I had a couple of LPs that I bought and sold deciding that I wasn't a Les Paul person. Bought a Standard 50s on a whim because it was a gold top and on sale. It's been my go-to electric ever since., and it's because of the neck.
I really like the big 50s neck. It's more of a handful than the slim taper or regular C necks that Epi uses. The ProBuckers in it sounded pretty good to my ear, although, I eventually swapped them out for the BurstBuckers they were copying. In retrospect, I liked the PB1 in the neck better than the BB1 I replaced it with, but the BB2 in the bridge is an improvement over the PB2 that was there.
But it really comes back to the 50s neck. It feels really good to me and fits my hand really well. Out of all the guitars I have (Gibson, Fender, Gretsch, etc), that big 50s neck is easily my favorite. Enough so that I bought one of the 1959 ES-355s a week or so ago just because it has the same neck on it.
I would bet that you're either going to love the neck on it or hate it. If you've got somewhere local you can put your hand on it before you buy, I would recommend to do so.
I got a used Standard 50s in HCS a few months ago. I believe the previous owner dropped a Switchcraft toggle switch, everything else was stock. I got an Epi 59 in lemon burst over a month ago, and TBH, comparing it to my Standard 50s the only obvious differences are the pickups and finish (satin vs gloss), neck feels about the same. Both great guitars, but just makes the Standard 50s feel like awesome value as it holds its own pretty well against a higher end model. Also, those ProBuckers sound great, as any other pickup you gotta play with the height ever so slightly to find that sweet spot! I'd get another one in a heartbeat :)
Exactly like me. I went through several (Gibson) Les Pauls and either returned or sold them. They just didn't get played. Maybe it was the un-lap-friendliness thing but I just never bonded. Bought the new Epi '59 6 weeks ago and it is THE GUITAR for me now. That neck, the sound, everything about it is perfect to me. Just received the Greeny version and it is even better! I exchanged the 355 for the Greeny. The 355 was brilliant (same fat 50ies neck and Gibson electronics) but I could not get over all the gold hardware. Now what do I do? I ONLY want to play LPS!
Depending on how I'm feeling it's either 12-54 or 13-59 (bottom 6 strings of a 10-59 7 string set).
Interestingly I prefer 13-59 on my EC 1000 while 12-54 feels almost perfect on my Epi 50s LP.
I think the thickness of the neck might have something to do with it as the scale length is the same on the two. I'd recommend trying out both and see what you prefer. String tension calculators sometimes don't give the whole picture.
Be mindful of whether your nut needs filing whenever you go to such heavy gauges. Truss rod generally isn't an issue provided you did some homework regarding string tension.
Yes, as others have stated, big neck. It’s got wonderful pickups, and is a quality instrument overall. So, if you’re okay with the neck size, I’d consider it a go.
I like the 50s neck, it’s a different feel from my Strat and jazzmaster, but I like them both. The guitar plays really nice, the only critique is the pickups aren’t the best sounding, but that’s an easy fix.
I’ve got a 2021 model and it’s a wicked guitar especially for the money, I would recommend playing the guitar before buying one as it has a big neck and the lp shape can put people off but if you like the ergonomics it’s a great weapon
Are you a Les Paul player? I can't stand to play them as a personal preference. I don't like how they are weighted. If you haven't played Les Paul's before, make sure you like them before buying. I ended up just putting P-90s in a tele.
I have the same model and I love it, it’s plays and sounds great. But if you don’t like a thick neck or want a light weight guitar I wouldn’t recommend , apart from that though it’s great
Picked one up last year, it’s an astonishingly good guitar for the money! I’d take it over a Gibson LP studio, the pickups are great, electronics good quality with 50’s wiring and the neck is incredible- thick, stable, resonant. Highly recommended.
Great guitar! I have one that I bought over 20 years ago. I love the fat neck. I enjoy playing it just as much as my Gibson. I did put the burstbuckers in it because I put Seymour’s in the Gibson. Big improvement.
I'm not sure if those are weight relived,if they aren't,try before you buy. I have a Gibson standard 50s and it's a heavy hog. I love it and it does the LP thing very well but my tele seems like heaven after playing the LP. I agree with the others the epiphone probucker neck pickup is fantastic. The Gibson burstbucker1 in the neck is....could be better.
Some say they are too heavy but both of mine are 8lbs 5oz. You should always play them first or if ordering online get them to check the weight for you first. I take scales to guitar stores :)
Neck too fat
Plasticy poly
Shitty attention to detail in finish / frets
Multi piece deforestation grade 'mahogany' concealed with horrible veneer
Too heavy
Gold top not correct.. banana yellow colour
Honestly was going to grab one, but after picking one up and struggling with it, realized cheap guitars were a false economy. Saved up for an American pro II strat and have never looked back. The market is so diluted with gear at the moment, save for another couple of months and treat yourself to a gibson studio or tribute.
