New Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard (Gibson Headstock) Iced Tea Burst Review

With comparisons to the Epiphone Greeny and older 1959/Lazarus. Is the new '59 with the Gibson headstock worth the price hike? If you already have the older '59, is it worth getting the new one? Let's find out!
00:00 Price and Finish Options
02:51 The Guitar
04:07 Backside
04:35 QC issues
05:14 Pickup cavity, bridge, etc.
06:17 Electronics
06:31 Older 1959/Lazarus comparison
07:08 Greeny comparison
08:27 Pickup readings
08:56 Final Thoughts
11:00 Outro jam
Thanks for watching as always!

[@automatoncollectives7237]

It was worth it to me. I traded in my older version of the Epiphone’59 for the newer version, not so much for the Custombuckers, but for the rounded C neck profile. The older version had this large D type profile which didn’t feel right for me. The new neck profile is well worth the upgrade. I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.

[@SayonaraSixString]

I gotta be honest I cannot tell much difference between all the ‘59 necks. My Greeny, Lazarus, new ‘59, and even my Slash Standard all feel very similar to me despite the different names they have for the “profiles.” I used to like thin Ibanez type necks in my youth but these days I really like the meaty feel of the Epi ‘59 necks.

[@automatoncollectives7237]

@@SayonaraSixString I have the Slash Epiphone and the newer ‘59… both feel like proper rounded C necks. The old version of the 2020 Epi ‘59 was that D-ish profile I can’t stand. Perhaps I got a dud. But it was stress to on my fretting hand. The Slash LP and new ‘59 are pleasures to play, neck wise.

[@Edward1312]

@@automatoncollectives7237 I disagree, I much prefer the earlier 59 neck.

[@automatoncollectives7237]

@@Edward1312 There is nothing to “disagree” with. I said the D type profile didn’t feel right for me, and well well worth the upgrade as a result.

[@Edward1312]

@@automatoncollectives7237 The point I'm making is that you said that the new neck is worth the upgrade portraying that its a general upgrade when it isnt. It isnt an upgrade at all IMHO as the guitar is supposed to be based on a chunky 59 neck for goodness sake.

[@user-ks6up1vi5t]

Nice review, and great playing, thanks, keep on shreddin'

[@SayonaraSixString]

Thank you! Much appreciated! Keep Rockin! 🤘

[@lionscircle4700]

I was just looking at this guitar onlnie and your review answered all my questions. Nice comparison betwen it and the lazarus and greeny as well!

[@SayonaraSixString]

I’m glad you found some useful info! 👍

[@pauljohnson3686]

I just got the Epiphone 2024 les paul custom in ebony.. I picked it up for 1089 with a full set up and good strings...I have no sharp or rough fret ends, so I guess its the luck of the draw. It really is a great guitar with 498T/490R pickups as in the current custom shop gibson customs. I do like the ebony fretboard alot as opposed to the Indian laurel like on the 59 lps. I am looking at the 1959 355 next with the custom buckers on board. The headstock is only a headstock but is a really nice touch to the visual aspects. Overall I think epiphone are doing a great thing by offering a premium quality line for those who want a bit extra without the gibson price tags.

[@SayonaraSixString]

The new LP Customs are very nice. The only thing I don’t understand is why they didn’t include a thin post bridge like the other Inspired by Gibson Custom line of guitars. It has a regular metric Epiohone bridge which is odd. Easily replaceable though. That may be my next purchase!

[@pauljohnson3686]

@@SayonaraSixString Yes you are right.. But if you look at the whole range... They seem to have implemented an even balance into the hardware and finishing.. For example.. The LP custom has the majority of appointments that are true to the original right down to the ebony fretboard, Premium body and headstock binding.. but minus the authentic bridge, two hole truss tod cover and the nitro..That aside, the guitar is right in the correct ballpark with looks, sound and feel.. The 355 is much the same in other ways, mainly the lack of nitro... The LP 59s again similar a heavier investment in the pickups, but minus the rosewood fretboard, two hole truss rod cover and nitro.. All of the models lack the covered fret ends too.. They seem to have thought it out carefully with all including authentic neck profiles..

[@user-wl1gg4re6s]

Where did you order from? Thanks Looking for same guitar

[@pauljohnson3686]

@@user-wl1gg4re6s I am in the UK.. I got mine from coda music.. I think they still have some 59s at that price but I am sure the customs have all gone..

[@user-wl1gg4re6s]

@@pauljohnson3686 oh i thought it was in Dollars.. thts why surprised lolz Already ordered mine but will have to wait a month here in NY🤞

[@brokenchains]

Wonderful review as always AB!! Congratulations on your new guitar!!

