Apart from different electronics, they will be tonally different because of the woods used. Gibsons use a thick mohagany back and a fairly thick maple top. Epiphones mostely use an all alder body with mohagany and maple laminate(1/16"-1/8" thick) back and top, to give you the "look". Retailers won't mention that, but if you go to Epiphones website, they do mention it. This doesn't mean it's not a good guitar by any means. What it does mean, is that, it's missing a few key elements that make a Les Paul sound like a Les Paul.

As far as gold hardware goes... I like the look of it on some guitars, but i wouldn't have it. After playing it regularly for a few monts, the chrome will start to come through, and eventually you'll have two toned hardware.