Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top Review

Even people who play "Guitar Hero" know that the Gibson Les Paul is a symbol of rock and roll power. However, guitarists from a diversity of genres (blues, rock, jazz, and country) have favored the Les Paul for its power and versatility.

For us mere mortals, there's normally only one downside to owning a Gibson Les Paul. They don't come bargain-priced!

A new Les Paul will cost well over $2,000, which is pretty darn expensive. So what are our options if we don't want to drop that kind of change?

Look At the Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus!

Even though it says "Epiphone" on the headstock, the guitar sounds, feels, plays, and looks like a "real" Gibson Les Paul, just several hundred dollars cheaper. This made-in-Korea Les Paul model even bears Les Paul's signature on the headstock. But how does it liken to an American-made Gibson Les Paul?

We surveyed a transparent Blue Les Paul Standard Plus Top, and I have to say the instrument has one of the most gorgeous tops I've experienced in this price range. The figuring is utterly gorgeous, and is marvelously complimented by its creme-colored binding and chrome hardware.

Suffice it to say, that that the Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top is one really attractive instrument.

Having owned a Gibson Les Paul Standard for a few years, I was concerned to see how the Epiphone Les Paul would stack up, and I have to say that I was really impressed. The slim-tapered neck is reminiscent of the 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard neck and in many ways was much speedier than my Gibson Les Paul Standard with a 50's style neck.

The rosewood fretboard felt fantastic and the frets were well-polished and smooth on the whole, but not quite as impeccable as my Gibson Les Paul. Still, the fretwork is really well done, especially given the guitar's cost.

When I get a new guitar, I ordinarily swap out the stock pickups for custom Dimarzio or Seymour Duncans, just so I can get the exact tone I want. Honestly, I'd probably do the same with this Epiphone; nevertheless, that does not mean that these pickups are not "keepers." The Epiphone includes alnico classic pickups that surely project a classic Les Paul sound. The bridge pickup has just the exact amount of "bite" and the neck pickup is smooth, perfect for lead or rhythm sounds.

Let me stress that it definitely wouldn't be a "must," but I would in all probability put Duncan JB and Jazz pickups in the guitar, since I'm partial to that set of pickups.

These pickups sound outstanding and might be what you're looking for without the need for replacements. They did tend to squeal somewhat at high volumes, but not annoyingly so.

It's not clear to the naked eye just where Epiphone has determined to cut corners with this fine instrument. Like all models in this price range, the Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top uses veneer instead of solid woods for the top, body, and neck. However, the guitar is still a looker and has a fine tone acceptable for a mixture of styles.

Astonishingly, these cost-cutting measures allow the instrument to weigh even less than its Gibson counterparts. For the price, the Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus is a solid sounding and easily playable Les Paul for a slim fraction of the cost of the Gibson equivalent.

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