Crayon Sky Music

Is an epiphone decent?

I’m looking to purchase a Les Paul style guitar, on a budget of around 500-1000. I see epiphone les pauls that are gorgeous, in my price range. Problem is, I’m going to have to make my purchase online. My question is, without being able to play and hear the difference between the two, am I going to be satisfied with the epiphone versus the actual Gibson???
I see a lot of folks say to just go try one. The problem is, where I live there isn’t a guitar store for quite a ways. There’s a Fender/Jackson dealer in town, but I need more control over my tone than what those guitars can offer. That’s why I wanted a Les Paul, more tonal control.

Epiphones are excellent guitars. So are Gibsons. Gibsons have a better feel to them. In my opinion I find them easier to play. With a budget of $500-1000, that can get you an excellent Epiphone or a Gibson LP Studio.

When it comes to sound the Gibsons have a brighter sound and have a better tonal emphasis over the whole range where Epiphone do tend to be a little lackin in the upper mids and the highs; they tend to be a little bassy.

If you were to ask me I’d say to go with the Gibson. If you want to try for yourself go to any guitar store or Guitar Center and just pick up a guitar and start playing! There’s nothing that ever says “you played it, you bought it.” But go try them out for yourself and see what you think.

The Epiphone Les Paul Ultra-II