TEST: Epiphone 1961 Les Paul SG Standard CW

 One may hardly think it possible in view of the current prices of $500,000 and more, but the legendary Gibson Les Paul Standard of 1958 - 1960, of which about 2,500 copies were built, were economically a real Rohrkrepierer for Gibson. "Too heavy, too unwieldy, too traditional" and whatever else was cited by customers as downers for the handcrafted great instruments of its time. Everything wanted Fender's light, treble-rich, "modern" guitars, led by the biggest seller of all time, the Stratocaster. In their desperation, Gibson then also threw the concept given by Les Paul overboard in 1961 and gave the signature instrument a radical reboot that no longer had much to do with the original Les Paul. So it came that for a few years still the lettering "Les Paul" enthroned on the headstock, before the instrument in the mid-sixties finally became the uninspired "Solid Guitar", better known as SG. An edition of the sixty years ago faded era now offers the Gibson subsidiary Epiphone, which is before us for testing.

The concept of the Epiphone 1961 Les Paul SG Standard CW

Detached from the quality of the instrument, Les Paul was not really happy with the reorientation of his model. Although he still got his royalties on the instrument, the outward appearance was anything but optimal for a new model. But what exactly distinguished the two models from each other? Well, besides the modified body shape, it was mainly the call for lighter woods and less mass in general. The "ouch, ouch, back" faction had already at that time a very large influence on the economic turnovers of the manufacturers, so that Gibson reduced directly once the body thickness including the shaping by scarcely 30 - 40%.

However, what Epiphone shows here with the Epiphone 1961 Les Paul SG Standard CW in terms of weight, breaks all standards. The instrument weighs just 2.6 kg, which even an Ibanez RG can pass off as a "fat lump". According to the manufacturer, it's a solid, two-piece mahogany body plus a one-piece mahogany neck, but the knock test might also suggest some cavities. Personally, I don't know of any mahogany wood that is this light, but as we all know, you never stop learning. Be that as it may, as long as it doesn't negatively affect the vibration behavior of the instrument, there's nothing wrong with a weight reduction.

Otherwise, the Epiphone 1961 Les Paul SG Standard CW takes on all the trademarks that make up a classic SG and of course have been approved by the parent company. Short scale length, 2 non-splittable humbuckers (Burstbucker 2 and Burstbucker 3) along with 3-way switch and 2x Volume and 2x Tone, everything as known. Even if the SG / Les Paul comes primarily in the AC/DC color (guitarist Angus Young has chosen the model due to his height of only 157 cm also only for weight reasons) Cherry Red, so there were at his time in fact also some models in white, although this was often reserved for the models Junior and Custom. Epiphone tries to bring a little vintage character to the model with the "Aged White" color scheme, but I don't think they really succeed very well. Applying a matte finish instead of high-gloss doesn't make it vintage, and the "yellowed" neck binding has more of a tarnished Pattex glue seam than an aged plastic strip. However, both are perfectly crafted and bound.

The choice of fingerboard material is also unusual. Laurel, which is still quite rare, is used, which in my opinion visually goes somewhat in the direction of walnut. According to my records, Laurel is primarily struck in Costa Rica and northeastern South America, but according to Epiphone, it is "Indian Laurel," which suggests an impact on the subcontinent. All hardware parts are of high quality, for example, the tuners are Kluson copies made in-house. In combination with the Graph Tech saddle, the instrument can be tuned easily and evenly. The bridge and tailpiece also leave a high-quality impression and the 3-way switch is not the cheap bending plate solution of some competitors in this price segment, but a high-quality telephone relay switch, as you know it from the Gibson instruments.

By the way, the Epiphone 1961 Les Paul SG Standard CW is delivered in a well-made, trimmed to vintage brown hardshell case, which contains exactly the classic lining, as known from the most unusual color schemes of the Gibson past. Here, however, Epiphone has once again gone all out in terms of looks. The "pale pink" used for the interior is so kitschy that even the coloring-resistant Japanese would cover their eyes, but as I said, classic is classic! On the other hand, the case fulfills its function in terms of protection very well.

