So I have spent some time with new Gibsons and Epiphones, I have the Epi 50's Standard, Gibson 50's Standard, Epi 59, Gibson 60's Standard, Gibson 61 SG, and a Gibson LP Jr.
All are 2021 or 2022 guitars, head to head the 50's Standards are both incredible guitars the Gibson has a little more sparkle to it in the clean tones, but the Epi has the long neck tenon, there are trade offs between them, but there is no doubt that the new Epis are serious contenders and the best bang for the buck.