Reviewer Mike
Experience 23
Review date July 25 2002
Manufacturer Epiphone
Model Les Paul Standard
Price $299.99
Item owned for Less than 1 month

Bass type 4 string fretted
Neck join Set Neck
Neck construction maple
Fingerboard rosewood, 34" scale
Body alder, w/flame maple top
Finish vintage sunburst
Pickups dual bass humbuckers
Hardware chrome
Electronics passive, w/2 volume and 2 tone controls
Good-looking, solidly-built guitar. A bit neck-heavy, but not wholly uncomfortable. Noticed what looked like sawdust in the grooves of the rosewood fretboard. Not a big deal, but testament to how details get lost in mass-production. Electronics were quiet. Came strung with what I assume were Gibson roundwound strings, which gave the bass a deep tone with piano-like mids. I recommend using flatwounds, as new rounds always drive me nuts with their tinny top-end. Of course, that usually dissipates after the strings have been worn in with a player's sweat.

All in all, the bass was fairly comfortable to play and sounded decent. It's definitely a rock bass, but can also pull off some good pop/slap tones. I bought this one because it was on special from Musician's Friend for $299.99 ($120 off their regular price). It's decent enough, but I sold it to buy an Italia Mondial which, at roughly the same price, is far superior.

Construction 90%
Appearance 95%
Playability 90%
Sound 90%
Value 90%
Overall 90%
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