DSA Posted December 14, 2021 Share Posted December 14, 2021 Are any Epiphone guitars made anywhere besides China? I have 11 Gibson's and wouldn't mind adding some Epiphones but trying very hard NOT to buy things made in China. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt4356 Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 20 hours ago, DSA said: Are any Epiphone guitars made anywhere besides China? I have 11 Gibson's and wouldn't mind adding some Epiphones but trying very hard NOT to buy things made in China. Currently only, Indonesia for some/most acoustics. There is also USA casino currently available. There are also Korean, Japanese, Czech and US made on the second hand market. I have to ask what your actual issue with them being made in China is though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cunningham26 Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 6 minutes ago, Matt4356 said: I have to ask what your actual issue with them being made in China is though? plenty of posts in this forum on quality issues with the MIC ones, or feelings of superior quality with the ones made elsewhere. apart from specific issues with those specific guitars, there's also the human rights violations, ethnic cleansing, etc etc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt4356 Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 There's also plenty of good stories about qc, particularly what's currently coming out of the epiphone factory. People rarely take the time to praise, but sure are quick enough to shout to the world about the problems out there. Personally I take a lot of rhe criticism with a pinch of salt, especially having three perfectly fine Chinese epiphone electrics. I've said this before but didn't people say the same about the now loved Korean made, when production changed from Japan? The same also about the first Japanese. When production is swapped to somewhere cheaper again, people will pay more for the 'better' Chinese ones. How many bad posts are there regarding USA gibsons? These have apparently been going on for a few years if you listen to the forums. Again I have no issue with my Nashville or custom shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cunningham26 Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 21 minutes ago, Matt4356 said: There's also plenty of good stories about qc, particularly what's currently coming out of the epiphone factory. People rarely take the time to praise, but sure are quick enough to shout to the world about the problems out there. Personally I take a lot of rhe criticism with a pinch of salt, especially having three perfectly fine Chinese epiphone electrics. I've said this before but didn't people say the same about the now loved Korean made, when production changed from Japan? The same also about the first Japanese. When production is swapped to somewhere cheaper again, people will pay more for the 'better' Chinese ones. How many bad posts are there regarding USA gibsons? These have apparently been going on for a few years if you listen to the forums. Again I have no issue with my Nashville or custom shop. i definitely appreciate that the MIC epiphones uniformly look like their gibson counterparts- a lot of those MIK ones have odd body shapes and different years and factories have diff finishes, shapes, sizes, etc. Japan it seems like it was all pretty good quality, but you were just getting a factory guitar with a brand on it - why most listings from that era spell out "Matsumoku Epiphone" because they look a lot like other brands coming out of the same factory. in my experience, whether it be because it's a fresh guitar or what, i've tried out casinos and sheratons (my quest for the 62 reissue sheraton had me test a ton of those) i never found a MIC epiphone that didn't feel dipped in poly and just kind of lacking in one area or another- just didn't come together to be working as a unit. While you may have fine products, "production is swapped to somewhere cheaper" and more and more people will be testing out and playing cheap guitars and finding them unsatisfactory. If the differences between an $800 sheraton and a $200 harley benton are negligible, you have to expect people will want more for the premium price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cunningham26 Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 to answer the OP- if you are considering some epiphones to add to a stable of gibsons, i would look at the USA made casino and acoustic offerings, or the Elitist/Elite series that were produced more recently out of the Terada factory in Japan. If you're looking at acoustics, i would only consider the MIUSA/vintage made by Gibson, the rare Elitist models, or a masterbilt you find to your liking. From there there are some winners and losers from all other factories, down to personal preference and as mentioned above, willingness to have a guitar that is not spec'd exactly the same as its gibson counterpart. good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mihcmac Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 (edited) This is a USA built 2009 62 Wilshire Reissue, when you can find one used usually selling for about 3k or more. Corrected.. Edited December 17, 2021 by mihcmac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pohatu771 Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 6 hours ago, mihcmac said: This is a 2012 62 Wilshire Reissue made at the Kalamazoo factory, when you can find one used usually selling for about 3k or more. The Kalamazoo factory closed in 1984. The 2009 Wilshire was made by Gibson Custom in Nashville. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mihcmac Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 3 hours ago, pohatu771 said: The Kalamazoo factory closed in 1984. The 2009 Wilshire was made by Gibson Custom in Nashville. Thank you corrected. I tried to acquire one these 62 Wilshire Reissues but found I am completely satisfied with my MIC 2020 Wilshire built at the Gibson Qingdao factory. The easy way to tell the 09 Wilshire from the new 2020 model is the 09 doesn't have the bikini badge on the headstock like mine below. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LesB3 Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 I'm with the OP. Won't buy a MIC model due to political reasons... And have seen some pretty bad QC-related issues on some fresh Epiphones. I was at the local store the other day and they were dragging the latest load of Epi's off the UPS truck and we decided to open up one of the new SG's they put out (I think it is a "'61" -had a "Les Paul" truss rod cover) and things were broken / missing on it, etc. It sure did *look* good though, finish-wise. In comparison. the Bonnamassa LP they had there that day was stunning, almost flawless. And to be perfectly honest, I have seen / had QC problems with Indonesian and Korean guitars as well. Gibson USA too, though at a much lesser degree for sure. So far, I have had great luck with Fender USA and Mexican models, and Terada-made Gretsch's. To answer the OP, maybe look for something (used) that is "uniquely" Epiphone or something you just can't get otherwise? With *11* Gibsons already, you probably have the LP/SG/335 (and maybe even 135 / 175) areas covered. Maybe you can find a MIK 'Kat? They make 'em with P-90's, Mini-HB's, and regular HB's in a variety of finishes and I've always loved the sound of mine. A little bit bigger than a Les Paul, but smaller than a standard hollow-body. I can vouch for a USA Casino as well, excellent guitar, but might also be somewhat duplicative depending on what you already own Gibson-wise. I have an '05 ZBD as well (ES-5 copy) but the pickups in it aren't very good and I haven't had a chance to replace them yet. Good luck! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 (edited) Yes.. In Korea & Japan. I own a MIK Peerless Epiphone Casino with Bigsby B-7 in Sunburst. Great Guitar! I also own a new Epiphone USA Casino in Royal Tan.. It equals or is superior in every respect to my Gibson LP’s, Firebird V & my ES335… Also, my Terada built Gretsch Ltd Edition George Harrison Duo Jet.. IMO, the Gretsch Guitars built by Terada today are the finest non Custom Shop Guitar on the Planet. I don’t own an MIJ Terada built Casino but have friends who do.. They are excellent quality as well… So, yes, you can buy outstanding Pro level Epi Casino’s that aren’t MIC…. Edited December 23, 2021 by Larsongs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mihcmac Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 Note that the majority of the current Asian Epiphones are built at the Gibson Qingdao factory and a few USA versions by Gibson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 18 hours ago, mihcmac said: Note that the majority of the current Asian Epiphones are built at the Gibson Qingdao factory and a few USA versions by Gibson. What USA Gibsons are built there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mihcmac Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, Larsongs said: What USA Gibsons are built there? Is that a trick question? Gibsons are built ins the US by Gibson, some USA versions of Epiphone are built in the US by Gibson. Most asian Epiphones are currently built at the Gibson Quindao factory in China. Edited January 4, 2022 by mihcmac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted January 5, 2022 Share Posted January 5, 2022 14 hours ago, mihcmac said: Is that a trick question? Gibsons are built ins the US by Gibson, some USA versions of Epiphone are built in the US by Gibson. Most asian Epiphones are currently built at the Gibson Quindao factory in China. I must’ve misunderstood your quote? “And a few USA versions by Gibson.” “Note that the majority of the current Asian Epiphones are built at the Gibson Qingdao factory and a few USA versions by Gibson.” 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stantheman Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 On 12/23/2021 at 12:02 PM, Larsongs said: Yes.. In Korea & Japan. I own a MIK Peerless Epiphone Casino with Bigsby B-7 in Sunburst. Great Guitar! I also own a new Epiphone USA Casino in Royal Tan.. It equals or is superior in every respect to my Gibson LP’s, Firebird V & my ES335… Also, my Terada built Gretsch Ltd Edition George Harrison Duo Jet.. IMO, the Gretsch Guitars built by Terada today are the finest non Custom Shop Guitar on the Planet. I don’t own an MIJ Terada built Casino but have friends who do.. They are excellent quality as well… So, yes, you can buy outstanding Pro level Epi Casino’s that aren’t MIC…. 6120-TM owner and I too agree that Terada does an amazing Nashville. What would ingratiate me is if The Chinese made more models with 1" diameter Necks some of us have been able to palm a basketball since 4th grade and larger diameter Necks help a great deal in preventing cramping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pelufe Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 Mi Les Paul Custom Ebony esta hecha en China 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mihcmac Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 Current Qingdao made version of the Epiphone Les Paul Custom in Ebony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul B Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 It is difficult to avoid made in China items. Apple products for instance. I will testify to the quality of my 2019 Sheraton II Pro made in Qindao. It has stepped ahead of my American Strat and is tied for first place with my PRS core custom 24. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 Yeah, chances are your Clothes & Shoes are made in China. As is your TV’s, Cell Phones, the content in your Cars, even your Furniture.. It’s pretty impossible to avoid since America has literally quit producing most everything & have become the totally obsessed with consumption! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cunningham26 Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 19 hours ago, Larsongs said: Yeah, chances are your Clothes & Shoes are made in China. As is your TV’s, Cell Phones, the content in your Cars, even your Furniture.. It’s pretty impossible to avoid since America has literally quit producing most everything & have become the totally obsessed with consumption! it's hard if you struggle to afford certain products, or struggle to justify the spend on something MIUSA vs. made overseas. My litmus test has always been whether folks are willing to pay $200 for a pair of jeans. I have two pairs of Raleigh Denim, made the old fashioned way, that I've worn daily for about ten years. When they get holes, I take them to a tailor to patch up. I've got chippewa boots made in the us, and a great pair of boots from Rancourt that were made in maine. When the former wore out, they went to the cobbler to be resoled. If I can find a MIUSA option, ill pay a bit more for it. I dont blame people for thinking it's crazy when jeans cost $14 at old navy, but those are usually the same people that complain and vote for certain politicians because of a grievance that their jobs were off-shored and their towns went belly up. everyone's in a different place and have their reasons, im certainly not going to tell people what they should do with their money, but it's not that difficult to find a MIUSA option for some things and in my experience the quality/QC is always better than that same product produced overseas specifically MIC. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 3 hours ago, cunningham26 said: it's hard if you struggle to afford certain products, or struggle to justify the spend on something MIUSA vs. made overseas. My litmus test has always been whether folks are willing to pay $200 for a pair of jeans. I have two pairs of Raleigh Denim, made the old fashioned way, that I've worn daily for about ten years. When they get holes, I take them to a tailor to patch up. I've got chippewa boots made in the us, and a great pair of boots from Rancourt that were made in maine. When the former wore out, they went to the cobbler to be resoled. If I can find a MIUSA option, ill pay a bit more for it. I dont blame people for thinking it's crazy when jeans cost $14 at old navy, but those are usually the same people that complain and vote for certain politicians because of a grievance that their jobs were off-shored and their towns went belly up. everyone's in a different place and have their reasons, im certainly not going to tell people what they should do with their money, but it's not that difficult to find a MIUSA option for some things and in my experience the quality/QC is always better than that same product produced overseas specifically MIC. That’s admirable.. And I don’t disagree.. But, Americans have evolved into the ultimate Consumers… America has let the rest of the World, mainly China, produce an unbelievable percentage of almost everything we consume… What kind of TV do you watch? What kind of Car do you drive? What kind of Cell Phone do you use.. What is the make of the Computer you used to type your Post.. Even if it’s MIUSA is 100% of it’s content MIUSA? Sadly, unlikely…… 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cunningham26 Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 8 hours ago, Larsongs said: That’s admirable.. And I don’t disagree.. But, Americans have evolved into the ultimate Consumers… America has let the rest of the World, mainly China, produce an unbelievable percentage of almost everything we consume… What kind of TV do you watch? What kind of Car do you drive? What kind of Cell Phone do you use.. What is the make of the Computer you used to type your Post.. Even if it’s MIUSA is 100% of it’s content MIUSA? Sadly, unlikely…… can't win em all- the more complicated the product, the more likely it is to have some ethical dilemma, for sure. my belt made on cape cod of 100% US sourced materials is a little more straightforward than a macbook. for what it's worth my tv is, according to the internet, korean, and my cars from sweden 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 4 minutes ago, cunningham26 said: can't win em all- the more complicated the product, the more likely it is to have some ethical dilemma, for sure. my belt made on cape cod of 100% US sourced materials is a little more straightforward than a macbook. for what it's worth my tv is, according to the internet, korean, and my cars from sweden 🙂 Source their content & most likely many Parts are MIC… As for your MacBook…… It has been a World Market since the Vikings… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mihcmac Posted March 4, 2022 Share Posted March 4, 2022 It seems the MIC Casino's have disappeared off of the Epiphone site only showing the USA Casino. https://www.epiphone.com/en-US/Collection/Archtop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.