Epiphone Les Paul Player Pack Review: The Best Les Paul Guitar Kit for Beginners?

Are you ready to start your electric guitar journey but feel overwhelmed by all the separate pieces you need to buy? A Les Paul guitar kit might be exactly what you need to begin playing right away. The Epiphone Les Paul Player Pack promises to deliver everything a beginner needs in one convenient package, making it a popular choice for new guitarists.

Your success as a beginning guitarist depends heavily on choosing the right starter equipment. This complete review examines every aspect of the Epiphone electric guitar Les Paul starter pack, from the guitar’s build quality to the included accessories. You’ll discover whether this affordable bundle delivers the value and quality you need to start your musical journey properly.

Unboxing the Epiphone Les Paul Player Pack

Opening your Epiphone Les Paul Player Pack reveals everything a beginner guitarist needs to start playing immediately. This comprehensive les paul guitar kit comes thoughtfully packaged with all essential components for your musical journey.

What’s included in the pack

The package includes:

• Les Paul Special-II LE guitar with dual humbucker pickups
• Electar 10-watt amplifier with clean and overdrive modes
• Clip-on chromatic headstock tuner
• Guitar strap with adjustable ends
• Medium picks
• 10-foot guitar cable
• Protective gig bag
• Free downloadable eMedia lessons covering multiple genres

First impressions of the guitar

The epiphone electric guitar les paul comes in two striking finishes: classic ebony and vintage sunburst. The guitar features an alder body and maple neck, creating a distinguished look that captures the iconic Les Paul shape. What’s particularly impressive is how the guitar comes nearly ready to play right out of the box, requiring only minimal setup.

Quality of accessories

The included Electar amplifier proves to be a versatile companion, offering both clean and overdriven tones. A standout feature is the ability to practice silently using headphones, plus an aux-in connection for playing along with your favorite tracks.

The gig bag, while not heavily padded, provides adequate protection for transporting your guitar. It includes a convenient front pouch for storing your accessories. The clip-on tuner is remarkably user-friendly, displaying clear visual feedback with blue indicators during tuning and green when the correct pitch is achieved.

Setting up your new kit is straightforward. The strap attaches easily to two mounting points on the guitar, with the adjustable end designed to go toward the back. The included cable connects seamlessly between the guitar and amp, allowing you to start playing almost immediately after unboxing.

What sets this package apart is the inclusion of free downloadable lessons covering various genres including rock, blues, folk, country, and metal. This educational component adds significant value for beginners looking to explore different playing styles.

The Epiphone Les Paul Special-II Guitar

The Epiphone Les Paul Special-II stands as a testament to what’s possible in an entry-level guitar, offering impressive features at a price point of around $200. Let’s dive deep into what makes this instrument tick.

Design and build quality

Your Les Paul Special-II features a solid mahogany body that provides substantial feel without being overwhelming, weighing in at approximately 3.6 kilograms (8 pounds). While thinner than its Gibson counterpart, the classic Les Paul shape remains instantly recognizable. The guitar comes in striking finishes including Ebony and Heritage Cherry Burst.

The construction includes a bolt-on mahogany neck, which helps keep costs down while maintaining decent sustain. The Indian Laurel fingerboard features a comfortable 12-inch radius, complemented by:

• 22 medium-sized frets
• Simple dot inlays
• 43mm nut width
• SlimTaper C-profile neck

Pickups and electronics

Your guitar comes equipped with dual Epiphone humbuckers – a 650R in the neck position and a 700T at the bridge. These pickups deliver a versatile range of tones that work well for various playing styles. While they might not match premium pickups, they handle both clean and driven sounds competently without becoming muddy.

One surprising premium feature is the inclusion of full-size Alpha potentiometers, which is uncommon at this price point. The control layout is straightforward with a master volume and tone control, plus a three-way pickup selector switch. This simplified configuration helps you focus on playing while still offering essential tone-shaping capabilities.

Playability and comfort

The SlimTaper neck profile proves particularly beginner-friendly, offering comfortable playability for various hand sizes. Upper fret access is notably good, thanks to the well-designed cutaway that allows you to reach all 22 frets with ease.

While the tuning stability might require some attention during longer playing sessions, especially with extensive string bending, the overall playability remains impressive for its price range. The medium frets and comfortable neck radius make it suitable for both chord work and lead playing.

One area where compromises are visible is in the hardware choices. The PVC nut and standard tuners might be candidates for future upgrades if you’re looking to enhance the guitar’s performance. However, these components are perfectly serviceable for beginners and intermediate players.

The guitar’s substantial yet manageable weight distribution helps it feel like a proper instrument rather than a toy, giving you the authentic Les Paul experience without the back-breaking heft of some higher-end models. This balance makes it suitable for both practice sessions and longer performances.

Amplifier and Accessories

When exploring the accessories that complement your les paul guitar kit, you’ll find that Epiphone has included everything needed to start playing immediately. The carefully selected components enhance your playing experience while providing essential functionality for beginners.

Electar 10-watt amp review

The included Epiphone Electar-10 amplifier serves as your gateway to electric guitar tones. This compact 10-watt practice amp delivers surprising versatility for its size. Your practice sessions benefit from:

• Clean and overdriven tones
• Headphone output for silent practice
• Auxiliary input for playing along with backing tracks
• Compact footprint ideal for bedroom practice

Tuner, strap, and cable quality

Your kit includes a practical clip-on tuner that attaches securely to the headstock, ensuring accurate tuning every time you play. The included guitar cable, measuring 10 feet in length, provides ample room to move while playing. This professional-grade cable ensures clear signal transmission from your epiphone electric guitar les paul to the amplifier.

The adjustable strap offers comfortable support during extended playing sessions, with secure mounting points that keep your instrument safely in position. Medium picks included in the package provide the perfect starting point for developing your picking technique.

