So you think Epi's are inferior to Gibson?

[Just Strum]

During all this arguing that takes place, even when the original thread has NOTHING to with which brand is better - Did anyone stop to think that all the guitars in question get plugged into something???

 

The amp and pedals play such a big part in what tone/sound you are getting. Today it might be arguable that the guitar itself takes a backseat to the amp when it comes to tone.

 

Just making a point, have at it.

[leicester35]

During all this arguing that takes place' date=' even when the original thread has NOTHING to with which brand is better - Did anyone stop to think that all the guitars in question get plugged into something???

 

The amp and pedals play such a big part in what tone/sound you are getting. Today it might be arguable that the guitar itself takes a backseat to the amp when it comes to tone.

 

Just making a point, have at it.[/quote']

 

I think my Hyundai Coupe is probably inferior to a Lexus, but I still love driving it. Some people worry too much about how other people perceive something they own, rather than just enjoying what they have. You won't change that through rational argument.

[Just Strum]

You won't change that through rational argument.

 

I better come up with plan B. Your Hyundai Coupe has something that the Lexus doesn't have - allots you more money for guitars.

[brad1]

The amp and pedals play such a big part in what tone/sound you are getting. Today it might be arguable that the guitar itself takes a backseat to the amp when it comes to tone.

I don't know about being relegated to the backseat, but I absolutely believe the amp should be sitting beside the guitar in the frontseat.

I think they are equally important.

[BlueLesPaul2006]

I tell you this Gibson make a great guitar. However, my Epiphone gives me more money in my pocket so i can mod it and truly make it my own. and im not a rockstar yet when i am i will be able to afford a Gibson. Till then I will rock out with my Epiphone. oh yeah and the hyundai gets you from A to B i would take it any day.

[Beans]

For me, the guitar, amp and pedals take a backseat to the fleshy thing holding and playing the guitar itself, though it helps if the gear you have is of good quality!

[stan 58]

It's in the hands kids. Stan.

[lpdeluxe]

I have owned a Sheraton II and an ES-335, both in natural finish.

 

Pros:

 

Epiphone: great bang for the buck, real mother of pearl and abalone inlays, robust Gibson designs, easily modified.

 

Gibson: nicer wood, iconic designs, doesn't need modification, higher resale value.

 

Cons:

 

Epiphone: plain wood, require replacement electronics before I'll gig with them, low resale value.

 

Gibson: expensive.

 

Luckily I found the 335 for about half price, based on the ones I see for sale, and it was gig ready right out of the case. Both are great players with comfortable necks, Grover tuners, and good looks. The Gibson sounds better, but with better pickups in the Epi, they are equally useful instruments.

 

I think it's terrific that both are available. I'm fortunate enough to have the Gibson (and I frankly don't believe that a copy made in Korea can be "better" than -- or even as good as -- the original) but until I happened across the 335 I was quite happy with the Sheraton II, especially with the Seymour Duncans and upgraded electronics I installed.

 

The Epiphone:

 

The Gibson:

[charlie brown]

It's in the hands kids. Stan.

 

:D :D and...the "heart," too!

 

CB

[lefty52]

Hi all,

I just wanted to add my .02 to the discussion. I’ve been playing guitar since 1968, my first electric was a Fender Telecaster, left handed. Since then I’ve owned almost every major brand of electric and acoustic guitar. Like most of us GAS is a bad disease. So when after a 15 year electric guitar hiatus, I started looking, it was for a 335 style. I’m fortunate to live in a major metro area where “quality” guitar stores are in abundance. After looking at a number of Gibson ES335’s and Epiphone dots, I came to the conclusion that an Epi was a good base guitar to start. Also being left handed the lefty choices were limited.

 

After finding a 2004 dot with case for 299.00, I started the mods. Basically I striped the dot down to the body /neck. Epi doesn’t make the Casinos in lefty anymore and I wanted the P90 sound, so I installed Seymour Duncan “Phat Cats” , 4 new CTS 500K pots, 2 Sprague .022 Orange Drop caps, Switchcraft toggle and ¼” jack, Gotoh nickel bridge/tailpiece, aged black speed knobs and Grover nickel “keystone” tuners . Total cost $315 including shipping. So, total for the guitar and upgrades and labor, $665.00.

 

I’m not a beginner and I’m not unable or unwilling to pay for quality, but when I looked at the fit and finish of the Gibson 335’s and the Epiphone dot’s, side by side, there really wasn’t much that would make me spend $2000.00 more. If I were making my living making music, well heck I’d probably be getting some kind of endorsement anyway. Right now I own as good a guitar as I need and one that I’m sure will last the rest of my life and then some.

 

 

As I drive around and I see guys in their 40’s/50’s driving hot little sports cars, aimed at the younger generation, I think (much the same as when I read Marx Brothers post) sorry about your penis! It’s all about ego or lack thereof.

Gibson hasn’t been Gibson since what, since they moved from Kalamazoo, since Norlin bought them, I mean really guys, is Fender the same since Leo sold it to CBS?

