Ever seen one of these?

[horax]

I've been a Fender guy for qutie awhile. Never owned an LP or an Epipone.

I went to trade in a Telecaster for something different thsi weekend, and I ended up walking out of Guitar Center with this new guitar.

I know it's an Epiphone Special Model Special II, but what I DON'T know is quite a bit.

I cannot find any information on this color anywhere on the net, and I've been looking like crazy.

It says "custom shop" on the back, and the serial number is NOT on the headstock. Here are some pix, and please tell me what I have if you know anything about it.












What I do know is that I used to own a Paul Reed Smith Santana Model SE II, and this thing feels just like it, and sounds about as good. I didn't play the PRS a lot, and I wasn't sold on the sound or I'd still have it. Thus far with this little Epiphone, it feels great, it looks awesome, and I like it a lot.

I know it's NOT the wine color as the red wine seems to be a solid reddish. This one OBVIOUSLY shows the wood grain and does not have the SN on the headstock like other "custom shop" deals.

Tell me what you can. I'm dying to know.

[LEFTY LES]

Looks like some kind of Les Paul Special II. How much did you pay for it? I think its a version of this guitar in the link below, but could be wrong......

Epiphone Les Paul Special II Electric Guitar and more Solid Body Electric Guitars at GuitarCenter.com.

[AngryHatter]

I saw the op name and went...horis, not again...
Whew...

[horax]

I paid $189 less 10% with a coupon. This was the only one that said "custom shop" on it, so it really has piqued my interest. I sent an email to Gibson/Epiphone to find out something about it, but haven't heard back.

Everybody I ask says that they have not seen this finish before...and the SN is usually on hte headstock? Did I get screwed?

[dave-m]

Most of the Epiphone bolt on's I have seen have the serial engraved into the neck plate. As for the Custom Shop Logo, it doesn't mean much, just a normal model with a limited run finish. Could have been for a particular store or just a color Epiphone decided to produce for a certain time frame.

[LEFTY LES]

If you pay $189 bucks for a brand new guitar its kinda hard to get screwed man. But dont expect to much from it. Its pretty basic. Its a Epi LP Special II with (like dave-m said) a limited finish. Its epi's entry level LP. But Im sure its just fine. It Doesnt matter anyway. If you like it and you think it sounds good thats all that counts. Probably will need a set up and you'll be good to go dude.

[paruwi]

Originally Posted by horax

I paid $189 less 10% with a coupon. This was the only one that said "custom shop" on it, so it really has piqued my interest. I sent an email to Gibson/Epiphone to find out something about it, but haven't heard back.

Everybody I ask says that they have not seen this finish before...and the SN is usually on hte headstock? Did I get screwed?

I would call it "worn brown"

There is no "custom shop" at Epiphone, it's just the sticker....

Your guitar was made
10=year
06=month
23=factorycode=Indonesia
8400=production#

AFAIK the serial always is on the neckplate on the "bolt-on" Epi's

[planks]

Looks good. Congrats!

[lpspecial2]

Well im thinking its a repainted model.Ive got a white one and its great.Even if it was repainted its a really good job.not a bad deal.

[Phildog]

I think it looks great! And if YOU like it, then I think it's greater! Nice find. You certainly have a unique gee tar.

[horax]

Hopefully it wasn't re-painted...GC was selling it as 'new.'

[AngryHatter]

You traded a tele and gave them $189?

[horax]

I RETURNED a Tele...I bought the Squier Tele new online through GC.com, and then I took it back to the store for a FULL refund. I actually paid more for the Epi than I did for the Tele.

I DO plan on getting a tele in the future as the sound was amazing. It won't happen for several years though. I have a Squier Strat now with teh Epi, and I have an Art and Lutherie Cedar Top acoustic. My next two purchases are a classical Nylon string guitar, and a TAYLOR spruce top. My second son (third child) is named Taylor (yes, after the guitar) adn my wife wants me to save up and get one. So that will be my next purchase.

I did hear back from Gibson today, and this is what they said regarding the guitar in this thread:

This is consistent with a 2010 Les Paul Special II in Wine Red finish. Our records do indicate that the finish is Wine Red. The reason that it doesn’t appear consistent with other Wine Red finishes you may have seen is that the Asian Mahogany will often have a slightly different color tone and show transparent finishes of this nature differently than the Central American Mahogany we use in our Gibson models.



This is a special edition finish we are producing for Guitar Center and their affiliated retailers.



Thank you for the inquiry, and I hope this helps!



Best regards,

Benton Cummings

Gibson Customer Service
1-800-4GIBSON

==========

Shocked it's made from mahogany instead of basswood or something cheaper. But I guess they confirm that it's a special finish expressly for GC.

Either way it's nice.

[sasquatch]

Originally Posted by lpspecial2

Well im thinking its a repainted model.Ive got a white one and its great.Even if it was repainted its a really good job.not a bad deal.

It's a 2010 LP Special II built in Indonesia at the Samick/Cort plant(23)
June 2010-plant 23-build 8499 (10-06/23/8499)

and don't think it's been around long enough for a repaint.
Some people think the Special II is one of the better entry level LP's there are and the pickups are ceramic magnet 650r and 700t so that should give you plenty of bite!
Enjoy the New guitar