Epiphone Les Paul Style looks like the 100 model but the plate on the top of the stock says Gibson instead of Les Paul Korean serial # 099050524 What can you tell me about it's age and value please

Your best bet for identifing the guitastr is to call Gibson directly.
Gibson Customer Service

The term 'Black Beauty' has been well overused by now. It was originally the 1957 black Les Paul Custom model, but by now is any black Les Paul Custom. In addition Gibson themselves are cashing in by doing reissues, finished to look older.

So if it is a black Les Paul Custom, then yes, it is a Black Beauty, according to someone somewhere. On top of that, Gibson has reused serial numbers, in different years for different models.

If the serial number is stamped on the headstock with 'Made In USA' the guitar was made at the Kalamazoo or Nashville Plant, in 1976.

Those guitars are worth US$3000-4000 depending on condition.

Otherwise it was made at the Nashville Plant, TN, on January 11th, 2007.

Those newer reissue guitars sell for similar prices.
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Sounds like perhaps a Les Paul Special II, but more detail is needed to say for sure. There was a lot of variation in their Les Paul models. Posting a photo of both sides and the headstock is best.

-Has the guitar any binding, and what colour?
-Is the back of the guitar white or all black?
-Exactly what is on the front of the headstock, 'Epiphone', the 4-diamond logo, anything else?
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Try this!

Gibson Support Serial Number Search

serial number not recognized,go here and enter the real s/n http://www.guitardaterproject.org/epiphone.aspx epiphone

http://www.guitardaterproject.org/gibson.aspx gibson

http://www.guitardaterproject.org/Yamaha.aspx yamaha

http://www.guitardaterproject.org/ibanez.aspx ibanez

http://www.guitardaterproject.org/fender.aspx fender

http://www.guitardaterproject.org/potcodereader.aspx pot code search

Contact Gibson Customer Service at 1 (800) 444-2766

You need to adjust the controls for the nano on the control cavity plate on the back of the guitar the way you want them first. Here is a link to a simplified explanation:http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Epiphone/Les-Paul-Standard-Ultra-II.aspx A better explanation should be in the manual but I don't think they did as good of a job as they should have.

Epiphone is a budget conscious gibson. And probably not made in the USA.
1957 - Gibson's parent company, CMI, buys Epiphone for $20,000, originally intending to harness its upright bass operation, but ultimately reviving the Epiphone name on guitars. A full line of newly designed acoustics and electrics is unveiled in 1958, and two years later Epiphone production moves into Gibson's factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

1970 - In the face of foreign competition, Epiphone production is moved to Japan. Through the 1970s and early '80s, the Epiphone line has little continuity, although it maintains respect as a quality import brand.

1983 - Epiphone production is moved to Korea.

1986 - Henry Juszkiewicz, David Berryman and Gary Zebrowski acquire Epiphone and Gibson. The Epi line is soon expanded to include traditional models like the Sheraton, Emperor and Howard Roberts, along with Epi versions of Gibson classics like the Les Paul, Flying V and Explorer.


http://www.epiphone.com/history.asp

Search this site for you config of pickups, pots and swotches.

http://www.guitarelectronics.com/category/wiringresources/

If you are on a limited budget then get a standard Epiphone Les Paul. The Custom is not much better. If you have a little more to spend then I recommend getting a new or used Gibson Les Paul Studio.

Narrowing down which guitar to buy is completely opinion-based. You need to try multiple guitars to find one you like best since they all feel a little different.