Whats your opinion/experience with epiphone guitars? I really want a double p90 guitar and ive been looking at this model http://www.epiphone.com/Products/SG/1961-SG-Special.aspx
Are they any good?
Are they any good?
Your opinion on Epiphone guitars
- Thread starter stef89
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beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Your opinion on Epiphone guitars
My opinion is mixed. It's going to depend on the year and model, and what your target sound is.
I have a Gibson Les Paul Standard and my buddy has an equivalent Epiphone Les Paul - actually his was supposed to be a nicer equivalent - his has gold hardware and flamed top wood. We jammed for a while, then switched guitars. When I plugged the Epiphone Les Paul into my amp, I had to dime the guitar and I was still only getting about half the volume out of it, and if I rolled the volumes off at all the top edge of the treble rolled off also. The deal breaker was it couldn't really play in tune. I had to retune it for where on the neck I wanted to play. My Gibson Les Paul didn't exhibit any of these issues.
I also have an Epiphone Elitist Casino, which is a great instrument, it can be set up properly, plays in tune for long duration, sounds really excellent, I've recorded music in the studio with it. It's competitive to similar Gibsons.
I have played other Epiphone electrics in stores that were competitive - meaning with a little bit of set up and some parts replacements (nut, bridge, pickups, tuners) they could be turned into daily players, rather than a student or backup guitar.
I also have a 1949 Ephiphone Blackstone acoustic made by hand in the New York factory. It's one of the easiest to play and best sounding acoustics I have owned.
So, it depends. Go play one through the amp you intend to use it with and see if it makes the sound you want and plays in tune.
My opinion is mixed. It's going to depend on the year and model, and what your target sound is.
I have a Gibson Les Paul Standard and my buddy has an equivalent Epiphone Les Paul - actually his was supposed to be a nicer equivalent - his has gold hardware and flamed top wood. We jammed for a while, then switched guitars. When I plugged the Epiphone Les Paul into my amp, I had to dime the guitar and I was still only getting about half the volume out of it, and if I rolled the volumes off at all the top edge of the treble rolled off also. The deal breaker was it couldn't really play in tune. I had to retune it for where on the neck I wanted to play. My Gibson Les Paul didn't exhibit any of these issues.
I also have an Epiphone Elitist Casino, which is a great instrument, it can be set up properly, plays in tune for long duration, sounds really excellent, I've recorded music in the studio with it. It's competitive to similar Gibsons.
I have played other Epiphone electrics in stores that were competitive - meaning with a little bit of set up and some parts replacements (nut, bridge, pickups, tuners) they could be turned into daily players, rather than a student or backup guitar.
I also have a 1949 Ephiphone Blackstone acoustic made by hand in the New York factory. It's one of the easiest to play and best sounding acoustics I have owned.
So, it depends. Go play one through the amp you intend to use it with and see if it makes the sound you want and plays in tune.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Your opinion on Epiphone guitars
Overall, Epiphone makes a decent workman instrument. Low mid end, but no doubt functional. As Beau said, they vary a lot.
I had a fantastic Epiphone LP Classic. But it was way brighter than my Gibsons - which have Maple necks!. After adding Duncans, it sounded way better than my Gibson with T-tops.
I will say overall, there is a LOT of love for the G400 (SG)'s) line. I would expect that guitar is pretty good.
An often stated issue with Epiphone is that a pickup swap can really do them right. I'd always want to play one to hear feel it first.
Tuners can be a second issue.
Pots and electronics are often changed
Less so, tailpieces.
Again - whatever you think it needs to up the tonal mojo a notch for your ears. At some point though, you might as well have bought a used Giibson.
Beau - were the pickups the same? were both guitars adjusted the same? Just saying' apples to apples….
Overall, Epiphone makes a decent workman instrument. Low mid end, but no doubt functional. As Beau said, they vary a lot.
I had a fantastic Epiphone LP Classic. But it was way brighter than my Gibsons - which have Maple necks!. After adding Duncans, it sounded way better than my Gibson with T-tops.
I will say overall, there is a LOT of love for the G400 (SG)'s) line. I would expect that guitar is pretty good.
An often stated issue with Epiphone is that a pickup swap can really do them right. I'd always want to play one to hear feel it first.
Tuners can be a second issue.
Pots and electronics are often changed
Less so, tailpieces.
Again - whatever you think it needs to up the tonal mojo a notch for your ears. At some point though, you might as well have bought a used Giibson.
Beau - were the pickups the same? were both guitars adjusted the same? Just saying' apples to apples….
Last edited:
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Your opinion on Epiphone guitars
Wasn't really a science experiment like that (where we measured everything and put the same electronics in), but it was two bone stock guitars as they come from the factory.
