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Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone
VS
Playability
73
Sound
78
Build
67
Value
73
Score
73
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Playability
70
Sound
71
Build
57
Value
71
Score
66
FIND IT ON:
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Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins vs Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone

Reasons to Get
Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins over Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone

Weight Relief
Yes vs None
Lighter Body
Neck Profile
Slim vs Thin U
Thin and flat neck for playing fast
Pickup Mods
Multiple vs None
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.685'' (42.8mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Strap Lock
Yes vs None
Protects your guitar from dropping by locking the strap
Bridge
Fixed vs Bigsby Tremolo
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm) vs 29.75'' (755.7mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Avg. Weight
8.05lbs (3.7kgs) vs 8.95lbs (4.1kgs)
Tends to be lighter
Value Score
73 vs 71
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone over Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins

Neck Profile
Thin U vs Slim
Comfortable neck with more grip
Neck Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Nut Width
1.685'' (42.8mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Bigsby Tremolo vs Fixed
Intense vibrato with a solid arm
Scale Length
29.75'' (755.7mm) vs 24.75'' (628.7mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone

Other Key Differences
Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins vs Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone

Bridge Pickup
Fishman MKH Fluence Ceramic vs Gretsch Mini Humbucking
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fishman MKH Fluence Alnico vs Gretsch Mini Humbucking
Different Neck Pickup
Neck Wood
Mahogany vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony vs Laurel
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Synthetic Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins vs Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone

Body Wood
Mahogany
Same Body Wood
Headstock
3-3
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm)
Same fretboard comfortability
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins is probably the better product overall with its final score of 73 compared to the Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone's 66 score, although not by a lot.

The Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality, value for the money. This means that it wins over the Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone in every aspect.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins is the better choice.

The Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins meets 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone meets only 4. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins Overview

  • From Epiphone's 2022 Artist Collection series
  • Matt Heafy Signature
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman MKH Fluence Ceramic (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman MKH Fluence Alnico (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Epiphone LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Slim Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Grover Locking Rotomatic with Tulip Buttons tuners
  • Weight between 7.6lbs (3.4kgs) and 8.5lbs (3.9kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone Overview

  • From Gretsch's 2022 Electromatic series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 29.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Gretsch Mini Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Gretsch Mini Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Bigsby bridge
  • Thin U Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Die-Cast tuners
  • Weight between 8.8lbs (4kgs) and 9.1lbs (4.1kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Woods Used in the Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins

Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Woods Used in the Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
Laurel

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

There are many types of Laurel, but East Indian is the most common for guitar building. Its color can vary from dark to light brown with black lines. Many people find its tonality similar to Rosewood, which favors the warmer frequencies. Find out more about Laurel.

Winner: Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Tie.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Only the Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins comes with some kind of pickup modification: Coil Split, Multi-Voicing.

Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

Multi-Voicing means the pickups come with multiple ''voices'', which means they can change the tone and gain by a simple switch or knob. Piezo, Fishman and similar are considered multi-voicing pickups.

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins's switch options
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins
Pickups 90
Sustain 75
Versatility 68
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 78
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone
Pickups 90
Sustain 70
Versatility 59
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 71

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins compares to the Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in China.

China has a bad reputation when it comes to building quality. However, times have changed and now respectable brands use China's cheap labor to build good instruments for a lower price. Don't discount a guitar only because it was built in China, but also expect more quality from countries like Korea.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins has a Ivory Tusq nut. Ivory used to be considered the best material for guitar nuts due to its beauty, durability, and the rich harmonics and sustain you could get from a guitar with it. However, the way to obtain it is simply unethical. Enter TUSQ ivory nuts, which are made synthetically to imitate ivory. Technically, it's better than ivory because it is consistent piece-to-piece, while natural materials can vary a lot, even if they're made from the same.

On the other hand, the Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone comes with a Synthetic Bone nut. Bone is the best natural material for guitar nuts. However, its tonal properties can be inconsistent. That's the problem that synthetic bone fixes. This is much better than using a plastic nut because the nut is more slippery—which helps with tuning stability—, and it gives your open strings rich harmonics.

