the "why did you buy an Epiphone instead of...?" thread

[Guest icantbuyafender]

cause I like to tinker on them!

[charlie brown]

My first ever Epiphone, was a 1966 Casino...because "The Beatles" played them. I figured there must be

something to them, if they played 3 of them. When the harder, bluesier rock started to dominate the

scene, I traded that Epi, for a Gibson SG Standard. Never regretted the SG, but did regret trading off

the Casino. So, when I found another (used) '66, like it...I bought it, in a heartbeat. The previous owner

had "spray painted it" in several different colors ("Grunge" era), so when I got it, I took it to an authorized

Gibson repair/restoration luthier, and he refinished it...in a slightly "tri-burst" finish. Back then, it was just

a "used guitar," and it had been so "Violated" anyway...I was just glad to get it restored, as welll as it could

be. He did an excellent job, in "Nitro," and I still have it, today. One of, if not the best playing guitars, I have.

And, I love that Casino growl, that no other guitar (save the ES-330) has. Since then...I've purchased 4 other

Epi's...P-93LE Riviera, Standard Riviera w/mini-humbuckers, AIUSA Sheraton, and MIJ '61 SG Standard. All are

excellent guitars, at any price, but especially for their respective price points.

 

CB

[Digger]

I have 3 Epi's, an acoustic EJ300SCE, a G400 and a Casino. I really like the look of Gibson style guitars, I think they are a thing of beauty!

 

Here in Australia, pricing bears a margin for our distribution network and as a result Epiphone isn't cheap. Unfortunately all 3 of my Epi guitars have had issues and that is a disappointment. I am not a DIY person, useless in fact, so when I buy a guitar I want it to work without replacing half the components on it and for the prices here that should be a reasonable expectation.

 

I have had a couple of them to a good luthier and am satisfied with the performance now but the G400 is useless, I don't like it at all! Contrary to usual expectation, my G400 weighs a ton and the pickups are crap! (DW model) If I thought I could get a decent return I would quit it in a heartbeat. However that is the luck of the draw I suppose.

 

Since I bought the Epis I have accumulated 2 Chinese Fender copies which were a third of the price of some of my Epis and they are brilliant! Very utilitarian by comparison but are real players! My latest is a chambered Agile, an AL2900 and that is so far ahead of anything else I have that there is no contest. Even buying a case and importing it with freight, exchange differences and all, it was about the price of my G400.

 

Now I bought Epi initially because I liked Gibson styles and couldn't afford Gibson, but I feel that when there are so many good guitars coming out of Asia for less money now, and for me most important of all is, THEY DON'T NEED MODDING TO BE PLAYERS. Epiphone needs to pay more attention to quality and to some degree distribution arrangements outside of America.

 

Apart from my G400, I love all my guitars and have no regrets for buying Epiphone, but it would be a shame if Epiphone management don't listen to people like me who had the product been a little more reasonable, the quality a little bit better, I might never have strayed from the Epiphone path. I have 7 guitars only 3 of which are Epis.

 

Digger

[StewartB]

A few years ago I bought an Epiphone Les Paul Studio. It was a well built and very playable guitar. Suddenly I got G.A.S. and sold the Epi, and started buying more expensive guitars - Strats, PRS, Gibson SG, etc.

 

I found that these expensive "toys",in general, were not built much better than an Epiphone (the Gibson SG was the worst) yet cost me an arm & a leg to purchase. Very recently I decided I wanted a 335 style guitar as I play a bit of blues.

 

I convinced myself to give the Epi Dot a fair try rather than heading straight for the expensive guitars. Pleasantly surprised. It sounded good and having some small level of luthier skills I could see that it was pretty well made and finished. Paid $750 aussie dollars and walked away with it.

 

I might do a bit of basic upgrading but after adjusting pickup heights and action I am actually fairly happy with it as is. I've still got G.A.S. but in future when an attack comes on I'll play the Epi Dot for an hour. That will relieve the symptoms!

 

 

Here's a pic..................

