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May 30, 2025
Inspired by Gibson vs. Inspired by Gibson Custom
Get the Gibson experience on a budget! Find out which Epiphone "Inspired by Gibson" collection is right for you.
For generations of rockers, getting that dream Gibson guitar has always meant achieving an untouchable level of musical prestige. If you're a fan of these coveted guitars, you've likely asked yourself: Is there a way to get the Gibson experience for a modest price? Thanks to Epiphone's Inspired by Gibson and Inspired by Gibson Custom collections, the answer is a resounding YES!
While both collections offer quality guitars with designs that pay homage to their more expensive Gibson counterparts, there are a number of key differences that players should consider before making a purchase. Epiphone Inspired by Gibson models deliver a budget-friendly Gibson experience with a modest, but carefully selected suite of features for under $1,000, while Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom models are intended to be historically accurate recreations of Gibson's greatest vintage guitars with prices ranging from $999 to $1,699.
If you're a new player just looking to get a taste of the Gibson experience, then the Inspired by Gibson collection is designed to meet those demands. However, if you're a vintage enthusiast looking to get as close to the Gibson Custom Shop experience as possible without the Custom Shop prices, then the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom collection would be a better fit.
Looking a bit deeper, certain flagship models like the Les Paul and SG have some key visual differences that can make it easier to distinguish which collection they belong to. Les Pauls and SGs in the Inspired by Gibson collection feature Kalamazoo headstocks, which are based on a design that originated in Gibson's Kalamazoo, Michigan factory. In the spirit of authenticity, Inspired by Gibson Custom Les Pauls and SGs feature the same open-book headstock designs that top the Gibson Custom Shop models that inspired them. While the headstock represents one key visual distinction between these two collections, there are many more differences under the hood. Read on to learn more!
For generations of rockers, getting that dream Gibson guitar has always meant achieving an untouchable level of musical prestige. If you're a fan of these coveted guitars, you've likely asked yourself: Is there a way to get the Gibson experience for a modest price? Thanks to Epiphone's Inspired by Gibson and Inspired by Gibson Custom collections, the answer is a resounding YES!
While both collections offer quality guitars with designs that pay homage to their more expensive Gibson counterparts, there are a number of key differences that players should consider before making a purchase. Epiphone Inspired by Gibson models deliver a budget-friendly Gibson experience with a modest, but carefully selected suite of features for under $1,000, while Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom models are intended to be historically accurate recreations of Gibson's greatest vintage guitars with prices ranging from $999 to $1,699.
If you're a new player just looking to get a taste of the Gibson experience, then the Inspired by Gibson collection is designed to meet those demands. However, if you're a vintage enthusiast looking to get as close to the Gibson Custom Shop experience as possible without the Custom Shop prices, then the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom collection would be a better fit.
Looking a bit deeper, certain flagship models like the Les Paul and SG have some key visual differences that can make it easier to distinguish which collection they belong to. Les Pauls and SGs in the Inspired by Gibson collection feature Kalamazoo headstocks, which are based on a design that originated in Gibson's Kalamazoo, Michigan factory. In the spirit of authenticity, Inspired by Gibson Custom Les Pauls and SGs feature the same open-book headstock designs that top the Gibson Custom Shop models that inspired them. While the headstock represents one key visual distinction between these two collections, there are many more differences under the hood. Read on to learn more!
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson
If you're looking to get the Gibson experience for under $1,000, then we recommend Epiphone Inspired by Gibson. This collection combines premium tonewoods with electronics closely modeled after what you would find under the hood of a Gibson model, which allows for a friendly price point for budget-conscious players. For example, the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s is loaded with ProBucker pickups, which are closely modeled after the PAF-inspired Burstbucker pickups found in the Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s that inspired this guitar. It also boasts a premium rosewood fretboard, a mahogany body, and a gorgeous AAA flame maple top -- all for only $699.00!
Epiphone's Inspired by Gibson guitars aren't necessarily less expensive 1:1 comparisons of their more expensive Gibson counterparts like what you might find in the IGC collection, but the tone and feel of these instruments deliver a genuine taste of the Gibson experience at a fraction of the price.
Epiphone's Inspired by Gibson guitars aren't necessarily less expensive 1:1 comparisons of their more expensive Gibson counterparts like what you might find in the IGC collection, but the tone and feel of these instruments deliver a genuine taste of the Gibson experience at a fraction of the price.
