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A new Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s costs about £2,499 in the UK. A new Epiphone Les Paul Standard '50s, with the same name, the same shape and a very similar spec sheet, costs about £499 to £549. That is a gap of roughly £2,000, and the question everyone asks is simple: what does the extra money actually buy?
I am a songwriter, and I build FencyGuitar, a guitar learning app, so I approach this question as someone who cares about how a guitar inspires you to play and write, not just about the badge on the headstock. This comparison goes model by model, with UK prices checked on 25 October 2026, and it is honest about where the Gibson earns its price and where it does not.
The Short Answer
For most players, the Epiphone is the smarter buy. It gets you most of the Les Paul experience for about a fifth of the price. Buy the Gibson if you value nitro finish, US build, Gibson pickups and resale value enough to pay for them, or if you have played both and the Gibson simply feels right.
| Guitar | UK price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Epiphone Les Paul Standard '50s | £499 to £549 | The best value classic Les Paul for most players |
| Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue | £999 to £1,099 | Players who want vintage specs and Gibson pickups without Gibson money |
| Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s | About £2,499 | The real thing, for players who know they want it |
The rest of this article breaks down where the money goes, then compares the models tier by tier.
One Family, Two Price Lists
Gibson introduced the Les Paul in 1952, working with the guitarist and inventor Les Paul. The Les Paul Standard of 1958 to 1960, with its sunburst finish and humbucking pickups, became the most famous version, and it is the template for almost every Les Paul made since. Today Gibson builds its USA guitars in Nashville, Tennessee.
Epiphone was a rival guitar maker until Gibson bought it in 1957. Since then it has been Gibson's more affordable line. For many years Epiphone Les Pauls had their own headstock shape and their own spec choices. Since 2020 the main range has been branded "Inspired by Gibson", and many models now share Gibson's headstock shape and much closer specs.
So the relationship is not "real versus fake". Epiphone is Gibson's officially licensed, officially designed affordable brand. The question is which details you are willing to pay for.
What the Extra Money Actually Buys
Where and how they are made
Gibson USA guitars are built in Nashville. Most Epiphone Les Pauls are built in China, in a factory dedicated to Epiphone. Labour costs explain a large part of the price gap on their own. Gibson also uses more hand work in areas such as carving, finishing and wiring, while Epiphone relies more on modern production methods.
Wood and construction
Both Standard '50s models use a mahogany body with a maple cap and a set mahogany neck. Gibson's Standard '50s uses a body without weight relief, which suits players who want the traditional feel and resonance, and also makes them heavy. Gibson typically uses a one piece mahogany neck. Epiphone's wood is good but drawn from a wider supply, and some cheaper Epiphones use laurel rather than rosewood fingerboards.
Finish
This is one of the clearest differences. Gibson uses nitrocellulose lacquer, a thin finish that ages, wears and develops a patina over time. Many players say it lets the wood breathe, although that is hard to prove. Epiphone usually uses a thicker polyurethane finish, which is tougher and more resistant to scratches and temperature changes, but feels slightly more plasticky to some hands.
Pickups and electronics
The Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s has Burstbucker 1 and Burstbucker 2 pickups with alnico magnets, hand wired with Orange Drop capacitors. The Epiphone Standard '50s has Epiphone ProBucker pickups with CTS pots and '50s style wiring. The ProBuckers are very good for the money, but the Burstbuckers are clearer, more dynamic and more vintage in character. Pickups are also the easiest thing to upgrade on an Epiphone.
Hardware, case and extras
Gibson includes a hard case. The Epiphone Standard '50s comes with a gig bag at most UK shops. Gibson tuners, bridges and nuts are generally a step up, and Gibson's quality control is meant to be tighter, though it has a mixed reputation.
Resale value
A well kept Gibson tends to hold its value much better than an Epiphone. If you buy used and sell later, the real cost of owning a Gibson can be much lower than the sticker price suggests.