[@SayonaraSixString]

Thanks JM!! I need to try an Edwards, Burny, Tokai, etc. The kool kids brands!

[@brokenchains]

@@SayonaraSixString They do pop up used on GC app, I love all of those brands

[@jonathananthony1901]

That's looks amazing!

[@pcbullets8726]

Great review Dude! Pretty sweet looking ax. There is a glut of guitars in the market for sure!

[@SayonaraSixString]

Thanks Brother! I just saw the same axe at Buckdancers! LoL

[@Zoso981]

I got mine in Tobacco Burst last week and it's pretty epic.

[@SayonaraSixString]

Yeah I almost got the Tobacco. It looks very nice.

[@johnnydorsey650]

It would be "PERFECT" if they did a slim tapered neck.I would buy one in every color

[@johnosborne1977]

Good review. I have this exact guitar in Ice Tea Burst too. I also owned the previous Epi 59 Aged outfit so I have experience of both for comparison. Firstly I must have been much luckier on the QC as mine is immaculate. Secondly, my Ice Tea Burst top is different in terms of pattern (flame) and variance of colour. Your top looks fairly plain, unless the light in the video is doing it an injustice. It's plays better than my previous 59 out of the box, very pleased with it. The only thing will be should I have waited to get a better deal as prices will drop. Thanks for the vid.

[@SayonaraSixString]

Yeah unfortunately it’s a crapshoot when it comes to Epiphones, even at this price level. My Greeny is flawless, but I had to level some frets on the Lazarus, for example. It’s good to know some basic guitar maintenance skills when you’re an Epiphone collector. 😁

[@pauljohnson3686]

I am not convinced about any dropping in prices... Given the quality and demand so far.. I think its more likely that this premium line of custom shop replicas could increase as gibson increase their own brand prices .... If they dropped the prices they would be defeating the whole point of having a premium line...There may be sale prices but not permanent reductions as such.

[@SayonaraSixString]

@@pauljohnson3686I mean the evidence is there. Epiphone prices are always dropping from their original Day One prices. That’s because Epiphone knows there is only a finite number of guitar players. You gotta keep selling more guitars to the same people if you wanna stay in business. So they always release the “new” model while phasing out the older model. The 1959s is a prime example. 2-3 years down the road we’ll see another “must have” Epi ‘59 guaranteed. They’ve been on a crazy production run lately, pumping out tons of new guitars. Their inventory bloat must be insane. They have to move it somehow. Of course my experience is here in the US where “sales” and “price reductions” are what moves the economy. 😄

[@RickDanner]

nice playing !

[@SayonaraSixString]

Thank you! Much appreciated!!

[@azt3ca]

I believe it should have rosewood fretboard, correct plastics dimensions and two screws truss rod cover for that price.

[@SayonaraSixString]

I don’t think we will see Rosewood again for Epiphones anytime soon. I think they will always keep the specs just short. It can’t be TOO much like Gibson.

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

Most wont agree with this but I would have preferred these come with Worn nickel hardware. And obviously a Rosewood board

[@SayonaraSixString]

Yes it is a bit odd that they go for a “worn” style finish but everything else is shiny.

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

@@SayonaraSixString Yes there are still little things i wish they would get right if they are going to ask $1300 for one of these.

[@gto4774]

If you had a choice between the greeny and the mew 1959 which one you will pick??

[@SayonaraSixString]

The Greeny. I just like the Greenybuckers more. The Custombuckers are nice but don’t have a lot of character.

[@braddietzmusic2429]

This is true of whatever Gibson-type brand guitar, regardless of whether nitrocellulose or polyurethane finishes: To have a satin or rather un-glossy finish that is designed to make the body and ostensibly the guitar look aged, old, well worn and loved, but… to have sparking, brand-new looking chrome hardware seems visually incongruous to my eye, increasingly.

[@SayonaraSixString]

What’s funny is the Epiphone Greeny comes with a “worn” washer where the “Rhythm” and “Treble” have faded away but the rest of the guitar is pristine. 😂

[@braddietzmusic2429]

@@SayonaraSixString That is an interesting detail, indeed.

[@paulmgregory3666]

You mention the one piece neck on the Lazarus. Does the updated 1959 have it ?

[@SayonaraSixString]

Yes, the new 1959 has a one piece neck. As does the Greeny. Forgot to mention that! 👍

[@jamiesmith1151]

My 90s ritchwood Les Paul has a niro finish and long neck tenon

[@SayonaraSixString]

Wow that’s pretty cool! I know there are a few companies that use nitro here and there, very few though.

