Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
4.5 (14)
$199.00
Guitar Center
4.0 (41)
$199.00
Amazon
4.4 (688)
Reverb
5.0 (20)
$181.79 New
$149.99 Used
Musician's Friend
4.0 (32)

Average Price: $185

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Epiphone Les Paul Special VE". 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

For guitarists seeking the legendary Les Paul sound without the premium price tag, the Epiphone Les Paul Special VE is a perfect match. This guitar combines the timeless Les Paul profile with a lightweight poplar body, offering a comfortable playing experience. Its Epiphone open-coil humbuckers deliver a rich, warm tone that can seamlessly transition from soulful blues to aggressive rock. The mahogany neck, with a 1960's SlimTaper D profile, ensures a fast and smooth playing experience, while the rosewood fingerboard adds depth to the sound.

Aesthetically, the Les Paul Special VE sports a "Vintage Worn" finish, giving it a classic, broken-in look right out of the box. This finish not only adds to the guitar's visual appeal but also provides a smooth, comfortable texture under your fingers, perfect for long gigs or extended practice sessions.

Practicality is not overlooked, with a reliable Locktone Tune-o-matic bridge and Stopbar tailpiece ensuring stable tuning and easy string changes. The 3-way pickup selector switch, along with master volume and tone controls, allows for versatile sound shaping, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned players.

Whether you're just starting out or adding to a seasoned collection, the Epiphone Les Paul Special VE offers an accessible entry into the world of Les Paul guitars, with its authentic sound and feel.

Key Features:

  • Classic Les Paul profile with a lightweight poplar body
  • Mahogany neck with 1960's SlimTaper D profile
  • Rosewood fingerboard with Pearloid "Dot" inlays
  • Epiphone open-coil humbuckers: 650R (neck), 700T (bridge)
  • 3-way pickup selector, master volume, and tone controls
  • Locktone Tune-o-matic bridge and Stopbar tailpiece
  • Vintage Worn finish for a classic look and feel

Product specs

Brand Epiphone
Model Les Paul Special VE Vintage Edition
Finish Vintage Worn Cherry, Vintage Worn Ebony, Vintage Worn Heritage Cherry Sunburst, Vintage Worn Vintage Sunburst, Vintage Worn Walnut
Year 2016 - 2019
Made In China
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Poplar
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Black, Brown, Red
Finish Pattern Sunburst
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 HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"
Wood Top Style Opaque

FAQs

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

The Epiphone Les Paul Special VE, Ebony is equipped with open-coil humbucker pickups, specifically the 700T bridge pickup and the 650R neck pickup, offering a versatile range of tones suitable for rock and blues.

Is the Epiphone Les Paul Special VE, Ebony suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Epiphone Les Paul Special VE is an excellent choice for beginners due to its affordable price, comfortable playability, and classic Les Paul tone.

What is the neck profile of the Epiphone Les Paul Special VE, Ebony?

The Epiphone Les Paul Special VE, Ebony features a slim taper "D" profile neck, providing a comfortable and fast playing experience ideal for both beginners and experienced players.

What materials are used in the construction of the Epiphone Les Paul Special VE, Ebony?

The guitar features a poplar body with a mahogany neck and a rosewood fretboard, all contributing to its warm tone and solid build quality.

Does the Epiphone Les Paul Special VE, Ebony have a bolt-on neck?

Yes, the Epiphone Les Paul Special VE, Ebony has a bolt-on neck, which can offer easier maintenance and adjustments compared to set-neck guitars.

Darrell Braun Guitar

Darrell Braun Guitar

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Darrell Braun Guitar

Darrell Braun Guitar

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Les Paul Special VE Review by The Guitar Manifesto

Epiphone Les Paul Special VE Review

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The Guitar Manifesto

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Les Paul Special VE + Marshall MG15 Sound TEST by Guitarman Guitar Gear Demos

Epiphone Les Paul Special VE + Marshall MG15 Sound TEST

Guitarman Guitar Gear Demos

Guitarman Guitar Gear Demos

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Les Paul Special VE, Ebony | Gear4music demo by Gear4music Guitars

Epiphone Les Paul Special VE, Ebony | Gear4music demo

Gear4music Guitars

Gear4music Guitars

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Les Paul Special Vintage Edition VE Review 2021 - Some Bad, Mostly Good by Guitarist Next Door

Epiphone Les Paul Special Vintage Edition VE Review 2021 - Some Bad, Mostly Good

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Guitarist Next Door

Video thumbnail for EPIPHONE LP Special VE - доступная электрогитара LES PAUL by PopMusicRu

EPIPHONE LP Special VE - доступная электрогитара LES PAUL

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PopMusicRu

Video thumbnail for Epiphone's CHEAPEST Les Paul -  How Good Is It? (Epiphone Les Paul Special VE Review) by Best Guitars Now

