Updated by Bobby
Updated on July 25th, 2023
Added the option to search for more gear and checked links for accuracy and availability. Enjoy.
Epiphone VS Gibson Les Paul (Comparison)
What are the biggest differences?
Though Epiphone does a good job of keeping up with Gibson aesthetics, Gibson Les Pauls put more effort and money where it counts, in the body's top wood piece, pickups, electronics, and hardware.
Epiphone and Gibson Les Pauls are hard to distinguish at first glance, yet there's a vast pricing difference between the two guitars.
Why is that?
What are you losing when you buy an Epiphone Les Paul instead of the Gibson version?
In this comparison, I'm putting the Epiphone Les Paul Standard (the '50s model), next to the Gibson Les Paul Standard (the '60s model), and comparing each item on their spec sheets to see exactly where the two are different.
Instead of saying "they're basically the same" (they're not) or saying that Gibson is so dramatically different that you shouldn't even bother with an Epiphone, we're actually comparing to two to see where the quality differences are. This will tell you exactly what you're paying for should you buy a Gibson Les Paul. It'll also tell you what you'd be losing if you were to go the Epiphone route.
To get started, I'll summarize my comparison by highlighting where the two guitars differ and where they are essentially the same.
There are major differences between Gibson and Epiphone guitars that shouldn't be downplayed just because Epiphones are priced lower.
A look at the Epiphone Les Paul Standard Pro with P90 pickups. Image via Clubegaragem
Where Epiphone and Gibsons Differ in Quality
Let's start with the biggest differences. Where does Gibson spend more money to get you a nicer guitar?
Epiphone VS Gibson: Biggest Differences in Quality
- The body finish
- The body's top wood piece
- Pickups
- Hardware
Next we'll look at the areas where the two brands aren't significantly different.
Epiphone VS Gibson: Similarities
- Body shape, design, and tonewood
- Neck design
- Nut material
- Pickguard
Compare to Similar Guitars
In this section, we've listed the two guitars we're comparing with a couple other options. The orange Sweetwater buttons are affiliate links that we use to support our site, though they cost you nothing extra to use. We appreciate your support and hope you find this page helpful.
Guitar | Name | Rate | BUY |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Gibson Les Paul Standard ('60s model) | n/a | |
 | Epiphone Les Paul Standard '50s | 86.6 | |
 | Fender Player Stratocaster | n/a | |
 | PRS SE Custom 24 | 89.8 |
Compare More Electric Guitars
You can search for more electric guitars to add to the comparison bar at the bottom of this page. We don't have everything, but we have a lot, and are adding to it regularly.
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Our disclosure↬
The pristine Gibson Les Paul Custom. The cream of the crop as Randy Savage might say. Yeahmans's Guitars
Epiphone VS Gibson: The Body
In this section, we'll compare features between the Epiphone and Gibson Les Paul entirely related to each guitar's body.
 Gibson | Epiphone | |
|---|---|---|
Body Shape | Les Paul | Les Paul |
Body Tonewood Material | Mahogany | Mahogany |
Top Material | AA Figured Maple | AAA Flame Maple Veneer |
Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Gloss |
Carving | Detailed | Basic |
Binding | Cream | Cream |
Gibson's version of the Les Paul uses the same basic body shape and even the same variety of tonewood for most of the body. However, the AA figured maple top is an improvement over the "veneer" used by Epiphone, while Gibson also puts more into the top with detailed carving and the nitrocellulose lacquer finishing.
Even in electric guitars, the top piece has a lot to say about the quality, which is where Gibson really pulls away from Epiphone in this category.
The top piece of wood is where Gibson starts to significantly set itself apart from the Epiphone offering.
The Epiphone finish isn't as bright and boasts a less pronounced body carving.
When you get up close and compare the two tops and finishes, you can really start to see where Gibson did a far more thorough job of making the tops of the Les Paul models look really appealing.
It's an aesthetic difference, though the figured Maple in the Gibson will also help improve tone.
