"This guitar is a solid choice for those seeking vintage style and sound without the vintage price tag": Epiphone Les Paul Special review

Time to reevaluate an entry-level classic?

Epiphone Les Paul Special review
(Image: © Future/Chris Corfield)

Guitar World Verdict

The 2024 Epiphone Les Paul Special is a dream to play. It sounds great, looks a million dollars in TV Yellow, and gives you a different sonic edge to a regular Standard. Don’t write these off as budget guitars - there’s plenty of character here and lots to love.

Pros

  • +

    Fit and finish is impeccable

  • +

    Neck pickup, in particular, is a joy

  • +

    Superb value

Cons

  • -

    Some more color options would be welcome

  • -

    Players of heavier genres should look elsewhere

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Sometimes, in your playing career, you may come to reevaluate certain guitars you overlooked the first time around. For me, the Epiphone Les Paul Special is one such guitar. I often thought of the LP Special as just the cheaper, less desirable version of the Les Paul Standard or, better still, the Custom. However, having had one on loan for a little while, I now feel a bit foolish for sleeping on it for so long.

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