Thinking of trading ltd for epiphone -- worth it?

[AmirH]

I tried a couple semi-hollows at the local guitar shop and they had an epiphone dot with a satin finish for only 229 dollars. It was set up poorly, and the only amp they had for me to test it through was a behringer modeller. They also had a samick with duncan designed pickups that played awesome, but they want 800 dollars, which seems much too high for a korean-made guitar. Not sure where their pricing scheme comes from...

In any case, I don't have extra cash, but I do have an ltd viper with EMGs that rarely gets any play time. It has good action and sounds decent enough, but there's nothing it can do that my duncan-loaded schecter can't and it doesn't feel as "alive" in comparison. Still, I'm concerned trading it for the epiphone might be a downgrade overall, especially since they're asking so little. What's the word on these epiphones? Any good/bad experiences? How do they compare to the Ibanez artcore series? Would I be better off selling the viper on craigslist or ebay?

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Thinking of trading ltd for epiphone -- worth it?

it kind of is a downgrade, but if you never ever play the viper, it seems like a good deal.

 

[guitarkid]

Re: Thinking of trading ltd for epiphone -- worth it?

I have never played an Epiphone that played better than an LTD... that doesn't mean they're not out there. But I haven't played any that play better than an LTD.

 

[rumblebox]

Re: Thinking of trading ltd for epiphone -- worth it?

yea i would never trade an LTD for an epiphone. all 3 of my LTDs are on par or above gibson studios.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Thinking of trading ltd for epiphone -- worth it?

IMO, if you are trading a relatively inexpensive guitar that you don't play for an relatively inexpensive one that you will, it is not a downgrade worth worrying about. If there is a sizable difference in value, I'd sell the LTD privately and then buy the Dot.

I prefer the older Samick-made Epis to the ones coming from China now. And you'd get a gloss finish that way.

 

[rumblebox]

Re: Thinking of trading ltd for epiphone -- worth it?

the only reason i say is because LTD's are more consistently well-built than epiphones

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Thinking of trading ltd for epiphone -- worth it?

It's like switching from a budget car for an another budget car. Good and bad things are there in both sides.

I like the mojo of certain Epiphone guitars. I like the consistency of LTDs. I don't really like that most Epi's feel as playable as a baseball bat in my hands. I don't really like the generic tone and feel of most LTDs.

Out of the two, I'd switch for a Tokai or something like that. But everyone has different pros/cons, think about your balance, go that way and never look back

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Thinking of trading ltd for epiphone -- worth it?

My reading of the OP is that you are thinking about trading a decent guitar that you rarely play for a guitar that is inexpensive but which MIGHT turn out good after some luthier attention and pickup upgrades. IMO, the economics of this are not good.

I agree with the suggestion to sell the LTD privately. Put the proceeds towards a semi that plays and sounds good before it leaves the music store.

 

[AmirH]

Re: Thinking of trading ltd for epiphone -- worth it?

Thanks for the advice everyone -- I think you've convinced me it's not worth it and that I should sell the ltd privately. I bet one of those Ibanez artcores or a tokai will be a better bet in the long run.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Thinking of trading ltd for epiphone -- worth it?

Thanks for the advice everyone -- I think you've convinced me it's not worth it and that I should sell the ltd privately. I bet one of those Ibanez artcores or a tokai will be a better bet in the long run.

Look around for a used Dot, not the satin Studio ones (which are the bottom level Dots). I recently found a like-new Dot in natural with a mahogany neck for $250 on Craig's List.

 

[Kramer Guy]

Re: Thinking of trading ltd for epiphone -- worth it?

If it was a Dot Standard, I would go for it, but from what it sounds like, you're being offered a Dot Studio which really aren't that bad, but do require a lot of work to be deemed fully playable. You'd be better off selling your LTD at a reasonable price and getting what you want with the money from it.

 

[lex666]

Re: Thinking of trading ltd for epiphone -- worth it?

Personnally, I'd get the Sheraton II.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Thinking of trading ltd for epiphone -- worth it?

Personnally, I'd get the Sheraton II.

As would I, but it depends on budget.

 

[Varg]

Re: Thinking of trading ltd for epiphone -- worth it?

I agree with the suggestion to sell the LTD privately. Put the proceeds towards a semi that plays and sounds good before it leaves the music store.

Yeah, I would never trade a guitar at a shop, they will rip you off. If you sell it for cash, you can then take that to a shop and haggle with them.

 

[Varg]

Re: Thinking of trading ltd for epiphone -- worth it?

Oh, Epiphone are bringing out 339s very soon, maybe you could wait on one of those. Even I find them quite nice, and I normally hate semi hollow guitars.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Thinking of trading ltd for epiphone -- worth it?

Yeah, I would never trade a guitar at a shop, they will rip you off. If you sell it for cash, you can then take that to a shop and haggle with them.

+1. They have to resell it at a profit, so you aren't going to get anywhere near the market price for your guitar.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Thinking of trading ltd for epiphone -- worth it?

Oh, Epiphone are bringing out 339s very soon, maybe you could wait on one of those. Even I find them quite nice, and I normally hate semi hollow guitars.

For those of you who have found 335's to be a little large (16" lower bout), a 339 is worth checking out.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Thinking of trading ltd for epiphone -- worth it?

There is also an Ibanez in the 339 vein...and they originated the little semis back in 1982.

 

[david kornblatt]

Re: Thinking of trading ltd for epiphone -- worth it?

There is also an Ibanez in the 339 vein...and they originated the little semis back in 1982.

Or just upgrade your current gear and go to work for EPIPHONE so they dont make junk anymore.