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Average Price: $629

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$1001+

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Description

Step into the spotlight with the Epiphone LP Black Beauty, a guitar that embodies the classic allure and powerful sound of the late '50s Les Paul Customs. Designed for both stage presence and sonic versatility, this three-humbucker wonder is crafted to capture the essence of its Gibson predecessors while offering the reliability and affordability of an Epiphone. With its stunning gold-plated hardware and elegant multi-ply binding, the LP Black Beauty doesn't just sound good—it looks the part too.

The solid mahogany body and neck are complemented by a smooth rosewood fingerboard, ensuring a warm, resonant tone that can handle anything from bluesy bends to searing solos. Whether you're playing rhythm or lead, the versatile pickup configuration offers a rich palette of tones, from smooth jazz to raw rock. The combination of a stopbar tailpiece and tune-o-matic bridge provides exceptional sustain and tuning stability, making sure your performance is always pitch-perfect.

Built for musicians who crave both style and substance, the Epiphone LP Black Beauty is your ticket to a timeless sound and a stunning visual statement.

Key Features:

  • Solidbody cutaway design
  • Mahogany body and neck
  • Rosewood fingerboard
  • Three humbuckers for diverse tonal options
  • Gold-plated hardware
  • Multi-ply front and back binding
  • Pearloid block inlays
  • Four control knobs
  • Stopbar tailpiece and tune-o-matic bridge

Product specs

Brand Epiphone
Model Les Paul Custom Black Beauty (3-Pickup)
Finish Ebony
Year 1996 - 2019
Made In Korea, Republic of
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Black
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Fretboard Radius 12"
Model Family Epiphone Les Paul
Model Sub-Family Epiphone Les Paul Custom
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HHH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"
Wood Top Style Opaque

FAQs

What type of pickups does the Epiphone LP Black Beauty have?

The Epiphone LP Black Beauty features a three-humbucker (HHH) pickup configuration, providing a rich and versatile range of tones suitable for various music genres.

Is the Epiphone LP Black Beauty suitable for beginner guitarists?

While the Epiphone LP Black Beauty offers professional-quality features, its playability and comfortable neck make it accessible for both beginners and advanced players.

What is the neck profile of the Epiphone LP Black Beauty?

The Epiphone LP Black Beauty has a set-neck construction with a mahogany neck, offering a smooth and comfortable playing experience with a classic Les Paul feel.

How does the Epiphone LP Black Beauty compare to a Gibson Les Paul?

The Epiphone LP Black Beauty offers a more affordable alternative to a Gibson Les Paul, maintaining quality craftsmanship with a mahogany body and three humbuckers, but at a lower price point due to overseas manufacturing.

What kind of music genres is the Epiphone LP Black Beauty best suited for?

The Epiphone LP Black Beauty's versatile humbucker configuration makes it ideal for rock, blues, jazz, and metal, offering a wide range of tones from warm and smooth to bright and powerful.

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Music City CZ

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Video thumbnail for Epiphone Les Paul Black Beauty 3 (Aivn) by Music City CZ

Epiphone Les Paul Black Beauty 3 (Aivn)

Music City CZ

Music City CZ

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Black Beauty Les Paul | Gear4music Demo by Gear4music Guitars

Epiphone Black Beauty Les Paul | Gear4music Demo

Gear4music Guitars

Gear4music Guitars

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Les Paul Custom Black Beauty by Robert Jackson

Epiphone Les Paul Custom Black Beauty

Robert Jackson

Robert Jackson

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Les Paul black beauty (MIK @ unsung factory)review by siborgday guitars by Si-borg Guitars

Epiphone Les Paul black beauty (MIK @ unsung factory)review by siborgday guitars

Si-borg Guitars

Si-borg Guitars

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Les Paul Black Beauty | Sound Tone Comparison Review by Lyrical Impact

Epiphone Les Paul Black Beauty | Sound Tone Comparison Review

Lyrical Impact

Lyrical Impact

Reviews

PROS

  • Stunning visual appeal with high-quality construction

  • Powerful sound, even through smaller amps

  • Three pickups offer versatile tonal options

  • Gold hardware remains untarnished for many users

  • Smooth and fast neck enhances playability

  • Excellent fret work and intonation

  • Stays in tune well with stop tail bridge

  • White binding offers a clean, distinctive look

CONS

  • Gold hardware may tarnish over time

  • Pickups can seem shrill to some players

  • Middle pickup placement may interfere with picking

  • Issues with toggle switch and tuning keys for some users

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Epiphone LP Black Beauty.

Features and functionality

  • The standard pickup configuration is neck, middle+bridge, bridge, allowing for versatile tonal options.

    Source
  • The Floyd Rose Bridge FRX can be easily swapped with a regular bridge if desired, offering flexibility in setup preferences.

    Source
  • A professional rewiring can provide each pickup with its own dedicated volume knob, allowing for more nuanced control over sound, with costs around $115 CAD including setup.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Enthusiasts suggest removing pickup covers for a Frampton-style appearance, enhancing the guitar's vintage aesthetic.

    Source
  • Owners have successfully installed a humbucker-sized P-90 in the middle position, enhancing tonal versatility with Strat-like quacky tones when combined with the bridge pickup.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Top wrapping the strings is recommended by some for improved playability and tone, though it remains a matter of personal preference.

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  • Fretboard oil can help lift yellowing from inlays and clean the binding effectively.

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  • Maguire’s finishing compound is recommended for cleaning and polishing the binding and body due to its mild abrasive properties.

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  • Fine wire brush and WD-40 are suggested for cleaning a rusty Floyd Rose Bridge.

    Source

Build quality

  • The fretboard might be rosewood, contributing to its brown color, unlike newer models with ebony fretboards.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners mention the challenge of changing strings on the Floyd Rose, hinting at the complexity of maintenance.

    Source
  • Despite initial concerns about weight, many owners find the guitar surprisingly manageable and praise its playability, even after extended periods of use.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Users frequently compare the Epiphone Black Beauty favorably to higher-end Gibsons, noting similar tonal qualities and overall satisfaction with its performance during gigs.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The guitar is praised for its reliability and strong tone, making it a favorite for gigging musicians who appreciate its resilience and sound quality against more expensive models.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Les Paul Black Beauty Review | Epiphone | Electric Guitars | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The Epiphone Les Paul Black Beauty dazzles with its tonal versatility, thanks to three pickups and a 6-way toggle switch, making it a jack-of-all-trades for genres like rock, metal, jazz, and blues. Its aesthetic appeal and solid build quality are lauded, offering a taste of Gibson allure without the hefty price tag. While some players find it doesn't quite match the competition in specific styles like heavy metal, most agree it's a reliable, well-rounded guitar. Overall, it's a favored choice for those seeking classic Les Paul vibes at a value.

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Tchort ( Terje Vik Schei) uses Epiphone LP Black Beauty

Tchort ( Terje Vik Schei)

Guitarist, Bassist

Carpathian Forest

...
Verified via Metal-archives

Tchort (Terje Vik Schei) has been seen playing an Epiphone LP Black Beauty during live performances, as documented on Metal Archives.

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 LP Black Beauty, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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1

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bubba_gump

Gear IQ 89

1 alternative for Epiphone LP Black Beauty, curated by the Equipboard community.

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new edition based on a gibson Black Beauty joe bonamassa own,

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