As Gibson's budget brand, Epiphone has earned a generally positive reputation in the guitar world. Thanks to Epiphone guitars, beginners and players on a budget alike can access some of Gibson's most iconic designs like the Les Paul, SG, and Explorer. But with the brand's vast catalog of instruments, it can be tough to select the one for you. To help you begin your search, we've gathered together our top picks for the best Epiphone guitar.
Our Picks: The Best Epiphone Guitar
Best Electric Guitar
ES-339 Semi Hollow
Best Acoustic Guitar
Epiphone Hummingbird
Best Unusual design
Masterbilt Excellente
Epiphone Les Paul Studio LT -- Most Versatile Guitar
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The Les Paul is arguably Gibson's most famous design. But as you may have found, even high-end Epiphone Les Pauls can be incredibly expensive. The Les Paul Studio LT strikes a great balance between features and affordability -- the distinctive Zebra ceramic humbuckers, LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge, and rosewood fingerboard are all somewhat surprising features given this guitar's low price.
Like the Gibson Les Paul, Epiphone Les Paul guitars are highly playable tone machines. This one has a 60s SlimTaper D neck that most players will find comfortable. Three-way pickup switching and individual volume and tone controls give you incredible tonal sculpting abilities.
Our Star Rating
We think the Les Paul Studio is the most versatile guitar on the list, and we give it four out of five stars.
Epiphone PRO-1 Classic 3/4 Size -- Best Classical
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Most Epiphone guitars are steel-string acoustics or electric guitars, but there are a few outliers -- like this smaller classical guitar. Its shorter 22.8" scale length makes it a great fit for kids or smaller adults. Plus, the lowered string tension and more forgiving nylon strings make it a great option for those just learning to play. The D-profile mahogany neck is made with Epiphone's EZ-Profile to help make playing feel as natural as possible.
The PRO-1 does have a downside -- it's made of all laminated wood. But if you're purchasing a child's guitar, that could be an advantage -- laminate is generally more durable than solid wood. The top is cedar, which delivers a warmer, mellower tone than spruce.
Our Star Rating
This guitar can be yours for a very low price, and we think it's the best classical acoustic guitar on the list. We give it 3.5 out of five stars.
Epiphone Hummingbird -- Best Acoustic Guitar
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If you know anything about the history of music, chances are that you're at least a little familiar with the Gibson Hummingbird. This one, the Epiphone version, gets pretty close to the original. Like the Gibson, it has a solid spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides. The vintage cherry sunburst finish has been aged, so you get a Hummingbird that looks like the real deal. It comes with the iconic Hummingbird pickguard and parallelogram inlays.
This acoustic guitar delivers outstanding quality for an excellent price, and its rounded C neck profile is amazingly comfortable for just about any player. It also comes equipped with good electronics -- the Fishman Sonicore pickup. This system has a soundhole-mounted preamp so you don't need to mar the beauty of the guitar's sides.
Our Star Rating
We think this is the best acoustic guitar on the list, and we give it five out of five stars.
Epiphone Masterbilt Excellente -- Best Unusual Design
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If you don't recognize the Excellente at first, you're not alone. This rare guitar was popularized by Loretta Lynn, but only 141 were ever made. Now, Epiphone's Masterbilt collection is bringing the Excellente back. This guitar is made of all solid wood -- it has a solid Sitka spruce top and solid ovangkol back and sides. Ovangkol sounds a little like combination of rosewood and mahogany -- it has rosewood's detail with mahogany's present midrange.
The Excellente is reminiscent of the Hummingbird -- it has a distinctive pickguard etched with an eagle and pinecones. It also features a beautiful ebony fingerboard with cloud inlays. Even the tuners on this special guitar are distinctive. It features Kluson Waffleback tuners. And if you intend to perform, the onboard Fishman Sonitone delivers faithful live sound.
Our Star Rating
We think this Epiphone guitar has the best unique design on the list, and we give it 4.5 out of five stars.
Epiphone SG Special VE -- Best Budget Electric Guitar
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Countless rock guitarists have played the Gibson SG electric guitar. Jimmy Page famously played a double-neck version. And luckily, like most Gibson guitars, this one has an Epiphone version. The SG Special VE is designed to be a more affordable version of the Epiphone SG Standard. Like all Special guitars, this one is a straightforward, no-frills axe that's still tonally excellent. It comes with a pair of Epiphone Ceramic-8 humbuckers that are controlled by a master volume and master tone switch.
The Tune-O-Matic bridge and stop bar tailpiece help keep intonation on this electric guitar perfect, and the poplar body is lightweight and comfortable to play while still delivering great sustain.