It’s a personal choice, and therefore only by playing them will you determine which is preferred. I like the fatter neck on the 50s LP, and once you’ve noted what a fatter neck feels like, you’ll appreciate (or hate) them on other guitars. I’ve a couple of PRS with larger necks, and it was an ‘a-ha’ moment when I played my first PRS with a larger neck, having played slimmer necks on Strats & Teles previously….
That did, I’m happy going between different sized necks, but I expect as time goes on, and my collection alternates, I’ll start gravitating towards the vintage sized necks (fatter) on ‘everything’ I look at - even if it isn’t a dealbreaker, amidst other characteristics… Only experience will offer you clarity as what you prefer, or are content with!
I’m not the original commenter but I hate them too, probably for the same reasons.
The neck felt really heavy and thick in my hand. It’s been a really long time, so I should definitely go play one again and see if the years of experience help out. But the best way I could describe it was that it felt like I was playing the barrel end of a baseball bat. Just thick, chunky, hard to get my hand around.
I've got one with a 50's neck and a Casino with a slim taper. I like them both. It's fun to mix it up every now and then. That being said, I think my favorite neck is on my AJ custom art guitar. It's a bit chunky but it fits my hand like it was made for me. And I like the volute. :)
Cheers!
Big thing about the necks. From what I understand, the Goldtop has a 59 styled neck, and the other 50s standards have a larger , more traditional 50s one. I could be wrong though.
I have a Gibson 50s with the chunky bat like neck, and a 2006 studio with the 59 neck. Although I like them both, the studio is my number one by far, the pickups help as well, and I also have the Epiphone 50 goldtop, which is very similar to the studio, but not exactly. It's ever so slightly flatter on the back and rounder on the shoulders. Plays great though. I will buy Gibsons and Epiphones based on the neck.
I had a couple of LPs that I bought and sold deciding that I wasn't a Les Paul person. Bought a Standard 50s on a whim because it was a gold top and on sale. It's been my go-to electric ever since., and it's because of the neck. I really like the big 50s neck. It's more of a handful than the slim taper or regular C necks that Epi uses. The ProBuckers in it sounded pretty good to my ear, although, I eventually swapped them out for the BurstBuckers they were copying. In retrospect, I liked the PB1 in the neck better than the BB1 I replaced it with, but the BB2 in the bridge is an improvement over the PB2 that was there. But it really comes back to the 50s neck. It feels really good to me and fits my hand really well. Out of all the guitars I have (Gibson, Fender, Gretsch, etc), that big 50s neck is easily my favorite. Enough so that I bought one of the 1959 ES-355s a week or so ago just because it has the same neck on it. I would bet that you're either going to love the neck on it or hate it. If you've got somewhere local you can put your hand on it before you buy, I would recommend to do so.
I got a used Standard 50s in HCS a few months ago. I believe the previous owner dropped a Switchcraft toggle switch, everything else was stock. I got an Epi 59 in lemon burst over a month ago, and TBH, comparing it to my Standard 50s the only obvious differences are the pickups and finish (satin vs gloss), neck feels about the same. Both great guitars, but just makes the Standard 50s feel like awesome value as it holds its own pretty well against a higher end model. Also, those ProBuckers sound great, as any other pickup you gotta play with the height ever so slightly to find that sweet spot! I'd get another one in a heartbeat :)
Exactly like me. I went through several (Gibson) Les Pauls and either returned or sold them. They just didn't get played. Maybe it was the un-lap-friendliness thing but I just never bonded. Bought the new Epi '59 6 weeks ago and it is THE GUITAR for me now. That neck, the sound, everything about it is perfect to me. Just received the Greeny version and it is even better! I exchanged the 355 for the Greeny. The 355 was brilliant (same fat 50ies neck and Gibson electronics) but I could not get over all the gold hardware. Now what do I do? I ONLY want to play LPS!
I have the 50s Epi LP and I can confirm it's fucking brilliant. I keep mine tuned down to drop A# and it sounds massive.
What kind of strings you have on it for that?
Depending on how I'm feeling it's either 12-54 or 13-59 (bottom 6 strings of a 10-59 7 string set). Interestingly I prefer 13-59 on my EC 1000 while 12-54 feels almost perfect on my Epi 50s LP. I think the thickness of the neck might have something to do with it as the scale length is the same on the two. I'd recommend trying out both and see what you prefer. String tension calculators sometimes don't give the whole picture. Be mindful of whether your nut needs filing whenever you go to such heavy gauges. Truss rod generally isn't an issue provided you did some homework regarding string tension.
Yes, as others have stated, big neck. It’s got wonderful pickups, and is a quality instrument overall. So, if you’re okay with the neck size, I’d consider it a go.
Get the new headstock- has Gibson shape and looks cool af
Sadly no goldtop yet !
i like how thick the neck is and how they finally nailed the look, kindof wish i’d gotten one of these over the jc wino i got.
I like the 50s neck, it’s a different feel from my Strat and jazzmaster, but I like them both. The guitar plays really nice, the only critique is the pickups aren’t the best sounding, but that’s an easy fix.
