Epiphone Jared James Nichols "Old Glory" Les Paul Custom

Probably the coolest Epiphone to come out in years, Jared James Nichols' signature model makes our pulse jump up. It's a Les Paul Custom reduced to the essentials: a single Seymour Duncan P-90, one volume control, one tone control and a wrap-around bridge. An inspired combination – like a Les Paul Junior in a tuxedo.

The single pickup is not just a quirky specification. It changes the way you play. Plug this into a good tube amp, leave the effects off and control the overdrive from the guitar's volume and tone controls, and you get the full range of sounds that a good single-pickup guitar can produce. Picking position, attack, volume control and the tone knob all suddenly matter much more. It is a wonderfully direct way of playing, and one that forces you to get more out of your fingers. Of course, there is nothing stopping you from running it through a pedalboard either.

The Old Glory is based on the 1950s Les Paul Custom and was the first Epiphone signature model developed with Nichols. The traditional Custom details are all here: mahogany body and set mahogany neck, multi-ply binding, ebony fingerboard with pearloid block inlays and the distinctive Custom-style headstock. The wraparound Lightning Bar serves as both bridge and tailpiece, with a small "Blues Power" plate underneath.

The finish is another big part of the appeal. This limited-edition Ebony version was deliberately aged, with a matte, worn-looking surface designed to develop further playing wear rather than trying to remain pristine. Add locking Grover tuners and CTS pots and this is a surprisingly serious specification for an Epiphone. A characterful, really special instrument.

This one is in very good condition, with just a tiny bit of wear and one ding on the back of the headstock. It was signed on the body by JJN, but the previous owner seems to have tried to remove the signature (or it was a black pen), so it is only visible when the light hits it.

Specifications

• Model: Epiphone Jared James Nichols "Old Glory" Les Paul Custom
• Signature model for Jared James Nichols
• Introduced: 2019
• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany, glued-in/set neck
• Neck profile: 1950s Rounded C
• Fingerboard: Ebony, 12" radius
• Inlays: Pearloid block
• Frets: 22 medium jumbo
• Scale: 24.75"
• Nut width: 1.68"
• Pickup: Seymour Duncan P-90, bridge position
• Controls: 1 volume, 1 tone with CTS pots
• Bridge: Wraparound "Lightning Bar" with "Blues Power" plate
• Tuners: Grover Rotomatic locking
• Finish: Matte Aged Ebony, limited edition
• Weight: 3.79 kg
• Condition: Very good, minor wear and one small ding on headstock
• Originality: Original apart from the visible/partially removed signature
• Includes: Epiphone gigbag and case candy