[Stewie]

Hey JS you have just officially started the 1000th thread on this subject here. LOL. I have been on this forum since about 2002, before they changed the format. The replies I have seen are all about the same. If they could afford a Gibson they would have one. The Epi is a really good low priced alternative. I started out with an Epi Custom plus, and it was a really nice guitar. My only complaint was the Gold tone rubbed off the pickups in a couple of months.

I then purchased the Elitist Les Paul custom and that is as close to a Gibson as you can get. I have owned 2 Sheratons and I currently have a natural finish Sherri and an Ebony 335. I love the neck on the Sherri, but the 335 is just a lot better guitar, of course for 3 times the money it better be. I have recently purchased two Gibson Les Pauls, a 2008 Studio in Fireburst, and a 1996 LP Standard in Tobacco burst. Technicaly they all have the same pickups. The 490rand 498t, but they all sound different. I like the neck on the Epi and the tone is really nice it has the exact pickups as the Studio but labeled as Epis. I did have to replace the stock pickup switch. The fourth one on 5 epis. The volume on both of my Gibsons just seems to be very high compared to the Epi. The Studio is very light and is chambered so it does sound brighter. The 1996 LP is overall my favourite guitar and just feels and sounds exactly like I would have hoped when I purchased it.

That is another subject. I went through many low priced guitars and maybe it was just headstock envy but I was never satisfied. I, like most people really could not afford a real Gibson. That is until I decided I would get one. It is funny how you can make things work if you really want to. Over the last couple of years I have purchased 3. All were either on sale or were from"motivated sellers" . All are pristine and I am happy with them. Of course my Epis just sit in the cases. So from my point of view and experience I would say yes the Gibsons are better.

[stan 58]

I had 4 Gibsons before i bought my first Epi and then 3 more, and i play them all equally. Well i might play the Epis a little bit more, truth be told. Stan.

[charlie brown]

"It's All ****!" (John Lennon)...my favorite quote...'cause it's just SO TRUE! This discussion is so circular/tail chasing, I

can't believe we still have it?! Gibson's are wonderful, but...so are Epi's, IMHO. I've never purchased (either one)

wishing I could get the other. And, if the truth be told, I've purchased both brands, doing a LOT of testing, and

in other cases...sight unseen! Haven't had a bad one, yet...beyond needing a screw tightened here and there...

or something mundane like that...on both brands. So...???

 

CB

[rafaelh]

IMO one's just as important as the other, but has nothing to do with name brand just personel preference and what the driver hears. This reminds me of something Andre Segovia once said...."once you pick up an electric guitar you stop playing guitar and start playing electricity".

 

In the right hands you can make anything sound good I think...all though some gear gets you there quicker or easier, and I'm not referring to that silly nonsense of "tone is the fingers" crap. I don't think anybody here is either. I mean if that was the case then you could get any tone in the world with a banjo through a bull horn and just ones fingers...I'd feel bad for horn players if that where true.

 

I'm more referring to the guy that can turn a knob here and there an makes what's at hand work. That's what separates a profesional, or talented individual, from a hacker that relies on gear.

 

Just from reading some of the stuff from the folks here I'd say we got a bunch of talanted folks. Allot just use an inexpensive guitar, a little SS amp, or small tube amp, with maybe a pedal or two and rave about what a great a tone yous get. That to me says allot about the great talent at hand....LOL, and modesty when I hear some say they still suck after being at it for so many years.

 

I mean I do suck myself, but I'm not modest to say that at least I'm much better than when I first started

Anyhow just my 2 cents worth

[Just Strum]

"It's All ****!" (John Lennon)...my favorite quote...'cause it's just SO TRUE! This discussion is so circular/tail chasing' date=' I

can't believe we still have it?!

CB[/quote']

 

EXACTLY!!!

 

This thread is pointing out that it's more than the guitar, so why sit here and have this endless debate. Someone could come in here and say we are all full of **** because Fender Strats are better than either.

 

When I posted about Indie groups using Epi guitars, that somehow got twisted into Epi versus Gibson. People here are hell bent on having this debate.

 

Whatever is good in your hands, whatever is obtainable to you, then that is the guitar for you.

 

Again, the Dot is my cheapest guitar, but hands down, it is my favorite. Does that make it better than the others? No, it just makes it my favorite.

[rafaelh]

Again' date=' the Dot is my cheapest guitar, but hands down, it is my favorite. Does that make it better than the others? No, it just makes it my favorite.[/quote']

 

I'd have to disagree with you here Strum. I'd have to say a big YES on that one. I mean my favorite guitar would be my BETTER guitar regardless of what my others are.

 

Like you say "whatever is good in your hands, whatever is obtainable to you, then that is the guitar for you". Which IMO makes the better guitar...I would think anyhow.

[Just Strum]

 

I'd have to disagree with you here Strum. I'd have to say a big YES on that one. I mean my favorite guitar would be my BETTER guitar regardless of what my others are.

 

Like you say "whatever is good in your hands' date=' whatever is obtainable to you, then that is the guitar for you". Which IMO makes the better guitar...I would think anyhow.[/quote']

 

I see what you are saying. I guess I was using the term "better" as in meaning more expensive.

