Widely considered the ultimate solidbody electric guitar, the Gibson Les Paul™ has defined the sound of music since its 1952 debut. Over the decades, it has evolved into a vast family of models—including the Standard, Custom, Studio, Special, and Junior—each offering unique pickup configurations like P-90s and humbuckers™ through both Gibson and Epiphone.

From blues and classic rock to metal, punk, and indie, the Les Paul is a global constant. Its sonic legacy was cemented by legends like Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, while its versatility has made it the tool of choice for icons as diverse as Slash, Randy Rhoads, Bob Marley, and Billie Joe Armstrong.

Joining the ranks of these guitar heroes is more accessible than ever, thanks to Epiphone’s commitment to quality and variety. Whether you are a beginner looking for your first instrument or a seasoned player in need of a dependable workhorse for the stage or studio, this 2026 Epiphone Les Paul buyer’s guide is designed to help you find your perfect match.

To help you navigate the Epiphone range, the brand organizes its Les Paul models into four distinct collections, each tailored to a specific type of player—from touring professionals to those just starting their musical journey.

Here is a breakdown of the four main categories:

1. Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom

These are the most historically accurate models in the Epiphone lineup. Developed in collaboration with the Gibson Custom shop, these guitars feature premium components and USA-made electronics. They are designed for players who want the vintage look, feel, and specifications of historic Gibson instruments at a more accessible price point.

2. Inspired by Gibson (Original & Modern)

This collection offers the core Epiphone experience, divided into two distinct philosophies:

• Original: A faithful recreation of the 1950s and 60s Gibson classics, utilizing traditional tonewoods, neck profiles, and vintage-voiced electronics.

• Modern: Designed for today’s guitarist, these models integrate contemporary features like coil-splitting, advanced wiring, and high-output pickups to provide maximum tonal versatility.

3. Epiphone Tribute Collection

Ideally suited for beginners and younger players, the Tribute line focuses on affordability without sacrificing the "Les Paul" experience. By utilizing features like bolt-on necks, ceramic humbuckers, and durable finishes, these guitars provide a reliable, great-feeling instrument that makes the learning process enjoyable and rewarding.

4. Epiphone Artist Collection

These models are the result of direct collaboration with legendary musicians. Each guitar is built to the exact personal specifications of artists like Slash, Adam Jones, Joe Bonamassa, and Matt Heafy. This collection is your direct path to capturing the signature tone and aesthetic of your favorite guitar icons.

The Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom collection serves as a portal to Gibson’s "Golden Age." Developed through a direct partnership with the expert luthiers at the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville, these instruments are designed to recreate the spirit and soul of the most legendary vintage Les Pauls.

By pairing classic, period-correct specifications—such as handwired electronics and authentic USA-made Gibson pickups—with modern manufacturing standards, Epiphone has created a range that captures the prestige of a high-end vintage guitar at a significantly more accessible price point. Whether you are in the studio or on the stage, these models provide the professional tone and reliability that define the Les Paul legacy.

• One-piece mahogany necks with long tenons for increased stability and sustain and Gibson-style “open-book” headstocks

• Authentic 50s Rounded Medium C and SlimTaper™ neck profiles

• Bound rosewood or ebony fretboards with 22 medium-jumbo frets and mother-of-pearl inlays

• Gibson USA Custombucker humbuckers and Gibson USA P-90s, handwired to CTS® potentiometers and Bumblebee paper-in-oil capacitors

• Switchcraft® three-way toggle switches and output jacks

• Brown hardshell cases with Inspired by Gibson Custom graphics

• One-piece mahogany neck with long tenon and 1959 Rounded Medium C profile

• Bound rosewood fretboard with 22 medium-jumbo frets and mother-of-pearl trapezoid inlays

• Mahogany body with carved maple top and AAA flamed maple veneer

• Gibson USA Custombucker humbuckers

• Handwired electronics with CTS® potentiometers

• Includes a brown Inspired by Gibson Custom hardshell case

• One-piece mahogany neck with long tenon and 50s Rounded Medium C profile

• Bound rosewood fretboard with 22 medium-jumbo frets and mother-of-pearl trapezoid inlays

• Mahogany body with carved plain maple top

• Gibson USA Custombucker humbuckers

• Handwired electronics with CTS® potentiometers and Bumblebee paper-in-oil capacitors

• Vintage Gloss Double Gold finish

• Includes a brown Inspired by Gibson Custom hardshell case with pink plush interior

• Solid mahogany body with maple cap

• One-piece mahogany neck with long tenon and Modern Medium C profile

• Ebony fretboard with 22 medium-jumbo frets and mother-of-pearl block inlays

• Mother-of-pearl split diamond headstock inlay on Gibson-style “open book” headstock

