Gearank

Gearank High Notes

• 2019.03: Highest Rated Humbucker Equipped Solidbody Electric Guitar Under $500
• 2016.11: Highest Rated Solidbody Electric Guitar Under $500

Gearank Recommendation

This first appeared on our recommended list for Solidbody Electric Guitars Under $500 when we first published it back in November 2016, and it was the highest rated guitar across all pickup types in that price bracket.

Overview

Many decades after it was first introduced, the Les Paul is still as iconic as ever, available in a variety of versions (including clones) that cover everything from cheap to ridiculously expensive.

The Goth Les Paul was an interesting variation because there's nothing different about it on paper, other than its color, yet it still ranked higher than other Les Pauls in this price range.

The striking black color scheme of the Goth played a big role in its popularity.

It came with a tried and tested wood combination of mahogany body and neck, alnico magnet humbuckers voiced to sound like old Les Pauls, and a straightforward tune-o-matic bridge.

It appealed to guitarists who are into classic rock, while modern rock players who preferred a stop tail piece guitar also found the Goth Les Paul Studio to be an exemplary instrument.

The Epiphone Goth Les Paul is an easy pick for those who prefer a black guitar while keeping the classic look and playing feel of the Les Paul.

Specifications

• Body: Mahogany
• Finish: Metallic Gold (pictured), Cardinal Red, Ebony, Pelham Blue, Ebony
• Bridge: Tune-o-matic and Stopbar Tailpiece
• Pickups: Alnico V Humbuckers
• Neck: Mahogany
• Scale Length: 24.75”
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Fingerboard Radius: 12”
• Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo
• Nut Width: 1.68”
• Controls: 2-volume, 2-tone
• Pickup Selector: 3-way toggle switch

See the Epiphone Goth Les Paul in action below