JefferySmith Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 I hadn't thought of this earlier, but it is an interesting question. If you are mostly an Epiphone person now, if you decided to play professionally, would you move up to a comparable Gibson model? While the idea is completely hypothetical to me, I cannot imagine plunking down $3,000 for a Gibby when I'm as happy as I currently am with the Sheratons. What say you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 If I had the money right now, I would buy a Gibson over an Epi. Epiphones can be nice and all, but I've owned a Gibson and I've never played an Epi that compared to it. I probably just got lucky though. As far as basses go though, I love my EBM and would search the country for another if I had to. I'll probably never play anything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Not necessarily! But, if I was making a ton of money, "professionally," I'd be more likely to, for sure. I don't know...these days, there are so many good/great guitars, that just didn't exist, before. So... Good Question! I'd like to think, that I'd do a lot of comparisons, and pick the BEST one, regardless of what was on the headstock. But, Gibson has a powerful draw, there's no doubt about it! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iansmitchell Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 It'd be a big switch. Not just from my current to a gibson version. I'd get a flying V, but I'd not get rid of my upgraded dot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fingers hurt Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 If Gibson PAID me to play there named instruments , I would . I'm sure once you reach that level , your comfortable with the guitar that got you to that level no matter what the head stock says . The sound and style you've achieved is more you the player and not so much the maker of the instrument . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodeMonk Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 I would play whatever worked for me. Gibson, Epiphone, or some other brand. Use the tool that works best for YOU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JefferySmith Posted July 25, 2008 Author Share Posted July 25, 2008 I would play whatever worked for me. Gibson' date=' Epiphone, or some other brand.Use the tool that works best for YOU.[/quote'] Having played a Firebird and an ES 335 for 5 years or so, I just cannot see much difference versus the Epiphones. To be honest, now that I have Seymour Duncans on my Korean Dot, it isn't all that much different than the 335. The Gretsches seem very different, but not the Epis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Sentry Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 I hadn't thought of this earlier' date=' but it is an interesting question. If you are mostly an Epiphone person now, if you decided to play professionally, would you move up to a comparable Gibson model? While the idea is completely hypothetical to me, I cannot imagine plunking down $3,000 for a Gibby when I'm as happy as I currently am with the Sheratons. What say you?[/quote'] I'd keep the Gibson for the studio and take the Epiphones on the road. (This is of course under the realization that no, we're not talking about being wealthy, but playing professionally, ie, in which case you're probably talking about a cover band.) I'd also look into a strat and maybe a thinline. But nah, the expensive stuff would stay at home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 No I would buy a Gibson if I had a lot of money with nothing to spend it on. Whether I was playing professionally, or not, would have nothing to do with it. If I had a lot of money, professional musician or not, I would buy one. Since I am a public school teacher, I probably will never own one. But to tell you the truth, that doesn't bother me one bit. That is, the part about never owning one. The fact that I make so little money, yeah that kind of bothers me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layboomo Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Well it's kind of a broad question given all of the models of each...but in general...yeah I'd go with Gibson's over Epi's...in fact I do as a rule. Epi makes some great guitars for the $$,but most need mods to bring them from "semi-pro" to "pro" status......and some just are not pro level guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Sentry Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 NoI would buy a Gibson if I had a lot of money with nothing to spend it on. Whether I was playing professionally' date=' or not, would have nothing to do with it. If I had a lot of money, professional musician or not, I would buy one. Since I am a public school teacher, I probably will never own one. But to tell you the truth, that doesn't bother me one bit. That is, the part about never owning one. The fact that I make so little money, yeah that kind of bothers me. [/quote'] Damn Brad. Well, you know, technically you can get into a Gibson new for about what...1500 dollars for a brand new one? (thinking Studio)...or even cheaper if it's used. Yeah, it's expensive, but we're not talking about something incredibly expensive here..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Inexpensive is relative my friend. You must not be familiar with what CA public school teachers make. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yamatsuka Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 To be short: NO! I'm happy with my Epiphone Les Paul Standard Ebony and wouldn't trade it for anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Inexpensive is relative my friend.You must not be familiar with what CA public school teachers make. I am...I lived in Santa Barbara, and then Los Angeles, for 30 years. Have friends, that are teachers. The pay is rediculous, especially considering the "war zone" that a lot of schools seem to be, anymore! How anyone can make a "living" on that, especially with a family...well, you CAN'T...that's why both parents have to work! But, that's almost anywhere, anymore! Hang in there, Brad...we need good teachers! Even if the pay is rediculous?! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdgails Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 well, I would play the better sounding guitar, and if you had a epi you modded out and dug it, then so be it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Oh, and Brad...your "Epi" is just fine!! