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Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard
Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST
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Playability
73
Sound
72
Build
62
Value
69
Score
69
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Playability
72
Sound
67
Build
54
Value
74
Score
64
FIND IT ON:
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Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard vs Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST Specs Comparison
Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST
General
Brand: Epiphone Fender Squier
Year: 2024 2018
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: China China
Series: Artist Contemporary
Colors: Yellow Green, Gray
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany Poplar
Bridge: Gibson Historic Wraparound with Intonation Set Screws 6-Saddle Adjustable Bridge Fixed
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Bolt-On
Tuners: Epiphone Deluxe Standard Die-Cast
Fretboard: Laurel Indian Laurel
Neck Material: Mahogany Maple
Decoration: Mother of Pearl Trapezoid Cream Dot
Scale Size: 24.75" 25.5"
Shape: Custom Tak '59 Rounded C Modern C
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 21 Narrow Tall Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 12"
Nut: Ivory Tusq Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Gibson Burstbucker PRO Alnico 5 (Humbucker / Passive) Squier SQR Active Ceramic Humbucker (Humbucker / Active)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Gibson Burstbucker PRO Alnico 5 (Humbucker / Passive) Squier SQR Ceramic Humbucker (Humbucker / Active)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Speed Bell
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 2 1
Tone Controls: 2 1
Hardware
Strap Lock: Yes No
Hardware Color: Nickel Black & Chrome
Show Diagrams Comparison
Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard and Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard and Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST's switch options

Reasons to Get
Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard over Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST

Release Year
2024 vs 2018
From a more recent year
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Narrow Tall
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickups Brand
Gibson vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Number of Frets
22 vs 21
Allows to reach higher notes
Strap Lock
Yes vs None
Protects your guitar from dropping by locking the strap
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm) vs 25.5'' (647.7mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed

Reasons to Get
Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST over Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard

Number of Frets
21 vs 22
Warmer neck pickup
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Narrow Tall vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm) vs 24.75'' (628.7mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output
Value Score
74 vs 69
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard vs Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST

Bridge Pickup
Gibson Burstbucker PRO Alnico 5 vs Squier SQR Active Ceramic Humbucker
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Gibson Burstbucker PRO Alnico 5 vs Squier SQR Ceramic Humbucker
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Mahogany vs Poplar
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Mahogany vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Headstock
3-3 vs 6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Synthetic Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard vs Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST

Fretboard Wood
Laurel
Same Fretboard Wood
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm)
Same fretboard comfortability
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut

Common Weaknesses

  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Locking Tuners
  • 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

Price History Comparison

Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard Prices

    SET PRICE ALERT

    Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST Prices

      SET PRICE ALERT

      These are affiliate links. We may earn a fee if you purchase after clicking. These prices are prone to error. Make sure you're buying the right product after clicking on a link from our site. We are not liable if you buy the wrong product after following these links. As an Amazon Associate site we earn from qualifying purchases.

      Hand Size Comfortability

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

      Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard:
      Big Hands
      Small Hands
      Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST:
      Big Hands
      Small Hands

      Beginner Friendliness

      Both meet 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. 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. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

      New Player Friendliness

      Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard
      • Comfortable shape
      • Easy-to-use bridge
      • Tall frets
      • Comfortable neck
      • Comfortable fretboard
      • Narrow nut
      • Short scale
      • Locking tuners

      New Player Friendliness

      Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST
      • Comfortable shape
      • Easy-to-use bridge
      • Tall frets
      • Comfortable neck
      • Comfortable fretboard
      • Narrow nut
      • Short scale
      • Locking tuners

      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

      Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
      Laurel

      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.

      Woods Used in the Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard

      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 Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST

      Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
      Maple
      Poplar wood pattern used for guitar building
      Poplar

      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.

      Poplar is a cheaper and heavier alternative to Alder wood. It terms of tone, it emphasizes the low-end and has cutting mids. It's relatively soft compared to most body woods. Find out more about Poplar.

      Winner: Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard.

      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

      The Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard has pickups from a more specialized brand than the Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST. Its pickups should simply give you a better, fuller sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Hard Rock and similar genres.

      The Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard's pickups are Passive while the Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST's are Active.

      Passive pickups are what most guitars use. These have a normal output that works well for most genres. However, Active pickups are the preferred choice of heavy metal players because they offer extra output thanks to their 9v battery, which results in a heavier, more distorted sound. Bear in mind that achieving a completely clean tone with them won't be easy. So if you want to also use clean tones, you might want to avoid Active pickups.

      Winner: Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard.

      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.

      Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

      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 Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard.

      Final Sound Quality Scores

      Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard
      Pickups 90
      Sustain 75
      Versatility 53
      Tuning Stability 70
      Sound 72
      Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST
      Pickups 60
      Sustain 90
      Versatility 49
      Tuning Stability 70
      Sound 67

      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 Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard compares to the Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST.

      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 Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard 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 Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST 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.

      Both come with a similar bridge: 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.

      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: Tie.

      Tuners

      Both come with regular tuners. The Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard's are Epiphone Deluxe while the Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST's are Standard Die-Cast

      Winner: Tie.

      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 Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard 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 Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST 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: Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST.

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

      Strengths & Weaknesses
      Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard
      • Expensive Wood
      • Ivory Tusq Nut
      • Top Brand Pickups
      • Strap Lock
      • 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 Tremolo
      • No Compound Radius Fretboard
      • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
      Strengths & Weaknesses
      Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST
      • Synthetic Bone Nut
      • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
      • No Locking Tuners
      • Made in China
      • No Expensive Woods
      • No Top Brand Pickups
      • No Neck-Through Build
      • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
      • No Weight Relief
      • No Luminescent Inlay
      • No Tremolo
      • No Compound Radius Fretboard
      • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
      • No Strap Lock

      Final Build Quality Scores

      Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard
      Quality of materials 66
      Features 55
      Quality Control 65
      Build Quality 62
      Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST
      Quality of materials 56
      Features 50
      Quality Control 55
      Build Quality 54

      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 Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard Nut Width
      Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

      The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 43mm (1.693'').

      This is within the most common range of nut widths for a 6-string guitar. It offers a good balance of string separation at the nut. It's the size that most guitarists prefer as it gives them just enough space to play open chords without muting the strings, but without spreading the strings too wide and making bar chords difficult to perform.

      Scale Length

      Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard's Scale Length
      Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard's Scale Length
      Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST's Scale Length
      Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST'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 Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST has the longest scale: 25.5". The Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard is only 24.75" long. This is a 0.75'' (19.1mm) 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 Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard Neck Profile
      Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard's neck profile
      Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST Neck Profile
      Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST'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.

      Both the Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard and the Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST have a C-shaped neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

      Fretboard Radius

      Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard 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 Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard and the Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST 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.

      Fret Size

      Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard Frets Size
      Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard's Frets Size
      Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST Frets Size
      Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST's Frets Size

      The Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST has Narrow Tall frets, which should be taller than the Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard's Medium Jumbo frets.

      Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

      Final Playability Scores

      Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard
      Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
      Chord Playability 65
      Solo Playability 70
      Playability 73
      Fender Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster HH ST
      Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
      Chord Playability 50
      Solo Playability 80
      Playability 72