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Epiphone wish list?

jbailes

By jbailes
in Epiphone Electrics

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Bluemans335

Bluemans335

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I almost get the impression that Gib/Epi is taking a deep breath and a step back on design and manufacturing to figure how to ensure that stock will move faster.

 

It's a tough economy.

 

I'm not entirely sure of what you're trying to say, but I suspect you're bemoaning the fact that Epi's introduced so many new models in recent years.

 

Introducing new models/pickups/features in the last decade has done a lot to keep Epi's sales going thru this economy, and I hope that doesn't stop anytime soon. They've become very competitive by doing that. There were times in the 1990's when there wasn't much new in their printed catalogs, year after year, and they stagnated for a while. You pretty much knew what was going to be in the next year's catalog; not much excitement most years, not much new to get players interested. The electric guitar market's been like that since the 1950's back in Ted's day: Gibson had something new for every year's NAMM show. New models keep you in the public's eye; it gives players a reason to keep checking you out, whether it's people who own an Epi currently or people who don't. Epi is very high profile in the musical instrument business, so increasiing sales is not a question of more advertising. They know who Epi is.

 

To get existing Epi owners to buy another Epi, who have already seen the current line, you may have to get their interest with something different. Same goes for potential customers who've never owned an Epi. They've seen the guitars and basses already, and that didn't convince them to make the move. But something new may. From the beginning, this industry has always been very competitive, driven by new models, features, and technology. Once musicians think they've seen everything you have to offer, you fade into the background. In the past decade, Epi's given musicians a reason to watch their product line, because it's alive and responsive. You never know what's going to come out next.

 

It doesn't cost a lot to change features or colors and create a new model, or upgrade electronics and hardware. The name of the game is capturing the public's interest, and Epi's done a great job of it for the last 10 years, striking a balance between a core of time-tested traditional models, and exciting new introductions, resissues, signatures, and limited editions. That goes hand-in-hand with improving quality and holding prices. They've kept tabs on what players want to see and have put many of those into production. They listen. I have a bunch of Epi's, and the majority are limited editions. If Epi still had the same product line as they did in the late 1990's/early 2000's, they wouldn't have sold nearly as many guitars as they did. Epi is a major contender in the market these days, it's relevant to young and old players. And that's because they have changed many things since the year 2000. I hope they keep it going.

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capmaster

capmaster

Posted
Posted

All kidding aside, I almost get the impression that Gib/Epi is taking a deep breath and a step back on design and manufacturing to figure how to ensure that stock will move faster.

 

It's a tough economy.

 

m

You're right, it's a tough economy, but I often witnessed in the past one and a half years that some very sought-after items were unavailable for months. This ranged from Gibson LP Studio models in certain finishes via the Gibson SG Standard basses - it was a real hassle for me to acquire the two of mine -, to the Epiphone Tribute 1960 Les Paul guitars and the Epiphone Les Paul Plustop PRO/FX with FR vibrato.

 

However, you maybe are right in another point, too. There probably are some models that don't sell as much, but there also seem to be certain items that considerably exceed the expectations and so are out of stock for extended periods.

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Lofgren

Lofgren

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Posted

No it isn't the Sheraton...white pick guard, doesn't look like gold hardware and different inlays. I'll try and put a pic on. There's an arty pic inside of a mini humbuckered semi with gold hardware and a stop tailpiece..no idea what that one is either...

 

Looks like a Riviera on the 2013 catalogue cover to me! I really hope it's a 63 reissue!

Screenshot:

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Lofgren

Lofgren

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Looks like a Riviera on the 2013 catalogue cover to me! I really hope it's a 63 reissue!

Screenshot:

 

And regarding the Mystery guitar a few pages in, with the stoptail and minis, that one is probably a sheraton, can't make out the inlays, but gold hw and the dark pickguard, and possibly fret edge binding / nibs?

Screenshot:

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jonny_2_owls

jonny_2_owls

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Thanks for putting the pics up Lofgren...you beat me to it.

 

Yeah the front over one is definitely a Riviera of some description hope it's a new anniversary model and not just some stock library pic.

 

The one a few pages in may be one of the stop tail John Lee Hooker USA sheratons from a few years ago??

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Lofgren

Lofgren

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Thanks for putting the pics up Lofgren...you beat me to it.

 

Yeah the front over one is definitely a Riviera of some description hope it's a new anniversary model and not just some stock library pic.

 

The one a few pages in may be one of the stop tail John Lee Hooker USA sheratons from a few years ago??