The Standard Models
Epiphone Les Paul Standard '50s
The Epiphone Les Paul Standard '50s was £499 to £549 at guitarguitar depending on finish. You get a mahogany body with a maple cap, a set mahogany neck with a rounded medium C profile, a 12 inch radius rosewood fingerboard, ProBucker humbuckers, CTS pots, '50s style wiring and a Graph Tech nut.
It is the best value classic Les Paul you can buy new. It sounds and feels like a Les Paul, it looks the part, and it is a very good platform for upgrades. The Epiphone Les Paul Standard '60s has a slimmer neck and slightly hotter, brighter pickups for the same price.
Who should skip this: players who already know they want nitro, Gibson pickups and US build, and players who want a lighter guitar.
Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s
The Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s was about £2,499 at guitarguitar, with the P90 version at £2,199 to £2,399 and faded finishes at around £1,999. You get a non weight relieved mahogany body with a maple cap, a '50s vintage profile neck, Burstbucker 1 and 2 pickups, hand wired electronics with Orange Drop capacitors, gloss nitro finish and a hard case.
This is the benchmark. It is heavy, it is expensive, and to many players it is the most inspiring electric guitar they will ever hold. The Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s offers a slimmer neck at a similar price.
Who should skip this: anyone stretching their budget to afford it, and anyone who has not yet played one for at least half an hour.
At this tier, the gap is real but smaller than the price suggests. The Gibson has better pickups, a nitro finish, a hard case and stronger resale. The Epiphone has a tougher finish, a lower price and a lot of money left over for an amp.
The Stripped Back Models
Epiphone Les Paul Junior and Special Double Cut
Epiphone's "Inspired by Gibson" range includes simpler, lighter Les Pauls with P90 pickups. The Epiphone Les Paul Junior was £359 to £429, and the Epiphone Les Paul Special Double Cut was £429 to £469. These have flat slab bodies, simple controls and a raw, punchy sound loved by punk and garage rock players.
Who should skip this: players who want the classic humbucker Les Paul sound.
Gibson Les Paul Studio and Les Paul Junior
Gibson's cheapest Les Pauls are the Studio and the Junior. The Gibson Les Paul Studio was £1,249 to £1,499 at guitarguitar, and it is the most affordable way to get a Gibson with two humbuckers and the full Les Paul control layout. It uses a lighter build than the Standard and a more modern voicing. The Gibson Les Paul Junior was £1,259 to £1,399, with a single P90 pickup and a simple wraparound bridge.
Who should skip these: players who want the Standard's binding, carved top look and vintage pickups. The Studio is a different, more modern flavour of Les Paul.
Here the price gap is even more interesting. The Epiphone Junior is about a third of the price of the Gibson Junior. Because the design is so simple, many players find the difference in sound smaller than with the Standards, though the Gibson's nitro finish and US build are still there.
The Vintage Reissues
Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue
The Inspired by Gibson Custom range is where Epiphone gets closest to Gibson. The Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue was £999 to £1,099 at guitarguitar. It is built to replicate the specs of a Gibson Custom Shop 1959 more closely than the standard Epiphone line, and it comes with Gibson made pickups and a hard case.
For many players this is the sweet spot of the whole Les Paul world. It is less than half the price of a Gibson Standard and much closer to a vintage spec than a regular Epiphone.
Who should skip this: players who want nitro finish and US build, and beginners who would be better served by a cheaper first guitar.
Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue
At the very top, the Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue was listed from about £6,499, with Murphy Lab aged versions from about £6,799 to over £10,000. These are hand built recreations of the most famous electric guitar ever made.
Who should skip this: nearly everyone. It is a dream guitar, a collector's piece and a professional's tool, not a sensible purchase for most players.