Winner: Tie.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

The Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins's brige is a Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

On the other hand, the Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone's is a Bigsby Tremolo. Bigsby tremolos are built differently than regular tremolos. They have a stiffer arm, which is something a lot of people like because the arm won't wiggle around a lot. On the other hand, this type of tremolo is more complicated to restring and it might not be as newbie-friendly as other simpler tremolos.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone.

Tuners

The Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Winner: Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

The Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins has a Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

On the other hand, the Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone comes with Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split, Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Weight Relief
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in China
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone
  • Expensive Wood
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins
Quality of materials 61
Features 75
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 67
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone
Quality of materials 56
Features 55
Quality Control 60
Build Quality 57

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins Nut Width
Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins Nut Width
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone Nut Width
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 42.8mm (1.685''). This is a 0.2mm (0.008'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins's Scale Length
Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins's Scale Length
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone's Scale Length
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone's Scale Length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

The Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone has the longest scale: 29.75". The Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins is only 24.75" long. This is a 5'' (127mm) scale length difference.

This longer scale means that the strings need more tension to get in tune. This is good if you want to avoid fret buzz, which can happen when the strings are too loose and touch the frets while vibrating. This is especially important when playing in lower tunings. This will also let you reduce the gap between fretboard and strings (low action) to make them easier to press down. However, this higher tension will also make it harder to perform bends and vibratos as the strings will feel stiffer.

This also means that the frets have a longer separation between each other, so this will make it harder for people with smaller hands when playing some chord positions.

Another characteristic of a longer scale is that it makes the guitar sound 'snappier' or brighter. This is due to the extra separation between harmonics and overtones produced by the tension. This influences tone more than any other factor (except the pickups).

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins Neck Profile
Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins's neck profile
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone Neck Profile
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins has a D type of neck. This is a thin and flat neck that is made for playing fast. If you prefer a neck that doesn't get in your way when soloing, this is the shape you should use. Guitarists that prefer to have a bit more grip won't like this type of neck.

The Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone, on the other hand, has a U neck. This is also referred to as ''baseball neck'' because of its shape. It's usually thick, which is why some people with big hands like it. However, they can also be thin, similar to a C shape, but with more shoulders for a better grip.

Fretboard Radius

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins Fingerboard Radius
Both Guitars Have The Same Fretboard Radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

Both the Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins and the Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone have the same fretboard radius of 12". This is the radius used in most Gibson guitars. It gives you a good balance for playing chords without muting, but also good comfortability for playing single notes and bending.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both in this comparison favor small hands .

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins and Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone Frets Size
Both have a similar Medium Jumbo fret size

Both have a Medium Jumbo fret size. These are slightly shorter than full Jumbo frets, so you'll still feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings. However, they interfere less with your fretting hand than medium-size frets. This is a good size if you like easy-to-press frets, but would still like to feel a bit of the fretboard when playing.

Final Playability Scores

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 70
Playability 73
Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 60
Playability 70

Specs Side-by-Side

Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins vs Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone
General Epiphone Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom Origins Gretsch G5260T Electromatic Jet Baritone
Brand: Epiphone Gretsch
Year: 2022 2022
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: China China
Series: Artist Collection Electromatic
Colors: White, Black Black, Blue, Gray
Left-Handed Version: Yes No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany Mahogany
Bridge: Epiphone LockTone Tune-O-Matic Bigsby
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Bolt-On
Tuners: Grover Locking Rotomatic with Tulip Buttons Die-Cast
Fretboard: Ebony Laurel
Neck Material: Mahogany Maple
Decoration: Custom Blocks Pearloid Neo-Classic Thumbnail
Scale Size: 24.75" 29.75"
Shape: Slim Thin U
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 12"
Nut: Ivory Tusq Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 42.8mm (1.685'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Fishman MKH Fluence Ceramic (Humbucker / Passive) Gretsch Mini Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Fishman MKH Fluence Alnico (Humbucker / Passive) Gretsch Mini Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: Coil Split, Multi-Voicing None
Volume Controls: 2 1
Tone Controls: 2 1