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MusicRadar
MusicRadar
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Jonathan Horsley

A Hetfield-esque white 80s Explorer with EMGs, long-tenon necks and rosewood fingerboards for all: Epiphone revamps core lineup with the Inspired By Gibson series

A glam shot of a cherry red Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Firebird Les Paul Special in action.

NAMM 2026: Epiphone has a launched a comprehensive refresh of its core lineup of electric and acoustic guitars, with the all-new Inspired By Gibson series seeing rosewood fingerboards as standard on all but the entry-level Tribute Plus models, and some fresh colours and designs.

Those designs, of course, take their cues from Gibson, and just as the Inspired By Gibson Custom range applied some of that Custom Shop high-end magic to Epiphone guitars, this new range does something similar at a more affordable price point, and the $599 Epiphone Les Paul – available in its ‘50s and ‘60s style – has never looked so good.

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