Jump to content
Gibson Brands Forums

Tell me about "ORVILLE" Les Paul from Japan...


Big Norm

Recommended Posts

I'm always intrigued by those Orville Les Paul that I see on Ebay once in while... What are they ? I can see they are made in Japan and have an identical shape as Gibson or Epi, but more expensive than Epi's. Are they also made by Gibson ? Anyone on this forum played or have one ? Just curious...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Orville" (named for Orville Gibson) was the company name, for Gibson Japan, for years. They were later called "Epiphone Japan." Gibson ended that relationship, in 2006, apparently.

Oriville guitars are very, very good/great Japanese renditions, of familiar Gibson guitars...SG's, 335's, Les Pauls, etc.

They were (some still are) made in the same factories, as the Elitist Epi's were/Are.

 

For an overview, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orville_by_Gibson

 

CB

Link to comment
Share on other sites

While doing some homework over the weekend I found these. The first link has some Epi Japan dating info, which is why I found it.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orville_by_Gibson

 

http://www.guitarsjapan.com/orvillegibsoninfopage.html

 

Here's the guitar that prompted the search...I thought it might be '96 Emperor made at the Terada plant...the 6 and 2 of the 621 number had me thinking that...now I think it's MIK...too big for me anyway.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Epiphone-1990s-Emperor-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar_W0QQitemZ280258560546QQihZ018QQcategoryZ33037QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Orville guitars are very' date=' very good/great Japanese renditions, of familiar Gibson guitars

[/quote']

 

Together with Burny(Fernandes) and Edwards(ESP) supposedly on par with Elitists. Same dollar too. Are you gassing yet Norm?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have had a few Orvilles, The Orville by Gibsons have USA electronics, Gibson pickups and a nitro finish. Orvilles have Jap electronics and pickups and a polly finish, both have a long neck tenon.

They are great guitars, the OBGs are exactly the same as Gibsons, get one while you can!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...