Head to head
Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy, Aged Bengal Tiger Burst vs Gibson 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue, VOS, Classic White
The verdict
The Gibson 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue, VOS, Classic White 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 $6,599)
Gibson 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue, VOS, Classic White wins on
- Better build (87 vs 71)
Scorecard
| Metric | Les Paul Prophecy, Aged Bengal Tiger Burst | 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue, VOS, Classic White |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Mahogany Explorer Reissue, VOS, Classic White |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Mahogany | 2-piece Mahogany |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| 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 Alnico 3 (Unpotted) / Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted) |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,199 | $6,599 |
| Body Finish | Aged Gloss | Nitrocellulose VOS (Vintage Patina) |
| Body shape | Les Paul | Explorer |
| Body Styles | Les Paul | Explorer |
| Bridge | Epiphone LockTone Tune-O-Matic | ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic |
| Bridge pickup | Fishman Fluence Epiphone Prophecy Bridge | Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted) |
| Case | Premium Gig Bag | Historic Explorer Brown/Pink Hardshell |
| Control Covers | Black; PVC, back plate with battery compartment | — |
| Control Knobs | Knurled Metal : Brushed Nickel | Black Top Hats |
| 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 | Nickel |
| Fretboard inlay | Block and Triangle; Abalone compliments body color | Cellulose 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 | — |
| Joint | Glued-In, Set Neck | Hide Glue Fit |
| Model | EILPYABTBN1 | 58MEXPPSL22874 |
| Mounting Rings | Black; PVC | — |
| Neck pickup | Fishman Fluence Epiphone Prophecy Neck | Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted) |
| Nut | Graph Tech NuBone XL Black | Nylon |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 42.8mm / 1.69in |
| Output Jack | Epiphone Heavy Duty 1/4" | 1/4" Switchcraft |
| Pickguard | None | Multi-ply black |
| Pickup Covers | Brushed Nickel | — |
| Pickup Selector | 3-way toggle switch, Epiphone all-metal | 3-Way Switchcraft |
| Plastic Parts | Black; PVC | Black |
| Profile | Asymmetrical SlimTaper | 50s Vintage |
| Saddle Material | Brushed Nickel | — |
| Scale length | 628.0mm / 24.72in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Strap Buttons | PosiLok Strap Buttons | — |
| String gauges | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 |
| Switch Tip | Black Cap | — |
| Switchwasher | None | — |
| Tailpiece | Epiphone LockTone Stop Bar | Stop Bar |
| Top wood | Carved Hard Maple Cap with AAA Flame Maple Veneer | — |
| Truss rod | Dual Action | — |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-Ply, 3-Hole Bell | — |
| Tuner Plating | Brushed Nickel | — |
| Tuners | Grover Locking Rotomatic | Kluson Deluxe |