old mark
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Posts posted by old mark
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OK, I know this is an old thread, BUT...I have had 2 Dots, now have 2 Sheraton II's and a bought new ES 335 PRO...I strongly suggest playing one if you are thinking of buying this type of guitar. The humbuckers o the 335 PRO are about the best full size humbuckers I have ever heard on an Epiphone, and I have no issues with their standard pickups. The PRO is a real gem of a guitar, and well worth the time to try one out in person...I love my Sheratons, but the 335 PRO is more versatile, and the pickups are just great.
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any suggestions on the bridge and bridge saddles upgrades?
Replace the whole bridge with a GOTOH TOM...wider for better intonation, more solid design, no springs, stable and no rattles or parts that fall out. About $30. Intonation is simple if you have an electronic tuner a cable and a screw driver.
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Mine is a 98 and love it. Great sound. Great player!
However all of my "gold" tarnished off within two years. Does your gold look ok?
db
They will do that...many Gibsons and other "good" brands do the same. I think they sometimes vary from part to part and from player to player...some people's sweat is very acidic and hard on metal. My first Gibson was a '68 Les Paul Custom that had blisters in the tailpiece and pickup covers from the player's hands...
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Yes, Mark, the Indonesia factory is Samick. The Indo guitars are really good...especially the fretwork. China seems to still be having problems with the upper register for some reason. Too many are coming out of Qingdao needing to be leveled.
I have owned several Samick Artist Series guitars AND one of my older Epiphones - my Sheraton II - is Samick made. I have NEVER had a "bad" guitar that came from Samick.
And I just bought a brand new Quingdao made ES335 Pro that I will take to my guitar tech for a fret level and polish in the next few months...Very close but needs improvement. Other than that, an incredible guitar!
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Duplicate - please delete.
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I have sometimes read this...Those crummy Juniors...Nothin but junk... :)
Well, no...
In the hands of a master...What more could you want.
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what is the callaham tailpiece,and how does it differ from stock? just got my junior a few weeks ago,and intonation is close but not adjustable like a strat...
It is made by Callaham, machined from a steel block that looke slike the original Gibson zinc tail piece, but with a curved ridge along the top that intonates the strings.
http://www.specialtyguitars.com/callaham-les-paul.html
I use Ernit Ball Slinky 10's on my Juniors and the Callaham works much better than the newer Lightning Bolt Gibson TP's or any of the other replacements I have tried...and I have a bag full of them. It is $107, but it works and sounds great and it does seem to improve sustain and maybe some tone.
I love playing Juniors and they are much better when they are in tune...this does it.
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what is the callaham tailpiece,and how does it differ from stock? just got my junior a few weeks ago,and intonation is close but not adjustable like a strat...
It is made by Callaham, machined from a steel block that looke slike the original Gibson zinc tail piece, but with a curved ridge along the top that intonates the strings. I use Ernit Ball Slinky 10's on my Juniors and the Callaham works much better than the newer Lightning Bolt Gibson TP's or any of the other replacements I have tried...and I have a bag full of them. It is $107, but it works and sounds great and it does seem to improve sustain and maybe some tone.
I love playing Juniors and they are much better when they are in tune...this does it.
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My 2...
On the left is a 2010 "faded" or whatever the non-glossy finish models were called, with it's original gig bag and all paper goodies, and on the right is a glossy 2011 that came in a Gibson USA hard case with pink lining and a shroud and all original paperwork...
The 2011 has a Callaham steel stop tailpiece and it is worth every dime. I will get one for the other one as well.
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OK, finally adding a pic of my 2011 Junior, glossy Tobacco Sunburst. I replaced the adjustable tailpiece with a steel Callaham and the knobs with amber speed knobs...here it is when I first got it...
I like this one so much, I just bought another Junior, a 2010, also tobacco burst, with a hard case...no pics, on the way here from California.
Pic of both just posted below...
mark
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As I'd recounted in another thread, the majority of my experience was with the Korean Epiphones (Saein in particular). Was extremely partial to them because of the nearly flawless construction & consistency.
This past spring, I bought a new "Iced Tea" burst Epi Les Paul Standard online. Was interested in trying the Probuckers & the Coil-split options. The asking price was impossible to turn away from, so I pulled the trigger.
The seller stated that it was from the Indonesian factory. I tried not to have any expectations one way or the other & figured I'd return it if I didn't care for it, or felt it was not up to the quality of the Saeins I'd had in the past.
Truthfully, it's one of the nicest Les Pauls I've ever played, never mind owned. Fit & finish are Class A, the Probuckers may not be Gibson, but they're damned nice in a band-mix (single-coil & humbucking both). The electronics are noiseless, no crackles, pops or scratchiness. Still haven't opened it up to see whether they're alpha of full-sizes because it really doesn't matter to me. For the first time, I bought an Epiphone that I have not customized, modded or tampered with in anyway. Doesn't need it.
Likewise, outside of threads such as this one, I don't really give a thought to where it was made. Again, doesn't matter to me.
Did I just get lucky or is this the current trend for Epiphone production? I have no way of knowing, but I'm still mightily impressed & pleased with this instrument.
Of course, YMMV, but there it is...
I have 5 Epi acoustics and a Wilshire all made in Indonesia - fantastic guitars, every one...I also have several Korean made '90's Epiphones and I find they are very good, but they have a lot of variations between them, far more so than the Chinese or Indonesian Epis I own....which is probably due to manufacturing techniques...but the detail and finish is exceptional on newer Epis, period.
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Since my last post on this thread, I have bought a second 1990's Peerless-made Epiphone Sorrento...Now have 2, from the same year and factory and they are VERY different guitars. The second one is heavier, the neck feels different - a bit wider - and at this point I have it set up with flat wound jazz strings...
I have also just bid on a 2003 Peerless made Casino...actually because the price is very good, if I can get him to throw in a used hard case, and it's exactly what I had been looking for.
I do have Indonesian made Epiphones - several acoustics and a solid body Wilshire, all of which are exceptional guitars, far better IMO than their selling price suggests.
I seem to have become a real Epiphone fan and supporter over the last 3 years, and I have been selling a lot of my "other" guitars in that time, including a few Gibsons.
FWIW, I have seen and handled and played a lot of Epiphones from the 60's, late '70's, 90's and current models - They are much better guitars recently = VERY well built with good detailing and much improved electronics - IMO, Epiphone P90's are good as anyone's and better than most, while their humbuckers are slightly different in tone but still great.
Overall, the NEWER Epiphones - maybe 2010 and newer, Chinese and Indonesian - seem to be more consistent one to the next over those coming before. Some of the Korean made Epi's might be exceptional, but I think there is more variance in them and some might not be as well made.
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Late to this thread, but...
I have an Epiphone Elitist Casino that came with Gibson P90's, and I also have several Epi's with Epiphone P90's...they are different, but I don't know if one is better than the other...I believe there is a big difference between the various guitars...even if you swapped the same pups from one to the other, there would be a difference.
mark
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I think people should accept that quality guitars can be made in any country or area...as I stated earlier, I have several Epiphones made in China, one from Indonesia, one from Japan and another coming now made in Korea. I believe the Chinese made Epis especially those made since say 2010 or so are as good in quality as any others. Remember, EVERYONE now has guitars made in the East, even D'Angelico...
Cost or "collectibility"...who knows what this will be like a few years from now. Back when I started playing in bands in the mid 1960's, there were few or no collectable guitars. The guitarist in one of my bands bought a '50's Gibson Les Paul Gold Top for $250...at the time, it was just a used guitar...and sine he wanted one with humbuckers, he stripped it and made it into a tobacco sunburst with humbuckers and a stop TP TOM bridge...I bought my first Gibson, a '68 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty for $400, with the case, which would probably sell for near that by itself now.
I see prices for 90's MIK Epiphones - like Dots, etc, going up, and that might be OK - there are no more being made now...but as players, I think there is probably as much difference from one guitar to the next as there is from one country of manufacture to the other...
although I have to say I am really looking forward to my late '90's MIK Sorrento that should be here next week...
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This just came Christmas Eve, several days ahead of the scheduled delivery, and made my Christmas very happy!
2011 Trad Pro, P90's with tapped coils. This is the 60's neck version, which I find is no problem for me at all. BEAUTIFUL player. Beautiful Gibson!
I believe these were sold through GC, and seem to no longer be made...There were also Goldtops with P90's with the '50's neck...but I like basic black...goes well with my 2 ebony '91 SG Specials.
Merry Christmas!
mark
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I have 4 Chinese made Epiphone electric guitars and basses and 3 Epiphone acoustics, and I think they are first rate.
I hear they have really improved over the last years since Epiphone started its own plant. I did own several Korean made guitars, including an Epi Dot, but sold all of them but one, a Samick Artist Series jazz guitar from the 1990's...and I might just sell that one, too.
There is nothing wrong with Chinese made guitars just because they are Chinese. Ephphone's quality is excellent.
mark
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I read some time ago that Samick, based in Korea, had opened a plant or plants in Indonesia to make guitars...are Indonesian-made Epiphones made by Samick, even indirectly?
I have several Epiohone acoustics and I just ordered an Epiphone Wilshire '66 re-issue that I see is made in Indonesia...FWIW, the Epi acoustics I have are first rate guitars, equal to some I have played that cost 4 and 5 TIMES the Epi sale price...(I own 3 of them right now...) I also have owned several 1990's Samick Artist Series guitars...and I still own one of their jazz guitars in that series, and THEY are also first rate guitars.
