I've owned a lot of Gibsons over the years, as well as copies. Don't really care what my guitars say on the headstock, the reason I got this was simply because there were no better options for the money. Maybach, Nik Huber, Rock N' Roll Relics, Collings etc are all more expensive. Epiphone is obviously less expensive, but much less difference than with the LP Standard and ES models.
Positives first: Playability is amazing for a guitar straight out of the factory, it plays really well with low action. The neck is very comfortable, I would call it medium thickness and the shape is nice and rounded (can't stand flat U and D shaped necks). Weight is good at just above 3.5 kg, most Custom Shop Specials and Juniors are about the same or heavier. Tone is killer, especially the bridge pickup. The misconception that Specials are somehow inferior to Juniors tone wise, is contrasting to my experience with quite a few specimens of both. The grain of the wood is also beautiful especially on the front side, and it appears to be a 1 piece body (can't locate any obvious seams).
Now to the negatives, nothing major but has to be mentioned. The neck pickup should have been lower output than the bridge, like most aftermarket P90 sets. And though I'm starting to warm up to the finish and appreciate it quite a bit more than when I first got it, I would wish it was a darker cherry red closer to the Custom Shop Double Cut model. Simply because it already looks faded and a little "old", and it will fade even more with time. And finally one thing that's *really* nitpicky and not an issue for most people who know basic soldering - I wish it came with 50s wiring from the factory.
Overall I think this is a killer guitar, and although calling it "a steal" might be pushing it you are certainly getting a lot for your money. Which is not always the case with the big G.
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