Comparing the Necks
A quick look at the necks of an Epiphone and Gibson Les Paul show little (if any) obvious difference. Even the trapezoid inlays are usually going to be present in both, leaving the impression that the two are essentially the same.
However:
A closer examination of both guitars reveals some subtle, yet important, quality differences.
Gibson | Epiphone | |
|---|---|---|
Material | Mahogany | Mahogany |
Profile | Slim Taper | '50s Rounded Medium C |
Scale Length | 24.75" / 628.65mm | 24.75" / 628.65mm |
Fingerboard Material | Rosewood | Indian Laurel |
Fingerboard Radius | 12" | 12" |
Number of Frets | 22 | 22 |
Frets | Medium Jumbo | Medium Jumbo |
Nut Material | Graph Tech® NuBone® | Graph Tech® NuBone® |
Nut Width | 1.69" / 43.05mm | 1.69" / 43.05mm |
Inlays | Acrylic Trapezoids | Trapezoid |
The Slim Taper neck design and Rosewood fretboard are meaningful upgrade over the Epiphone neck, which uses a cheaper tonewood and cheaper inlay material. Again, the differences are subtle, but there are distinct quality markers on the Gibson Les Paul that you won't see in the Epiphone version.
Most physical attributes of the neck - such as fret size, nut width, and fingerboard radius - remain the same on both models.
The inlay material, Rosewood, and Slim Taper neck design are all winning categories for the Gibson Les Paul.
Though similar to the Gibson design physically, the Epiphone Les Paul's neck gets a cheaper tonewood and inlay material.
Hardware and Basic Parts Comparison
This is where you'll start to see a more significant difference in an Epiphone VS Gibson comparison. Hardware, which contributes more to price, is going to meet a higher quality standard in Gibson Les Pauls because they rely less on stock parts that are cheaper. Here are the specific differences between the two.
Gibson | Epiphone | |
|---|---|---|
Finish Material | Nickel | Nickel |
Bridge | ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic | Epiphone LockTone™ Tune-O-Matic™ |
Tuning Machines | Grover Rotomatics w/ Kidney Buttons | Epiphone LockTone™ Stop Bar |
Pickguard | Cream | Cream |
Control Knobs | Gold Top Hats with Silver Reflector & Pointers | Gold Top Hat |
All three of the main hardware components - the bridge, the tuning machines, and the control knobs see an upgrade in the Gibson version of the Les Paul. The bridge hardware and tuning machines are both well-recognized models and brands, making the stock Epiphone LockTone bridge - for example - a little disappointing by comparison.
For both the bridge hardware and tuning machines, Epiphone uses in-house stock parts.
Hardware is an area where Gibson really starts to pull away from Epiphone from a pure quality perspective.
Pickups and Controls
Though both the Epiphone and Gibson Les Paul guitars use an in-house pickup, Gibson has actually been well-known for quite some time as a respected pickup builder. Many people actually buy Gibson-brand pickups to upgrade other guitars.
For example, the Gibson Burstbucker is a popular upgrade pickup.
These Burstbucker pickups - nearly a $250 humbucker set - come standard in many Gibson Les Pauls. On the Epiphone side, the ProBucker is Epiphone's cheaper alternative, which they have put some effort into designing. However, it's undeniable that we'd much rather have the Burstbucker as opposed to what amounts to an Epiphone stock part they've taken time to get named and patented.
Gibson | Epiphone | |
|---|---|---|
Neck Pickup | Gibson Burstbucker 61R | Epiphone ProBucker 1 |
Bridge Pickup | Gibson Burstbucker 61T | Epiphone ProBucker 2 |
Controls | 2 Volumes, 2 Tones & Toggle Switch (hand-wired with Orange Drop capacitors) | 2 Volume, 2 Tone, CTS® pots, 50s style wiring |
Here's a link to the Orange Drop Capacitors mentioned for the Gibson controls (tone and volume knobs). It gets into some of the technical aspects of the capacitors, but I'll summarize here by simply saying, they're better.