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpach10115 Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 I AM a professional studio musician. To answer this correctly, you must state where you are playing "Professionally". In the studio I mainly use my 75 Gibson LP custom goldtop. For live playing, I use whatever epi sounds the best for each style I play. IMHO, there ARE differences. I love my Epi's though. I just built an EPI lp studio with a set of Gibson 57's in it. It sounds and plays great. This could be an ego thing too. In the studio, you don't want to be embarressed. When you walk in with a gibby, it just earns a little more respect IN THE STUDIO. Although nothing is going to help you if you can't play. On stage, there is less ego. Just my opinion. Also, I need different guitars for different sound. I love the blues sound of my alleykat. I love the power from my SG/emg. I love the 60's sound from my casino. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Thanks CB!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layboomo Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 I AM a professional studio musician. To answer this correctly' date=' you must state where you are playing "Professionally". In the studio I mainly use my 75 Gibson LP custom goldtop. For live playing, I use whatever epi sounds the best for each style I play. IMHO, there ARE differences. I love my Epi's though. I just built an EPI lp studio with a set of Gibson 57's in it. It sounds and plays great. This could be an ego thing too. In the studio, you don't want to be embarressed. When you walk in with a gibby, it just earns a little more respect IN THE STUDIO. Although nothing is going to help you if you can't play. On stage, there is less ego. Just my opinion. Also, I need different guitars for different sound. I love the blues sound of my alleykat. I love the power from my SG/emg. I love the 60's sound from my casino. [/quote'] Man I think it's the exact opposite....on stage people look for status guitars....in the studio nobody cares as long as it sounds great. Some of the guitars that made some very famous recordings wouldn't be too highly regarded as "stage axes"....but they got the tones on tape! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfrets Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 I played "professionally" for more than 20 years. I used what I owned at the time, so yes, it meant I played Gibsons and US Fenders, but it also meant I played Ibanezes, Ovations, a few assorted Guilds (anybody else remember their solid bodies?) and a Tokai or two. I didn't buy particular guitars because I was a "professional." I bought them because I liked them and they suited me. I never have, and never will buy a guitar I'd be embarassed to play in public. If I'd be ashamed to be seen with it, then I don't have any use for it in the first place. I'm not what you'd call a "professional" anymore, but I gig occassionally, and I still use whatever I happen to own at the moment. And that includes any of my nine Epiphones... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Sentry Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Inexpensive is relative my friend.You must not be familiar with what CA public school teachers make. Average median salary for a California schoolteacher is approximately 57,000+ dollars a year. http://www.employmentspot.com/employment-articles/teacher-salaries-by-state/ Hey, I'm not going to mince here, but I've known people who made a lot less than that who owned the guitars they thought they required. As for the Gibson/Epiphone argument? (and in terms of Les Pauls, since this is what Epiphone almost exclusively markets to left handed players.) I think the Gibson is a better instrument. But, no SO MUCH so that I won't play an Epiphone. The only reason I'd take the Epiphones on the road (or to clubs) was in the event of equipment being broken and/or stolen. It's a lot easier to recoup the cost of a 600 dollar guitar vs. a 2000 dollar guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpach10115 Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 In the studio, it is all about ego/status. When your in a studio with 7 or eight other musicians, I don't want to be the one playing the "other" brand. I almost always see gibsons in the studio. I personally would NEVER judge someone by their equiptment. I love all types, AND I love my epi's. I have custom tailored my epi's to MY sounds. This is the reason why I love to use them live, but in the studio, you need to conform to someone else's sound. On stage, to me, it's all about sound, in the studio, you can make a tin can with a string sound great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Sentry Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 In the studio' date=' it is all about ego/status. When your in a studio with 7 or eight other musicians, I don't want to be the one playing the "other" brand. I almost always see gibsons in the studio. I personally would NEVER judge someone by their equiptment. I love all types, AND I love my epi's. I have custom tailored my epi's to MY sounds. This is the reason why I love to use them live, but in the studio, you need to conform to someone else's sound. On stage, to me, it's all about sound, in the studio, you can make a tin can with a string sound great.[/quote'] Really? I'm the exact opposite. I love showing up with guitars that some consider garbage and then pwning another musician..especially another guitar player (and especially if they show up with the 5000 dollar rig. hehehehe) Does it happen? Not often. But every once in a while..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JefferySmith Posted July 25, 2008 Author Share Posted July 25, 2008 In the studio' date=' it is all about ego/status. When your in a studio with 7 or eight other musicians, I don't want to be the one playing the "other" brand. I almost always see gibsons in the studio. I personally would NEVER judge someone by their equiptment. I love all types, AND I love my epi's. I have custom tailored my epi's to MY sounds. This is the reason why I love to use them live, but in the studio, you need to conform to someone else's sound. On stage, to me, it's all about sound, in the studio, you can make a tin can with a string sound great.[/quote'] You guys really owe it to yourself to read "Here, There, and Everywhere", an account of the Beatles sessions in the Abbey Road EMI studio. I'm only half way through it, and I feel like I'm learning more about the fab four than I have in any of half a dozen books I've read about the Beatles. For one thing, the author doesn't have an axe grind (no pun intended) like maybe Cynthia Lennon did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin134 Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Pretty much if I had the kind of money it takes to buy a Gibson I might buy one whether or not I could play professionally.. but i still like my epi's and would hold onto them anyways Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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