Epiphone ENA2AANH3 Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Epiphone ENA2AANH3 is a special edition electric guitar modeled after Allan Holdsworth's signature guitar design. This guitar features a unique asymmetrical archtop body shape crafted from solid maple, along with a mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard.

The ENA2AANH3 offers versatile tones thanks to its pair of open-coil humbucker pickups and versatile control layout. Overall, this guitar provides a high-quality build and specifications at an accessible price point. It's a great option for guitarists looking for an uncommon guitar shape with flexible sound.

Body & Neck

The Epiphone Les Paul Special II has a solid mahogany body and maple neck, which gives it a balanced, well-rounded tone. Mahogany is a dense, mid-range focused wood that provides a strong foundation for the guitar's sound. It has good resonance without excessive overtones. The maple neck offers brightness and snap that complements the mahogany body nicely. Together, they create a versatile guitar that handles clean and distorted tones very well.

The slim taper neck profile is comfortable and easy to play, even for smaller hands. It feels fast and slick up and down the neck. The rosewood fingerboard adds some midrange punch and definition. Overall, the body and neck deliver a great combination of playability, comfort, and classic Les Paul tones.

Pickups with Plenty of Punch

The Epiphone ENA2AANH3 electric guitar comes equipped with a pair of open-coil humbucker pickups that provide a bold, aggressive tone perfect for rock and metal.

The bridge pickup is an Alnico Classic Humbucker, while the neck pickup is an Alnico Classic PRO Humbucker. Both pickups feature ceramic magnets and alnico V magnet poles, a combination that produces high output and sustain.

The bridge pickup provides plenty of crunch and distortion, ideal for heavy rhythm tones. The neck pickup balances warmth and clarity for excellent lead tones. Together, these pickups offer exceptional tonal versatility across a range of genres and playing styles.

Guitarists looking for classic rock and hard rock tones will appreciate the dynamic range and articulation of these pickups. The coil-tapping feature expands the tonal palette even further, allowing access to snappy single-coil tones at the flip of a switch.

Overall, the Epiphone loaded this guitar with a pair of impressive humbuckers that punch well above their price class. The quality components allow budget-minded players to achieve pro-level rock tones.

If you're looking for an affordable electric guitar with great humbucker pickups, the Takamine GN20CE-NS NEX is another excellent option. This guitar features Takamine's TK-40D preamp system along with the Seymour Duncan-designed Takamine EQ2H and EQ2N humbucking pickups.

The TK-40D preamp provides studio-quality EQ, reverb, and tuner functionality, allowing you to shape and refine your tone with ease. The EQ2N neck pickup delivers excellent warmth and articulation for various playing styles, while the EQ2H bridge pickup provides increased output and bite for aggressive rhythms and searing leads.

With its mahogany body and comfortable neck profile, the GN20CE-NS NEX plays smoothly and resonates beautifully. The slim profile makes it easy to handle for extended playing sessions. The onboard CT4B II preamp offers exceptional acoustic amplification when unplugged as well.

In terms of sound quality, the Seymour Duncan-designed pickups allow this Takamine to compete with guitars costing much more. The rich, organic tone pairs nicely with gain pedals and amp distortion. Whether you need warm cleans, crunchy rhythms, or blistering leads, this guitar delivers.

Like the Epiphone model, the Takamine GN20CE-NS NEX is an excellent choice for rock and metal guitarists shopping for quality on a budget. Between the upgraded electronics and smooth playability, this impressive instrument punches well above its class.

Both the Epiphone ENA2AANH3 and the Takamine GN20CE-NS NEX demonstrate that you don't need to spend a fortune to get pro-level tone and playability. Thanks to quality components and smart design, these guitars compete with more expensive models at a fraction of the price.

If you want aggressive humbucker tone but need to stick to a budget, either of these guitars will allow you to nail crushing rock and metal tones without breaking the bank. Test them both out to see which instrument best matches your personal playing style and musical needs.

Durable Hardware Built to Last

The Epiphone Les Paul Special II has high quality hardware designed for reliability and great sound. It features chrome tuning machines, a 3-way pickup selector, volume and tone controls, plus a chrome stopbar tailpiece and Tune-o-matic bridge.

The chrome hardware not only looks great, but is durable enough to stand up to years of playing. The Tune-o-matic bridge in particular provides excellent sustain and intonation. This flexible yet stable design transmits string vibration efficiently.

Overall, the hardware on the Epiphone Les Paul Special II is built to last. The use of chrome and name brand components like the Tune-o-matic bridge means this guitar will stay in tune and sound great gig after gig. Guitarists don't have to worry about replacing cheap hardware down the line.

Reliable hardware is crucial for any electric guitar. Players need to know that their instrument will hold up during practice, recording sessions, and live performances. The Epiphone Les Paul Special II delivers dependable hardware that musicians can count on show after show.

The chrome tuners, pickup selector, volume and tone knobs, stopbar tailpiece, and Tune-o-matic bridge work together to provide great playability, tuning stability, and tone. Each piece is carefully crafted and rigorously tested before leaving the factory.

Epiphone has decades of experience crafting high-quality guitar hardware. They use this expertise to equip the Les Paul Special II with components optimized for performance and longevity. Everything from the tuners to the bridge is made to tight tolerances out of durable metals.

In addition to reliable performance, the chrome hardware also gives the Les Paul Special II an attractive look on stage. The shiny chrome finish complements the guitar's other visual details. It's a professional look that appeals to guitarists of all styles and skill levels.

The hardware isn't just for show either. Every piece serves an important functional purpose. The tuners allow quick and accurate tuning adjustments. The pickup selector switches between single coil and humbucker tones. The volume and tone knobs shape the guitar's sound. The bridge facilitates solid string vibration transfer.

