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Why did you choose an Epiphone guitar ?


crust

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I wanted a white Les Paul Custom, but didn't have three grand. In retrospect, it was a pretty good decision. I've got more than one Gibson these days, but my Epi is still my favourite. I just gave the 490T an Alnico V and restrung it today, in fact.

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I think that, given the overall very good quality of Epis at various price points, they're an exceptional value that can be increased by a proper setup. The problem, IMHO, is that too often folks buy all sorts and brand of guitars that are poorly setup.

 

A Gibson or higher-end Martin or Fender or Taylor is more likely to be acclimatized in a store and set up for a generalized "player," but not necessarily an Epi or Fender Squier or one of the fiberboard Martins. That's really a shame given the overall quality of those instruments compared to what I had available as a beginner 51 years ago. I was lucky, on the other hand, because the cheapie I started with had been decently set up - and was all wood, etc., etc.

 

Too often I think we get advanced beginner guitarists - who may actually be pretty doggone skilled - who can play pretty well for what they want to play, but don't necessarily understand "the guitar" as a musical instrument that can and often should be adjusted to a given player's technique.

 

Epis today, IMHO, are so far ahead of what one could get for the equivalent cash "back then," that there's simply no comparison. But... that's assuming they've been strung set up correctly for a given person and his/her specific instrument. Too often that's not necessarily the case.

 

Of course, this is a rant by an old guy who remembers some truly horrid guitars in the early '60s.

 

m

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My first guitar was an EA-250 back in 71.

Not the iconic, for I had no idea that what the Beatles were using were Epiphones.

I came from a small town in North Western Pennsylvania, and guitar forums were 3-4 decades away.msp_biggrin.gif

 

My first acoustic was an FT-135 that I picked up at a pawn shop in Dallas during my travels with my father.

Played like a beast before I found a luthier to adjust it in the early 2000s.

Plays great now.

 

Sold my EA-250 in 96 during a divorce, but then again, it was not the best, but it did have sentimental value being my first guitar.

 

When looking to buy a new electric in 99, when e-bay was new, I bought an ebony Dot.

Man was I blown away. Had the wiring updated and it was sweet.

 

At this time, I had no idea of what Epiphone was doing acoustically like I do now.

 

With the birth of my daughter in 2002, I figured that an electric would not get played much without headphones, so I traded it in on a used Talkamine GB.

$400 including a small nick in the top. They gave me $250 for the Dot.

$150 cash and the Talkamine was mine, including a Gibson hardshell case.

 

In 2005, the Masterbilts came out. My GC carried the DR series - R, M and P.

The P, Maple blew me away.

Never got the chance to play the AJs at the time.

 

Since then, well, as you can tell by my signature, I have been having fun acquiring New and Used Epiphones.

I have strayed a little, but my main brand will always be Epiphone.

 

 

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From the age of 14 to about 18, my guitar playing friends and I would catch a bus to San Diego and go to Apex Music on 5th Avenue downtown. For us, this was like a guitar superstore. There were Gibsons, Gretsches, Epiphones, Guilds, Martins, and Rickenbackers hanging in a single row behind the counters. We didn't really get to handle them since the owners knew that we were gawkers, not real customers.

 

In 1969, after I had my Gibson ES 335, a friend of my cousin (they were in the navy together a few years earlier) stopped by with an Epiphone Riviera or Sheraton, I'm not sure which. It had more of a honeyburst finish. I remember thinking how much it looked and felt like the Gibson. I think both were being made in Kalamazoo at the time, and it would have been hard to find much of a difference between the two other than price.

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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.msp_smile.gif

 

I have some because nobody makes one like it :-)

 

The "S" series "super strats" are just great guitars, and my pair of Korean Joe Pass stand up right next to anything I own from Gibson.

