Epiphone VS Gibson

[OLD GUITAR PLAYER]

It takes some getting used too but I have grown to like it on my Casino

Actually, I shouldn't be critical of non-standard headstocks,
since I own a DAngelico... loll

 

[Wise Guy]

First hand experience, I own a 2020 Gibson LP Standard 60's and wanted to purchase its Epiphone twin version. Finally got it and the fretboard material is complete nonsense. It's super rough and porous. Not to mention I needed a complete fret leveling on a brand new guitar. It was my fault though for ordering sight unseen...Then again, the price difference should've been a good indicator.

 

[OLD GUITAR PLAYER]

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[OLD GUITAR PLAYER]

First hand experience, I own a 2020 Gibson LP Standard 60's and wanted to purchase its Epiphone twin version. Finally got it and the fretboard material is complete nonsense. It's super rough and porous. Not to mention I needed a complete fret leveling on a brand new guitar. It was my fault though for ordering sight unseen...Then again, the price difference should've been a good indicator.

When I special ordered a beautiful red Epiphone Les Paul Modern in 2021 during the Pandemic, I had been convinced by literally dozens of YouTube review websites that they were totally comparable instruments, on par with a $3000 Gibson!

Unfortunately reality bites, and when it finally arrived (after a long 8 months of waiting) the neck was unplayable, and the tech at Sam Ashe couldn't even send it out to have it Plekked, as it was badly twisted, and the frets were a mess. I personally reviewed that guitar before pulling the plug, and it was beautiful looking from 2 feet away, I give them that! But they showed me 5 others that also arrived in the same shipment, they all had neck/fret issues and were going back.

The next morning I added another $1000 to my refund, and ordered a Gibson Studio Les Paul Plus from Sweetwater online (I had 6 to pick from, and it arrived in 3 days). It was beautiful and the neck was perfect (it had been factory plekked) and the final setup "to my specs" was done flawlessly by the tech guys at Sweetwater (for an extra $50). It was well worth the difference, at least in my humble opinion.

Plus, my new Gibson arrived fitted with high quality branded components, wood, and great sounding pickups. There is nothing like the smell/feel of real Nitro (not poly), an actual mahogany body, a full AA maple cap (not maple with a decal, or paper thin laminate on top) quality rosewood and maple (not a "technical sub-species" of those woods), a tusk nut (not plastic), high quality wiring and pots, a switchcraft jack & toggle (not a $10 generic import harness), and real USA Gibson hardware and pickups (not branded imports). I learned my lesson, and ended up with a keeper guitar. Last year I added an HP4 module, giving my guitar 4 push-pulls (tapping/splitting/phase & coil reversal), all of a Gibson Modern's electronic options.

 

[Sgrady41]

I bought a Hummingbird Pro for my daughter had the same neck issue. Took a replacement and it has been a good guitar for her. I get it, I am just saying that the others I have bought and played, higher end Epiphones ahve been impressive. My Casino, has Fralins and CTS pots and Luxe caps

 

[OLD GUITAR PLAYER]

I bought a Hummingbird Pro for my daughter had the same neck issue. Took a replacement and it has been a good guitar for her. I get it, I am just saying that the others I have bought and played, higher end Epiphones ahve been impressive. My Casino, has Fralins and CTS pots and Luxe caps

Over the years, my primary concern about Epiphone was (and is) it's always been "hit & miss" on my finding a good one (a keeper). Yes, I too have been hearing good things about Epiphone's latest Chinese-made products. I already know China can put out great products, as my Chinese built 2021 Alvarez Hybrid Classical guitar is probably the best crafted, best sounding, and most playable guitar I own!

 

[Sgrady41]

I gree like I said the cheaper guitar had issues

 

[dwagar]

When the pandemic started to let up, our band had a small gig in a bar, acoustic. I didn't own an acoustic, I ended up using my ES330. But I decided I should have one.

I did NOT want to spend the money on a Gibson, I ended up buying an Epi Masterbuilt DR500MCE. It's a great guitar. I tried a cheaper Epi first, IMO it was junk.

Our singer has been playing his '76 ES335 for years. I told him for some of our gigs he really should be taking a cheaper guitar, it would suck if anything happened to his 335. One day I saw my local music store was going to have a nice Epi Les Paul on sale at a stupid cheap price. We got there early to be first in the door. I did a quick setup for him, he loves it. Plays it all the time. Would I have bought it? Nope.

If you can't, or don't want to spend Gibson money, I'd say check out an Epi. But if you're getting close to Gibson $, spend the extra so you don't reget it later.

In the 'take a cheaper guitar to *those* gigs department', I just bought a new SG Standard Tribute. It's a Gibson, it's great, and pretty cheap.

 

[EFLOW]

I know that made in usa Epiphone guitars are really are good guitars.

 

[OLD GUITAR PLAYER]

I know that made in usa Epiphone guitars are really are good guitars.

My understanding is that they are manufactured in the Gibson Nashville factory, utilizing USA Gibson components/materials/labor, exactly the same as a USA Gibson guitar. Essentially, they are the same quality as a new Gibson, as the price reflects that upgrade in quality.

