midnite_man
New member
Re: Epiphone VS Gibson (give me your insights plz!)
I once used to frequent the Epiphone Forum I linked up with through the Gibson website, and wrote what I stated in this thread. And as Duncan points out, there are some extremely sensitive Epiphone and Gibson enthusiasts out there who are ready to pounce on anyone who demeans their beloved and respective favorite axe. No exception in my case....lol.
I suppose one could inject a "psychological factor" into differences between an Epi and Gibson Pauly. But when I'm playing any guitar and get into that "zone," and I think you all know what I'm talking about, I don't think about nothing but the music and the way it's making me feel at that moment. The furthest thing in my mind is what the brand name is of the guitar. I think the psychie part is half thinking that if you buy an expensive guitar, like a Gibson, that you'll be a better player - with the other half being just trying to "keep up with the Joneses" (no offense Gearjoneser....lol). It all boils down to what's important to the player and his/her music. If resale value is important, then be a collector or reseller. If playability is king, play and research as many guitars as you can and make an educated decision based on what you desire from your instrument. Just be real with yourself.
I won't dispute the fact that Gibsons are better made with better materials and play a little better, but anyone can adapt to anything if their heart is into it.
As I've stated before, I'll never part with my Epi Standard and will "cherish it for life."
Duncan said:Glad this thread isn;t over at the Les Paul Forum!!! Some members can get a little, 'agitated' about such topics, shall we say
The arguments have all been good ones, so I'll just sum them up and add one final bit of info I read somewhere, that I thought sumed up the situation perfectly (incidently, I have three Gibson Les Pauls..).
Epi
-Electronic are crap and will need upgrading, as will tuners, switch, pups etc
-low resale value
-more affordable
-not as high quality woods or craftsmenship
-no nitrocellulose laquer finish
Gibson
-electronics are better, but pots and caps are usualyl upgraded anyway
-hardware is high quality, but often replaced (eg pups...)
-woods are better quality as is craftsmenship
-better resale value
-more expensive to buy.
-nitro finish
However, the other factor is the psychological factor. Ask yourself how you would honestly feel looking at your new Epi Les Paul, and then imagine yourself if that was a Gibson Les Paul Standard in your hands. Different isn't it? Names have psychological connotations for us, and draw affective (emotional) responses. That is something you cant measure...
Finally, the quote I read was
'The Epiphone is a good guitar for the money, but is something you will one day want to upgrade. The Gibson you will cherish for life...'
That, in my opinion, sums the difference up....
I once used to frequent the Epiphone Forum I linked up with through the Gibson website, and wrote what I stated in this thread. And as Duncan points out, there are some extremely sensitive Epiphone and Gibson enthusiasts out there who are ready to pounce on anyone who demeans their beloved and respective favorite axe. No exception in my case....lol.
I suppose one could inject a "psychological factor" into differences between an Epi and Gibson Pauly. But when I'm playing any guitar and get into that "zone," and I think you all know what I'm talking about, I don't think about nothing but the music and the way it's making me feel at that moment. The furthest thing in my mind is what the brand name is of the guitar. I think the psychie part is half thinking that if you buy an expensive guitar, like a Gibson, that you'll be a better player - with the other half being just trying to "keep up with the Joneses" (no offense Gearjoneser....lol). It all boils down to what's important to the player and his/her music. If resale value is important, then be a collector or reseller. If playability is king, play and research as many guitars as you can and make an educated decision based on what you desire from your instrument. Just be real with yourself.
I won't dispute the fact that Gibsons are better made with better materials and play a little better, but anyone can adapt to anything if their heart is into it.
As I've stated before, I'll never part with my Epi Standard and will "cherish it for life."
In the '90s I was pretty much on the budget so I had lo-grade instruments. You know what? No one believed them letters on the headstocks, they did belive that I played a black Gibson LP Standard (Hohner L75) and later a Musc Man Eddie Van Halen model (Legend EVH) and my stock Valvestate has a custom tube preamp. Moreover, when someone realised that something unusual is written to the headstock and heard the sound, they thought that I doctored the decals just to hide the obvious brand what I really play... I remember the face of one of the fellow players here when I opened the trem cover of the Legend and showed him it was plywood 
utahere:
