There is a reason I don't talk about this guitar

A couple of reasons, actually.

Above is the Epiphone Les Paul SL. It is cheap and and plentiful at the time I write this. Ever since this guitar was introduced, people have been asking me what I think about it since I like good low-cost guitars.

I don't like this one.

There was a time when I owned an Epiphone Les Paul Special I P90. That was a guitar I liked because it got everything right for what it was.

This guitar however, the Les Paul SL, misses the target.

First is the guitar's look. The skinny Strat-like pickups and big pick guard just don't work, making the SL look too much like a toy.

Second once again has to do with the pickups. They're not P90. While I've not heard this guitar in person, I am 100% certain that it absolutely does not have that cool P90 "growl".

Les Paul shape guitars are best suited to humbuckers or P90s both for look and for sound, and the SL doesn't have either of those.

I'm really not sure what Epiphone was thinking with this one. They had a hit with the 'Paul P90, but this...?

However, there may be some of you out there that like this thing. If you're one of them, grab one. They're sure to sell out quickly given the super low price point.

My suggestion: If buying for yourself, get the sunburst with the black guard. It looks way better than the turquoise.

Published 2018 Nov 19