Epiphone has unveiled the next chapter in its high-end Inspired by Gibson Custom Collection — a lineup that continues to challenge expectations of what a sub-$2,000 electric guitar can deliver. Designed to capture the tone, feel, and aesthetic of Gibson’s most iconic vintage models, this collection adds several historically significant instruments for 2025, complete with upgraded specifications and finishes that mirror their Custom Shop counterparts.

With this latest expansion, Epiphone reinforces its position as more than a budget alternative. These are instruments designed for discerning players, vintage enthusiasts, and professional musicians seeking authenticity without the four-figure Custom Shop price tag.

A Strategic Shift Toward Vintage Authenticity

First introduced in 2020 under Gibson’s “Epiphone For Every Stage” initiative, the Inspired by Gibson series was conceived to bring accurate Gibson-style guitars to a broader audience. These instruments were developed with input from Gibson’s USA and Custom Shop teams, and the shift became more pronounced in 2024 with the introduction of the Inspired by Gibson Custom tier — a premium Epiphone series that prioritizes historical accuracy and pro-grade components.

Production for the series takes place at Epiphone’s modern Qingdao factory in China, known for its high standards in guitar manufacturing. Final specifications — such as neck profiles, pickup configuration, and finish formulas — are developed in cooperation with Gibson’s design and Custom Shop teams in Nashville, ensuring faithful adherence to vintage specs.

New Models for 2025

The 2025 additions include both new body styles and refinements of existing models. The following guitars join the Inspired by Gibson Custom lineup:

• 1962 ES-335 Reissue – featuring a layered maple/poplar body, period-correct Vintage Deluxe tuners, and a rounded ‘C’ neck profile
• 1960 Les Paul Special Double Cut – a minimalist workhorse with dual P-90 pickups and wraparound bridge
• 1964 SG Standard with Maestro Vibrola – with Lyre-engraved vibrola tailpiece and Gibson USA pickups, recalling mid-’60s SGs
• 1963 Firebird V and Firebird I – offering neck-through construction, mini-humbuckers, banjo tuners, and reverse-body silhouettes

Three Les Paul variants also join the range:

• 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue – with maple top, vintage-style Goldtop finish, and humbuckers voiced to emulate original PAFs
• 1960 Les Paul Standard – featuring a slimmer SlimTaper neck, vibrant burst finishes, and period-correct hardware
• 1959 Les Paul Standard – updated for 2025 with a rosewood fingerboard (replacing the Indian laurel used in previous runs), enhancing both tone and tactile feel

Premium Components, Player-Grade Construction

Each model in the series shares several key specifications that set it apart from standard Epiphones:

• One-piece mahogany necks
• Gibson USA humbuckers or P-90 pickups, depending on model
• Switchcraft output jacks and toggle switches, CTS potentiometers
• Long neck tenons on applicable models for better tone transfer and neck joint stability
• Vintage gloss finishes that emulate nitrocellulose without the fragility
• Open-book headstocks – previously reserved for signature or limited-run Epiphones, now a standard across the series

This collection isn’t just about visual appeal; it’s about offering instruments that can perform on stage, in the studio, or in the hands of seasoned collectors. Playability is further refined through carefully shaped neck profiles derived from scans of vintage Gibson guitars, delivering the feel that players associate with the golden era of American guitar building.

Positioning in the Market

These guitars sit just below Gibson USA in price but often share key tonal and structural elements with models that cost twice as much. The Inspired by Gibson Custom series was created to address a growing market of players who want professional-level instruments without the cost — or stress — of touring with a Custom Shop collectible.

Pricing across the line remains competitive:

• Les Paul Special Double Cut – $999
• 1959 Les Paul Standard – $1,299
• Firebird V – $1,699
• Other models fall in the $1,199–$1,499 range

While these prices are higher than typical Epiphones, the specification sheet more than justifies the cost. With factory-installed Gibson USA pickups, upgraded electronics, and historically accurate construction methods, these guitars offer a level of authenticity that was previously unavailable outside the Gibson brand.

A Viable Alternative to Custom Shop Instruments

As production techniques have improved and collaboration between Epiphone and Gibson has deepened, the tonal gap between Epiphone’s premium tier and Gibson’s own USA line continues to narrow. The 2025 collection showcases this evolution clearly — these are not just “budget Gibsons,” but thoughtfully engineered instruments crafted to celebrate, and in many ways democratize, the golden age of electric guitar design.

With expanded availability and an emphasis on historical fidelity, Epiphone’s Inspired by Gibson Custom lineup sets a new standard for accessible vintage-inspired instruments.

More details and full specifications are available at epiphone.com.