Bottom Line: The Epiphone 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue captures the year Gibson swapped P-90s for humbuckers on the Goldtop — and at $1,299 with USA-made Custombucker pickups and Bumblebee caps, it might be the most historically significant guitar in the Inspired by Gibson Custom lineup.
1957 was a pivotal year for the Les Paul. It’s the year Seth Lover’s Patent Applied For humbucker replaced the P-90 single coils that had defined the Goldtop since 1952. That transition created what many consider the original humbucker guitar — and the tone that launched a thousand rock careers. Epiphone’s 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue honors that exact moment in guitar history, pairing Gibson USA Custombucker pickups with Alnico III magnets, Bumblebee paper-in-oil capacitors, and the unmistakable gold metallic finish that makes every other guitar on the wall look boring. At $1,299, it’s the affordable tribute to one of the most important guitars ever made.
What’s New on the 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Body | Mahogany with maple cap |
| Neck | One-piece mahogany, Rounded C profile, long neck tenon |
| Fretboard | Rosewood, 12″ radius, trapezoid inlays |
| Frets | 22 medium jumbo |
| Scale Length | 24.75″ |
| Pickups | Gibson USA Custombucker humbuckers (Alnico III magnets) |
| Electronics | Hand-wired, CTS pots, Bumblebee paper-in-oil capacitors, Switchcraft toggle and jack |
| Bridge | Epiphone ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic with stopbar tailpiece |
| Tuners | Epiphone Deluxe vintage with Keystone buttons |
| Finish | Vintage Original Sheen (VOS) — Double Gold |
| Extras | Gibson “open book” headstock, vintage-style hardshell case |
| Street Price | $1,299 |
The standout detail on the Goldtop is the Bumblebee paper-in-oil capacitors — a step up from the Mallory caps used in the ’59 and ’60 Standard reissues. Bumblebee caps are legendary among tone chasers for their warm, musical rolloff when you turn the tone knob back. Instead of the treble disappearing into mud, you get a gradual darkening that maintains clarity and definition. Original Bumblebee caps from the 1950s sell for hundreds of dollars each on the vintage market. Epiphone is shipping them from the factory.
The Custombucker pickups with Alnico III magnets deliver the same sweet, PAF-inspired tone found across the Inspired by Gibson Custom line. Combined with the Bumblebee caps and CTS pots in 50s wiring, the electronics package on this guitar is functionally identical to what you’d find in a Gibson Custom Shop ’57 Goldtop reissue costing several times more.
The Rounded C neck profile sits somewhere between the fat ’59 and the slim ’60 — it’s a comfortable medium that suits most hand sizes and playing styles. The rosewood fretboard with trapezoid inlays is classic Les Paul Standard aesthetic, and the Double Gold finish has the slightly aged, creamy gold look of a vintage Goldtop rather than the bright, metallic gold of a modern repaint.
For another take on the Epiphone formula, check out the Epiphone Les Paul Special Double Cut Figured.
Who Is the 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue For?
Players who love the warmth and musicality of PAF-style humbuckers and want a guitar that stands out visually without being flashy. The Goldtop finish has a timeless elegance that works equally well on a jazz gig, a blues club stage, or a rock arena. It’s the Les Paul for players who appreciate history — Duane Allman’s ’57 Goldtop is one of the most storied guitars in rock history, and this Epiphone captures that same spirit.
The Bumblebee capacitors make this version particularly appealing to players who use their tone knob as an active part of their sound — jazz and blues players who ride the tone control to shape their voice in real time. If your tone knob is always on 10, you won’t notice the difference. If you live between 4 and 8, you’ll feel it immediately.
If you’re exploring the Epiphone lineup, the Epiphone Explorer 80s EMG is also worth a look.