Concluding our Epiphone VS Gibson Comparison
While Epiphone Les Pauls might have a reputation for being appreciably similar to their Gibson counterparts, it's clear from this comparison that the two instruments are dramatically different.
Moreover, they're different in the areas that are most substantive:
- Top wood piece
- Pickups
- Electronics
- Hardware
These are all critical areas of a guitar's design, and in a direct Epiphone VS Gibson comparison, Gibson puts way more work into these areas.
Are the aesthetics similar? Sure.
They may even "feel" the same in your hands. But we'd argue there are major differences between the two that shouldn't be downplayed just because Epiphones are really cheap and buyer-friendly.
Questions about the Guitars
Do you have questions about Epiphone or Gibson Les Pauls?
Perhaps you want to know more about how we compared the two?
If so, feel free to drop a line in the comments section below and I'll do my best to help out.
Epiphone and Gibson Resources
Related Articles
Written by Bobby on Electrics and Roundups
Written by Bobby on Electrics and Roundups
Are the burstbuckers in the Epiphone 59 Inspired by Gibson LP the same as the ones in the Gibson LP Standard?
I believe so.
i am a beginner electric player but novice guitar player. Looking to buy first electric without breaking the bank. What do you recommend? which gibson and which epiphone? i am trying to decide which to go for. epiphone or gibson?
What’s your price range?
So I have a Gibson Les Paul Standard, however I just got a Firebird, it’s an Epi, it has orange drop capacitors, and plays like a dream, It’s got a switch craft toggle, and the body is Identical to my Gibson Firebird 5, actually stays in tune way better. I play that thing more than my Standard, it sounds amazing, not a flaw out of the box, could it have come with a case?? Yes, I just bought one. But a great guitar. I would recommend that guitar to Anyone who did not want to spend $2600+. But a good article.
Thanks, Craig. Enjoy the Firebird.
I don’t think you can go to far from “You get what you pay for”. Gibson and Epiphone are manufactured instruments by and large. Gibson is manufactured in the US. Epiphone is not. Epiphone is a damn good guitar for the money but costs are costs. You get a lot of bang for the buck in an Epiphone, and I would play one. However The component cost plus the American labor is simply more expensive. Other American made instruments keep the name value of Gibson in fairly good check as does its financial obligations while staying in business.
Patrick – I absolutely agree. Definitely a reasonable take.
I would like to hear more on playability and tone. I’m in the process of buying an Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Modern model. It has all the bells and whistles (locking tuners, coil splitting, etc.), It runs for $649!!! Much less than a Gibson. I have to agree with a few comments that spending 2 grand extra on name is ridiculous!
That’s the thing though. You’re absolutely not buying the name alone. That assertion (which has been going around for years), is absolutely false. Now some people might not want to pay for the additional quality you’re getting in a Gibson, but they shouldn’t assume the extra money is for the name alone.
Now that I have that out of the way: Are you talking about playability and tone of the Epiphone Modern model, specifically?
No, just between Epiphone and Gibson in general
This was a great article for what it was. I think people were waiting for an experiential portion of the article. But there’s your next article. Love to read that one.
Thanks Verne. I appreciated the kind words.
I didn’t realise that what a guitar sounds like is not important anymore.
You got me. That’s my official stance.
How does the epi standard 60s compare to both in article?
I think the biggest different (if you’re talking specifically about the Epi 1959 Standard, is the pickups. The 1959 has Gibson Bursbuckers, which are awesome, while the 60s version has what amounts to stock Epiphone humbuckers. If I were to rank them, Gibson LP would be first, Epi 1959 a fairly distant second, and the Epi 60s standard in third. Hope this is helpful!
Thanks
Unfortunately U.S. guitar builders will charge whatever they think the market will bear. Fender alone raised their prices of their US guitars $200 dollars on new years day. Both makers have made their products almost unobtainable for your average player! So sad!
I’ve noticed a MASSIVE price increase over the past year or so. Inflation doesn’t help, but Fender seems to push their prices up more than other retailers.
