Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Banner J-45

[Larsongs]

Brand new.. Have any of you seen or played one yet.. I'm curious about one as a back up Guitar.. Thoughts & Opinions...

Thanks

https://www.epiphone.com/en-US/Acoustic-Guitar/IGC-1942-Banner-J-45/Vintage-Sunburst?sc_src=email_1826988&sc_lid=199576950&sc_uid=vaC4yEHEul&sc_llid=126782&sc_customer=e648c4e2-b758-473b-91bf-9314979b7567&utm_source=Emarsys&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=4.2.24%3A+Inspired+by+Gibson+Custom+Collection

Edited April 3 by Larsongs

[fortyearspickn]

I would think it would be perfect for that.  Avoiding situations where you might damage your 'high end' J45, but bringing one that feels and sounds almost identical, down to the headstock shape and model designation.  Comes with a hardshell case, where many IBGs don't.  I assume, with a thermally aged red spruce top - these are made in Japan where the quality is higher, as opposed to China.  If you have a need for and can afford a 'backup' guitar, that is much more than a 'beater' - this is what I'd go for.   

[slimt]

Wonder what the list is? 4 ish?   

[gearbasher]

6 hours ago, fortyearspickn said:

 I assume, with a thermally aged red spruce top - these are made in Japan where the quality is higher, as opposed to China.  

They are made in China:

[RBSinTo]

I suppose I should consider myself lucky that I only have "guitars", and have no need to buy more to " back them up ".

RBSinTo

[Sgt. Pepper]

21 minutes ago, RBSinTo said:

I suppose I should consider myself lucky that I only have "guitars", and have no need to buy more to " back them up ".

RBSinTo

There is always want, but needn nope. The 000-18 and 000-28 are stellar axes.

[Larsongs]

Right, I don’t need it.. I have several Guitars.. But, I might want it.. 

I wasn’t sure where it was built.. I was hoping Korea.. I don’t think Japan could do that price point.. That would be nice though…

I've seen some nice MIC Guitars but would be more interested if was make in Korea.. 

I’m sending my Bozeman Solid Top J-160E to Gibson to repair a fine crack about 6-7 inches long on the Side. Fret Re-dress & anything else they think it needs.. So a back up would be nice as Gibson will have it for a couple months or so.. 

['Scales]

 must be frustrating for Chinese producers of anything intended for international consumption - there they are with state of the art facilities and the cash to do whatever, and they are expected to make whatever they produce based on it being cheap, cheap, and cheap - oh, and better make it of a lesser quality too because that's expected by the consumer.

"hey boss, with this new hi-tech equipment we can make the best (fill blank) in the world!"

"sorry, Chen Bo, this is for western markets - please just use the cheap materials and program the robots to include annoying defects. Yeah I know, I know....look, its what they expect"

[Larsongs]

Not saying China can’t build quality.. It seems more possible a Chinese Acoustic Guitar might be better than a Chinese Electric Guitar.. As quality Gibson Pickups, 500k Electronics, Pots, Caps, Switchcraft Jacks & Switches account for most of the Sound from Gibson Electric Guitar’s. Chinese Electric Guitars can be Platforms to Mod but $ Hundreds of Dollars for Parts & Labor to make them sound comparable. I’d rather buy a USA Gibson.

Whereas being an Acoustic Guitar those high cost items aren’t  a factor.. 

[fortyearspickn]

Yeah. Not having OSHA, Fidh and Wildlife, EEOC, etc breathing down your necks lets you focus on quality.  
“new hi tech equipment “?  The label says “Handcrafted”.     And who designed and bought that equipment?   “Chen Bo”. Or Gibson?  
 

12 hours ago, 'Scales said:

 must be frustrating for Chinese producers of anything intended for international consumption - there they are with state of the art facilities and the cash to do whatever, and they are expected to make whatever they produce based on it being cheap, cheap, and cheap - oh, and better make it of a lesser quality too because that's expected by the consumer.

"hey boss, with this new hi-tech equipment we can make the best (fill blank) in the world!"

"sorry, Chen Bo, this is for western markets - please just use the cheap materials and program the robots to include annoying defects. Yeah I know, I know....look, its what they expect"

 

[slimt]

2 minutes ago, fortyearspickn said:

Yeah. Not having OSHA, Fidh and Wildlife, EEOC, etc breathing down your necks lets you focus on quality.  
“new hi tech equipment “?  The label says “Handcrafted”.     And who designed and bought that equipment?   “Chen Bo”. Or Gibson?  
 

 

Ya. But guild has handcrafted labels as well.   On plywood guitars.    
 

So I guess there should be no reason for Gibson USA to complain about all those fake les pauls out there  someone one was inspired by  the US versions. 😁

[fortyearspickn]

False Equivalency , Slim 

[RBSinTo]

I can't speak to the issue of American versus Chinese electric guitars, but I can regarding both countries' quality acoustics.

While looking for a slope-shoulder Spruce/Mahogany dreadnought, I played, and listened to a fine guitarist play both the Gibson and Chinese Eastman models, and found them to play and sound very similar.

Assuming that a quality Chinese guitar maker doesn't exist, and only American companies can make quality instruments is foolish.

RBSinTo

 

['Scales]

3 hours ago, fortyearspickn said:

Yeah. Not having OSHA, Fidh and Wildlife, EEOC, etc breathing down your necks lets you focus on quality.  

“new hi tech equipment “?  The label says “Handcrafted”.     And who designed and bought that equipment?   “Chen Bo”. Or Gibson?  

I'm not sure the contractual stuff and who pays but I would guess its Gibson and I'd guess its from money they make selling guitars - now it could be that the money comes from selling all those Theodores and Murphy's or could be from selling the thousands of Epiphones? - I truly don't know.

