Epiphone 2020 Les Paul Muse Review - A CHEAP Les Paul That's GOOD?!

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

YEAHHH a Les Paul is exactly what you needed buddy. Sounds great.

[@YouTubeHandlesAreMoronic]

...and maybe some lens-cleaning wipes.

[@Axess-sv8nq]

I have that exact same model/color and I LOVE it!! I've done a LOT of Boston with it. I love the thinner/lighter body!

[@phelipehulk]

These muse series are absolutely beautiful. If i could afford i totally would get the green SG and put a white pickguard on it. Epiphone is doing a awesome job and i expect even greater things to come.

[@justinfollowing6677]

Just bought the red one of a muse for my daughter. She is a beginner and so happy so far. All the best.

[@mr.rjryno5274]

I think you might have been happier if you just purchased the same priced 2020 Standard 50's model which has an actual gold colour finish, the one you have is smoked almond. Also the Standard has real binding, the muse series only has the cap painted white to appear as a binding, similar to the worn classics. The standard has the gold top hat knobs, not the clear ones.

[@F1r3Foxxxy]

Haha the main thing that stood out to me in this video is that the playing was appropriate to the guitar and really tasteful! Sounds great :)

[@dzines65]

Remember this is not really a new headstock design for Epiphone. This is the original headstock design for Epiphone BEFORE Gibson bought them. In many cases Epiphone had the open book design headstock before Gibson did. So in this case Epiphone is going back to their origins.

[@TheCount0212]

Excellent point, sir!

[@dawnpoint]

I think I like that "smokier" gold than the regular gold top. Throw some classic reflector knobs on that and it'd be puuurrrrfect.

[@phillipholt6005]

I mentioned above that I replaced the knobs on my Red Muse with black knobs with the red numbers.

[@jimmygee3219]

I really like mine. Went from a Gibson Studio to a Muse and a Squire Contemporary Jag HH. Came out to about the same price and I’m incredibly happy with both.

[@idlingby6853]

that is a looker for sure, personally I prefer the white one, but there isn't a finish on this line that I dislike, it's also nice that your very honest

[@kane0387]

I purchased this guitar on Sunday, here in Australia. Normal RRP is AUD $1299 (GBP 661) but was on sale for AUD$649 (GBP 330). I had only ever played a Ibanez Gio GRX170; which due to the cheap tuners and shocking bridge, always had string buzz on the 6th string. The shop assistant pulled this out of the box, handed it to me, and threw me a guitar lead. instantly i realized just how good this guitar sounded. tone was so clean, strings rang out beautifully. And was the first guitar without stringbuzz that i had played. I was instantly sold. The only real annoyance, was no manual at all for from Epiphone in the box. Considering the pick up selector is not marked, and the tone knobs are not at all marked, it would have came in handy. A lot of reviews had the same criticism on the guitar, is a little cheaper in quality, but can still see the attention to detail in the manufacture. But for someone who has always wanted a Les paul style guitar, without having a very cheap knock off (was looking at a cort fatII) this does the job, as a "poor mans Gibson". both the staff at the guitar shop, said when they get them in at their full price, they are still amazed how good the guitar is. One of them checked the setup, said i could lower the strings a fraction at the bridge if i wanted to. he just said "don't touch the neck, its perfectly straight" I havent checked the itonation as yet, but i need a guitar case for it, so i will go back on the weekend and grab one, i will get the shop to have a quick look for me.

[@tyecook9630]

I've never had a les Paul but I would buy one of these. It's plenty good enough for me as I'm just an at home noodler.

[@bluesbishop]

Great playing and tone, great review!! Subscribed!

[@musicformysanity9050]

Great review! I am not an LP guy, but hey I am broadening my horizons. Building a Tele at the moment and I really don't like any classic style guitars, but getting out of your comfort zone can bring out new music. Never know I may have to get my hands on one of these.

[@thornil2231]

I had the same reaction when I got my Epiphone Les Paul Special. In a box? not even a gig bag? But then... You know how much space guitar cases take. I have a storage full of them. And I have enough Gibson cases. Yes the last Gibson ES 335 I got came with a beautiful case, a strap, and the little tool and the polishing cloth at all... but it was not a $400 guitar. I absolutely love my Epiphone.

[@kmw5100]

I love the look of les pauls, but every time I buy one( as I just recently did) I realize how muddy and shite they sound stock. Gotta load them with really bright pickups and slap a thick set of NYXL strings on it.

[@MrSpeed-lt8gr]

Yeah I love Les Pauls but they can be dark. I am putting a Dimarzio Super Distortion in the one I have today. Very stoked.

[@Oilid]

Great vid, thanks for sharing!!!