 

Oh, my Casino is every bit as good as my ES-330

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I have two, a Casino and a Wildkat. Both play like a dream, especially the Casino which came first. I bought it because I wanted a hollow or semi-hollowbody and didn't want to spend the dollars on a Gibson before trying out that type of guitar for a bit. The build quality and tone of the Casino unreal. I really don't know how it could be any better. Now I really have no desire to move up to a Gibson hollow. Also, I have a Gibson 2014 Traditional and I have to say that the build quality of the Casino is better for 1/4 the price. I love the Wildkat also and the only complaint I have with it is that the multi piece body is way too visible. With the Casino being hollow, that isn't an issue. Anyway, based on these two guitars, I plan to buy every Epiphone I can. Another thing that I find interesting is that with both Epi's the setup and action was near perfect right out of the box. There was never any fret buzz and I was able to obtain extremely low, buzz free, string action with a couple of turns on the bridge adjustment wheel and no other adjustments. I can't say that about other new guitars I have purchased.

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Good to see you back, among us, Jeffery! Where you been, son?!" [flapper][biggrin]

 

CB

 

Hey Charlie! Back when the Epiphone Forum became part of the Gibson Forum, it didn't feel so much like home. That coincided with about the time that everything was getting consolidated into a factory in China, and the hollowbody and semihollowbody models were getting phased out in favor of more heavy metal and Les Paul models. I guess it was the perfect storm for me. Nothing about Epiphone seemed Epiphone-like any more. I didn't get angry or anything; I guess I just got less interested with the skull and crossbones trend where things seemed to be headed. When the economy tanked, so did most of my retirement money, and retiring no longer became something in the near future (and still isn't).

 

About a month ago, I picked up a few guitar magazines, and things still seemed to be heavy metal/shredding in orientation. I decided to take a look at Jeff Hale's guitar site (J Hale Music). He retired and closed up his business. [sad]

 

So I decided to peruse the Epiphone product site and saw that the company hasn't given up totally on us old guys. I was still subscribed to the forum, and saw some familiar names and avatars (I don't think you or Notes Norton have changed your avatars in over a decade!). The number of posts here is about 5% of what it was in 2004, but the conversations are still friendly and helpful, so I'll probably hang around for a while!

 

I think my last Epiphone purchase was a 3-P90 cherry Riviera. It was definitely one of the specimens of a factory that hadn't gotten its legs yet (the guitar didn't fit in the case, so I had to swap some guitars around in various cases until I found an acceptable fit). I'm glad to hear that the latest guitars coming from the Chinese factory are up to par, at the same level as the earlier Korean-made guitars.

 

Good to see you and the rest of the gang here, Charlie!

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Hey Charlie! Back when the Epiphone Forum became part of the Gibson Forum, it didn't feel so much like home. That coincided with about the time that everything was getting consolidated into a factory in China, and the hollowbody and semihollowbody models were getting phased out in favor of more heavy metal and Les Paul models. I guess it was the perfect storm for me. Nothing about Epiphone seemed Epiphone-like any more. I didn't get angry or anything; I guess I just got less interested with the skull and crossbones trend where things seemed to be headed. When the economy tanked, so did most of my retirement money, and retiring no longer became something in the near future (and still isn't).

 

About a month ago, I picked up a few guitar magazines, and things still seemed to be heavy metal/shredding in orientation. I decided to take a look at Jeff Hale's guitar site (J Hale Music). He retired and closed up his business. [sad]

 

So I decided to peruse the Epiphone product site and saw that the company hasn't given up totally on us old guys. I was still subscribed to the forum, and saw some familiar names and avatars (I don't think you or Notes Norton have changed your avatars in over a decade!). The number of posts here is about 5% of what it was in 2004, but the conversations are still friendly and helpful, so I'll probably hang around for a while!

 

I think my last Epiphone purchase was a 3-P90 cherry Riviera. It was definitely one of the specimens of a factory that hadn't gotten its legs yet (the guitar didn't fit in the case, so I had to swap some guitars around in various cases until I found an acceptable fit). I'm glad to hear that the latest guitars coming from the Chinese factory are up to par, at the same level as the earlier Korean-made guitars.

