[Korean Epiphones - A Theory]

While the overall quality control of Chinese Epiphones has improved in recent years and become much more consistent, aside from a few particular models (like the '61 reissues), the specs have clearly been changed for the worse. I recently saw a newer Joe Pass model in a store, and it was not even close to my 2001 Samick. The top had barely any arch at all, and the shape was more squared off from the graceful curves of my Samick. F-holes on many models have been widened, probably to make installation of the wiring harness easier, but they look oddly distorted to my eyes. Woods and finishes are clearly of lower quality as well, though the build quality seems pretty decent.

 

The bottom line is --- it's all about the bottom line. The Qingdao factory was set up so that Epiphone guitars could be made less expensively --- not so they could be made better. Many of the designs have been compromised to that end, so I seriously doubt that the standard Chinese models will eclipse the Korean ones when they are apples-to-apples comparisons. The specialty models that were never made in Korea are a different story --- some of those may become more desirable to collectors as they become less available.

I agree. You can only compare like for like. It is not fair to compare a standard Korean casino for instance with a limited edition Chinese one or an inspired by version as these have a higher and more traditional spec. They also cost more new than a Korean made version. The used value of the Korean must be compared to the standard Chinese version. Why anyone would buy a new reissue or inspired by casino when they could buy a used elitist for similar money is something that puzzles me also.