Wasn't really a science experiment like that (where we measured everything and put the same electronics in), but it was two bone stock guitars as they come from the factory.
Snake Aces
Singlecut Slut
Re: Your opinion on Epiphone guitars
My first guitar was a late 90's Epi Les Paul. It was an awesome guitar and I kinda wish I still had it. For a while there in the 2000's their instruments took a small step back on quality but recently I have been impressed by some of their guitars.
My honest opinion is they are making too many though. The market is flooded. This worries me because who knows what woods and materials will be left to make guitars out of in the future. Maybe they could take a step back on quantity and increase their quality on the instruments they do make.
My first guitar was a late 90's Epi Les Paul. It was an awesome guitar and I kinda wish I still had it. For a while there in the 2000's their instruments took a small step back on quality but recently I have been impressed by some of their guitars.
My honest opinion is they are making too many though. The market is flooded. This worries me because who knows what woods and materials will be left to make guitars out of in the future. Maybe they could take a step back on quantity and increase their quality on the instruments they do make.
Dahla
New member
Re: Your opinion on Epiphone guitars
My experience is with two Epi's. A goth explorer and the new MKH Les Paul.
The goth explorer were kind of rough around the edges, meaning the cavitys and such were not as nice as ny Gibson explorer. And the sanding were done in a hurry before spraying (not sharp, clean edges on the lower horn for instance). But the playability after a thorough setup, oh man. It played nice, and sounded awesome. Especially with the BW's in it.
The MKH though, is perfect as is. The setup were great and the frets were really good. No need for any work. It has nothing the be ashamed of next to my Gibson, Fenders and ESP as far as I'm concerned. And it's great to have a guitar with bulletproof paint sometimes.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
My experience is with two Epi's. A goth explorer and the new MKH Les Paul.
The goth explorer were kind of rough around the edges, meaning the cavitys and such were not as nice as ny Gibson explorer. And the sanding were done in a hurry before spraying (not sharp, clean edges on the lower horn for instance). But the playability after a thorough setup, oh man. It played nice, and sounded awesome. Especially with the BW's in it.
The MKH though, is perfect as is. The setup were great and the frets were really good. No need for any work. It has nothing the be ashamed of next to my Gibson, Fenders and ESP as far as I'm concerned. And it's great to have a guitar with bulletproof paint sometimes.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Your opinion on Epiphone guitars
Try many. Only buy an exceptional example.
At the same price point, you may still find a Hamer XT series guitar or a pre-owned G&L Tribute Series ASAT with the big MFD pickups.
Try many. Only buy an exceptional example.
At the same price point, you may still find a Hamer XT series guitar or a pre-owned G&L Tribute Series ASAT with the big MFD pickups.
Rand-O-Monium
New member
Re: Your opinion on Epiphone guitars
I've got 2 MIKs.
Love the Explorer('58/Blk),"really like" the "Sykes-ish" LPCustom...
Play a bunch,as stated.
I've got 2 MIKs.
Love the Explorer('58/Blk),"really like" the "Sykes-ish" LPCustom...
Play a bunch,as stated.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Your opinion on Epiphone guitars
I have a few Epi SG's, and like them a lot, of course I upgrade PU's. Great guitar for the money. I had one of those P-90 SG's but sold it because I couldn't get used to the neck. Weird shape; it was wide, but top to bottom was very thin, even at the body juncture, where I like them with some girth (something has to be thick on an SG, as the bodies are thin). I'm 6'5' with big hands, and skinny necks don't feel right. I don't know if all of the P-90 SG's are like that, as Epi necks do vary. I picked up a more recent production Epi '66 batwing SG, and the neck is perfect for me: full, & nice and thick at the body (the earlier '66 SG's don't all have thick necks). Other than that, I liked the P-90 SG and would have kept it. Nice concept, as there were some great things done with them by Townsend, Iommi, and Santana.
I have a few Epi SG's, and like them a lot, of course I upgrade PU's. Great guitar for the money. I had one of those P-90 SG's but sold it because I couldn't get used to the neck. Weird shape; it was wide, but top to bottom was very thin, even at the body juncture, where I like them with some girth (something has to be thick on an SG, as the bodies are thin). I'm 6'5' with big hands, and skinny necks don't feel right. I don't know if all of the P-90 SG's are like that, as Epi necks do vary. I picked up a more recent production Epi '66 batwing SG, and the neck is perfect for me: full, & nice and thick at the body (the earlier '66 SG's don't all have thick necks). Other than that, I liked the P-90 SG and would have kept it. Nice concept, as there were some great things done with them by Townsend, Iommi, and Santana.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Your opinion on Epiphone guitars
Yeah - I get your point. But if one had 500T and you had Mehbuckers….
