Curious what you think...

[egoidealmusic]

This just rolled up on my Youtube suggestions, and I'm curious as to your thoughts.  I've seen some comparison clips between the Gibsons and these Epis, but wondered what your take on this guy's opinions are.

 

As for me, I'm most happy with my Gibson, and I've played Epis for years (though haven't played any of these new models).

 

 

[Brucebubs]

I own an early model laminate Epiphone EJ-200 and it's a fun guitar when you learn to approach it with a firm hand to bring out it's best tone.

I also have the new Epiphone 'Inspired by Gibson' Hummingbird as seen in that clip and it is a fantastic guitar for the money - way more responsive than my old EJ-200. I'm super pleased with mine.

At the other end of the scale is my 2020 Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 - the sheer depth of the tone is staggering after playing the Epiphones, the gap is almost as big as the price difference ... almost.

[DanvillRob]

I recently found a couple of videos of me playing some Epi's I bought for my son and his then wife..... He still has his Dove, (although he does not play), not sure what his ex ever did with the Hummingbird.....but at 1/10th the cost, they're a damn good guitar.

I won't own one.... I can only have a finite number of guitars.... and they're all going to be EXACTLY the ones I want.

I bought these guitars in 2009, and these clips were taken before I gave them to them.

 

[MissouriPicker]

An Epi is often a nice guitar.  Gibsons are,  “more often than not,” great guitars.  I’ve owned both and rarely get in any “it cost more, so does it sound ten times better?” debates, but for me an Epi is definitely not a Gibson.   I don’t want another Epi.  Likewise, I don’t want another Yamaha , Ibanez, etc…….I want a guitar that I can identify and bond with and that guitar has almost always been a Gibson. ……Just my opinion.

[docr]

Same opinion!

Looking back 40 years an Ibanez acoustic was the only reasonable guitar I could buy - before internet - in our rural area and could afford as a student. Epiphone was not available in the late 1970s and 1980s. I have seen the first Epi acoustics  in the 1990s a this have been quite cheap versions. I think the level Epihone has now in the higher price ranges (not talking about the new USA production as this is Gibson again) have made a good progress in quality. Maybe some of the older Korean Epis are quire good, too, but I just can speak for my 1995 Casino.

Maybe sometimes a D28 or HD28 can be useful for certain musical constellations  🙂 - but most of my acoustic guitars are Gibsons.

[kidblast]

"Only a Gibson is Good Enough!"   

ha!  Just kiddin......

I think there is a bigger gap in the Acoustic Guitars verses electrics.  Most of the recent Epiphone acoustics are closing that gap a bit, but it's still there.

The I.b.G. Humming bird for example seems to be a great guitar for the money.  

The only one to know is the player/buyer.  Some people hear and feel things, that others do not, or, they do discern the difference, but they don't care enough about it to plop down 3x~4x the cash.

IMO, much of the debate that orbits around this topic is really down to that.

If someone is happy as a clam with one of the "Inspired by Gibson" acoustics, then why would they need to spend thousands more for what they'd perceive as the same thing other than the name on the head stock?   

On the other hand, if you're a long time player, and you're simply lusting for a USA SJ200, an EJ200, no matter how good it is in it's own right,  isn't going to end the lusting for the SJ200.

 

 

 

[BoSoxBiker]

I'd love to try that line of guitars out sometime. There's a feeling I get when playing nicer guitars. It's the way the sound centers and bursts outward from within. In a way, it's an immersive experience. I'm curious to know if that aspect is present with the new line.

1 hour ago, docr said:

Same opinion!

Looking back 40 years an Ibanez acoustic was the only reasonable guitar I could buy - before internet - in our rural area and could afford as a student. Epiphone was not available in the late 1970s and 1980s. I have seen the first Epi acoustics  in the 1990s a this have been quite cheap versions. I think the level Epihone has now in the higher price ranges (not talking about the new USA production as this is Gibson again) have made a good progress in quality. Maybe some of the older Korean Epis are quire good, too, but I just can speak for my 1995 Casino.

Maybe sometimes a D28 or HD28 can be useful for certain musical constellations  🙂 - but most of my acoustic guitars are Gibsons.

