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High end Ephiphone vs low end Gibson

ics1974

By ics1974
in Gibson USA

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Yaff

Yaff

Posted
Posted

The standard response is, play as many as you can and buy the one that feels best to you.

If that not the way for you, I think you need to buy the Gibson Studio, as it will bug you forever (or until you buy one) and cloud you judgment about the Ephiphone you own. I know from experience!

 

I was trying to decide between a LP 08 Standard and the Studio VM (Worn Brown). Although the VM feels fantastic, soothing inside me also desires the fully finished LP, which will most probably result in spending more money before the year is out. Not only that, I know I could never let my VM go, so will have to start a collection.

 

At the end of the day, you only live once and if you buy a quality guitar like a Gibson LP, it will most probably still be worth near what you paid for it 10 years down the road. Go with you hart, you know it makes sense

[cool]

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NeoConMan

NeoConMan

Posted
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unless the epi is made in japan' date=' take the gibson[/quote']

Yep, and unless the Epi is made in Japan, it will be made of sh!t wood.

You'll see for yourself when you have to start drilling and routing to put functioning electronics in it.

 

Pisses off the Epi guys, but it's the truth.

I've probably done it to a dozen Epiphones that friends own or bought for their kids.

They had Gibson money in an Epiphone guitar when it finally worked like it should....

 

 

Most I worked on were decently made, and good solid players.

Adding decent pickups and quality pots/selector that work properly made all the difference.

 

Especially for a beginner who doesn't know or care, or a kid who's gonna beat it up anyway - good guitar.

 

 

 

Also, Yaff made a good point that many bargain-hunting Gibson owners will deny - and get all pissy about.

Gloss finish makes a big difference in the overall satisfaction with the guitar for most people.

Certainly will help if you ever resell it.

 

I've never seen anybody spend the money on a guitar that looks great and shines, then wish they had a Faded.

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CajunBlues

CajunBlues

Posted
Posted

Would I rather have the guitar in the ebay auction below over say a LP Studio ? Yes. but I think the pickups and electronics that come in a studio are better quality than what comes in the elitists

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Epiphone-Elitist-Les-Paul-in-New-Condition_W0QQitemZ250577536404QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item3a5795c594

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NeoConMan

NeoConMan

Posted
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I dunno.

I understand the pickups were first rate - if not American made anyway.

 

As far as the switch and pots, I've never been inside an Elite series Epi.

Maybe because they actually work?

 

If it has the smaller metric sized hardware inside, it would still require removing wood to swap it out.

 

And again, resale value will always lag with the Epi - even the Elite stuff.

 

I would go Gibson, but every Elite I've played functioned just fine.

Everybody I know who owned one praised them.

 

My dealer didn't handle them because they were too expensive to say Epiphone on them.

They didn't sell when a Gibson was just a bit more....

 

 

The Japanese guitars are first rate, be it Gibson, Fender, Gretsch, Zemaitis, and so on.

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CajunBlues

CajunBlues

Posted
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I dunno.

I understand the pickups were first rate - if not American made anyway.

 

As far as the switch and pots' date=' I've never been inside an Elite series Epi.

Maybe because they actually work?

 

If it has the smaller metric sized hardware inside, it would still require removing wood to swap it out.

 

And again, resale value will always lag with the Epi - even the Elite stuff.

 

I would go Gibson, but every Elite I've played functioned just fine.

Everybody I know who owned one praised them.

 

My dealer didn't handle them because they were too expensive to say Epiphone on them.

They didn't sell when a Gibson was just a bit more....

 

 

The Japanese guitars are first rate, be it Gibson, Fender, Gretsch, Zemaitis, and so on.[/quote']

 

When I switched to the USA 57 Classics, it was an improvement...Not a huge one... But I could tell the difference... As far as value.. I bought my elitist dot for $850... Good luck getting one for that price or lower now... Since they have been discontinued...

 

as far as the pots wire... I am not sure.. But I simply assume the Gibson pots/braided wire would be better ??

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guitarmonkey63

guitarmonkey63

Posted
Posted

I bought a brand new Korean Epiphone Les Paul Ultra 2 last year. At the time, I had a Gibson Les Paul Melodymaker, and a Fireburst LP Studio. Once I brought the LP U2 home, I didn't need the Gibsons anymore. I've tried Bill Lawrence's L6S, an acoustic LG1, and an LP Standard, but I still like the feel, the sound, and the play of the Epiphone. Since then, I've picked up a Casino, a '65 Wilshire reissue and an SG, all Epis, and am pleased with each and all of them. I used to only like Gibsons, Gretsches and Ibanez Artcores, but I'm not a snob, so I've tried the new Hagstrom basses, Bill Lawrence's new kasters, as well as interesting company guitars, like Reverend, old Harmony, Kay, Framus....

 

In my mind, my favourites go like this. Rickenbacker, Gretsch, Ibanez JEM, and Epiphone. My U2 comes with Alnico humbuckers, and a Nanomag acoustic system. Amazing sound.

