1999 Epiphone Japan LPC-80 Les Paul Custom in Ebony - Made in Japan / Fujigen / JDM
A genuine slice of late-90s Japanese Les Paul craftsmanship. The Epiphone
Japan LPC-80 was built exclusively for the Japanese Domestic Market between
1998 and 2002, manufactured at the legendary Fujigen Gakki factory under
license from Gibson and managed by Yamano Gakki. These were the direct
successors to the Orville by Gibson line, and they carried over the same
build philosophy: real Gibson-style open-book headstock, long neck tenon,
multi-ply binding, and serious build quality you cannot find on any
Korean or Chinese Epiphone.
Today, LPC-80s are increasingly hard to find outside Japan. With only a
four-year production window and domestic-only distribution, the supply
in the international market is naturally limited.
== SPECIFICATIONS ==
- Model: LPC-80 Les Paul Custom (JDM)
- Year: 1999 (November)
- Country of Origin: Japan
- Factory: Fujigen Gakki
- Serial: 911448
- Color: Ebony (Gloss)
- Body: Mahogany with carved mahogany top
- Neck: Mahogany, set neck, long tenon construction
- Fingerboard: Rosewood with pearloid block inlays
- Headstock: Open-book with split-diamond inlay, 5-ply binding
- Body binding: 7-ply
- Scale: 24.75"
- Nut width: 1.68"
- Pickups: Two humbuckers
- Controls: 2 Volume, 1 Tone, 1 Master Tone
- Hardware: Gold (Tune-O-Matic bridge, Stop tailpiece, diecast tuners)
- Weight: 4.6 kg
== CONDITION ==
Overall: Good
- Body: Some scratches and playwear consistent with age
- Neck: Straight, truss rod has room to spare
- Frets: Approximately 60-70% remaining
- Hardware: Tarnish on gold parts (vintage patina)
Notes on the electronics: one tone pot has been replaced (functions
correctly). One tone pot is slightly loose but operates normally. The
pickup selector switch tip is missing. One pickup mounting ring has a
crack. All electronics function as intended.
Please review all photos carefully for the exact cosmetic condition.
== INCLUDED ==
- Soft case
== WHY THIS GUITAR ==
The LPC-80 represents one of the best-kept secrets in the Japanese
guitar world. Built at Fujigen during the same period as Orville by
Gibson production, with the same long-tenon construction and Gibson-spec
headstock, this is a true player-grade Les Paul Custom with vintage
mojo. The Ebony finish with gold hardware delivers the classic "Black
Beauty" aesthetic that defined Les Paul Customs from the late 50s
onward, and the weight (4.6 kg) suggests a meaty, resonant tone block.
Whether you're a Les Paul collector looking for a quality Japan-built
piece, a player wanting that long-tenon feel without paying Gibson
prices, or simply a fan of late-90s MIJ craftsmanship, this LPC-80
deserves a serious look.
Any questions, please feel free to ask.
