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Ibanez RG5120M Prestige
Epiphone Les Paul Special
VS
Playability
73
Sound
82
Build
80
Value
73
Score
78
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Playability
73
Sound
65
Build
54
Value
79
Score
64
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Add more to comparison

Ibanez RG5120M Prestige vs Epiphone Les Paul Special

Reasons to Get
Ibanez RG5120M Prestige over Epiphone Les Paul Special

Country of Manufacturing
Japan vs China
Built with higher quality standards
Decorative Top
Ash vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
Super Wizard vs Vintage 50s
Thinnest neck you can get for shredding
Pickups Brand
Fishman vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Pickup Mods
Multi-Voicing vs None
Changes the voice (tones or gain) of the pickups
Neck Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Pickups
HH vs P90P90
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.67'' (17mm) vs 0.88'' (22.4mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.75'' (19.1mm) vs 0.96'' (24.4mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Bridge
Lo-Pro Edge vs Fixed
Intense vibratos with more features than a Floyd Rose
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm) vs 24.75'' (628.7mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Fretboard Radius
17'' (431.8mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output

Reasons to Get
Epiphone Les Paul Special over Ibanez RG5120M Prestige

Release Year
2020 vs 2019
From a more recent year
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
Vintage 50s vs Super Wizard
Great if you like to hang your thumb over the fretboard
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Pickups
P90P90 vs HH
Vintage tone with decent versatility
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.88'' (22.4mm) vs 0.67'' (17mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.96'' (24.4mm) vs 0.75'' (19.1mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Bridge
Fixed vs Lo-Pro Edge
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm) vs 25.5'' (647.7mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 17'' (431.8mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Value Score
79 vs 73
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Ibanez RG5120M Prestige vs Epiphone Les Paul Special

Bridge Pickup
Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic vs P-90 PRO Soap Bar
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic vs P-90 PRO Soap Bar
Different Neck Pickup
Neck Wood
Maple vs Mahogany
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Birdseye Maple vs Laurel
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
6 vs 3-3
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Locking vs Ivory Tusq
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Ibanez RG5120M Prestige vs Epiphone Les Paul Special

Body Wood
Mahogany
Same Body Wood
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Ibanez RG5120M Prestige is probably the better product overall with its final score of 78 compared to the Epiphone Les Paul Special's 64 score, which is a significant difference.

The Ibanez RG5120M Prestige wins when it comes to sound, build quality. On the other hand, the Epiphone Les Paul Special has the upper hand when it comes to value for the money.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Ibanez RG5120M Prestige.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

Both meet 3 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

Ibanez RG5120M Prestige
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

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

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.

Ibanez RG5120M Prestige Overview

  • From Ibanez's 2019 RG series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 17" Fretboard Radius
  • Ash top
  • African Mahogany body
  • Maple/Wenge neck
  • Bound Birdseye Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Lo-Pro Edge tremolo bridge
  • Super Wizard Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Gotoh machine heads tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Epiphone Les Paul Special Overview

  • From Epiphone's 2020 Original Collection series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany single neck
  • Indian Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: P-90 PRO Soap Bar (P90/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Lightning Bar Wrap Around bridge
  • Vintage 50s Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Vintage style Deluxe Tuners with Ivory Buttons tuners
  • 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 Ibanez RG5120M Prestige

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Birdseye Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Birdseye Maple

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.

This wood has beautiful patterns only found in specific types of maple.

Woods Used in the Epiphone Les Paul Special

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.

Winner: Ibanez RG5120M Prestige.

Pickup Configuration

The Ibanez RG5120M Prestige has an HH configuration while the Epiphone Les Paul Special has P90P90 pickups.

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.

On the other hand, P90P90 gives you two P90s for a crunchy vintage tone. The tone sits somewhere in the middle between typical single-coils and humbuckers. They also produce less hum than single-coils, but they don't cancel it completely like humbuckers.

Pickups Quality

The Ibanez RG5120M Prestige has pickups from a more specialized brand than the Epiphone Les Paul Special. 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 Heavy Metal and similar genres.

You can purchase similar pickups to the Ibanez RG5120M Prestige's and use them on any guitar:

The Ibanez RG5120M Prestige's pickups are Active while the Epiphone Les Paul Special's are Passive.

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: Ibanez RG5120M Prestige.

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 Ibanez RG5120M Prestige comes with some kind of pickup modification: Multi-Voicing.

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.

Ibanez RG5120M Prestige pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Ibanez RG5120M Prestige's switch options
Epiphone Les Paul Special pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Epiphone Les Paul Special'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: Ibanez RG5120M Prestige.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Ibanez RG5120M Prestige
Pickups 85
Sustain 85
Versatility 74
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 82
Epiphone Les Paul Special
Pickups 70
Sustain 65
Versatility 53
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 65

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 Ibanez RG5120M Prestige compares to the Epiphone Les Paul Special.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Ibanez RG5120M Prestige is built in Japan while the Epiphone Les Paul Special is made in China.

Japan has a long history of high-quality guitar building. Little has changed in terms of their manufacturing and quality control over the years. Many guitars made in this country can be compared—and even beat—others made in the US.