Gig bag assessment

The included gig bag offers essential protection for your instrument when you’re on the move. While it may not provide the same level of protection as a hardshell case, it serves its purpose well for beginners. The bag features:

The front storage compartment proves particularly useful for organizing your accessories, including picks, cables, and tuner. When purchasing through specific retailers, you can enhance your learning experience with the Fret Zealot LED system, which connects to an app providing real-time tab viewing and access to thousands of lessons.

What makes this package particularly appealing is its thoughtful inclusion of a neck adjustment tool. This addition shows Epiphone’s commitment to providing not just the basics, but also the maintenance tools needed to keep your instrument in optimal playing condition.

The complete package demonstrates careful consideration for beginners’ needs, offering a balance between quality and functionality. Each accessory serves a specific purpose in your guitar journey, from the essential amplification to the practical protection of your instrument.

Is This the Best Beginner Les Paul Kit?

Making the right choice for your first electric guitar kit can significantly impact your learning journey. The Epiphone Les Paul Player Pack has positioned itself as a compelling option in the beginner market, but let’s examine if it truly deserves this status.

Value for money

At $199, this les paul guitar kit delivers remarkable value considering its comprehensive nature. What sets this package apart is that it’s not just about the guitar – you’re getting a complete setup that would cost significantly more if purchased separately.

The value proposition becomes even more apparent when you consider that the epiphone electric guitar les paul alone justifies much of the package cost. The inclusion of free downloadable guitar lessons adds substantial educational value, helping you develop proper technique from day one.

Comparison to other starter packs

When comparing this kit to other options in the market, several factors stand out:

The Epiphone pack distinguishes itself through its professional heritage and superior components. While some might argue against starter packs, this one breaks the mold by providing quality components that serve as a solid foundation for your playing journey.

Pros and cons for beginners

Understanding both strengths and limitations helps make an informed decision:

Advantages:

• Complete package with everything needed to start playing immediately
• Versatile sound suitable for various genres
• High-quality guitar construction with mahogany body
• Excellent platform for future upgrades
• Professional brand backing from Gibson

Limitations:

• Basic tuner might need eventual replacement
• Gig bag provides minimal protection
• Amp power limited to 10 watts

What makes this kit particularly appealing for beginners is its growth potential. While you might eventually upgrade certain components, the core guitar itself remains a worthy instrument that can serve you well beyond the beginner stage. The dual humbucker configuration proves especially beneficial for rock and heavier styles, giving you the authentic Les Paul experience from day one.

The educational aspect shouldn’t be overlooked – the included lessons help structure your learning path, preventing common beginner mistakes and building proper technique from the start. This guidance, combined with the quality of the instrument, creates an environment conducive to rapid progress.

For upgradeability, many users report following a natural progression: starting with the included accessories and gradually upgrading specific components as their skills and preferences develop. This approach allows you to:

1. Learn what you truly need through experience
2. Make informed upgrade decisions
3. Spread the cost of improvements over time
4. Keep the core guitar while enhancing peripherals

The amp, while modest in power, provides enough volume for home practice and includes features typically found in more expensive units, such as the auxiliary input for playing along with backing tracks. This thoughtful inclusion demonstrates Epiphone’s understanding of beginner needs, making your initial learning experience more engaging and productive.

Your investment in this kit represents more than just acquiring gear – it’s about starting your guitar journey with equipment that won’t hold you back. The package strikes an impressive balance between quality and affordability, making it a strong contender for the title of best beginner Les Paul kit in its price range.

Conclusion

The Epiphone Les Paul Player Pack stands out as a thoughtfully designed gateway into electric guitar playing. This comprehensive package delivers remarkable value through its combination of a quality Les Paul Special-II guitar, practical accessories, and educational resources. The dual-humbucker equipped guitar, backed by Gibson’s professional heritage, provides authentic Les Paul tones while maintaining accessibility for beginners.

Musicians starting their journey with this kit benefit from a solid foundation that supports long-term growth. The package balances immediate playability with future upgrade potential, allowing new players to focus on developing their skills rather than worrying about equipment limitations. Each component serves its purpose effectively, making this Epiphone bundle a compelling choice for aspiring guitarists seeking quality, value, and reliability in their first electric guitar kit.

FAQs

1. Are Epiphone guitars suitable for beginners?
Yes, Epiphone guitars are well-suited for beginners due to their 24.75” scale length which provides a slinky, easy feel, a wider fingerboard that facilitates easier chord formation, and comfortable necks that are gentle on the hands.

2. How does an Epiphone Les Paul compare to a Gibson Les Paul?
Epiphone Les Pauls, particularly those from the “Inspired by Gibson” series, are considered nearly as good as Gibson Les Pauls. While Gibsons are known for superior craftsmanship and iconic tones, Epiphones offer excellent value and are a cost-effective alternative.

3. Do professional musicians use Epiphone guitars?
Yes, several professional musicians use Epiphone guitars. Notable examples include Ray Toro of My Chemical Romance, who has used both an Epiphone Les Paul and an Explorer, and Pete Townshend of The Who, who has used a Wilshire. Ernest Tubb has also played various Epiphone acoustic models.

4. Is the Epiphone Les Paul Special II a good choice for beginner guitarists?
The Epiphone Les Paul Special II is a good choice for beginners. It provides a decent sound quality suitable for those new to the instrument, making it a solid entry-level option.

5. Should I choose the Epiphone Les Paul Player Pack or a Squier Stratocaster pack as my first electric guitar?
Choosing between the Epiphone Les Paul Player Pack and a Squier Stratocaster pack depends on your personal preference in sound and playability. Both packs are well-regarded as starter kits for beginners.