Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom Les Paul Standard Reissues | Review

Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom Les Paul Standard Reissue 1960 & 1957 | Review

MSRP: (UK) £1149 / (US) $1299

Channelling the golden era of guitar design, Epiphone's Inspired by Gibson Custom Les Paul Standard Reissues bring all the classic looks and feel of the iconic late-'50s and 1960 Les Pauls—minus the eye-watering price tag. With attention to vintage detail—think carved maple tops, chunky mahogany necks, and PAF-style pickups—these models serve up timeless tone and style, whether you're chasing blues, rock, or something in between. Nick Jennison tells us more.

Few electric guitars carry the weight of legend quite like the Les Paul Standard. With the "Inspired by Gibson" series, Epiphone is aiming squarely at the hearts (and ears) of players who crave vintage correctness, high-end touches, and a healthy dose of classic rock history—without the corresponding financial commitment. Enter the 1957 Goldtop and 1960 Les Paul Standard Reissue: two guitars that sit at the very top of Epiphone's range, and with good reason.

The first detail likely to turn heads is the headstock itself. This is Epiphone's take on the iconic "open book" Gibson silhouette—a design feature long overdue on these models. It's remarkable how much this one shape change can transform the guitar's visual gravitas. Sure, Epiphone's Kalamazoo headstock has its place (Casino, Sheraton), but on a Les Paul, the Gibson outline just looks right. Combine this with the silkscreened Les Paul script, vintage-correct Klusen tuners (single ring for the '57, double ring for the '60), and the double-diamond serial on the back, and the guitars immediately feel more "Gibson" than ever before.

Of course, aesthetics alone don't make a great instrument. Both models feature the expected mahogany body and maple cap—no weight relief here, just classic construction. The Goldtop's finish is appropriately lustrous, while the 1960's "vintage gloss" iced tea burst (also available in washed cherry) offers a subtle nod to aged guitars, without veering into relic territory. The necks are true to period: the '57 comes with the substantial, rounded 50s profile—a shape with genuine heft and old-school credibility. The '60, on the other hand, sports a slim-taper neck that will feel instantly familiar to players who favour speed and comfort. It's not so thin that it disappears, but it glides nicely under the hand, and should appeal to a wide cross-section of modern players.

Hardware is where the value proposition gets interesting. Both guitars come equipped with an ABR-1 bridge and lightweight aluminum tailpiece—parts many would consider upgrades on far pricier instruments. Switchcraft electronics (including the jack and selector), USA pots, and paper-in-oil capacitors round out a package that is impressively true to vintage spec for an Epiphone at this price. The fretwork is tidy, the rosewood boards sport classic trapezoid inlays, and while you won't find fret nibs here, the overall fit and finish is genuinely impressive.

The centrepiece, though, is the pickups. Both models are loaded with genuine Gibson Custom Buckers—the same pickups used in their high-end Custom Shop instruments. These are not mere imitations; they deliver that familiar Les Paul punch and dynamic range in spades. Clean, you get shimmer and warmth in equal measure, with a complexity in the mids that invites expressive playing. Add gain, and the guitars absolutely sing: the bridge is articulate and muscular without excessive harshness, while the neck is fat and vocal without being muddy. The controls have a vintage-style taper and feel genuinely responsive—a detail often lost on lesser instruments.

What's perhaps most striking is how much guitar you're getting for the money. With just the pickups and pots alone, you'd be spending a significant chunk if you sourced them separately. Here, you get the whole instrument for less than the price of some pickup sets. The fit and finish are genuinely up there with much more expensive guitars, and in the hand—or plugged in and cranked—the experience is thoroughly convincing.

In short, Epiphone's Inspired by Gibson 1957 and 1960 Les Paul Standard Reissues offer an authentic slice of Les Paul history, dressed up in all the right details and powered by truly excellent electronics. For purists, the Goldtop and Iced Tea Burst capture the soul of two golden eras. For pragmatists, they offer exceptional value. For everyone else, they might just be the best way to get "that" sound and feel—without the vintage price tag.

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