My Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy Aged Gloss Black Journey: A Review for the Everyday Player

By Nick Neumann - December 19, 2024

Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy Age Gloss Black

 

The Video Review

Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy: My Unexpected Cyber Monday Gem

Ever since I got back into playing guitar, I've been craving a mean-looking black guitar with that sleek, rock and roll aesthetic. I'd looked at the Prophecies before but never saw it in black. While browsing Sweetwater on Cyber Monday, I stumbled upon an Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy in Aged Gloss Black. It wasn't just a "Boomer's Les Paul" (no disrespect to the classics!), with its modern features like Fishman Fluence pickups and a slim taper neck—it was a modern take on a legend. I gave into my impulsive buyer tendencies, and thus began my adventure. This review isn't for guitar virtuosos; it's for players like me, those who love to play, are always learning, and are looking for a solid instrument that motivates us to play.

The Score (Almost)

As I mentioned, I was scrolling through Sweetwater's Cyber Monday deals when I spotted a Certified Pre-Owned Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy in Aged Gloss Black for $599 (normally $899). The pictures showed minimal wear, and the price was tempting. I knew there were higher-end versions retailing for $1199 with a case and more elaborate finishes, but under the hood, the core specs were the same.

Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy Specs:

  • Body: Mahogany
  • Top: Carved Hard Maple Cap
  • Neck: Mahogany, Asymmetrical SlimTaper™ with Contoured Heel
  • Neck Profile: Asymmetrical SlimTaper™
  • Scale Length: 24.724"
  • Fingerboard: Ebony
  • Fingerboard Radius: 12"
  • Frets: 24 Jumbo
  • Nut: Graph Tech® NuBone®
  • Nut Width: 1.693"
  • Inlays: Block and Triangle; Abalone
  • Neck Pickup: Fishman Fluence Epiphone Proprietary
  • Bridge Pickup: Fishman Fluence Epiphone Proprietary
  • Controls: 2 Volume (push/pull coil-splits), 2 Tone, 3-way Epiphone toggle
  • Bridge: LockTone™ Tune-O-Matic™
  • Tailpiece: LockTone™ Stop Bar
  • Tuners: Grover® Locking Rotomatics™
  • Hardware Finish: Brushed Nickel
  • Finish: Aged Gloss

From Pre-Owned to Brand New

I decided to call Sweetwater to get more details on the pre-owned model. That's when my sales rep worked some magic. He offered me a brand new Prophecy for just $650! It was a no-brainer. I jumped on the deal.

A Modern Take on a Classic

I know some purists might scoff at it being an Epiphone, but the Prophecy stands out. It's not trying to be a straight Gibson copy. It's a modern guitar with modern appointments. I actually really dig the Epiphone headstock with the custom logo on this model; it fits the guitar's overall aesthetic.  I think the Gibson headstock they're putting on newer guitars is cool, but I feel that would add a $300 “Gibson tax.”

The First (and Second) Arrival

The guitar finally shipped, and I noticed a huge problem I somehow overlooked. The low E string was way too close to the edge of the fretboard!  It brought back bad memories of a Charvel I once owned with the same issue. It played great otherwise, but that string slippage was a deal-breaker. I had to send it back.

Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy Age Gloss Black QC 1

I worked with customer service to find a replacement. We found another one with good string spacing and a nice low weight. This time, I opted for a professional setup to avoid any further issues and get straight to playing.

A Final Discount and a Long Wait

When the replacement guitar was being prepped for shipment, they found a small blemish. 

Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy Age Gloss Black QC2

Instead of sending it out and risking further disappointment, they contacted me, informed me of the issue, and offered me another 10% off the already discounted price, bringing the final cost down to an unbelievable $585! 

However, even with this proactive approach, the entire return and replacement process took longer than anticipated, which was about two weeks. While I appreciated the due diligence in ensuring I received a great instrument, the wait was frustrating. I was told multiple times that the guitar was going to ship, only for it not to. Ultimately, the incredible deal and the knowledge that I was getting a great guitar, professionally set up and ready to go, made the wait somewhat tolerable. Let's be honest, when you're excited about a new guitar, you want it now. 

