The Epiphone name is synonymous with the famous Gibson Les Paul Standard electric guitar style. A unique design that took a radical departure from the norm, is was made famous by some of rock n' roll's greats. Epiphone has released many special editions from their Les Paul line, and one of the latest is the Epiphone Les Paul oxblood.
The oxblood differs from the Epiphone Les Paul standard in a few subtle ways, one of them being color. According to many an Epiphone Les Paul oxblood review, this is a vintage replica of the same model Jeff Beck used to play. The ox's blood is actually a tint that shows up against the deep chocolate color in certain light. Some players feel this model offers superior tones, and the finish has been compared to a glassy quilted maple.
The standard is a solid instrument with a reasonable price tag, a mahogany body, Alnico Classic humbuckers and the easy to play tapered rosewood fretboard. It features chrome tuning hardware, Grover tuners, the LockTone Tune-O-Matic stop bar/bridge and a set, not bolted on mahogany neck.
These are typical features of Epiphone guitars, but the Epiphone Les Paul studio oxblood has some differences, aside from availability and price. The replica features a solid body of mahogany. It has a rounded 1950's neck and trapezoid inlays. Instead of chrome, it has nickel hardware, die-cast tuners, and in place of the Tune-O-Matic bridge/tailpiece, it has a wraparound tailpiece.
Reviewers agree that this guitar sounds great, but with some reservations. The Epiphone ox blood produces the classic clear tones, but it may need some modification for anything harder and grittier. That said, once the sweet spot is found, this axe can turn out everything from British rock to heavy metal with bite and clarity, including those piercing high notes it was originally known for.
This guitar is a great value for the money, made in China and fitted with genuine Gibson tuners, just not the ones found on higher priced models. It also offers great playability right out of the box; however, the rounded 50's necks may prove to be too fat for smaller hands. Spend some time playing this in the store before buying. The biggest issue with this model seems to be reliability.
While most reviews are positive about the sound and action on this guitar, many reviewers have also reported inconsistencies in manufacturing paint and setup. However, with some adjustments, most issues are quickly cleared up. Overall, this is an excellent replica that exceeds expectations for the price.