Head to head
Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy, Aged Bengal Tiger Burst vs Gibson 1958 Korina Explorer Reissue, Light Aged, Ebony
The verdict
The Gibson 1958 Korina Explorer Reissue, Light Aged, Ebony comes out ahead overall — 77 to 74 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy, Aged Bengal Tiger Burst wins on
- Lower price ($1,199 vs $11,499)
Gibson 1958 Korina Explorer Reissue, Light Aged, Ebony wins on
- Better build (87 vs 71)
Scorecard
| Metric | Les Paul Prophecy, Aged Bengal Tiger Burst | 1958 Korina Explorer Reissue, Light Aged, Ebony |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 74 | 77 |
| Build | 71 | 87 |
| Playability | 78 | 75 |
| Sound | 74 | 74 |
| Value | 71 | 67 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Les Paul Prophecy, Aged Bengal Tiger Burst | 1958 Korina Explorer Reissue, Light Aged, Ebony |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Korina |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Korina |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Indian Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | 22 |
| Scale | 24.72" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | Fishman Fluence Epiphone Prophecy Neck / Fishman Fluence Epiphone Prophecy Bridge | Custombucker / Custombucker |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,199 | $11,499 |
| Body Finish | Aged Gloss | Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | Les Paul | Explorer |
| Body Styles | Les Paul | Explorer |
| Bridge | Epiphone LockTone Tune-O-Matic | ABR-1 |
| Bridge pickup | Fishman Fluence Epiphone Prophecy Bridge | Custombucker |
| Case | Premium Gig Bag | Historic Explorer Brown/Pink Hardshell Case |
| Control Covers | Black; PVC, back plate with battery compartment | Brown Explorer |
| Control Knobs | Knurled Metal : Brushed Nickel | True Historic Gold |
| Controls | 2 Volume (push/pull coil splits); 2 Tone (push/pull Vintage/Modern pickup) | 2 Volume, 1 Tone, 500K CTS Vintage Taper Potentiometers, Phone Book Capacitor |
| End Of Board Width | 57.35mm / 2.26in | — |
| Finish | Brushed Nickel | Murphy Lab Aged Gold |
| Fretboard inlay | Block and Triangle; Abalone compliments body color | Pearloid Dot |
| Fretboard radius | 305.0mm / 12.01in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 24 | 22 |
| Headstock | 60s Kalamazoo | 1958 Explorer |
| Headstock Inlay | Modern Epiphone in Mother of Pearl; Custom Split Diamond in Mother of Pearl | Gibson Logo in Mother of Pearl |
| Jack Plate Cover | Brushed Nickel | '58 Explorer White 4-ply |
| Joint | Glued-In, Set Neck | Hide Glue Fit |
| Model | EILPYABTBN1 | 58KEXPSL21645 |
| Mounting Rings | Black; PVC | True Historic Black |
| Neck pickup | Fishman Fluence Epiphone Prophecy Neck | Custombucker |
| Nut | Graph Tech NuBone XL Black | Nylon |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 42.85mm / 1.69in |
| Output Jack | Epiphone Heavy Duty 1/4" | 1/4" Switchcraft |
| Pickguard | None | '58 Explorer White 4-ply |
| Pickup Covers | Brushed Nickel | True Historic Aged Gold |
| Pickup Selector | 3-way toggle switch, Epiphone all-metal | 3-Way Switchcraft |
| Plastic Parts | Black; PVC | — |
| Profile | Asymmetrical SlimTaper | 50s Vintage |
| Saddle Material | Brushed Nickel | — |
| Scale length | 628.0mm / 24.72in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Strap Buttons | PosiLok Strap Buttons | 2 - Brass |
| String gauges | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 |
| Switch Tip | Black Cap | True Historic Amber |
| Switchwasher | None | — |
| Tailpiece | Epiphone LockTone Stop Bar | Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar |
| Top wood | Carved Hard Maple Cap with AAA Flame Maple Veneer | — |
| Truss rod | Dual Action | Authentic 1950s No-Tube |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-Ply, 3-Hole Bell | True Historic Black |
| Tuner Plating | Brushed Nickel | Gold |
| Tuners | Grover Locking Rotomatic | Kluson with Celluloid Tips |