Epiphone 1960 Les Paul Standard Reissue Left-Handed Electric Guitar Iced Tea Burst
The Epiphone 1960 Les Paul Standard Reissue in left-handed configuration delivers classic LP specs at a fraction of Gibson's price. Features ProBucker humbuckers, AAA flame maple top, and period-correct '60s SlimTaper neck profile. At $749, it's targeting southpaws who want traditional Les Paul tone without the $3K+ Gibson tax.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- +ProBucker humbuckers get surprisingly close to classic PAF territory for the price
- +AAA flame maple top and Iced Tea Burst finish look legit—better aesthetics than you'd expect sub-$1K
- +'60s SlimTaper neck profile is faster and more comfortable than chunky '50s necks
- +Left-handed Les Pauls are notoriously hard to find—Epiphone actually stocks them
- +Epiphone's recent QC improvements (post-2020) have narrowed the gap with Gibson
Cons
- −Stock tuners and nut will likely need upgrading for serious gigging—budget another $100-150
- −Epiphone resale value is mediocre compared to Gibson, even for lefty models
- −Fret edges and binding can be inconsistent—play before you buy if possible
- −At $749, you're close to used Gibson Studio territory if you're patient on Reverb
The Verdict
Scoring 78, the 1960 Les Paul Standard Reissue is a strong value play for left-handed players who’ve been priced out of the Gibson market. The ProBuckers sound good, the flame top looks expensive, and the ’60s neck feels great. Epiphone’s QC has legitimately improved in recent years, but you’re still rolling the dice on fret work and hardware—inspect carefully or buy from a retailer with a solid return policy. At $749, it’s a fair deal if you need a lefty LP and can’t swing a Gibson. If you’re right-handed, though, the used market offers more options at this price. Solid, not spectacular.
