Best Epiphone Guitar

Best Epiphone Guitar

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

Important Features

  • The arched mahogany top gives it classic Les Paul good looks
  • Individual volume and tone controls for each pickup plus three-way switching makes it highly versatile
  • It's much more affordable than the Epiphone Les Paul Custom and other high-end models, but it still sounds great
  • The all-mahogany body gives it tonal warmth and tons of sustain

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • The Les Paul Studio delivers great value for the money
  • Authentic D-profile SlimTaper mahogany neck works for many players
  • Classic Les Paul inlays and Heritage Cherry Sunburst finish make it easily recognizable
  • Premium die-cast tuners help you avoid tuning issues

Cons

  • The mahogany neck is thicker than a slim C and can be tough to navigate if you have small hands
  • Some units have minor quality control issues like rough frets

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

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

Important Features

  • NuBone nut and saddle help increase sustain and tonal quality
  • It comes with premium 16:1 classical tuners
  • Its cedar and mahogany build delivers a full, warm tone
  • The custom proprietary bracing pattern helps optimize its sonic output

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • It's small and durable enough to be a great student guitar
  • Rosewood fingerboard is very comfortable to play
  • Jumbo frets are designed to help make sure beginners avoid hand fatigue
  • It includes a dual-action truss rod for any necessary adjustments

Cons

  • It's made of all laminated wood
  • Some players might prefer an acoustic guitar that comes with electronics

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

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

Important Features

  • The all-solid build makes it an excellent value for the money
  • Quartersawn spruce bracing offers incredible resonance
  • It gets amazingly close to the sound and feel of the Gibson version
  • Soundhole-mounted volume and tone control preserves the guitar's beauty

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • It's an all-solid acoustic guitar at a very reasonable price
  • Square-shoulder dreadnought body delivers rich, overtone-heavy sound
  • The rounded C mahogany neck makes it incredibly comfortable to play
  • Genuine bone nut and saddle help create vintage tone

Cons

  • Laurel fingerboard isn't quite as beautiful or durable as rosewood
  • Though the Epiphone version is a lot like the Gibson, the Gibson models have much better electronics

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

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

Important Features

  • Unique, intricate design features make it a standout guitar
  • Spruce top and ovangkol back and sides deliver a tone that's incredibly balanced
  • Bone nut and saddle help create authentic vintage tone
  • The slick ebony fingerboard is fast-playing and especially beautiful

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Vintage appointments and a natural finish make it look like a true vintage guitar
  • Distinctive C-shaped maple and walnut neck is comfortable to play
  • Pickup controls are mounted inside the soundhole
  • It's an especially unique and beautiful guitar to look at.

Cons

  • Some players might prefer a more traditional wood than ovangkol
  • The Fishman Sonitone isn't a particularly high-end pickup

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

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

Important Features

  • Premium covered 14:1 tuners and Tune-O-Matic bridge support great tuning stability
  • Vintage worn finish over a mahogany veneer gives it a tough, broken-in look
  • A slim-profile D-shaped neck is comfortable for most players
  • Iconic double-cutaway SG design makes fret access easy

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • It's one of the most affordable Epiphone electric guitars
  • Its lightweight body and playable neck are ideal for the beginner guitar player
  • Three-way pickup selector lets beginners experiment with tone
  • The Vintage Worn finish looks better with age

Cons

  • The pickups can often sound "fuzzy" or "muddy"
  • Since it's made with a softer wood, it's very prone to dings, dents, and scratches

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

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

Important Features

  • Solid spruce top with the mahogany body is a classic combination
  • Hand-scalloped bracing maximizes both sustain and resonance
  • It's an affordable way for even new guitarists to start performing
  • Satin-finished, slim mahogany neck and cutaway make it very comfortable to play

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • The onboard preamp has a built-in tuner
  • It's one of the more affordable Epiphone brand acoustics with a solid top
  • 14:1 tuners and nickel-plated hardware are built to last
  • Dovetail set neck joint maximizes energy transfer from the strings

Cons

  • The mahogany body is made of all laminated wood
  • The electronics aren't the best Epiphone offers

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

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

Important Features

  • Rosewood fretboard is beautiful and comfortable to play
  • AAA flamed maple veneer in Appetite Amber finish makes it rival the looks of some Gibson models
  • Open-coil humbucker pickups deliver surprisingly good high-output sound that metal guitarists will appreciate
  • It comes with virtual guitar lessons to help any beginner get started

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • It's a solid guitar for beginners or anyone on a budget
  • Tune-O-Matic bridge and stop bar tailpiece support excellent intonation and tuning stability
  • You get the guitar and the basics (minus an amp) for one low price
  • It's remarkably playable for a beginner guitar

