How important is that name on the headstock after all?

[ErikH]

Re: How important is that name on the headstock after all?

DANG! I never, ever knew that. Thanks for the info.

Why would Gibson put the Epiphone logo on the headstock for those? Were they trying to drum up Epi business?

I played an Epiphone Casino some years back, and was anything but impressed. It must have been one of those MIK Casinos.

- Keith

Many years before Gibson bought Epiphone, Epiphones were some of the best guitars out there, made in USA too. Gibson bought them in 1957 and for a while, they remained as-is up through the 60's. In 1970, Epiphone production moved to Japan. It wasn't until the 80's, I believe, that production also went to Korea and now current, China. They turned in to the budget line for the company but the Epi Japan instruments and a few of the upper end acoustics are really nice. I think the Lennon Casino and Rivera are made in USA along with the McCartney Texan (which I know is is made in USA).

[Mincer]

Re: How important is that name on the headstock after all?

i don't buy guitars for resale, since I plan on keeping what I have forever. As far as brands, well, I own a Steinberger, Brian Moore, and a EBMM, none of which probably isn't worth any 'collectible' value.
But that isn't the point. I have to be comfortable, and make the music I have in my head. As long as I never lose sight of that, I am doing just fine.

[ErikH]

Re: How important is that name on the headstock after all?

To answer the thread question. No, it's not that important. What's important is what the player does with the instrument.

Some people like to have this mentality that owning a guitar with a highly regarded brand name on the headstock means business. Well, if you're that concerned over it and can only afford a Squier, take the logo off and put a Fender logo on or save up a little more and get a MIM, or better yet, a used MIM.

[KeeperOS]

Re: How important is that name on the headstock after all?

Hmm, unsurprisingly the no.1 argument is "resale" value. Yeah, I can dig that (see how I noted it in my first post?) but again, I think it's a moot point as they have higher resale value ONLY because there are people that would pay extra for that name on the headstock.
But why?

And, we come to answer no.2. What I'll be bringing on stage. Well, I *kinda* understand how someone would feel uneasy playing in front of a crowd and fearing that some would judge him based on what he's playing ON instead of, well what/how he plays. And I understand confidence is perhaps the 2nd most important thing up on the stage. I just wish players would have the confidence that people would focus on what they'd play as long as they'd give everything they got...
I know I would. In fact I'd actually dig people seeing I'm NOT playing one of the big guys but actually sth else.
I think it'd be interesting people coming to me and asking what I was playing and how come it sounds so cool but isn't known etc
And, well, I agree with the bros that remind how gear can get stolen from a gig or even damaged so using something not recognizable as valuable or/and easily replaceable makes sense.

Now, I CERTAINLY can understand the connection to name->features and quality that I like.
I have that too but to go as far as to say "I played the guitar, it both played and sounded great but I wouldn't buy it because I didn't know the guys that make it" is a tad too far.
I mean, I'm ALWAYS on the lookout for new, great quality but overlooked companies.
To me the more a certain brand gains in name they usually also go up in value (and may or may NOT go down in quality) thus making their products less of a deal...
(BTW, finding a particular Fender or Gibson that to you is beyond awesome then OF COURSE you should buy it and play it proudly but because it's a kick-ass guitar!)

To me the actual guitar is of no importance what so ever. I just want a brand name that other people will think of as cool !
I think it is very important to be cool.

Ooh, I can respect that

To answer the thread question. No, it's not that important. What's important is what the player does with the instrument.

Some people like to have this mentality that owning a guitar with a highly regarded brand name on the headstock means business. Well, if you're that concerned over it and can only afford a Squier, take the logo off and put a Fender logo on or save up a little more and get a MIM, or better yet, a used MIM.

Righteous!

[KeeperOS]

Re: How important is that name on the headstock after all?

I am interested!! What is it?

I would ans yes to that Q, if it plays well and buitl well. My very good buddy owns a Strat copy, it aint a Fender or even a Squire, but it seriously is a great guitar, and one of the best strats I have played.. the only thing I would change on that guitar is the pups.

Does such a guitar exist? Where, someone tell me... TELL ME NOW!!!

Well, that was a little TOO specific to be made up.
Yeah it exists and although I don't know its' exact price it'll be between 700€ and less than a grand (BTW, here the Standard MiA HSS costs 1500+), which is about what upper end LTDs cost here (so if LTDs cost less in your country chances are it'd cost less there as well...)

