100% Inspected and Set up in the USA by ___

[cjlandry]

I've yet to have a problem with an Epiphone guitar, which means a lot to me. There's always that sticker "100% inspected and set up in the USA by __". I don't know how thorough of an inspection they give them, but it seems Epiphone is concerned with QC in America. I'm guessing that the guys and gals, who do the inspections and setups, like their jobs and want to keep them. I also hope they get paid well for it.

 

I've read a lot, however of others who've had problems. Seems we're always getting posts about problems from Europe and other points on the globe.

 

I wonder if their guitars get the same QC after shipment, when they arrive in their respective countries.

 

If I were, for example, living in Italy, and I received a guitar with a sticker that said, "100% Inspected and Set up in the EU", I wouldn't be impressed. There are plenty of countries in the EU whose QC standards are nowhere near those of other European countries.

 

 

Sorry, just thinking through my keyboard.

[bigneil]

could be on to something there, Euro countries are probably getting all the rubbish that is rejected by USA QC.

[neilpanda]

Why ?

 

My favorite dealer get his "shipments" directly from most of the factories

 

and by "shipment" it is one container with 1500 guitars from the sam model....

 

he does his own inspection and setup...

 

at the 150 Euro guitars to the 5000 Euro guitars

 

So I don't worry

your dealer may inspect each guitar...but does he know "The Gibson Song"?

I know it...I learned it when I took a tour at Gibson Custom in Memphis LOL

[bigneil]

What does happen to the ones that don't pass? do they mark them as seconds, send them back, or offload them cheap to an internet based company to sell on?

[cjlandry]

What does happen to the ones that don't pass? do they mark them as seconds, send them back, or offload them cheap to an internet based company to sell on?

 

I thought they just sent them to Scotland.

[blues_n_cues]

my LP custom was set up perfectly & even in perfect tune straight out of the box. far better than any fender i ever bought straight out of the box or off of the shelf.

[animalfarm]

your dealer may inspect each guitar...but does he know "The Gibson Song"?

I know it...I learned it when I took a tour at Gibson Custom in Memphis LOL

 

 

Why you don't sing it for us....

 

We like to hear songs :lol:

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnzHtm1jhL4

[cjlandry]

my LP custom was set up perfectly & even in perfect tune straight out of the box. far better than any fender i ever bought straight out of the box or off of the shelf.

 

Same was true for my LP Ultra and my G-400.

 

My Dot was in almost tune (open), just had to tune the open G, but the intonation was way out, the strings were binding in the nut, and the action was too high.

 

I was surprised that it took that much effort to get it playable, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

[bigneil]

I thought they just sent them to Scotland.

 

Ha ha ha!

[Digger]

I think our Epi stock comes straight from Asia as I have had obvious problems with 2 of my 3 Epi's and saw lots of faulty stock on the showroom floor of the retail arm of our importer. Therefore I think the responsibility must be on the importer to do QA in this country.....and here they just don't seem to care.

 

You might forgive that in the US as Epi are undoubtedly well priced there. Not so in Oz unfortunately!

 

Digger

[rdsmith3]

The first Epiphone LP Traditional Pro that I got from MF had no inspection sticker, and it was damaged.

 

 

The second one I got did have the inspection sticker

 

 

I think they may have forgotten to inspect the first one

[zombywoof]

There is really no way to set a guitar up perfectly at the factory since what is perfect is going to vary from buyer to buyer. I think this is why companies do not really worry about it. I just take it for granted that I will have whatever I buy setup to the way I lke it.

[cjlandry]

There is really no way to set a guitar up perfectly at the factory since what is perfect is going to vary from buyer to buyer. I think this is why companies do not really worry about it. I just take it for granted that I will have whatever I buy setup to the way I lke it.

 

I think "inspected" is the most important. Setup could be as simple as checking to see that things are withing factory tolerance, then plug it in, tune it up, test the switch and pots, then call it good.