 

[MarkW]

Epi's are a good bang for the buck. I love 335 style guitars, but there is a wide wide variance on sound and quality on many of the copies as well as the original. I have owned both a Riviera Deluxe Jorma Kaukonen signature model as well as a ES-335 reissue and a MIK Riviera with mini humbies as well as an SX 335 copy. Unfortunately I have this psycho obsession regarding block inlays versus dots, so the Jorma and the Gibby went to the Bay. I just wish the MIK Riviera had a thicker neck, but otherwise I love that guitar.

 

So for me, the choice isn't about money as much as the guitar itself. Although to be honest at this stage, $3 - $4K for a guitar just isn't ever going to be in the cards cause my level of playing just doesn't justify it.

[starrbow]

It's real simple for me, I love a good looking les paul guitar, I can buy a great looking high end Epiphone les paul put good electronics and gibson pickups in it, and it's much, much cheaper and for me thats good enough! If I spent the same money I would end up with a Butt ugly Gibson studio, that just may be fake! All BS a side, 99.999% of guitar players could not tell a high end Epiphone with upgraded gibson pickups and electronics, running through a good amp. No two guitars sound the same, same born on date, same wood, same model, same everything, they will have an individual character of sound.

 

I own a PRS SE Tremonti, great guitar for the money, they are built better then the Epiphone! they pay close attention to detail, they are very clean builds, unlike our beloved Epiphones, every Epiphone I have has had saw dust and wood chips inside the guitar cavities, plus the soldering on the China built one looks like a 6year did it!

 

I own a strat Ash, Squire strat 1985 model, Brian moore I-9-P and a I-2-P, Ibenez SA 320, and that PRS SE Tremonti, and two Epiphones. They all have there place and their own sound.

 

My next guitar will be a Epiphone Wildcat, I can feel the fever getting stronger!

 

The other thing that keeps me away from a real Gibson Les Paul is I don't want to end up like those snobs over at the Gibson forum, I guess those Gibsonholes have to lash out at us lesser folks, after all they spent way more money for a guitar that just dosen't sound all that different from ours, I guess I would be angry and in denial too.

 

From what I have read, Les Paul made his first Solid Body in the Epiphone factory, then told Gibson about his new invention, they kind of blew him off for awhile, before they got back together with him on a final product, so that means the Gibson Les Paul was born an Epiphone first, so all those snobs need to thank Epiphone for the great solid body concept.

[Kong]

I wanted a Les Paul Custom. I am not rich. I like silverburst. So it was $699 vs. $3899. Gibsons are nice, but $3200 nicer? I checked out a couple of Gibson Les Paul Customs at Guitar Center recently. They were pretty beat up and I saw why, they would let anyone just pull one down and play, jackets on, zippers flying it was ridiculous. So I took a good look at the workmanship on the Gibsons and they looked pretty nice, but not all that much nicer than my Epi. I would say the Gibson's binding was a little better than mine which has one or two very minor flaws. The finish around the headstock inlay on my Epiphone is actually nicer than the Gibson. On each of the Gibsons I looked at, the finish was sunk in around the inlays. I did upgrade the pickups on my Epi to the SD hotrodded set and I think it now sounds as good as it looks and for a LOT less money than the Gibson.

 

I recently chose a Gibson over an Epiphone as well. I wanted a semi-hollow and I really like the Sheraton II. Price around here for new is $599, then you add $80 for a case and I would upgrade the pickups to Gibson '57s for another $200. So $880 for the Sheraton the way I want it.

 

I then saw a Gibson ES-339 which has the smaller body dimensions. They go $2,000 new, but come with a case and the '57s already installed. Still a little too pricey for my budget, but MF had a customer returned model marked down to $1760, and they were having a 20% off sale which brought it down to $1407, with no sales tax and free shipping. I was weighing the Sheraton for almost $900 vs. the Gibby for $1400 and I said what the hell, I'll grab the Gibson and It will hold onto it's value. I got confirmation of this when I saw a basically brand new Sheraton in natural finish with the Epi case go for $275!!! the other day on craigslist. Man I wished I was the first to respond to that one, I would have had both[biggrin] .

 

I'll keep cruising craigslist and eventually cure my G.A.S. for a Sheri.

