sbpark Posted February 5, 2022 Author Share Posted February 5, 2022 22 hours ago, E-minor7 said: 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 ^ I saw that one. I also really liked how they sound in this demo from Andertons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pohatu771 Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 (edited) 6 hours 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??? Those were never the prices. The Texan and Casino were both introduced at $2699. I played a Frontier before they were even announced, and it was $3999 then. The thread in the Epiphone section is "A $4,000 Epiphone?" from the day it was revealed. Edited February 5, 2022 by pohatu771 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 12 minutes ago, pohatu771 said: Those were never the prices. The Texan and Casino were both introduced at $2699. I played a Frontier before they were even announced, and it was $3999 then. The thread in the Epiphone section is "A $4,000 Epiphone?" from the day it was revealed. No.. They were originally introduced at $2399.00.. I know because I bought the Casino… The Frontier was introduced right after the Casino on the Gibson/Epiphone website at the same Price.. Right after I got my Casino in October 2021 they were increased to $2699.00… The Frontier is quite nice & I’m glad for the OP that he got a good deal on his… I wanted one of these Frontiers. But, at $3999.00 I’m looking at Martin & Guild too… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 4 minutes ago, Larsongs said: I’m looking at Martin & Guild too… To buy one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted February 6, 2022 Share Posted February 6, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, Sgt. Pepper said: To buy one? I need another one like a hole in the head but I got holes in my head! But, yeah, I want another Acoustic & have been looking…. And the Frontier is/was one of them… Edited February 6, 2022 by Larsongs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 6, 2022 Share Posted February 6, 2022 4 minutes ago, Larsongs said: I need another one like a hole in the head but I got holes in my head! But, yeah, I want another Acoustic & have been looking…. And the Frontier is/was one of them… You mentioned Martin, I had to make sure I was on the right forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pohatu771 Posted February 6, 2022 Share Posted February 6, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, Larsongs said: No.. They were originally introduced at $2399.00.. I know because I bought the Casino… The Frontier was introduced right after the Casino on the Gibson/Epiphone website at the same Price.. Right after I got my Casino in October 2021 they were increased to $2699.00… The Frontier is quite nice & I’m glad for the OP that he got a good deal on his… I wanted one of these Frontiers. But, at $3999.00 I’m looking at Martin & Guild too… I got my Casino in March 2021 and Texan in July 2020. They were both $2699 at the time. There are plenty of forum posts (on this and other sites) complaining about it. Maybe some dealer was listing them lower, but that was the MSRP. Here is an archive or the Frontier product page on July 5, 2021. Announced on April 27. $3999. I held one in my hands a week before that and was given the same price. Archive of the Casino page on April 11, 2021, the earliest archive that I found. Official launch date was March 30 but still took a few weeks to ship. $2699. And the archive of the acoustic page, which shows the Texan, on January 23, 2020, ten days after it was revealed at NAMM. $2699. Edited February 6, 2022 by pohatu771 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard McCoy Posted February 6, 2022 Share Posted February 6, 2022 1 hour ago, Larsongs said: No.. They were originally introduced at $2399.00.. I know because I bought the Casino… The Frontier was introduced right after the Casino on the Gibson/Epiphone website at the same Price.. Right after I got my Casino in October 2021 they were increased to $2699.00… The Frontier is quite nice & I’m glad for the OP that he got a good deal on his… I wanted one of these Frontiers. But, at $3999.00 I’m looking at Martin & Guild too… You are probably misremembering... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted February 6, 2022 Share Posted February 6, 2022 I stand corrected… I looked up my Receipt. My new USA Casino Retail was originally $2699.00.. It was the USA Texan that I believe was also $2699.00 when it was first released.. Not the Frontier… My apology to the OP & you other Forum members who brought this to my attention…. Hope I didn’t mess up your NGD too much. Enjoy that beautiful new Frontier! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hype Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 I wish there was an unboxing video. Does it come with any case candy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbpark Posted February 7, 2022 Author Share Posted February 7, 2022 1 hour ago, Hype said: I wish there was an unboxing video. Does it come with any case candy? Sorry, I’m not much of a video making guy. Also don’t have any type of social media. As far as case candy, it came with a D’Addario Humidipack set (one for the headstock and a double pouch for the soundhole), the usual Gibson QC/warranty pamphlet, a polishing cloth, Gibson keychain and a truss rod wrench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 14 minutes ago, sbpark said: Sorry, I’m not much of a video making guy. Also don’t have any type of social media. As far as case candy, it came with a D’Addario Humidipack set (one for the headstock and a double pouch for the soundhole), the usual Gibson QC/warranty pamphlet, a polishing cloth, Gibson keychain and a truss rod wrench. That seems to be the standard bill of