Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 3 stores. Prices updated .

Average Price: $293

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 2 merchants for "Epiphone Les Paul Special I P-90". 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

The Epiphone Les Paul Special I P-90 is a modern tribute to a timeless classic, designed for musicians who crave both vintage aesthetics and powerful sound. This solid body electric guitar embodies the iconic Les Paul shape, crafted from resonant mahogany for a tone that's both rich and enduring. Whether you're strumming softly or digging deep into the strings, you'll experience the legendary sustain and full-bodied sound that mahogany is known for.

At the heart of this guitar are its P-90R and P-90T Soap Bar pickups, which deliver that quintessential Les Paul growl that has defined rock music for decades. These single-coil pickups offer a sound that's both fat and articulate, capturing the nuances of your playstyle with ease. The nuanced articulation ensures that clean tones are vibrant and sparkling, while overdriven sounds are gritty and expressive.

Adding to the guitar's solid foundation is a wraparound bridge and tailpiece, designed to enhance sustain by maintaining string vibrations more effectively. This feature, combined with the Graph Tech nut, ensures tuning stability and a smooth playability. The Epiphone Les Paul Special I P-90 is more than just an instrument; it's a piece of musical heritage that offers exceptional value and performance for both budding guitarists and seasoned players alike.

Key Features:

  • Mahogany body for rich, sustaining tone
  • P-90R and P-90T Soap Bar pickups for classic Les Paul sound
  • Wraparound bridge and tailpiece for enhanced sustain
  • Graph Tech nut provides improved tuning stability
  • Individual volume and tone controls for each pickup
  • 12-inch fretboard radius with medium-jumbo frets for comfortable playability

Product specs

Brand Epiphone
Model Les Paul Special I P-90
Finish Worn Black, Worn Cherry, Worn TV Yellow
Year 2012 - 2013
Made In China
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Wrap-Around
Color Family Black, Red, Yellow
Finish Style Satin
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Epiphone Les Paul
Model Sub-Family Epiphone Les Paul Special
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration SS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"
Wood Top Style Plain

FAQs

What type of pickups does the Epiphone Les Paul Special I P-90 have?

The Epiphone Les Paul Special I P-90 is equipped with P-90 single-coil pickups, known for their bright and punchy tone, offering a unique sonic character that sits between traditional single-coils and humbuckers.

Is the Epiphone Les Paul Special I P-90 suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Epiphone Les Paul Special I P-90 is a great choice for beginners due to its comfortable playability, lightweight body, and versatile sound, making it easy to explore various music styles.

What is the neck profile of the Epiphone Les Paul Special I P-90 like?

The Epiphone Les Paul Special I P-90 features a comfortable, slim taper neck profile, which is ideal for fast playing and suits a wide range of hand sizes.

How does the bolt-on neck construction affect the Epiphone Les Paul Special I P-90's tone?

The bolt-on neck construction of the Epiphone Les Paul Special I P-90 offers a snappy response and can contribute to a brighter tone compared to set-neck designs, enhancing its overall playability and sound clarity.

What are the finish options for the Epiphone Les Paul Special I P-90?

The Epiphone Les Paul Special I P-90 is available in Worn Black, Worn Cherry, and Worn TV Yellow finishes, each providing a vintage-inspired aesthetic with a satin finish.

Is the Epiphone Les Paul Special I P-90 good for rock music?

Yes, the Epiphone Les Paul Special I P-90 is well-suited for rock music, thanks to its P-90 pickups that deliver a powerful, gritty tone perfect for rock riffs and solos.

OfficialEpiphone

OfficialEpiphone

An Overview of the Epiphone Special-I P90 - Full Specs and Demo

Video thumbnail for An Overview of the Epiphone Special-I P90 - Full Specs and Demo by OfficialEpiphone

An Overview of the Epiphone Special-I P90 - Full Specs and Demo

OfficialEpiphone

OfficialEpiphone

Video thumbnail for Is this CHEAP Epiphone with P-90s worth it? [guitar review and demo] #electricguitar by NO SHRED ZONE

Is this CHEAP Epiphone with P-90s worth it? [guitar review and demo] #electricguitar

NO SHRED ZONE

NO SHRED ZONE

Reviews

PROS

  • P90 pickups offer versatile and dynamic sound

  • Lightweight design makes it easy to handle

  • Durable enough to withstand frequent travel and use

  • Affordable entry into Les Paul guitar world

  • ABR style bridge compatible with Bigsby tremolo

  • Rosewood fretboard adds a touch of quality

  • Great tonal range from soft to aggressive

  • Solid build quality with no major defects

  • Neck pickup delivers stunning, acoustic-like tones

CONS

  • Tuners may require upgrading

  • Slight truss rod adjustment needed out of the box

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Epiphone Les Paul Special I P-90.

Setup and maintenance

  • Adjusting the pickup height to 15 mm for the bridge and 20 mm for the neck can soften the harshness of the P90s.

    Source
  • Electronics may require resoldering due to minor signal loss issues reported by some users.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Some owners have swapped stock pickups for Curtis Novak P90s to improve tone.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Rolling volume back to 7 or 8 can soften the brittle high end of the P90s.

    Source
  • The P90s in this model are specifically praised for their ability to produce a "screaming" tone, contributing to its appeal despite the guitar's budget status.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners report significant tonal improvement after adjusting pickup heights and using a Behringer noise reduction pedal.

    Source
  • Some owners find the guitar's size to feel smaller, which may affect comfort for players accustomed to larger instruments.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Playing with both pickups engaged and using a Vox VT30 Valvetronix on AC30 or JCM800 settings produces excellent tone with these P90s.

    Source
  • Owners find it ideal as a "kick-around" guitar, perfect for casual play or as a beginner's instrument for children.

    Source
  • Owners highlight its suitability for beginners and as a fun, budget-friendly option for casual play, especially useful for late-night practice.

    Source

Build quality

  • The tuners are frequently criticized; swapping them for GFS tuners significantly improves tuning stability.

    Source
  • Some examples have excellent fretwork and tight neck pockets, though quality control varies between units.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The neck profile is noted to be similar to a Squier Telecaster, with a low profile that might not suit those who prefer a thick neck.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • A $50 purchase price is often considered a no-brainer, as the guitar's value exceeds the price even if only for parts like the P90s.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 6 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
M

Best guitar I own

I love this guitar, I travel quite a bit because of school and I have dented this thing quite a few times and it just keeps roaring away! The neck pickup is stunning, It has that perfect sound of an acoustical guitar played through a tube amp that is just about to break. The bridge pickup is awesome for $100-$125, couple that with a good distortion pedal and you can sound like Def Leppard, just the neck pickup for a song like Hysteria and the bridge for something like Photograph. Bolt on neck which is a plus for me and medium jumbo frets which are my favorite! Such a great deal for the variety in tone!

Genre Usage

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

More Epiphone Solid Body Electric Guitars

Accessories & Related Items

Artist usage

Community setups

Similar

Gear Guides