Generic or Original Specs, from Quingdao?

[charlie brown]

Since I live 100 miles away, from the closest music

store/guitar shop, I've not had a chance, really, to

check out the newer Chinese Dot's, Sheri's, but do

have the Riviera P-93LE. One thing, about it...the

upper bout horns, are more like the old "Kalamazoo"

originals in shape, as opposed to the Generic (Asian) 335 shape

that comes from Korea, where may brands are made in

the same factory, and use common bodies/necks, but

different headstock designs and brand logos.

 

So, what I'm curious about, is if Quindao is really getting

back to more "original Epiphone" specs, since they're a

dedicated factory to "ONLY Epiphone," or...if they're just

using the "same old, same old," Asian 335 template?

 

Anyone know? (or care?)...LOL!

 

CB

[stan 58]

I looked at a couple of sherrys this summer at GC, and they looked differant to me, then my 97sherry. I couldn't put my finger on it, other then the smaller bridge. But it just didn't look right, so you might be on to something. Stan.

[Epi1]

Since I live 100 miles away' date=' from the closest music

store/guitar shop, I've not had a chance, really, to

check out the newer Chinese Dot's, Sheri's, but do

have the Riviera P-93LE. One thing, about it...the

upper bout horns, are more like the old "Kalamazoo"

originals in shape, as opposed to the Generic (Asian) 335 shape

that comes from Korea, where may brands are made in

the same factory, and use common bodies/necks, but

different headstock designs and brand logos.

 

So, what I'm curious about, is if Quindao is really getting

back to more "original Epiphone" specs, since they're a

dedicated factory to "ONLY Epiphone," or...if they're just

using the "same old, same old," Asian 335 template?

 

Anyone know? (or care?)...LOL!

 

CB[/quote']

 

To make the 335-type product at our Epiphone factory in China (ie: Sheratons, Casinos, Dots, etc.), we made our own proprietary tooling based upon a mid-1960's Casino. We used a 3-D scanner to create an exact drawing of the original guitar and that drawing was then used to make the tooling which bends the rims and shapes the top and back of the body. That is why as you say, they look more like the "Kalamazoo" original shape.

 

This is just one of many steps towards authenticity and continuous improvement that we have taken at our Epiphone factory.

[davidg3333]

Whoa! Is this a first, an administrator answering a thread? Thank you for participating and for injecting fact into our world of conjecture. It is definitely appreciated.

[charlie brown]

Ah, so it wasn't my imagination, or wishful thinking! Good Show, Epiphone! And...thanks so much, for participating

in addressing that question. I (for one) really appreciate input from people that know, policy and specs. There's a

lot of folks on this forum, that are quite knowledgeable, but we all have those kinds of questions, now and then...

So..Thanks "Administration," for joing us, this time...Hope that will be a "trend?!"

 

;>)

CB

[charlie brown]

 

To make the 335-type product at our Epiphone factory in China (ie: Sheratons' date=' Casinos, Dots, etc.), we made our own proprietary tooling based upon a mid-1960's Casino. We used a 3-D scanner to create an exact drawing of the original guitar and that drawing was then used to make the tooling which bends the rims and shapes the top and back of the body. That is why as you say, they look more like the "Kalamazoo" original shape.

 

This is just one of many steps towards authenticity and continuous improvement that we have taken at our Epiphone factory.[/quote']

 

So, since that's the case...will you be re-introducing the Riviera (with mini-humbuckers and correct inlay in

the headstock..like the "Dot" has now), and some of the other archtops, that have gone away...especially

the "Elitist" versions, with original color options, too? That would be awesome!! (I know...I don't want

much, do I...LOL!) But, there are a LOT of folks, just on this forum, that would love really accurate Semi-

and full hollowbody archtops, to return. Judging from the quality, I've experienced with your Riviera P-93 LE,

you're definitely heading the the right direction!

