Epiphone EILCAWGH1 Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Epiphone Les Paul Custom is one of Epiphone's most iconic electric guitar models, offering classic Les Paul styling and tones at an affordable price point. This solidbody electric guitar features a mahogany body and neck paired with an Alpine White gloss finish that gives it a sleek, professional look. The Epiphone Les Paul Custom delivers the trademark fat, warm sound that has made Les Paul guitars legendary, thanks to its pair of open-coil Alnico Classic humbucker pickups. Whether you're a beginner looking for your first serious electric guitar or a pro who wants to add a great-looking Les Paul to your collection without breaking the bank, the Epiphone Les Paul Custom is definitely worthy of consideration.

Body & Neck

The Epiphone Les Paul Custom has the iconic single cutaway Les Paul body shape that's been popular with rock and blues players for decades. It has a mahogany body with a beautiful Alpine White gloss polyester finish.

The mahogany body gives the guitar a balanced, warm tone while the gloss finish not only looks great but also provides protection against dings and wear. The weight is fairly standard for a Les Paul at just under 9 lbs, so it's not too heavy on your shoulder during longer playing sessions.

The neck is also made from mahogany and has a 1960s SlimTaper D profile that's fast and comfortable to play. It has a 24.75" scale length with a 12" radius rosewood fingerboard and trapezoid inlays. Overall the neck feels great for both rhythm and lead playing.

The Les Paul body shape is truly iconic and has been played by countless legendary guitarists over the decades. From Slash to Jimmy Page, the Les Paul has been the go-to guitar for hard rock and blues. The mahogany body and neck provide a balanced, warm tone that works great for everything from crunchy rhythm playing to singing lead lines.

Fender also makes some excellent electric guitars with iconic body shapes, like the Fender Stratocaster. The Strat has more of a bright, biting tone thanks to its alder body and bolt-on maple neck. The contoured body shape is also very comfortable for long playing sessions. Strats have been played by guitar heroes like Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton. Both the Les Paul and the Strat are fantastic instruments with different tones and playing feels.

When shopping for an electric guitar, it's important to try different models to see what body shape, neck profile and tonewood combination works best for your playing style and musical needs. The Les Paul Custom's mahogany body and neck provide a great balanced tone for hard rock and blues. But guitars like the Stratocaster have their own distinct sound and feel. There are also many other great electric guitars out there from brands like Gibson, PRS, Ibanez and others.

It's a good idea to try out different pickup configurations as well. Humbuckers tend to have a thicker, warmer sound while single coil pickups have more treble and clarity. Guitars with HSH or HSS pickup layouts give you the versatility of both humbuckers and single coils. Solid body guitars like the Les Paul and Stratocaster allow for more sustain and resonance than semi-hollow or hollow body electrics.

When you find a guitar that feels comfortable to play and inspires you melodically and creatively, that's the one to go with. The right electric guitar can last a lifetime if properly maintained. With so many great guitars to choose from, you're sure to find one that matches your budget and playing needs. So try out as many as you can and go for the one that speaks to you!

Electronics & Hardware

The Epiphone Les Paul Custom comes equipped with Epiphone's signature 1958 Kalamazoo humbucker pickups. These are open-coil pickups with ceramic magnets that deliver a warm, rich tone with plenty of sustain and character. The pickups are mounted directly to the mahogany body for increased resonance and sustain.

There are two volume knobs and two tone knobs (for each pickup), along with a three-way pickup selector switch. This allows you to blend the bridge and neck pickups to achieve a range of tones from glassy cleans to saturated overdrive. The volume and tone knobs have a smooth, sturdy feel.

The Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece provide solid intonation and tuning stability. They are high-quality hardware that stays in tune even during aggressive playing styles. The Grover 18:1 ratio tuners are an upgrade over cheaper alternatives, allowing you to fine tune your instrument precisely.

Overall, the electronics and hardware on the Epiphone Les Paul Custom are designed to deliver classic rock tones with excellent tuning stability. The pickups, knobs, and other components are built to last while still being affordable.

