Les Paul guy at all. They are great guitars and have very nice look and sound. But to heavy for me. So I pass.