Pricing and availability

Average Price: $58

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

The Epiphone Les Paul Express offers a compact twist on the classic Les Paul design, making it a standout choice for both beginners and traveling musicians. Its 22" scale length brings the comfort of a smaller guitar without sacrificing the iconic feel and sound that Les Paul aficionados cherish. This guitar is crafted with a mahogany body and an okoume neck, providing a balanced tone that resonates with players across genres.

The Les Paul Express features dual humbuckers, delivering that unmistakable Les Paul tone, while its fully-adjustable fixed bridge ensures consistent sustain and makes string changes a breeze. A unique selling point is its premium 14:1 ratio die-cast tuners, which offer superior tuning accuracy and stability, an essential feature given the guitar's shorter scale. With its lightweight design, this guitar is perfect for younger players or those with smaller hands who want to embark on their musical journey with a reliable and stylish instrument.

Whether you're just starting out or need a trusty travel companion, the Epiphone Les Paul Express combines practicality with performance, ensuring that big tone is always within reach.

Key Features:

  • Mahogany body with an okoume neck for a balanced tone
  • Compact 22" scale length, ideal for small hands
  • Dual humbuckers for authentic Les Paul sound
  • Fully-adjustable fixed bridge for enhanced sustain
  • Premium 14:1 die-cast tuners for excellent tuning stability

Product specs

Brand Epiphone
Model Les Paul Express
Finish Ebony, Vintage Sunburst, Worn Black
Year 2010 - 2025
Made In China
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type String-Through
Color Family Black, Brown
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Satin
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Epiphone Les Paul
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 21
Number of Strings 6-String
Nut Width 1.69"
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Wood Top Style Opaque

FAQs

What is the scale length of the Epiphone Les Paul Express?

The Epiphone Les Paul Express features a shorter scale length of 22 inches, making it more compact than a standard Les Paul, which typically has a 24.75-inch scale.

Is the Epiphone Les Paul Express suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Epiphone Les Paul Express is ideal for beginners due to its compact size, lightweight body, and easy playability, making it comfortable for younger players or those with smaller hands.

What type of pickups does the Epiphone Les Paul Express have?

The Epiphone Les Paul Express is equipped with Epiphone 650R and 700T humbucker pickups, which provide a versatile tone suitable for various music styles.

How does the neck profile of the Epiphone Les Paul Express affect playability?

The Epiphone Les Paul Express features a SlimTaper neck profile, offering a comfortable grip that facilitates fast playing and smooth transitions between chords and notes.

What materials are used in the construction of the Epiphone Les Paul Express?

The Epiphone Les Paul Express is constructed with a mahogany body and a hard maple neck, providing durability and a warm, resonant tone.

OfficialEpiphone

OfficialEpiphone

The Epiphone Les Paul Express

Video thumbnail for The Epiphone Les Paul Express by OfficialEpiphone

The Epiphone Les Paul Express

OfficialEpiphone

OfficialEpiphone

Video thumbnail for Уменьшенная электрогитара EPIPHONE Les Paul Express by PopMusicRu

Уменьшенная электрогитара EPIPHONE Les Paul Express

PopMusicRu

PopMusicRu

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Cheap Vs. Expensive Guitar? Chinese Epiphone Mini Les Paul Express vs. USA Gibson Les Paul Standard

Cesar All Guitar

Cesar All Guitar

Video thumbnail for Inside NAMM 2014 | Epiphone Les Paul Express Guitar by Sam Ash Music

Inside NAMM 2014 | Epiphone Les Paul Express Guitar

Sam Ash Music

Sam Ash Music

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Les Paul Express Review Cheap Chinese Travel Mini Electric Guitar Tone Monster for 130 USD by Cesar All Guitar

Epiphone Les Paul Express Review Cheap Chinese Travel Mini Electric Guitar Tone Monster for 130 USD

Cesar All Guitar

Cesar All Guitar

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Epiphone Les Paul Express Review; Is it any Good?

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Ariff Johanis Music

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Epiphone Guitar Hunting On Gumtree | Finding A Brand New Les Paul Express

The Guitar Manifesto

The Guitar Manifesto

Video thumbnail for epiphone les paul express part 1 by MADMALKO

epiphone les paul express part 1

MADMALKO

MADMALKO

Reviews

PROS

  • Perfect size for children or individuals with smaller hands

  • Great fit and finish for a short scale guitar

  • Ideal for travel due to its compact size

  • Suitable for beginners learning electric guitar

CONS

  • Not suitable for experienced players seeking a full-sized guitar experience

  • Limited appeal for professional or advanced musicians

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Epiphone Les Paul Express.

Build quality

  • The tuners provide excellent stability, addressing common short scale tuning issues, and are highlighted as a standout feature.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Epiphone 650R neck pickup delivers a sweet, bluesy tone that outshines similar pickups in modded guitars.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Swapping the bridge pickup for a knock-off Super Distortion offers tonal diversity, catering to both soft and high-gain styles.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Short scale guitars offer comfort in tight spaces and are recommended even for players with larger hands.

    Source

User experience

  • String looseness on the shorter scale is ideal for bending, especially with 8-gauge strings in C# tuning, enhancing playability.

    Source
  • Some owners express dissatisfaction with the tuners and fretboard quality on the Express, suggesting these are areas where the model may fall short.

    Source
  • It's mentioned that picking a guitar based on personal aesthetics can be beneficial for beginners, as this might enhance their motivation to practice.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Users often compare the Epiphone Les Paul Express favorably against the Les Paul SL, highlighting the Express as a better budget option for beginners.

    Source
  • The LP Slash Special II is suggested as a superior option if the budget can stretch to $350, indicating a significant perceived quality increase at this price point.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The Epiphone Les Paul Express is frequently noted as a solid choice for those with a budget under $150, providing good value for beginners.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Les Paul Express Review: The LP Express has excellent balance and form, but its second-rate... | Epiphone | Electric Guitars | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The Epiphone Les Paul Express offers some appealing features for travelers and younger players, such as its lightweight design and comfortable playability. However, the overall execution is marred by significant flaws, including poor setup, dead frets, and subpar electronics. While the sound can be decent for slide playing, it lacks clarity and requires extensive modifications to be truly usable. The tuners are particularly criticized, leaving many dissatisfied with their performance. For a company known for quality, this model feels like a missed opportunity; it could shine with better components and quality control. As it stands, it's best suited for those willing to invest time and money into upgrades rather than a reliable beginner's instrument.

negative

4.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

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1 star
gearhead

As a beginner guitar it's great!

I wouldn't play one now but it's great for beginners or a small or to travel with.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Billie Joe Armstrong uses Epiphone Les Paul Express

Billie Joe Armstrong

Singer, Guitarist

Green Day

...
Verified via YouTube

In the audio recording of Green Day performing "2,000 Light Years Away" live at Jannus Landing in 1994, Billie Joe Armstrong can be seen using a black Epiphone Les Paul Express.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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