Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard Re GPB

Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard Re GPB review

The Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard Re GPB is a single-cut electric guitar with a mahogany body, maple top, and two Gibson Custombucker humbuckers. Its Golden Poppy Burst finish, cream-colored pickguard, and mother-of-pearl trapezoid inlays give the model a traditional Les Paul look. Epiphone includes a case, a useful addition for a guitar listed at $999.

The design follows familiar specifications rather than introducing unusual hardware or controls. There are two volume knobs, two tone knobs, and a three-way pickup switch. An ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge anchors the strings, while Epiphone Deluxe tuning machines and nickel-plated hardware complete the setup. There is no tremolo system.

Construction and neck specifications

The body and set neck are mahogany, with a maple top and a rosewood fingerboard. The fingerboard has 22 medium-jumbo frets and mother-of-pearl trapezoid inlays. Single-ply binding runs along the fingerboard and top. These materials and appointments give the guitar a recognizable vintage-inspired specification, although the available information does not establish a particular acoustic character or finish quality.

Epiphone describes the neck profile as a 1959 Rounded C Medium shape. The scale length is listed as 629 mm, or 24.75 inches, in the detailed specifications. A separate summary lists 628 mm, so the supplied data is inconsistent by one millimeter. The nut width is 42.9 mm, or 1.69 inches. That is enough detail for a prospective buyer to compare the dimensions with a guitar they already find comfortable, but personal preference will determine whether the neck feels right.

Pickups and controls

The two Gibson Custombucker humbuckers occupy the neck and bridge positions. The three-way switch selects the neck pickup, bridge pickup, or both together. Separate volume and tone controls for each pickup allow adjustments without relying on a single master control. The specifications identify the pickup models but do not provide output measurements, wiring options, or detailed tonal test results. Buyers should treat sound descriptions beyond those facts as unverified.

The fixed bridge keeps the hardware layout straightforward. Players who want a vibrato arm will need to look elsewhere, while those who prefer a non-tremolo setup get the simpler arrangement specified here. The product information confirms an included case and no gig bag. It does not give details about the case's construction or interior, so check with the seller if those specifics matter.

What the owner report says about setup

One owner's account raises a practical concern about the guitar's setup on arrival. The player said the strings sat too high and the neck needed adjustment. They also thought some frets were too high and might need to be leveled. The owner described the guitar as generally good and acceptable otherwise, but was disappointed to encounter these issues on a model at this price.

This is a single reported experience, not evidence that every example will arrive with the same problems. Still, it is specific enough to inform a sensible purchase check. Ask the retailer whether the instrument receives a setup before shipping, and inspect string height, neck relief, and fret consistency when it arrives. If the frets need leveling, have a qualified technician assess them rather than assuming a basic truss-rod adjustment will resolve the issue.

What to consider before buying

• Included: The guitar ships with a case. A gig bag is not listed as included.
• Finish: Golden Poppy Burst is the specified color.
• Hardware: The guitar uses an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge and has no tremolo.
• Setup: One owner reported high string action, a neck adjustment, and possible high frets.
• Availability: The listing gives June 2026 as the availability date.

Verdict

The Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard Re GPB has a well-defined traditional specification: mahogany construction, a maple top, a rosewood fingerboard, two Gibson Custombucker pickups, and a fixed Tune-O-Matic bridge. The included case adds practical value. The owner feedback is mostly positive, but the reported setup and fret concerns make an arrival inspection important, particularly at the stated $999 price. Confirm the guitar's setup with the seller, then judge the neck feel and pickup response in person where possible.