 

[Sgrady41]

I have the cheaper version, the electronics were really not up to par, but the guitar is good. Replaced the components and I love it

 

[OLD GUITAR PLAYER]

I have the cheaper version, the electronics were really not up to par, but the guitar is good. Replaced the components and I love it

As long as the core construction is good, you can always upgrade the hardware and the electronics.
I did the same thing as you with my DAngelico SS Premiere. It's my favorite guitar after a few upgrades.

 

[Sgrady41]

As long as the core construction is good, you can always upgrade the hardware and the electronics.
I did the same thing as you with my DAngelico SS Premiere. It's my favorite guitar after a few upgrades.

I updated to CTS pots, switch, jack and Fralin pick ups adn it sounds amazing.

 

[OLD GUITAR PLAYER]

I updates to CTS pots, swith, jack and Fralin pick ups adn it sounds amazing.

To my DAngelico I added Locking Grover Imperial Tuners, a TonePros Locking Roller Bridge & Locking Tailpiece, vintage DAngelico Ebony knobs, a Starr custom harness with Bourns, Military Spec, 500 k, Push-pull pots, cloth wrapped wire, orange drop caps, and a Switchcraft Toggle & Jack. It already came with USA Seymour Duncan "Hot Rod" 4 wire pickups (SH2 & SH4) so I simply added splitting and phase reversal options with the new wiring harness.

 

[TM1]

I had one of the early Epiphone Elite Casino's. It was number #23. It was a great guitar that I only sold last year. It was a`65 I put in CTS 500K A pots, a pair of real vintage P-90's from the 50's, a real Gibson ABR-1, black plastic covers & real reflector knobs. I bought it from a friend of mine who worked at Gibson Artist Relations/West Coast so I got a great price.

 

[RDL]

(Unfortunately reality bites, and when it finally arrived (after a long 8 months of waiting) the neck was unplayable, and the tech at Sam Ashe couldn't even send it out to have it Plekked, as it was badly twisted, and the frets were a mess. I personally reviewed that guitar before pulling the plug, and it was beautiful looking from 2 feet away, I give them that! But they showed me 5 others that also arrived in the same shipment, they all had neck/fret issues and were going back.)

This could easily refer to a Gibson. Ive been playing for just unde 50 years....God knows Ive seen it ALL!

Just yesterday I was trying out a brand new Gibson SG in a store. the neck was clearly Kapu!

I judge guitars on an individual basis. Thus I have three gibson and three Epiphones Two Les Pauls and an SG each. I bought an Epi 50's Vintage sunburst yesterday and It gives the gibsons a run for their money.

So, in short...Have your cake and eat it.....

 

[OLD GUITAR PLAYER]

(Unfortunately reality bites, and when it finally arrived (after a long 8 months of waiting) the neck was unplayable, and the tech at Sam Ashe couldn't even send it out to have it Plekked, as it was badly twisted, and the frets were a mess. I personally reviewed that guitar before pulling the plug, and it was beautiful looking from 2 feet away, I give them that! But they showed me 5 others that also arrived in the same shipment, they all had neck/fret issues and were going back.)

This could easily refer to a Gibson. Ive been playing for just unde 50 years....God knows Ive seen it ALL!

Just yesterday I was trying out a brand new Gibson SG in a store. the neck was clearly Kapu!

I judge guitars on an individual basis. Thus I have three gibson and three Epiphones Two Les Pauls and an SG each. I bought an Epi 50's Vintage sunburst yesterday and It gives the gibsons a run for their money.

So, in short...Have your cake and eat it.....

Absolutely! I was not condemning ALL Epiphones, I was just commenting on my most recent
experience, and what I was confronted with. I own currently 7 "professional" grade guitars,
and only 1 of them was made entirely in the USA! That's because the quality of non-USA
made instruments has improved drastically over the past 30 years with the advent of Computer
guided equipment, a more experienced labor force overseas and honestly, stiffer retail competition.

I bought my first Epiphone in 1972, and my first Gibson in 1973 so I've been around a pretty long time.
In the early 70's I owned an Ibanez (lawsuit) Paul and a Framus L6 (lawsuit) copy that were both amazing.
I too judge guitars on an individual basis, probably because I was a guitar repairman/tech for 40+ years.

Certainly, you can find a bad Gibson on the shelves too, or any brand these days. My frustration was
that I SPECIAL ORDERED mine from the factory, waited almost a year for it to show up, and it was crap.
This doesn't mean they are ALL crap. Just the one that I had ordered and patiently waited for was a mess.

Attached below: A picture taken by my friend Forrest White at G&L, with Leo & I working on his very first
F-100 Prototype. I consider Leo Fender a pretty good mentor and reference, for considering build quality.

 

[MarcB]

G&L

Wow..A few years ago I went to G&L and was shown U Leo’s office and wore those mag-glasses.. ! .. also visited Uncle Leo’s grave after..
gave it a quick clean up..

 

[OLD GUITAR PLAYER]

Leo (RIP) was an amazing guy, honest, hard working and very down to earth.
I enjoyed my time with him, as did almost everyone at G&L.

 

[MarcB]

everyone at G&L.

It was a special day to visit the factory and guys that G&L .. almost a pilgrimage in a funny way..
I grew up on Fender’s and played a musicman sterling bass for a while.. so to hold and play the prototype bass was a pretty special moment..

I’ve also got that amp set up in your photo (HD150 I think) but with black logo badges.. I seemed to have gravitated to U Leo’s inventions without really knowing it..
and I concur with your sentiments in regards to U Leo’s build quality..