: Does anybody know, if the sound of an Epiphone Les Paul Model with original Gibson PU’s (490R&498T)is same as or nearly same as an original Gibson, for exsample Gibson Les Paul Studio (with 490R & 498T Pu’s) It’s a crap shoot. The wood was generally better on the Les Pauls. AND, it depends on how old the Epiphone is. Many of the oriental Epiphones were made of Phil. Magogany and sometimes and lamanated body. It’s a bit like throwing a dart at the board without looking. Wood is a fickle thing. Just go ahead as long as you are not stripping down an old Les Paul that is in good shape paul