• Gibson USA 490R (neck) and 498T (bridge) humbuckers

• Multi-ply binding (seven-ply top, five-ply back and headstock)

• Includes a black Inspired by Gibson Custom hardshell case with goldenrod interior

• Slab mahogany double-cutaway body

• One-piece mahogany neck with long tenon and 60s SlimTaper profile

• Rosewood fretboard with 22 medium-jumbo frets and mother-of-pearl dot inlays

• Gibson USA P-90 Soapbar pickups

• Historic-style Wraparound bridge with intonation screws

• Gibson-style “open book” headstock

The Epiphone Inspired by Gibson collection brings the legendary single-cutaway aesthetic and infinite sustain of the Les Paul to players at every level. These instruments offer a perfect balance of quality and accessibility, making them ideal whether you are practicing in your bedroom, playing your first gig, or maintaining a reliable rig for the road.

To help you find the right fit, the collection is divided into two distinct categories:

• Original: These models pay homage to the classic "Golden Age" designs, staying faithful to the traditional specs that made the Les Paul an icon.

• Modern: These guitars are built for the contemporary player. They incorporate performance-focused updates—such as higher-output pickups, ergonomic contoured heels, and advanced switching—to give you more versatility and comfort on stage or in the studio.

The Epiphone Original Collection is a tribute to the fundamental elements that established the Les Paul as a legend. By focusing on classic construction—mahogany bodies paired with carved maple tops on Standard models—these guitars deliver the massive sustain and authentic, era-specific neck profiles that traditionalists crave.

Equipped with vintage-voiced P-90s or ProBucker™ humbuckers and finished in timeless sunbursts, this collection is the ideal starting point for anyone seeking that iconic "Golden Era" tone and feel at an affordable price. If you’re comparing models to find the best balance of heritage and value, these instruments are hard to beat.

• Mahogany bodies for classic Les Paul tone and sustain

• ProBucker™ humbuckers or P-90 pickups for vintage-inspired voicing and dynamic response

• Graph Tech® nuts and CTS® electronics

• Traditional Les Paul control layouts with 50s-style wiring on select models

• Optional or included premium gig bags for convenience and portability

• Mahogany body with maple cap and highly figured maple veneer

• Mahogany neck with long tenon and 1959 Rounded Medium C profile

• Bound rosewood fretboard with 22 medium-jumbo frets and pearloid trapezoid inlays

• Epiphone ProBucker 1 (neck) and ProBucker 2 (bridge) humbuckers

• CTS potentiometers with 50s-style wiring

• Includes Epiphone premium gig bag

• Mahogany body with maple cap and highly figured maple veneer

• Mahogany neck with long tenon and SlimTaper 60s C profile

• Bound rosewood fretboard with 22 medium-jumbo frets and pearloid trapezoid inlays

• Epiphone ProBucker 2 (neck) and ProBucker 3 (bridge) humbuckers

• Includes Epiphone premium gig bag

• Single-cutaway slab mahogany body

• Mahogany neck with 50s Vintage profile

• Rosewood fretboard with 22 medium-jumbo frets and pearloid dot inlays

• Single Epiphone P-90 PRO™ Dogear pickup

• Compensated Lightning Bar wraparound bridge

• Epiphone Deluxe tuners with ivory buttons and Graph Tech nut

• Includes Epiphone premium gig bag

Moving forward in our guide, we have the Epiphone Modern Collection. While these guitars honor the classic Les Paul heritage, they are engineered with "quality-of-life" upgrades specifically for technically demanding players and heavier genres.

If you’re a metal player looking for an aggressive edge, you’ll appreciate features like high-output Fishman pickups. Across the range, you’ll also find performance-driven specs such as coil-splitting and phase switching for tonal variety, compound-radius fretboards for effortless lead work, locking tuners for rock-solid stability, and weight-relieved bodies for comfort during long sets. These models are built to be versatile workhorses that can handle any challenge.

• Ultra Modern weight relief and sculpted heels for improved comfort and upper-fret access

• Coil-splitting, phase switching, and active pickups, depending on the model

• Locking tuners for tuning stability

• Ebony or bound fretboards with stainless steel or jumbo frets on select models

• Premium gig bags included on most models

• Mahogany body with Ultra Modern weight relief and maple cap with AAAA flame maple veneer

• Mahogany neck with 60s SlimTaper C profile and Modern Contoured Heel

• Bound ebony fretboard with 10-14 inch compound radius and 22 stainless steel medium-jumbo frets

• Epiphone T-Type PRO humbuckers with push/pull coil splitting and phase switching

• Locking Grover® Rotomatic® tuners and Graph Tech nut

• Posi-Lok™ strap buttons

• Includes Epiphone premium gig bag

• Mahogany body with Ultra Modern weight relief and carved hard maple cap with AAA flame maple veneer

• Mahogany neck with asymmetrical SlimTaper™ profile

• Ebony fretboard with 24 jumbo frets and block and triangle inlays

• Fishman Fluence® Epiphone Prophecy pickups with three selectable voicings

• Push/pull controls for coil splitting and Vintage/Modern tone switching

• Grover locking Rotomatic tuners and Graph Tech NuBone® nut

• Includes Epiphone premium gig bag

Next in our buyer's guide is the Epiphone Tribute Collection. These models are specifically tailored for beginners and developing musicians, prioritizing a rewarding playing experience that removes the frustration often associated with learning.