It's what I said (plus hand-finished frets and rolled fingerboard edges which I forgot). It's in Lake Placid Blue and Metalic Red with matched headstock and pearl pickguard BUT, one would have to go past the fact that it's NOT a Fender (thus it doesn't have the name OR the headstock shape) and that it's made in Korea (albeit that particular company IS Korean and kinda has Fender status there, just not much beyond their country of origin):
(Click on the picture for the link)

HERE's a high definition photo
and HERE's a guy playing one, just to see how it sounds like (plus see the other color) which IMO is FREAKIN' SWEET. And as you'll see he's basically using pretty standard equipment (see the Line 6 pod?)

[Zhangliqun]

Re: How important is that name on the headstock after all?

Any brand is cool, except Gibson. Well, if I'd manage to get a decently priced SG (A Lester that isn't a rip-off doesn't excist), I would propably get it.

ZZZZZZZZZT!!!!! WRONG!!!

Fly over here to L.A. and try out my R9. You'll return to Finland a quivering mass of unfulfilled protoplasm...

[Zhangliqun]

Re: How important is that name on the headstock after all?

This is precisely what John Lennon did with the Epiphone Casino. He played that thing a LOT, because it felt and sounded good to him. The guy could've had anyone build him a super-duper custom jobby, but he just dug that Casino.

Epiphone was not owned by Gibson until the late 50's, it was a separate company and the guitars were very good quality. True, the Casino was introduced after the Gibson buyout, but Epiphones were still made in the USA at that time. They don't move overseas until the 70's in Japan and then Korea in the 80's, and China since 2002.

[Zhangliqun]

Re: How important is that name on the headstock after all?

Many years before Gibson bought Epiphone, Epiphones were some of the best guitars out there, made in USA too. Gibson bought them in 1957 and for a while, they remained as-is up through the 60's. In 1970, Epiphone production moved to Japan. It wasn't until the 80's, I believe, that production also went to Korea and now current, China. They turned in to the budget line for the company but the Epi Japan instruments and a few of the upper end acoustics are really nice. I think the Lennon Casino and Rivera are made in USA along with the McCartney Texan (which I know is is made in USA).

Beat me to it...

[ErikH]

Re: How important is that name on the headstock after all?

Beat me to it...

LOL,

BTW, China production started in 2003, and in their own plant too.

[Yngwiestein]

Re: How important is that name on the headstock after all?

Saw one of these recently for 650.00 US.

Alder & rosewood, Sperzel locking tuners, Seymour Duncan pickups, Wilkinson tremolo etc. Even has flame maple top!

[KeeperOS]

Re: How important is that name on the headstock after all?

Many years before Gibson bought Epiphone, Epiphones were some of the best guitars out there, made in USA too....

Epiphone was not owned by Gibson until the late 50's, it was a separate company and the guitars were very good quality...

Yep, it was owned by a Greek guy - Epaminondas Stathopoulos. In fact "Epiphone" is a combination of his nickname "Epi" and "phone" which is Greek for "sound" or "voice"

[Thunder7]

Re: How important is that name on the headstock after all?

I've got an MIA American Standard Strat, when I got it the name was important to me. Now that I know better my headstock says Cort, and my next guitar will most likely be a Cort. The names don't mean anything to me anymore, and re-sale doesn't matter to me because I don't sell any of my equipment. Everything has it's place and time. As long as it's a quality instrument, it sounds good and feels good there is nothing wrong.

[millsart]

Re: How important is that name on the headstock after all?

Hmm, unsurprisingly the no.1 argument is "resale" value. Yeah, I can dig that (see how I noted it in my first post?) but again, I think it's a moot point as they have higher resale value ONLY because there are people that would pay extra for that name on the headstock.
But why?

Why ? Because if it says Fender Made In USA, you've got a pretty good chance its been put together well by someone who knows what they are doing.

If its a no name, even if its the best parts money can buy, if it was put together by someone who doesn't have a clue, it very well will play like crap.


Again comes down to the name really. If its a "partscaster" and was put together by Suhr or some well kown luthier, then its going to be worth a lot more than Joe Put It Together In His Basement, because we don't know if Joe knows what he's doing.


So either name on the headstock or the name of the builder, either way, its all about the name.


Heck, its all about names when it comes to the parts as well. Tell me, what would you prefer a USAGC body with documenation to prove it or some no name hunk of wood ?

[KeeperOS]

Re: How important is that name on the headstock after all?

Depends, would I be able to see, examine and play it first?

If yes then, of course...

[shawnr]

Re: How important is that name on the headstock after all?

Having been a repairman for 25 years, I don't buy into that headstock snobbery--all the major makers squeeze out some lemons, the main difference being that you can usually straighten a Fender out.

And in over 30 years of playing in front of people, I've had very few people pay any attention to what brand of guitar I was using--I get compliments for what I PLAY and the sound I get, which sometimes comes from very off the wall equipment just to show how unimportant toeing the party line is.

Around here, it seems the most brand obsessed people never seem to have any playing ability, just a big bank balance.