 

The Riviera sunburst looks kinda modern and two-tone, so it's probably asian made. The black switch, looks like an Elitist Riviera I'm afraid.. :/ Still have hope that they'll reissue it.

 

Regarding the sheraton, i think you found the right one, the jl hooker signature. Could also be an Elitist, they look very similar to my eyes

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Lofgren

Lofgren

Posted
Posted

I don't think there's much hope that we'll see a 50th anniversary Riviera in Royal Tan. Realistically they would have made that run at the same moment as the 62 Sheraton reissue, considering the similarities of the two models (probably the very same reason it won't happen

: to similar)

I think they probably planned it a while back when they posted the Otis Rush feature and video.

I wish epiphone would put more focus on their own legacy (kalamazoo-era and also pre-gibson era models) instead of basically serving as a advertisement bureau for Gibson and maintaining the image of epiphone as the low-end Gibson student/toy guitars for newbie players (leading to inevitable upgrade to "The real thing"). But obviously the concept is working, they sell tons of LPs and SGs. I'm grateful they made their 50th reissue runs, they really didn't have to (considering the low numbers it probably isn't very profitable).

 

Still, I wish they'd do a 50th anniversary Riviera run (or better yet: permanently reintroduce the kalamazoo models)

I own the 61 reissue Casino in Royal Tan and love it to bits, but my all-time favorite guitar model is no doubt the kalamazoo era Riviera.

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milod

milod

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Crust...

 

With a 16" body.

 

Actually the Joe Pass and, I've read, the Epi copy of the 175 are/were both quite nice.

 

Were I to get another archtop past my longtime you-know-what, at this point in time it'd likely be a Joe Pass.

 

Lofgren...

 

BTW, I'm not sure I'd consider a lotta the Epis "toys" or "beginner kiddie" instruments.

 

The Dot is one example. I personally figure it's one of the better guitars of any sort around. I have two of 'em and wouldn't swap both for a "real" 335 - at least not without playing it and no "boot." One of 'em, probably - if I liked the neck.

 

My "baby" Bro - who's around 40 and has played for over 20 years - could afford whatever guitar he'd want up to a Gibbie 175 or so, and he claims his Epi LP is the best playing and "sounding" guitar he's ever had his hands on. And living in Seattle instead of here in the boonies, I'm inclined to take his word for it although he's physically much bigger and has far longer arms so playing geometry will be much different.

 

Then again, maybe I have a bad attitude in that I figure playability for one's technique is the major criterion for buying a guitar; "tone" is so often a function of one's technique whether acoustic or electric that to me it's no big deal if the instrument is super-playable for my technique and physical geometry.

 

For what it's worth, I have an inexpensive PR5e I tend to use more "out" than any other of my guitars due to what and how I play lately - and it's always plugged in. It's also the least expensive of my instruments. Yes, if there were a Gibson made the same basic shape and a 24 3/4 scale and a neck I like I'd be awfully tempted depending on the price tag, but... there ain't one.

 

m

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crust

crust

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I suppose I could go on Ebay and look for an Emperor Regent, take off the pick up and get another scratch plate for it, plug (or leave the screws in) the screw holes that hold the "floating" pick up in place. It's not the same thing as a completely acoustic archtop though, built to be an acoustic instrument, not a fudged up electric. [crying][unsure] <_<

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Jammin' Joe

Jammin' Joe

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I've said this in a previous post about a year ago. But I'd like to see Epiphone do more signature models in counterpart to the Gibson ones. I would love to be able to afford a Duane Allman Les Paul, but I don't have 7 or 10 GRAND to spend. I would love to see some Thin Lizzy signature models, Didn't most or all of them play Les Pauls at one point? How about an Allen Collins Firebird or Explorer? Or a Steve Gaines Les Paul Custom? I could go on and on.

They've done some signature models for other players like Ace, Tony Iommi, Joe Perry, Joe Bonamassa, Slash, Zakk, Tommy Thayer and some others players that I never even hear of.

Sure some might just be standard models with a name slapped on them or slightly aged and relic, but it would be nice to have an affordable tribute to some of the best players that ever lived.

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adam411booking

adam411booking

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Maybe Epiphone should allow artists to special order the guitars of their dreams. Like a "signature model" but only available to the person who ordered it. I wouldn't mind dishing out a little extra cash if they made it to my exact specifications.

 

Or they could at least bring back the DC Les Pauls/LP Juniors...either way I'd be happy.

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