 

Cheers,

CB

[captmidnight]

 

So' date=' since that's the case...will you be re-introducing the Riviera (with mini-humbuckers and correct inlay in

the headstock..like the "Dot" has now), and some of the other archtops, that have gone away...especially

the "Elitist" versions, with original color options, too? That would be awesome!! (I know...I don't want

much, do I...LOL!) But, there are a LOT of folks, just on this forum, that would love really accurate Semi-

and full hollowbody archtops, to return. Judging from the quality, I've experienced with your Riviera P-93 LE,

you're definitely heading the the right direction!

 

Cheers,

CB[/quote']

 

Now see CB, you pushed your luck...you get the prestigious Epi Forum plastic guitar award for getting an Administrator to join in :- , but you are allowed only one in a life time...lol

Capt

[stan 58]

It's just some one pulling our leg. Stan

[Ricochet]

It's just some one pulling our leg. Stan

 

I think it would be hard to 'rank' yourself to administration-status Stan...

[stan 58]

Well Ric if you believe that i got a extra Riviera 93 le to sell ya!!!LOL Stan.

[Dave]

Well, real or not, it was really nice to think that an admin person would actually contribute to the validity of the posting in this forum. I really do hope that EPI1 is actually a real forum administrator and will continue to post here and guide the threads with some genuine facts.

[charlie brown]

Yeah, that would be great! John Hall (the owner/CEO) does that, at Rickenbacker, as well as some

of his middle managment types. It goes a long way, toward quelling rumors and/or inaccurate ravings,

(positive or negative), on Rickenbacker policies, proceedures, and specs. I'd really welcome that kind

of input, HERE! Hope they'll decide to do that, even if it's not the president or CEO. Just as long as

it is someone who knows, Epi's...inside and out. I know "I" feel a lot better, about buying a Chinese

made Epi (Especially Quingdao factory versions), knowing they are made to original specs. It's really

only logical, to do that, and to their benefit, too...in all kinds of ways. And, by what a lot of the members

here, have said about their own experiences with Quingdao made Epi's, I have no reason to doubt

"Epi1"(administration)'s word...even being the cynic, I can be, at times. LOL!

|

CB

[bluesman345]

Hi All,

I am also happy that Epi1 has joined in the discussion - it helps to clarify issues and quell rumours.

Speaking of such, I recently spoke with the owner of a local music store. He deals with a lot of CORT products which are, I believe, produced in China. He claims that Cort is the world's largest guitar manufacturer and produces OEM guitars which are rebadged to many popular brands. The kicker is he claims that Cort actually produces guitars for Epiphone. I responded that Epi's are now manufactured in a dedicated factory in Quindao. He suggested that Epi glosses over this fact for marketing purposes. A friend of mine wholesales guitars and amps (eg. Cort, Laney, G&L, etc.) to virtually every music store in our province. I will probably ask him about this but I wanted to get an official response from Epi first.

Thanks.

[taxman]

You know I had read here and elsewhere that the new Casinos are shaped differently than the older ones. Well, while looking at the Casino pictures in that "Paul Weller Casino" thread, I was comparing mine and really saw no great difference between my 2008 Casino and the older ones. I was scratching my head. Now this thread kind of confirms what I saw -- my Casino may be cut to shape just like the old ones. Yup, it is a Qingdao Casino.

Thanks for this thread.

[charlie brown]

Well, where I first noticed it, was the Korean versions...both Casino, Riviera, and even the Sheri's. The horns are

just a bit different...where the inside curves from the neck to the horn is not at the same angle (for lack of a better

description)...it's subtle enough, that most wouldn't notice it, unless you've lived with/around the originals THEN,

it seems really obvious (as in my case). I think some of the earlier Japanese were more accurate to the originals,

and the "Elitist" were THERE! So, if you have a chance, and can't get an original to compare to...the "Elitist" would

be a really good substitute. The Korean guitars are just fine, as guitars...but, just not quite as accurate, to the originals,

being mostly OEM versions, anyway. But, there still nice guitars, all the same.

 

It is good to know, that Epi has gone back to the original designs, for their original models, especially. With the Piority

factory, it only makes sense now,...anyway! And, I'm glad too, that their poly finishes are a lot lighter in application, as well.

Just looks (and feels) better, don't you think?

 

CB