crust Posted June 6, 2014 Posted June 6, 2014 I like them because they sound great, are easy to play, well constructed and don't cost a whole lot, plus they look cool, works of art actually. Also, the components can be changed out to make them much better than with the original equipment. Easily customized.
Not-Too-Late Posted June 6, 2014 Posted June 6, 2014 I like them because they sound great, are easy to play, well constructed and don't cost a whole lot, plus they look cool, works of art actually. Also, the components can be changed out to make them much better than with the original equipment. Easily customized. Why did I choose an Epiphone? First of all, I had owned one back in the sixties called the Coronet. I loved it, and to tell you the truth I wish I had it today. After the Coronet, I changed over to the Fender Tele., and after a long dry spell, I started looking into an instrument again, and the Les Paul model caught my fancy, so to speak. Looking at the Gibson models - ouch. Too rich for me. Then I checked out the Epiphone line at my local GC, and I was amazed at how nicely built they were for the money and I reflected back on the previous Epiphone I had in the past. So I found two things, an Epiphone Les Paul (well two actually) that I have had set up and enjoy playing and, I have found a great Epi forum where I can learn, help out and just plain have fun. So there you have it in a nut shell.
crust Posted June 6, 2014 Author Posted June 6, 2014 Why did I choose an Epiphone? First of all, I had owned one back in the sixties called the Coronet. I loved it, and to tell you the truth I wish I had it today. After the Coronet, I changed over to the Fender Tele., and after a long dry spell, I started looking into an instrument again, and the Les Paul model caught my fancy, so to speak. Looking at the Gibson models - ouch. Too rich for me. Then I checked out the Epiphone line at my local GC, and I was amazed at how nicely built they were for the money and I reflected back on the previous Epiphone I had in the past. So I found two things, an Epiphone Les Paul (well two actually) that I have had set up and enjoy playing and, I have found a great Epi forum where I can learn, help out and just plain have fun. So there you have it in a nut shell.
mfowler Posted June 6, 2014 Posted June 6, 2014 My father-in-law got an Epi LP Standard Pro a couple years ago, and I really enjoyed it. I always wanted an SG style guitar, so I easily pulled the trigger on my Epi. Some minor set up tweaks and it's as perfect as I need it to be.
tweed2 Posted June 6, 2014 Posted June 6, 2014 My first Epiphone was a Casino. I was looking for a hollow/semi-hollow guitar, with a trapeze tailpiece and P-90s. The Casino fit the bill and I was pleased with the price-point/quality of it. Almost everything that I have purchased since has been an Epiphone. Hard to beat.
Not-Too-Late Posted June 6, 2014 Posted June 6, 2014 My first Epiphone was a Casino. I was looking for a hollow/semi-hollow guitar, with a trapeze tailpiece and P-90s. The Casino fit the bill and I was pleased with the price-point/quality of it. Almost everything that I have purchased since has been an Epiphone. Hard to beat. Hey tweed - ya got to 2000 posts.
tweed2 Posted June 6, 2014 Posted June 6, 2014 Well, what do you know....I haven't been keeping track. Thanks.
joevacc Posted June 6, 2014 Posted June 6, 2014 Epiphone chose me!! Although, this is not my first Epiphone... I had a 12 string acoustic sometime in the late '70's. I remember having a love hate relationship with it. I loved the way it sounded but it was hardish to play as I think back. I cannot for the life of me remember what exactly happened to it… I put it up for consignment in a music store but do not remember what I got for it or if I even received the money. hahhaha. (I'm sure I did because I always needed money to feed my motor-head!) I wonder what it would be worth now??? My 1962 Sheraton reissue found me. My father knows a private guitar dealer that hand picks guitars and resells them. He had two of these guitars and my old man bought a cherry one. Once I played it I was hooked. He was looking to sell them both right away so that he could use the money to buy some $28,000 Gibson. I acted without even playing it hoping that it was half as good as the one my father got. Of course I feel like the luckiest guy in town! My poor other guitars are sorely unplayed!
'Scales Posted June 6, 2014 Posted June 6, 2014 My '69 (effectively a Coronet with a mini HB in place of P90) is just the magic guitar as far as I'm concerned. Wicked range of tone, perfect neck taper, unrivalled fret access if needed, featherweight one piece mahogany body, top notch materials and construction, a real 'dark horse' or 'quiet achiever' of an instrument. I recommend these to anyone, would buy another at the right price in a flash and am an Epiphone/Gibson convert. Keen to try the Casino Coupe when comes out so open to different countries of manufacturer if priced appropriately.
