The Epiphone 1960 Les Paul Standard Reissue in Iced Tea Burst is a loving tribute to the legendary original once played by greats like Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, and Joe Walsh. A hallmark of the 1960 model year is the slimmer, faster "Slim Taper" neck, preferred by many players over the chunkier neck profile of the 1959 Les Paul. Developed in collaboration with the Gibson Custom Shop, this Epiphone reissue delivers authentic details, including a one-piece mahogany neck with a long neck tenon, a rosewood fingerboard with trapezoid inlays, and a headstock shape that remains true to the original, complete with an aged Epiphone logo. The position and reduced size of the side dots also reflect the original specification, while premium components and a carefully applied Vintage Gloss finish in a contemporary Iced Tea Burst add the finishing touches to the guitar.
The Epiphone 1960 Les Paul Standard Reissue comes equipped with USA-made Gibson Custombucker humbuckers, which deliver exceptional tonal accuracy and warm, rich tones courtesy of their AlNiCo-3 magnets. The pickups are wired with CTS potentiometers and Luxe Bumblebee paper-in-oil capacitors, ensuring high fidelity and precise control over both volume and tone. An ABR-1 Tune-o-Matic bridge provides solid tuning stability and impressive sustain, while Epiphone Deluxe Double-Ring Keystone machine heads ensure accurate tuning. A retro-style hardshell case featuring Gibson Custom graphics and a pink plush interior completes the package, providing a premium storage solution for the instrument.
The Epiphone 1960 Les Paul Standard Reissue is ideal for guitarists seeking the classic Les Paul sound and vintage design of the 1960s at an affordable price. It is especially suited to Rock and Blues guitarists who are looking for a fast, comfortable neck profile and a warm, rich tone. The '60s Slim Taper neck ensures an enjoyable playing experience, lending itself particularly to fast runs and highly complex chords. Players who value the legendary character of an original 1960s Les Paul will truly appreciate this reissue, while ambitious guitarists looking for an authentic Les Paul experience will also find the Epiphone an excellent option that comes without the hefty price tag of a Gibson Custom Shop model.
Today, Epiphone is known only as the Asian budget offshoot of Gibson. Yet both companies were once independent, equal, and also bitter rivals. The roots of Epiphone go back to the 1870s and to Anastasios Stathopoulo, a Greek instrument maker, who emigrated to America in 1903 with his son Epaminondas (“Epi” for short). Epi changed the name of the firm to the "Epiphone Banjo Company" after taking over the family business in 1928. During this year, Epiphone also began to manufacture guitars, which rapidly came to dominate their sales. In 1957, Epiphone was taken over by C.M.I., which already included Gibson, but continued as a separate brand until 1970, when manufacturing was outsourced to Asia. Well-known Epiphone models include the Casino, played by the Beatles, and the Sheraton, John Lee Hooker's instrument of choice.
The Epiphone 1960 Les Paul Standard Reissue is a versatile workhorse for use on stage, in the studio, or in the rehearsal room. The guitar's classic humbucker arrangement makes it ideal for powerful Rock riffs, bluesy solos, and dynamic rhythm playing, and its full, warm tonal character comes to life when paired with a good tube amp. Modelling and recording setups will also provide the perfect stage for the guitar to showcase its strengths, delivering top-tier sound quality thanks to its high-end pickups. Whether it is being played in a Rock band, Blues combo, tribute act, or a classic covers group, this guitar will fit right in, while the comfortable Slim Taper neck makes it ideal for long gigs and extended sessions.
Custombuckers with AlNiCo-3 magnets
The installed Gibson Custombuckers are modelled after the original late-50s pickups and are the very same used in Gibson’s highest-end Custom Shop guitars. That's not just marketing – it's something players can hear and feel. The AlNiCo 3 magnets deliver a balanced blend of warmth, clarity, and bite - no muddiness, no harsh, honky mids. Paired with hand-wired electronics – CTS pots, Switchcraft switch, and Black Beauty caps – the result is a tone that walks the line between clarity and vintage-style compression. Players looking for that legendary "Burst Tone" are therefore sure to find it here. This combination of components ensures an open, touch-sensitive sound that captures every nuance of the music.