If Epiphones were Gibsons...

[Gearjoneser]

Re: If Epiphones were Gibsons...

A couple years ago, I walked into a Sam Ash and found the best sounding and playing guitar I've ever tried that was cheap. And by cheap, I mean the price was $100. I played this J-45 type Epiphone for an hour and couldn't believe that it sounded no different than the Gibsons. It actually sounded better, lighter, and more resonant. I compared it side by side with $2800 guitars.

I rang it up for $100, and as soon as I did, the sales people acted like they'd just made a mistake. They sold a guitar that was sent to them as the prize to the salesman who sold the most Epi's that year. I took off as soon as it looked like a salesman was going to cry about his prize! LOL

I think that mine was made better than usual, because the only indication that it's a cheap guitar is the tuners.
The rest of the guitar sounds and plays beautifully....as good as a Gibson. Even the cheap tuners stay in tune, although I took off the covers for the open gear look.

I play this thing more often than my expensive D-28 and others. It's really that good. I did change the bridge pins to Martin pins though.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: If Epiphones were Gibsons...

...made to order in bulk according to the specs of the importing "big name".....

You can get an Epi LP or an Edwards LP or an Agile LP or a Gibbs-on LP all made in the same shop, in bulk quantities, for import into the U.S.

I know. I was just goofing.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: If Epiphones were Gibsons...

Unless they call it "Turd-Tar" or something like that.

I believe that there may be one customer for such a guitar.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: If Epiphones were Gibsons...

Some people can't go through life without the need to bring everyone to their way of thinking.

I like what I like. You don't like it? Tough.

I personally don't care what you like or don't like. And I don't feel any need AT ALL to bring you or anybody else to my way of thinking. Just think it's irrational to decide not to buy any given guitar just because it doesn't have a Gibson headstock, even though it may be a truly incredible instrument.

I like quality whatever the brand. And if you don't...tough! You're the only one who loses because of that dogma.

 

[rts99]

Re: If Epiphones were Gibsons...

I recently bought an epi over the "equivalent" gibson. The epi suited me better. The guys at PRS maintain 2 distinct lines of products under the PRS label. But everyone knows the "SE" version as the budget models. But as budget models go they are exceptional. The epis are also outstanding products. I have to admit I would prefer the shape of the gibson headstock but I much prefer the fake MOP inlays in the epi headstock to the plain Jane headstock on the gibsons. But if gibson were to change the "epi" brand to gibson "SE" models I certainly wouldn't object. They are still worthy instruments in their own right no matter who's name is at the top.

 

[SongsForTheDeaf]

Re: If Epiphones were Gibsons...

probably not...I don't like gibsons for the price tag and the quality of them for the asking price... I guess i'm the only person on this forum who is kinda anti Gibson lol

I'm a Godin guy

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: If Epiphones were Gibsons...

I guess i'm the only person on this forum who is kinda anti Gibson lol

Guess you havent been around long enough to notice them but you are far from alone.

 

[SongsForTheDeaf]

Re: If Epiphones were Gibsons...

yeah I guess that's true... I just always see Gibsons on these forums so I just assumed. It's not like they make bad guitars I just think they are overpriced I would rather spend 2 grand or more on a custom guitar then a Gibson but to each their own, whatever works for you !

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: If Epiphones were Gibsons...

yeah I guess that's true... I just always see Gibsons on these forums so I just assumed. It's not like they make bad guitars I just think they are overpriced I would rather spend 2 grand or more on a custom guitar then a Gibson but to each their own, whatever works for you !

What everybody forgets when the rag on gibson about prices is that the market sets the price if people quit paying 6k for an R9 gibson would lower the price but thats not the case at 6k gibson can make them fast enough so the price goes up. Too many people want the price of a guitar to reflect its supposed intrinsic quality or features but thats just not always true and especially in the case of gibson the market drives the price.

 

[Drunken Bowling]

Re: If Epiphones were Gibsons...

