Matt Heafy’s New Epiphone Guitar is Literal Guitar Porn

Matt Heafy released a new signature Epiphone Les Paul model in 2021. It’s got Fishman Fluence pickups. And it is truly a thing of beauty…

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Matt Heafy of TRIVIUM announced his new Epiphone Signature model in January 2021 and, like a lot of Epiphone’s output in 2020/21, the guitar is a veritable smorgasbord of awesomeness.

You have a new headstock design, new pickups, and new color options. I love Epiphone Les Paul guitars, but this one is something truly special. The guitar is the follow-up to Heafy’s first collaboration with Epiphone. And this one does things a little differently…

Meet The MKH Origins Les Paul Custom

Picking up where Heafy’s OG MKH Epiphone left off, the new MKH Origins Les Paul Custom switches out EMG pickups in favor of a pair of black and gold Fishman Fluence humbuckers.

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The MKH Origins Les Paul Custom features two volume and two tone knobs too, each with push-pull functionality. The guitar will be available in Black and White and with either six or seven strings.

That’s right: the MKH Origins Les Paul Custom will be available as a 7 string too. I didn’t expect this, so that is great news – 7 string versions of signature series guitars are pretty rare. Good work, Matt!

With the fingerboard, Heafy opted for ebony with block inlays. The MKH Origins Les Paul Custom also features a shallower tech heel for easier access to those often difficult-to-reach upper-fret notes. Heafy has pretty much thought of everything with this model.

The MKH Origins Les Paul Custom features an updated headstock too; I think it looks great – see the video at the end for a better look at it. Heafy also confirmed that the MKH Origins Les Paul Custom will ship with a guitar strap too, as well as built-in strap locks, so you can rock out without worrying about dropping the guitar.

MKH Origins Les Paul Custom Release Date

The MKH Origins Les Paul Custom was launched – or revealed – by Heafy in January 2021. There has not been any additional announcements about when the MKH Origins Les Paul Custom will be available to buy, however, although I’d assume it would be landing during Q4, 2021 – just before Christmas.

How Much Does The MKH Origins Les Paul Custom Cost?

Again, as with release dates, there is no word from Heafy or Epiphone about how much the MKH Origins Les Paul Custom will cost once it is available. Given the cost of some of Epiphone’s other signature series guitars, though, I think it is fairly safe to assume the MKH Origins Les Paul Custom will retail for around $899, or thereabouts.

As we’ve seen in this post, you’re getting quite a lot of updates with this new Matt Heafy Epiphone, so it stands to reason that this will be reflected in the price. Having said that, I’d happily pay $899 for this guitar. On paper and in-person (or video), it does make one hell of an impression.

You can watch Matt Heafy’s full reveal and a preview of his MKH Origins Les Paul Custom below.

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Need Something Cheaper?

If you cannot wait for Heafy’s Epiphone to drop, you do have plenty of other great options from Epiphone – including its SG range. Signature models are ALWAYS more expensive than non-signature models, so if you’re on a tight budget, check out our guide to the best Epiphone Les Paul guitars you can buy right now.

The guitars in that list are all models the team has used over the years, both to record and play live. It includes options for straight-up beginners and options for more advanced players.

As of right now, if I were in the market for a new Epiphone Les Paul model, I’d be using the Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy – this thing blew my mind when I tested it. It’s that good that I think I’d probably take one of them over an actual Gibson Les Paul. It really is that impressive.

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