If you’re wondering if Epiphone Les Paul Special VE is a good electric guitar or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right review! In today’s article, I’m going to take a very close look on that affordable guitar. Surely, it’s a very popular model, but is it actually good?
Epiphone Les Paul Special VE is an excellent entry-level guitar. It looks great, it sounds good and it’s actually really cheap. In comparison with other budget electric guitars, it definitely stands out from the competition.
Let’s dive deeper with research what exactly makes this guitar so popular among the beginners. Firstly, we’ll start with the specs and pricing and in the next section, we’ll move to the disadvantages of that guitar. Of course, there will also be a sound demo, so you’ll be able to hear how it sounds!
Specs & Pricing
Epiphone Les Paul Special VE is a solid body guitar which features a lightweight poplar body with a satin finish and a comfortable mahogany neck. What’s important, the guitar has a ‘60s Slim Taper D neck profile, which significantly increases the comfortability of playing. The guitar has 22 frets and a single cutaway that allows you to easily access the highest ones.
It is also worth mentioning that this guitar provides an excellent tuning stability thanks to the Tune-O-Matic bridge and pretty good tuning machines. The manufacturer decided to equip this model with two humbuckers (650R humbucker on the neck and 700R humbucker on the bridge), which offer a lot of versatility. If you’re a fan of heavier tones, you’re going to absolutely love it!
I have to admit that I really like the overall look of Epiphone Les Paul Special VE. The black color looks fantastic, but there’s a few different option for guitarists who don’t like that version. Still, all of the guitars from these series offer a really cool and vintage vibe. Undoubtedly, anyone who’s searching for an entry-level Les Paul guitar should be satisfied with that choice.
When it comes to pricing, it’s totally affordable. In fact, this is is actually one of the cheapest guitars offered by Epiphone. Although it’s cheap, it definitely provides a really good value and it stands out from the competitive guitars at this price level. That being said, the LP Special VE is totally worth the money!
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out.
Who Is It For?
Epiphone Les Paul Special VE is a perfect entry-level electric guitar for anyone who wants to start their musical journey. What’s more, even more advanced guitarists will appreciate its quality, although bear in mind that it’s not high-level guitar.
It is also worth mentioning that two humbuckers featured in that Les Paul model offer a lot of versatility when it comes to tone, so this guitar can be used in a really wide range of genres. If you’re a fan of blues, rock and metal, you’ll most definitely enjoy it! Still, even if you don’t like these genres and you prefer more cleaner tones, it will be just fine too.
Considering how inexpensive the Epiphone Les Paul Special VE is, it is also an excellent choice for all guitarists on a tight budget. This guitar proves that a good guitar doesn’t have to cost thousands of dollars. Hence, if you don’t want to spend too much money on a new guitar, you should definitely give this guitar a chance.
Disadvantages of Epiphone Les Paul Special VE
Although Epiphone Les Paul Special VE is generally a great entry-level electric guitar, it has its own disadvantages as well. Here’s what you need to know!
Firstly, remember that this is still a budget guitar. Although it features a really good quality, it will never be as good as some of the most expensive guitars available on the market. If you’re an amateur, you’ll be completely fine with that Les Paul model, but if you’re a bit more advanced guitarist, it may not be good enough for you.
Another thing that you should be aware of is that a lot of budget guitars often require a bit of adjusting. There’s a chance that you’ll have to set it up correctly in order to make it more playable. Most often it’s only the string action – it’s just too high. Still, this is a very common issue that occurs in almost all low-level guitars, so I wouldn’t worry too much about it!
Lastly, it is also worth mentioning that Epiphone Les Paul Special VE generally comes without a gig bag. So make sure to get it separately if you’re planning traveling to rehearsals or guitar lessons in the future! I recently created the list of 8 best hard cases for Les Paul guitars, so that’s something you’re looking for, make sure to check it out.
As you can see, this Les Paul model isn’t perfect, but in my opinion it shouldn’t discourage you from getting it. This is still an excellent entry-level electric guitar and it will be really tough to beat that, especially at this price level. That’s why I have no hesitation in recommending this Epiphone guitar to all guitarists who are searching for a cheap and reliable guitar with two humbuckers.
Here’s an another sound demo.
Are There Any Alternatives?
If you don’t like the look or the sound of Epiphone Les Paul Special VE, don’t worry! The market is full of great and affordable guitars. Still, it all depends on what you’re looking for and how much are you willing to spend.
Firstly, I highly recommend checking out the Squier Affinity Jazzmaster. This is an excellent entry-level guitar suitable for the most demanding players. I personally own that model and it’s actually one of my favorite guitars! It looks awesome, it sounds great and it’s not overly expensive. Finding the version with two humbuckers may not be that easy, but it’s definitely worth it.
Alternatively, I encourage you to check out the Squier Bullet Telecaster. This Tele is even less expensive than the Affinity Jazzmaster and it offers surprisingly good quality. It’s not the best guitar in the world, but it does the job very well. In my opinion, this is one of the best entry-level electric guitars available on the market right now. Surely, it’s a great alternative option for those who don’t like the Epiphone Les Paul Special VE.
If you’re okay with spending a bit more on a new guitar, you should definitely check out my list of 10 Best Guitars For Drop D & Drop C Tunings. I’m sure that if you’re a fan of heavy riffs, you’re going to absolutely love each model mentioned in that article.
Still, I have to admit that the Epiphone Les Paul Special VE is still an excellent option for all the amateur guitarists out there. It’s cheap, it looks good and it sounds great – who needs anything else?
That’s why I think that the vast majority of beginner guitarists are going to be completely satisfied with that choice. Feel free to check it out below in case you missed it.
FAQ
Where is Epiphone Les Paul Special VE manufactured?
Epiphone Les Paul Special VE is currently manufactured in China.
What strings does Epiphone Les Paul Special VE have?
Epiphone Les Paul Special VE features Gibson .010-.046 strings.
Does it come with a case or gig bag?
No, the guitar comes without a case or a gig bag.
Are Slim Taper D necks good?
Slim Taper necks are very comfortable to play and they allow you to play faster without any fatigue.
Summary
As you can see, Epiphone Les Paul Special VE is a really cool electric guitar. If you’re thinking about starting your musical journey and you’re searching for your first instrument, this model will be an excellent choice. I have no hesitation in recommending it to everyone who’s searching for a cheap and reliable guitar.
What do you think about this Les Paul model by Epiphone? Would you add that guitar to your own guitar collection? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
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