My Buzz-Kill Reality: Epiphone will Always be regarded as CHEAP

[charlie brown]

Though everyone was going after the brown heavy tone during that era' date=' IMO there was no time better to be a musician in Los Angeles during the years of 1976-1990.... [b']IMO rock is now dead[/b]

 

 

Nah...you just got "old(er)," and "Rock" morphed (again), into something

you just don't relate to, as much. LOL I know...I've been there, for years...

probably decades! ;>)

 

Edit: We're all products, of the music of our youth. Your

period 1976-1990, was...to me, more "theater," and less about the actual

music. The music was a soundtrack, to the makup, big hair, costuming, and

theatrics, as opposed to the importance of the actual music, itself. Now I KNOW

you'll argue that, and every decade has it's great music, no doubt! And, that's cool.

But, from my perspective, and favorite (and youth) period, 1964-1974, that's just

the way it seemed, to me. Of course, we had our "theatrics" in light shows, strobes

lights, and all the drug and "hippy" culture, that sprang up, back then, too. So...??? LOL!

 

But, it's all good...as long as one enjoys it.

 

CB

[duane v]

Nah...you just got "old(er)' date='" and "Rock" morphed (again), into something

you just don't relate to, as much. LOL I know...I've been there, for years...

probably decades! ;>)

 

CB[/quote']

 

I guess you're right[blush] .... But the 2000-2010 decade is the only decade I just dont get from a rock n roll stand point:-k

[charlie brown]

I guess you're right[blush] .... But the 2000-2010 decade is the only decade I just dont get from a rock n roll stand point:-k

 

I understand. It seemed (to me) a last gasp, by the record companies, to get as many

big seller's out there, as possible. It didn't matter, that they all sounded alike...in fact,

that was the trouble. Originality, was circumvented, by "sameness" in order to capitalize'

on what was selling, as opposed to what was "Good!" Sure, there were some good bands,

there always are. But..."Old" as I am, I really didn't get all the "sameness," screaming in the

mic, unrecognizable lyrics (if there were any), and endless Drop D, droning at full volume, that

for a time, at least, seemed to dominate the whole scene. Protesting? Emphasizing the dreary?

 

 

I prefer Dylan, Lennon, and others, with a little "Wit and Humor" attached...etc. But, that's just

MY style, and prefernce. ;>b

 

CB

[charlie brown]

As to the original post...Eleanor Roosevelt said it best, many years (decades) ago.

 

"No one, can make you feel inferior, without YOUR permission!" Absolutely right!!

 

CB

[brad1]

I used to have the same problem. I too was an Epi basher.

Then I bought one.

Problem solved.

Basher reformed.

[TP]

To me, a guitar is as good or as bad as the person playing it. Plenty of great music has been played on "Inferior Name" guitars and plenty of crap has been played on "Great Name" guitars. Just spend a few hours on YouTube and you will figure that much out!

[twodice]

Here is my two pence: I can't talk for epiphone les pauls and SG's, but for my three "original dedicated epiphone models": Sheraton II, Riviera and Casino. None of them feel, look or sound cheap. I would rather have three Epiphones than one Gibson 335. I always think there is something cool about Epiphone as a brand, esp the history.

 

.

[cosmitron]

Just read the thread title again, and I thought: "But yes, (most of) Epiphone guitars are cheap! (or were meant to be - I'm refering of my Coronet, Olympic and Wilshire. If those were cheap student guitars they're no more today)"

But to me it's no more a criteria for a good or bad instrument.

And I don't mind what one guy or another thinks of my gear, because basically I know why I'm playing it.

And honestly I even feel snobbery growing on me when I share stage with other bands, and see them play with everyone's guitar. All in all I really don't give a crap.

[brad1]

cosmitron,

I just listened to that song that came up on that link of yours.

That was really cool. Took some time to do as well.

You have some great chops!

[cosmitron]

Thanks brad!

[mbrooks0711]

Just read the thread title again' date=' and I thought: "But yes, (most of) Epiphone guitars are cheap! [/quote']

 

Once again here we are back at "Cheap" vs. "Inexpensive"

 

Inexpensive means a high quality product for a low price.

Cheap means an inferior quality product.

 

At least that's what it means to me (and what I think the original poster meant by his friend saying epiphones are "cheap")

I'm of the opinion that epiphones are inexpensive guitars. Their value per dollar is hard to beat.

[cosmitron]

well you're right. But this needed to be staded.

[AlanH]

Tell that gear snob to get himself a Diddley Bo (listen to those lyrics):

 

 

 

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3DMo7iUdhQ[/YOUTUBE]

[twodice]

I dunno, i think it's kinda sad that we are here justifying Epiphone guitars, when there are people who think epiphone's are best guitars in the world, be it someone just starting out or someone on the big stage.

 

.

[smips65]

I used to have the same problem. I too was an Epi basher.

Then I bought one.

Problem solved.

Basher reformed.

 

 

+1

 

Personally, I just can't, nor will try to justify spending that much more money on a name, just because of stereo types, mind-locked, brain-washed snobs thinking that a logo makes a guitar that much better.

