Best Epiphone Double Cut Guitars 2026
Alright, so you're looking at Epiphone Double Cutaways? Smart move. They've been a workhorse for decades, offering a lot of Gibson Les Paul vibe without the Gibson price tag. But not all Double Cuts are created equal, and figuring out which one's right for you - whether it's for slamming out power chords at rehearsal or laying down some bluesy leads - takes a little digging. Let's break down what makes these guitars tick.
Last updated: September 1, 2026
Epiphone Les Paul Special DC TV Yellow
- • Mahogany body and set-in neck for solid resonance
- • Classic P-90 PRO soapbars for raw, cutting tone
- • '60s Slim Taper neck profile for easy playability
- • High-gloss TV Yellow finish looks striking on stage
- • No weight specification listed in the description
- • Single-ply pickups offer less output than humbuckers
- • Limited electronics with only two tone controls
Epiphone Les Paul Special DC Fig OceanW
- • Heavy mahogany body offers solid resonance
- • 60s Slim Taper neck feels familiar and comfortable
- • ProBucker pickups deliver classic humbucker tone
- • Graph Tech nut ensures stable tuning stability
- • No weight spec listed in the description
- • Single volume and tone control limits tone shaping
- • Flamed maple is just a veneer, not solid top
Epiphone Les Paul Special DC Fig BB
- • Mahogany body and set neck provide solid resonance
- • AAA flamed maple veneer adds visual depth
- • ProBucker pickups deliver strong output
- • 60s Slim Taper neck offers comfortable playability
- • Missing humbucker in neck position
- • No active electronics for boost
- • Weight not listed in description
Epiphone SG Standard Cherry IBG
- • Mahogany body and set-in neck ensure strong resonance and stable tuning
- • Slim Taper C neck profile offers easy access for chord shapes
- • ProBucker pickups deliver thick, punchy tone suitable for rock and blues
- • Graph Tech nut and Grover heads provide smooth action and reliable tuning
- • No specified weight means heavy lifting may be an issue for players
- • Single-ply binding feels less durable than thicker traditional binding
- • Missing specific electronics details like output impedance or preamp type
Epiphone Fatoumata Diawara SG
- • Mahogany body and neck for warm, resonant tone
- • Graph Tech nut ensures precise intonation across all frets
- • Coil-split switches let you switch from humbucker to single-coil clarity
- • Gold hardware and locking tuners keep tuning stable in any setting
- • No weight listed, likely heavy for long play sessions
- • No active electronics mentioned for low-end punch
- • Red high-gloss finish may show fingerprints easily
Epiphone SG Standard EB IBG
- • Mahogany body and set-in neck for solid resonance
- • Slim Taper C neck profile plays easily
- • ProBucker 3 humbuckers deliver thick output
- • Graph Tech nut ensures precise intonation
- • Ebony finish feels heavier than typical finishes
- • No active electronics boost for volume
- • Single-ply binding lacks durability
Epiphone 1960 Les Paul Special DC TVY
- • Mahogany body delivers a warm, resonant tone with excellent sustain.
- • Gibson Custom USA P-90s offer a raw, powerful, and articulate vintage sound.
- • Slim taper neck profile provides comfortable playability for fast runs and chords.
- • Historic Aluminum Wraparound bridge enhances sustain and tuning stability.
- • Limited pickup options restrict versatility for modern or heavily distorted genres.
- • Rosewood fretboard may require more frequent oiling to prevent dryness.
- • The TV Yellow finish, while striking, can be prone to showing fingerprints.
Epiphone IGC 1960 LP Special DC R CR
- • Mahogany body and set neck for solid resonance
- • Graph Tech nut ensures precise intonation
- • SlimTaper 60s C neck profile feels comfortable
- • Custom USA P-90 pickups deliver warm grit
- • No electronics diagram available for wiring
- • Weight not listed in the description
- • Missing hardware specifications beyond nickel
Epiphone SG Tribute Plus CB
- • Mahogany body with flamed maple top for warmth
- • 60s Slim Taper neck profile for comfortable play
- • Two humbuckers deliver thick, classic rock tone
- • Tune-O-Matic bridge ensures stable tuning under use
- • No weight spec listed, likely heavy for long sessions
- • Lack of active electronics limits volume control options
- • Laurel fretboard may wear faster than rosewood over time
Epiphone SG Tribute Plus EB
- • Affordable mahogany body with flamed maple top
- • Classic 60s Slim Taper neck profile
- • True humbucker pickups for thick tone
- • Reliable bolt-on construction
- • No specified weight feels unbalanced
- • Limited to two volume and tone controls
- • No pickup selection switch for tone shaping
Epiphone SG Tribute Plus VS
- • Mahogany body with flamed maple top for classic SG tone
- • 60s Slim Taper neck profile offers comfortable playability
- • Dual humbucker pickups with Zebra Coils for solid output
- • LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge ensures tight string tuning
- • No active electronics boost for high-gain applications
- • Bolt-on neck design may lack traditional set-neck stability
- • Limited control options with only two tone knobs
Epiphone IGC 1960 LP Special DC R TVW
- • Mahogany body and set neck for solid resonance
- • Graph Tech nut for stable tuning stability
- • Gibson Custom USA P-90s for bright tone
- • SlimTaper 60s neck profile for playability
- • No tremolo system for pitch bending
- • Single-ply binding limits aesthetic options
- • TV White finish may show wear easily
Epiphone SG Custom AW
- • Mahogany body provides warm, resonant sustain and excellent tonal foundation.