[@robertsguitarsandgear]

I'm new to Lee Paul's, I just bought this one and I can't put it down. It really rocks out.

[@JohnnyCarvin]

Thanks for the video Levi!

[@nikolaslavchev1521]

Kinda curious if there is any neck dive since the body is chambered and the headstock is a bit bigger than the Gibson one.

[@benjaminveraas2388]

Chambered, and thinner aswell. My concern too. I absolutely detest the feeling of unbalanced guitars :D

[@Melvinator]

Is it good to play hard rock heavy metal old school stuff?

[@phillipholt6005]

I love the original head stock so much more than the one's that's on them now. As a matter I don't even care for inspired by Gibson guitars at all. I have the Red Muse and the only thing that I replaced the knobs with black and red numbers knobs and I replaced the strings with Ernie Ball 9s slinky's. The only thing else I don't care for is Epiphone plastic jack plates. I don't like Indian Laurel fretboards and Sweetwater did an excellent job setting it up for me. They have a two year warranty and when it expires since they are Epiphone certified dealership and they will help you with the limited lifetime warranty if you need it. I have the Red ES 339 PRO with the original headstock and it matches the guitar so much with the red outline on the headstock with the black matching the pickguard. I can just imagine how much better my Muse would look with the original headstock. But other than that it has excellent sound and tonal qualities. I love the electronics especially the treble bleed because you don't have any sound and tonal droppage at all. For the type of musical genre's I play I don't have to modify anything at all.

[@greencape117]

Thanks for the honest review

[@robertholtom9345]

The prices here in Canada new are $730.00 or 470 british pounds.

[@chrisdidonna7371]

Yeah the classic.i orderd.got damaged in shipping a.small.ding but i.got 125 bucks back.so i got the 500.dollar guitar for 375 And surprisingly all the frets where level i can set it down to 4/64 across the board

[@imjerebear5585]

Where from

[@dhops81]

Great review, and refreshingly honest. Where do you think this guitar sits compared to the previous versions in terms of inclusions and quality? I was thinking between the studio and standard.

[@iamonke8715]

You didn't even mention one of the best features of the muse series guitars, coil splitting pickups on the volume knobs... the split neck pickup sounds really good

[@tomfoolery2082]

Because a gold top is as cool as it gets . If u find urself thkin mayb change pick ups ,, may i suggest a set of seymore duncan /pearly gates . For what i do , i really like em..

[@donaldharris8826]

@Glen Sunburn I just bought a set of S D's Pearly Gates for an electronics upgrade on a H H Strat and Will add in a S D middle pickup, but I have not chosen the right tone to go with the new SD Pearly Gates pickups. I do not want a single coil staggered poles humming pickup, so I may go with a SD Rails or a SD Mini Humbuckers. Lots of options . The body is Maple Top Cap over a Alder Bottom Body., And I have 3 Maple Necks that have double adjustable trussrods and carbon fiber truss rods running along side the trussrods, and Ebony, Maple, and Rosewood Fretboards ! ! ! @Levi Clay I am thinking strongly about getting the Epiphone Muse in the SG model in the Almond Gold, White or Blue Metallic. I do wish that Epiphone would have put the same Face Features on the SG Headstock as they did put on the LP and put the SG Tuners on the LP. The Tuners will be an easy Modification to do. I may get Locking Tuners and a Bridge with Roller Saddles on either the SG or the LP. I would also like to get the Les Paul engraved plate that goes between the neck heel and the neck pickup. I have always been into the Gibson or Epiphone SG more so than the LP. GR8T Demo Video ! ! ! Peace & Play 🎸 On Fret Bro . . . 😎🤘🎸👍 DDHarris 5-6-2020.

[@LexJones]

I love mine, put Seymore Duncan Alpha Omega pickups in it and it's even better. Amazing cheap guitar!

[@roteleks7918]

Sweet playing dude.

[@markyurick6699]

Nice playing dude! I love all of the new epiphone les pauls. I actually bought t of them. I have to say, one of my favorites was the least expensive-a les paul studio in smokehouse burst. It's a killer. Huge improvement from last year's models. The electronics are really good and the neck profiles are much better. Oddly, I didn't care about the head stock. Keep up the good work.

[@chrisdidonna7371]

Love them to got the classic worn in cherry and the classic in ebony. Got the classic for 375.because it had a little.ding on the back

[@droidfan]

Is this related to your video/poll you made about getting a new guitar a while back? I kept checking back to see which one you got, but thought that I missed it. Anyway, congrats on the new guitar tho! What a great feeling hehehe

[@YavorArseniev]

May it serve long and well and inspire!