 

Paying that much for a elite brand name guitar would actually be a buzz-kill for me. I'd be so worried about taking care of it, protecting my investment. I like my gits loitering around me, waiting for some attention.

[charlie brown]

Ah...it's all realative. To the "High Dollar" prestige, guitar freaks, most probably have enough bread,

to spend, so that 5 Grand, is like from $50 or $500 bucks, to us. I love all my Gibson's, but

Oddly, I don't feel that my Epiphones are "less" a guitar, at all. The ones that make that

argument (all too often) seem to be justifying THEIR spending, by denigrating what they

think (right or wrong) is an "inferior" guitar. There have been "quality" issues, with Gibson's,

too..from time to time. But, they sort it out, just like Epiphone does/did. Just comon sense,

and good business, to do that...regardless of price point. When I think of all the choices, in

really decent, to phenomenal guitars, people have now, compared to when I was starting to

play, it's mind boggling. And, the quality gap, back then was significant, compared to now,

as well. The "nostalgia" factor, is the only thing keeping a lot of those old "cheap" guitars,

from becoming firewood. IMHO, as always.

 

 

"It's all ****!" ;>)

 

CB

[cosmitron]

+1

 

Personally' date=' I just can't, nor will try to justify spending that much more money on a name, just because of stereo types, mind-locked, brain-washed snobs thinking that a logo makes a guitar that much better.

 

Paying that much for a elite brand name guitar would actually be a buzz-kill for me. I'd be so worried about taking care of it, protecting my investment. I like my gits loitering around me, waiting for some attention.

 

 

[/quote']

 

-1

 

I've paid more for guitars that deserve it. IMHO. But it's still for music and play purpose not investment. None of those 'expensive' guitars are in a vault or anything of that kind. And if they happen to be in their case it's only because of some lack of space.

 

That said I won't prevent myself from those inexpensive "toys" around. Especially since some of them are gig worthy.

And I won't even think about bashing someone else gear cause most of the time it's none of my business.

[pohatu771]

I'll pay more for a better instrument. When you start denying that Gibson Les Pauls, in general, are better than Epiphone Les Pauls, you become just as bad as the people who act as if Epiphone guitars are garbage. Obviously, specific examples may not follow this trend.

 

I'll pay more, but I'm not going to pay more for something I won't take out of the house. I have the guitars as a means to make money to buy more guitars (and gas and food, I suppose), so buying some museum piece, as a performing musician, isn't practical to me.

 

I don't have a Les Paul or Les Paul-type guitar. I probably won't buy an Epiphone when I get one, and I probably won't buy a Gibson unless I can get a good deal on exactly what I want.

[Steven Lister]

Here's a thought --- invite your cork-sniffer friend to the Epiphone forum --- he may learn something cheap (free actually).

 

...and I do hope EPIs stay cheap!!

Who in their right mind gigs $5k gear in bars and colleges where the kegger bashers, sloppy drunks and 5 finger discount artists roam free? Just about every working muso I know plays EPIs and other Asian brands on tour, while their high $$ Rics and Gibbys stay home (or in the studio).

 

So yeah, EPIs have their rightful place/use and those who have learned how to known that about an EPI (or anything else really) are way ahead in the race.

 

Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaby..., I'm going to play on

[Barcham]

Just get your friend to watch the movie 'It Might Get Loud' and have a look at some of the guitars that Jack White plays. And with the processing that The Edge puts his sound through, he could be playing just about anything. It's not the guitar that matters, it's the guitarist. And sometimes the sound engineer.

 

I'm quite happy with my Epi LP Standard and my Vypyr 30 amp. I play at home for myself as a hobby not to impress anyone with the name on my guitar's headstock. I actually mentioned to a few friends that I had picked up a Les Paul and all but two of them asked me what a Les Paul was. So who cares what you play as long as you're happy with it and you play it as best you can.

[Muskank Sally]

Wow! Thanks everyone for all of the positive response.

Feels good not to feel bad anymore

and I have pretty much gotten over it.

Thanks Epi-mates!

[ladyscaglyc]

It always intriqued me that anyone would value their musicianship on the expense of the rig and not the sound or talent.

Jeff Healey played Squiers.

I guess that makes him less of a player.

Hopefully your brand snob buddy will either grow the duck up or move on.

Invite him to one of my gigs where a Gretsch White Falcon sometimes shares the stage stand with an

Epiphone Joe Pass, a Celebrity Ovation and quite often a Squier.

 

He's entitled to his opinion, and don't you forget what they say about opinions.

 

Play what you love, love what you play.

[midiman56]

I say your buddy has a closet FULL of Epiphones ...

 

He's just cheesed off because he didn't get a bumper sticker!

 

Jim

[antwhi2001]

Brand snobbery (whether it's cars, clothes or guitars) is just practiced by shallow and immature people, and usually shallow immature people with more money. I find it quite easy to ignore them once you remember that's what they are.

[taxman]

A lot of great music has been made on cheap guitars' date=' [/quote']

Including about half the catalogue from these guys: