Epiphone Les Paul Melody Maker (SS) (Formerly Les Paul SL) 6 String Electric Guitar

Submitted by Alexander Briones on May. 25, 2021..

GEARANK

86 out of 100. Incorporating 450+ ratings and reviews.

Street Price:

$159

Manufacturer:

Epiphone

Gearank Recommendation

The Epiphone Les Paul Melody Maker appeared on our recommended list for Single Coil Equipped Solidbody Electric Guitars Under $200 from April 2019 until May 2021 when it was replaced with higher rated models.

Although this was previously on our recommended list, there are now more highly rated options available which you can see in our guide to The Best Cheap Beginner Electric Guitars Under $200.

Overview

Note: Epiphone has changed the name of this guitar from Les Paul SL to Les Paul Melody Maker.

The Epiphone Les Paul Melody Maker is the most affordable licensed Les Paul in the market, and it's doing quite well even with big changes in its setup.

The most important difference is that instead of humbuckers, this one comes equipped with single coil pickups with basic knobs that let you adjust master tone and master volume.

But what it lacks in specs, it makes up with its distinct appearance and colorful finish options.

Thanks to the Epiphone Les Paul Melody Maker, you can now have an officially licensed Les Paul for a very modest amount of money. Those who are looking for a single-coil equipped Les Paul will also find this guitar appealing.

Specifications

Body: Poplar
Finish: Pacific Blue, Ebony, Heritage Cherry Sunburst, Sunset Yellow, Turquoise, Vintage Sunburst
Bridge: Adjustable Wrap Around Stopbar
Pickups: 650SCR Ceramic Single-coil Neck, 700SCT Ceramic Single-coil Bridge
Neck: Mahogany
Scale Length: 24.75
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius: 14"
Number of Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo
Nut Width: 1.6875"
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
Pickup Selector: 3-Position Switch

Demo

About the Author

Alexander Briones

I have been writing about and researching music gear for many years, all while serving as a music director at my local church. I engage in guitar playing and singer-songwriter stints, in addition to mentoring young musicians and teaching guitar and bass.

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Comments

The Epi LP SL is equipped

Submitted by Eryl (not verified) on Aug. 28, 2021.

The Epi LP SL is equipped with single coil ceramics not humbuckers as suggested in this article. Some criticize ceramic pickups, but Fender's off shore and MIM S models also have Asian built ceramic pickups. Studio musicians and pro giggers use and laud the SL in their unpaid reviews. Upgrading the tuners, nut, bridge, ( adjustable bridge, ( Musicilly sells a decent one for cheap,) and pots might be desireable, according to purpose of use, and, even good low cost pickups, like Dragonfly, but not mandatory. The offshore factories also have the most up to date equipment. Politics would have us believe they use axes and pocket knives and Polaroid snaps to guide the build. Not so. The anti China rhetoric is diverting shoppers to other Asian Countries. From my experience upgraded hardware and electronics would place these instruments on par, or even better, than big company domestic suppliers.