[@michaelbrohl1625]

Are you sure there's no binding on the Epi 50's gold top ? Pretty sure they have binding on the body. Either way you sound and play great.

[@LeviClay]

I’m referring to the Gibson

[@TheCount0212]

The body is chambered okoume with a maple cap, not mahogany. Still a great, resonant guitar! I got the scarlet red metallic model🙂

[@JoeyJoJo85]

Nope. The body is chambered mahogany

[@TheCount0212]

@@JoeyJoJo85 Nope. Wrong. Read the description and specs on Sweetwater.com.

[@JoeyJoJo85]

@@TheCount0212 Body Material Mahogany (chambered, thin, belly scarf) www.epiphone.com/Guitar/EPIAU946/Les-Paul-Muse/Smoked-Almond-Metallic

[@TheCount0212]

@@JoeyJoJo85 Weird... www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ENMLSRMNH--epiphone-les-paul-muse-scarlet-red-metallic

[@JoeyJoJo85]

@@TheCount0212 maybe they have different wood for different markets due to import restrictions?

[@entropyembrace3844]

really cool playing

[@LeviClay]

Thanks!

[@mobeersplz]

A lighter more comfortable Les Paul. what a concept. Another cool feature is the split coil/phase switch. Great review 👍

[@LeviClay]

What I'm about to tell you will highlight what a terrible review it is... I didn't even know it had that until after I filmed it... hahaha but agree - they're great!

[@chrisdidonna7371]

The cts pots too

[@JT-gm4fk]

@@chrisdidonna7371 it doesn't have cts pots, it actually has alpha pots. You have to move up into the "inspired by gibson line" to get cts pots.

[@MsMusicman56]

Thinking either this or the modern. Got an old 70s mij n it has a great neck but it's too bloody heavy.

[@McFlyGuitarsandStuff]

I just did a review on it. The review isn't exactly nice. The only thing bad about the guitar was the Frets weren't seated all the way in. 18 of them. But once that was fixed what a nice guitar.

[@bramabull111]

I like that copper top look better than the original gold tops!

[@FFxO]

I have 57 ri 2003 model i love it so much!

[@cuda426hemi]

Seems you had pre-conceived notions of what you wanted this MUSE guitar to be - an old Goldtop which it never was intended or marketed to be indeed the Muse series is a modern take on Gibsons costing 3-4x as much with many features the Goldtop never had. First, it ain't Gold, it's Smoked Almond and it's one of many pearlescent - not metallic like goldtops were- colors across the SG/Les Paul Muse line. Coil splitting, the Graphtech nut, the treble bleed are all features Gibson's don't have in this zip code that you failed to mention. The SG Muse is a better guitar than the Les - you should review that because it isn't fruity chambered or lightweight and has a bad-fast neck. You mention the headstock but it's merely a return to the original Kalamazoo headstock but notice the font is the Gibson font now. 🎸

[@SP-eo5kc]

I have the pearl white and it looks AMAZING in person, no amount of pictures can convey the awesomeness of the finish! I just ordered a set of fishmans it's fast becoming my favorite guitar

[@cuda426hemi]

@@SP-eo5kc My Muse SG in white looks like Snow with the sun at about 12 o'clock - the only way I can describe the subtle metallic colors flying off that baby. Beast of fast guitar!!! So you are making a Prophecy Muse ! 🎸

[@SP-eo5kc]

@@cuda426hemi yes but I DO NOT like the prophecy line guitars they feel super cheap in my hands almost plastic like and the binding and fret work is terrible, but this muse is mint

[@cuda426hemi]

@@SP-eo5kc Glad you said that because I was entertaining a Prophecy Explorer but am totally happy meantime with my SG Muse hot rod. 💥🎬

[@stevenaustin4591]

also, could you take a look at a Cort KX-5 guitar plz?

[@bluesrockguitaristmikesall2708]

Cool playing !!!!

[@LeviClay]

Cheers Mike!

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

Besides shredding and classic rock, the LP is also good for jazz oriented fusion, and whatever you like. It’s place in the LP lineup is right in the middle. Good review. Of course it’s not a 2 thousand dollar guitar, but who cares?

[@franklespaul7150]

Alnico classic Pro pickups

[@nigelwhyte9881]

They wanted to make the headstock on Epiphone look cheap?! I don't get that feeling when I am plugging in my favourite Epi 335 Dot even and it still sounds awesome too! AND its not even from the Inspired by .. range

[@ninadugina4175]

Is this good for small hands?

[@LeviClay]

No more than any other full size guitar

[@naturaljoe7397]

But does it stay in tune?

[@LeviClay]

I mean... it’s still a Gibson 😹

[@bozeeke]

Well it's not really entry level as he mentions in the video. There are cheaper epis in the 100-200 price range.

