I have a 2004 Epiphone Les Paul Standard bass, I must confess I was a little underwhelmed by the stock pickups. So I overkilled the situation and dropped in 2 EMG-HBs and an EMG-BTC control for 3 band EQ with mid sweep. Which means I spent as much on upgrades as buying the bass itself, oops It's a monster now though, and while I have a horrible 3 point bridge instead of the nice bridge with separate tailpiece I do have an extra fret over the Gibson LP. Lookswise, at least for the black model there's not a lot in it, save for the logo. Doubtless a burst finish would expose some less nice looking wood on the Epi.