fare, except when pinched by the friendly and helpful but dishonest associates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hype Posted February 9, 2022 Share Posted February 9, 2022 On 2/7/2022 at 1:03 PM, Sgt. Pepper said: That seems to be the standard bill of fare, except when pinched by the friendly and helpful but dishonest associates. Oh that pisses me off. Lots of these guitar stores take the case candy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted February 9, 2022 Share Posted February 9, 2022 Hmmm. Maple long scale birdy… I wonder if it is even remotely bird-esque. Bracing same as a Hummingbird? oh and congrats. Beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbpark Posted February 9, 2022 Author Share Posted February 9, 2022 (edited) 8 hours ago, Salfromchatham said: Hmmm. Maple long scale birdy… I wonder if it is even remotely bird-esque. Bracing same as a Hummingbird? oh and congrats. Beautiful. I would say it sounds NOTHING like a Hummingbird. Sounds more like a Dove. On the Gibson/Epiphone USA website it even lists the body style as "Dove" and would suspect the bracing is the same as a Dove. This guitar sounds huge and full but still retains some clarity without getting into boomy or mud territory and without the highs sounding sterile or brittle. Think hi-fi vinyl instead of a CD. The highs are so sweet and warm but still clear and bell-like if that makes sense. I would just call it a very well-balanced dread that still sounds like a Gibson (it won't be mistaken for a Martin) with quite a bit more power and lushness on tap compared to Gibson short-scale slope shoulders. Definitely has more headroom than a J-45, HB, etc. I've owned two J-200's and the Frontier has a "bigger"(different) sound, but because of the maple on both guitars there are some similarities that yo can hear in the tonal characteristics. I also used to own a really nice 2012 AJ. That guitar was a beast and I loved it, but if I had to compare it to the Frontier I'd say it was more one-dimensional with a drier sound and quicker decay while the Dove has a more complex sound to it. I have a hard tome explaining this guitar because it absolutely sounds like a Gibson but it's also different if that makes any sense. When I get into the single note stuff, especially in the low end it has that low end Gibson thump that a good J-45 or AJ has, but there's a little more going on there as well sprinkled in. It's definitely a departure form the shorter-scale slope shoulders. This is like a Gibson on steroids I guess. The AJ is a Gibson on steroids and the Frontier is a Gibson on steroids that's a bit more refined perhaps? I also think this would make for an amazing recording guitar. Edited February 9, 2022 by sbpark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvi Posted February 9, 2022 Share Posted February 9, 2022 thats one of the nicest looking gits Ive seen, enjoy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbpark Posted February 9, 2022 Author Share Posted February 9, 2022 I should also add I installed a set of EJ16's on Sunday and after a day of settling in they are probably what I will continue to use on this guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 On 2/9/2022 at 6:51 PM, sbpark said: I should also add I installed a set of EJ16's on Sunday and after a day of settling in they are probably what I will continue to use on this guitar. Good choice - they are splendid reliable honest strings. Never heard anything bad about them, , , and have been using them here and there forever. . The tin'n'cobber workhorse 🐎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbpark Posted February 19, 2022 Author Share Posted February 19, 2022 (edited) Just thought I'd post a quick update...still loving this guitar. Just replaced the Tusq bridge pins with a set of Colossi bone pins and a compensated Colosi bone saddle. Had nothing to do with the sound, and was purely for aesthetics. Have no idea what these originally had on them back in the 60's (plastic most likely?) but didn't like the look of the Tusq, and the dead on them are kind of short and flat, making them a little more difficult to remove during string changes. The guitar came with a bone nut and bone saddle from the factory and thought it deserved some bone pins as well. I replaced the saddle because the shop actually did a set-up on the guitar before shipping it to me (which makes sense because I had commented to them icon I got it that it had the best set-up of any new Gibson I've ever received), but the action on the high strings was a touch low for my taste. I just happened to have a Colosi Gibson bone saddle in my parts bin, and it put the action right where I wanted it. Edited February 19, 2022 by sbpark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pohatu771 Posted February 19, 2022 Share Posted February 19, 2022 1 hour ago, sbpark said: Have no idea what these originally had on them back in the 60's (plastic most likely?) These were firmly in the adjustable saddle era, so they were ceramic. At least the Frontier never had a plastic bridge, as far as I know. Later years were rosewood instead, but they had dropped the western motif at that point and it was basically a maple-bodied El Dorado. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbpark Posted February 20, 2022 Author Share Posted February 20, 2022 9 hours ago, pohatu771 said: These were firmly in the adjustable saddle era, so they were ceramic. At least the Frontier never had a plastic bridge, as far as I know. Later years were rosewood instead, but they had dropped the western motif at that point and it was basically a maple-bodied El Dorado. I was referring to the material of the bridge pins. Sorry if what I said was confusing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbpark Posted March 3 Author Share Posted March 3 (edited) 2-Year Update: Still loving this guitar. I've never been one to necessarily believe that guitars "open up" over time and whatnot, but the guitar definitely has. For a while I swear the guitar sort of "closed up" and it kind of sounded dull and choked for a while a few months after I got it, and didn't matter what strings I put on it. Tried a few different sets and now back to EJ16's. For whatever reason this guitar all of a sudden opened back up and now is very lively and dynamic, even with old, dull strings (which I prefer on my acoustics). It's definitely settled in a bit and had to lower the action once as it crept up a little (I have the truss rod adjusted with just a hair of relief and that's never moved), but since then has been rock solid. Also had the pick guard start to lift quite a bit, but had a shop that was an authorized Gibson warranty repair shop replace the pick guard. Had to wait a bit for Gibson to send out a new pickguard because they originally tried to reglue the original and it lifted again soon after. I've been buying new Gibson acoustics since 2016 and have no idea why they simply can't get their pickguards to stick. The thick "flubber" pick guards were the worst. This isn't a "flubber" and is pretty thin, what you'd expect and has nice engraving. Once this guitar opened up it sounds huge, but unlike other dreads the low end is controllable, no mud whatsoever, and anything but boomy. Kind of a nice balance between the massive sound of a dread and the articulation and detail of a J200 I guess, and more balls and power than a Hummingbird, but still sounds great when played softly and fingerpicked, but can also hold it's own when heavily strummed (I'm not a heavy strummer by any means). Only guitar I've ever owned that may stack up and was louder was a 2012 AJ I used to own. I've learned my lesson regretfully selling that one (and a couple J200's) in the past and can see myself being very happy with this one for years to come. Edited March 3 by sbpark 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 I want a little archtop like Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalle Blomkvist Posted April 21 Share Posted April 21 On 3/3/2024 at 11:34 PM, sbpark said: 2-Year Update: Still loving this guitar. I've never been one to necessarily believe that guitars "open up" over time and whatnot, but the guitar definitely has. For a while I swear the guitar sort of "closed up" and it kind of sounded dull and choked for a while a few months after I got it, and didn't matter what strings I put on it. Tried a few different sets and now back to EJ16's. For whatever reason this guitar all of a sudden opened back up and now is very lively and dynamic, even with old, dull strings (which I prefer on my acoustics). It's definitely settled in a bit and had to lower the action once as it crept up a little (I have the truss rod adjusted with just a hair of relief and that's never moved), but since then has been rock solid. Also had the pick guard start to lift quite a bit, but had a shop that was an authorized Gibson warranty repair shop replace the pick guard. Had to wait a bit for Gibson to send out a new pickguard because they originally tried to reglue the original and it lifted again soon after. I've been buying new Gibson acoustics since 2016 and have no idea why they simply can't get their pickguards to stick. The thick "flubber" pick guards were the worst. This isn't a "flubber" and is pretty thin, what you'd expect and has nice engraving. Once this guitar opened up it sounds huge, but unlike other dreads the low end is controllable, no mud whatsoever, and anything but boomy. Kind of a nice balance between the massive sound of a dread and the articulation and detail of a J200 I guess, and more balls and power than a Hummingbird, but still sounds great when played softly and fingerpicked, but can also hold it's own when heavily strummed (I'm not a heavy strummer by any means). Only guitar I've ever owned that may stack up and was louder was a 2012 AJ I used to own. I've learned my lesson regretfully selling that one (and a couple J200's) in the past and can see myself being very happy with this one for years to come. hi, I’m also interested in buying a USA frontier. Do you still own it ? How do you like it? I have a d18 from 2020 which Is my only acoustic ( I always only have one guitar) so the D18 has to go if it’s really good guitar…also like the new j200 but I think the epi has more to offer in terms of sound! Cheers from Berlin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinder Posted Sunday at 09:45 PM Share Posted Sunday at 09:45 PM 16 hours ago, Kalle Blomkvist said: hi, I’m also interested in buying a USA frontier. Do you still own it ? How do you like it? I have a d18 from 2020 which Is my only acoustic ( I always only have one guitar) so the D18 has to go if it’s really good guitar…also like the new j200 but I think the epi has more to offer in terms of sound! Cheers from Berlin! Hey Kalle. I own a D18 and a Dove, which is very similar to the Frontier. I make extensive use of both. My Dove is an incredible recording guitar and I’ve written a great deal of songs with both. If there is any way you can keep the D18 and add the Frontier I think you’d find them different enough to complement one another and do different musical jobs. Personally, if I had to part with my D18 to facilitate the purchase of another guitar, I would have to be ABSOLUTELY sure that the new guitar was something I needed without question. I love my D18 (a mid ‘90s Golden Era prototype) and would find it extremely difficult to part with it. I love all my Gibsons too, but the D18 and I are always pleased to see one another. It’s never moody like my Gibsons can be at times! 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.