Epiphone Special

4.5 (25)

$499.00

4.3 (29)

5.0 (44)

$499.00 18 available New

$265.00 21 available Used

4.0 (14)

$399.00

4.5 (59)

$429.00

£389.00

Average Price: $441

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, Epiphone Special is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Epiphone 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

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Unleash the spirit of rock 'n' roll with the Epiphone Special, a guitar that captures the essence of the iconic 1950s Gibson Les Paul Special while offering modern musicians a fresh take on a timeless design. This solidbody electric guitar boasts a mahogany body and neck, delivering rich midrange tones that have been the hallmark of Les Paul guitars for decades. The Indian Laurel fretboard adds a touch of elegance, while the vintage '50s neck profile ensures a comfortable grip for those long jam sessions.

Equipped with two P-90 Pro Soap Bar single-coil pickups, the Epiphone Special provides a dynamic and versatile sound palette. These pickups are designed to emulate the original P-90s, offering a blend of the biting clarity of single-coils with the warm, full-bodied tones that players crave. Whether you're soaring through a lead or laying down a rhythm, these pickups respond beautifully to nuanced playing styles.

Modern enhancements like the Graph Tech nut and CTS electronics ensure superior tuning stability and reliable performance, making this guitar a reliable choice for both stage and studio. The Lightning Bar wraparound bridge and vintage-style machine heads complete the classic look, providing the perfect balance between vintage aesthetics and contemporary functionality.

Key Features:

Mahogany body and neck with Indian Laurel fretboard
Vintage '50s neck profile for a classic feel
Dual P-90 Pro Soap Bar single-coil pickups
Graph Tech nut for improved tone and tuning stability
CTS electronics for smooth and accurate control
Lightning Bar wraparound bridge
Vintage Deluxe tuners with ivory buttons

Videos

Add video

Phillip McKnight

Why This $150 Epiphone Is All You Need, Maybe We All Just Make Excuses?

Phillip McKnight

Is it Any Good? Epiphone Les Paul Special 1 - Worn Cherry

Landon Bailey

Almost Perfect! The Epiphone Les Paul Special Review

intheblues

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

Elmo Karjalainen

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

Play and Trade Guitars

Epiphone Les Paul Special blogger review and demonstration

Best Buy Canada Product Videos

Reviews

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Owner Insights

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

User experience

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The matte finish on the bolt-on neck model provides a faster playing experience compared to the TV Yellow version's finish.
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Even when used acoustically, the guitar maintains its tuning well, offering reliable performance.
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Owners enjoy the lightweight feel, finding it encourages energetic playing and movement during practice.
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The guitar's smaller body and 24.5" scale length make it easier to play, particularly for power chords.
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Use cases and applications

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With proper setup, the guitar has proven durable enough for regular gigging, even in demanding environments like New Orleans bars.
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Despite its simplicity, the guitar is cited as exceptionally fun to play, motivating users to engage more with their instrument.
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The TV Yellow Special with P90s is recommended for rhythm players due to its balanced weight and solid sound.
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The hot ceramic humbuckers are well-suited for metalcore and similar genres due to their aggressive tone.
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Mods and upgrades

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Adding chrome knobs is a popular aesthetic upgrade for a bit of extra flair.
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The bolt-on neck model is a lightweight, cost-effective platform for modifications, making it ideal for alternate tunings or as a backup guitar.
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Owners often modify with different pickups, like those from Guitar Madness or Artec, to enhance tone.
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Value and pricing

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The LP Special I P90s can be found for around $120, offering a budget-friendly option with impressive sound quality for the price.
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Build quality

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The tuners are not sealed, making it hard to maintain stable tuning, especially with nut issues.
Source
0 0

The TV Yellow model has a fuller neck, which suits rhythm players but may not appeal to those preferring slimmer profiles.
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Setup and maintenance

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Upgrading to a Wilkinson bridge improves feel, and replacing capacitors with Orange Drop models (47 for bridge, 22 for neck) enhances tonal control.
Source
0 0

Common setup fixes include nut slot adjustments and significant fret edge smoothing to improve playability.
Source

Other

0 0

Despite cheap components, some owners find the Special II to be a versatile platform for experimenting with customizations.
Source

Comparisons

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The Yamaha RSS20/RSE20 is considered a better value with superior build quality compared to the Epiphone Special.
Source

Critic Reviews

Epiphone Les Paul Special review | Guitar World

guitarworld.com

The Epiphone Les Paul Special impresses with its vintage style and affordability. With impeccable fit and finish, this guitar shines in TV Yellow, offering a unique sonic edge with its P90 pickups. While its neck may feel chunkier for some, its playability is exceptional, and the tone is versatile, catering to rock and blues genres. A lack of color options and limited appeal for heavier genres are minor drawbacks. Overall, it's a fantastic budget-friendly option, delivering quality and character that's hard to beat in its price range.

positive

Full Review

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 11 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

issactrujillo

140

over 8 years ago

Great guitar to beat up on!

I've played this in garages, and on stages. good quality build. I have EMG's in mine so it sounds different than stock models.

Genre Usage

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

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