The Inspired by Gibson Epiphone Les Paul Custom Alpine White is great value for money!

DISCLAIMER: This is not a sponsored video. The guitar was given to me by a friend for a review. It is a honest review and represents my personal opinion about this guitar.
In one of my previous videos I have reviewed the Epiphone Les Paul Custom in the gorgeous Ebony color and compared it to the Custom Shop Gibson Les Paul Custom Ebony. I loved the Inspired by Gibson Epiphone Custom a lot! The Custom is an important model and a lot of people want one so I decided to do the "Two guitars are never the same" thing and review one more. I was just looking for an excuse to demonstrate the Alpine White anyway. The AW is stunning looking in person and happens to be my favourite color for the LP Custom Epiphone series. Is this one just as good as the Ebony or maybe even better? Find out in this video.
0:00 Intro
0:50 The Les Paul Custom
3:14 The Specs
4:40 The Pickups
4:56 Bridge & Tailpiece
5:14 Body & Neck
7:53 Back & Neck
8:32 The Weight
8:38 Tone Demo
10:46 Is it any good?
Facebook: / georgevguitars
Instagram: / georgevarbanov
Gear used to record this video:
Amp: Diezel VH-4 120W Head
Cab: Diezel 2x12 Vintage 30 Rear Loaded
Mic: Shure SM57, Audio-Technica AT2035
Interface: M-Audio 192/4
Camera: Sony A6400 with Sigma 30mm F1.4 and Iphone 13 Pro Max
Stands: Athletic stand for cab microphone
#guitar #guitarreview #metal

[@rodrigosallesguitar]

Those Epis look damn beautiful! I'll grab one soon...

[@tonyy.8852]

I personally like thinner necks, and I think the Epiphone version does feel better in my hand

[@gacktcbiz]

Love mine. Fret work was very rough out of the box, and needed a setup. So took it to my tech, and also swapped the pickups for a Fluence set. Plays and sounds awesome now.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Do you prefer the sound of the Fishmans in there over the ProBuckers? 👀👂🏻

[@guyincognito320]

@@GeorgeVGuitars The stock pickups I think are very good. The Guitaristas channel clean tone on this guitar surprised me with how good they sounded. This is a legit guitar imo, one of the better import single cuts

[@user-ge8rv9zx9m]

honestly it’s the most beauriful electric guitar i have ever seen.😮

[@onlyfromadistance7326]

Lately I've been thinking a lot about picking one of these up. Beautiful guitar...

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Totally worth it! 👀⚪️

[@johndaugherty4127]

Fantastic review.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

🤟🏻

[@jameshatch5324]

Real pleased with mine, especially with the large Gibson style diamond on the headstock. No Grover tuners on mine, bought a few weeks ago, but they do look very similar.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Yeah the Wilkinsons are pretty much the same

[@justcallmed933]

Got my white custom pro of 2019 second handed, awesome guitar. Love little upgrades they did for new series, quality control also seems to be better. Thanks for the review

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

🤘🏻

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

Awesome review and guitar. 😁👍

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

🤘🏻🙏🏻

[@artorwhat]

I own this one with Koa top. Sounds amazing. I think probucker 2and3 sound almost perfect considering the price. There were nothing to complain about QC.

[@robindanneels3750]

Great video,mine has Wilkinson tuners and they are very good😊

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Niiice

[@tonyb9864]

Epi's are NICE! Love the 50's standard and 59 LP also.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Both videos for the new 50's and 59 Standard coming soon 👀

[@stuartmiller7419]

I'm super pleased with mine. As you say, for the money, it's a steal and it really looks the business. The ebony fingerboard and the larger (Gibson sized) headstock diamond really are the icing on the cake with this one. Once I'd set it up correctly (I expect to have to do that on a £500 guitar), it plays and sounds great. Pretty much a first for me when buying guitars, there is nothing I wanted to change about it, save for adding gold Schaller s-locks, but they don't count as a mod (until the 3-way switch shows some unwelcome play, I guess). The Grover tuners are great, too. Absolute stunner of a guitar. I guess I could have spent eight times the price and got the Gibson but, to be honest (and as you stress here), I want one that stays white, not one that turns yellow and faded after a few years, and no amount of Gibson marketing spin can tell me that this is a good thing. Yellow Customs look horrible to me. Plus, I can buy a car with the money I've saved! 👍

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Sounds like you made a good reasonable choice. Which model year is yours, 21 or 22? I'm trying to figure out when did epiphone start using the Wilkinson tuners. If yours is 22 and has the Grovers that would mean the Wilkinsons came sometime in late 22 👀

[@stuartmiller7419]

@@GeorgeVGuitars Mine's October 21. It does make you wonder why they change these things and whether it was just a temporary supply issue or something. As you say, there's nothing significant between the two brands and they both do the job well and look the part, so not an issue. I was very keen to get the larger diamond headstock though, as I know that earlier ones had the slightly smaller diamond. Again, no big deal but I think it makes it look even better. Great video, btw. I enjoy your comparison videos and am now trying to stop myself from lusting after the Epi Cantrell Wino, purely because of the value for money it offers (and the fact that it also looks beautiful). Keep up the excellent work, sir!