In practice

The Epiphone 1961 Les Paul SG Standard CW upholds the SG tradition, that much can be said from the first notes out of the amp. Once again I used 5 different channels of my Hughes&Kettner Triamp MKIII to give a balanced sound. Connected was a Marshall 412 Cabinet with Celestion G75 T speakers, miked with 2 Shure SM 57. Due to the extremely low weight, the instrument offers no pressure points, neither in sitting, nor in standing. However, the top-heaviness, which is latently present in an SG model anyway, comes to the fore a bit more. In the end, this shortcoming can still be handled well and for the typical SG player, this is no longer an issue anyway.

The instrument gives by its construction and the pickups the marching direction and this is "rock", whereby one should start from rock in the classical sense. Nix high gain metal scrubbing, nix djent low frequency slobbering, but typical vintage classic rock in the true sense. Of course, you can make up for missing gain reserves with overdrive or distortion pedals, but in this case you should always keep the noise in mind and place an additional noise gate behind the pedal.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a characterful crunch sound with a detour into the lead range for under 1,000 €, the Epiphone 1961 Les Paul SG Standard CW is the right choice. Although the pickups turn out to be comparatively low in treble, in combination with a latently "biting" vintage amp, however, the two shortcomings cancel each other out and result in a very nicely harmonized basic sound.

Playing-wise, the instrument feels good in the hand and, with the factory "SlimTaper C" neck profile, will give a lot of pleasure to the majority of the "Average User". The factory setting of the instrument was good and should suit most players with an average touch. In direct comparison with a Gibson SG costing just under twice as much, it is noticeable that the Epiphone 1961 Les Paul SG Standard CW does not quite have the characterful tone of the original and also comes along with a bit less volume. In return, however, you can buy 2 Epiphone for the same price if you want.

Ultimately, the bottom line is that Epiphone delivers quite a lot of guitar for the money. The subsidiary of Gibson has long since developed into a good instrument supplier of the middle class and still leaves room for the parent company. The basic construction is coherent, the workmanship good and the feel adequate. If you can overlook the sometimes somewhat "cheap" looking optical details, you will find a lot of good and classic sounds for a three-digit euro amount. In combination with a high-quality all-tube amp, you can elicit from the instrument the full range of all sounds that made the sixties and seventies so formative for the greatest guitar hits of all time.

Conclusion

With the Epiphone 1961 Les Paul SG Standard CW, the Gibson subsidiary has a good representative of the Classic Rock era in its ranks. The instrument picks up on the transitional era of Les Paul models and offers a high-quality collection of crunch and lead sounds that catapult you back 40 to 50 years in time in the blink of an eye.

If you're looking for a classic styling with matching sounds in the triple-digit retail price range, or if you're looking for an affordable second guitar, you should definitely check out the Epiphone 1961 Les Paul SG Standard CW.


Additional Informations:

- Epiphone Guitars is a storied brand with a rich history dating back over 140 years. The company was founded in 1873 by Greek luthier Anastasios Stathopoulos in Smyrna, Turkey, and later moved to New York City. Since then, Epiphone has established itself as a major player in the guitar industry, producing a wide range of high-quality instruments that have been used by some of the most influential musicians of all time.

In the early 20th century, Epiphone began producing archtop guitars, which quickly became popular among jazz musicians. One of the company's most iconic models from this era was the Emperor, which featured a large body and elegant appointments like gold hardware and ornate fretboard inlays. The Emperor was used by legendary guitarists like Joe Pass and Wes Montgomery, and it remains a sought-after instrument to this day.

Epiphone continued to innovate throughout the mid-20th century, producing solidbody guitars like the Coronet and Crestwood that were used by rock icons like Jimi Hendrix and Pete Townshend. In the 1960s, Epiphone became part of the Gibson family of brands, and the two companies have since worked closely together to produce some of the finest guitars on the market.

Today, Epiphone offers a wide range of electric, acoustic, and bass guitars that cater to players of all skill levels and musical styles. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the most popular models in the Epiphone lineup, and explore what sets them apart from the competition.