Quick Comparison Table
| Epiphone Les Paul Standard '50s | Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s | |
|---|---|---|
| UK price | £499 to £549 | About £2,499 |
| Made in | China | Nashville, USA |
| Body | Mahogany with maple cap | Mahogany with maple cap, no weight relief |
| Neck | Set mahogany, rounded medium C | Set mahogany, '50s vintage profile |
| Pickups | Epiphone ProBucker | Gibson Burstbucker 1 and 2 |
| Electronics | CTS pots, '50s wiring | Hand wired, Orange Drop capacitors |
| Finish | Polyurethane | Nitrocellulose lacquer |
| Case | Gig bag | Hard case |
| Resale value | Moderate | Strong |
| Best for | Most players, gigging, value | Players who want the original and can afford it |
How to Compare Them in a Shop
Reading spec sheets only gets you so far. If you can get to a UK guitar shop that stocks both, a careful side by side test will tell you more than any article, including this one. Here is how to make that test fair.
Use the same amp and settings. Ask for a simple clean amp with a little room for crunch, and keep every setting the same for both guitars. Avoid heavy effects, which hide the differences you are trying to hear.
Play the same three things. Pick an open chord pattern, a single note riff and a short lead line with bends. Play each on both guitars, ideally twice, switching between them. Your ears adjust quickly, so short, repeated comparisons work better than long sessions.
Try the volume and tone controls. Roll the volume back to about seven on each guitar. A good Les Paul should clean up while staying bright and clear. This is one area where better electronics often show.
Notice how the neck feels after ten minutes. The '50s and '60s profiles differ more between models than between brands. Many players care more about the neck shape than the badge, so find the profile that suits your hand first.
Check the details. Look at fret ends, the nut, the finish around the neck joint and the binding. Quality varies within both brands, so judge the individual guitar, not the reputation.
Close your eyes. If possible, ask a friend to hand you each guitar without telling you which is which. It is a revealing test, and it often surprises people.
If you cannot get to a shop, buy from a retailer with a generous returns window and do the same test at home with your own amp. Our best practice amps roundup has suggestions if you need one.
Upgrading an Epiphone: Is It Worth It?
Many players buy an Epiphone and upgrade it over time. Done sensibly, this can get you very close to a Gibson for much less money.
Pickups. The single most noticeable upgrade. A good set of aftermarket humbuckers from a well known maker will make an Epiphone sound clearer and more dynamic.
Pots and wiring. The Standard '50s already has CTS pots, so this is less urgent than on older Epiphones.
Nut and tuners. The Graph Tech nut on current models is good. If you have tuning issues, a professional nut adjustment usually fixes them.
A professional setup. The cheapest and most effective upgrade of all.
The trap is spending so much on upgrades that you could have bought a used Gibson. Decide on a budget before you start, and remember that upgrades rarely add to resale value.
What I Don't Like About Either Brand
Epiphone. The polyurethane finish feels thicker than nitro. Quality control varies from guitar to guitar, so check yours carefully when it arrives. Resale value is modest. And the cheapest models use laurel fingerboards and simpler hardware.
Gibson. The price is very high, and the gap is not always reflected in the guitar in your hands. Gibson has a mixed reputation for quality control, so even a £2,500 guitar can arrive with small finish flaws or a nut that needs attention. The Standard '50s is heavy. And nitro finish, while beautiful, marks more easily and is more sensitive to temperature changes and some stands.
Both. Les Pauls are heavy, have limited upper fret access, and need care with tuning stability at the nut. If any of those bother you, an SG or a different shape may suit you better.
Who Should Skip Both
Players who find Les Pauls too heavy. Try an SG from either brand, which gives a similar sound in a much lighter body.
Players who want versatility above everything. A Strat with an HSS pickup layout covers more ground. See our Squier vs Epiphone comparison.
Players who want modern features. Locking tuners, compound radius fingerboards and slimmer necks are more common on other designs.
First time buyers on a tight budget. Start with the Epiphone Les Paul Tribute at around £249, or a Squier, and upgrade later.
Buying Used in the UK
Used is where the Gibson versus Epiphone question often answers itself. A used Gibson can cost far less than a new one and still hold its value when you sell.