[@thewolfden4680]

My goat has your beard ..

[@earlyraybonneville1762]

Excellent review! Any guitar in the hands of great guitarist is a great guitar. I own many Gibsons and Fender guitars, some vintage...my two favorite guitars that I pick up first to play are an Epiphone Standard Sunburst and a Squire Stratocaster, both made in Covid Country. I bought both used, the Epi $175 with hardshell case and the Squire $30 with no case. I will never sell these...they are amazing...I also have a few lefty Squires that play and sound amazing...Hendrix wannabes. When Henry J. started making Gibsons for doctors, lawyers and Indian Chiefs and started making Epi's for us Surfs, he did us a big favor. I am OG and back in the day, all of these electric guitars were cheap and we managed to bang out some good Rock n Roll! At the end of the day, play anything..just play!!

[@VVOPOL]

I found a Gibson lp studio with cracked headstock for the same price as a new muse And I can’t decide 🫤 Help [starting to learn to play.. again)]

[@bustanorms2028]

What amp u using

[@LeviClay]

Something on the Kemper

[@bobarnett7355]

I love mine

[@thewolfden4680]

I'm a big epiphone super fan .. I have a bunch higher end ones like tripped pickup black lespual custom from Japan an its my top work horse absolutely amazing guitar .also a 2019 customs pro .black...a ultra2 .an I own 2 gibsons an .trigger alert ..I love my high end epiphone so much more .believe it or not..if u really get a epi over 700 bucks an get a really good one u will find those lespual are way better for metal an price is much more practical. Duh.jus sayin the law of diminishing returns is a very real thing.the muse ..eeehhhhh.they seem ove I'm jus drawn to epis customs ...I put alot of money into one of my custom pros an all honesty it blows my gibson away 10× maybe bc I only own.ones from Indonesia and Japan. One I think from Korea ..an that's rare as most are Chinese...idk I am a huge fan an I wish ppl would try to open up to them..thanks levi.

[@chrisdigital]

Not quite sure I follow what you mean about the binding not being "proper". That is real binding. They craft these by hand in china just like the ones here in America. I own an American gibson and I own this muse. The muse is a better guitar all around as far as quality control, than my Gibson Les Paul special hands down. All I did to the muse was put a set of Gibson 490 pick ups in it. Wonderful guitar, if you put the effort into polishing the frets and putting in your favorite pick ups in it , you have a lifelong companion. Also as far as you saying it " feels cheap". why don't you go ahead and elaborate on that.....I'm guessing it's a case of the name badge blues for you and not the actual guitars construction..

[@LeviClay]

The fret ends, the nut, the gloss on the neck. I have >10 $3000 custom shop guitars that all feel like custom shop guitars. I know what I mean. Dude, you literally said you changed the pickups in yours... why? Is it possible you’re doing that human thing where you need to justify your purchase at any cost?

[@chrisdigital]

@@LeviClay I was hoping for an educated response, instead I got a defensive one. Thanks a bunch!

[@LeviClay]

@@chrisdigital I’d say we’re on par

[@stevenaustin4591]

so, does it check out? was it worth the price or no? :)

[@yinyangthang]

Pull out on the Volume knobs...SURPRISE!!!

[@JT-gm4fk]

The pickups on these are the weakest spot imo. They're pretty muffled, but if you're willing to drop a new set in, this can be a great guitar.

[@charlesbatsold31]

Damn. You jammin bro. Lol. Sounds good

[@peterrowan9955]

Is guitar guitar still open? Haven’t been to town in a while. seems strange given it’s a place where everyone comes in, touches a bunch of stuff, maybe buys it, maybe they don’t and it gets put back.

[@LeviClay]

Online

[@peterrowan9955]

Levi Clay ah

[@Aidenbro-s2k]

The tuners feel cheap? They're Grover tuners!

[@jamespratt6739]

There not the locking tuners tho.

[@allensherlock6741]

Funny how except for older lps epiphone outshines Gibson

[@giorgioash5608]

Thickness?

[@foofy14]

Intro jam is PENG

[@hyndzy]

Bit of pride and joy snuck in there....

[@jamespratt6739]

I don't know appreciate your honesty tho.

[@MrRafaztar]

Get a fund going for funding guitar reviews

[@cadendutra5238]

That's not gold it's smoked almond 😂😂😂

[@ndtealmusic]

He did say, "kind of..."

[@thewolfden4680]

I bought a goat

[@Dave-nh8iv]

A guitar for glamour girls with a skinny body and streaky neck. ;)

[@robmulder5021]

You talk too fast!

[@fbcaware8805]

How is that acceptable? PLAY AUTHENTIC!