Is there again a Samick/Epiphone connection? Did it ever really go away?
This is just curiosity on my part...
Thanks.
mark
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I can sort of come close. In the mid 1970's I bought a '68 Les Paul Custom, played it for maybe 5 years, and stupidly sold it. I now own a 2002 re issue of the '54 Les Paul Custom.
Obviously, I can't do an A-B side by side because my '68 is long gone...but I remember a lot about it because I was very impressed with it.
Overall quality - I think the re-issue/Historic is as good, maybe a shade better. Build is absolutely beautiful for both, maybe a bit better on the re- issue...the OLD Gibsons used far more hand work, thus more individual differences from unit to unit. Newer Gibsons are more consistent, at least IMO.
Playability - The re-issue has modern frets. The '68 had "fretless wonder" frets. Depends on how much you bend, but I call them different but equal.
Sound - totally different pickups- The '68 had humbuckers, and all original factory electronics. It sounded CREAMY with a little back off of the tone pot. The 2002/54 has a P 90 and a staple/ Alnico...again, I love the sound, but have to call them different but equal.
Deciding factor for me is I cold AFFORD to buy the re-issue. The original 1968, which set me back all of $400 in 1976, is too expensive for me...It was a great guitar, but IMO, not worth the asking price these days...
Please note I am NOT a collector, nor a fan of collectors. I remember when these were just old guitars, and priced accordingly, and I have no interest in that game.
mark
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I bought a used Zenith bass to use for recording...it is a weird looking bass, which probably put some people off, it is extremely heavy, which put even more people off, and it sounds like an upright...which is why I bought it. I am planning to do some recording next year, using just 1 guitar and a bass, both played by me, and will use this for at least some songs.
I have noticed that people complain that there are no new designs in guitars or basses, but do not buy many of them when someone comes up with a new design. Mine did come with a factory case, and I won't part with it any time soon...probably no one would want to buy it anyway.
mark
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I already have a 2012 Les Paul Junior Special, and just bought a 2011 LP Jr..it will be here late next week, and I will post pics when I can...but here's my Jr Spl...
mark
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My first P90 was in the neck position of a parts Telecaster my late wife got me for Christmas about 5 years ago...I liked it so much, I got one of these...Gibson LP Studio '50's Tribute P90, Honeyburst...Pups on this are Tom Short's Sweet P90's...
I liked that one so much I got this one last year...2012 Epiphone Elitist Casino...
And then I liked THAT one so much, I found one of these on special and had to buy it... Gibson Les Paul Junior Special, P90's...this is an older one with rosewood board in satin TV yellow...
Now I'm looking at a Les Paul Junior...P 90. They really do get to you, don't they...
mark
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I have a 2002 MIK Dot, not sure of the maker. It's a beautiful guitar, all black wonderful player - it had a fret job when I bought it used several years ago.
It's more mellow than my other Dot, which is a 2010 Chinese made Natural. It has a repaired neck break, but it also has Gibson 490's installed, and I have replaced the bridge and TP with older versions, which I prefer. It is also a great player, but much more of a rock & roll guitar. I think the quality of the Chinese made Epiphones is extremely good..I feel the 2 Dots are different, but I can't say one is really better - just different. I really love them both.
I just got a MIJ Epi Casino Elitist, which cost about 4 times what I paid for the other 2 Dots combined, and I have to say it's a totally different animal. I'm still getting familiar with it, but the quality s certainly there.
Epiphone's many years of making hollow body electrics has shone through - they still do it very well, and I do agree they are improving steadily.
I also have a MIK Samick Artist Series jazz guitar from the 1990's that is just amazing in terms of quality.
mark
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From 1961, Dr. Ross, The Harmonica Boss - Cat Squirrel...later done by Cream and Jethro Tull...
Dr. Ross was a great all around musician and entertainer, and is very underrated...
mark
Buy a Les Paul at Best Buy ...a good thing ?
in Gibson USA
Posted
I have bought used instruments from Guitar Center for more than 5 years now, have been let down by 2 of them, both returned for a full refund with NO problem at all.
I just got a brand new 2016 Gibson Les Paul from z Zounds yesterday...again, very good price, very very fast shipping and NO problem...and an excellent guitar. Go with a BIG online seller and you will be fine. BUT avoid private sellers on eBay and similar sites. You can return unsatisfactory items there, too, but it's a drawn out process...
At least online you get a pic and you can do research on what you find you like...and before you buy, call the manager of the store and talk with him /her about the specific guitar you want. Most times they will take it in hand and look it over while you are on the phone. Fear not.
What I bought and the ad I bought it from...
http://www.zzounds.c...5FxCQ2eK6JLCbq=