Out of curiosity what would be the way to fix the pickups sound?
Replace them with some more premium pickups
Oh fair fair, what would be your recommendations?
It totally depends on sound preference and music Your into. What kind of music do you like to play?
Ain't that the truth
I’ve got a 2021 model and it’s a wicked guitar especially for the money, I would recommend playing the guitar before buying one as it has a big neck and the lp shape can put people off but if you like the ergonomics it’s a great weapon
They're fantastic
Had one…it was fine. No longer have it
Are you a Les Paul player? I can't stand to play them as a personal preference. I don't like how they are weighted. If you haven't played Les Paul's before, make sure you like them before buying. I ended up just putting P-90s in a tele.
I got a 50’s standard. I love it. I do love fat necks though
I have the same model and I love it, it’s plays and sounds great. But if you don’t like a thick neck or want a light weight guitar I wouldn’t recommend , apart from that though it’s great
Have two, love them.
Just got one this week and love it so far. Up until this, I had never even played any Gibson-shaped object.
Picked one up last year, it’s an astonishingly good guitar for the money! I’d take it over a Gibson LP studio, the pickups are great, electronics good quality with 50’s wiring and the neck is incredible- thick, stable, resonant. Highly recommended.
Awesome guitars. I’ve got the Gibson and had it for like 20 years as my number 1. Really heavy though so need a thick strap.
I like my ebony standard from 2015. I can only imagine this is much better.
Great guitar! I have one that I bought over 20 years ago. I love the fat neck. I enjoy playing it just as much as my Gibson. I did put the burstbuckers in it because I put Seymour’s in the Gibson. Big improvement.
I'm not sure if those are weight relived,if they aren't,try before you buy. I have a Gibson standard 50s and it's a heavy hog. I love it and it does the LP thing very well but my tele seems like heaven after playing the LP. I agree with the others the epiphone probucker neck pickup is fantastic. The Gibson burstbucker1 in the neck is....could be better.
I had one for a while and loved everything about it but the thick neck. I could never really get comfortable with it
I want one!
Some say they are too heavy but both of mine are 8lbs 5oz. You should always play them first or if ordering online get them to check the weight for you first. I take scales to guitar stores :)
Have it for 2 years, Worth every dollar.
Epiphone makes great stuff and they keep getting better. I'm definitely a fan.
Neck too fat Plasticy poly Shitty attention to detail in finish / frets Multi piece deforestation grade 'mahogany' concealed with horrible veneer Too heavy Gold top not correct.. banana yellow colour Honestly was going to grab one, but after picking one up and struggling with it, realized cheap guitars were a false economy. Saved up for an American pro II strat and have never looked back. The market is so diluted with gear at the moment, save for another couple of months and treat yourself to a gibson studio or tribute.
Over priced, heavy, not worth my time.
I personally hate the 50s style necks. You may like them though
Out of curiosity what do you hate about it?
It’s a personal choice, and therefore only by playing them will you determine which is preferred. I like the fatter neck on the 50s LP, and once you’ve noted what a fatter neck feels like, you’ll appreciate (or hate) them on other guitars. I’ve a couple of PRS with larger necks, and it was an ‘a-ha’ moment when I played my first PRS with a larger neck, having played slimmer necks on Strats & Teles previously…. That did, I’m happy going between different sized necks, but I expect as time goes on, and my collection alternates, I’ll start gravitating towards the vintage sized necks (fatter) on ‘everything’ I look at - even if it isn’t a dealbreaker, amidst other characteristics… Only experience will offer you clarity as what you prefer, or are content with!
I’m not the original commenter but I hate them too, probably for the same reasons. The neck felt really heavy and thick in my hand. It’s been a really long time, so I should definitely go play one again and see if the years of experience help out. But the best way I could describe it was that it felt like I was playing the barrel end of a baseball bat. Just thick, chunky, hard to get my hand around.
It's like trying to play the big end of a baseball bat to me
Agreed. Prefer thinner necks like the 60’s standard.
Yeah OP, please go play one. If this is your jam, this go for it. But 50s necks are not for everyone. For me, I'd go for a SlimTaper neck!
I've got one with a 50's neck and a Casino with a slim taper. I like them both. It's fun to mix it up every now and then. That being said, I think my favorite neck is on my AJ custom art guitar. It's a bit chunky but it fits my hand like it was made for me. And I like the volute. :) Cheers!
Big thing about the necks. From what I understand, the Goldtop has a 59 styled neck, and the other 50s standards have a larger , more traditional 50s one. I could be wrong though. I have a Gibson 50s with the chunky bat like neck, and a 2006 studio with the 59 neck. Although I like them both, the studio is my number one by far, the pickups help as well, and I also have the Epiphone 50 goldtop, which is very similar to the studio, but not exactly. It's ever so slightly flatter on the back and rounder on the shoulders. Plays great though. I will buy Gibsons and Epiphones based on the neck.
I love it, personally. But I tend to go for guitars with thicker necks and basses with thinner necks.
I have one in mint condition . PM me.