[rafaelh]

This discussion is so circular/tail chasing' date=' I can't believe we still have it?! Gibson's are wonderful, but...so are Epi's, IMHO. CB[/quote']

 

Well I thought it was about not overlooking the amp in the equation, but it seems to be heading in that dirrection don't it?

[rafaelh]

I guess I was using the term "better" as in meaning more expensive.

 

Got ya...back to agreeing with you as ususal....HA!

[TWANG]

re: segovia, peruse the tarregists versus the carullists. arguments about guitar are very old!

 

(one side claimed the only way to play was with the fingertips, the other side claimed one needed fingernails.

there is a famous painting, although done on different subject originally, which showed several

guitar players bashing each other about the head and shoulders, which came to be often called, 'the tarregists and carullists having a discussion'-remind you of anyus?)

 

also, the introduction of nylon strings wasn't hailed as good by all.

 

For me, it's guitar, cord, amp.. there's your tone judgement, effects work best when you get that chain

right to start with.

 

and yep, you play the amp, too. it's adds a lot to the sound, realization of technique and more. But I don't

think that's a negative anymore than I think well tempered tuning was some sort of drawback for the

keyboard, or the introduction of the Hammond as a replacement for the pipe organ, or.. on and on.

 

Most of the time you can do better than a Farfisa, though. *s*

 

 

 

TWANG

[charlie brown]

I actually find the amp, to be a more important component, with regards to tone. That was

brought back to the forefront, for me...just this past Friday night. Again, it wasn't a matter of

good or bad, just different. But, the other guitar player I was working with, had the same

(basic) "Gibson" twin humbucker model, but he used a Vox AC-30. I used a Fender HR Deluxe.

Very different sounds/tones. Can't say (truly) that I had a preference, one over the other..

as I have always enjoyed both...for their respective tones, anyway. But, it was great to

hear them, side by side, at stage volume. The Vox was "rounder," in tone...the Fender

had a more "Cutting" edge to it. BOTH were great, though. I've always loved Marshall's

and Gibson/Epi Humbucker guitars, together, as well. But, it really just boils down to YOUR

preferences...be it tone, guitar, amp, stom box, whatever! Where we get into trouble, is

trying to convert, or convince other's...and we're often "singing to the choir," in the first

place, that way. I don't mind hearing other's opinions, loves, and why...just (please) let's

stop with the bickering, and get back to being helpful, and positive! I can get all the other,

I need, on the evening news, or ANY "talk show," TV or Radio! LOL!

 

CB

[Muskank Sally]

I drive an '03 Ford Focus Wagon

a C170 frame used on the Volvo S40 until 2004

doesn't mean I drive a Volvo.

[Just Strum]

Oh, I forgot to mention that I turned in my resignation at the company I work for after being employed by them for 15 years. My current job is a daily 80+ mile round trip and takes me right through the heart of the snow belt (look it up if you don't know what that is), the new job is less than 20 miles round trip and it pays more and has better benefits.

 

I leave my current job on Dec 19th and start the new one on Jan 5th.

 

What does that have to do with the subject? Nothing, but it's my thread and everyone else is wondering off in different directions, so why should I be left out.

[rafaelh]

re: segovia' date=' peruse the tarregists versus the carullists. arguments about guitar are very old!

 

(one side claimed the only way to play was with the fingertips, the other side claimed one needed fingernails.

there is a famous painting, although done on different subject originally, which showed several

guitar players bashing each other about the head and shoulders, which came to be often called, 'the tarregists and carullists having a discussion'-remind you of anyus?)

 

also, the introduction of nylon strings wasn't hailed as good by all.

 

For me, it's guitar, cord, amp.. there's your tone judgement, effects work best when you get that chain

right to start with.

 

and yep, you play the amp, too. it's adds a lot to the sound, realization of technique and more. But I don't

think that's a negative anymore than I think well tempered tuning was some sort of drawback for the

keyboard, or the introduction of the Hammond as a replacement for the pipe organ, or.. on and on.

 

Most of the time you can do better than a Farfisa, though. *s*

 

 

 

TWANG

 

 

 

 

 

[/quote']

 

Lord don't remind me..Carulli and Mollino. Guess Jimi solved that thumb rule for most of us. Anyhow I agree.

 

The point is that with an electric guitar the amp is just as an important part of the equiation that it's often overlooked and only the guitar is thought of at times. Which Segovia, as sarcastic as he may have been about his statement and not intentionally, makes a good point...IMO anyways.

[Just Strum]

 

Lord don't remind me..Carulli and Mollino. Guess Jimi solved that thumb rule for most of us. Anyhow I agree.

 

The point is that with an electric guitar the amp is just as an important part of the equiation that it's often overlooked and only the guitar is thought of at times. Which Segovia' date=' as sarcastic as he may have been about his statement and not intentionally, makes a good point...IMO anyways.[/quote']

 

Hmm, maybe I could use that coffee mentioned in the f hole thread.