Inspired By Gibson, Epiphone ES-335

[Sgt. Pepper]

On 4/15/2021 at 9:17 PM, Sgt. Pepper said:

I thought it was Epiphone - Bought By Gibson.

How can I get a confused emoji. Obviously whoever did it doesn't know Gibson bought out Epi in the late 50's.

[Sgt. Pepper]

10 minutes ago, ghost_of_fl said:

   Gibson eats their competition but you can never accuse them of a monopoly as long as Fender is around.  

Last I checked Martin and Taylor and Gretsch and Ric and Guild and PRS are still around and none of which have or will probably ever be owned by Gibson.

Edited April 17, 2021 by Sgt. Pepper

[Sgt. Pepper]

4 minutes ago, ghost_of_fl said:

How many of those really compete with what Gibson does directly?  It would have made more sense to say Ibanez.   I think in recent years Gibson has lost the ability to acquire other companies like they did in the past.  But sadly it's too late for Epiphone. 

Taylor and Martin are Gibson's direct competition in the acoustic world, obviously not the electric market. Ric people are fanatical about them. PRS's are out there. Obviously we see more Gibson and Fender electrics over any other brand, but those other makers are still around and selling guitars.

Edited April 17, 2021 by Sgt. Pepper

[Sgt. Pepper]

1 hour ago, ghost_of_fl said:

Aye I wasn't really thinking acoustics.  I wonder how those sales stack up to electric sales?  I bet they make way more money off electric guitars. 

I'm sure Gibson makes the majority of its money off electric sales. I am certain Martin outsells Gibson in the acoustic world. Taylor sells a ton of acoustics. Taylor makes electrics but you rarely see em.  Guild has its fan base in the acoustic world and used to be huge in the 60's and 70's. Ever pick up an old Guild. They are build like Sherman Tanks. 

Edited April 17, 2021 by Sgt. Pepper

[Mr. Natural]

1 hour ago, Whitefang said:

Nah.  Just Google and Wiki the info.  Not hard to find.

Whitefang

I was just being a smart-a$$ again.

[Retired]

3 hours ago, Sgt. Pepper said:

I'm sure Gibson makes the majority of its money off electric sales. I am certain Martin outsells Gibson in the acoustic world. Taylor sells a ton of acoustics. Taylor makes electrics but you rarely see em.  Guild has its fan base in the acoustic world and used to be huge in the 60's and 70's. Ever pick up an old Guild. They are build like Sherman Tanks. 

I never owned any of the acoustics you just mentioned but Guild has always been in my mind to get one some day. 

[Sgt. Pepper]

3 minutes ago, Retired said:

I never owned any of the acoustics you just mentioned but Guild has always been in my mind to get one some day. 

I owned a Guild JF-30. Maple back and sides. It was a heavy mother and maple is okay as a tone wood, but after owning an acoustic with one maple didn't wow me. I know Gibson and Guild do many maple guitars. 

Edited April 17, 2021 by Sgt. Pepper

[mihcmac]

There is a Flame top version of the Epiphone ES-335 Figured with the Raspberry Tea Burst for 50 bucks more..

also a Blueberry Burst.....

Edited April 17, 2021 by mihcmac

[Retired]

19 minutes ago, Sgt. Pepper said:

I owned a Guild JF-30. Maple back and sides. It was a heavy mother and maple is okay as a tone wood, but after owning an acoustic with one maple didn't wow me. I know Gibson and Guild do many maple guitars. 

There's a guy, head of our music at church that plays a Gibson every Sunday. I talked to him about his guitar.  You heard about Seagull before, A Canada made guitar? I almost bought one of them. 

[SteveFord]

I bought a Seagull S-6, I think it was?

I kept it for a week and returned it if that tells you anything.

[mihcmac]

There is also an "Inspired by Gibson" Acoustic section on the Epiphone site.

Although I don't see much in there that fires my rocket. Not even Big Bill's 12 string that I like a lot.

Edited April 17, 2021 by mihcmac

[Retired]

3 hours ago, SteveFord said:

I bought a Seagull S-6, I think it was?

I kept it for a week and returned it if that tells you anything.

Really,  Junk then huh? 

[Sgt. Pepper]

5 hours ago, Retired said:

There's a guy, head of our music at church that plays a Gibson every Sunday. I talked to him about his guitar.  You heard about Seagull before, A Canada made guitar? I almost bought one of them. 