The Review and Recommendation

Build Quality and Finish:

Having handled the first Prophecy, I knew what to expect with this second one. The overall build quality is solid, and the guitar feels as good as some more expensive guitars I've played. The satin neck is incredibly smooth, allowing my hand to glide effortlessly. I like the slim taper neck, and the 12" radius fits my hand well. The Aged Gloss Black finish on this guitar looks great, but there are a couple of noticeable flaws. One is the small cosmetic issue on the back, and the other is some binding that was ground down. There are a few other minor imperfections, but nothing major.

Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy Age Gloss Black QC3

However, at the retail price of $899-$1199, it's questionable whether these minor imperfections should be expected. Epiphone's quality control really starts to come into question especially when you start getting into these price points.

Playability and Setup:

Since I opted for a professional setup, I can't speak directly to the factory setup. However, I can say that the guitar plays exceptionally well. The action is now incredibly low and comfortable, and the neck feels great for both rhythm and lead playing. For first-time buyers or those newer to guitar, I highly recommend investing in a professional setup, regardless of the guitar you choose. It can make a world of difference in playability and overall enjoyment.

Quality Control:

While the guitar I received after the replacement is great to play, there are definitely some quality issues with mine. So, in general, potential buyers should be aware of that. Comparing the photos of different Prophecies on Sweetwater's website reveals inconsistencies, particularly with the low E string placement and some instances of binding with noticeable staining. This reinforces the importance of inspecting the specific guitar you're purchasing.

Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy Age Gloss Black QC4

Sound/Tone (Fishman Fluence Pickups):

The custom Fishman Fluence pickups designed for the Prophecy are a standout feature. They deliver a powerful and articulate tone, even with high levels of distortion. They retain clarity and definition, which is crucial for heavier styles of music. But they deliver a variety of sounds.

Each humbucker has a push-pull volume knob that lets you switch between a hot modern active humbucker voicing and a classic vintage humbucker sound. The neck pickup, in vintage mode, offers a warm, rounded clean tone perfect for bluesy jams, while the bridge pickup, in modern mode, delivers a searing high-gain tone ideal for metal riffing and my attempts at punk rock.

The tone knobs also have a push-pull function that activates a shimmering single-coil sound, perfect for those sparkling clean tones with a bit of extra chime. This makes this guitar a great option if you need to play a variety of music.

Overall Impression and Value:

Overall, I'm very happy with the Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy. It's a well-built, great-playing guitar that will definitely be part of my regular rotation.

The Good:

  • Solid build quality and great playability
  • 24 frets (a plus for some players)
  • Excellent sound thanks to the Fishman Fluence pickups
  • Striking aesthetics
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Grover locking tuners

The Bad:

  • Inconsistent quality control
  • Likely needs a setup out of the box
  • No Stainless steel frets
  • Epiphone (If you're a guitar elitist)

Price and Recommendation

I don't have any affiliation with Sweetwater, but I think they are one of the best online retailers to buy gear from, especially since they allow you to see pictures of the specific guitar you'll receive. I strongly recommend seeing a guitar in person before buying if possible. However, since that's not always feasible, requesting detailed photos when ordering online is a must.

I believe the Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy is worth considering in the $500-$800 price range. Above that, you might want to explore other options like PRS SE or LTD EC-1000 series guitars, which offer comparable or better features and potentially better quality control. If I had paid full retail, I might have sent it back because of the binding issue. However, I intend to play this guitar, and at the price I paid, I'm willing to overlook minor flaws. It's important to remember that most guitars, even high-end ones, have imperfections if you look closely enough.

The Prophecy is marketed as a premium offering within the Epiphone lineup, and it largely lives up to that claim. It's important to remember that this is an Epiphone, not a Gibson, but it offers a compelling blend of modern features and classic styling.

Links

You can various Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy models from Reverb:

Click here to check out Epiphone Prophecy guitars on Reverb

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