Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top Made in Korea 2002 Vintage Sunburst

This second hand les paul electric guitar is in great condition,.

2002 model . Made in Korea

If you're lucky enough to get your hands on a 2002 Made-in-Korea (MIK) Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top, you’re holding a piece of under-the-radar excellence. Built during a period when Korean-made Epiphones were known for great craftsmanship and attention to detail, these guitars offer classic Les Paul tone and style at a price that's still far more accessible than a Gibson.

Let’s break down what makes the 2002 MIK Plus Top such a beloved guitar among players and collectors today.

Build & Finish

• Top: Maple veneer over a carved maple cap

• Body: Mahogany

• Neck: Mahogany, set neck construction

• Fingerboard: Rosewood with trapezoid inlays

• Finish: Glossy polyurethane

The "Plus Top" name refers to the flamed maple veneer on the guitar’s top, giving it that beautiful, almost three-dimensional look. 2002 models often show really vibrant flame patterns, sometimes better than more expensive guitars from other brands.

The build quality is tight: clean binding, solid fretwork, and nicely applied finishes. Korean factories like Samick and Peerless (who built many of these Epiphones) were delivering excellent consistency at this time, and it shows.

Playability

• Neck Profile: Slim "D" shape

• Scale Length: 24.75"

• Nut Width: 1.68"

The neck is comfortable and fast, slightly slimmer than a traditional chunky ‘50s Gibson neck, but not super thin either—great for a wide range of hands and styles.

The set neck construction gives you that seamless feel up around the higher frets, and the rosewood fretboard feels smooth and natural.

Fretwork is generally very good, though after two decades, a guitar might need a minor setup (leveling, polishing, etc.) to really shine if it hasn’t been maintained.

Tone

• Pickups: Stock Epiphone Alnico Classic humbuckers

• Controls: Two volume, two tone, 3-way toggle

• Neck pickup – Fat, warm, and round, great for blues and smooth leads.

• Bridge pickup – Bright, biting, but not harsh—good for classic rock crunch.

• Middle position – Balanced and sweet, perfect for clean tones and vintage rhythm sounds.

The stock Alnico pickups are more vintage-voiced than modern high-output styles, offering a warm, organic tone that's perfect for classic rock, blues, jazz, and pop. They’re not the hottest pickups around, but many players love them for their character. Some owners upgrade to Seymour Duncan, Gibson, or boutique pickups later, but the originals sound very respectable and have their own charm.

Hardware

• Bridge: Tune-O-Matic

• Tailpiece: Stopbar

• Tuners: Grover Rotomatics (standard on many MIK models)

The hardware on the 2002 models is solid and dependable. Grover tuners, in particular, are a highlight, offering excellent tuning stability—a feature even some American guitars envy at this price point.

Pros

 Gorgeous flamed maple veneer
 Strong craftsmanship from the Korean factories
 Warm, classic Les Paul tone
 Comfortable neck and good upper fret access
 Grover tuners and solid hardware

Who Is It For?

Les Paul lovers on a budget — Vintage vibe and real tone without Gibson prices.
Gigging musicians — Reliable, great-sounding, and looks killer under stage lights.
Collectors — Early 2000s MIK Epiphones are gaining respect and value.
Players who love to mod — A killer platform for upgrading electronics if you want to.

Final Verdict

The 2002 Made-in-Korea Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top is a seriously underrated gem. With its stunning looks, comfortable playability, and authentic vintage tone, it punches way above its weight class. These guitars have aged well, and today, they offer better value than ever—especially if you want a Les Paul that you can play hard without breaking your heart