My 2005 MIK LP Custom is the one I regret selling of the 20+ guitar purge this past 15 months. The rest of the ones I had over the years, though. Nah! Nifty for what they were, and some good music could be made. Still, the real thing or that MIK I had felt better, stayed in shape better and played as if more solidly built. Less noisy, perhaps. 

[fortyearspickn]

Rolex vs Timex .  They both tell the time.  

Ginger vs Mrs. Howell.   They both ....     

Epiphone had a line they called Masterbuilt - solid woods.  But, they had a reputation for issues.   Now, were the issues perceived by folks who bought the Epi's because they liked the tone, or  because they liked the price?  Because they could not , as "Guitar John" in the video said - he could never justify spending $5K on a Gibson H'Bird. Which may rationalize how he can feel the Epi  'hummingbird'  sounds better.    Later, he admits he can't tell if the fretboard inlays are real MoP or plastic.   I guess I'd question someone's expertise at that point.    It appears the video is scripted to be controversial.  Bet it gets him a lot of hits.   Masterbuilt has risen from the ashes at Epiphone with their new line: Inspired By ..

Everyone hears differently.  His sound system, as does everyone's, adds another level of complexity to the question.  But if you believe you're going to hear the new Epiphones having better tone than a Gibson - go try both out.   But, to level the playing field,  don't go into the search for that holy grail with the subconscious belief that you only want to spend $1K.  it will over-rule your ears and your heart. 

Someday I'll have to go to the Lexus website and see if there are people questioning if Toyotas aren't better.  

 

[kelly campbell]

9 hours ago, MissouriPicker said:

An Epi is often a nice guitar.  Gibsons are,  “more often than not,” great guitars.  I’ve owned both and rarely get in any “it cost more, so does it sound ten times better?” debates, but for me an Epi is definitely not a Gibson.   I don’t want another Epi.  Likewise, I don’t want another Yamaha , Ibanez, etc…….I want a guitar that I can identify and bond with and that guitar has almost always been a Gibson. ……Just my opinion.

Well put MP...nothing to me plays like a Gibson!

[zombywoof]

For me I view both Gibson and Epis as instances of missed  opportunities.  If I could take the advice summed up by Cher's tattooed butt on a battleship and turn back time I would jump on an Epi Bluesmaster  or say an 1990s Gibson AJ35.   At least I might be able to score a used Epi but with the AJ35 forget about it.  Such is life.

 

[thegreatgumbino]

I own a IBG Epiphone Hummingbird.   I posted my thoughts and NGD pics in this thread.  I think it's a great guitar.  I've always wanted a Gibson Hummingbird, but haven't played one that knocked my socks off.  I a-b'd this IBG Bird against a Gibson in the store, preferred the sound of the IBG and took it home. I own a SJ200 and a J45 Vintage in addition to the IBG bird.  Does it compare with those?  No, but it's a fun guitar.  Sometimes you need something that's not as expensive & doesn't have to be babied for knocking around.  This IBG Bird fits that bill for me.  Do I wish it was a Gibson Hummingbird TV/Vintage?  Definitely.  Can I afford one of those right now, definitely not.

[DanvillRob]

12 hours ago, MissouriPicker said:

An Epi is often a nice guitar.  Gibsons are,  “more often than not,” great guitars.  I’ve owned both and rarely get in any “it cost more, so does it sound ten times better?” debates, but for me an Epi is definitely not a Gibson.   I don’t want another Epi.  Likewise, I don’t want another Yamaha , Ibanez, etc…….I want a guitar that I can identify and bond with and that guitar has almost always been a Gibson. ……Just my opinion.

This could not be stated better!

Good on you, MP.

[cunningham26]

1 hour ago, DanvillRob said:

This could not be stated better!

Good on you, MP.

+1

these definitely still have a great position in the guitar market- there's an oft forgotten working musician scene in every pub and bar in cities all over the world, and more often than not they're playing some junk acoustic with an m1 pickup shoved inside just so they can entertain the crowd. if even one of those terrible ibanez or yamahas gets replaced with an IBG Hummingbird that has a litttllee bit of a better tone without the player dragging out his gibson, it's well worth it.