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jjulch

jjulch

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I had the same problem a few years ago when I was getting back into playing guitar. I really wanted a Gibson, but I didn't want to pay $1,000 plus for one. At first I was going to buy a used Epi Ultra LP. Then I realized I really wanted an ebony LP Standard. While checking out, a used Gibson Studio in Ebony came in. I thought about that guitar for a moment, but for $200 more, I didn't think it was worth it. Fast forward one year. Gibson came out with a new Studio LP in Ebony with a satin finish and open coil humbuckers. It almost had a gothic look to it. Ohter words, bare bones les paul with the minimum crafting effort from Gibson. This is LP was even one of the first studio models that were PLEK'd. This guitar felt and sounded fantastic. However, my Epi was refitted with a bone nut and Gibson BB pro's. That guitar sounds better then almost any other Gibson I've touched let alone Epiphones. After owning the guitar for three weeks, I returned it. Yes, I'd rather have a Gibson, but a Gibson Standard. I realized it didn't matter what the headstock said. The Epiphone Les Paul looked great and sounded even better. I decided what I already had was better then what I bought. The Epiphone Les Paul is in my line up on stage and that Gibson is still hanging on the wall at Guitar Center for the past eight months.

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Blupup8

Blupup8

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Posted

"High End" Epiphone is an oxymoron. These are made in China, they are cheap guitars using cheap materials. A Gibson Les Paul Special is a fantastic instrument. I had a Gibson Les Paul Junior Special Plus which was transparent amber with a flamed maple top. I wouldn't touch ANY Epiphone over that guitar. I've owned some faded specials, and some glossy DC specials. I really was into SPecials for quite a while as I liked the '60's slim taper necks and flat tops.

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milod

milod

Posted
Posted

I guess my overriding concern on any guitar is, "Is it comfortable for me and the way I want it to play."

 

I'm "old." Frankly I figure that I will be darned lucky - or unlucky - if I'm still playing in 20 years. So frankly a 10-year guitar that feels good and plays well and sounds "good" to me is the priority. The specific headstock is much less relevant. Also, after having swapped far too many guitars I'd love to have back... heck, if I like playing it, it's mine until I'm planted. After that, I really don't care 'cuz there ain't nobody to "pass it on to." Yeah, it's neat to think of a '30s or 40s Gibbie that still plays wonderfully, but... as I said, if I make it another 20...

 

m

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duane v

duane v

Posted
Posted

I have a American/Japan made Casino and it's my favorite guitar... If it had better upper fret access, I don't think I would play any of my other guitars[biggrin] ..... I have a early 70's Epi ET-275 Crestwood and it's a pretty nice guitar as well.

 

As for the lower priced Gibson like the SG faded, Satin LPJ's and the Melody Makers. I own all three and they are all kick-*** guitars and they are fun to mod. But keep in mind the Asian Epi's are great for the price-point, and can be made very good players with some minor upgrades.

 

But in the end, there's just something about a Gibson[cool]

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Poohdog

Poohdog

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Real interesting topic. I own 8 Epiphones ranging from the 60's up to my 2007 Ultra I. I owned Gibbies in the past (all sold due to past problems) and I would stack up my Epi Customs with the Gibson Studios. $ for $ I feel the Epi sound can be just as good as a stuio Gibson and better with Gibson Pup's installed. My Ultra is also fitted with a Gotoh bridge and stop bar. I also own a 79 Genesis with '57 classics that is truely a sound machine. I would definately take a cheap 335 over the EA 250 I own that is a '71 model, but still there again....price and I don't play it that much. With a stable of 22 guitars (including a 2006 EC Signature and '89 Strat Plus Deluxe) and 40 years of playing experience, I say it's really all up to what you like and what your budget can afford. I'm sure B.B. King can make any Epiphone sound every bit as good as most of us can make a Gibson Supreme sound.

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freak show

freak show

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I would choose the Gibson, but:

 

Try to buy used, if that's possible. You'll get more for your money.

 

As crazy as it sounds, you can actually pick up a used Gibson Les Paul Special for less than the price of a new high end Epiphone. A Special is a great guitar, and you'll be able to sell it for at least what you payed, assuming you ever want to sell it at all. If you buy an Epiphone, you'll lose money the second you leave the shop.

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fishbone

fishbone

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For a wood instrument, I think it's save to say that "your ears are your friends", since every guitar will sound different, even if it's slightly.

 

I'm into recording/producing and for a very long time I was looking for a good Gibson LP with classic '57, which is a must for good guitar tracking, IMHO.

 

I recently came across a beautiful black LP Studio with golden hardware, and went to the store for test it out. They also have a couple of so called "top of the line" Ephiphones, with very attractive price tags, so I tested them against the LP Studio. Both of then sounded decent, but I felt that Ephiphone hasn't half of the resonance of the Studio LP, so I took the Studio LP and a pair of golden Classic '57 to install.

 

After using both my mod LP Studio and the "TOTL" Ephiphone in question at a recording session, I have no doubt that I made the right choice. The LP sounded fat and nice, and I hardly couldn't tell it apart from a LP Standard recording, while the Ephi end up sounding like the tracks I've used to lay down with a cheap Ibanez 20 years ago.

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