 

Good to see you and the rest of the gang here, Charlie!

 

Thanks, Jeffery, for the update, and for joining us, again! Good to have you back, on the roster! [thumbup][biggrin]

Yeah, things are slower, these days, but we still have a good group, both in the Epi forum,

and the Gibson forum, as well. Not as much a "mine field" as it tended to be, prior to being

monitored. Most differences of opinion, are still respectful, and with some humor...most of

the time, anyway. [biggrin]

 

CB

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I'll lurk around the Gibson forum. I had 2 Gibsons in the past (ES 335 and an SG bass, in the 60s). Right now, just a Gibson resophonic and a flatiron mandolin.

 

Well, I went (even more) "Gibson" crazy, the last year! Bought (4) SG's, after not owning

one, for over 40 years. They brought out some models, with that great (original) beveling,

and horn tapering (that had been missing, for years, on all but the '61 reissue), and that

was it! I had to have one, again. That led to 3 more! LOL Crazy, for sure, but a nice

kind of "Crazy," that I'm really enjoying!

 

I'm down to only 2 Epi's...a AIUSA Sheraton (Nitro finish, and mini-humbuckers), and my old

'66 Casino! They're both keepers, for sure!

 

CB

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Gaaaa! Four Gibson SGs in a year! That's some GAS! My SG is just the Epi with a Gibson style head (MIJ). I get too much seller's remorse to part with any. I'd never sell an Elitist. Just too good to part with. I think a Gibby is out of my reach.

 

Well, my first SG was a "Satin" '61 reissue, that Gibson was "blowing out," at the end of 2012.

Got it, for almost an Epi price. The next 3, I traded things for, mostly. A little cash as

well, but not as much as I expected. So, all in all, it was a great deal year, for getting my

SG's. [thumbup] Trust me, I have NO regrets, whatsoever! [biggrin]

 

I remember your MIJ '61 SG! NICE! [thumbup]

 

CB

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I wanted a very well made copy of the EJ-160e that the Beatles used early on,

as well as one day, a Casino.

I was impressed with the Masterbuilts that I played at GC, so I felt confident

that quality for the money was there.

 

I also felt better about basically playing a $500 copy, then plunking down

3 times that much for the Gibson

 

Bob

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I wanted a very well made copy of the EJ-160e that the Beatles used early on,

as well as one day, a Casino.

I was impressed with the Masterbuilts that I played at GC, so I felt confident

that quality for the money was there.

 

I also felt better about basically playing a $500 copy, then plunking down

3 times that much for the Gibson

 

Bob

 

I think that Gibsons are expensive enough that there is room for $2,000 Epiphone models without hurting Gibson sales. I don't need any more guitars, so I'm not Jonesing for $700 Epiphone. The Gibby crowd wants Gibbys, not Elitist-quality Epiphones.

 

50 years ago, Leica lovers stuck with Leica, Mont Blanc lovers coughed it up for Mont Blancs. I tend to get a good Japanese camera (way less than Leica) and Italian fountain pens (cheaper than Mont Blanc). If Epiphone gets their Chinese plant to hire artisans who can build a guitar that equals Japan's Elitist quality from the turn off the century, and nobody's dog or cat dies from melamine poisoning, and the wiring isn't melting or sparking, Epiphone could bite into Ibanez and Gretsch sales,

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I think a lot of "stuff" in terms of Epi-Gibbie has to do with marketing.

 

Martin has a low end that's labeled "Martin" but is particle board and plywood. Granted, exceptional quality particle board and plywood, but...

 

Fender has a midrange product from Mexico labeled as "Fender," and a low-range product called "Squier."

 

Gibson has the mid and upper range labeled Gibson and the low to midrange labeled "Epiphone."

 

It's marketing.

