Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (76)
$499.00
Guitar Center
4.5 (25)
$499.00
Amazon
4.2 (30)
Used
Reverb
5.0 (44)
$495.18 New
$265.00 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (22)
$399.00
Thomann
4.5 (59)
$429.00
Gear4Music
£389.00

Average Price: $441

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Epiphone Les Paul Special". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Step into a legacy of tone with the Epiphone Les Paul Special, a tribute to the iconic 1950s Gibson originals, offering timeless sound and style. This solid body electric guitar boasts a robust mahogany construction, delivering the warmth and sustain that has defined rock music for decades. Its sleek TV Yellow finish is not just a nod to the past but a statement in the present.

Equipped with dual P-90 Pro Soap Bar single-coil pickups, the Les Paul Special captures the classic single-coil bite with a beefy midrange. These pickups are designed to respond to the nuances of your playing, offering everything from sparkling cleans to a snarling growl when pushed. The Indian Laurel fretboard with a 12-inch radius provides comfortable playability, making it a joy to navigate through complex chords and speedy solos alike.

The neck features a vintage '50s profile, ensuring a familiar, comfortable grip for players who appreciate a bit of substance in their hand. Modern enhancements like the Graph Tech nut improve tuning stability and tone, ensuring your sound is as solid as your performance. This guitar is a perfect blend of the old and new, offering the aesthetic and sound of a classic Les Paul while providing the reliability and playability expected by today’s musicians.

Key Features:

  • Mahogany body and neck with Indian Laurel fretboard
  • Vintage '50s neck profile
  • Dual P-90 Pro Soap Bar single-coil pickups
  • Individual volume and tone controls for each pickup
  • Graph Tech nut for enhanced tuning stability
  • 12-inch fretboard radius with medium-jumbo frets
  • Lightning Bar wraparound bridge
  • TV Yellow finish

Product specs

Number of Strings 6
Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
Body Type Solidbody
Body Shape Les Paul Special
Body Material Mahogany
Body Finish Gloss
Neck Material Mahogany
Neck Shape Vintage 50s
Neck Joint Set Neck
Radius 12"
Fingerboard Inlay Pearloid Dots
Number of Frets 22, Medium Jumbo
Scale Length 24.75"
Nut Width 1.693"
Nut Material GraphTech
Bridge/Tailpiece Lightning Bar Wrap Around
Tuners Vintage Style Deluxe tuners with Ivory buttons
Neck Pickup P-90 PRO Soap Bar Single-coil
Bridge Pickup P-90 PRO Soap Bar Single-coil
Controls 2 x volume, 2 x tone
Switching 3-way toggle pickup switch
Strings Gibson, .010-.046
Case/Gig Bag Sold Separately

FAQs

What kind of pickups does the Epiphone Les Paul Special have?

The Epiphone Les Paul Special is equipped with P-90 PRO Soap Bar Single-coil pickups, known for their clear, punchy sound that is versatile for various music genres.

Is the Epiphone Les Paul Special suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Epiphone Les Paul Special is a great choice for beginners due to its comfortable neck profile and straightforward controls, making it easy to play and learn on.

What is the neck profile of the Epiphone Les Paul Special?

The neck profile of the Epiphone Les Paul Special is a Vintage 50s shape, offering a thicker and more substantial feel that appeals to players who prefer a traditional neck style.

Does the Epiphone Les Paul Special come with a case or gig bag?

No, the Epiphone Les Paul Special does not include a case or gig bag; these must be purchased separately.

How does the Epiphone Les Paul Special handle different music genres?

The Epiphone Les Paul Special's P-90 pickups provide a versatile tone suitable for rock, blues, and jazz, making it adaptable for various music styles.

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Trogly's Guitar Show

These are Priced TOO LOW! | 2020 Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Les Paul Special TV Yellow Review Demo

Video thumbnail for These are Priced TOO LOW! | 2020 Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Les Paul Special TV Yellow Review Demo by The Trogly's Guitar Show

These are Priced TOO LOW! | 2020 Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Les Paul Special TV Yellow Review Demo

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Trogly's Guitar Show

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Les Paul Special | First Impressions with Arianna Powell by Guitar Center

Epiphone Les Paul Special | First Impressions with Arianna Powell

Guitar Center

Guitar Center

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Les Paul Special vs Gibson vs Harley Benton - Which One Survives The Cut? by The Guitaristas

Epiphone Les Paul Special vs Gibson vs Harley Benton - Which One Survives The Cut?

