sbpark Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 (edited) Received this guitar today. Yes, it says Epiphone on the headstock, but all the paperwork, warranty card and care candy all say Gibson, so I figured it was appropriate to put it on this forum given the Epiphone forum doesn't seem to get much traffic. Sold my J45 Standard (couldn't bond with it) recently along with an SG Classic (amazing guitar but never play it) and bought this new Frontier. I have always preferred longer scale necks and bigger body guitars over smaller, and wanted something that complimented my D-18. I was very nervous buying one of these sight unseen (well, I did get to see pictures of it and hear sound clips of a few the shop had in stock), but feel like I made the right decision. This guitar sounds huge and is very responsive and dynamic. I'm loving that it is both a great strummer and fantastic finger picker. It's on the brighter side compared to my D-18, but the furthest thing from being described as harsh, shrill, etc. The highs are nice and rich without being tinny and the low end is glorious without being muddy. It's just a very nice sounding, well balanced guitar that so far seems to handle anything you throw at it. Haven't tried any open tunings with it yet, but it's great with drop D tuning and capoed up the neck is fantastic. Neck is what I would describe as medium. It's not thin, but definitely wouldn't call it fat, either. I would have liked a little fatter neck, but really have no complaints about it and it's a little more meaty than the neck on the 2018 D-18, which I think is on the thinner side. Fit and finish are really nice. The flame on the back and sides is gorgeous! It's a bit over the top as far as my taste is concerned, but I kind of dig it and sure it will grow on me. I've owned a couple maple back and sides J200's in the past and would say that there are hints of similarities in tone, but the Frontier has a bigger, wider dynamic range, especially in the low end in comparison. You can hit this thing as hard as you want or lightly pick on it and fingerpick and it just sounds so good. The guitar arrived set up really well. Only thing I will need to do is file the nut slots a bit, but the relief is perfect and the action is right where I like it. Just some attention paid the the nut slots and it will be perfect. Edited February 4, 2022 by sbpark 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brucebubs Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 Looks fantastic - that back is beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philfish Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Good gracious, thats sweet. The back of the head stock has a burst. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Oh my goodness. I don't even want another acoustic and I want that one. Very nice, enjoy it a long time in good health! rct 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egoidealmusic Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 That is absolutely beautiful. I've always loved that guitar, and you've got a fantastic example! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Wow, what a gorgeous guitar - the fact that Bozeman decided to go there is soooo cool. Just love seeing the ‘60s Epis brought back to life. Many congrats, and btw, it’s always been totally kosher to discuss Kalamazoo & Bozeman made Epis here, as they are Gibson acoustics in every sense of the word. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 (edited) Nice. Edited February 4, 2022 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhanners623 Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 That is one beautiful guitar. Looking forward to hearing how it sounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Lovely. I hope you get years of enjoyment with it. Red 333 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 I’m really liking those! Yours is a Beauty! One of those would be a perfect mate to my new Royal Tan USA Epiphone Casino! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pimousso Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Great ! Demo please ? 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Wowsers ! Congrats on a real Winner ! Love the p/g. Is it engraved? Motif if very 'western' with the lasso and the blooming pear cactus - I love it! (Where is old member Guitar Light ? He would be rubbing my nose in it for suggesting Gibson acoustics were better than Epiphone's. ) Think I'll frame Sgt.Pepper's over the top praise and put it on the wall in my throne room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Absolutely great guitar. I'da chimed in sooner, but had to immediately go and check out several demos of the USA Frontier on YouTube. @40Yrs- yes, one of the vids, I believe it was Alamo Music, where the demo guy was mentioning that feeling the engraved p/g was just another one of the enjoyable parts of Frontier's playing experience. Many of the clips sounded a bit scooped in the mid range, but that could've been mic/mic placement, but it matches what I've occasionally noticed with the long scale squares, but the maple keeps those lows clean. The bridge inlay and some other aspects of the Gibson Dove aesthetics may keep some away from being Dove keepers, and the Epiphone USA Frontier makes for a hard to resist option. Congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegreatgumbino Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Congratulations on your new guitar. I was fortunate to play two of these at Fuller’s many months ago. Absolutely fantastic guitars in regards to aesthetics, playability and tone. Both were consistent in tone and sounded better than the doves in flight on the wall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jricc Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Congrats on your Epi... Real sweet looker! