Does Epiphone get a bad rap?

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I'm curious about the stigma that Epiphone gets. Are they as bad as most make them out to be? I know they are getting somewhat pricey, but are still relatively inexpensive compared to their Gibson counterparts. I gotta wonder if the Gibsons really are worth the extra money, considering you could upgrade the pup's in the Epi's and still be to the good by several hundred dollars.

I don't have much if any experience with the Epi's, but my wife use to have an 80's Epi Standard LP and it seemed to play, sound and look pretty nice.

Any thoughts?

Matt
 
Re: Does Epiphone get a bad rap?

I think that they are about as good as most mid-line instrument makers, though, I would never buy a new Epi LP. For that same amount of money, you can get a very nice used Hamer Studio that'll blow the doors of most anything made by Gibson. Most Epi LP's really don't compare to the Gibby's, as they have different woods. The real value in the Epi lineup are the Casino/Dot/Sheraton lines. They are for the most part built with the same woods as their Gibson counterparts. The only weakness on these models is in their electronics and hardware, which is easily changed.

Like all lower end guitars though, try as many as you can before buying one. Usually you will find one that is head and shoulders above the rest.
 
Re: Does Epiphone get a bad rap?

well.. the les paul customs are nice and imo, you're better off with an epi if you're looking for a better bang for the buck.. but this is not a rule of thumb. you may get a bad assembly.

the looks are not questionable. the sound mostly isnt either (you should avoid the lower models) the thing thats bad on an epi are final assembly, tuners, electronics. the wood is usually ok (if again the guitar isnt a low end model, then you might get a laminate/plywood body) and someone mentioned they have a glued on headstock, which i cant say they do or dont.

there are occasional AMAZING axes and you also get lemos out of the gibson company, so if you're looking for a cheap workers axe, epis are pretty ok (just be sure to get a higher model, cos those have usually more quality control)
 
Re: Does Epiphone get a bad rap?

Five years ago, I would have told you that they were doo doo. In recent years, the quality of import guitars (particularly from Mexico and Korea) has improved tremendously.

Other than that, I'd just echo what Benjy said.
 
Re: Does Epiphone get a bad rap?

Benjy_26 said:
try as many as you can before buying one. Usually you will find one that is head and shoulders above the rest.
Click to expand...
Couldn't agree any more with Benjy on this one. I love my Paul to death, it plays and looks like a dream, but I've never picked up another one in a Guitar Shop that's impressed me like mine does. Then again, there is that minutetone factor that Seymour Duncan brings... :)
 
Re: Does Epiphone get a bad rap?

I have an Epi that was my grandfathers (my grandfather got it in a trade along with 10 grand for his original 1955 Gretsch White Falcon).

It's obviously an older model one. I can't find any serial numbers anywhere, so I have no clue what year it's from.

All I can say is that it's a good looking, playing and sounding guitar. It's lighter than the Gibson I used to have. It sustains great and while it was made with cheaper hardware, the hardware still works (tuners keep strings in tune).

The older models (the 80s ones) definitely were built much better. Remember kids, wasn't it John Lennon that was playing a Casino? That's an Epiphone ;) Epiphone doesn't make simply cheap, inferior products.

Are they the best built guitars with the best woods and appointments? Heck no. Are they cheap guitars that will ruin the tone of anything you plug it into? No

I've played LOTS of Gibson lemons and the same thing with Epiphone. However, if you find a great Epiphone don't discard it because of the headstock name.
 
Re: Does Epiphone get a bad rap?

aleclee said:
Five years ago, I would have told you that they were doo doo. In recent years, the quality of import guitars (particularly from Mexico and Korea) has improved tremendously.
Click to expand...

That's true. From my experience, Epi's are occasionally pieces of junk that won't stay in tune and frequently good bang for the buck. I had an Epi LP Standard for about three or four years that was a constant companion. It was one of the best guitars I've played and I couldn't help but think how under-rated Epi's are. I used to jam with a guy, however, that bought a low-end Epi that would NOT stay in tune for anything.

I think it depends largely on luck and which model you're buying. The Specials and Studios I would stay away from. The Standards, Customs and Elitist models are a much better bet. Any company produces some crap and some gems. Epiphone is no different. I wouldn't judge anyone by one guitar alone.

EDIT: Also - the pickups are passable, but nothing special. Get a JB+59 or JB+Jazz combo in there and you'll be good to go. :)
 
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Re: Does Epiphone get a bad rap?

kill your scene said:
That's true. From my experience, Epi's are occasionally pieces of junk that won't stay in tune and frequently good bang for the buck. I had an Epi LP Standard for about three or four years that was a constant companion. It was one of the best guitars I've played and I couldn't help but think how under-rated Epi's are. I used to jam with a guy, however, that bought a low-end Epi that would NOT stay in tune for anything.

I think it depends largely on luck and which model you're buying. The Specials and Studios I would stay away from. The Standards, Customs and Elitist models are a much better bet. Any company produces some crap and some gems. Epiphone is no different. I wouldn't judge anyone by one guitar alone.

EDIT: Also - the pickups are passable, but nothing special. Get a JB+59 or JB+Jazz combo in there and you'll be good to go. :)
Click to expand...
I couldn't agree more and I'm glad you did all the typing! :D
 
Re: Does Epiphone get a bad rap?

PPL, PPL, i heard sum1 say studios where usless, well, maybe i was lucky but my studio is great!!
It stays in tune well, feels great to play, and with the pickups modifications sounds like a great guitar!!
Epiphones are definately good guitars in my opinion.
 
Re: Does Epiphone get a bad rap?

Try the Epiphone Elite series....I played a couple in the store and they sounded pretty darn good, felt very nice also...they are supposed to have a higher grade of hardware and I believe made at a different factory than their other models..(japan I think),
anyway every review I've seen in magazines has been very good....I think they retail right around $1000.
 
Re: Does Epiphone get a bad rap?

keap in mind that when john lennon used his casino, epiphones was a seperate company from gibson. they were made in the US. i would take an agile anyday over an epi lp standard.
 
Re: Does Epiphone get a bad rap?

theboatcandream said:
Yes. The Epiphone elite les paul studio in wine red definately caught my attention.
Click to expand...
This is the Classic with wine red quilted maple cap. 60's thin neck and open pickups the main difference between it and the standard.

My_Rig_001_SM.jpg
 
Re: Does Epiphone get a bad rap?

Thats a nice axe, Texasguitarslinger!
 
Re: Does Epiphone get a bad rap?

hey texas slinger...... is that an epi elite les paul?......
 
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