[zombywoof]

What I have discovered after 55+ years of playing is no matter what guitar is in my hands I just sound like me.  I cannot really explain it but there are some guitars which do just feel like home.  Anyway, I am supposed to go out tonight to play.   Thinking about debuting Bessie Smith's "Send Me To The 'Lectric Chair"    Good opportunity to toss in some jazz junk like diminished chords which knowing this crowd I will probably take some abuse for.   I may very well leave the Gibsons at home and walk in carrying a Harmony Sovereign  which to me is like comfort food in the form of wood, lacquer and steel.    

[BigKahune]

This guy John - his original question was, paraphrased: Why is the Gibson Company putting out [Epiphone brand] guitars to compete with their own [Gibson brand] guitars?

It should be obvious to John, as he mentions the huge price difference in these brands numerous times. The Gibson company is hitting all the price points they can to attract a wider range of customers so they can increase sales. They’ve even hit somewhat lower price points inside the Gibson brand with their studio models, G series, etc.

Certainly there are gems to be found in either brand’s lines, and it’s great that there are good sounding, nicely built instruments at the lower price points. But to be clear, the materials, construction methods, and construction cost of a value based instrument are very rarely similar to those of a high end instrument, and therein lies the difference in price.

[fortyearspickn]

Well said BK !

[Jinder]

The IBGs are great. Watch them disappear from the lineup within a year…whilst they’re not a Gibson, they’re too close to a Gibson in feel and performance to justify the gigantic upcharge to make the leap from one to the other for most working musicians. Gibsons as a new purchase are well out of the reach of most professional players’ pocketbooks now…or at least most I know. 
 

I haven’t bought a new Gibson for five years, and even then it was a guitar which was exceptional (my 2015 SJ200, currently sitting right in front of me wearing a new set of strings in preparation for tonight’s show!) and sold to me at trade price due to Gibson’s screwy distributorship in the UK leaving the dealer with a massive overstock of SJ200s. 
 

My fiancée (soon to be wife…five days left to the big day!) and I were debating this last night. We watched the Guitar John video and she concurred that they’re very good guitars indeed, as he states. She rather aptly put, however, that the IBG Hummingbird fees like a great guitar for now, whereas a Gibson Hummingbird (she has experienced all four that I’ve owned) is a great guitar for forever. 
 

She’s not a player, but I thought it was an interesting perspective.

[Twang Gang]

Jinder - congratulations on the upcoming nuptials.

I think it says it all about this debate when your fiancée, who you stated is not a player, can discern the difference between the two regardless of the pricing.

[fortyearspickn]

Congrats Jinder.  Great to hear your doing so well.  Your soon-to-be bride sounds like a keeper !   

[jricc]

8 hours ago, Jinder said:

The IBGs are great. Watch them disappear from the lineup within a year…whilst they’re not a Gibson, they’re too close to a Gibson in feel and performance to justify the gigantic upcharge to make the leap from one to the other for most working musicians. Gibsons as a new purchase are well out of the reach of most professional players’ pocketbooks now…or at least most I know. 
 

I haven’t bought a new Gibson for five years, and even then it was a guitar which was exceptional (my 2015 SJ200, currently sitting right in front of me wearing a new set of strings in preparation for tonight’s show!) and sold to me at trade price due to Gibson’s screwy distributorship in the UK leaving the dealer with a massive overstock of SJ200s. 
 

My fiancée (soon to be wife…five days left to the big day!) and I were debating this last night. We watched the Guitar John video and she concurred that they’re very good guitars indeed, as he states. She rather aptly put, however, that the IBG Hummingbird fees like a great guitar for now, whereas a Gibson Hummingbird (she has experienced all four that I’ve owned) is a great guitar for forever. 
 

She’s not a player, but I thought it was an interesting perspective.

Well put by your soon to be wife.  Congrats Jinder!

[DanvillRob]

CONGRATZ, Phil!    I hadn’t heard, but I know you’re getting someone WAY over your head in Amy!

Any special songs picked out for the wedding?