[brianh]

Hello, my name is Brian and I'm an Epiholic...

 

A little over a year ago I decided to start fooling around with music again after a ten-year hiatus to build a family and professional career.

 

My real love is high-end Gibson, D'Angelico, D'Aquisto and pre-Gibson Epiphone jazz boxes, but they're out of my league pricewise. After a few months of pathetically cursing all the collectors who have driven prices beyond any reasonable measure, I stumbled across this site and stupidly fell for the "want a piece of candy little girl?" HNGD posts and got hooked on Epis like Like Janis on Southern Comfort.

 

A year ago I had two guitars in house - a 60's Guild hollowbody jazz guitar and a custom-built fender strat. I also had 2 amps, my trusty '66 Fender Pro Reverb, and a vintage Ampeg Mercury. I now have 17 guitars and 10 amps. All but 3 of the guitars are Epis, some older and some store-bought.

 

I've had a lot fun modding the guitars and amps, and it's kept me off the street, where I probably would have fallen in with a bad crowd, mugging passersby and holding up convenience stores.

 

So thank you Epi forum, you've ruined my life, but not as bad as if left to my own devices...

[Svet]

Hello, initially I bought my very first Epiphone due to budget constraints. It was sometime in 94 or 95 and I was fresh out of High School. I didn't have much money but I sure was lusting after a Gibson ES 335. I already owned a Fender American Strat Plus, a Stevie Ray Vaughan Sig, a Tex Mex Tele and a Washburn Acoustic. A Gibson was "serious" money though and I was starting college with bills to pay. I spotted a guitar that looked the part but sure was extra fancy and pretty! She was much more affordable as well and the sounds that came out of my Fender Blues Deluxe were marvelous! I bought myself an Epiphone Sheraton and fell in love. As the years went on and College passed and I started working I lost interest in the guitar. I sold off all of my guitars save for my Black American Strat plus and the Wasburn acoustic. My Fender Blues Deluxe sat in the corner and collected dust and if I played more than once a month it was a lot! Time passed and one spring day in 2006 the GAS returned! I was craving a new acoustic and I was longing to replace my guitars that I had sold off. I was not interested in another SRV as I never grew to love it but I sure wanted another Tele of sorts and a Sherry. I purchased a Martin 000-28 and a Fender Tele Deluxe straight away and started the search for a Semi. This time was different, now I had money and could afford better guitars! I started researching and found Epiphones Website. I saw a small link at the bottom of the tree, it read Elitists. Elitist's hmm, what's that? I clicked and opened and wow, my eyes grew large and drool started flowing. I gotta try one of those! Gasp, there is an iteration of a Sheraton with, with Mini HB's! I called my local store to see if they had one and sure enough they did, how much, 1199!!!! wow!! Musicians Friend had em for 1600!! I drove up there played it, snatched it up and the rest is history. I learned about the Elitist's and saw first hand how good they are. It was obvious that Epiphone was going to write them off so I started a spending spree to buy up what I wanted before it was too late. So in June of 2006 I had five guitars, an Elitist Sheraton, Fender Strat Plus, Fender Tele Deluxe, Martin 000-28 a Washburn acoustic and one amp, a Fender Blues Custom. Fast Forward to 1/10 and I have 29 guitars and 6 amps! LOL, Sure came a long way huh?

 

 

My collection in 6/06

 

My collection 1/10

 

 

 

I guess you can say I've had serious GAS!

 

My Epiphone Elitists:

 

[smips65]

 

Hello all, My name is Jeff, and I am also an Epiholic......

 

 

Firstly, big bang for the buck, nice looks, and well hell I ain't never going anywhere with it, so why spend

an arm and a leg, for something most likely I'll only be so so good at.

 

I am also an Epiphone Forum Addict, but for altruistic reasons. Guys like Musikron, Twang, and many many others

have helped me with repair projects. Again, not really going to spend lots of bucks, so why not try to fix an old girl, and bring the magic back, even with my 2 left hands.

[AlanH]

 

Hello all' date=' My name is Jeff, and I am also an Epiholic......

 

[/quote']

 

Well I'll join the circle and take that first step in admitting it too.