- • Ebony fingerboard offers a smooth, fast playing experience with crisp articulation.
- • CTS potentiometers deliver reliable, consistent volume and tone control.
- • The '60s Slim Taper neck profile is comfortable and accessible for many players.
- • Mahogany body can make it feel somewhat heavier than guitars with different wood combinations.
- • ProBucker pickups, while good, lack the extreme high-output of some modern alternatives.
- • Alpine White finish, while attractive, may show wear and tear more readily.
Epiphone SG Prophecy AJBM
- • Mahogany body delivers a warm, resonant core tone.
- • Ebony fingerboard offers a slick, fast playing experience.
- • Fishman Fluence pickups provide versatile, high-output tones.
- • Asymmetrical neck profile enhances comfort and playability.
- • Mahogany construction can make it feel somewhat heavy for extended playing.
- • Limited tonal flexibility compared to guitars with more pickup options.
- • Aged Jet Black finish may show fingerprints and smudges easily.
Epiphone SG Custom Futura M Ember Shift
- • Mahogany body and set neck offer strong, resonant sustain
- • Graph Tech nut and stainless steel frets ensure clear note definition
- • Probucker Ignite humbuckers provide tight low-end and tight mids
- • Compound radius fingerboard plays comfortably under both hands
- • Midnight Ember Shift color is dark and may hide wear easily
- • No active electronics or battery for pickup preamp boost
- • No specific weight listed for player comfort during long sets
Every double cut guitars that matches
19 models match this page. The 15 above are covered in detail; the rest are listed here with their published specifications.
| # | Model | Specifications | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Epiphone SG Custom Futura Nitro Shift | Scale 629 mm (24.76") · Fingerboard radius 254 mm (10") · Body Mahogany body · Fingerboard Ebony fingerboard | $1,100 |
| 17 | Epiphone Les Paul Special DC Cherry Red | Frets 22 frets · Fingerboard radius 305 mm (12.01") · Body Mahogany body · Fingerboard Rosewood fingerboard | $579 |
| 18 | Epiphone SG Modern Figured Purple Burst | Scale 629 mm (24.76") · Frets 24 frets · Body Mahogany body · Fingerboard Ebony fingerboard | $714 |
| 19 | Epiphone SG 1963 Custom Maestro CW VOS | Body Mahogany body · Fingerboard Ebony fingerboard | $1,352 |
Double Cut Guitars by the numbers
Measured across all 245 models in this category, so «wide», «short» or «expensive» mean something you can check.
How to Choose the Best Double Cut Guitars
Heritage & Value
Epiphone's connection to Gibson is undeniable. You're getting a lineage of design and construction, adapted for a more accessible price point. This means a familiar feel and aesthetics, but with compromises we'll discuss.
Neck Profile & Playability
This is key. Epiphone's neck profiles have varied wildly over the years. Some are chunky and vintage-feeling, others surprisingly slim and modern. A comfortable neck makes a huge difference in your ability to play fast and cleanly, especially during long gigs.
Pickup Voicing
The pickups are often the biggest differentiator between Epiphone models. Early models had Alnico Classic pickups that offered a warm, slightly compressed tone - good for rock and blues. Newer models sometimes use different formulations, which can lean brighter or more aggressive. Listen for that fat midrange honk or that ice-picky high end - and decide which you prefer.
Construction & Hardware
Epiphone's build quality has improved significantly over the years, but it's still a trade-off. You'll find mahogany bodies and maple tops on many models, but the hardware (tuners, bridge) might not be top-tier. This can impact tuning stability and sustain - things you'll notice on stage.
Aesthetic & Finish
Let's be honest, looks matter. Epiphones offer a wide range of finishes, from classic sunbursts to eye-catching metallics. While the finish itself might not be as thick or flawless as a Gibson, a well-chosen color can significantly impact the guitar's overall appeal and perceived value.
Buying Guide
Don't expect a $3000 Les Paul for $300. Epiphones cut corners - often in the hardware and finish - to hit that price point. Pay attention to the neck profile; try before you buy if possible. Upgrading the pickups is a common mod if you're not happy with the stock voicing, and better tuners are always a worthwhile investment for gigging stability.
How This List Is Built
We don't play these instruments — we're a catalog, not a review desk, and we'd rather say so than pretend otherwise. This page covers 19 of 245 double cut guitars from the Thomann catalogue, which is the largest single source of specification data in this category: 15 in detail, the rest listed with their specifications.
Position is computed, not curated. We parse the manufacturer's own description into actual values — nut width, scale, fret count, fingerboard radius, size, alloy — and rank on them: how many specifications a model has published, how many of them are measurable numbers, and how precisely it meets this page's criterion. A product image adds a little. Price is not a ranking signal: it tells you nothing about whether a neck fits your hand. The same inputs always produce the same order, so nothing here is shuffled to look fresh.
What this list is good for: narrowing a category down to a shortlist by spec and budget. What it isn't: a substitute for hearing an instrument. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.