Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom: Popular Models Go ’60s Spec
Vintage looks without vintage prices?
4,3 / 5,0 | 
The Epiphone Inspired by Gibson series are gaining new models all the time. This custom line-up features some tasty Les Pauls, 335s and even a Firebird with a Vibrola. Plus more!
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom
We’ve welcomed plenty of new guitars into the world from this series. What’s the big idea? Well, in theory, you get a Gibson-quality and spec guitar for more of an Epiphone price. What’s the catch? You’ll have to pay well over four figures for any of these guitars, so there’s still a premium price tag. Moreover, any brand snobs will have to tolerate the script on the headstock.
However, there are still some cool models to choose from!
1963 Firebird
Kicking off our look at these Epiphone inspired by Gibson custom models are these two Firebird guitars. Two examples in Cardinal Red and Pearl White, with the option of a Vibrola tremolo system also.
Aside from the colours and the Maestro Vibrola tremolo on the PW example, they’re both identical. Complete with a Mahogany and Walnut neck-thru-bodies and rosewood fingerboards. As these are Gibson spec, we get trapezoid fret inlays and twin Gibson USA Firebird humbuckers with Alnico 5 magnets. Sounds and aesthetics covered!
We also get nickel hardware, including Kluson banjo-stlye machine heads which sit within the headstock. Naturally, the Pearl White Vibrola example has a higher price of *£1,555, whereas the Cardinal Red is a more affordable *£1,199.
1964 SG Standard Vibrola
Similarly, another ’60s Epiphone inspired by Gibson custom with that Maestro Vibrola tremolo. This time, it’s being utilised beautifully on this SG standard in Cherry Red. Less of a guitar, more of a work of art.
Any Beatles fans in the house? George Harrison used what this is based on in ‘Hey Bulldog‘. Anyway, enough of the History lesson! We’re working with two Custombucker humbuckers with twin volume and tone controls to maintain them.
The slim taper ’60s mahogany neck is accompanied by a rosewood fingerboard and has a 305mm radius. While we’re up here, we’ve got Epiphone Deluxe machine heads. How fancy! Still cheaper than the real thing, you can pick one of these up right away from *Thomann for £1,199.
1960s Les Paul
Amongst the mix, we also have a healthy selection of Les Pauls in varying finishes.
A AAA flamed maple veneer sits upon mahogany bodies, along with cream bindings. Again, we’ve got the cusombucker pickups and the deluxe machine heads. Being from the Les Paul family, they’ve all got an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge. The 1960s Les Paul range comes in the following finishes:
- Iced Tea Burst
- Washed Cherry Sunburst
1957 Goldtop
Another handsome guitar from the Epiphone inspired by Gibson range is this *1957 Les Paul Goldtop. Arguably one of the most sought-after models?
By contrast, this example has a rounded ’50s medium C profile neck, but we’ve still got the same tuners as before. Also aiding with intonation is a 42.9mm Graph Tech nut. 22 frets sit upon a set-in mahogany neck, and there are cream bindings to match the cream pickguard.
1960 Les Paul Special
To conclude our look at the Les Paul models, we have this Special in TV Yellow. The more sophisticated pick of the bunch in my eyes.
Visually, very different to what we’ve seen before. Plus, it’ll sound different, thanks to twin Gibson Custom USA P-90 Soapbar pickups. These border a black pickguard and a historic aluminum wraparound bridge. We get it, you’re going for the whole ’60s thing!
Likewise, a mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, but this *Les Paul Special has 22 medium jumbo frets by contrast and a 629mm scale length.
1962 ES-335 Reissue
To finish our trip to the 1960s, we have some of the most unmistakably recognisable guitars. Played by all the greats, you can now get your hands on your very own ’60s spec ES-335 for not a lot of cash.
These semi-hollow bodied guitars have a 5-ply top, back and sides. With the choice of the classic *Sixties Cherry, or to be different, *Vintage Burst. These models also come with the ’60s slim taper necks for a comfortable feel and an authentic playing experience.
Depite the size, these are at the more affordable end of the scale. With both examples setting you back £1,125 each. Just wait for some discounts, and you’ll have a very capable guitar for a reasonable price.
Further Information:
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One response to “Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom: Popular Models Go ’60s Spec”
My 2014 Gibson SGJ cost $499 new.
$1300 for a tarted-up Epiphone is an interesting idea.