Wilshire, "worn" black

[leicester35]

Just browsing some of the big online guitar dealers this morning, and a question arose in my mind.

 

I'm not saying that I am desperately gassing for a Wilshire...but I'd be interested in having a look at one if/when I find one in a store.

 

But I am somewhat confused by the "worn" finish.

 

One dealer's webpage (imuso.co.uk) says this:

 

"The 1966-style double cutaway Epiphone Wilshire electric guitar has the features and style that made it a standout guitar back in the 60s and has a cool distressed finish with the look of an instrument that has been seriously gigged."

 

Yet it also says this in the spec...

 

"Gloss polyurethane finish.

Rosewood with mother-of-pearl dot inlays fingerboard inlays.

Worn black."

 

The photos I can find online (such as the one below) don't show a "distressed finish". Rather, it just looks like a matt black finish. It doesn't look like the finish on the Fender Road Worns (for example) - which suits me, because I'm not a fan of damage to my guitars (real or simulated).

 

So what's the deal with these? Are Epiphone simply using a dull black paint under the usual poly finish?

 

[Swoop]

It looks to me like you can see a hint of wood or woody coloured stain underneath the black, that is the body is finished in black over brown, and they've sanded some of the black away to reveal the brown underneath, rather than it simply being a matte black finish like a goth. So perhaps this is the distressed look they're referring too. I think you'll find that the overall finish is much like that of a Faded G400. Not glossy, a kind of satin finish. My guess is that the bit about the 'gloss polyurethane finish' in the description, is an error on the part of the website. Probably copied it from the description on the regular Wilshire.

 

I quite like that finish actually. I've just finished a Telecaster body in black dye over a somewhat unsuccessful brown stain. The brown turned out a bit uneven, largely because it wasn't a product I've used before. I was wondering what it might look like if I sanded away the black a little, to reveal some brown. I think it looks quite good.

[leicester35]

 

 

The "worn" (faded) black wilshire is one of the top models on my wishlist[cool]

 

Peter

 

...Hum.

 

I've just noticed something (on account of your photos).

 

It looks like Epiphone haven't put their usual (excellent) Grovers on this.

 

That's a bit disappointing. The G-400 faded can be found for less than the price of this Wilshire, and that comes with Grovers. I don't have much time for stock Epi tuners. I know they can be changed, but still...it's a nuisance on a new guitar. I feel the same way about Casinos (the stock tuners are garbage). The old adage about "Spoiling the ship for a ha'penny of tar." And yet the Sheraton (same price as a Casino) receives Grovers as stock. Most odd...

[jonnyg]

I have the worn cherry wilshire with the same tuners and there's absolutely no problem with them.

[leicester35]

Thanks Jonny that's good to know.

 

They look like Schallers or something similar?

 

I didn't mean to be overly harsh of Epi tuners, but I have been none-to-impressed with the "e" branded tuners I've seen on standard Casinos, so I tend to look for the Grovers by default. But if the tuners on the Wilshire are good, then I'll take your word for it.

[leicester35]

In my local shop the Worn Wilshire is the cheapest set neck electric' date=' $100 cheaper than the Faded G 400.[/quote']

 

OK, I made a slight mistake.

 

:D

 

Wilshire - £269

 

G-400 £279

 

G-400 (faded) £249

 

...I'd happily pay the £20 extra for factory fitted Grovers normally....:D

[weslee_1990]

I had a Gibson Les Paul DC and it was tv yellow and it was "worn" its not really worn its just going to wear fast thats what happend to mine, the yellow was comin off with in a month or and the wood breaths better witch to me is nice:)

[eggs]

Man, you guys are really messing with my head today!

 

I've got a georgeous SG400 Flame Top (& in Oz also they are cheaper than the Wilshires at RRP)... I'm currently 'stalking' a Zephyr... but that worn Wilshire is coooollllll... & I'm thinkin' I've gotta get me one of those!

 

eggmuffins

[twofeets]

Let me say - the Wilshire is totally not my cup of tea as far as guitars go. The only reason I picked one up in the store is that I like mini-humbuckers and Magic Sam. 50 minutes later, I'd blown an entire lunch break noodling on it and fighting mightily to keep the card in my wallet!

[Elias Graves]

I have an Alleykat that has the mini hb in the neck. I've really fallen for that pickup. They really sing.

 

EG

[Vic Flick]

...Hum.

 

I've just noticed something (on account of your photos).

 

It looks like Epiphone haven't put their usual (excellent) Grovers on this.

 

That's a bit disappointing. The G-400 faded can be found for less than the price of this Wilshire' date=' and that comes with Grovers. I don't have much time for stock Epi tuners. I know they can be changed, but still...it's a nuisance on a new guitar. I feel the same way about Casinos (the stock tuners are garbage). The old adage about "Spoiling the ship for a ha'penny of tar." And yet the Sheraton (same price as a Casino) receives Grovers as stock. Most odd...

[/quote']

 

Since it's six in line, standard size Grovers probably wouldn't fit. They would have to use the smaller mid sized or mini Grovers.

[leicester35]

jonnyg -

 

I just found the excellent review you wrote about your new Wilshire, back in November last year.

 

http://forums.epiphone.com/default.aspx?g=posts&m=141351

 

As a matter of interest, have your views changed at all now that you've owed and played it for 6 months? Oh, and how is the finish holding up?

 

Thanks for your help. I think I might be tempted to track one of these guitars down to try out.

[jonnyg]

jonnyg -

 

I just found the excellent review you wrote about your new Wilshire' date=' back in November last year.

 

http://forums.epiphone.com/default.aspx?g=posts&m=141351

 

As a matter of interest, have your views changed at all now that you've owed and played it for 6 months? Oh, and how is the finish holding up?

 

Thanks for your help. I think I might be tempted to track one of these guitars down to try out.

 

[/quote']

 

Hi Leicester

 

I did post an update to the November post outlining the few problems I'd had. They were all pretty minor.

 

The nut slots were a bit tight and uneven so I did a little adjustment on those when I changed the (rubbish) strings.

The truss rod was a little tight and needed about an eighth of a turn to get a little relief plus the usual bridge adjustment to get the action to how I wanted it (I love that lock-tone bridge with the big screws through the posts)

The only real cause for concern was the soldering on the controls. It really is some of the worst I've ever seen. However, it works perfectly without any issues or humming so I've left it for now and marked it down as a job to (maybe) do in the future.

The finish is good, nice and thin and without issue, the body hasn't marked at all although the neck has gone glossy.

To sum up, I think that for £269.00 including a decent gig-bag I got a pretty good guitar. The woodwork's pretty good, the fittings and electrics are far better than I expected (poor soldering excepted) and it's pretty much taken the place of my old Telecaster. If they keep up the quality to level of mine I'd definitely say try one at the very least. I'm actually thinking of getting another one in black.

 

jg

[teegar]

I got the "worn cherry" Wilshire a couple of months ago and I'm just getting around to assessing the things I'd like to change. As others have stated, the finish is in no way worn, just not gloss, more of a satin, and I think even for poly it feels great.

 

After pulling the strings, I've noticed the bridge and stop tailpiece are really pretty low quality, and are definitely in line for replacement. Not critical, but I think worth it. I'm not too impressed by the electronics, and plan to swap out pups pots and switch over the summer. A new bone nut would be good. The frets are OK as is, but could use a little dressing to be optimal. Since I'll do most of this myself it'll probably only set me back another $150 USD, but dribbled out over time that's acceptable. I got it because I love the Wilshire look/vibe, and I love minihumbuckers, and it's inexpensive. A little love, like Charlie Brown's Christmas tree, and it will blossom.