Epiphone's electric guitar lineup includes a range of models that are designed to cater to different playing styles and tonal preferences. Whether you're a blues player looking for a gritty, vintage-inspired sound, or a metal shredder in need of a guitar that can handle high-gain distortion, there's an Epiphone electric guitar that's right for you.

One of the most popular models in the Epiphone lineup is the Les Paul, which is based on the iconic guitar design that was developed by Gibson in the 1950s. Epiphone's Les Paul guitars are known for their thick, meaty tone and sustain, which makes them ideal for rock and metal players. The Les Paul Standard is a classic model that features a mahogany body and neck, a maple top, and two humbucking pickups that deliver a powerful, high-output sound. The Les Paul Custom is a more upscale version of the guitar, with a stylish black and white finish and gold hardware.

Another popular Epiphone electric guitar is the SG, which was first introduced by Gibson in the 1960s as a lighter, more affordable alternative to the Les Paul. Epiphone's SG models feature a lightweight mahogany body and a slim, fast-playing neck that make them ideal for players who prefer a more nimble, responsive instrument. The SG Standard is a classic model that features two humbucking pickups and a fast-playing 24-fret fingerboard, while the SG Special is a more affordable option that's perfect for beginners or players on a budget.

For players who prefer a more modern, high-gain sound, Epiphone offers the Prophecy series of guitars. These guitars feature sleek, modern designs and a range of advanced features like locking tuners, high-output pickups, and coil tapping for maximum tonal flexibility. The Prophecy Les Paul features a carved maple top and a set of EMG 81 and 85 pickups that deliver a blistering, high-gain sound, while the Prophecy SG features a Floyd Rose tremolo and a set of Fishman Fluence pickups that offer a wide range of tonal options.

- Les Paul was a legendary musician and inventor who revolutionized the music industry with his innovative approach to guitar design and recording technology. Born Lester William Polsfuss on June 9, 1915, in Waukesha, Wisconsin, he started playing music at a young age, and by the time he was in his teens, he was already a seasoned performer.

Early Years

Les Paul's early musical influences included jazz and country music, and he began playing guitar in his early teens. He quickly became a sought-after session musician, playing with a variety of jazz and country bands and making his first recordings in the early 1930s.
In 1938, Les Paul moved to New York City and began performing with the Les Paul Trio, which featured himself on guitar, bassist Ernie Newton, and rhythm guitarist Jim Atkins (who later became Chet Atkins). The trio became popular on the club circuit, and in 1941 they signed a record deal with Decca Records.

Innovation in Guitar Design

Throughout his career, Les Paul was constantly experimenting with new guitar designs and technology, and his innovations helped pave the way for the modern electric guitar. In the 1940s, he began experimenting with solid-body electric guitar designs, which were still in their infancy at the time. His early designs featured a solid block of wood with pickups mounted directly to the body, which allowed for greater sustain and reduced feedback compared to hollow-body designs.
Les Paul continued to refine his guitar designs over the years, and in 1952 he teamed up with Gibson to produce the first Les Paul model guitar. The guitar featured a mahogany body with a maple top, a set neck, and a pair of P-90 pickups, and it quickly became popular among jazz and blues guitarists. Over the years, the Les Paul model evolved to include a variety of different features and options, including different finishes, pickup configurations, and hardware choices.
In addition to his work on the electric guitar, Les Paul also developed a number of other innovations that helped shape the recording industry. He developed a technique called "sound-on-sound" recording, which involved layering multiple tracks of audio onto a single recording, allowing for greater control over the final mix. He also developed the first 8-track tape recorder, which became a standard in the recording industry for many years.

Later Years and Legacy

Les Paul continued to perform and record throughout his later years, and he remained a beloved figure in the music industry until his death on August 13, 2009, at the age of 94. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1984.

Les Paul's legacy as a musician and inventor is one that will continue to inspire generations of musicians and innovators for years to come. His pioneering work on the electric guitar helped to shape the sound of modern music, and his innovations in recording technology helped to revolutionize the way that music is created and recorded. He will always be remembered as one of the true giants of the music industry.