a_k_watson's Music Gear Setup

The guitar being reviewed has a 2021 serial number, was bought new but was given a Plek set up by the shop before dispatch.

I was honestly bowled over by the craft and quality of this Made In China Epiphone compared to my Made In Korea 1997 G-400. The Korean instrument had, out of the box, a bumpy rosewood fretboard edge, squint tuning peg, a plastic nut, and still chokes out of bends on the 20th fret on upper strings (although comparison with an instrument which has been through a Plek is perhaps a little unfair). The only slight flaw I have detected in this Chinese Les Paul in almost three years has been the slight overspray of the cherry sunburst finish onto the binding under the fretboard where the binding of the neck and body meet. It is not in a position that would be seen by the player or the audience.

The '50s neck profile is chunkier than slim fast necks but in no way uncomfortable or clubby. It feels very comfortable to play in all positions. This long tenon neck appears to be one piece (including the heel) up to the scarf joint for the headstock.

Looking at either end of the 'mahogany' body, it appears to have been made from three pieces. The two-piece maple veneer covers an unknown number of pieces forming the maple cap.

I will never know how much should be put down to Epiphone or the Plek set up but it plays the most flawlessly and with the lowest action of any of my guitars. I don't know if it is by luck or set up but I honestly remain stunned as to how well it keeps its tuning relative to my other guitars.

The Epiphone ProBucker pickups (without any adjustment of height or screw poles to dial in) are not as clear and bright as my Wilkinson WVC humbuckers but are way more articulate than the dull lifeless Alnico V humbuckers on my 1997 Epiphone G-400. This Les Paul has plenty of classic humbucker power but remains relatively clear. Their output and voicing suit my classic rock noodling and strumming.

The pickup selector switch did start to become intermittent quickly so I have since upgraded to a Switchcraft short-frame toggle switch.

Between playability, comfortability, tone and quality of finish, this gets much more attention than my five other electric guitars. It was more expensive than several of them but it feels like the extra cost has been rewarded in quality. has been rewarded in quality.

My 1997 Made In Korea G-400 is blown completely of the water, despite being similar to the RRP of this Les Paul, when adjusted over the 23-year gap. With Epiphone more recently providing affordable quality like this, we have never had it so good!

This review is of a 2018 Classic Vibe '50s with a two-tone sunburst alder body produced in the China Grand Reward factory. Specifications vary from the successor crafted in Indonesia.

This version of the long running Classic Vibe '50s series is quite simply excellent value for money.

In the absence of a Fender Classic Series '50s Stratocaster to compare Fender Mexico to Squier China Grand Reward, the closest comparison I can make is with my Fender Classic Player Baja Telecaster, which was pitched at the higher prices accompanying the Fender decal on made in Mexico models.

The Stratocaster body appears to be made of four pieces of unspecified alder, which is the same number of pieces as the ash bodied Baja Telecaster. The four pieces are fairly well matched in terms of grain and finish and do not stand out.

In terms of the quality control and feeling in the hand, the Squier feels at least as good to me, if not better, than the Mexican Fender. You could honestly change the decal and convince me that the Classic Vibe is part of the made in Mexico Classic Series.

Forums report that the stock AlNiCo III pickups are very similar to the Tonerider Surfari TRS5 AlNiCo III set (possibly produced in the same factory). Surfari are voiced around the earliest ash bodied Stratocaster pickups (starting in 1954). Literally the only tweak I ever contemplate would to be add some more zing and trebly bite (more associated with AlNiCo V pickups) - that would have perhaps put the rating up to five stars.

Aside from the decal, the more critical traditionalist may note that the guitar does not attempt to be a particular year but to instead impart the vibe of '50s models by mixing elements of earliest AlNiCo III pickups (from 1954, changing to V by late 1956 ), with alder body (from mid-1956), a post late-1956 "butterfly" style string tree (a conspicuous difference from the round string retainer of this model's crafted in Indonesia nyatoh bodied successor), and the convenience of a modern fingerboard radius and frets.

It could have said Fender instead of Squier on the headstock and many may not have been any the wiser. An amazing instrument for the price.

Version being reviewed is a 2015 V100 PGM Reissued

The Wilkinson hardware does the job, so much so that I have contemplated fitting WVC humbuckers to my Epiphone G-400. The pickups are clearer and brighter than stock pickups 1998 G-400 or my 2021 Epiphone Les Paul Standard '50s. Let your ears decide how stock Wilkinson pickups in a V100 Lemon Drop compare to those in a Gibson Custom Shop "Blues Master" Les Paul in the astringuk YouTube video Ten Times The Tone? Gibson vs Vintage ( https://youtu.be/iq-vik2qfME?si=Kht8c8aNfGyXaY6z ).

I get the sense that if I was going to review the currently listed specification (2024) that I would would be singing praises of the more traditional two piece "mahogany" body and one piece "mahogany" neck in comparison to other brands in the price bracket and possibly awarding 5 stars. My 2015 has a three piece back (not matched in grain) and three piece laminate neck. On the other hand the back is rarely looked at and if anything starting to collect superficial buckle rash anyway. I also take onboard that a laminate neck will be more stable and warp resistant than a one piece neck. I just highlight the difference in build for those looking at the secondhand market for versions of that era should these largely aesthetic matters be a concern. I love the maple veneer flame on mine and I think it is guitar (on a wall of six) that catches the attention of visitors too.

Honestly the only thing I would change would be to make the neck a bit thicker as it is skinnier than my other guitars. Perhaps fast thin necks are of course a matter of preference.

Buying this guitar was definitely the right decision. Presuming the 2024 is as good as mine in all other ways, a traditional two piece body and one piece neck may have pushed the rating to 5 stars.