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: Ibanez RG5120M Prestige

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 Ibanez RG5120M Prestige has a Locking nut. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

On the other hand, the Epiphone Les Paul Special comes with 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.

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.

In this comparison, the Ibanez RG5120M Prestige is the only one that has stainless steel frets. These frets will basically last for the entire life of the guitar. They will never need polishing nor replacement. And not only that, but some people also notice that bending and vibratos are much easier to perform when they upgrade to stainless steel.

Winner: Ibanez RG5120M Prestige.

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 Ibanez RG5120M Prestige's brige is a Lo-Pro Edge. Similar to the original Edge bridge design by Ibanez, but with a lower profile (more discrete and less likely to interfere with your picking). It comes with the same improvements over Floyd Rose tremolos as the Edge: push-in arm, replaceable knife edges, more sustain, smaller saddles, and more. These bridges offer tons of versatility, but they also require more work than simpler tremolos to set up.

On the other hand, the Epiphone Les Paul Special's 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.

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: Ibanez RG5120M Prestige.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. The Ibanez RG5120M Prestige's are Gotoh machine heads while the Epiphone Les Paul Special's are Vintage style Deluxe Tuners with Ivory Buttons

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 Ibanez RG5120M Prestige has a 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.

On the other hand, the Epiphone Les Paul Special comes with 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.

Winner: Ibanez RG5120M Prestige.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez RG5120M Prestige
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Epiphone Les Paul Special
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • 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

Ibanez RG5120M Prestige
Quality of materials 75
Features 75
Quality Control 90
Build Quality 80
Epiphone Les Paul Special
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

Ibanez RG5120M Prestige 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

Ibanez RG5120M Prestige's Scale Length
Ibanez RG5120M Prestige's Scale Length
Epiphone Les Paul Special's Scale Length
Epiphone Les Paul Special'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 Ibanez RG5120M Prestige has the longest scale: 25.5". The Epiphone Les Paul Special 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

Ibanez RG5120M Prestige Neck Profile
Ibanez RG5120M Prestige's neck profile
Epiphone Les Paul Special Neck Profile
Epiphone Les Paul Special'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 Ibanez RG5120M Prestige has a Super Wizard type of neck. Ibanez is famous for this neck shape. They're similar to C-shaped necks, but they're even thinner. Some people like it because it gives them all the free room they need to play fast single notes (shredding). But some people prefer a thicker type of neck they can grab and rest their hands more comfortably.

The Epiphone Les Paul Special, on the other hand, has a V neck. This neck shape was more common during Fender's early years. Some people like it because they use their thumb over the edge of the fretboard to press the lower strings. It's rather thicker than most modern necks, so it's not usually used for playing fast solos.

Fretboard Radius

Ibanez RG5120M Prestige Fingerboard Radius
Ibanez RG5120M Prestige's Fingerboard radius
Epiphone Les Paul Special Fingerboard Radius
Epiphone Les Paul Special's Fingerboard 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.

In this case, the Epiphone Les Paul Special's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Ibanez RG5120M Prestige's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Ibanez RG5120M Prestige.

Still, both tend to favor soloing over chords, so if you're looking for a guitar for playing rhythm, you might want something else with a radius closer to a Stratocaster's 9.5''.

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.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Epiphone Les Paul Special favors large hands more than the Ibanez RG5120M Prestige.

Ibanez RG5120M Prestige:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Epiphone Les Paul Special:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Ibanez RG5120M Prestige Frets Size
Ibanez RG5120M Prestige's Frets Size
Epiphone Les Paul Special Frets Size
Epiphone Les Paul Special's Frets Size

The Ibanez RG5120M Prestige has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Epiphone Les Paul Special'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

Ibanez RG5120M Prestige
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73
Epiphone Les Paul Special
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 75
Solo Playability 60
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Ibanez RG5120M Prestige vs Epiphone Les Paul Special
General Ibanez RG5120M Prestige Epiphone Les Paul Special
Brand: Ibanez Epiphone
Year: 2019 2020
Configuration: HH P90P90
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Japan China
Series: RG Original Collection
Colors: Blue Yellow
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: African Mahogany Mahogany
Bridge: Lo-Pro Edge tremolo Lightning Bar Wrap Around
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Set
Tuners: Gotoh machine heads Vintage style Deluxe Tuners with Ivory Buttons
Fretboard: Bound Birdseye Maple Indian Laurel
Neck Material: Maple/Wenge Mahogany single
Decoration: Off-set Mother of Pearl dot Pearloid Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 24.75"
Shape: Super Wizard Vintage 50s
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.67'' (17mm) - 12th Fret: 0.75'' (19.1mm) 1st Fret: 0.88'' (22.4mm) - 12th Fret: 0.96'' (24.4mm)
Frets: 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 17" 12"
Nut: Locking Ivory Tusq
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker / Active) P-90 PRO Soap Bar (P90 / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker / Active) P-90 PRO Soap Bar (P90 / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Bell
Pickup Mods: Multi-Voicing None
Volume Controls: 1 2
Tone Controls: 1 2