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1998 Epiphone Les Paul Standard bass

B

Bassdude66

Feb 23, 2026
46
67
#1
Hello all,

I just acquired this Epiphone bass. The seller spoke about its rarity color-wise and I was wondering what y’all thought about that. Also any general thoughts on playability, etc. would be appreciated. Thanks!

Bill
 

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#2
I like the general shape of these basses, as I find the single cut and 2 buckers setup aesthetically pleasing. However, as with most single cuts with strap buttons on the upper "horn", neck dive is often an issue - even more so with a standard scale.

Can't comment on the rarity of the color, but I do dig the block inlays. Classy looking bass.
 
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#3
As the former-former owner of this bass, I can commemt that I acquired it at the Tinicum Guitar Barn five years back. No mention of its rarity, but I purchased after handling, impressed with its warm, vintage tone. I had it professionally setup, it being the first three-point bridge I'd owned, and the setup remained stable for years. Hex core DR Low Riders ended up as my favorite strings on it, but Roto rounds were nice for pick. Ultimately, I felt the neck shape was more than my hands can manage comfortably.

Enjoy it in good health!
 
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#4
ImTheOnlyOne said:
As the former-former owner of this bass, I can commemt that I acquired it at the Tinicum Guitar Barn five years back. No mention of its rarity, but I purchased after handling, impressed with its warm, vintage tone. I had it professionally setup, it being the first three-point bridge I'd owned, and the setup remained stable for years. Hex core DR Low Riders ended up as my favorite strings on it, but Roto rounds were nice for pick. Ultimately, I felt the neck shape was more than my hands can manage comfortably.

Enjoy it in good health!
Click to expand...
Thanks so much for responding! That’s wild that you were a former owner. I’m enjoying it so far!
 
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#5
ImTheOnlyOne said:
As the former-former owner of this bass, I can commemt that I acquired it at the Tinicum Guitar Barn five years back. No mention of its rarity, but I purchased after handling, impressed with its warm, vintage tone. I had it professionally setup, it being the first three-point bridge I'd owned, and the setup remained stable for years. Hex core DR Low Riders ended up as my favorite strings on it, but Roto rounds were nice for pick. Ultimately, I felt the neck shape was more than my hands can manage comfortably.

Enjoy it in good health!
Click to expand...
Can I ask you what color you were told it was? Vintage Sunburst seems to be the prevailing opinion.
 
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#13
Look up Epiphone Desert Burst. It’s close to that I think. DB wasn’t a super common color on LP’s. But some slipped out. I want to say this was around 1999 or so. But it was a factory shade.

Epis bursts have gotten better over the years.

Nearly all Epi VSB I’ve seen have a nearly black edge. This seems to lack that.

It could be a slightly warmer darker version of Honey Burst.

Possibly Tobacco Sunburst.

What year and what finishes were offered? What’s Gibson say?

Modern dyes are virtually fade proof. It’s definitely not a faded cherry burst.

All in IMHO. But I chased Les Paul’s for a number of years and have had Gibsons and Epis. Also Epi has used different plants over the years. Some of them had their own style of burst with in a name or color range.

Last but not least sometimes you will see pencil marks in pickup or control cavities.

Regardless she’s a looker. Who cares what the name is.
 
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#15

The old unofficial Epiphone archive is still out there and still maybe the best and only source for older Epi info.

It’s definitely a 1998-2005 Standard. All the right features. Unless the posters camera is completely mis calibrated is also most definitely Not the regular heritage cherry sunburst or wine red listed. And you can click on the pic to see one in the traditional bold cherry burst.

I would say it’s possibly Honeyburst since that was popular in the guitar lines and the paint booths were spraying that particular burst. It’s more Honeyburst than CherryBurst.

The old Epiphone wiki is generally quite accurate in what’s presented. But may not be accurate if let’s say a color was added for a region or a retailer and it never got updated.

EG one poster said he’s seen these in black. Which is most certainly true. But was it a 1998-2005 Standard or another year and model?
 
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#17
i love this era of epiphone (see my avatar). yours was not a common burst, as the red-hued variety was by far the most common. They also came in solid black.

i know everyone assumes they neck dive, but mine balances beautifully on a strap. your model records great, as it has a nice mid-range that sits great in a mix. enjoy it! they are awesome basses, and the Gibson variety just keeps skyrocketing in price.
 
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#19
It’s a 10 on looks. Great color also. Sound / tone, playability, balance / weight can’t be determined from pics, but neck dive with this body shape has already been mentioned. Super lightweight tuners and a wide suede leather strap might take care of that.

I’ve played a few Les Paul basses and still own a Gibson Thunderbird. I like the tone of the TBird a lot. I would expect what you have would sound similar.

Good luck with it!
 

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