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Epiphone

collapse expand iconDescription

Adam Jones—the multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning riff maestro of alt-metal icon TOOL—has an affinity for the vintage Silverburst Les Paul Custom, becoming his unofficial signature guitar over the course of his career. Originally produced for just a short time between 1978 and 1982, these sought-after rarities are a compelling footnote in legendary Les Paul lore, and they’ve certainly inspired innovative, celebrated songs in the hands of Jones. Now, the Gibson Custom Shop has partnered with Epiphone to recreate his treasured 1979 Silverburst Les Paul Custom, paying tribute to what Jones calls “one of [his] top favorite guitars of all time.” Among many special appointments, the Epiphone Adam Jones 1979 LP Custom features a distinctive antique silverburst finish, gracefully aged to a greenish hue. You don’t have to wait 10,000 days to cross paths with the vintage Silverburst of your dreams—the replica Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom by Epiphone is here today.

Epiphone Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom Antique Silverburst

Authentic Antique Silverburst Finish

While Gibson has released the Les Paul Custom in eye-catching silverburst as recently as 2021, it’s the first versions—from the late ’70s and early ’80s—that are most elusive, and those which Adam Jones considers his favorites. As the nitrocellulose clearcoat on these unicorns began to age, the guitar took on an unusual, eye-catching greenish color. If you bought one during the initial run and kept it long enough, your “chameleon” would take on a whole new finish over time. The Epiphone Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom in antique silverburst accurately captures this natural aging phenomenon, so players can enjoy a faithful reproduction of a one-of-a-kind vintage instrument—without the decades of waiting in between.

Epiphone Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom Neck

Custom Neck Profile Enhances Playability

Adam Jones is no slouch when it comes to fast-handed drop-D riffing and expressive lead lines, relying on a suitable neck to effortlessly navigate the TOOL catalog. The Epiphone 1979 LP bears a custom Adam Jones neck carve, akin to a rounded ’70s C-shape profile that’s remarkably comfortable (and quick) in hand. An ebony fretboard and 12" radius offer the same smoothness and playability the ageless Les Paul Custom is known for, and the Epiphone 1979 replica features a period-accurate three-piece maple neck, rather than a traditional mahogany one. Tone fiends will identify a schism between maple and mahogany—maple tends to be brighter and snappier, complementing down-tuned hard rock/metal progressions with its in-your-face aggression. Aesthetically, the Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom incorporates an authentic Gibson “open book” headstock up top. The complete package even includes a round mirror, so you can reflect stage lights from the headstock just as Jones has famously done for years.

Epiphone Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom Pickups

A Pair of Humbuckers With Personality

The Epiphone 1979 Les Paul Custom features an uncovered Seymour Duncan Distortion in the bridge and a reverse-mounted Gibson Custombucker in the neck. The ceramic Duncan Distortion (SH-6) is the brand’s original searing passive humbucker, capable of tight, crushing hard rock and metal tones boasting complex upper-midrange harmonics. From the first chord, you’ll be impressed by the SH-6’s snarling bite, richness and clarity under high gain. In the neck, a historically accurate Custombucker delivers classic P.A.F. sound from an Alnico 3 magnet, offsetting the Distortion’s vitriol with old-school sweetness and warmth. Together, this Jekyll and Hyde combination covers an impressive range of sonic territory, though the Epiphone Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom undoubtedly pulls players into a heavier, darker undertow.

Epiphone Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom Hardware

Components Made to Last

Ultraconsistent and reliable selections, like CTS potentiometers and Orange Drop capacitors, equip the Adam Jones Epiphone Les Paul with tried-and-true electronics. The guitar’s own signal path, from pickups, to volume/tone controls, to the output jack, is carefully wired with premium components to ensure the instrument’s truest sound always shines through. There are no low-end electronics to be an obstacle in pursuit of your distinct playing voice, and these components are built to last—just like those iconic vintage Silverbursts still kicking today.

You don’t have to live vicariously through Adam Jones to appreciate a dignified vintage Silverburst Les Paul Custom. This Epiphone, faithfully modeled after the TOOL legend’s own 1979 workhorse Les Paul Custom, is readily available for players everywhere to take home. Visit a Guitar Center near you to see what makes the Epiphone Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom such a captivating electric guitar.