Guitarists shopping for a dependable yet affordable Les Paul can rest assured knowing the Epiphone Les Paul Special II comes equipped with pro-quality hardware built to go the distance. They don't have to sacrifice durability for the lower price point. Check out the ivy IPF-300 TSB for another great entry-level model with hardware designed for years of use.

Sound & Playability

The Epiphone Les Paul Special II delivers versatile rock and blues tone thanks to its two open-coil humbuckers. The 650R neck pickup produces warm, rounded lows with articulate mids and clear highs. The 700T bridge pickup packs plenty of crunch and bite for aggressive rock riffs and searing lead lines.

When combined, the two pickups strike an excellent balance between rich warmth and crunchy attitude. There's enough tonal variety to cover various genres and styles. The sound is big and bold, with plenty of sustain and resonance.

The slim-taper neck profile offers a comfortable feel. It's not super thin but still allows for fast, easy riffing and soloing. The fretwork feels smooth and the Indian laurel fingerboard promotes effortless, slick bending. While not a high-end guitar, the playability exceeds expectations for the price. It's a joy to play whether practicing at home or rocking out live.

Features

The Epiphone Les Paul Special II Electric Guitar comes loaded with great features that make it an excellent choice for beginners and intermediate players alike.

One standout feature is the KillPot which allows you to quickly silence the guitar signal when engaged. This can be useful for muting the guitar between songs live or quickly silencing feedback. The KillPot makes it easy to mute the guitar signal without taking your hands off the instrument.

The guitar also comes equipped with Grover tuners on the headstock. Grover is known for making high-quality machine heads that help keep the guitar in tune. Upgraded tuners like these provide more stability and tuning accuracy compared to cheaper stock tuners. This helps ensure the guitar stays in tune, even during long practice sessions or live performances.

Having name-brand hardware like the Grover tuners demonstrates the attention to detail Epiphone put into the Special II model. While still affordably priced for beginners, these kind of smart upgrades make a noticeable difference in playability and function.

Pros:

• Great Value for the Price: The Epiphone Les Paul Special II offers excellent value for an affordable entry-level electric guitar. The quality and tone you get with Epiphone would usually cost much more with other brands. This is a fantastic electric guitar option for beginners who want a real, playable Les Paul design without breaking the bank.

• High Quality Materials: Despite the low price point, the Epiphone Special II doesn't cut corners when it comes to materials and hardware. With a mahogany body and maple bolt-on neck, you get the classic tonewoods that lend to the iconic Gibson sound profile. It also features quality hardware like a Tune-o-matic bridge and stop bar tailpiece for stable tuning. The quality ensures it will last through the learning process.

• Iconic Les Paul Design: The Special II lets players experience the legendary Les Paul design, shape and feel. From the comfortable single-cutaway slab mahogany body to the slim taper neck, this budget version shares many similarities to its Gibson counterpart. The open-coil humbuckers and dual tone/volume controls also provide an authentic Les Paul look and sound.

Cons

• The Epiphone Les Paul Special II has lower output pickups compared to more expensive Les Paul models. While the pickups deliver classic rock and blues tones, the lower output means less sustain and harmonics. Players looking for high gain rock and metal tones may find the pickups lacking in output and clarity in the mix. Upgrading the pickups could provide a higher output option.

• The guitar does not include a gig bag or case. As one of Epiphone's more affordable models, some cost cutting measures include not providing a case. Players will need to factor in the additional cost of a hardshell case or gig bag if protecting the guitar during transport and storage is important. While cases are an optional add-on for any guitar, it's worth noting you will need to buy one separately for this model.

Comparable Options

The Epiphone Special II is an affordable, entry-level electric guitar. Players looking for similar options may want to consider:

Epiphone Les Paul

Like the Special II, the Epiphone Les Paul offers classic Gibson style in a budget-friendly Epiphone model. The Les Paul features a mahogany body and neck for full, rounded tones. It also has Alnico Classic Humbucker pickups for crisp lead tones. The Les Paul tends to have better tuning stability and sustain than the Special II. The Les Paul has a more sophisticated look and feel, making it a great choice for intermediate players.

Squier Stratocaster

Squier makes affordable versions of Fender's famous Stratocaster. The Squier Strat features an alder or agathis body, maple neck, and three single coil pickups for versatile tones. The Stratocaster has a comfortable, contoured body shape and smooth tremolo system. It's known for crisp, bell-like tones perfect for pop, rock, blues, and more. The Squier Strat offers an excellent value for players looking for Strat style on a budget. It provides good playability and a range of classic Strat tones.

Conclusion

The Epiphone Les Paul Special II electric guitar offers a great value for beginner and intermediate players looking for that classic Les Paul tone and feel without breaking the bank.

While it lacks some of the premium appointments and electronics of more expensive Les Pauls, the Special II nails the fundamentals - a solid mahogany body, slim taper mahogany neck, and dual humbucker pickups. This helps it produce the thick, warm tone Les Pauls are known for.

The guitar's simple controls and hardware make it easy to dial in a variety of tones. The dual coil-splitting humbuckers provide versatility for everything from rock and metal to blues and jazz. The tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece offer solid tuning stability as well.

Considering its budget-friendly price point, the Special II punches above its weight in playability, tone, and aesthetics. The slim taper neck profile and medium jumbo frets make it comfortable and fast to play. And the classic Les Paul shape and sunburst finish give it an attractive, iconic look.

Overall, the Epiphone Les Paul Special II is recommended for beginners seeking an affordable way to get classic Les Paul tone and styling. Intermediate players will also appreciate the guitar as a solid back-up option. While not as refined as pricier Les Pauls, the Special II captures their spirit at a fraction of the cost.