The Guitaristas

The Guitaristas

Video thumbnail for Almost Perfect! The Epiphone Les Paul Special Review by intheblues

Almost Perfect! The Epiphone Les Paul Special Review

intheblues

intheblues

Video thumbnail for An excellent value! Epiphone Les Paul Special TV Yellow deep dive review by Landon Bailey

An excellent value! Epiphone Les Paul Special TV Yellow deep dive review

Landon Bailey

Landon Bailey

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Les Paul Special (Cheap - But Worth It?) by Elmo Karjalainen

Epiphone Les Paul Special (Cheap - But Worth It?)

Elmo Karjalainen

Elmo Karjalainen

Video thumbnail for Epiphone 'Inspired By Gibson' Les Paul Special - TV Yellow & Dual P90 Pickups, What's Not To Love! by PMTVUK

Epiphone 'Inspired By Gibson' Les Paul Special - TV Yellow & Dual P90 Pickups, What's Not To Love!

PMTVUK

PMTVUK

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Les Paul Special - Is it TV Yellow? by The Guitaristas

Epiphone Les Paul Special - Is it TV Yellow?

The Guitaristas

The Guitaristas

Video thumbnail for Epiphone's Best P90 Les Paul (Even with a Busted Nut) by Play and Trade Guitars

Epiphone's Best P90 Les Paul (Even with a Busted Nut)

Play and Trade Guitars

Play and Trade Guitars

Video thumbnail for TONE CHECK: Epiphone Les Paul Special Demo | Cream City Music by Cream City Music

TONE CHECK: Epiphone Les Paul Special Demo | Cream City Music

Cream City Music

Cream City Music

Video thumbnail for Were you Inspired by Gibson? Epiphone Les Paul Special - TV Yellow by Landon Bailey

Were you Inspired by Gibson? Epiphone Les Paul Special - TV Yellow

Landon Bailey

Landon Bailey

Video thumbnail for Easy DIY Mods for Your Guitar (ft. Epiphone Les Paul Special) by Sam Isfeld

Easy DIY Mods for Your Guitar (ft. Epiphone Les Paul Special)

Sam Isfeld

Sam Isfeld

Reviews

PROS

  • Excellent value for money, often compared favorably to much pricier Gibsons

  • TV Yellow finish is a standout, with a semi-visible wood grain

  • P90 pickups offer versatile sound, from clean to biting overdrive

  • Solid construction with good quality hardware and electronics

  • Neck feels substantial, appealing to those who prefer a thicker profile

  • Intonation and setup generally praised straight out of the box

  • Resonant sound, both acoustically and plugged in

  • Comfortable weight, balancing well for long play sessions

CONS

  • Some units have uneven frets and sharp edges requiring additional work

  • Finish color may appear different in person compared to pictures

  • Neck alignment issues reported, affecting string positioning

  • Tendency for fretboard wood to arrive dry, needing conditioning

  • Neck profile may not suit players with smaller hands

Owner Insights

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

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners recommend upgrading capacitors to Orange Drop models (47 bridge, 22 neck) and replacing the stock bridge with a Wilkinson for improved playability.

    Source
  • The Epiphone Les Paul Special-II serves as a good platform for experimenting with new pickups, bridges, and other customizations.

    Source
  • Adding chrome knobs is a popular modification to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the guitar.

    Source

Build quality

  • The neck on the TV Yellow model is fuller, providing a throwback style feel, which some players may find preferable for rhythm playing.

    Source
  • Some users report that the newer models may feel lighter and have less sustain compared to older versions from the 90s.

    Source

User experience

  • The TV Yellow Special's weight is balanced and suitable for gigs, though it is heavier than the bolt-on neck models, affecting longer play sessions.

    Source
  • Despite being a budget guitar, it has been favored by some over more expensive models like a $5000 Les Paul for its practicality and sound.

    Source
  • Owners find the Special I with P90s extremely fun to play, citing its lightweight and simplicity as factors that encourage energetic playing.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Epiphone Les Paul Special in TV Yellow is noted as a solid gigging guitar, contrasting with the generally poor reception of the Special II models.

    Source
  • The sound and feel of the Epiphone Les Paul Special-II are preferred by some over the Harley Benton for its smaller body and ease of play.

    Source
  • Compared to traditional Les Pauls, the Special I is lighter and doesn't provide the "true" Les Paul feel, making it a blend of Les Paul and Strat characteristics.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The TV Yellow model with P90s is praised for its tonal quality and easy-to-set-up stoptail bridge, making it a reliable choice for regular use.

    Source
  • The stock pickups are hot ceramic humbuckers that suit metalcore and hardcore styles well but may sound muddy for other genres.