When shopping for an electric guitar, it's important to consider the electronics and hardware components. These parts have a big impact on the guitar's sound, playability, and durability. Brands like Epiphone offer quality electronics and hardware on mid-range models like the Les Paul Custom. This allows you to get pro-level tone and performance without breaking the bank.

If you're looking for an alternative electric guitar in the same price range as the Les Paul Custom, check out the Ibanez GRX20ZBKN. This model also has a mahogany body and dual humbuckers for that thick, warm tone. The pickups are Ibanez's own Quantum humbuckers, which provide a balanced and articulate voice.

The GRX20ZBKN has a maple neck with a fast, thin C-shape profile. This makes it very comfortable and playable, especially when ripping through solos and chords. The rosewood fingerboard has medium frets for smooth bending. Overall, the Ibanez offers great playability right out of the box.

Like the Epiphone, the GRX20ZBKN has a Tune-o-matic bridge for rock solid tuning stability. There are also two volume and two tone knobs, along with a three-way pickup selector switch. This gives you a variety of tones from bright and snappy to deep and throaty.

Some key differences are the GRX20ZBKN has a sleeker, more contoured body shape compared to the Les Paul's thicker profile. It's a bit lighter weight as well. The Ibanez uses Quantum humbuckers compared to the Epiphone's Kalamazoo humbuckers. Both deliver killer rock tones, just with slightly different voicings.

Overall, the Ibanez GRX20ZBKN is an excellent alternative if you're seeking a great playing and sounding electric guitar in the same ballpark price range as the Epiphone Les Paul Custom. It provides fast playability, killer tones, and roadworthy reliability.

Playability

The Epiphone Les Paul Custom Alpine White electric guitar features a slim taper 1960s SlimTaper D-profile mahogany neck with a rosewood fingerboard. This makes the neck very comfortable and easy to play, even for long practice sessions.

The neck has a 12" radius and medium jumbo frets that provide a smooth feel across the fretboard. The frets are finished excellently, with no sharp edges or uneven spots. Bending strings and sliding feels very natural.

The guitar's weight distribution and strap button placement provides good overall balance. Whether playing seated or standing with a strap, the guitar stays balanced and doesn't neck dive or slip. This allows the player to focus on playing rather than having to compensate for an imbalanced instrument.

The neck shape, fretwork, and balance make this Les Paul feel great to play. It delivers a smooth, comfortable playing experience ideal for rock, blues, metal, or country styles. Players report being impressed with the high-end playability rivaling more expensive Gibson models.

Sound

The Epiphone Les Paul Custom Alpine White electric guitar produces a bold, aggressive tone perfect for rock and blues. The mahogany body and neck provide a warm, rounded sound with excellent sustain and resonance. The Alnico Classic humbucker pickups have a higher output, delivering crunchy leads and thick rhythm tones. There's plenty of tonal versatility as well. The volume and tone controls allow shaping the pickups' output. Switching to the bridge pickup produces a brighter, cutting treble, while the neck pickup has a smooth, mellow jazziness. Palm muting churns out a tight chunky chug. The guitar excels at everything from bloozy soloing to raucous punk power chords. Sustain rings out for days during legato playing. Harmonics come through clearly in the mix. From jazz to metal and all points between, the Epiphone Les Paul Custom Alpine White satisfies players needing a rock-solid electric known for its exceptional sustain and singing tone.

Quality & Reliability

The Epiphone Les Paul Custom Alpine White electric guitar is known for its excellent fit and finish. The guitar features a solid mahogany body with an Alpine white gloss finish that looks great and feels smooth. The neck joint and fretwork are also cleanly done.

Overall, the hardware and electronics seem durable and able to stand up to regular use. The Grover tuners keep the guitar in tune well. The pickups and wiring don't have any issues with crackling or cutting out. The switchcraft toggle switch and output jack are sturdy.

Some users have commented that the plastic mounting rings for the pickups feel a bit flimsy. The pickguard is also thin and prone to warping over time. However, these don't affect the sound or playability.