Our Star Rating
We think this is the best budget electric guitar on the list, and we give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Epiphone AJ220SCE -- Best Affordable Acoustic-Electric Guitar
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If you'd like to play an acoustic guitar that's similar to a dreadnaught but not quite, you might like Advanced Jumbo Epiphone guitars. Thanks to its bell-like shape, the Advanced Jumbo cuts down on some of the overtones you get with dreadnaughts while still delivering a big tone. This one is one of Epiphone's most affordable guitars for performers. Though it's one of the least expensive Epiphone guitars on the list, it has a solid top and comes with Fishman Presys electronics.
The AJ220SCE also delivers a warm, balanced tone thanks to its laminated mahogany body. The Slim Taper neck profile and Venetian cutaway make it highly playable at home and onstage.
Our Star Rating
We think this is the best Epiphone for those looking for an affordable acoustic-electric. We give it four out of five stars.
Epiphone Slash "AFD" Les Paul Special II Outfit -- Best Beginner Electric Guitar
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The Les Paul Special II is arguably one of the best Epiphone electric guitar options for beginners. And this particular model, designed by Slash, is part of an "outfit" that has everything you need to start playing. It includes a guitar strap, a gig bag, a set of signature picks, and even eMedia online lessons.
The Les Paul Special II itself is a standout electric guitar. It's topped with a AAA flame maple veneer for a dynamic look, and the body itself is made of mahogany for powerful sustain. Like many Epiphone Les Paul models, this one has a Tune-O-Matic bridge for great intonation. And its Ceramic Plus Zebra-coil humbucker pickups were designed to sound a lot like Slash's preferred tone.
Our Star Rating
We think this is the best Epiphone electric guitar for beginners on the list, and we give it 3.5 out of five stars.
Epiphone ES-339 Semi-Hollowbody - Best Electric Guitar
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This semi-hollow guitar is the Epiphone answer to ES-335 Gibson guitars. The ES-335 and ES-339 have been played by countless musical greats including Gary Clark Jr., Eric Clapton, and BB King. And while this guitar is an excellent choice if you want to play blues, its Alnico Classic PRO humbuckers are versatile enough to handle just about any genre you throw at them.
This Epiphone guitar has a semi-hollow body made of layered maple. Maple's crispness is part of what makes the ES-339's sound so captivating. The highly resonant body and the magic of the pickups round out the sound. It's also extremely playable thanks to hand-rolled fretboard edges and a rounded-C neck profile.
Our Star Rating
We think this one is the best electric guitar on the list. We give it five out of five stars.
Epiphone EJ-200SCE Acoustic-Electric -- Best Jumbo
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Many Epiphone guitars feature colorful, unusual, or simply eye-catching designs. The EJ-200SCE is a beautiful, playable jumbo that excels in an acoustic ensemble setting. It features a solid spruce top for superior responsiveness, and the laminated maple back and sides make its sound just crisp enough. The hard maple neck has a comfortably playable slim profile capped with a pau ferro fingerboard that's decorated with flashy crown inlays.
The EJ-200SCE can easily cut through a mix when played acoustically, but for when you want to the plugin, it comes with Fishman electronics. The onboard preamp features a highly convenient tuner.
In our detailed review of EJ-200SCE, we have elaborately discussed all the features and shortcomings of this guitar.
Our Star Rating
We think this is the best Epiphone jumbo on the list, and we give it four out of five stars.
Epiphone Limited-Edition Casino -- Best Hollowbody
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John Lennon is one of the many players who have felt at home playing an Epiphone Casino. And while its hollow body probably isn't the first choice of metal guitarists, it does well in a wealth of other genres. This one stands out thanks to its pickups -- instead of the usual humbuckers, it comes equipped with P90s. These pickups are capable of sparkling cleans and gritty "barks" alike.
This eye-catching hollowbody also has another standout feature -- a Bigsby tremolo. A tremolo system lets you bend chords or single notes, making your playing more dynamic and expressive. And thanks to its Slim Taper neck and dual cutaways, this is one of the most playable hollow electric guitars we've found.
Our Star Rating
We think this is the best hollowbody guitar on the list, and we give it four out of five stars.
Epiphone DR-100 -- Best Beginner Acoustic Guitar
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While some of the best Epiphone guitars are the brand's flashy, expensive models, the Epiphone DR-100 acoustic is a reminder that Epiphone also makes affordable, playable guitars for new musicians. While this acoustic guitar is made of all laminated wood, it still has a surprisingly nice tone. Its select spruce top and mahogany back and sides create a soft, mellow tone, that even more experienced guitarists can appreciate.