    Source
  • Ceramic pickups in the Special I can become microphonic with high gain, affecting sound quality in certain styles.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Owners often need to address significant fret edge smoothing and nut slot fixes to improve playability and tuning stability.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • It's been noted that the Special I can perform well in high-energy environments like bars, provided it's set up correctly.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Epiphone Les Paul Special review | Guitar World

guitarworld.com

The Epiphone Les Paul Special is a surprising delight, showcasing impressive build quality and a standout tonal character thanks to its P90 pickups. While its vintage aesthetics and comfortable playability make it a joy to wield, some might miss additional color options and heavier genres might find it lacking. Nonetheless, for those seeking a budget-friendly guitar that doesn’t skimp on personality, this model offers exceptional value and performance that makes it hard to overlook.

positive
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 14 Reviews and 14 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
jarane

It have become my main guitar

Under 3 kg and very good sounding. The neck pickup is a bit dark, but that is what I like.

It is part of the inspired by Gibson series so all hardware is good quality. CTS pots and Switchcraft switch.

Have not used my Clapton Strat or PRS since i bought this one. For the price, there is not much to chose from.

Genres:
tschuuns

Best "bang for your buck"

Like many have already said, this guitar is waaaay better than you'd expect it to be at this price point. The finish is actually more of a "real" TV-Yellow than it seems in pictures (Wood grain is semi-visible). And it sounds absolutely lovely

tschuuns

Best "bang for your buck"

Like many have already said, this guitar is waaaay better than you'd expect it to be at this price point. The finish is actually more of a "real" TV-Yellow than it seems in pictures (Wood grain is semi-visible). And it sounds absolutely lovely

tschuuns

Best "bang for your buck"

Like many have already said, this guitar is waaaay better than you'd expect it to be at this price point. The finish is actually more of a "real" TV-Yellow than it seems in pictures (Wood grain is semi-visible). And it sounds absolutely lovely

tschuuns

Best "bang for your buck"

Like many have already said, this guitar is waaaay better than you'd expect it to be at this price point. The finish is actually more of a "real" TV-Yellow than it seems in pictures (Wood grain is semi-visible). And it sounds absolutely lovely

tschuuns

Best "bang for your buck"

Like many have already said, this guitar is waaaay better than you'd expect it to be at this price point. The finish is actually more of a "real" TV-Yellow than it seems in pictures (Wood grain is semi-visible). And it sounds absolutely lovely

tschuuns

Best "bang for your buck"

Like many have already said, this guitar is waaaay better than you'd expect it to be at this price point. The finish is actually more of a "real" TV-Yellow than it seems in pictures (Wood grain is semi-visible). And it sounds absolutely lovely

tschuuns

Best "bang for your buck"

Like many have already said, this guitar is waaaay better than you'd expect it to be at this price point. The finish is actually more of a "real" TV-Yellow than it seems in pictures (Wood grain is semi-visible). And it sounds absolutely lovely

tschuuns

Best "bang for your buck"

Like many have already said, this guitar is waaaay better than you'd expect it to be at this price point. The finish is actually more of a "real" TV-Yellow than it seems in pictures (Wood grain is semi-visible). And it sounds absolutely lovely

tschuuns

Best "bang for your buck"

Like many have already said, this guitar is waaaay better than you'd expect it to be at this price point. The finish is actually more of a "real" TV-Yellow than it seems in pictures (Wood grain is semi-visible). And it sounds absolutely lovely

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Bob Marley uses Epiphone Les Paul Special

Bob Marley

Singer, Guitarist

Bob Marley & The Wailers

...
Verified via Photo

This submission is Completely Incorrect.

See how Dominic Fike uses Epiphone Les Paul Special

Dominic Fike

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

in an interview dom says he brought his own guitar to the euphoria set instead of a trumpet which was originally his character’s instrument

you can also see him playing it multiple different concerts he performs at

See how Asian Glow uses Epiphone Les Paul Special

Asian Glow

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

He used the guitar in recent live performances. He even attached the jazz master's unique tremolo arm to make a stopper.

See how Kody Havoc uses Epiphone Les Paul Special

Kody Havoc

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Facebook

a picture of some of his guitars in his studio. it's the first yellow one.

See how Placeholder uses Epiphone Les Paul Special

Placeholder

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Instagram

During Placeholder's solo performance at The Spinning Top in Stockport in January 2025, he is seen using an Epiphone Les Paul Special to cover "Don’t Look Back In Anger," as captured in a video posted by Instagram user gitar_hero06.

Genre Usage

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

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Epiphone Les Paul Special, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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nicholas_poprocky

nicholas_poprocky

Gear IQ 637

1 alternative for Epiphone Les Paul Special, curated by the Equipboard community.

Gibson Les Paul Special

$1,333.00 - $1,799.00

high-end alternative

Same but the Gibson model is more expensive. Almost same sounding.

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    tschuuns
    tschuuns

    Gear IQ 656