This is a great guitar,I have had it for 5 years not one issue with it. The only thing I have done to it was replace the humbuckers for 2 duncan humbuckers.

Just preference not neccessary. I had a Gibson less paul std, and now my friend has it. I kept the epiphone, it is just easier to play for me.

Stays in tune sound is great, good sustain. You just should have one.