Sleeko Posted June 7, 2014 Posted June 7, 2014 My grandfather had this in his guitar case and at age 7 I couldn't figure out how to pronounce that name on the box. Guitar names usually sounded rather standard to me - Gibson, Guild, Gretch . . . this was an entirely different animal all together. Plus that outfit. I was intrigued . . .
taxman Posted June 7, 2014 Posted June 7, 2014 The Beatles. If The Beatles hadn't played Epiphone Casinos and an Epiphone Texan, there is no way I would have bought from the Epiphone line.
Pin Posted June 7, 2014 Posted June 7, 2014 Why did I buy Epiphone? Now let me see... My first Epiphone was my ES345 "Special" as per my thread on this the other day. I bought it because I used to have a Gibson ES345 (1964) and I had never forgotten that guitar which I foolishly sold long ago. I thought I would never get another Gibby ES345 but have since (very recently - see "Got it" thread in Gibson lounge) purchased a 1959 ES345 Reissue. So I now have two ES345's and will do a comparison thread on the two in the near future. My second Epi was my s/h Korean 2004 G400 which had been well set up and I find a really great playable guitar. Great buy. My third Epi was my s/h Les Paul 1956 Gold top which has had a full re-wiring and different P90s and I love this guitar. My most recent was a cherry sunburst Les Paul 1960 Tribute plus - great guitar but doesn't get played that much.
Bender 4 Life Posted June 7, 2014 Posted June 7, 2014 because no one else could make a '62 Sheraton Re-issue....... I don't CARE if y'all are tired of seeing it, it's a work of art ! my other Epis......they were affordable, and great mod platforms
capmaster Posted June 7, 2014 Posted June 7, 2014 I currently own five different Gibson Les Paul guitars. Already having two of them and liking the series/parallel options of my Alex Lifeson Axcess model, I was looking for a hardtail Les Paul guitar featuring these. Except the Alex Lifeson model, all the Axcess guitars come with open-coil pickups. So the Epiphone Les Paul 1960 Tribute Plus Outfit appeared on my radar. It was rather convincing, and much cheaper, too. I put up with the perimeter make of the Faded Cherry Burst because I didn't want any of the other finishes offered for these. Despite of having the most consistent flame due to being a veneer, it clearly also looks cheaper than my Gibsons which is OK for me. However, there's no need for modding anything on my Epiphone Les Paul. On my Gibson Les Paul guitars, I mounted Schaller Strap Locks, switched to speed knobs for easier pulling pots, and to TP-6 fine tuning tailpieces if applicable. All of my recent Gibson guitars get new Schaller machine heads one after another. Their stock Grovers eat E1st strings, and the locking ones are poorly designed, in particular for locking E6th strings. Except for swapping the stock strap locks with Schallers, my Epiphone Les Paul 1960 Tribute Plus Outfit is still stock and will stay that way I think.
Gunner Posted June 7, 2014 Posted June 7, 2014 Several years ago I wanted a 335 but couldn't afford a Gibson at the time. In researching online I heard about the Elite/Elitist Series, and found a used Elitist 335 for a good price locally. It is a great guitar. I have since bought an Epi 355 and bought/sold an Elitist Casino and an Elitist Chet Atkins Country Gentleman.
buffalob Posted June 7, 2014 Posted June 7, 2014 My casino was my first epiphone and based on its build quality and the price paid, it lent to the mindset that if I tried to upgrade a $ 300.00 guitar and failed that it would be far less a crime than screwing up a fine Gibson. I have never been one to leave "well enough" alone. And my entire life have tinkered with and improved (mostly) upon almost everything I own (you should check my posts on the jeep forum I frequent). I have owned other brands and they came and went with little care as my interests changed. As I got older and decided to return to playing music after many years of other pursuits the casino caught my eye and that was that... I have since owned repaired rebuild traded sold acquired etc etc many others 80% have been epiphones. As far as I am concerned they offer very good quality and value for the money. I can own tinker with and play 3 epiphones compared to one Gibson and be far less nervous to work on them myself.....Not done by any means.