 

Frankly I think some of the Epis I've seen could easily be given a Gibson label as a low midrange instrument and priced accordingly. But... they're also about the same "types" as Gibsons. So what does Gibson do with a $400 Dot compared to a $2,900 335 - or even a $1,500 two-pup Gibson 335 Studio?

 

I think a lot of it makes sense, although the Epi archtops are likely good enough with a bit more "touch" to be labeled Gibsons and sold as a lower-end line.

 

But again, we're talking marketing concepts. Will I pay $600 for a plywood and fiberboard Martin flattop because of the name? Maybe. For a plywood and fiberboard Gibson? I dunno. That's the rub when it comes to marketing. But I've happily spent more than $600 for an all-solid wood Epi Masterbuilt. Again... marketing.

 

m

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If the ratings that some users give to guitars (such as on the Musiciansfriend website) are any indication, people do seem to be very brand-conscious. I'm sometimes bemused by the recommendation that Epiphones be used for "small gigs". Does this mean that they don't want very many people to see that it isn't a Gibson? Or does it sound less good through a louder amplifier? Mexican Fenders and Gretsch Electromatics can no doubt command higher prices than Epiphone because of the name on the headstock. ;)

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I make no bones, about preferring American made Gibson, Fender, Taylor, Ric, Martin, etc.

So, I will save longer, to get what I really want. Doesn't mean I would never buy an

"Off Shore" made product. Just that I'd prefer, if financially possible, to "buy American!" [thumbup]

 

And, I do have a "Mexican" made model '60's "Telecaster," that's a fine guitar, all around.

So, there are exceptions, even to my preferred spending habits.

 

But, that's just me! :rolleyes:

 

CB

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I make no bones, about preferring American made Gibson, Fender, Taylor, Ric, Martin, etc.

So, I will save longer, to get what I really want. Doesn't mean I would never buy an

"Off Shore" made product. Just that I'd prefer, if financially possible, to "buy American!" [thumbup]

 

And, I do have a "Mexican" made model '60's "Telecaster," that's a fine guitar, all around.

So, there are exceptions, even to my preferred spending habits.

 

But, that's just me! :rolleyes:

 

CB

 

Nothing at all wrong with that way of thinking. I too would love to buy an American made guitar. Just set your goal and save for the time you can afford one. For me, I will have to put that thought process aside. I don't know if I have enough years remaining to realize that goal. Perhaps if I started saving about twenty years ago, I might just make it in time for a Gibson LP, as an example. I slight exaggeration perhaps, but one can get the point being made. msp_biggrin.gif

 

Cheers

Wayne

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I played a "Maestro" Walmart Gibson SG (Kids friends son, teenager) a few days ago. It looked nice, bolt on neck, but would not stay in tune for very long with aggressive attack...lol Was interesting to tune it up and play. I guess for a beginners guitar it was OK, barelyrolleyes.gif, but the inexpensive Epiphone specials I've played were much better.lol..thats my Maestro review...msp_biggrin.gif

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I had given up ( once again) on buying a nice guitar in favour of more urgent needs , when I saw the Dot Studio during one of my Internet sessions. As I was working with a young musician , who had re- ignited my fervour , I was amazed when I saw the brown natural Studio in a store one day during a casual time- killing exercise . I did some research and realised this was an easy entry into owning the type of instrument I had long craved. When I went to buy it , there was an ebony sitting right next to it , and I walked out with a different guitar than I had gone to buy. As I have posted elsewhere, this guitar is now my darling, and after much modification, I am totally in love with it. Not that it needed the mods, by the way , but I'm one of those wankers who can't leave well- enough alone , and I had to tinker. Thing is, with a pricier guitar, I would never have had the courage to mod as much as I did , and wouldn't have the lovely beast that I now have and adore. Totally personalised to my tastes , and admired by all who play it. I subsequently bought a pr5e a/e, which is lovely, and am awaiting the arrival of my new Casino natural .I'm a happy Epiphone guy. [biggrin]

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