In this article, I’m going to share my honest Epiphone Les Paul Studio E1 Electric Guitar review for guitarists wondering if it’s still worth buying.
Like all starter guitars I review, it’s all about a combo of value and playability. You want an affordable electric guitar that plays well, without constantly having to tune or spending extra to modify. It doesn’t hurt if it’s pretty too.
These budget Les Paul-style guitars always catch my eye, and is what inspired me to review it.
I’ve personally tested and played this guitar in real-world situations, from home jam sessions to band practice and even at local gigs. I’ll break down how it performs in tone, comfort, durability, and overall value.
Let’s plug in and dive right in! ⚡️
The Epiphone Les Paul Studio E1 is a budget-friendly Les Paul that hits classic tones for rock, metal, and blues without breaking the bank.
Great for: Beginners, hobbyists, and gigging guitarists looking for an affordable Les Paul-style guitar. Skip if: You need flawless out-of-the-box setup, ultra-stable tuning, or premium boutique components
Final Verdict: A solid, versatile, and comfortable Les Paul-style guitar that’s perfect for learning, jamming, and experimenting with upgrades.
You don’t want a cheap guitar that buzzes like a mosquito or feels like a 2×4 do you?
The Epiphone Les Paul Studio E1 feels comfortable, sounds better than it should at this price, and plays well after a proper setup. It’s lightweight for a Les Paul, the neck is comfortable, and the classic humbucker tone is absolutely there.
With its all-mahogany body, ceramic humbuckers, and slim-taper neck, you get a genuinely fun guitar that is as close as you can get to the real thing(minus the expensive price tag).
Note: Be ready to fix the setup issues because out of the box can be a bit rough.
Unplugged, the E1 has a nice mid-focused acoustic ring, always a good sign. Plugged in, the ceramic humbuckers deliver that familiar Les Paul growl.
Here’s what stood out:
This guitar lives in the worlds of rock, metal, blues, and even modern church tones if you dial in the right reverb/delay combo.
If you want strat-like sparkle? Not happening.
But if you want thick, sustaining, classic rock tones?
This guitar is made for it.
This is where the Studio E1 really shines for beginners.
The biggest win?
This guitar encourages you to keep playing. It doesn’t fight you.
I lost a solid hour noodling on blues licks and chugging out some early Metallica. It’s just fun.
Let’s call it like it is:
This hardware is beginner tier, not pro tier.
If you like modding?
This guitar is a dream.
Swap tuners, swap pickups, new nut, new knobs, and suddenly you’ve got a beast on your hands.
Clean: Warm, balanced, a little dark but very usable. Perfect for blues, worship cleans, and mellow rock.
Crunch: This is the sweet spot. Classic rock riffs sound right at home.
High Gain: The bridge pickup handles it surprisingly well. It gets aggressive and tight without squealing, though you’ll want to mute cleanly.
Test it out with a versatile portable amp for under $300.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Affordable: Great entry-level Les Paul-style guitar | ⚠️ Requires setup: High action and poor intonation out of the box |
| ✅ Lightweight and comfortable for long sessions | ⚠️ Tuning instability, especially for beginners |
| ✅ Easy playability with a slim taper neck | ⚠️ Fret buzz on some units |
| ✅ Classic Les Paul tone from all-mahogany body and humbuckers | ⚠️ Stock electronics and hardware are basic |
| ✅ Good platform for upgrades and mods | ⚠️ Minor cosmetic finish issues |
At the time of this writing, the Epiphone Les Paul Studio E1 is priced around $269(new), but you can often find bargains on used equipment by searching places like Facebook Marketplace, EBay, etc.
This guitar is set at such a valued price for brand new, I would recommend starting out fresh. For an additional 30 bucks, you can add a 3-year protection warranty.
Get your Epiphone Les Paul Studio E1 for the lowest price!
“It’s not a “Gibson.” But for under $300, it delivers way more vibe and attitude than it has any right to.”For a closer look, check out my Gibson Vs Epiphone Les Paul review.
Final Verdict: An Awesome Beginner Les PaulThe Epiphone Les Paul Studio E1 is one of the best sub-$300 guitars for beginners who want real rock tone, real comfort, and a real Les Paul feel to boot.
It needs setup work, yes, but once dialed in? This thing absolutely rocks.
It plays well, looks great, and gives beginners a solid foundation without stressing your wallet.
AND, it just looks really cool when staring into the mirror! C’mon, you can’t say you’ve never done that.
“Dude you are cool. The way you play. Why do you say you’re not cool? Well those days are over buddy. You could be the ugliest sad sack on the planet, but if you’re in a rocking band, you’re the cat’s pajamas. You’re the bee’s knees. – Dewey Finn, School of Rock
Scoring Breakdown
| Review | Score |
| Comfort | 5/5 |
| Features | 5/5 |
| Value | 5/5 |
| String Shock Overall Rating | 5 |
At String Shock, all reviews are 100% independent.
I beg, borrow, and steal(just kidding) the gear myself. I spend hours playing, testing, and recording with it, like the Epiphone Les Paul Studio, and only recommend what I truly believe in.
I always say that I’m a music lover first, then a guitarist.
The guitar is how I express my deepest feelings, so I would never ever steer you wrong. That’s a promise.
I do my best to bring you the most accurate and up-to-date information so you can make the best choices for YOU.
Testing process includes:
Written and reviewed by Steve…aka String Shock Steve.
(I have over 40 years playing experience and I’m a lifelong rock enthusiast.)
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Body | Mahogany |
| Neck | Mahogany, SlimTaper 60s, bolt-on |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood |
| Frets | 22 Medium Jumbo |
| Scale | 24.75” |
| Pickups | 650R (neck), 700T (bridge) |
| Bridge | Tune-O-Matic with Stopbar |
| Controls | 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3-way toggle |
| Orientation | Right-Handed |
| Finish | Gloss |
Done waiting and ready to crank up the Epiphone Les Paul Studio E1? You’ll be glad you did.
Yes. Once I get it properly set up, it becomes a very solid first guitar.
I like it most for rock, metal, blues, and even worship/church music.
With lighter playing, tuning stability is fine. If I start doing big bends or play hard, it can slip a bit.
To my ears, the Epiphone Les Paul Studio has a thicker, fuller tone and better sustain, but the tuning is a little less stable.
Yes, especially if I upgrade the tuners and get a good setup done.
I’ve been playing guitar 40 years now; writing, recording, and rocking in bands. Randy Rhoads, Warren DiMartini, and of course, Jimi Hendrix all lit the fire for me, and I’ve been chasing that passion ever since.