 

I don't go for the top Champaigne as I just can't taste the difference. My Cava has just the same effect given an upgrade of finest Cheese and biscuits.

 

Alan

[HarpBoy]

Hello' date=' my name is Brian and I'm an Epiholic...

 

A little over a year ago I decided to start fooling around with music again after a ten-year hiatus to build a family and professional career.

 

My real love is high-end Gibson, D'Angelico, D'Aquisto and pre-Gibson Epiphone jazz boxes, but they're out of my league pricewise. After a few months of pathetically cursing all the collectors who have driven prices beyond any reasonable measure, I stumbled across this site and stupidly fell for the "want a piece of candy little girl?" HNGD posts and got hooked on Epis like Like Janis on Southern Comfort.

 

A year ago I had two guitars in house - a 60's Guild hollowbody jazz guitar and a custom-built fender strat. I also had 2 amps, my trusty '66 Fender Pro Reverb, and a vintage Ampeg Mercury. I now have 17 guitars and 10 amps. All but 3 of the guitars are Epis, some older and some store-bought.

 

I've had a lot fun modding the guitars and amps, and it's kept me off the street, where I probably would have fallen in with a bad crowd, mugging passersby and holding up convenience stores.

 

So thank you Epi forum, you've ruined my life, but not as bad as if left to my own devices...[/quote']

 

Good post, Brian.

 

Cheers

[tartanbeastie]

My first epiphone was an sg, bought because i loved sg's but could not affors a gibson. my second epiphone was the beautiful del rey, that was bought not only because it looked amazing but it sounded awesome and was well made, price wasnt even considered. over the years the guitars came and went, i kick myself for not holding on to the del rey.. but i did eventually get my gibson sg special faded.

I certainly would not put anyone off buying an epiphone and its likely that i may buy more myself

[SamBooka]

17 x 3.25 x 25.5 archtops with floating pickups are hard to come by. The epi and an aria was the only thing I would try in store. I had a budget of 2K givertake but my choices were very limited at that price.

 

Bought and EmpReg from ebay. It will do until something nice shows up on CL.

[teegar]

After brianh's inspiring post, I'll risk boring you with another post. I got hooked on old Epi acoustic archtops (a choice '39 Broadway just sold on ebay for 2g's so they're pricey but not crazy). I'd played Gibsons, for instance at Mandolin Brothers in Staten Island NYC (go there, they let you play anything, even 50 thousand D'Angelicos), and Epis were just better, so I picked up a few over the years. Maybe that contributed to a growing lack of respect for Gibson. A few years ago my beloved wife gave me a valve junior (my first amp) for Christmas, so I immediately went out for a Casino, decided for Elitist. That started an electric bug.

 

I decided I really needed an ES-175, played the Epi version, Indonesian build, wasn't quite there. Had it bad bad bad for an ES-175, maybe I needed a REAL Gibson - so I got one. It's a Heritage H-575. Built by the original Gibson employees, in the Parsons Street Kalamazoo factory, carved solid top and back, excellent quality, for half the price of a Gibson. That increased the feeling that Gibsons were mostly big money for a big name. Now a Sheraton later, there's a Wilshire in the wings. I seem to be obsessed with Epiphone, my friends don't quite understand, and I don't think I do either. Value, tone, history, irrational brand loyalty. I'm anxious to get the Wilshire and try some modding.

[maniak]

Hi my name is Maniak and I'm a Epi-holic .Well,,for me it all started as a way to own Guitars i had lusted after for years at a fraction of the cost of "real" ones. I started in 2000 with a 1998 Korina Flying V. I had always wanted one and there in my favorite store it was. I remember it all as if it happened yesterday ,,i took it off the wall,,,plugged it in to a nice Marshall and sat there for like 45 minutes.The neck was unbelievable ,,,and the pickups weren't too shabby either. I walked out owning it right then and there. A little less than a year later i i bought the Korina Explorer to match.Got it from the same store and its a "98 as well ,,both from the Unsung factory.thought i had the Korina thing all sewed up till i found out that Epiphone also made a G-400 Korina from 1998 till 2005 so i had to e-bay it till i found one in 2008 ,,a 2003 in dead mint condition.Last year i picked up the SG Prophecy GX so thats 4 Epis out of 7 electric 6 strings that i own and i'm sure that my next axe will probably be one as well ( the only other thing i could be gassing for would be a sunburst strat with a rosewood board) I think im gassn for a 3 pickup SG-Les paul in antique white right now,,,and my guy has one too ,,,please help me