Be careful, though. Gibson is one of the most copied guitar brands in the world, and fakes do turn up on marketplaces. Check the following:
Serial number and "Made in USA" stamp. These should be crisp and match Gibson's numbering format for the year.
Headstock and truss rod cover. Fakes often get small details wrong in logo shape and spacing.
Electronics cavity. Look for neat wiring and genuine Gibson parts.
Price. If a Les Paul Standard is listed far below the going rate, be suspicious.
Where you can, buy from a shop with a returns window rather than a private seller.
So, Gibson or Epiphone?
Under £600. The Epiphone Les Paul Standard '50s. There is no Gibson at this price, and this is an excellent guitar.
£900 to £1,500. The Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue if you want vintage spec and Gibson pickups, or the Gibson Les Paul Studio if the Gibson badge, nitro and US build matter more.
£2,000 and above. The Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s, ideally after playing a few in a shop to find a good one.
If you are drawn to the vintage reissue idea but want something a little more unusual, Fency Music, our sister store, carries the limited Epiphone Mayday Monster '59 Les Paul Standard, a special edition in the Inspired by Gibson Custom family.
Whichever you choose, the amp matters as much as the guitar. Our Blues Junior vs Princeton Reverb and Boss Katana vs Positive Grid Spark comparisons cover popular options, and our Blues Driver vs Tube Screamer vs Klon guide explains which drive pedals suit humbuckers.
Why Liverpool Music
Liverpool Music is run by Zhong Gu, a songwriter who also builds FencyGuitar, a guitar learning app. We care about how gear helps you play and write more, and that is the lens we use here.
We checked prices against UK retailers on 25 October 2026, mainly guitarguitar. We cross checked specs against Gibson and Epiphone listings and retailer spec sheets, and when a point comes from owner reports or common opinion rather than our own hands, we say so. Fency Music is our sister store, which is why we say so at the top of the page. We do not currently earn affiliate commission from any retailer we mention. If a price or spec has changed, tell us and we will correct it.
FAQ
Is an Epiphone Les Paul a real Les Paul?
Yes, an Epiphone Les Paul is an officially licensed Les Paul. Epiphone is owned by Gibson, and the Les Paul name and design are used with Gibson's approval. The differences are in where it is made, the finish, the pickups and some hardware, not in whether it is genuine.
Does a Gibson sound better than an Epiphone?
A Gibson usually sounds somewhat clearer and more dynamic, mainly because of its pickups and electronics. However, the difference is smaller than the price gap suggests, and it shrinks further through an amp with drive or in a band mix. Many listeners cannot reliably tell them apart in recordings.
Is it worth upgrading the pickups on an Epiphone?
Yes, upgrading the pickups is usually the most worthwhile change you can make to an Epiphone Les Paul. Good aftermarket humbuckers bring it noticeably closer to a Gibson in clarity and dynamics. Keep the total spend sensible, because upgrades rarely increase resale value.
Why are Gibson Les Pauls so expensive?
Gibson Les Pauls are expensive because they are built in the USA with more hand work, use nitrocellulose finish, Gibson pickups and higher grade hardware, and come with a hard case. Brand value and strong demand also play a big part, which is why they hold their value well second hand.
Which is better for a beginner, Gibson or Epiphone?
An Epiphone is better for almost every beginner. It costs a fraction of the price, it is tougher thanks to its polyurethane finish, and it sounds and feels like a Les Paul. Learn on an Epiphone, then decide later whether a Gibson is worth it for you.
The Bottom End
The Gibson versus Epiphone question has a simple answer for most people: buy the Epiphone, spend some of the savings on a good amp and a proper setup, and enjoy it. The Gibson is a wonderful guitar, and if you can afford it, have played one that feels right and value its finish, pickups and resale, it can be worth every penny. But the gap between the two is far smaller in the music than it is on the price tag. The Les Paul that inspires you to play every day is the right one.
