Snapshot Review: Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Blackback

[midiman56]

Hey, Epi-fans!

 

Yesterday, I got my first look and hands-on test of the new Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Blackback. If memory serves, this is the guitar that was initially introduced as sort of a 70's tribute.

 

This, my friends, is one BEAUTIFUL guitar! The ivory finish is warm and lusterous with none of the "yellow" tint you might expect from this color. The "open-top" hmbuckers are quite lovely ... really sort of uncovered pickup framed in gold metal. It has all of the apointments that you'd expect on an LP Custom: 7-layer body binding (5-layer on the headstock)and the full-on split-diamond treatment! Really good looking!

 

This guitar is a straight mahogany body ... no maple cap. It is quite heavy (didn't get a chance to weigh it) and well balanced. The poly coating is smooth and fairly thick and it does surround the entire instrument including the back of the neck ... no "satin" finish on this one.

 

I had a short opportunity to plug her into my Boss display and give her a spin with a number of different EFX pedals. The guitar is VERY mellow and dark sounding, but I didn't get any "muddyness" out of it during my short try-out. The knobs and tuners were very smooth and well seated. Straight out of the carton, the intonation was quite good and the action, while it could be lowered just a bit, was not bad at all. Good QC on this particular unit. The overall impression that I got from it was ... substantial, for want of a better word. If I have one small issue: I seem to recall that this guitar was originally advertised as having an ebony fretboard. It came with a standard rosewood. Not that it looks bad, but a dark ebony would have been PERFECT on this guitar. Of course, I may be completely wrong about the whole ebony thig too!

 

I had wanted to take a few more pics for you, but as I was snapping the attached photo, a customer walked up and asked what I was taking a picture of. About a half-hour later it had been paid for and was on her way home with her new owner! Now all I can hope for is that they send me a few more of them, as this one is gonna be a mover!

 

So here she is with Danielle. $700 with the hardshell case ... I highly recommend you give this guitar a try if you get the chance!

 

 

Jim

[RaSTuS]

Tremendous review Jim, thanks for sharing your impressions on this model, and you pressed the lovely Danielle into service again, and that's a good thing, say hello to her for us please.

[midiman56]

You're welcome, Rob! Always happy to share any impressions I have as we get new things in at the store! Danielle is a sweetheart and I've made her aware that she is becoming something of a "cult figure" here at the Epi Forum.

 

I also had a little someting follow ME home yesterday. As soon as I stop fiddeling with it and take a couple of pics, I'll share that one too!

 

Jim

[RaSTuS]

You're welcome, Rob! Always happy to share any impressions I have as we get new things in at the store! Danielle is a sweetheart and I've made her aware that she is becoming something of a "cult figure" here at the Epi Forum.

 

I also had a little someting follow ME home testerday. As soon as I stop fiddeling with it and take a couple of pics, I'll share that one too!

 

Jim

I sooo envy your job Jim, on sooo many levels, btw I sent a PM the other day about your store's location, looking forward to your reply.

[DoubleWide Revival]

Thanks for the review! It is a long ride for me to actually get my hands on any quality instruments. One of the few drawbacks of living in the sticks I guess. I was really intrigued by the Black Back, as it actually seemed like a different build not just a different paint job. I bet black hardware and zebra pickups would look killer as mods.

 

Of course it never hurts your hit count to include guitar pix, and of course the lovely Danielle.

 

Can’t wait to find out what actually made it home with you!

[RaSTuS]

Thanks for the review! It is a long ride for me to actually get my hands on any quality instruments. One of the few drawbacks of living in the sticks

+1

I know the pain, well it's a pain for me anyway.

[gearhead]

That's definitely a great lookin axe! Must be nice to test drive the new models!

Maybe I need to get a different job! LOL

Thanks for that review! I'm going to see if there are any of those here locally around Dallas, I'm sure somebody has one in stock!

[midiman56]

I sent a PM the other day about your store's location, looking forward to your reply.

 

Sorry, Rob! I don't know how I missed that one! I am not at the location on the Las Vegas Strip. I am out at the other store ... way over on the west side of town in an area known as Sumerlin.

 

As Gordy and StewartB will attest ... It's about as far from the strip as you can get and still be on paved roads!

 

Jim

[RaSTuS]

Sorry, Rob! I don't know how I missed that one! I am not at the location on the Las Vegas Strip. I am out at the other store ... way over on the west side of town in an area known as Sumerlin.

 

As Gordy and StewartB will attest ... It's about as far from the strip as you can get and still be on paved roads!

 

Jim

Is that the one by the Airport ???

[midiman56]

Is that the one by the Airport ???

 

Nope! The airport (and that Guitar Center) are right on the Vegas Strip ... just a bit south of the Mandaly Bay Casino.

 

I'm at the Summerlin Store ... way out west of the strip, but still in Las Vegas proper. I remember Gordy being surprised at just how large (area-wise) Las Vegas really is!

 

Looks like I'm going to have to start a "Danielle Appreciation Thread" here!

 

Jim

[RaSTuS]

Nope! The airport (and that Guitar Center) are right on the Vegas Strip ... just a bit south of the Mandaly Bay Casino.

 

I'm at the Summerlin Store ... way out west of the strip, but still in Las Vegas proper. I remember Gordy being surprised at just how large (area-wise) Las Vegas really is!

 

Looks like I'm going to have to start a "Danielle Appreciation Thread" here!

 

Jim

Thanks for that Jim, I only found it by clicking on the store location link, and it directed me to yahoo maps.

 

+1 on the Danielle thread.

[RaSTuS]

Nope! The airport (and that Guitar Center) are right on the Vegas Strip ... just a bit south of the Mandaly Bay Casino.

 

I'm at the Summerlin Store ... way out west of the strip, but still in Las Vegas proper. I remember Gordy being surprised at just how large (area-wise) Las Vegas really is!

Ah, found it, they have 3 stores listed in Nevada, Vegas, Reno and Summerlin, I have to get to Reno also, I'd like to meet their police force, Dangle, Weigell etc, the most out there bunch of cops I've ever seen, LOL.

[Rokkstar 2210]

Thanks for the review Jim..really helpful..

 

I am visiting my local guitar store this evening to check out a few Gibsons, and an Epi LP Custom....might try out the Blackback if they have it. It sure looks beautiful!!

 

+1 on the Danielle thread by the way

[mud guy]

Thanks Jim...I actually like the look of the rosewood fingerboard on the blackback, even if it was supposed to be ebony. I kind of goes with the ivory finish on the guitar.

-Cal

[eggs]

Looks like I'm going to have to start a "Danielle Appreciation Thread" here!

 

 

I believe the word is 'Yepper'

[Pete B]

Only thing I remember about Las Vegas was trying to get through it in the way to Death Valley. Only thing I thought of Death Valley was can I go back to Vegas. One week there is enough testing prototype cars.

[animalfarm]

Thank you for the mini-review including the "danielle" aspect!!!!

Girls with guitars is always an unbeatable combination!

It's in the review thread even as you read this....

[duane v]

Gibson had the black back finishes in 1976... I think they only did them for one or two years.