[@SubutaiTuul]

i agree, it looks more l ike a honey, i dont mind that at all though i love honey bursts easy one of my favourite classic finishes i have the now old 59 standard, and im planning on getting the new one in the ice tea, as i love my current 59 and ill gladly spend some to get the new one

[@SayonaraSixString]

There’s some variations. Some have more flame pattern, mine is a bit on the plain side. Some have a darker hue too.

[@SubutaiTuul]

@@SayonaraSixString im probably going to request one with lots of flame at the guitar store i go too.

[@soundetc]

I traded my older ‘59 LP for this one…the older one sounded great, but the neck profile was bothering me a bit too much. This C shaped one the newer version feels really like my cup of tea and than, for me, at the ‘end of the day’ It was totally worth it and hey; I do not mind the OB headstock on this and I sure do not mind the CustomBuckers. I also love the top and VOS finish….I do like plain tops a tiny bit better than really shiny grainy tops…so I am a happy camper with this new version. And besides the fret job (which I worked on myself a little bit to get them smooth) the construction and hardware is pretty decent. So not so much interested in the value over time…just wanted a pretty decent LP right now….and maybe when the time comes I’ll search and buy a nice Gibson…but that might as well be a 335 or something like that…For now: this is all the LP I need….I Think 😂

[@SayonaraSixString]

It’s a good choice as any at this price range for a solid Les Paul for sure. Fretwork is Epiphone’s primary weakness. If they just get that department together they would be unstoppable.

[@automatoncollectives7237]

If you like hefty D 50s neck profiles, then go with the older version of the Epi ‘59. If you like the feel of '59 reissue neck (which Gibson's website calls "Authentic '59 Medium C-Shape") then the neck on the newer ‘59 version is for you. It is somewhere in between the larger Originals Collection '50s Les Paul neck and smaller Originals Collection '60s Les Paul neck. Plus, unlike the older Epi ‘59 neck: it’s a C, not a D. Epiphone is known for their crappy D shapes, and the new ‘59 has rectified that problem. I know… I’ve owned both.

[@donaldlaporte4227]

Got mine yesterday for a 1039.00 it was gubson day at my local store and also got swag...

[@SayonaraSixString]

That's a good deal! I need a "Gibson Day"! 😆

[@donaldlaporte4227]

Very nice rep..gave away alot of swag, answered every question asked whether it was gibson or epi great dude..

[@automatoncollectives7237]

Btw, if you like a hefty neck that isn’t a D profile, the new Epiphone Slash Les Pauls are awesome too. I have the Vermillion Burst model and it’s chunky, and a true C. Again, Epiphone is finally getting away from that awful D profile… about time as the majority love the C profile as it properly fits the hand

[@SayonaraSixString]

Yup I reviewed the Epi Slash in my other video!

[@indiekiduk]

Iced tea is usually darker red at the edges so it’s weird this is lighter red than the cherry, as you say it’s like a honey burst, weird.

[@SayonaraSixString]

And now there is a Sweewater exclusive “Royal Teaburst.” The color difference is extremely subtle.

[@jea783]

Wish they gonna make some lefties.

[@SayonaraSixString]

Certainly Epi can do better for lefties!

[@Edward1312]

For this sort of money you could buy a new Japanese made Tokai LP which has a solid top unlike the veneer of this guitar.

[@SayonaraSixString]

Super!

[@jasonl1942]

The new, extra close, super duper, really really better than the last 59 version....again....

[@SayonaraSixString]

And there will be another!

[@finishin.my.coffee8780]

Look at it this way...at least it wasn't 3 or 4 grand. And if you really like it, then it's money well spent.

[@SayonaraSixString]

True! But I already have a Greeny and a Lazarus so the purchase was a bit unnecessary. Nice guitar though!

[@yhbfghyfdhtyu]

USD 1299 No match to Japan Lespaul under USD 1000 so LOL

[@BlueberryStinkFinger62]

Your crazy the epiphone Quingdoa facility is completely American owned and operated by Gibson Epiphone USA with American and Asian luthiers not one single American touched any Japanese made Epiphones in the Quingdao epiphone facility they are and everyday

[@LarrytheMan-uc4ev]

Not epiphones Kalamazoo headstock don't want it.. enjoy your's

[@SayonaraSixString]

Thank you!

[@booshting3520]

It's a Gibson design, this is the proper headstock for the guitar.