Head to head
Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy, Aged Bengal Tiger Burst vs Gibson Explorer Custom Figured Top, VOS, Cobra Burst
The verdict
The Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy, Aged Bengal Tiger Burst and Gibson Explorer Custom Figured Top, VOS, Cobra Burst are closely matched overall — 74 to 75 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
- Better sound (74 vs 68)
- Better value (71 vs 65)
- Lower price ($1,199 vs $7,699)
Gibson Explorer Custom Figured Top, VOS, Cobra Burst wins on
- Better build (87 vs 71)
Scorecard
| Metric | Les Paul Prophecy, Aged Bengal Tiger Burst | Explorer Custom Figured Top, VOS, Cobra Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 74 | 75 |
| Build | 71 | 87 |
| Playability | 78 | 75 |
| Sound | 74 | 68 |
| Value | 71 | 65 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Les Paul Prophecy, Aged Bengal Tiger Burst | Explorer Custom Figured Top, VOS, Cobra Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Gibson |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | US |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Solid mahogany |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Solid Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 24 | 22 |
| Scale | 24.72" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | Fishman Fluence Epiphone Prophecy Neck / Fishman Fluence Epiphone Prophecy Bridge | 490R / 498T |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,199 | $7,699 |
| Body Finish | Aged Gloss | VOS Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | Les Paul | Explorer |
| Body Styles | Les Paul | Explorer |
| Bridge | Epiphone LockTone Tune-O-Matic | Tune-O-Matic |
| Bridge pickup | Fishman Fluence Epiphone Prophecy Bridge | 498T |
| Case | Premium Gig Bag | Custom Shop Hardshell |
| Control Covers | Black; PVC, back plate with battery compartment | — |
| Control Knobs | Knurled Metal : Brushed Nickel | Black Speed Knobs |
| Controls | 2 Volume (push/pull coil splits); 2 Tone (push/pull Vintage/Modern pickup) | 2 volume, master tone |
| End Of Board Width | 57.35mm / 2.26in | 56.89mm / 2.24in |
| Finish | Brushed Nickel | Gold |
| Fretboard inlay | Block and Triangle; Abalone compliments body color | Mother of Pearl Block |
| Fretboard radius | 305.0mm / 12.01in | 12 in. | 304.8 mm |
| Fret Count | 24 | 22 |
| Headstock | 60s Kalamazoo | — |
| Headstock Inlay | Modern Epiphone in Mother of Pearl; Custom Split Diamond in Mother of Pearl | — |
| Jack Plate Cover | Brushed Nickel | Gold-plated Brass |
| Joint | Glued-In, Set Neck | Long Tenon |
| Model | EILPYABTBN1 | DSMXPSL000000485 |
| Mounting Rings | Black; PVC | Black M69 |
| Neck pickup | Fishman Fluence Epiphone Prophecy Neck | 490R |
| Nut | Graph Tech NuBone XL Black | Corian |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 42.85mm / 1.69in |
| Output Jack | Epiphone Heavy Duty 1/4" | — |
| Pickguard | None | Black Multi-Ply |
| Pickup Covers | Brushed Nickel | Gold-Plated |
| Pickup Selector | 3-way toggle switch, Epiphone all-metal | 3-way toggle |
| Plastic Parts | Black; PVC | — |
| Profile | Asymmetrical SlimTaper | Medium C |
| Saddle Material | Brushed Nickel | — |
| Scale length | 628.0mm / 24.72in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Strap Buttons | PosiLok Strap Buttons | Brass |
| String gauges | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 |
| Switch Tip | Black Cap | Black |
| Switchwasher | None | Black |
| Tailpiece | Epiphone LockTone Stop Bar | Stop Bar |
| Top wood | Carved Hard Maple Cap with AAA Flame Maple Veneer | AAA Figured Maple |
| Truss rod | Dual Action | 2-way Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | 2-Ply, 3-Hole Bell | 2-Ply Black/White |
| Tuner Plating | Brushed Nickel | Gold |
| Tuners | Grover Locking Rotomatic | Grover Kidney |
| Accessories | — | Gibson Custom Certificate of Authenticity |
| Binding | — | Multi-ply |
| Weight Relief | — | None |