Does the Epiphone Les Paul Tribute Play Authentic? Find Out in Our Complete Review

The Epiphone Les Paul Tribute Electric Guitar at a glance:

Epiphone Les Paul Tribute Guitar in Heritage Cherry Sunburst

Les Paul Tribute Electric Guitar Overview

Epiphone guitars, the affordable line of guitars authorized by Gibson, has a long and admirable history when it comes to producing quality electric guitars. The Les Paul Tribute is no different, representing an affordable alternative to the Gibson Les Paul.

Featuring two humbucking pickups, the Les Paul Tribute is built to rock. Featuring the classic Les Paul archtop shape, beginners will be getting a comfortable, versatile, and iconic guitar.

A Reliable Remake of the World’s First Signature Guitar

Epiphone’s Les Paul Tribute is an affordable way for beginners to get their hands on a high quality, arch top Les Paul. Made famous by Les Paul himself, Slash, Jimmy Page, and many other iconic players, the Gibson LP has helped shape rock n roll history.

Famous for the warm, full sound of its humbuckers, the Les Paul Tribute is a great option for players who play rock, hard rock, or metal-style music. While there are many Epiphone Les Pauls that have upgraded features, the simple and streamlined construction helps keep the cost down.

Who is the Epiphone Les Paul Tribute for?

Closer to $300 than $200, the Les Paul Tribute is a bit more expensive than some of its similarly-rated peers. However, it is still tailored to beginner and student guitar players skill set.

The Les Paul Tribute, a Gibson-style guitar, has a smaller scale length at 24.75” than comparable Fender-style guitars like the Telecaster or Stratocaster. This may make it easier for some beginners, thanks to the size of the frets and neck.

Many players also often consider these guitars easier to bend notes on as well. Even better, the humbucking pickups have less noise or buzz than single coils, and produce high output sounds.

That makes the Les Paul Tribute a great live instrument for beginners and students as they form their first bands.

What Comes in the Epiphone Box?

Unlike the Squier Affinity Telecaster, the Les Paul Tribute cannot be purchased as part of a package deal with included accessories.

This means that you’ll have to go out and purchase your own accessories such as a strap, picks, clip-on tuner, and extra strings separately if you’re a beginner.

For some players who already stretched their budget just to get the Les Paul Tribute, this could be troubling. However, you can get Epiphone’s cheaper Les Paul II model in one of those beginner friendly packs!

Les Paul Tribute Features

Epiphone’s Les Paul Tribute is built around two powerful hot open-coil humbuckers. Humbuckers are by definition noiseless, helping to reduce the buzz and hum in your whole rig. Plus, humbuckers are higher output than single coils, giving you loud, full layers of distorted guitar tone.

The Tribute has a Mahogany body and neck, giving it a full, sustaining tone. Unlike Gibson and higher end Epiphones, the Les Paul Tribute has a bolt-on neck, not a set in neck.

The slim taper shaped neck is covered by a bound Laurel fretboard. The neck should be comfortable for most new players, especially thanks to the shorter scale length. The arched top that comes with a stunning heritage cherry finish.

Unfortunately, Les Pauls like this are known to have some tuning instability, thanks to the angle of the strings as they enter the nut.

Rounding out the features are 22 comfortably medium jumbo frets, the classic tune-o-matic bridge style, and a gloss finish that makes the guitar shine.

Highlights

• Loud, rich humbuckers
• Beautiful, glossy heritage cherry finish
• Comfortable, slim body profile
• Small scale length is easier for beginners

See and Hear it in Action

Curious how the Les Paul Tribute and those open coil humbuckers sound? Check out this great demo of the guitar, played both clean and overdriven, below! You’ll quickly see how you can recreate those vintage Les Paul tones with ease.

Epiphone Les Paul Tribute Review

What Do Epiphone Customers Think? >>

Other Affordable Electric Guitars to Try

Squier Affinity Stratocaster

There has never been as many great cheap guitars for young players as there are right now.

While it is easier than ever to find great guitars under $200, it also is harder to sift through the many great options.

If you’re looking for a classic Fender design, Squier’s Affinity Series Stratocaster might be for you.

The Affinity Strat is tried and true recreation of the three pickup Stratocaster, arguably the most iconic electric guitar of all time.

Squier Affinity Telecaster

At an equally affordable price tag, you’ll find even more tonal diversity in the Stratocaster.

Plus, it’s also sold as part of great beginner packages by many common retailers, making it student friendly.

Just like the Affinity Strat, you can also find an affordable and high quality Telecaster from Squier.

The Affinity Tele maintains that classic bright, Fender Tele tone that can be found throughout rock n roll’s history.

It’s versatile enough to cover rockabilly, country, rock, and blues and all that comes for under $200!

Find out more in our Squier Affinity Telecaster review.

Ibanez Gio GRX70QA

Tired of hearing about Fender and Gibson?

Ibanez has just the electric guitar for you! Check out their GRX70, a “super-Strat”-style guitar that mixes modern features with stunning finish options.

For players who want to pursue more technical styles of music such as fusion, metal, or Steve Vai-inspired madness, look no further.

The Ibanez GRX70 adds a unique HSH pickup diagram and dive-bomb ready tremolo system to a sub-$200 shredding machine.

Check out our Ibanez GRX70 complete review here.

Final Thoughts: Does the Epiphone Les Paul Tribute Hit the Mark as a Good Mid-Level Guitar Purchase?

If Fender single coil guitars aren’t your style, the Epiphone Les Paul Tribute is a superb alternative. It’s great for beginners in both practice and live settings, and the humbuckers can faithfully reproduce classic rock and blues lead tones.

Unfortunately, affordable Les Pauls are known for having some tuning issues, so getting a clip on tuner is highly recommended. But for beginners or students who want to play high volume and high gain music, the Les Paul Tribute is a dependable, and fairly affordable option!

Plus, with that heritage cherry color and glossy finish, there aren’t many guitars that look this good at this price point!

What are Epiphone Les Paul Tribute Owners Saying? >>

User Friendliness

Build Quality

Sound Quality

Value Factor

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Overall Score:    4.3

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