 

 

MY Noisemakers:

Epiphone 2008 Sg Custom Prophecy GX

Epiphone 2003 Korina G-400 Sg

Epiphone 1998 Korina Explorer

Epiphone 1998 Korina Flying V

BC Rich 1981 Maple Mockingbird Handmade

Ibanez 1976 Stratocaster

Gibson 1968 Les Paul Custom

Charvel Fretless Bass

Washburn Lyon P bass

Guild Madiera P-600 Jumbo Acoustic

Applause A-25 Acoustic

Chuan Yin Marina Mark 20SS classical

Carlo Robelli 5 string Banjo

Carlo Robelli Electric Violin

Kay Electric Mandolin

Lignatone Mandolin

Midiman Radium Keyboard

2 Marshall JTM-612 60 watt 1 12 Combos

[kevin kyle]

i love all three of my epi my 96 lespaul standard in trans amber, my 2002 unsung bullseye, and my 2009 masterbilt 500rcce a/e, i play them everyday. the answer as to why was easy looks sound and value for the dollar.... i find their quality to be improving every year, and look forward to seeing more from them.

[bonzoboy]

I have 5 Eppys and I love 'em,I can't justify paying 4-5 times as much for a Gibson when it isn't 4-5 times as good as an Eppy.I may raise a few hackles here but in my experience with my Eppys I see no reason to change the pups or the electronics & hardware.I've had no problems at all and they all sound and play great,I think some people buy an Eppy especially an MIC with the mindset that a lot of the materials are inferior and have to be swapped for "good old" US made parts.When I play my Firebird or G400 Custom through one of my JCM 800s they sound incredible and I'm willing to bet that if someone were blindfolded they couldn't tell whether or not it was a Gibson they were listening to.The same holds true for a Casino or EJ160 E through a Vox,it is instant Beatle vibe and the Casinos have a jangle unmatched by any other guitar excepting maybe Rickenbacker.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Noijj]

Simple for me. I have a Sheraton MIK, the second one I've owned in my life. I joined my first band in 91' and it was my first electric. All these years past and I've just come by another and have transformed it with all the right mods.

Epiphone, unlike Squier, don't just make cheap versions of more expensive guitars. In the case of the Sheraton, it's an original and I love it. I know mine is unique as I'm a lefty, it's blonde, they don't make blonde leftys anymore, it has chrome hardware, all new CTS/Switchcraft electrics, Kent Armstrong PAF in th bridge and filtertron in the neck (both 12 pole matching), cream accents (PUP rings/switch) and imperial grovers.

It sounds, through my AC30 or my Twin like the perfect hybrid of a Gretsch/Gibson/Rickenbacker semi. All in one guitar, classic and versatile. It chimes, it bites, it sparkles, it jangles, it's jazzy and warm but also bright and clear. The blend of the 2 PUP's is just awesome. 300 for the guitar, 175 for the mods and I know that can't be beat! She sits on her stand in my living room next to my Champ and I can't take my eyes or hands off her!

Now I know it's nowhere near stock, but I my old TB one was and I have such great memories of those days and I must have played over 300 gigs and 4 albums worth of studio work, all without mods (they weren't really done back then!), and never any problems.

So, to sum up - why I like Epiphones. Quality, looks, price, uniqueness, versatility, nostalgia, kudos. Noone has ever said to me "Nice guitar, is that a Gibson copy?".

[pohatu771]

I wanted a Casino. At the time, the options were Casino, Elitist Casino, or Lennon Casinos. Gibson didn't offer the ES-330 at the time. Now that they do, I can't afford it, of course, but I'd like to.

 

I have an Epiphone mandolin primarily because I wanted a mandolin, had no idea what were considered "good" brands, so I went with what I know. I'd prefer a Martin or Gibson, but those cost even more than their guitars.

