Epiphone Les Paul Custom Chrome - Limited Edition

As announced at the Winter NAMM Show 2005, every month (beginning in April) Epiphone will be offering a new and unique guitar in limited quantities. Based upon legendary instruments, Epiphone customizes each guitar with special hardware, pickups, colors and/or finishes making each guitar a "one-of-a-kind" collectible. Each instrument features the "Limited Edition" logo on the back of the headstock and is available through selected retailers only.

Now, Epiphone is proud to announce the availability of the "Guitar of the Month" Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Chrome. Start with a Les Paul Custom and add a chrome pickguard, chrome pickup mounting rings, chrome hardware and chrome inset knobs. Open-coil Alnico Classic humbucking pickups complete the package!

Epiphone Launches the new Emperor Swingster Hollow-Body Guitar

Epiphone Launches the new Emperor Swingster Hollow-body Guitar Designed for Musicians Who Appreciate Exceptional Playability and Effortless Style

Nashville, Tennessee - October 12, 2009... Leading guitar maker Epiphone is best known for making some of the best and most innovative hollow-body guitars such as the Casino, Sheraton and Riviera to name a few. Never one to question creativity, Epiphone has created a guitar which features the best of their classic and best loved models, introducing the Epiphone Emperor Swingster. Starting with the same body and neck as used on their Emperor-II guitar and made famous by the jazz master himself, Joe Pass, Epiphone swings into action and turns it into a serious rock-a-billy slinging, country flinging' instrument at the same time retaining a modern and contemporary feel.

The Epiphone Emperor Swingster has what it takes to satisfy any professional's demand for great one. The Epiphone Emperor Swingster features series/parallel switching controlled by two push/pull tone controls. This allows you to change each pickup's output individually from parallel to series wiring creating a palette of useful sounds to tap into, ranging from warm humbuckers to "quacky" single-coil type sounds and everything in-between. Naturally all good swinging machines need a vibrato and the Swingster is no exception featuring a Bigsby Licensed B30 with original style wire handle as preferred by "Certified Guitar Player" and legend, Chet Atkins. Epiphone spares no expense by adding a "pinned" tune-o-matic bridge with roller saddles for smooth operation and accurate return to pitch which is preferred when using a vibrato. Other professional features include a hand-scalloped arched spruce top combined with a laminated arched-back Flame Maple body and glued-in 3-piece Hard Maple neck. At the heart of the guitar are Epiphone's new SwingBucker pickups. Specially designed for the Emperor Swingster, the humbuckers offer no-hum performance and feature classic Alnico-V magnets, enamel wire and over-wound coils for the perfect combination of warmth and bite.

Topping it all off are Epiphone's trademark, multi-bound headstock with the classic mother-of-pearl "vine" inlay, premium Grover(tm) tuners and a multi-bound, 20 fret Rosewood fingerboard with block inlay. The Epiphone Emperor Swingster comes in a variety of finishes including Trans Black, Wine Red and Sunrise Orange. Epiphone proudly stands by every guitar they make by supporting it with a Limited Lifetime Warranty and Gibson 24/7/365 Customer Service. If you're ready for a professional guitar with unique features and an attractive price tag, make sure to check out the new Emperor Swingster today.

Guitar Edge Reviews The Epiphone Dove

Be sure to check out the December 2009 issue of Guitar Edge Magazine. On page 147 Pat Smith reviews the Epiphone Dove. Here's a sneak peek at Pat's conclusion:

"For the money, an aspiring folkie would be hard pressed to find a better guitar than this Epiphone Dove."

Guitar Player Reviews The 1962 Wilshire Reissue

Be sure to pick up a copy of the September 2009 issue of Guitar Player. On page #86 Dave Hunter does a full review of the Limited Edition 1962 Wilshire Reissue. Dave concludes that the Wilshire Reissue is "Well made and very playable. Plenty of gutsy P-90 mojo. Some surprising sonic twists."

BetterGuitar.com Reviews The LP Ultra

BetterGuitar.com recently reviewed the Epiphone Les Paul Ultra. Here's what they had to say:

Epiphone Les Paul Ultra
Review by Mark Starlin

For many guitar players (myself included), the Les Paul represents the ultimate guitar design. Although it is truly a matter of personal taste, the Les Paul’s perfect symmetry and the beauty of its simplicity make it an undeniable classic. And when you factor in the legion of guitar heroes who have wielded the axe, its cool factor goes through the roof. Unfortunately, the cost of a new Gibson Les Paul is beyond reach of many students and working musicians. Realizing this, Gibson also provides Les Paul models under its less expensive Epiphone brand, providing nearly everyone a chance to enjoy a Les Paul of their very own.

The Ultra

While the Epiphone Les Paul Ultra is a beauty, it is more than just the same old Les Paul wrapped in new cosmetics. In fact, it contains two significant changes from the standard Les Paul line. The first change is evident the minute you pick up the guitar. If you are expecting the heft of a standard Les Paul, you will be surprised at its lighter (around 5.5 pounds) weight. The weight reduction was achieved by carving chambers out its Mahogany body. This not only makes the Ultra much more comfortable to play for long periods, it also has a major impact on its tone (which I will discuss later.)

Another new comfort feature is the “belly contour” on the back of the guitar. This contour allows the guitar to hug your body closely when sitting down, although I found that the rather abrupt end of the contour where it nears the pickup selector electronics actually poked into my belly. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but noticeable. I guess this feature’s usefulness depends on your body size and how you wear the guitar.