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twang Gang Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Congratulations that is a beauty!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 (edited) Heps for getting one of these classic beauties home. Must be an adventure. Here is Cooper & Chris demoing it. Sounds great - lots of raw power and finesse - a character of its own. Let this guitar break in and you' ll probably have a dream. Listening again, I really dig it ^ Edited February 4, 2022 by E-minor7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinder Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 Absolute bucket list guitar for me. I’ve always wanted a Frontier, I played an original from ‘62/‘63 and it floored me. Incredible juxtaposition of power, warmth and articulation. The reissues look absolutely stellar and the demos sound great too. I know it’s essentially a Dove dressed up differently, and I do already have a very good Dove, but I can’t help having major GAS for the Frontier. It’s the Gram Parsons connection, I think. Just too cool. Enjoy!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 (edited) When they were first introduced I remember them being the same price as the new USA Epi Casino’s. $2399.00.. What happened? Now they’re $3999.00??? Edited February 5, 2022 by Larsongs 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 19 minutes ago, Larsongs said: When they were first introduced I remember them being the same price as the new USA Epi Casino’s. $2399.00.. What happened? Now they’re $3999.00??? Because, you know, covid. rct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 On 2/4/2022 at 9:09 AM, fortyearspickn said: Wowsers ! Congrats on a real Winner ! Love the p/g. Is it engraved? Motif if very 'western' with the lasso and the blooming pear cactus - I love it! (Where is old member Guitar Light ? He would be rubbing my nose in it for suggesting Gibson acoustics were better than Epiphone's. ) Think I'll frame Sgt.Pepper's over the top praise and put it on the wall in my throne room. Its a beauty for sure. The p/g is a bit busy for me as I like simple black ones that are not the thickness of my windshield. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 (edited) 18 minutes ago, rct said: Because, you know, covid. rct That, inflation and um . . . greed. When I sell a guitar do I want to make $700 profit. Of course, but I don't I try to sell them for a fair price and usually lose a bit, but not always. My motto is "If I don't play it, I want it to go to someone who will". Edited February 5, 2022 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 It’s a beautiful Guitar! But, I think Gibson/Epiphone is getting carried away with a $1600.00 price increase in a couple months? More than a Martin D28 or D35? About the same price as a USA Guild D55E? The Frontier is a beauty. And nothing against that Guitar at all.. I just think Gibson is really taking advantage with their pricing on this one… Great Guitar, no doubt but for $3999.00 there is some very strong competition… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 (edited) 39 minutes ago, Larsongs said: It’s a beautiful Guitar! But, I think Gibson/Epiphone is getting carried away with a $1600.00 price increase in a couple months? More than a Martin D28 or D35? About the same price as a USA Guild D55E? The Frontier is a beauty. And nothing against that Guitar at all.. I just think Gibson is really taking advantage with their pricing on this one… Great Guitar, no doubt but for $3999.00 there is some very strong competition… I just fell on the floor clutching my chest after reading your post. I'm up and fine again. Edited February 5, 2022 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbpark Posted February 5, 2022 Author Share Posted February 5, 2022 (edited) I will agree, the $4k price tag is ridiculous. I initially picked up one of the import Frontiers and was really disappointed with it and it immediately went back. But I’ve always liked maple and loved the sound of the Dove but couldn’t get along with the Dove aesthetics and wasn’t willing to shell out for a J-200. I emailed a few reputable shops that had the Frontier in stock. One wrote me back with an offer I couldn’t refuse and had three left over from 2021 to choose from (2 burst, 1 natural). Their customer service was top notch and made a few videos with sound clips so I could compare and contrast. Luckily for me the best looking one also sounded the best. I’ll just say that I paid less than what I’ve seen these current production Frontiers going for used. That made it worth taking the risk and buying the guitar without seeing it, feeling it and hearing it in person. Although it’s only been a few days still, I’m VERY happy with the guitar and feel like I got a great deal for a phenomenal instrument. . I was deciding between one of these and finding a used J-200 and have no regrets going with the Frontier. Also cost me way less than a used J-200. As I mentioned before, with my other acoustic being a D-18, the Frontier is the perfect compliment since they are both so different from each other sonically while still satisfying my preference for larger body guitars/dreads and longer scale necks. Edited February 6, 2022 by sbpark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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