I have strummed a few in GC. They are not that expensive and never wowed me.

[SteveFord]

The Seagull felt and sounded like a cheap guitar.

I wanted to like it but back  it went.

[merciful-evans]

I think I might show more interest in Gibson 'inspired by Epiphone' models. A Gibson branded Century or Wilshire perhaps?

[Pinch]

"Johnny B Goode" was so ahead of its time it's almost supernatural. Chuck was certainly inventive! 

[Dub-T-123]

22 hours ago, ghost_of_fl said:

How many of those really compete with what Gibson does directly?  It would have made more sense to say Ibanez.   I think in recent years Gibson has lost the ability to acquire other companies like they did in the past.  But sadly it's too late for Epiphone. 

Not to be a smartass but aside from an arch top or two didn’t Gibson basically introduce all of the desirable Epiphone models during that ‘57-mid 60s period? 
 

It seems Gibson giveth and taketh away

[mihcmac]

2 hours ago, Dub-T-123 said:

Not to be a smartass but aside from an arch top or two didn’t Gibson basically introduce all of the desirable Epiphone models during that ‘57-mid 60s period? 
 

It seems Gibson giveth and taketh away

Very accurate, the Gibson boys designed all of the desirable early solid body Electrics, starting with the Coronet and used the already established  Epiphone badge, for there affordable product line. Epiphone does not compete with Gibson they are Gibson, but run a price range where the Gibson models cannot participate.

This is what the 58 Coronet looked like.

Edited April 18, 2021 by mihcmac

[Sgt. Pepper]

On 4/17/2021 at 12:01 PM, ghost_of_fl said:

How many of those really compete with what Gibson does directly?  It would have made more sense to say Ibanez.   I think in recent years Gibson has lost the ability to acquire other companies like they did in the past.  But sadly it's too late for Epiphone. 

That happened 64 years ago. Gibson did just recently acquire Mesa/Boogie, not a guitar maker, but certainlyanly an amp company people love and play. When I played electric guitars the TA-15 head I had was killer.  

Edited April 18, 2021 by Sgt. Pepper

[Dub-T-123]

That is a COOL guitar michmac 

[mihcmac]

21 hours ago, Dub-T-123 said:

That is a COOL guitar michmac 

I had a 58 like this in the 80's that was a basket case, rebuilt and refinished in black and added humbuckings. It had a killer neck, although the neck pickup  cutout had weakened it, I had to put small expansion bolts under the pickup to strengthen the neck. It is still out there with friend of mine, still playing it.

There was a guy in California building a version the Coronet and maybe the Wilshire and Crestwood, Gibson found him when he applied for Copyright.

Below the last USA built 62 Wilshire Reissue offered in 2012.

Edited April 19, 2021 by mihcmac

[Retired]

On 4/17/2021 at 8:31 PM, Sgt. Pepper said:

I have strummed a few in GC. They are not that expensive and never wowed me.

I wanted a 12 string but none had any, GC did have a 6 string put I never played it.  Thanks though,  All I see on the net is Canada bragging them up. You have Martins, what is the big difference between Martin & Taylor? 

[Retired]

23 hours ago, SteveFord said:

The Seagull felt and sounded like a cheap guitar.

I wanted to like it but back  it went.

I hear that from two of you. I'm not sure I really like the Yamaha 12 that i have? Never play it, It's loud. I remember I played the 12 string Ovation I had as a teen all the time. Just loved that tone and it was easy to play. 

[mihcmac]

New 2021 USA Casino in-stock at Chuck Levins $2699 ready to ship.......

https://chucklevins.com/products/epiphone-usa-casino-semi-hollow-body-guitar-royal-tan

Update Note: The site advertises a Royal Tan USA Casino in-stock ready to ship, but the Image is actually a Vintage Sunburst.

Edited April 19, 2021 by mihcmac

[mihcmac]

2 hours ago, ghost_of_fl said:

Epiphone started making guitars in 1928.  What about the almost 3 decades Epiphone was an independent company making guitars?  Were they Gibson for those 29 years before Gibson bought the company?  

The Epiphone Coronet, Wilshire and Crestwood were the first "solid body guitars" produced by Gibson using the Epiphone badge. Prior to 1957 Epiphone produced many different types of instruments that I think would have been considered competition to Gibson.