Les Pauler Posted June 7, 2014 Posted June 7, 2014 Although I haven't playing long, I bought my Wildkat mostly because I thought it was cool. After struggling with the tuning and getting GAS after seeing and trying out a Epiphone Les Paul '60 Traditional Plus. My Wildkat went to a new home and the LP sits in the Wildkat's place. I like the Epiphone guitars because of their value. If I were not on a budget things might be different. At my level of playing I just can't justify spending the kind of money for an equivalent Gibson Les Paul. It wouldn't make a difference that would be noticable. That being the case, I do woodworking for a living and I wanted a guitar that I would want to look at. A Gibson LPjr isn't that much more expensive than my Epi LP but my Epi is a lot nicer on the eyes. My guitar teacher says that it helps to have a guitar that is nice looking because it makes you want to play it more. YMMV, FWIW, yada yada yada.... Jay
Shonita & Los Gatos Posted June 7, 2014 Posted June 7, 2014 Why did I choose an Epiphone? First of all, I had owned one back in the sixties called the Coronet. I loved it, and to tell you the truth I wish I had it today. After the Coronet, I changed over to the Fender Tele., and after a long dry spell, I started looking into an instrument again, and the Les Paul model caught my fancy, so to speak. Looking at the Gibson models - ouch. Too rich for me. Then I checked out the Epiphone line at my local GC, and I was amazed at how nicely built they were for the money and I reflected back on the previous Epiphone I had in the past. So I found two things, an Epiphone Les Paul (well two actually) that I have had set up and enjoy playing and, I have found a great Epi forum where I can learn, help out and just plain have fun. So there you have it in a nut shell. Probably the best kept secret about epiphones is how interesting and nice the forum is :)
Thomse Posted June 8, 2014 Posted June 8, 2014 My first love are Gibsons .Then come Epiphones. And boy do i have a lot of them
Not-Too-Late Posted June 8, 2014 Posted June 8, 2014 My first love are Gibsons .Then come Epiphones. And boy do i have a lot of them Perhaps that might be my preferable list as well, so since I'm not a member in good standing with the "heavy wallet brigade", my list puts Epiphone up front, but that's OK with me because I think Epis are full of awesomeness.
Thomse Posted June 8, 2014 Posted June 8, 2014 because no one else could make a '62 Sheraton Re-issue....... I don't CARE if y'all are tired of seeing it, it's a work of art ! my other Epis......they were affordable, and great mod platforms It is one nice guitar i have one like it same color . They are one great guitar.
Scott Marlowe Posted June 8, 2014 Posted June 8, 2014 Because it allowed me to buy my dream guitar for a decent price. And honestly other than needing a tiny bit of fret lovin' it's a great guitar. I tend to noodle in the electronics of everything I own and I've had no reason to do ANYTYING to the electronics in my Epi SG Special P-90
milod Posted June 8, 2014 Posted June 8, 2014 When I started a bit over 50 years ago there were far fewer choices. I started classical and most of my purchases until 1975 were classical guitar upgrades. Then... well, there were Gibsons, Martins, both of which were too expensive, and everything else. I got some of the first AE guitars that were Ovations in the early '70s and still have 'em. Epi? No big deal and I'd not been impressed with the acoustics I'd seen at the time. Fast forward to around 2009 and being on the Gibson forums - including the Epi variations - and yet, no big deal. Then I happened into a guitar store and played a Dot. I now have two. Then I played an AE or two - and now I own four. What more to say? You can make a case that they're cheap variations on Gibbie designs. I'd say they're less expensive variations of Gibbie concepts at an incredible value point. I hadda go to a "big city" meeting Friday and stopped in a guitar store. The owner said he'd dropped Gibsons because they would hang on the wall. He sells Epis like hotcakes and Fenders and Squiers and Eastmans and... Now he's convinced Taylors are perfect for this part of the country because they're easier to set up and even to reset the neck after major "climate" variations than non-bolt-on necks. I tried a couple. Couldn't see they sounded any better or played any better than a nice Epi of the same variety although I definitely see his point on the necks. Actually he had an Epi Masterbuilt with the V neck and I almost pulled the trigger but just couldn't because ... I don't like the neck. m
crust Posted June 9, 2014 Author Posted June 9, 2014 Well Milo, looks like this time, you decided not to choose an Epiphone guitar...and the reason why...lol I just had work done (new tone and volume pots installed) on my old #1 Greco. Probably could have got another LP special II for what my guy charged (well he did change out the strings and put a new bridge on my mandolin too). All working great now.
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