Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom Shop: New lineup released
Epiphone quality with Gibson prices?
4,3 / 5,0 | 
The Epiphone inspired by Gibson custom shop series has 14 new guitars to show off! Including new Les Pauls, 335s and more… With rising costs, will these go down well? Let’s see what they’re all about.
Epiphone Inspired: Les Paul Additions
Kicking us off, let us first take a look at the Les Paul lineup. These have come from the main HQ over on Nashville. This new standard series gives you a proper 1950s look, benefitting from *Tobacco Burst, *Ice Tea Burst and *Factory Burst finishes. All of which are the same price at Thomann.
Just the standard series in some with some cool bursts? Well, it would seem that way. These Epiphone Inspired Les Pauls have a mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard and two custom buckers.
Ebony and Alpine Released
In addition to the standard models, two new *Ebony and Alpine finishes have been released. Adding extra choice to the Epiphone inspired by Gibson Custom shop range.
Both use mahogany for the body and neck, maple for the top and ebony for the fingerboard. Other pickups are also used. Using a 490R humbucker on the neck and a 498T humbucker on the bridge.
Personally, I love the gold hardware! Even the input has the same finish. Coupled with traditional fret inlays, these two make for a nice combination.
Epiphone inspired by Gibson: 1963 Les Paul SG Custom
Moving on, there’s this rather unusual addition to the range. However, featuring an ‘Open Book’ headstock and gold hardware, it’s certainly eye-catching. Visually impressive, you also get 5-layer binding and 3-custombucker pickups. Allowing for a fat yet traditional Gibson sound.
Likewise, we’ve got a mahogany neck and body. Extra goodies include a ’63 rounded neck profile and the Maestro tremolo system. Available at Thomann for *€1549, this potentially represents a bargain. Compared to the real thing, yes. Compared to other Epiphones, is it a bit steep?
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom Shop: Acoustic Offerings
In addition to the electric guitars, this release also includes a selection of acoustic guitars. Similarly, featuring mahogany wood, but this time there are some varying spruce top finishes.
Not only do we have twin 1957 SJ-200 models, in Natural and Vintage finishes, but there’s Epiphone 1942 Banner J-45* model. Complete with mahogany back and sides for a rich and full sound. Moreover, the top is made of treated spruce. Amplification made possible thanks to an LR Baggs VTC pickup system.
For added tradition, there’s also the J-180 series. On this occasion, we’ve got pink and frost blue finishes. These small jumbo-bodied guitars look great and will be comfortable to play. With Epiphone deluxe tuners and the all-important mother-of-pearl inlays.
1959 ES-335
Concluding our look at the fourteen Epiphone inspired by Gibson Custom Shop range are these ES-335 guitars. Again, two finishes available, let’s see what they can offer modern players.
If you can’t decide between a Les Paul or an SJ-200, for example, then why not look towards these hollow-bodied alternatives? This maple topped Cherry Red example has all the traditional visuals that you’d expect.
However, with gold hardware showcased on the Custombucker Humbucker Set, Tune-O-Matic bridge and Grover tuners. Something for the Epiphone purists, eh?
Equally, the Classic White features the same 22 vintage frets and 3-way toggle switch. On this occasion, the dark red of the 3-ply pickguard looks vibrant against the white finish. Whereas the cherry red, potentially, deducts from the finish.
Further Information:
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- Epiphone Inspired Les Paul Standard Series : Epiphone
- Aline and Ebony Finishes : Epiphone
- 1963 Les Paul SG Custom: Epiphone
- 1957 SJ-200 Natural and Vintage : Epiphone
- ES-335 Models : Epiphone
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4 responses to “Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom Shop: New lineup released”
From text and pictures, these sound great, IMO. I’ll be curious to hold one and see how I get along with it. A lot of people love their Epiphones, just for me personally, there’s always something plasticy about the feel of the finish that puts me off them. I’d be pretty interested in that 355 if the finish feels better in my hands!
Agreed. They look very tempting from the photos and specs. My own Epiphone Les Paul standard feels like a Rolls Royce compared to a Squier strat, but compared to a real Gibson lacks an overall quality.
Sorry, folks, these come with LAUREL boards according to Epiphone’s official website, not Rosewood. Probably a deal breaker for most.
Nothing wrong with a good piece of Laurel. Very clever they don’t use Rosewood like before. We all know what happened and what will happen again. The ES models come with Ebony though.