Here’s how much you’ll pay for the new Adam Jones Epiphone 1979 Les Paul Custom, and how it compares to its signature Gibson Les Paul model
It’s been like 2+ years in the making, but the Adam Jones Epiphone 1979 Les Paul Custom is finally here, bringing nearly everything you could possibly want – specs wise – at a much more affordable price point.
Adam Jones Epiphone 1979 Les Paul Custom Price & Release Date
The Epiphone Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom is a recent release, hitting the market on February 13, 2024. Its official price is pretty high-end for Epiphone, ranging from around $1499 to $1599, depending on where you look.
This model, not to be confused with his other Epiphone one, does not feature any artwork – it is a straight up homage to Adam’s long-serving 1979 Gibson Les Paul Silverburst, complete with Seymour Duncan pickups in the bridge.
It features a three-piece maple neck with a custom Adam Jones profile, an ebony fretboard, and a mahogany body with a maple cap. It’s finished in Antique Silverburst and includes artwork created by Joyce Su and Jones himself on the rear of the headstock.
Additionally, it comes with a replica two-inch convex mirror included in the Deluxe Protector Series hardshell guitar case.
OK, OK… But How Does It Compare To The Actual Gibson Model?
The Epiphone model is, of course, much cheaper than Adam’s signature Gibson model. Gibson only did a limited run on those Silverbursts, so if you want to pick one of those up, you’re looking at close to $15,000 on the used market.
For mere mortals like you and I, however, the Adam Jones Epiphone 1979 Les Paul Custom is MORE than enough.
Chris played both models side-by-side over the weekend and, as noted in our most recent podcast, couldn’t really tell the difference, if he was being totally honest (save for the fret work).
In terms of hardware, the Adam Jones Epiphone 1979 Les Paul Custom and the Gibson custom model are closer than you might think. This is great news for anyone that wants to pick up what is effectively a damn-near perfect replica of Adam Jones’ guitar – the guitar that has powered TOOL for close to 30 years.
Epiphone Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom vs Gibson Adam Jones Les Paul Custom
| Feature | Epiphone Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom | Gibson Adam Jones Les Paul Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Body | Mahogany back with maple top | Mahogany back with maple top |
| Neck | 3-piece maple with custom Adam Jones profile | Mahogany with custom Adam Jones profile |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Ebony |
| Frets | 22 Medium jumbo | 22 Medium jumbo |
| Scale Length | 24.75″ | 24.75″ |
| Neck Inlay | Mother of pearl block | Mother of pearl trapezoid |
| Pickups | Bridge: Seymour Duncan Distortion, Neck: Epiphone Custombucker | Bridge: Seymour Duncan Distortion TB-LM, Neck: Gibson Burstbucker 1 |
| Controls | 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3-way toggle switch | 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3-way toggle switch |
| Hardware | Chrome Grover tuners, Graph Tech nut, Tune-o-matic bridge, stopbar tailpiece | Chrome Grover tuners, Graph Tech nut, TonePros Tune-o-matic bridge, aluminum stopbar tailpiece |
| Finish | Antique Silverburst | Antique Silverburst |
| Case | Deluxe Hardshell with replica 2″ convex mirror | Hardshell |
| Price | Around $1499 (MSRP not confirmed) | Around $3999 (estimated street price) |
Where To Buy?
If you want to pick up one of these epic guitars, Guitar Center has some of the best prices we’ve seen in the US – $1499 (and that includes a hardcase as well).
What’re your thoughts on this model? Let us know in the comments section below.
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