My point was, that Chinese made guitars are primarily expected (at this point in history at least) to be cheap to buy. That is the main production requirement. Otherwise they could be made to an exceptional standard - imagine what the factories could build if they were provided the same budget to build each guitar and could sell it to the public at what a Gibson costs. I'd think we'd be looking at some stellar guitars were that the case. 

[Red 333]

Music Villa put up a short demo comparing it directly to the Gibson version. The Epiphone acquitted itself nicely. It didn't have all the low end of the Gibson, but it definitely had the dry crispness you associate with vintage style voicing. And it has a nice pickup, which is something of a plus if you're playing out 

There's also a 1957 J-200 and a J-180 in this new Inspired by Custom Shop line up, both with thermally aged tops. The J-45 has thermally aged Red Spruce, and the other two Sitka 

Wildwood Music has photos of the J-200 they have in stock, and it's gorgeous. Lots of flame and figure on the back and neck. The top looks a little blotchy, though. Still, overall a stunning looking guitar for comparatively very little.

I did play a regular Inspired by Gibson J-45 over the Christmas holidays and was very impressed. Except for the headstock and the laurel, it looked every inch a Gibson. Very nice mahogany on the sides, back, and neck. I was especially  impressed with the feel of the finish. I don't know what advances they've made in poly formulations, but it felt terrific. As you may know, I am no stranger to J-45s  and the Inspired by I played sounded great. Worthy of the J-45 appellation for sure. I THINK it was Indonesian made, but don't remember exactly.

Red 333

Edited April 5 by Red 333

[Red 333]

15 hours ago, Larsongs said:

As quality Gibson Pickups, 500k Electronics, Pots, Caps, Switchcraft Jacks & Switches account for most of the Sound from Gibson Electric Guitar’s.

Many of the Epiphones made in China now have the very same components as the USA models. I recently bought a Shinichi Ubukata ES-355 that features Gibson '57 Classics and Gibson-spec pots and caps. It's a stellar guitar. It has the import style bridge and Bigsby, but the same Grovers that you'd find on US models, plus an ebony board. The newest Inspired by Gibson Custom ES-355 has Custom Buckers and the Gibson Historic lightweight tailpiece.  You don't have to upgrade the higher-spec Epiphones, or even the mid tier unless you want to. 

Red 333

[Larsongs]

5 hours ago, 'Scales said:

I'm not sure the contractual stuff and who pays but I would guess its Gibson and I'd guess its from money they make selling guitars - now it could be that the money comes from selling all those Theodores and Murphy's or could be from selling the thousands of Epiphones? - I truly don't know.

My point was, that Chinese made guitars are primarily expected (at this point in history at least) to be cheap to buy. That is the main production requirement. Otherwise they could be made to an exceptional standard - imagine what the factories could build if they were provided the same budget to build each guitar and could sell it to the public at what a Gibson costs. I'd think we'd be looking at some stellar guitars were that the case. 

I agree…

[Larsongs]

4 hours ago, Red 333 said:

Many of the Epiphones made in China now have the very same components as the USA models. I recently bought a Shinichi Ubukata ES-355 that features Gibson '57 Classics and Gibson-spec pots and caps. It's a stellar guitar. It has the import style bridge and Bigsby, but the same Grovers that you'd find on US models, plus an ebony board. The newest Inspired by Gibson Custom ES-355 has Custom Buckers and the Gibson Historic lightweight tailpiece.  You don't have to upgrade the higher-spec Epiphones, or even the mid tier unless you want to. 

Red 333

Yes. There are some. Usually it’s pointed out clearly in the Specs.. And reflected in Price..  I know the IBJL Epiphone Revolution Casino I bought had USA Gibson P-90’s, upgraded Pots & Caps, Switchcraft Jack & 3 way Switch. It’s an excellent Guitar..

But, it’s not clear about the new Banner J45 or the ‘57 J-200… Though, they do mention L.R. Baggs VTC, Scalloped Bracing & Thermo Spruce Top.. 

[Sgt. Pepper]

So none of the parts on your so called American Hand Made Guitar has any parts outsourced from overseas? That’s what you believe?

Where is East Indian Rosewood from? The clue is in the name.

Edited April 5 by Sgt. Pepper

[Sgt. Pepper]

On 4/3/2024 at 11:54 PM, 'Scales said:

 must be frustrating for Chinese producers of anything intended for international consumption - there they are with state of the art facilities and the cash to do whatever, and they are expected to make whatever they produce based on it being cheap, cheap, and cheap - oh, and better make it of a lesser quality too because that's expected by the consumer.

"hey boss, with this new hi-tech equipment we can make the best (fill blank) in the world!"

"sorry, Chen Bo, this is for western markets - please just use the cheap materials and program the robots to include annoying defects. Yeah I know, I know....look, its what they expect"

I don’t think that any of the countries overseas on purpose make stuff of lesser quality, they just make whatever they’re making with the materials provided, and it may be better quality, or it may be lesser quality than whatever country you live in makes. 

I, as an American will never buy what is considered an American car (no overseas parts in those huh). Any Honda or Toyota has been 10x more reliable than any American car I’ve owned.

Edited April 5 by Sgt. Pepper

[Larsongs]

1 hour ago, Sgt. Pepper said:

I don’t think that any of the countries overseas on purpose make stuff of lesser quality, they just make whatever they’re making with the materials provided, and it may be better quality, or it may be lesser quality than whatever country you live in makes. 

I, as an American will never buy what is considered an American car (no overseas parts in those huh). Any Honda or Toyota has been 10x more reliable than any American car I’ve owned.

I pretty much own Trucks for myself.. I've owned Fords & Chevys for the past 40+ years.. With no major problems with either. My Has had Lexus for the past 30 years.. No problems with them either.. Pretty much Standard Periodic Service.. Tires..