Cons

  • Though it comes with 14:1 tuners, many players have said this Les Paul Special has trouble staying in tune
  • Some buyers have run into very minor quality control issues

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

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

Important Features

  • Alnico Classic humbuckers with three-way switching can deliver both vintage and modern tones
  • It offers a semi-hollow tone close to that of the ES-335 without breaking the bank
  • Though it looks like the Epiphone Dot, it has a smaller body and outputs a "hotter" tone
  • It includes high-end appointments like Grover tuners, a NuBone nut, and Tune-O-Matic bridge

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Each pickup has its own volume and tone control
  • As a smaller semi-hollow, it's easier for solidbody players to handle
  • Versatile Alnico pickups are good for many genres
  • It's an excellent value

Cons

  • Laurel fretboard isn't as durable as rosewood or ebony
  • Depending on what genre you play, it's possible to run into feedback issues

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

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

Important Features

  • Slim neck and cutaway make it one of the best Epiphone guitars for playability
  • The solid spruce top will "open up" and sound better with time
  • Highly decorative inlays and fretboard graphic make it a beauty to look at
  • 18:1 Grover Rotomatics help keep you in tune

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Pau ferro fingerboard is inlaid using a process that doesn't require fillers
  • Vintage Natural finish gives it the look of a seasoned jumbo
  • X-bracing and wide lower bout ensure a deep bass response
  • Slim neck and cutaway make it easy to play despite its size

Cons

  • The larger body can feel unwieldy to smaller players
  • While it sounds great strummed or flat picked, the EJ-200SCE isn't ideal for fingerpicking

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

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

Important Features

  • Bigsby tremolo lets you play expressively
  • All-maple body with two f-holes is incredibly resonant
  • Two Dogear P-90s give it an unforgettable sound
  • Turquoise body and contrasting white pickguard make it a head-turning instrument

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Tune-O-Matic bridge resists tuning changes due to tremolo use
  • Given its features, it's still one of the more affordable electric guitars Epiphone makes
  • Limited edition design means you're getting a unique guitar
  • The set neck supports excellent sustain

Cons

  • The fully hollow body may sometimes cause feedback issues
  • Some players may dislike the tremolo system because of its ability to throw the guitar out of tune

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

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

Important Features

  • The all-laminate build is durable and reduces changes due to humidity and temperature
  • The slim neck is easy for even smaller players to learn on
  • It's one of the most affordable starter guitars on the market
  • Vintage Sunburst finish adds some character

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • It's affordable and a decent value
  • The neck and fingerboard are made with learning guitarists in mind
  • Dreadnought body gives you balanced sound suitable for most genres
  • Rosewood fingerboard and bridge are surprising high-end touches

Cons

  • A laminated top won't sound as good as solid wood
  • Most guitars arrive in need of a setup

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

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

Important Features

  • SlimTaper neck is fast and easy to play
  • ProBucker pickups give you a versatile, vintage-inspired tone
  • Grover Mini 18:1 tuning machines support excellent tuning stability
  • Three-way pickup switching gives you great tonal versatility

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • It offers a surprisingly great tone for the price
  • Angular design with contrasting pickguard makes it a true standout on stage
  • GraphTech nut increases sustain and improve tone
  • The dual-cutaway body makes fret access especially easy

Cons

  • If you prefer a more modern tone, you may not like the Alnico II pickups
  • Some players have noted that they thought the pickups didn't have quite enough punch

Brief Review & Star Rating

Review

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:

Acoustic

  • Spruce - Bright and responsive wood usually used for tops of guitars. Epiphone uses spruce for the soundboards of most of its guitars, as do most other manufacturers.
  • Cedar - A slightly warmer, mellower-sounding wood that also is used for tops. The PRO-1 has a cedar top.
  • Mahogany - A classic, warm, midrange-heavy wood that is often used for the backs and sides and sometimes used for tops.
  • Ovangkol - A beautifully grained wood that has both a clear treble end and a defined midrange. It sounds somewhat like a combination of mahogany and rosewood. The Masterbilt Excellente has an ovangkol back and sides.
  • Maple - A crisp, clear-sounding wood that's sometimes used on backs and sides. The EJ-200SCE features a maple back and sides.

Electric

  • Mahogany - Just like on acoustic guitars, mahogany produces midrange-heavy tones in electric guitars. It's also known for its incredible sustain. Many of the Epiphone electric on the list is made of mahogany.
  • Poplar - This lightweight, relatively inexpensive wood also offers relatively decent sustain, but it is commonly used on lower-end instruments. The Epiphone SG Special VE has a poplar body, though it's covered in a mahogany veneer.
  • Maple - Epiphone primarily uses a maple laminate on its hollowbody and semi-hollow models. Maple is a very stable wood that projects well, making it an ideal choice on these models.

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.

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