Epiphone's CHEAPEST Les Paul - How Good Is It? (Epiphone Les Paul Special VE Review)

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Video thumbnail for Обзор сборки Epiphone Les Paul Special VE by Андрей Тимошин

Обзор сборки Epiphone Les Paul Special VE

Андрей Тимошин

Андрей Тимошин

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional sound quality for its price range

  • One-piece body, uncommon even in higher-end models

  • Lightweight design makes it easy to handle

  • Fast 14" fretboard radius, ideal for shredding and jazz

  • Clear tone with both humbuckers and single notes

  • Attractive flat black wood grain finish

  • Easy to set up out of the box

  • Great platform for modifications

  • Comfortable neck and string travel

  • Holds tune well after initial setup

CONS

  • Some units have rough fret edges requiring filing

  • Fretboard may feel rough and need additional sanding

  • Tuners may be unstable and need replacing

  • Tight control cavity may complicate mods

  • Finish may have small imperfections or holes

  • Neck may be too wide and flat for some players

  • No option for adding a pickguard

Critic Reviews

Epiphone Les Paul Special VE Review - IN-DEPTH TESTED

guitaristnextdoor.com

With the Epiphone Les Paul Special VE, you're getting a solid budget guitar that delivers respectable tones and playability, but it comes with caveats. The vintage worn finish is attractive, and the humbucker pickups provide a warm, classic sound. However, the tuning machines are a significant drawback, often requiring frequent adjustments, and some fret buzz can be an issue due to uneven fret heights. While the overall construction is commendable for the price, those looking for a flawless experience might find themselves frustrated. It's a decent entry point for beginners and a fun option for seasoned players, but be prepared for some quirks.

Epiphone Les Paul Special VE Review - Unbeatable Value | GuitarSquid

guitarsquid.com

The Epiphone Les Paul Special VE is a fantastic entry-level guitar that captures the essence of the iconic Les Paul while remaining budget-friendly. Its slim neck and shorter scale make it exceptionally playable for those with smaller hands, and the range of finishes, particularly the sleek ebony, is visually appealing. While it cuts costs with okoume tonewood instead of mahogany and lacks some premium features, the sound is impressive, offering warmth, sharpness, and sustain. The stock humbuckers perform well, though they could use a bit more gain. Overall, this guitar is a compelling choice for beginners and those seeking quality on a budget, but it may not satisfy purists looking for high-end craftsmanship.

positive

Epiphone Les Paul Special VE - Guitars - Harmony Central

harmonycentral.com
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 9 Reviews and 11 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
N

Amazing start guitar that I wanna mod so badly.

This guitar is so light and the neck is so quick that I always reach for this as my practice/noodle guitar. It's not the most luxe guitar, however deserves the rating as it sounds amazing and plays so freaking well. I wanna upgrade this to the max as the neck and body are so nice.

pavlushkin

Good

I've been using it for more than six months, and I haven't found any problems. A good and high-quality Epiphone from the budget line. I recommend this guitar.

tymofii_androshchuk

Ok beginner guitar

It’s not the best choice as your first guitar. It’s limitating, heavy and doesn’t have some elements even from the classic les paul. But it sounds nice, so it it forgivable.

From Gear Setup
walk1net

My second best guitar

I got this as a christmas present and it's actually very good. I was a first quite afraid of sharp fret ends when I wished for this but the fret work is good. Tuners aren't the best I recommend changing them. The TOM bridge feels also pretty cheap but it's necessary to change it. I change the pot knobs to speed knobs and it looks much better that way. There are some fails on the finish (small black dots) but it's not a problem because I'm going to get the top of the body painted in black.

timlyukshin

Good guitar for the money

Smooth neck. Acceptable humbuckers... Everything is fine with the guitar! The system holds.

judas_1989

A good friend

Bought this with cracked neck for 50 bucks. I repaired it and I am pretty impressed that it is actually a decent guitar. There are some cosmetic flaws but at the end of the day I play this guitar with a strange pleasure. It's just good.

neologic

Perfect budget Les Paul

I enjoy playing this. Tuners are not very stable though, so you might want to change them. Otherwise, it sounds great and comfortable to play.

Z

Good guitar

Sounds good, but it's tuning isn't that stable and the strap lock falls of the instrument, I prefer my Bullet Mustang

lorant_sellei

Good guitar.

It's a good starter guitar. Only problem is, that you can't put a pickguard on it. Otherwise it's beautiful, and it plays nice.

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 VE, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Marshall MG15
Marshall MG15 Combo Guitar Amplifiers
1

Community setups

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tommy_dawson

tommy_dawson

Gear IQ 365

tymofii_androshchuk

tymofii_androshchuk

Gear IQ 244

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