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s Electric Guitar (with Gig Bag)
$699.00
- 12 x$58.25
- 8 x$87.38
- No Credit Check6 x$116.50
- No Credit Check4 x$174.75
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson SG Standard Electric Guitar (with Gig Bag)
$599.00
- 12 x$49.92
- 8 x$74.88
- No Credit Check6 x$99.83
- No Credit Check4 x$149.75
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s Electric Guitar (with Gig Bag)
$699.00
- 12 x$58.25
- 8 x$87.38
- No Credit Check6 x$116.50
- No Credit Check4 x$174.75
Epiphone J-45 Acoustic-Electric Guitar
$749.00
- 12 x$62.42
- 8 x$93.63
- No Credit Check6 x$124.83
- No Credit Check4 x$187.25
Epiphone ES-339 Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitar
$549.00
- 8 x$68.63
- No Credit Check6 x$91.50
- No Credit Check4 x$137.25
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar
$799.00
- 12 x$66.58
- 8 x$99.88
- No Credit Check6 x$133.17
- No Credit Check4 x$199.75
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson SG Custom Electric Guitar (with Gig Bag)
$699.00
- 12 x$58.25
- 8 x$87.38
- No Credit Check6 x$116.50
- No Credit Check4 x$174.75
Epiphone Exclusive Inspired by Gibson Les Paul Custom Widow Electric Guitar (with Gig Bag)
$799.00
- 12 x$66.58
- 8 x$99.88
- No Credit Check6 x$133.17
- No Credit Check4 x$199.75
Epiphone Exclusive SG Custom Electric Guitar
$629.00
- 12 x$52.42
- 8 x$78.63
- No Credit Check6 x$104.83
- No Credit Check4 x$157.25
Epiphone Exclusive Explorer Electric Guitar
$649.00
- 12 x$54.08
- 8 x$81.13
- No Credit Check6 x$108.17
- No Credit Check4 x$162.25
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom
Are you looking to get as close to the Gibson Custom Shop experience as possible without the Custom Shop prices? Then Epiphone's Inspired by Gibson Custom collection is for you! Epiphone IGC guitars are loaded with vintage era-accurate specs that not only pay homage to some of the greatest guitars in Gibson's history, they also deliver world-class performance and inspiring tonal character. The Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1964 SG is a powerful example of this collection's commitment to recreating the classics. For only $1,299.00, it comes loaded with the same Gibson Custombucker pickups, mahogany neck and body, and rosewood fretboard found in the Gibson Custom 1964 SG priced at $4,699.00!
Epiphone's commitment to implementing era-accurate specs is what makes the Inspired by Gibson Custom collection so special. From tonewoods to pickups, hardware to neck binding, and everything in between, these guitars are meticulously designed down to the last detail to transport you back in time just as effectively as a real Gibson Custom shop model would. Simply put, the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom collection is the absolute best way to experience the power of Gibson's most revered guitars in an accessible way.
Epiphone's commitment to implementing era-accurate specs is what makes the Inspired by Gibson Custom collection so special. From tonewoods to pickups, hardware to neck binding, and everything in between, these guitars are meticulously designed down to the last detail to transport you back in time just as effectively as a real Gibson Custom shop model would. Simply put, the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom collection is the absolute best way to experience the power of Gibson's most revered guitars in an accessible way.
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1960 Les Paul Special Double Cut Reissue Electric Guitar (with Case)
$999.00
- 18 x
- 12 x$83.25
- 8 x$124.88
- No Credit Check6 x$166.50
- No Credit Check4 x$249.75
Epiphone 1959 ES-355 Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar (with Case)
$1,299.00
- 18 x
- 12 x$108.25
- 8 x$162.38
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue Electric Guitar (with Case)
$1,299.00
- 18 x
- 12 x$108.25
- 8 x$162.38
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird V Electric Guitar (with Case)
$1,699.00
- 18 x
- 12 x$141.58
- 8 x$212.38
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue Electric Guitar (with Case)
$1,299.00
- 18 x
- 12 x$108.25
- 8 x$162.38
Epiphone 1963 Les Paul SG Custom with Maestro Vibrola (with Case)
$1,499.00
- 18 x
- 12 x$124.92
- 8 x$187.38
