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The Epiphone Les Paul-100
Who would have thought that the creation of a solid body guitar would change the rock and roll scene forever?
The Epiphone Les Paul-100 was dubbed as the Gibson Les Paul’s “economical cousin” as it is produced under the Epiphone banner, the Les Paul 100 allows any guitarist to enjoy the iconic Les Paul guitar but without having to make a dent in the pocket.
A gorgeous guitar that comes in a variety of finishes, this 6-string is definitely an instrument that you need to have in your arsenal.
So if you want to know what the Gibson Les Paul experience is like but do not have the budget for it, the Epiphone Les Paul 100 is the guitar for you.
And if a thousand-dollar guitar experience for a much lower price does not convince you to make a purchase, perhaps a detailed review of this electric baby would help make up your mind.
Iconic Aesthetic
Carrying the Les Paul name, this electric boasts the same classic aesthetic of its Gibson counterpart.
Epiphone adhered to the vintage Les Paul look by using Mahogany for the guitar’s body and maple for the top.
The neck, also made of mahogany, contains the rosewood fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets and white dot inlays.
Unlike the Gibson, the neck of the LP 100 is bolt-on attached. Though professional guitarists prefer the set-neck, the bolt-on is rather handy when it comes to guitar maintenance.
Another noted distinction is that the LP-100 is slimmer than the Gibson which makes it lighter.
Impressive Hardware
While its striking good looks account for an impressive first impression, there is still more to marvel about.
Epiphone had equipped the LP 100 with a LockTone tune-o-matic that comes with a stop piece. Capping off the guitar is a classic Epiphone headstock that contains a set of die-cast tuning machines.
Keeping with the Les Paul design, the selector is also closer to the neck which allows for immediate access.
This setup allows the guitarist to perform the cool guitar trick wherein the net pick up is set at zero and allowing to switch between the pickups in the middle of a sustaining note or chord.
The hardware is basically made of chrome which is another appealing aesthetic attribute of this guitar. If it was only a matter of looks, the LP 100 would definitely win hands down.
Electronics
It’s got a pair of 700T Humbucker Pickups at the bridge and neck, perfect for minimal humming. Like most common setup, it’s connected to a volume and tone control for each and the three-way pickup selector switch.
It also has a three-way switch that indicates Treble and rhythm. The controls also include one for volume and another one for tone thus totaling the number of four controls in this electric.
Versatile Sound
It’s a great instrument that allows experimentation to produce a wide variety of tonal options. Since it’s got a solid body, heavy metal could be its thing.
It can hold tunes pretty well with great dynamics on the frets.
You can also enjoy clean mid-level range tones like classic rock, hard rock, indie, country, blues, and the music styles in between.
This guitar is versatile, but not quite. If you’re a fan of acoustic tunes, Epiphone Les Paul 100 might not be good for you.
Excellent for Its Price
It’s definitely a must-buy guitar, not just because of its price, but because it serves you well more than its price tag.
You’ll have a Gibson sound quality and construction for the price of an Epiphone. A great bargain.
The Perfect Beginner’s Guitar
Just by looking at the vast features this guitar has, it’s a great pick. It is very useful not only for beginners but for anyone who wants to succeed in the music industry.
VIEW: Our full list of best electric guitar for beginners
Furthermore, it has everything you need and all the features are easy to learn, especially for beginners and kids.
PROS
- Humbuckers sound pretty great
- Nice finish, the neck is flawless
- Slim and lightweight
- Great sustain
CONS
- A-string buzzes from 1st to 3rd frets
- Selector switch and pickguard are very loose
- Might be a little harder to tune for beginners
Drawbacks
Although this guitar is fairly priced and you get what you pay for, small things do matter.
For example, the fret buzzes. Though this can be eliminated by a professional, sometimes buzzing can only be minimized.
And, if I am to compare this with other guitars in this price range, I would prefer to get a Squier Standard Telecaster or a Yamaha Pacifica PAC112V. Although the Squier is the cheapest among the three.
It’s my personal take on the story, since, having a professional do the setup entails money.
Hence, I want to eliminate that burden from the very start. But, if you can afford to spend a few dollars for a professional luthier, Epiphone Les Paul 100 is a great guitar.
Verdict
This guitar surpassed my expectations. It offers more than its price tag. Not only that, it gives a lot of bonuses – the elegant finish, quality build, amazing sound, and great electronics.
You don’t need to spend several grand on one guitar, but, will definitely be junk. Epiphone Les Paul 100 will definitely make you sleepless at night. You don’t want to put this thing down.
Does this really give bang for the buck?
Definitely. Especially for those who are serious in their music endeavor, Epiphone Les Paul 100 could be a great company.
Not only will it help you reach stardom faster, but it’ll also help you explore your personal unique music style.
One caveat though, beginners might find it quite hard to set up this thing.
Do you agree with this review? Let me know by leaving your comments below!
