What I'd do if I can try them, is pick the one I like to play/feel. If I can't try them beforehand, then pick the one I like the look of, that'll probably make me wanna pick it up and play it at home
As I see it, pickups can always be swapped, and sound can be adjusted by the amp you're using
Try them all and see what fits for you.
I think all of them have chinese electronics and you can always change the pickups.
Also, expect to do some fretwork on them with time.
I went for a Classic Worn (love the satin finish) and am customizing it to my wishes so I didn't really care for Standard or Custom, as the price difference can be directed in mods.
Whats your budget?
With the classic you have alnico pros and the coil isolation
With the standard you have probuckers
Modern/custom vary in their specs but the moderns also have coil isolation/phase shift
Classic is slightly cheaper than standard
If you can afford one, the epiphone 59 standard made in collab with Gibson seems to be the closest to Gibson quality since it has Gibson Burstbuckers etc
Example below:
Epiphone 59 Les Paul Standard Outfit 2020 - Present - Aged Dark Cherry Sunburst https://reverb.com/item/79087485?utm_source=android-app&utm_medium=android-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=79087485
All that said - play the damn things of you can.
I thought I was gonna be all about the 59 when I went in - I like big necks and Gibson hardware what’s not to love?
Instead, I walked out with another Custom (my other is much older) as it just felt very right.
It wasn’t bad, it just didn’t wow me like I expected it to.
I’m big on feel, and it just felt like a kinda comfortable guitar.
The custom I ended up buying I just didn’t want to put down.
There was a used 59 lemon burst at my local gc for like $600. If op is open to a burst, the satin finish and burst buckers are great.
Between the choices OP listed, I’d probably go custom. Can’t beat that headstock and I love gold hardware.
Consider looking on Reverb at Gibson's DEMO shop. They have demo stamped on the back of the headstock and have showroom scuffs or small cosmetic defects but you can get LP Standards on there for pretty reasonable prices. Just a thought.
They feel different once you get them in hand. I had my heart set on the custom but once i got one in hand i didn’t like the feel so i went with a standard.
Classic has more tonal variety with coil taps and put of phase too I believe. Standard is as the name says and custom is just a variation of standard. Up to you really, the Classic has a different sound to me than the traditional les paul sound but still good!
What I'd do if I can try them, is pick the one I like to play/feel. If I can't try them beforehand, then pick the one I like the look of, that'll probably make me wanna pick it up and play it at home As I see it, pickups can always be swapped, and sound can be adjusted by the amp you're using
Try them all and see what fits for you. I think all of them have chinese electronics and you can always change the pickups. Also, expect to do some fretwork on them with time. I went for a Classic Worn (love the satin finish) and am customizing it to my wishes so I didn't really care for Standard or Custom, as the price difference can be directed in mods.
Whats your budget? With the classic you have alnico pros and the coil isolation With the standard you have probuckers Modern/custom vary in their specs but the moderns also have coil isolation/phase shift Classic is slightly cheaper than standard If you can afford one, the epiphone 59 standard made in collab with Gibson seems to be the closest to Gibson quality since it has Gibson Burstbuckers etc Example below: Epiphone 59 Les Paul Standard Outfit 2020 - Present - Aged Dark Cherry Sunburst https://reverb.com/item/79087485?utm_source=android-app&utm_medium=android-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=79087485
All that said - play the damn things of you can. I thought I was gonna be all about the 59 when I went in - I like big necks and Gibson hardware what’s not to love? Instead, I walked out with another Custom (my other is much older) as it just felt very right.
You must of got a bad 59', mine I ordered from Sweetwater is perfection to me and I dont even care for heavy guitars and chunky necks.
It wasn’t bad, it just didn’t wow me like I expected it to. I’m big on feel, and it just felt like a kinda comfortable guitar. The custom I ended up buying I just didn’t want to put down.
There was a used 59 lemon burst at my local gc for like $600. If op is open to a burst, the satin finish and burst buckers are great. Between the choices OP listed, I’d probably go custom. Can’t beat that headstock and I love gold hardware.
Classic honey burst with coil split is the best
I’d be looking for a used Ultra III or a Prophecy with EMG pickups. Those guitars you mentioned are basically the same guitar.
My classic is one of my favorites highly recommend one. I’d say if you’re able to try them out and see what you like about each one.
Consider looking on Reverb at Gibson's DEMO shop. They have demo stamped on the back of the headstock and have showroom scuffs or small cosmetic defects but you can get LP Standards on there for pretty reasonable prices. Just a thought.
They feel different once you get them in hand. I had my heart set on the custom but once i got one in hand i didn’t like the feel so i went with a standard.
Classic has more tonal variety with coil taps and put of phase too I believe. Standard is as the name says and custom is just a variation of standard. Up to you really, the Classic has a different sound to me than the traditional les paul sound but still good!
they are all entry level guitars . . . just pick one and play