This little dreadnaught doesn't skimp on playability, though -- its SlimTaper neck reduces hand strain, and the rosewood fretboard is similar to those used on much more expensive instruments. Its Vintage Sunburst finish is reminiscent of the look of a J45.
Our Star Rating
We think this Vintage Sunburst Epiphone DR-100 acoustic is the best beginner acoustic on the list. We give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Epiphone Explorer -- Best for Hard Rock and Metal
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Though it isn't quite as popular as the Les Paul, the Explorer has amassed its own following. This angular, futuristic body was released in 1958 but became incredibly popular in the 1970s. This Epiphone model has a solid mahogany body for a thick, midrange-heavy tone. A mahogany set neck supports even greater sustain, as does the LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge.
If you play any type of heavy music, you'll almost certainly love the sound of the Explorer. Its ProBucker pickups are largely responsible for its distinctive, vintage-inspired tone. ProBucker pickups are made with Alnico II magnets that give them a warm yet defined tone. These humbuckers are capable of bright, high clean tones as well as powerful, distorted leads.
Our Star Rating
We think that this guitar is the best one for rock and metal on the list, and we give it four out of five stars.
Buying Guide: How Do You Choose the Best Epiphone for You?
Whether you've just started playing guitar or are just selecting something to add to your growing collection, buying a guitar should always be a well-thought-out process. And since Epiphone seems to make a guitar for just about every type of music and every type of player, it can be tough to know where to begin. Here's what to consider before you take the plunge.
Acoustic or Electric? What Genre?
This may sound like an obvious consideration to make, but you'll first need to narrow down the type of guitar you're looking for. With acoustic guitars, this is a little easier, as you can play most genres of music on the acoustic guitar. If you're shopping for an acoustic, consider your goals -- a brand-new player would do well with the all-acoustic DR-100, but someone who wants to perform might prefer the electronics-equipped Hummingbird.
Choosing an electric guitar can be a little harder -- these guitars vary considerably when it comes to tone. Solidbody electric guitars are versatile and do well in most genres. However, if you want to play metal, a sustain-heavy, fast-playing instrument like the Explorer is a good fit. If you prefer rock, you'll probably find one of the Epiphone Les Pauls to your liking.
Semi-hollow guitars are often associated with blues, but plenty of rock guitarists have used and continue to use them. These guitars have a mostly hollow inside with a solid center block. That center block increases sustain, so you get a great balance of sustain and resonance in your tone.
Hollowbody guitars are completely hollow on the inside, and they tend to do well in genres where a mellow, almost acoustic-sounding tone is needed. A hollowbody is right at home playing jazz. But these guitars don't do well with high-gain effects -- much like an acoustic guitar, a hollowbody can be prone to feedback. (Thanks to their center blocks, semi-hollow guitars aren't plagued by feedback quite as much.)
What Tonewoods?
If you at least have some idea of what type of guitar you need, it's a good idea to think about possible tonewood choices. Here are a few you'll commonly see on Epiphone acoustic and electric guitars:
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Electric
How About Playability?
No matter how good your guitar looks, you're going to be disappointed if it isn't easy or comfortable to play. Before buying, look into key playability features. One of these is the neck profile. Many Epiphone models have a "SlimTaper" profile, which is a gradually tapered neck designed to reduce hand strain.
The neck shape is another feature. Many Epiphone Les Paul guitars have D-shaped necks. With this neck shape, a cross-section of the neck would look like the letter D. The C-shaped necks found on some Epiphone guitars can feel as though they take up less of your hand -- that makes them a good choice both for people with small hands and people who require fast playability.
Body shape also factors into playability considerably. You probably noticed that some Epiphone acoustics like the EJ-200SCE come with a cutaway -- that helps you easily reach the frets further down the neck. Similarly, an Epiphone Les Paul has a single-cutaway body. For electric players who want maximum fretboard access, a double-cutaway body like that of the SG or Explorer might be a better fit.
In Conclusion
So which one of these Epiphone guitars is the best one? Overall, we think that the best acoustic guitar on the list is the Epiphone Hummingbird. This is one of the best Epiphone guitars when it comes to looks, but the Hummingbird has a sweet, detailed tone to match. Plus, it's made of all solid wood and is ready to take on stage. If you're looking for an acoustic guitar on a budget, the solid-top Epiphone AJ220SCE is very playable and has an excellent tone for the price.
We think the best electric guitar on the list is the Epiphone ES-339. While you're probably thinking of it as a blues guitar, its versatile humbucker pickups and extra-resonant body are capable of producing a whole palette of tones. For a budget-minded electric guitar, we recommend the Slash "AFD" Les Paul Special II. This beautiful Epiphone Les Paul is one of the best values we've found.
