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Lefty Epiphones


The_Sentry

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Heh.....DISCLAIMER: Granted, one could say "Hey! Learn it the right way and this won't be a problem!" But, since this just an opinion/feedback forum, I thought I'd offer some feedback....

 

;)

 

I have to admit that some folks on these forums have some really gorgeous guitars. And, as far as leftie models go? Epiphone offers 8 models ranging from low to mid-price range:

 

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation/epiphone-guitars-basses-accessories-left-handed-electric-guitars?N=100001+306248+200990

 

OK, out of the 8?

 

5 are Les Paul models...

2 are Gibson clones....(Dot and SG Iommi)

 

So...where are the Epiphones? As has been stated...no, not the Gibson stuff...but the Actual Epiphone models that were and are a staple of the brand?

 

They are listed as follows:

 

Several versions of the Sheraton

Several versions of the Casino

The Riviera in 6- and 12-string versions

The Broadway

The Emperor Regent

Several versions of the Zephyr:

Zephyr Blues Deluxe

Zephyr Regent

The Supernova

The Wildkat

The AlleyKat

The Flamekat

Nick Valensi Riviera P-94

The Viola Bass

The Coronet

 

INsofar as I know, the only electric guitar model that is an actual "Epiphone" is the Sheraton II. No other models are available?

 

So....a question: How is it that from a marketing perspective, it makes sense to offer 5 variations of one model, and very little else as far as the brand goes? Shouldn't Epiphone at least offer some more models that are actual "Epiphones"?

 

(And sure, I love the idea of a LP goldtop, but it's one more Les Paul at the end of the day...)

 

Question: (and even if you're a righty...it's all cool...) How does this make sense?

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I think Epiphone is not interested in selling a few of their own models. They'll make a lefthanded based on whichever model is selling best. LPs and the occasional SG. Common business-sense you know.

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I think Epiphone is not interested in selling a few of their own models. They'll make a lefthanded based on whichever model is selling best. LPs and the occasional SG. Common business-sense you know.

 

Hmmm.....Well, you're probably right. They probably have a Leftie Les Paul assembly line and then do the 5 models which is their bread and butter. (Which might only go further to argue in favor of that goldtop.)

 

It's still kind of a shame though. Especially in light of how their rep was built on their archtops.

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Leftie flying V for the hendrix fans' date=' they need.[/quote']

 

This is possibly one of the easiest guitars to adapt to either a leftie or a rightie as well. (Although I haven't had one in years, my first guitar was a Korina Flying V knockoff that was made by JC Penny.)

 

Hmmm.....you know, this might be one of those guitars where you might consider just getting a right handed model, flipping the nut, and then do a string change.

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Hmmm.....you know' date=' this might be one of those guitars where you might consider just getting a right handed model, flipping the nut, and then do a string change.[/quote']

Intonation will be a ***** unless you re-angle the bridge.

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Intonation will be a ***** unless you re-angle the bridge.

 

Oh' date=' there's no doubt the intonation would probably be impossible to get straight on a guitar like that. But I suppose that's part of the "Hendrix sound" as far as something like that would be concerned...

 

[img']http://www.gibson.com/Files/AllAccess/images/JHendrixFlyingV.jpg[/img]

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Yeah' date=' with a Bigsby B7[i'](or was it a B5 Ian?)[/i] for that increased sustain and sum GFS pickups! LOL

 

I believe the hendrix signature had a short maestro (ala SG junior), whereas Lonnie Mack's had a B-7 which was attached to a metal bar at the back.

 

Pics:

Henrix:

hendrixV.gif

Mack:

Lonnie_Mack-Live-Attack_of_the_Killer_V.jpg

 

I'd personally prefer Gibson 57s over 498/500T or the epi stock pups on this, too.

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I believe the hendrix signature had a short maestro (ala SG junior)' date=' whereas Lonnie Mack's had a B-7 which was attached to a metal bar at the back.

 

Pics:

Henrix:

[img']http://www.modernguitars.com/imagefiles/namm06/daythree/gibson/hendrixV.gif[/img]

Mack:

Lonnie_Mack-Live-Attack_of_the_Killer_V.jpg

 

I'd personally prefer Gibson 57s over 498/500T or the epi stock pups on this, too.

 

Sweet. Question though...Is that pickguard like a strat's (hollow underneath) or is it just attached to ward off scratches? It looks like playing wise it might be OK...except for the toggle switch...

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Thanks for posting that. So technically...yes, you could move things around if they got in the way as a leftie. (I know, it's the argument of destroying the pickguard, but I guess you could also just get a spare pickguard, or just have one cut from plexiglass or plastic and leave the original off in the case of a resale.)

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Thanks for posting that. So technically...yes' date=' you could move things around if they got in the way as a leftie. (I know, it's the argument of destroying the pickguard, but I guess you could also just get a spare pickguard, or just have one cut from plexiglass or plastic and leave the original off in the case of a resale.)[/quote']

 

Wait...

 

The controls would still be on top, no?

I guess reverse pots would be necessary, but I'm confused...

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Wait...

 

The controls would still be on top' date=' no?

I guess reverse pots would be necessary, but I'm confused...[/quote']

 

The controls would still be on top....but other than the toggle switch, I don't see too many other issues as far as controls getting in the way or getting bumped while playing.

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The controls would still be on top....but other than the toggle switch' date=' I don't see too many other issues as far as controls getting in the way or getting bumped while playing.[/quote']

Ah.

And since you're screwing around with pickguards, why not add some switches? Everything's better witch more switches!(sorry, played a jag for like an hour and a half at a guitar store today...)

 

Anyway, yeah, doing a V lefty would be way easier than a strat or a paul.

Maybe on par with an SG.

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rondomusic.com is the only option for us at this point. companies dont care and im sure the agiles are really made the same place as epiphones man.

 

i give up anymore=== i love my guitars, but i always want more and if i had my choice like a righty, i would never slow down. im going to try my hand and building guitars for a while.

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Lefties, we're all a pretty understanding bunch--we know the companies don't have enough of a lefty market to mass produce the instruments we'd love to play. PRS tried it and gave up.

 

Still, it would be nice to see a few more lefty models. How f'king hard can it be to make a lefty flying V? They'd have to tilt the bridge the other way. Otherwise, it's symetrical, isn't it?

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I believe the hendrix signature had a short maestro (ala SG junior)' date=' whereas Lonnie Mack's had a B-7 which was attached to a metal bar at the back.

 

I'd personally prefer Gibson 57s over 498/500T or the epi stock pups on this, too.[/quote']

 

I'm glad the sarcasm wasn't lost on you Ian...

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