Epiphone Les Paul Modern Figured PB

Epiphone Les Paul Modern Figured PB review

The Epiphone Les Paul Modern Figured PB pairs a mahogany body with an AAA figured maple top, an ebony fingerboard, and a striking Purple Burst finish. It has the familiar Les Paul outline, but its weight-reduced body and expanded pickup switching give it a more contemporary specification. Available since March 2024, it was listed at 685. A premium gig bag is included, while a hard case is not.

Buyer feedback is notably divided on setup and finish quality. Some owners describe a flawless instrument that played well straight out of the bag. Others report sharp fret ends, uneven frets, loose or rattling bridge screws, and small details such as a crooked control knob. That variation matters at this price: the guitar can make a strong first impression, but a careful inspection and setup may be needed.

Construction and feel

The mahogany body uses Epiphone's Ultra Modern Weight Relief design. Owners say the weight reduction helps, though one reviewer still found the guitar noticeably heavy. The neck is mahogany, with an asymmetrical Slim Taper profile and a contoured heel. One player specifically praised the neck's comfortable feel. The cutaway, however, was described as less practical than expected for access to the upper frets.

The 628 mm (24.72-inch) scale, 43 mm (1.69-inch) nut width, and 22 medium-jumbo frets give the model familiar Les Paul proportions. The fingerboard has standard trapezoid inlays and a Graph Tech NuBone nut. Locking tuning machines are fitted as standard. One owner valued the added convenience, while another reported that the guitar stayed in tune well and credited the nut as part of that experience.

The diamond-shaped strap buttons also drew a favorable mention from an owner, who found that they helped keep the strap from slipping off when angled. It is a small practical detail, distinct from the model's more prominent electronics and finish.

Pickup options and controls

The two humbuckers are an Epiphone ProBucker 2 at the neck and a ProBucker 3 at the bridge. Two volume controls have push-pull coil-tap functions, and one of the two tone controls has a push-pull phase switch. A three-way selector chooses the pickup positions. The bridge is a LockTone ABR design, paired with a stopbar tailpiece.

These controls give the guitar more tonal combinations than a basic two-humbucker layout. Players can tap the coils on either pickup and switch the phase relationship for additional options. Owners who enjoy experimenting with switching generally regarded these features as useful. Still, more settings do not guarantee a particular sound: one buyer struggled to find the bright clean tones and Michael Schenker-style sounds they wanted, and found the result too bass-heavy across several amplifier simulations.

Other owners were much more satisfied, describing the sound as a convincing Les Paul voice and saying the pickups met their expectations. The mixed reports point to a matter of taste as much as a specification. The pickup set may suit players seeking a substantial humbucker sound, while those prioritizing a sharper, brighter response should try one in person if possible.

Setup and quality control

Out-of-box setup reports range from ready to play to in need of substantial attention. One buyer said the guitar arrived with good intonation and a playable setup. Others had to adjust the instrument to suit their preferred action. One owner found sharp fret ends and frets that needed leveling, then had to reverse the G-string bridge saddle to get enough adjustment range for intonation. That same report mentioned noisy bridge screws.

Cosmetic and hardware impressions differ as well. Several owners praised the finish, appearance, and overall presentation, with one noting that the purple looked even better in person. Another found the control knob crooked and described the switches and knobs as feeling inexpensive for the price. These are individual reports, not proof that every instrument has the same problems, but they make an in-store inspection or a return-window setup check worthwhile.

Verdict

The Epiphone Les Paul Modern Figured PB offers a distinctive Purple Burst look, a figured maple top, locking tuners, and flexible push-pull controls. Its asymmetrical neck profile and weight-relieved body add practical appeal, although the guitar can still feel heavy and upper-fret access may disappoint some players.

Its strongest case is for someone who wants a visually distinctive Les Paul with humbucker sound and extra switching options. The main reservation is consistency: customer experiences with setup and small hardware details vary widely. At a listed price of 685, the features will appeal to many players, but buyers should check the fretwork, bridge, controls, and intonation rather than assume every example is ready to play perfectly.