The Les Paul Classic occupies a dominant spot in Epiphone’s Modern Collection of instruments. To outward appearances, it looks like a pristine, late ’50s Gibson Les Paul. A closer look reveals a host of updates—coil splitting, phase switching and more. The Epiphone Les Paul Classic is perfect for the player who wants an affordable guitar with historic style and modern electronics.

The Les Paul Classic gets modern electronics

Epiphone loads this Les Paul with Alnico Classic Pro humbuckers in open-coil “zebra” style. They sound similar to PAFs but have more push to cut through the mix. For single-coil tones, just flick the coil-split. Phase controls allow you to nail the “hollow” sound favored by British blues guitarists of the late ’60s.

A Classic with traditional tonewoods

The Les Paul Classic doesn’t mess with tradition—the body is mahogany with a maple top. With a SlimTaper profile, you’ll find the mahogany neck comfortable and fast. One modern addition is an Indian laurel fretboard, which has a similar look and feel to rosewood.

The Les Paul Classic combines the best of new and old

Epiphone spec’d the Les Paul Classic with ultra-smooth CTS pots. The headstock has an updated design, with a mother-of-pearl Epiphone logo. Grover Rotomatic tuners look classy and have a modern 18:1 gear ratio. The Epiphone Les Paul Classic is a well-rounded guitar with malleable tones and represents a great bang-for-the-buck. If those specs are in your ballpark, the Les Paul Classic might become your go-to-guitar.