✓ PROS
- Bumblebee paper-in-oil capacitors provide noticeably smoother tone rolloff than standard caps
- Gibson USA Custombucker pickups with Alnico III — same as every model in this line
- The Double Gold VOS finish looks convincingly vintage and ages gracefully
- Historically significant — the ’57 Goldtop is where the humbucker Les Paul story begins
✗ CONS
- Only available in one finish (Double Gold) — no burst options
- Gold finish can be polarizing; some players find it too flashy for their taste
- Same Epiphone hardware (tuners, bridge) that could benefit from aftermarket upgrades
How Does It Compare to the Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue?
Both cost $1,299 and share the same Custombucker pickups and hand-wired electronics. The key differences: the ’57 uses Bumblebee paper-in-oil capacitors (the ’59 uses Mallory caps), the ’57 has a Rounded C neck (the ’59 has a ’59 Medium C — slightly chunkier), and the finish options are completely different. Tonally, the Bumblebee caps give the ’57 a slightly warmer, more musical tone rolloff. If you ride your tone knob frequently, the ’57 is the better choice. If you leave everything on 10 and shape tone at the amp, the ’59 or ’60 will serve you equally well.
Shoppers cross-shopping this model should also consider the Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom Long Scale.
First Impressions and What Players Are Saying
MusicRadar’s review concluded that “if these Inspired by Gibson Custom Epiphones aren’t on your radar yet, they should be,” calling the Goldtop a guitar that “looks, feels and sounds far more expensive than it actually is.” Players have praised the Double Gold finish as “the best factory Goldtop color outside of Gibson Custom” and the Bumblebee caps as a genuine tonal upgrade that justifies choosing the ’57 over the ’59 or ’60 models.
The historical significance of the model hasn’t been lost on collectors, either. Several forum posts note that the ’57 Goldtop reissue is the model most likely to appreciate in value over time, given its connection to one of the most iconic guitar years in history.
Shoppers cross-shopping this model should also consider the Squier Sonic Mustang 2026.
Pricing and Availability
Available now at $1,299 with the vintage-style hardshell case included. The Double Gold finish is the only option, which simplifies the buying decision. Stock through major retailers including Sweetwater, Guitar Center, and Musician’s Friend.
FAQ
Is the Epiphone 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue worth it?
Yes. At $1,299 it matches the ’59 and ’60 reissues on specs while adding Bumblebee paper-in-oil capacitors — a meaningful upgrade for players who use their tone knob. The iconic Goldtop finish and historical significance of the ’57 model make it the most distinctive guitar in the Inspired by Gibson Custom line.
Players looking for something in a similar vein might also consider the Epiphone 1964 SG Standard Reissue.
What’s the difference between the Epiphone 1957 Goldtop and the 1959 Les Paul?
Same pickups and basic construction, but the ’57 uses Bumblebee paper-in-oil capacitors (smoother tone rolloff) versus the ’59’s Mallory caps. The neck profiles differ slightly, and the ’57 comes exclusively in Double Gold while the ’59 offers burst finishes. Choose the ’57 if you value tone-knob interaction; choose the ’59 for the classic Sunburst look.
What pickups does the Epiphone 1957 Les Paul Goldtop use?
Gibson USA Custombucker humbuckers with Alnico III magnets, made at Gibson’s Nashville pickup facility. These replicate the Patent Applied For (PAF) humbuckers that debuted on the ’57 Goldtop — the first production Les Paul to feature humbucking pickups.
Where is the Epiphone 1957 Les Paul Goldtop made?
The guitar body and neck are made in China. The Custombucker pickups are manufactured at Gibson’s Nashville facility, and the Bumblebee capacitors, CTS potentiometers, and Switchcraft components are sourced from the same American suppliers Gibson uses for its USA-made instruments.
The 1957 Goldtop Reissue is the history nerd’s pick from the Inspired by Gibson Custom line. If you appreciate the story behind the instrument as much as the instrument itself, this is the guitar that started it all — the first humbucker Les Paul, reimagined for players who can’t drop five figures on the vintage original.