[@Zoso981]

​@GeorgeVGuitars Epiphone started using the Wilkinson tuners later in 2022. I've owned quite a few of the newer Inspired by Gibson Customs and they were always Grover up until then. However, the my experiences with the Wilkinsons has been good. They all seem to hold tune just fine and all also look the part.

[@mariomessina6389]

I agree I don't want my white custom turning an ugly off yellow lol. I'm not in the Randy Rhodes vibe , nothing against him he was a great great player. The price for Gibson les paul custom is way out of my league and even if I saved I can't justify spending 6 k on a guitar . I own a Gibson les paul tribute and it is a amazing guitar yet , the alpine white les paul custom is my favorite , so I might end up getting the epiphone , they really are so much better I own a inspired by Gibson es 335 and it's the closest in looks and sound to the Gibson big brother

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

@@mariomessina6389 You will love the Epi Custom

[@chrisreed869]

Thanjs fir the Great review I bought a used 2023 Alpine White for 539 Flawless and plays sounds wonderful Grover’s on mine sounds plays way better than friends Gibson LP Tribute

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

You got a good deal

[@jonathanalx17]

Great review, what guitar are you planning to review next? Any thought to review the esp/ltd kh demonnology? Thanks.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Thank you. The Demonology was just i my hands... but there are 3 more guitars before I can review it. I am gonna do it, promise :> I will release a short about the next guitar tomorrow.

[@lukaszpiasecki]

Got the koa one. I like it but mine had the Grover tuners but I changed them for locking tuners for fester string changes. Epiphone has steeped its game up.

[@dsolo2390]

Thanks for the great quality content! Please tell me who changed the bridge on this model, tell me which one is suitable without any modifications?

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

This one has the stock Lock Tone. Look for metric not imperial, with the wide studs.

[@dsolo2390]

@@GeorgeVGuitars Thank you George!

[@andrewalbu]

Great review 😊 thanks

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

🤘🏻

[@andrewalbu]

@@GeorgeVGuitars any plans to review Epiphone les paul studio new models?

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

@@andrewalbu Yeah I think we are about to order a few for the store that I work in.

[@andrewalbu]

@@GeorgeVGuitars great 🙂 thanks

[@helio1055]

I tried one at guitar center and it sounds nice the pickups are badass, bit the neck is weirdly chunky and the body feels too light, Les Pauls should have some weight to them.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

🤘🏻

[@kas4106]

Is there any chance to say your opinion regarding the new Customs in comparison with the Old Prophecy line? (around 2015-2016) I got my hands on a PRophecy plus WIth active JH EMGs but i still have the curiocity if the Customs are better or not.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

They are not the same thing. I have a review: I didn't like the Epiphone Les Paul Custom Prophecy Plus EX - the story of my first electric guitar kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3bOXnZuqpmIZsk

[@scottcummings8602]

Nice, do you find that the Les Paul digs into your ribs when playing? Thanks

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Well yeah, but I am used to it at this point. If you cant live with that, get an Eclipse with the proper cutaways or the Prophecy 👀

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

Which is the profile of the Epiphone at 7:40 ? Is it the lower ones?

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Both

[@eugenebronstein6296]

Gold n White looks good. I would try to change knobs (and maybe pick guard) to golden as well. Not sure but it could looks good.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Black tophats with gold inserts like the ones I have on my custom. I took them off for this video. Check them out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWTImqVnmryngLM

[@MyLpLover]

I put gold speed knobs on mine. I like a lot!!

[@mjmagbuhat]

How does it compare to an Edwards LP custom? Wondering in terms of feel and quality. I have not been able to play an Edwards and if it is superior I dont mind paying slightly extra for the Edwards.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

The Edwards feels much better built.

[@romainmariotta6033]

Is there any differences in sound between Ebony and White ? Can't decide... Thanks

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Nah, they should be about the same

[@Mecrosss]

What is different between this custom and custom pro?

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

I haven't seen a Pro in the new series Inspired by Gibson but the old Pro Custom had Push Pull splits and a phase switch.

[@alfredvuqiterna607]

Hello george which one is the best epiphone les pul is 50s or 60s or costum or slash signature i will wait your answer 😊

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

What kind of music do you want to play?