The Epiphone Lifetime Limited Warranty provides additional peace of mind against defects in materials or workmanship. With proper maintenance and care, this Les Paul Custom should provide years of reliable performance. Its quality level punches above its affordable price point.

Value

The Epiphone Les Paul Custom Alpine White electric guitar offers excellent value for the price. This is an affordable alternative to Gibson Les Paul models that retail for several times the cost.

You get a solid, all-mahogany body construction with a gloss finish. The neck is also mahogany with a comfortable 1960s SlimTaper profile. These materials and design elements allow the Epiphone to mimic the tone and playability of a more expensive Gibson Les Paul at a fraction of the price.

This particular model also includes upgraded Alnico Classic humbucker pickups and CTS potentiometers. These electronic components allow you to achieve those sought-after vintage rock tones. Between the materials, hardware, electronics, and attention to detail, you get everything essential for that Les Paul sound and experience.

Considering the quality of components and construction, the Epiphone Les Paul Custom presents an outstanding price to performance ratio. It's a cost-effective way to own a great-sounding and playing Les Paul-style guitar. This represents tremendous value compared to Gibson models that are exponentially more expensive for an arguably similar playing experience.

Alternatives

There are several electric guitars from other brands that can be compared to the Epiphone Les Paul Custom Alpine White.

Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s

The Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s has a similar look and feel to the Epiphone Les Paul Custom, with the classic single cutaway Les Paul body shape. As a Gibson, it will feature higher-end materials and craftsmanship, with a solid mahogany body and carved maple top. Expect a richer, more resonant tone and sustain. The cost is also several times higher than the Epiphone model.

PRS SE Standard 24

For players looking for versatility, the PRS SE Standard 24 offers a wider tonal palette. With coil-splitting humbuckers and a PRS-designed tremolo bridge, this guitar can go from thick humbucker tones to glassy single coil sounds. The playability and fit and finish are superb for the price. The PRS has its own iconic body shape that some may prefer over the Les Paul.

Ibanez AZ2204

An Ibanez AZ2204 brings a modern, shred-friendly feel in contrast to the vintage styling of the Epiphone Les Paul. The super thin, fast AZ neck, 24 jumbo frets, and two humbuckers give this guitar speed and versatility. The tone is tight and aggressive, well suited for metal and hard rock. The Ibanez has a lower price tag but doesn't quite match the warmth and richness of the Les Paul.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Classic Les Paul style and feel at an affordable price
• Solid mahogany body and maple top provide great tone
• Dual humbucking pickups offer thick, warm sound
• Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece for great sustain
• Coil-tapping provides tonal versatility
• Attractive Alpine White finish stands out

Cons

• Heavy weight can cause fatigue during long playing sessions
• The neck may feel chunky for players with smaller hands
• Controls can be noisy
• Tuners could be higher quality
• Not made in the USA like pricier Gibson models
• Some quality control issues reported

Overall, the Epiphone Les Paul Custom Alpine White offers impressive quality and performance for the price point. The iconic design is beautifully realized in an eye-catching white finish. While it may lack some refinement in hardware and electronics compared to more expensive models, it captures the soul of a Les Paul remarkably well. The flaws are modest for a guitar in this range. For players seeking classic rock tones on a budget, it's easy to recommend trying out this affordable yet inspiring instrument.

Conclusion

The Epiphone Les Paul Custom is a great choice for intermediate and advanced guitarists looking for a versatile and high-quality Les Paul-style instrument without breaking the bank.

With its mahogany body and neck, solid construction, and Epiphone's ProBucker humbucker pickups, this guitar delivers the classic Les Paul tone that works equally well for rock, blues, and metal. The pickups and hardware are durable and road-worthy. The fast neck, comfortable contour body, and smooth painted finish also make this guitar very playable for long practice or gigging sessions.

The Epiphone Les Paul Custom provides professional sound and feel at an affordable price point. It's an ideal electric guitar for serious hobbyists or working musicians who want the iconic Les Paul vibe and performance without spending over $2,000 for a Gibson model. Players who prefer a comfortable, fast neck and the traditional Les Paul tone will find this Epiphone to be a fantastic option that punches above its weight class.