There is about a three degree difference in the angle of the headstock (17 degree with Gibson as opposed to 14 degree with Epiphone). This translates in the Epiphone staying in tune where Gibson frequently goes out if tune. Definitely a plus for Epiphone.
The difference between the two that you discussed are at some point matters of preference than a win for the Gibson like the c shaped neck vs the Gibson slim tapped me I prefer a c shaped neck (so does slash bye the way ) I don’t think you made a very good case for spending an extra 2 Grand on the Gibson version and one others point where as I normally don’t leave comments but you sir pissed me off with this bill comparison.and oh yeah Epiphon is made bye ,you guessed it Gibson so next time you do a comparison at least know what you are talking about before you do I and your readers would appreciate it.Thanks bud.
Well put!
“By”
I been playing for 40 + years go get an Epiphone I prefer Epiphone. Let the yuppies have there fancy icing cake your top Gibson’s are not the one your idles play zakk Wylde plays Epiphone but I’m sure I can’t afford zakks epiphones either
Nope. Gibsons are better. Plainly. Although I might be misunderstanding you.
Hard to make sense of your comment, given there are no sentences.
zack wylde plays epiphone not gibson . where did you get this information ? depending on what the playing style is will determine what guitar is for the player . imo a stock epi les paul is not even close to a factory gibson les paul . you get what you pay for
Right. Zakk definitely plays Gibsons. Also correct on the factory Gibson comment.
The so called “top piece” of wood on the Epiphone is a SOLID MAPLE CAP with a flame maple veneer on top. Not just a veneer which is how you make it sound.
The things you list as bonuses for Gibson definitely don’t add up to an extra two grand.
I have the Epiphone ’59 Les Paul Standard, $799US. It has the same wiring specs as a Gibson, including BurstBuckers. If you added aftermarket hardware you’d still have around $1600 left in your pocket compared to a $2600 Gibson. Oh yeah, it comes with a nice hard case too!!!
I’d say the biggest plus with buying the Epiphone is you don’t have to lose your virginity to get one!!!
Tough, but fair.
Unless you have money to burn it’s ridiculous to pay an extra 2 grand. Epiphones in general are a solid value. A lot of people waste their money for the name on the head stock. They’d be better off spending their money on lessons.
I find it hard to accept that the name on the headstock doesn’t matter.
Yes, Gibson’s hardware and electronics are superior. Arguably they use better wood. The argument that craftsmanship is that much more superior is weak (unless you’re talking custom shop).
For a novice, intermediate or even a budget conscious professional the Epi will be just fine. If money is not an issue, go for the Gibson. My point is there is not a 2 grand difference in quality.
The name does matter, but for some only for the “status” or bling factor.
Agree to disagree on the “status” issue. I think the differences are far more substantive than that.
Hey there Bobby Epiphon / Gibson same Company.Get a clue pal.
Addressed this in your previous comment.
In Gibson’s case, it hasn’t always mattered as much as it should!!!
I just purchased a Epiphone Prophecy Les Paul and lemme tell ya what,,,this guitar shreds!!!!! I also have the Prophecy SG model and I was so impressed when I saw the Les Paul model I jumped on the $375 bucks I paid for the guitar!!!! In my opinion I feel the Prophecy models are every bit as good if not better then the $2k models by Gibson!!!!! The ESP designed Active pickups are just killer and the Grover Tuners and ease of playing make this just a gem of a guitar for the money,,,I suggest anyone who sees one grab it you won’t be let down!!!!
Is it this one? For $375?? https://www.epiphone.com/en-US/Electric-Guitar/EPI3BX477/Black-Aged-Gloss
I owned the prophecy les paul. I sold it because I found the neck to be wide and thick. Hard to play. But if you like the neck, yes it’s a great guitar.
Epiphon is made and owned bye Gibson.
Chris – I’m well aware that Epiphone is made and owned by Gibson. That doesn’t mean there aren’t significant differences between the two guitars. Epiphone started out as its own company but was eventually bought by Gibson to kinda serve as their own “economy” guitar line. Again, not sure why you thought I didn’t know that.
“By”