While they stay true to the classic Les Paul aesthetic, the Tribute series is built with practical, player-focused specifications designed to help you sound your best while you grow. Whether you are just beginning your musical journey or looking for a dependable, gig-ready upgrade that can handle rehearsals and your first live performances, these guitars offer a solid, professional feel.

• Gabon mahogany bodies with full gloss finishes

• Bolt-on neck construction for stability and easy setup

• Laurel fretboards with acrylic inlays

• Epiphone ceramic humbucker pickups and ceramic capacitors

• Kalamazoo-style headstocks with die-cast tuners

• Gig bags included

• Mahogany body with carved, bound top and AAA flame maple veneer

• Bolt-on mahogany neck with 60s SlimTaper Rounded C profile and sculpted heel

• Bound laurel fretboard with 22 medium-jumbo frets and pearloid trapezoid inlays

• Epiphone 650R™ (neck) and 700T™ (bridge) ceramic humbuckers

• Optional Epiphone gig bag or hardshell case available separately

• Mahogany body with carved mahogany top

• Mahogany neck with laurel fretboard and tapered neck joint

• Laurel fretboard with pearloid inlays

• Epiphone 650R (neck) and 700T (bridge) ceramic humbuckers with nickel covers

• Available in multiple finishes and left-handed versions

• Optional Epiphone gig bag available separately

As highlighted earlier, the Les Paul has been the defining instrument for countless music legends across every genre. The Epiphone Artist Collection is your gateway to capturing those signature sounds.

These aren't just aesthetic replicas; they are professional-grade instruments developed through direct collaboration with the artists themselves. By incorporating the specific custom pickups, finishes, and performance-driven features demanded by icons like Slash, Adam Jones, and others, these models provide a stage-ready experience that puts the exact tools of your heroes directly into your hands.

• Mahogany body with maple cap and Modern weight relief

• Mahogany neck with SpeedTaper™ D profile and contoured heel

• Fishman Fluence custom-voiced pickups with three selectable voicings per pickup

• Push/pull volume and tone controls for expanded tonal control

• Gold hardware, including locking Grover Rotomatic tuners with tulip buttons

• Les Paul Custom styling and appointments

• Includes custom hardshell case

• Mahogany body with classic Les Paul Custom styling

• Single Seymour Duncan® Silencer™ JJN P90B bridge pickup

• Lightning Bar wraparound bridge

• Grover locking Rotomatic tuners

• Includes EpiLite™ case

• Mahogany body with maple top

• One-piece mahogany neck with long tenon and custom Tak Matsumoto profile

• Laurel fretboard and Gibson-style “open book” headstock

• Gibson Burstbucker PRO Alnico 5 pickups

• 50s wiring with CTS potentiometers, Grey Tiger capacitors, and Switchcraft electronics

• Gibson Historic Wraparound bridge with intonation set screws

• Includes vintage-style Inspired by Gibson Custom brown/pink hardshell case

• Mahogany body with maple cap

• Gibson USA Greenybucker pickups with reverse-mounted neck pickup and reverse polarity magnet

• CTS potentiometers, Mallory™ capacitors, and Switchcraft electronics

• Grover Rotomatic tuners with spade-style buttons

• Gibson-style “open book” headstock

• Includes vintage-style brown and pink hardshell case

• Mahogany body with AAA flame maple veneer top

• Mahogany bolt-on neck with Slash Custom C-shape profile

• Epiphone Ceramic Plus™ Zebra-coil humbuckers

• 3-way toggle with master volume and tone controls

• Includes premium gig bag and Slash signature picks

You’ve found your perfect Epiphone Les Paul—now it’s time to give it a voice.

At the end of the day, the right amplifier isn’t about chasing trends or reading spec sheets—it’s about the truth of your tone. Whether you’re looking to push a tube amp into a saturated, bluesy growl, or you need the versatility of a digital modeler to handle everything from sparkling cleans to high-gain metal, the amplifier is the heartbeat of your signal chain. It’s what allows your new Les Paul to breathe, react, and command the room.

And when it comes to finding that perfect partner for your Les Paul—the one that finally makes everything click—there’s only one place guitarists in Malaysia trust: Music Bliss.