Yeah - I get your point. But if one had 500T and you had Mehbuckers….
guitarSQUIRELL
New member
Re: Your opinion on Epiphone guitars
Have you checked out Agile? I have played many epis but when I bought my Agile a couple months ago, it blew the epis out of the water IMO. Not to mention, I bought one used for less than $200 mahogany body, maple cap, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard even came with Grover tuners installed and a wilkinson roller bridge. I think they're worth looking into.
Have you checked out Agile? I have played many epis but when I bought my Agile a couple months ago, it blew the epis out of the water IMO. Not to mention, I bought one used for less than $200 mahogany body, maple cap, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard even came with Grover tuners installed and a wilkinson roller bridge. I think they're worth looking into.
TampicoFresh
New member
Re: Your opinion on Epiphone guitars
I love Epiphones. You have to double check the hardware when you buy them though. I've had a selector switch that wasn't connecting properly on an lp and when i got my es339 one of the tuners busted after about a month and the output jacks almost always need to be tightened. But... you save a ton over buying a Gibson if you are budgeting and as a huge DIY-er, broken hardware just gives me an excuse to upgrade. :banana::banana::banana: Stock, they sound great (i believe most of your tone comes from your hands anyway) and once you have checked everything and everything is good you have a wonderful instrument. Plus, lately Epiphone has been making a lot of improvements in their guitars so many of them don't NEED to be touched. But that's just boring.
I love Epiphones. You have to double check the hardware when you buy them though. I've had a selector switch that wasn't connecting properly on an lp and when i got my es339 one of the tuners busted after about a month and the output jacks almost always need to be tightened. But... you save a ton over buying a Gibson if you are budgeting and as a huge DIY-er, broken hardware just gives me an excuse to upgrade. :banana::banana::banana: Stock, they sound great (i believe most of your tone comes from your hands anyway) and once you have checked everything and everything is good you have a wonderful instrument. Plus, lately Epiphone has been making a lot of improvements in their guitars so many of them don't NEED to be touched. But that's just boring.
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: Your opinion on Epiphone guitars
I played a Epiphone Genesis Deluxe Pro recently and it was a beast. Great tone, the neck was fast and the top was beautiful. The price was only $325 and the thing looked brand new. The only thing that stopped my from buying it was anything I would use it for I would probably do with the Les Paul or SG. I don't like to buy guitars just to slide them under the bed for years. I would suggest anyone looking for a Les Paul type of midrange guitar definitely check one out. They are gigworthy axes.
I played a Epiphone Genesis Deluxe Pro recently and it was a beast. Great tone, the neck was fast and the top was beautiful. The price was only $325 and the thing looked brand new. The only thing that stopped my from buying it was anything I would use it for I would probably do with the Les Paul or SG. I don't like to buy guitars just to slide them under the bed for years. I would suggest anyone looking for a Les Paul type of midrange guitar definitely check one out. They are gigworthy axes.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Your opinion on Epiphone guitars
OP stated dual P90s.
The price of a brand new, over-dressed Epi SG ought to land a pre-owned PRS Soapbar or Soapbar II and pay for some American pickups.
OP stated dual P90s.
The price of a brand new, over-dressed Epi SG ought to land a pre-owned PRS Soapbar or Soapbar II and pay for some American pickups.
925SS
New member
Re: Your opinion on Epiphone guitars
Not saying there's anything wrong with epi, but this is what I was thinking, especially with the recent price hikes.
+1
Not saying there's anything wrong with epi, but this is what I was thinking, especially with the recent price hikes.
TheMadGypsyBaron
New member
Re: Your opinion on Epiphone guitars
I absolutely love my Epiphone Les Paul, though it's had a lot of expenses put into it. Probably put more money into it than it's worth, but as my first electric, I don't really care about all that as it means a lot to me.
I've had the electronics upgrade, the pickups upgraded, and it has been set up professionally by a luthier, and I plan to do much much more.
I like Epiphone, but I would always upgrade at least something
I absolutely love my Epiphone Les Paul, though it's had a lot of expenses put into it. Probably put more money into it than it's worth, but as my first electric, I don't really care about all that as it means a lot to me.
I've had the electronics upgrade, the pickups upgraded, and it has been set up professionally by a luthier, and I plan to do much much more.
I like Epiphone, but I would always upgrade at least something
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Your opinion on Epiphone guitars
Or, apples to apples, the price of a used Epi SG...
Or, apples to apples, the price of a used Epi SG...
