**Disclaimers: Unlike the Les Paul Studio, this guitar has a bolt on neck. If that's a problem, you can stop reading right here****I purchased everything from zZounds unless otherwise noted, but have no affiliation with them, just a very happy customer**First, I almost never write reviews, but I felt I should after purchasing this Guitar. A little background; For several years, my main guitar was an EPIPHONE Les Paul Studio, which I loved (still do). A couple years ago, I decided to step up to. GIBSON Les Paul Studio, which is awesome. I then used my EPIPHONE Studio as a backup/alternately tuned guitar. Recently, I decided to replace my backup guitar with a new one, as my EPI Studio is pretty beat up (the reason I'm comparing the 100 to the Studio, is because they are almost identical in shape, size, weight and overall appearance, and my familiarity with the Studio in general). After some consideration, I decided to buy the 100. The first thing I saw after opening the box, was a gorgeous perloid headstock inlay. It blew my mind, because I was expecting it to be painted on, like every other inexpensive Epiphone I've had. The second thing I noticed, was when I picked it up. When I did, I couldn't feel a single fret end. Not only are the fret ends completely smooth, they are tapered into the finger board in such a way, that it's almost like they aren't there. I was fully expecting to have to put a lot of work to get them to my liking, like on every other guitar I've ever bought,… read more including my Gibson. The only guitar that was anywhere close was my PRS Custom 24-08 S2. Otherwise, the 100 is aesthetically identical to the Les Paul Studio. Now for the fun part... Pickups.If we're trying to get that awesome Gibson sound, we're definitely going to need Gibson pickups. I planned on using the same pickups as on my Gibson LP Studio, as I already had an extra set of Gibson pickups (490R and 500T), which you can find on zZounds, priced anywhere from $100-$150. What I ended up doing was only replacing the bridge Pickup, because I preferred the sound of the stock Epiphone neck pickup (650R), so I only swapped out the bridge pickup, installing a Gibson 500T in the bridge. I love the way they sound together, but my favorite feature is that I can switch from a pure Epiphone sound, to a pure Gibson sound, just by using the pickup selector. This is now my main guitar, for both the stage and the studio, as I prefer the overall sound and experience of this guitar, even better than my Gibson Studio. Coil SplittingIf you want to be able to split your humbuckers, there are a couple ways to do it. I recommend buying the entire wiring harness, which is solder-free, and much easier to install. zZounds has them for around $100, just make sure that the harness has a coil splitting modification. OptionsI added chrome pickup covers, to bring it in line with the Gibson Studio. I also installed black chrome colored locking tuners (instead of the traditional chrome colored), and I love the way it looks. OverallThere is so much you can do with this guitar. And for the price, you're not going to find a better single cut electric guitar out there. Even though I've modified the guitar for my liking, customization isn't necessary, as this guitar stands on its own against ANY under $500 guitar that I've ever played, right out of the box. And that goes for everything. From fit and finish, to playability, to sound. This maybe the least expensive guitar I've ever purchased, but it's also the most satisfied I've ever been after purchasing a guitar. Hands down. In short, you can't go wrong buying this guitar. You will be amazed (keeping price point in mind).

Musical Background:
30 plus years as a guitar player and drummer

Musical Style:
Mostly Rock & Blues read less