I'd like for Epiphone to say what their woods really are rather than 'mahogany body' when its a 1mm veneer over poplar.

+1. I've heard rumors of some Epi LP's being made with alder/mahogany bodies and maple necks. It's not right to say it's one thing, when people can plug it in and hear that it's something else entirely.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: If Epiphones were Gibsons...

+1. I've heard rumors of some Epi LP's being made with alder/mahogany bodies and maple necks. It's not right to say it's one thing, when people can plug it in and hear that it's something else entirely.

This is due to alder and mahogany being just trade names for multiple types of wood. Some of them not even vaguely related.

 

[Stratman]

Re: If Epiphones were Gibsons...

When Gibson shipped the Epiphone production out of America, Epiphones ceased to exist. Whatever they make now with the Epiphone logo is NOT a real Epiphone, it's just another ESPee/Hoshino/Hondo made to order.

Should not believe their ignorant thoughts and then state their incorrect opinions….


2002 Gibson opened a manufacturing facility in Qingdao China to build Epiphone guitars and that plant is run by American GIBSON employees, for the past 11 years. Actually, Gibson started building guitars early than that… Read information on these web sites

http://www.epiphone.com/News-Featur...ingdao-Factory-All-Epiphone-All-The-Time.aspx

http://www.britishchamber.cn/content/qingdao-rocks (Also Burns guitars)

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: If Epiphones were Gibsons...

Nope, why bother with either when there are Michael Kelly Patriots and Schecter Solo-6s? And let's not forget ESP Eclipses for sth higher end.
IMO much better aesthetically and much more consistent in quality.

That's not to say that if a guitar with either logo on the headstock were to fall into my hands that sounded and felt great and was the right price I would turn my nose up just because of the brand.

Like many said, a logo is just a logo and a brand just a brand.
I judge a guitar by how it sounds and feels, perhaps even looks but not because of pedigree.

 

[Dr. Vegetable]

Re: If Epiphones were Gibsons...

If Epiphones were Gibsons...







...I'd still buy Ibanezes.

 

[formula73]

Re: If Epiphones were Gibsons...

I personally don't care what you like or don't like. And I don't feel any need AT ALL to bring you or anybody else to my way of thinking. Just think it's irrational to decide not to buy any given guitar just because it doesn't have a Gibson headstock, even though it may be a truly incredible instrument.

I like quality whatever the brand. And if you don't...tough! You're the only one who loses because of that dogma.

I never said it was because of the hs. You did. I'm not interested because in my experience with my "Korina" Explorer, the neck was maple, contrary to the spec sheet, the body was mystery wood with a paper-thin veneer, front and back, the pups sucked, the hardware sucked, the nut slots sucked, and the neck pup rout was so packed with epoxy from the set neck that I had to dremel down the chunks to fit a replacement bucker. Not to mention, the finish was 1/8" thick in places and the routs looked done by somebody with palsy and a butterknife. I have an early 56 GT that I bought despite the hs and the craptastic features, including runs in the top because it was just that good.

Still, I wouldn't buy another. Enjoy your internet win, bud! Congrats.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: If Epiphones were Gibsons...

^ Lol. It's impossible to get too much of this (larger) conversation, because it's loaded up with so much historical and socioeconomic baggage. Always a good time.

 

[formula73]

Re: If Epiphones were Gibsons...

Big words not in vocabulary...

 

[Drunken Bowling]

Re: If Epiphones were Gibsons...

why bother with either when there are Michael Kelly Patriots and Schecter Solo-6s? And let's not forget ESP Eclipses for sth higher end.
IMO much better aesthetically and much more consistent in quality.

Patriots are becoming harder and harder to find. I played one, they're nice quality guitars if you can find 'em someplace other than ebay or craigslist. The newer Solo 6's have thinner bodies than LP's. Same with ESP Eclipses. The Eclipse felt like a nice looking toy. Much too light for me. On the plus side, the Eclipse has a one-piece mahogany back, like the VOS Gibsons.