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Mahogany body with maple top
  • 7-ply binding on top, 5-ply binding on back and headstock
  • Ebony fingerboard with 12" radius and 24.75" scale length
  • Epiphone LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge and LockTone Stop Bar
  • Custombucker reverse-mounted neck pickup and Seymour Duncan Distortion bridge pickup
  • CTS Potentiometers and Orange Drop capacitors

collapse expand iconSpecs

Body
  • Body Type: Single Cutaway
  • Top wood: Maple
  • Body wood: Mahogany
  • Body finish: Gloss
Neck
  • Neck shape: Custom
  • Neck wood: 3-piece Maple
  • Scale length: 24.75"
  • Truss rod: Carbon Graphite
Fingerboard
  • Material: Ebony
  • Radius: 12"
  • Fret size: Extra-jumbo
  • Number of frets: 22
  • Inlays: Pearloid blocks
  • Nut width/material: 1.69" (43 mm) Locking
Electronics
  • Configuration: HH
  • Neck: Custombucker Humbucker
  • Bridge: Seymour Duncan Humbucker
  • Control layout: Individual volume Individual volume
  • Pickup switch: 3-Way
  • Special electronics: 
Hardware
  • Bridge type: Fixed Bridge
  • Bridge design: Locking
  • Tailpiece: Hardtail
  • Tuning machines: Vintage-style
  • Color: Nickel
Other
  • Number of strings: 6
  • Case: Hardshell Case
  • Orientation: Right Handed
  • Country of Origin: China

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

5

5 Reviews

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

5504030201
It's as good as you're thinking it is.
Amazing guitar
Filters
Best Uses
  1. Jamming4
  2. Recording4
  3. Rock Concerts4
  4. Small Venues4
  5. Practicing3
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced3
  2. Professional Musician1
Pros
  1. Fun To Play4
  2. Good Feel4
  3. Good Pick Up4
  4. Good Tone4
  5. Solid Electronics4

Reviewed by 5 customers

  • Not just for TOOL fans #sweepstakes

    5

    submitted4 months ago

    byJoe

    fromGlendora, CA

    I bought one of these at the Monterey Park store. Got it home to test with my rig and I was happy right away. The tone is dirty, raunchy, and nasty in the best way, but still has great note definition. This IS Adam's guitar. Spot on for TOOL, but great for anything else.

  • It's as good as you're thinking it is.

    5

    submitted10 months ago

    byAndrew

    fromNew Hampshire

    Firstly, I owned a Gibson custom silverburst for around a decade. It was my daily driver. I traded it when i Made the switch to ESP. I've missed it ever since. I prefer the ease of play of an ESP but missed the sheer chunk-of-a-les Paul tone. Believe it or not I also had the same exact pickups on my Custom as this Jones model. That being said, I can tell you the finish on this thing is perfect. The whole "plastic feel" people talk about are ridiculous. I'm used to Poly finishes on my ESPs. The vintage color is even more striking, yet somehow subtle? Just perfect. The tone? Exact. Precisely, for me at least. TO add to that? I was in a dedicated Tool tribute for years and I pride myself on my ones tone and I mean, come on. This is it. Tuners are great, no complaints, but I'd swap in locking tuners out of habit. The fretwork is great, but not perfect. Action was high, etc but... Any issues I have with this axe are easy fixes/swaps. It's the mojo, the tone for me. And it's like having my old girl back. Yup. 10.5lbs. buy it.

  • Love at first play

    5

    submitteda year ago

    byRay

    fromRichmond VA

    Great instrument. Build well. Plays great out of box. If it didn't say Epiphone I'd swear it was a Gibson.

  • Amazing guitar

    5

    submitteda year ago

    byScott

    fromArizona

    This is a great guitar. Of all the Epiphones that I've tried this is by far the best. The one I got is about 9.5lbs, so fairly heavy but not too bad for a Les Paul. The bridge and the tailpiece are fantastic. It came set up pretty well from the factory, I just needed to lower the action a little bit. There was nothing wrong with the tuners, but I swapped them out with some Gotoh SG381 locking tuners, which were a perfect drop in replacement with no drilling. The fit and finish are great, perfect fretwork, no issues with sharp fret ends. Binding is perfect all the way around. Coming from a PRS custom 24 the neck is definitely thicker than I am used to, but still not like a baseball bat like a lot of epiphones I've played in the past. Overall I think this is about as close to a Gibson Les Paul as you can get without spending 3k+, and it's miles ahead of most other epiphones. Plus the case is great.

  • I'm just blown away!

    5

    submitteda year ago

    byGuy

    fromLas Vegas, NV

    I've owned Gibsons custom shop, Heritage, Eastman LP's. This Epiphone is definitely a contender. The poly finish is gorgeous! just stunning! not nitro but just stunning. Playability is superb Frets are perfectly level. Gibson USA Custombucker and Duncan SH-6 Deliver the TONE!

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