What type of neck profile does this guitar have?

The guitar features a 1959 Rounded Medium C neck profile. This is designed to offer a solid, hand-filling feel that is thicker than many modern neck shapes, suitable for both chunky rhythm and lead work.

What pickups are installed in the Epiphone Les Paul Standard 50s Goldtop?

It is equipped with ProBucker humbucking pickups. these are designed to provide a balanced and articulate tone reminiscent of vintage late-50s pickups.

How does the construction affect the sustain of the guitar?

The guitar utilizes a mahogany body and a long neck tenon. The long tenon increases the contact area between the neck and body, which significantly enhances resonance and sustain.

What materials are used for the body and top?

The body is made of mahogany, which provides warmth and depth, and it is topped with a maple cap that adds brightness and punch to the overall sound.

Is the fingerboard made of synthetic material?

No, this model features a traditional rosewood fingerboard. It includes pearloid trapezoid inlays and 22 medium-jumbo frets for a vintage look and feel.

What is the typical price range for this model?

The Epiphone Les Paul Standard 50s Goldtop typically retails for approximately £549 to £599. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and current market conditions.

Which famous artists are associated with the Les Paul model?

The Les Paul design is famously associated with the inventor Les Paul himself. Additionally, contemporary artists like Taylor Swift have been known to use Les Paul style guitars.

How does this compare to a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster?

The Epiphone is a shorter-scale guitar with humbucking pickups and a mahogany body, offering a warmer, thicker sound. The Stratocaster typically features single-coil pickups and a bolt-on neck for a brighter, 'twangier' character.

Does this guitar have P90 pickups?

No, this specific Goldtop model uses ProBucker humbuckers. If you are looking for P90s, you would need to look at specific Gibson variants like the Les Paul Standard 50s P90 Tobacco Burst.

What is the finish on this specific model?

This guitar features the iconic Goldtop finish. It is a metallic gold paint applied to the maple cap, paying tribute to the original Les Paul aesthetics of the 1950s.

Is this guitar suitable for beginners?

While it is a professional-grade instrument, its accessible price and classic playability make it suitable for beginners who want a high-quality guitar that will last throughout their playing career.

How many frets does the Epiphone Les Paul Standard 50s have?

The guitar features 22 medium-jumbo frets. These are slightly larger than vintage frets, making it easier to bend strings while maintaining a classic feel.

Gear article

Epiphone Les Paul Standard 50s Goldtop

The Epiphone Les Paul Standard 50s Goldtop is a solid-body electric guitar designed to replicate the specifications and aesthetics of late 1950s Gibson models. It features a mahogany body with a maple cap, a 1959 Rounded Medium C neck profile, and ProBucker humbucking pickups to deliver a vintage-inspired tone and playing experience.

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Background and Heritage

The Epiphone Les Paul Standard 50s Goldtop serves as a tribute to the foundational years of the solid-body electric guitar. By drawing inspiration from the late 1950s, a period that defined the rock and blues sound, this model aims to provide an accessible version of the 'Golden Era' instruments. It maintains the iconic Goldtop finish, which was the original aesthetic choice for the Les Paul model upon its debut.

Construction and Key Features

The guitar is built using a traditional mahogany body topped with a maple cap, a combination known for its weight and resonance. A significant structural feature is the long neck tenon, which extends further into the body to enhance sustain and vibration transfer. The neck follows a 1959 Rounded Medium C profile, providing a thicker, hand-filling feel compared to modern 'slim taper' necks.

The fingerboard is crafted from rosewood and hosts 22 medium-jumbo frets. Visual appointments include pearloid trapezoid inlays and vintage-style tuners, ensuring the instrument maintains its historical character while providing reliable modern tuning stability.

Electronics and Sound Character

This model is equipped with ProBucker humbucking pickups, which are designed to replicate the output and harmonic richness of original PAF (Patent Applied For) pickups. The resulting sound is characterised by a blend of warmth, punch, and clarity. The mahogany and maple construction provides a deep low-end response with enough top-end brightness to ensure notes remain articulate during lead passages or heavy rhythm playing.

User Suitability and Comparisons

The Epiphone Les Paul Standard 50s is particularly suited for players who prefer a more substantial neck feel and traditional humbucking tones. It is a popular choice for those performing blues, classic rock, and jazz.

When compared to alternatives like the Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s, this Epiphone model offers a similar aesthetic and specification at a more accessible price point. While it lacks the P90 pickups found on some specific Gibson 50s variants, such as the Tobacco Burst P90 model, its ProBucker humbuckers offer a versatile, noise-reducing alternative for high-gain environments.

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Frequently asked questions

What type of neck profile does this guitar have?: The guitar features a 1959 Rounded Medium C neck profile. This is designed to offer a solid, hand-filling feel that is thicker than many modern neck shapes, suitable for both chunky rhythm and lead work.
What pickups are installed in the Epiphone Les Paul Standard 50s Goldtop?: It is equipped with ProBucker humbucking pickups. these are designed to provide a balanced and articulate tone reminiscent of vintage late-50s pickups.
How does the construction affect the sustain of the guitar?: The guitar utilizes a mahogany body and a long neck tenon. The long tenon increases the contact area between the neck and body, which significantly enhances resonance and sustain.
What materials are used for the body and top?: The body is made of mahogany, which provides warmth and depth, and it is topped with a maple cap that adds brightness and punch to the overall sound.
Is the fingerboard made of synthetic material?: No, this model features a traditional rosewood fingerboard. It includes pearloid trapezoid inlays and 22 medium-jumbo frets for a vintage look and feel.
What is the typical price range for this model?: The Epiphone Les Paul Standard 50s Goldtop typically retails for approximately £549 to £599. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and current market conditions.
Which famous artists are associated with the Les Paul model?: The Les Paul design is famously associated with the inventor Les Paul himself. Additionally, contemporary artists like Taylor Swift have been known to use Les Paul style guitars.
How does this compare to a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster?: The Epiphone is a shorter-scale guitar with humbucking pickups and a mahogany body, offering a warmer, thicker sound. The Stratocaster typically features single-coil pickups and a bolt-on neck for a brighter, 'twangier' character.
Does this guitar have P90 pickups?: No, this specific Goldtop model uses ProBucker humbuckers. If you are looking for P90s, you would need to look at specific Gibson variants like the Les Paul Standard 50s P90 Tobacco Burst.
What is the finish on this specific model?: This guitar features the iconic Goldtop finish. It is a metallic gold paint applied to the maple cap, paying tribute to the original Les Paul aesthetics of the 1950s.
Is this guitar suitable for beginners?: While it is a professional-grade instrument, its accessible price and classic playability make it suitable for beginners who want a high-quality guitar that will last throughout their playing career.
How many frets does the Epiphone Les Paul Standard 50s have?: The guitar features 22 medium-jumbo frets. These are slightly larger than vintage frets, making it easier to bend strings while maintaining a classic feel.