The LC was Samick's Les Paul Custom style model. The LCRG-402 was introduced in 1989 as a direct copy of the Gibson Les Paul, but they were likely pressured by Gibson to change it if they wished to continue producing Epiphones. Therefore, the headstock was changed to a refined version of Hondo's Deluxe headstock around April 1990 (the same time Epiphone switched from an "open book" headstock to their current "clipped ear" headstock). For a short time, it kept the same body shape, until May 1990 when it was redesigned with different proportions and a longer, sharper horn. In 1991, Samick changed their naming conventions, resulting in the new name, "LC-650". In May 1993, it was redesigned again, this time with a smaller, more rounded horn. For 1995, it became part of the Artist Series. In 1997, it returned to "correct" Les Paul proportions, but retained the rounded horn. It was produced until 2001 when it's likely that Gibson put pressure on them once again to make more original designs. However, there was no lawsuit, despite what some people will claim.
The LLC-650 was the Indonesian version of this model.
Related:
- LCE
- LLC
- EG-1702
- Vantage DL
- Washburn WP-80
LCRG-402[]
Identical to Japanese market LS-CUS for 1989 only.
- 1989-1990
Body:
- Solid Alder body with arched top
- Maple veneer, front and back (Sunburst finishes)
Neck:
- Set-in Nato neck w/ scarf joint
- Slim profile
- Medium-long tenon
- Rosewood fretboard with acrylic block inlays
- Open Book headstock (1989 - April 1990)
- Deluxe headstock (1990)
- Mother of Pearl Wave logo inlay
- Mother of Pearl S-Diamond inlay (1989)
- Mother of Pearl "Deluxe" script inlay (1990)
- 14o headstock pitch
- 22 frets
- 24.75" scale
Binding:
- Triple-ply body (front and back) and headstock
- Single-ply neck
Electronics:
- Two ceramic humbuckers
- 3-way switch
- 2 Vol, 2 Tone
Hardware:
- Gold hardware
- 16:1 ratio lubricated, die-cast tuning machines
- Bell shaped truss rod cover
- Amber Bell knobs
- Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece
Finishes:
- Black (B)
- Golden Sunburst (GS)
- Tobacco Sunburst (TS)
- Silverburst (SS)
Also branded as:
- Magnum
LCRG-403[]
Mid-1990 LCRG-403 SS
Three-pickup version of LCRG-402. Some examples feature Vantage logo.
- 1990
Body:
- Solid Alder body with arched top
Neck:
- Set-in Nato neck w/ scarf joint
- Slim profile
- Medium-long tenon
- Rosewood fretboard with acrylic block inlays
- Deluxe headstock
- Mother of Pearl Wave logo or Vantage logo inlay
- Mother of Pearl "Deluxe" script inlay
- 14o headstock pitch
- 22 frets
- 24.75" scale
Binding:
- Triple-ply body (front and back) and headstock
- Single-ply neck
Electronics:
- Three ceramic humbuckers
- 3-way switch
- 2 Vol, 2 Tone
Hardware:
- Gold hardware
- 16:1 ratio lubricated, die-cast tuning machines
- Bell shaped truss rod cover
- Amber Bell knobs
- Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece
Finishes:
- Black (B)
- Silver Sunburst (SS)
LC-650 (1991-1992)[]
1991 LC-650 SS
Body:
- Solid Alder body with arched top
- Maple veneer, front and back (Sunburst finishes)
Neck:
- Set-in Nato neck w/ scarf joint
- Slim profile
- Medium-long tenon
- Rosewood fretboard with acrylic block inlays
- Deluxe headstock
- Mother of Pearl Wave logo inlay
- Mother of Pearl S-Diamond inlay
- 14o headstock pitch
- 22 frets
- 24.75" scale
Binding:
- Triple-ply body (front and back) and headstock
- Single-ply neck
Electronics:
- Two ceramic humbuckers
- 3-way switch
- 2 Vol, 2 Tone
Hardware:
- Gold hardware
- 16:1 ratio lubricated, die-cast tuning machines
- Bell shaped truss rod cover (1991)
- Pointed bell shaped truss rod cover (1992)
- Amber Bell knobs
- Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece
Finishes:
- Black (B)
- White (WH)
- Cherry (CH)
- Silver Sunburst (SS)
LC-650 (1993-1994)[]
1993 LC-650 BK
Body:
- Solid Alder body with arched top
- Maple veneer, front and back (Sunburst finishes)
Neck:
- Set-in Nato neck w/ scarf joint
- Slim profile
- Medium-long tenon
- Rosewood fretboard with acrylic block inlays
- Deluxe headstock
- Mother of Pearl Wave logo inlay
- Mother of Pearl S-Diamond inlay
- 14o headstock pitch
- 22 frets
- 24.75" scale
Binding:
- Triple-ply body (front and back) and headstock
- Single-ply neck
Electronics:
- Two ceramic humbuckers
- 3-way switch
- 2 Vol, 2 Tone
Hardware:
- Gold hardware
- 16:1 ratio lubricated, die-cast tuning machines
- Pointed bell shaped truss rod cover (1993)
- Headstock matching truss rod cover (1994)
- Black Speed knobs
- Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece
Finishes:
- Black (BK)
- Cherry Sunburst (CS)
- Silver Sunburst (SS)
LC-650 (Artist Series, 1995-1996)[]
1995 LC-650 BK
Body:
- Solid Alder body with arched top
- Maple veneer, front and back (Sunburst finishes)
Neck:
- Set-in Nato neck w/ scarf joint
- Slim profile
- Medium-long tenon
- Rosewood fretboard with acrylic block inlays
- Deluxe headstock
- Ornate Mother of Pearl Artist logo inlay
- 14o headstock pitch
- 22 frets
- 24.75" scale
Binding:
- Triple-ply body (front and back) and headstock
- Single-ply neck
Electronics:
- Two ceramic humbuckers
- 3-way switch
- 2 Vol, 2 Tone
Hardware:
- Gold hardware
- 16:1 ratio lubricated, die-cast tuning machines
- Headstock-matching truss rod cover
- Black Speed knobs
- Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece
Finishes:
- Black (BK)
- Cherry Sunburst (CS)
- Metallic Red (MR)
LC-650 (Artist Series, 1997-2001)[]
1999 LC-650 CS
Body:
- Solid Nato body with arched top
- Maple veneer, front only (CS)
Neck:
- Set-in Nato neck w/ scarf joint
- Slim profile
- Medium-long tenon
- Rosewood fretboard with acrylic block inlays
- Deluxe headstock
- Ornate Mother of Pearl Artist logo inlay
- 14o headstock pitch
- 22 frets
- 24.75" scale
Binding:
- Triple-ply body (front and back) and headstock
- Single-ply neck
Electronics:
- Two ceramic humbuckers
- 3-way switch
- Knurled switch washer (2000-2001)
- 2 Vol, 2 Tone
Hardware:
- Gold hardware
- 16:1 ratio lubricated, die-cast tuning machines
- Headstock-matching truss rod cover
- Black Speed knobs
- Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece
Finishes:
- Black (BK)
- Cherry (CH)
- Cherry Sunburst (CS)
- Metallic Gold (MG)