Construction

The Ultra is constructed in Korea and inspected by Epiphone technicians before shipping to dealers. The body is chambered Mahogany, with a quilted Maple top. The neck is Mahogany with a Rosewood fingerboard and satin finish. It has a slightly narrower 42mm neck than the standard 43mm Les Paul neck. It has Grover tuners, an Alnico Classic pickup in the neck position, and a HOT Alnico Classic pickup at the bridge. The body and neck are bound with single-ply cream binding. Construction was solid throughout, although the guitar I received for review had a warped (bowed) pickguard. Epiphone assured me this was probably the result of shipping, as the guitars go through thorough inspection before shipping. A pickguard is easily replaceable by a dealer and has no effect on the tone, so I continued with the review.

Playability

The most common complaint about Les Pauls is their weight. The Ultra’s lighter weight makes the guitar less tiring for long gigs and jam sessions. The neck is a “medium” thickness and is ruler flat. The action was perfect out of the box and there were no buzzes or dead spots on the neck. There were no sharp edges on the fret ends, but file marks were visible on many frets and all along the binding. The neck is very fast and felt quite smooth for having a satin finish. The Ultra’s light weight and fast neck make it great fun to play.

Tone

Here is where the Ultra makes a major departure from its solid chuck of Mahogany brethren. The chambers carved out of the Ultra’s body have a very noticeable effect on its tone. Acoustically it is much more “alive” than a standard Les Paul. When using a clean setting on my amp, the Ultra had a more acoustic quality to its tone than my Les Paul Custom. It’s not bright like a Strat, but it does seem to resonate more than a typical Les Paul. The biggest difference, however, came when I added some overdrive. The attack was less defined and overall the tone was less focused than my Custom. The best analogy is a semi-hollowbody guitar with more sustain. Which makes sense since, technically, a semi-hollowbody is what the Ultra is.

If you are looking for a thick bluesy tone, a clean rootsy tone, or a raging garage band/punk tone, the Ultra may be just your cup of tea. Fans of guitar noise will appreciate that the Ultra makes it easier to get feedback than the typical solidbody. Shredders, metal fans, or those looking for well-defined attack and chords would do better with a standard solidbody Les Paul. The Ultra’s tone is not your typical Les Paul tone, so you will want to give it a good workout before you decide if it’s right for you.

Final Thoughts

When you name something “Ultra”, you are setting the bar pretty high. Does the Ultra live up to its name? That depends on your vision of the ultimate guitar. If you consider its attractive faded Cherry-burst, quilted Maple top, gold hardware, cream binding and pickguard, the Ultra has the looks department covered. If you like a fast, flat neck, the Ultra provides it. If you long for a lighter Les Paul, check that off your list also. If you want a more acoustic clean tone and a “raging” distorted tone, the Ultra is calling your name. And if you want it all at an affordable price, the Ultra may be just the ticket.

Epi Les Pauls, Built To Perform, Night After Night, Gig After Gig

The classic design of the Les Paul electric guitar is timeless. With a unique combination of mahogany and maple, the signature sound of the Les Paul has defined rock and roll for over 50 years. For over 130 years, Epiphone has been passionately designing and making guitars and basses built to perform. You can count on Epiphone to give you time-tested designs, top-quality electronics and consistent performance from models like the Les Paul.

Mahogany/Maple Set Neck Construction: A unique combination of mahogany and maple give the Les Paul it's signature sound, a sound that has defined rock and roll for over 50 years.

3+3 Headstock: More spacing and larger buttons make our 3+3 headstock and tuner design easier and faster to use.

Tune-o-matic Bridge: Fully adjustable, the Tune-o-matic remains a classic after over 50 years. Unlike guitars fitted with tremolos, there are no tuning or restringing difficulties. Plus, tone and sustain are improved because all string vibrations are transferred directly to the guitar.

Angled Headstock: Unlike less costly designs, all Epiphone Les Pauls feature a 14 degree headstock that gives you more pressure at the nut so you get more sustain with less tuning hang-ups caused by "string-tree" gadgets.

Grover Machine Heads: All Epiphone guitars and basses feature premium, precision tuners for ease of use, excellent tuning stability and long life.

Quick-Connector: For unequaled reliability as well as ease of service, Epiphone wiring harnesses feature quick-connectors.

All-Metal Toggle Switch: Proven for years to be the most reliable, our all-metal toggle switches use rugged spring-steel contacts to ensure years of reliable service and performance.

Full-Size Potentiometers: We're passionate about performance. That's why our instruments use 1" diameter potentiometers for better "throw", longer life and reliable service.

Output Jack: To increase reliability and ensure consistent performance, our proprietary output jacks feature an improved contact shape and heavy-duty spring steel.

Double Vacuum Waxing: Epiphone utilizes a vacuum waxing process that ensures optimum performance. The pickup is first placed in the specialized wax vacuuming system before the cover is placed on the unit to ensure that the wax fully penetrates to the very center of the pickup and solidifies all parts. After the cover is placed on, it is again given a second vacuum, wax bath until the unit is completely saturated in wax. Epiphone uses only the highest quality parts for it's pickups. ABS plastic bobbins, 1010 Coil Rolled Steel pole shoes and pole screws, Alnico and ceramic magnets and the finest magnet wire available.

Guitarist Magazine Reviews The Epiphone DR-500MCE and Inspired By 1964 Texan

Check out the September 2010 issue of Guitarist Magazine. On page 97 Steve Harvey takes an in-depth look at two Epiphone acoustic guitars... the Masterbilt DR-500MCE and the Inspired By 1964 Texan. Mr. Harvey concluded:

Epiphone, as ever, has produced two great vintage-looking guitars that both benefit from a little modern technology... Both are also excellent value for money, especially the DR-500 with its solid back and sides and Shadow NanoMag system.