[@alfredvuqiterna607]

Hard rock havey metall sometimes blues

[@Edward1312]

Poly finishes turn yellow as well but take longer because poly isnt as reactive as nitro.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Yeah but they still don't look like yellow nitro

[@victorpatron1209]

Which one do you think is better? The epiphone 59 or the epiphone custom? Why? Thanks

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

I cant compare them, they are totally different. Different neck profile, different pickups. For harder music - the Custom.

[@victorpatron1209]

@@GeorgeVGuitars what do you mean by harder music? I like the looks of the custom and like a clean tone for classic rock

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

@@victorpatron1209 Its ok for classic rock

[@MrStickman666]

iv CHECKED THONMANN AND THY HAVE NO NAME TURNERS THOUGHTS?

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

They don't have what?

[@650thunderbird5]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

🤘🏻

[@1madaxeman]

Even the poly finish will age, and yellow over time - maybe longer and more subtler but definitely will do it. One of my American Strats is Olympic white, which is a creamy off white to begin with - or at least it was in 2006 when it was new - now its much creamier/blonde looking since the years its been used (and i'm not a smoker or live with one!) - and Fender USA regular strats ie none custom shop are 100% poly finishes. So I know from experience even they will darken and change colour over time...When I have taken the pickguard off its shocking how much whiter it was when new!

[@jlgomezmarquezmusic]

Greetings from Venezuela 🇻🇪... Do you think that Custom is good for recording records?? I ask this because there are several guitarists who say that they only use high-end guitars to record records. In other words, they would not use Epiphone, they would use Gibson

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

yes it is good

[@KarlssonnsKlister]

Oh thats screaming suicide. Great looking guitar.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Yeaaaah 🤘🏻

[@MrStickman666]

SHEILDING?

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

What about it?

[@AndreGundersen]

I was so ready to start looking for one of these, until "made in china" ruined everything

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

They are pretty much on par with the modern day Korea made ones, so that shouldn't stop you.

[@AndreGundersen]

@@GeorgeVGuitars not concerned about the quality, more the country of origin

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

@@AndreGundersen Why does that matter if it is the same quality?

[@AndreGundersen]

@@GeorgeVGuitars some people try not to support shitty countries, some people will never care

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

@@AndreGundersen Well yeah, unfortunately most of the stuff you use everyday is probably made in China. I don't buy guitars from China for myself too, but if you want a new Epiphone your options are limited. Try the pre 2004 era or some model made in the Korean World Musical Instruments factory, like the previous generation Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom.

[@jeffmoore6279]

Compared to a real Gibson, these things are total junk. Don't waste your money and time folks. Just save your money and buy the real thing. In the end, you'll be glad you did.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

I have a comparison video between the epi and a Custom Gibson. I wouldn't say the Epi is Junk but yeah... you get what you pay for.

[@jeffmoore6279]

@GeorgeVGuitars I've seen your comparison video. Absolutely. You get what you pay for. Paying for a low quality guitar made on China? No way I'm going to pay for this garbage who's construction stats aren't even close to original Gibson standards. These are guitars are nothing but foreign junk. Not even close to original Gibson stats or quality.

[@chrisreed869]

sone people would rather not save 5k for a guitar it’s not junk AH

[@joey-zr8lt]

Gibson = yawn..I'll take the high end Epiphone all day over Gibson

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

okay

[@skottmuncey1529]

I bought the KOA. Mine came with Grover.😊

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

The Koa looks gorgeous, enjoy it 🤘🏻

[@user-tt1lw8pm1v]

Акцент жесткий , работайте над произношением, берите уроки у профессиональных индийских педагогов

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Sure thing, habibi 🖤

[@eugenebronstein6296]

The accent is perfect. In english-speaking countries no one really care about the accent. Instead of that some accents could sounds stylish for them. I'm personally love arabic and slavic accents most (but they all are perfect and such diversity makes the language better in general).

[@user-tt1lw8pm1v]

@@eugenebronstein6296 ☺️👍cool diversity, me too I like arabic

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

@@eugenebronstein6296 Yeah and America has so manny accents too 👀

[@08248964896]

I bought an Epiphone les paul custom back in 2010 while not knowing much about guitar and was not really happy with it. Now seeing it back with ebony fretboard rather than rosewood and the kalamazoo headstock(a huge plus for me) and overall hardware and qc. I might wanna give it another chance.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Give it a go 👀

[@08248964896]

@@GeorgeVGuitars Ok I was quite impressed with it overall and bought one! Mine comes with grover tuners, it is now my default go to practice guitar. The picture in the epiphone website doesn't do justice, hell some of the pickup cover screws are in wrong color. Really love the new mother of pearl diamond and the the new kalamazoo headstock! 🤘

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

@@08248964896 Good choice, enjoy it 🤘🏻