 

 

The rest of my guitars aren't Epiphones - most of them are Gibsons, actually, but I only have them because they were low priced. I still can't afford a majority of Gibson's instruments.

 

[EDIT] I forgot... the Valve Junior I have because everyone talks about how great they are. I'm not disappointed.

 

Don't take my Gibsons as a sign of some sort of brand loyalty - those are just the models that interest me most. I had a Fender Strat and sold it because I preferred the Squier's tone and feel. If I wanted a Les Paul Standard, I'd look at Heritage guitars before Gibsons.

[BKitten]

I bought an Epi Wildkat because there isn't really an equivalent to that guitar anywhere else and it looks amazing. The Gretsches (that they're obviously copying) all have bigger, clunkier bodies, and the closest modern thing I can find is the Ibanez Artcores which have a more "squashed" profile so the proportions aren't as nice.

 

I bought an Epiphone Emily SG because I like SGs and I wanted one that was cheap and looked pretty.

 

I bought a Epiphone Gothic Thunderbird IV bass because it looks cool and sounds good and is surprisingly light and I can't afford a Gibson Thunderbird, and I've never seen a Gibson Thunderbird in all black anyway, and if I ever do it'll probably be $4000 or more.

[Caolan96]

I love epi's so MUCH !

 

theyre amazing quality, i mean i once argued with a guy for an hour, cus he said, oh its just an epi, you need to spend at leat a thousand for a decent guitar.

 

then he got burned when he played my '56 goldtop les paul.

 

in my opinion. bang for buck theyre great, they sound amazing and look amazing, !

 

i mean im 13, i was able to buy two epis in one month, through sheer hard work and selling stuff, including my iphone !

 

but if i had the money, (and someday hopefully i will) i would buy a gibson, no question, yeah i know sometimes theres only a little difference, but one gibson les paul '57 goldtop VOS. and id be happy for the rest of my life

[7C]

I bought Epiphone guitars for various reasons (easy to get on with, well built, good looking etc). I like to kid myself that only due to budget restrictions I don't have that Gibson Les Paul Custom I want - but in all honestly I think my playing is not yet GOOD enough to warrant me purchasing a Gibson. I would not be true to myself if I thought I needed a 'better' guitar to improve my playing - simple fact is when (if) my playing gets to a level where I can justify a Gibson I may get one, but not now.

Don't get me wrong I don't consider having an Epiphone as second best to having a Gibson. I wouldn't buy a Ferrari if I lived on an island with one street that had a 30 mph speed limit.

 

Then again it could just be that I am a typical Scotsman!

7C

[outforblood]

I bought Epiphone guitars for various reasons (easy to get on with' date=' well built, good looking etc). I like to kid myself that only due to budget restrictions I don't have that Gibson Les Paul Custom I want - but in all honestly I think my playing is not yet GOOD enough to warrant me purchasing a Gibson. I would not be true to myself if I thought I needed a 'better' guitar to improve my playing - simple fact is when (if) my playing gets to a level where I can justify a Gibson I may get one, but not now.

Don't get me wrong I don't consider having an Epiphone as second best to having a Gibson. I wouldn't buy a Ferrari if I lived on an island with one street that had a 30 mph speed limit.

 

Then again it could just be that I am a typical Scotsman!

7C

[/quote']

Good point.

[dcooper830]

My first Epi was an Alpine White Les Paul Custom. From there I was hooked! Within the next year I ended up buying a bunch more Epi Les Pauls and DOTs.

 

I really enjoy them! They play, sound, and look GREAT! They stay in tune great! All they need is a good setup.

 

I have since gone on to buy several Gibson Les Pauls also. And they're making me enjoy my Epis even more when I realize how close they are to my Gibsons in quality!

 

It doesn't matter to me if I'm playing a Gibson or an Epi. I enjoy them both equally!

 

And I agree with a previous poster who said Epis are fine STOCK. Sure it's nice to upgrade...... but if you take a STOCK Epi and plug it into a nice JCM 800 or other quality amp..... it sounds awesome.