 

I would think that would be a tedious job, if that were one's job all day, every day.

 

Still, it's fine by me. I certainly don't expect "perfect", because, as you said, that's a subjective term.

[Epi1]

I've yet to have a problem with an Epiphone guitar, which means a lot to me. There's always that sticker "100% inspected and set up in the USA by __". I don't know how thorough of an inspection they give them, but it seems Epiphone is concerned with QC in America. I'm guessing that the guys and gals, who do the inspections and setups, like their jobs and want to keep them. I also hope they get paid well for it.

 

I've read a lot, however of others who've had problems. Seems we're always getting posts about problems from Europe and other points on the globe.

 

I wonder if their guitars get the same QC after shipment, when they arrive in their respective countries.

 

If I were, for example, living in Italy, and I received a guitar with a sticker that said, "100% Inspected and Set up in the EU", I wouldn't be impressed. There are plenty of countries in the EU whose QC standards are nowhere near those of other European countries.

 

 

Sorry, just thinking through my keyboard.

 

Hi,

 

Thanks for the post and your participation.

 

Epiphone has dedicated facilities in Nashville, TN (USA), Holland (addressing the EU and UK) and Japan. Additionally, we have dedicated distributors in most other markets. Of course, all of the guitars we make come from the same dedicated factories and meet our USA standards. That said, once received our second-stage set-up standards and processes are consistent throughout ALL markets.

 

Thanks again,

Jim Epi

[gearhead]

The Junior I purchased "new" this summer from GC in Cleveland was "OK". The truss rod needed adjusted, the tuners were just awful, wouldn't hold in tune for anything over 5 minutes (without touching it) or one string bend! The wrap around tail piece is in a class all it's own, with new strings, and a couple different sets at that, the "A" string will not come anywhere even close to being intonated. The farther up the neck you finger, the worse it gets. In fact, it's unbearable, until I replace the bridge, it sits in it's case. And the G400 I purchased had unseated frets which had to be corrected before it could be played.

The older Epi's I own haven't had any of these issues! (Beside the junk stamped tuners)

So yes, SOMETIMES I wonder who and where the inspection and setup was done. I know that getting knocked around during shipment occurs on a regular basis, but come on................

 

Granted, these are small items, but still, when you purchase a new instrument you expect it to be playable within reason.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE all the Gibson and Epiphones I have and will NEVER be a Fender (guitar) owner.

But, MAYBE Gibson needs to get on their authorized distributors/dealers about the setup conditions on the guitars they put on display and sell? Seems to me it's giving Gibson / Epiphone a bad rap!

[Digger]

But, MAYBE Gibson needs to get on their authorized distributors/dealers about the setup conditions on the guitars they put on display and sell? Seems to me it's giving Gibson / Epiphone a bad rap!

 

 

It seems that with all the good intentions and endeavour some of the distributors are letting things down.

 

Gallin's Guitar's in Melbourne (AU) when I was there last had guitars that to me were in a poor state. Gallin's is the retail arm of AMI the Epiphone distributor here in Oz. I went in to buy a Dot but of the 3 on display all had faults one had a twisted neck and the other two had loose selector switches. I then went through the Casinos and found one that looked alright (wrong), the others also having loose selector switches. My casino had to have 4 frets lifted and reset, something in my inexperience I didn't pick up.

 

I pointed out the problems to the sales attendant and he didn't seem to care at all. Now that is disappointing given that Epi & Gibson are their primary product.The selector switch had since died! Pretty ordinary for a $1000 (aud) guitar and the reason that of my 7 guitars only 3 are Epi.

 

Despite being only a couple of months old and under warranty I paid to see a private luthier for my fret repair (and did a round trip of 500 K's and a night's accommodation) because I have no confidence in Gallin's. Gibson deserve a distributor that is 100% dedicated to their products and to presenting them in the manner they deserve!

 

Epi 1 I hope you read this as we in Australia are not being well served by this arrangement and nor are you.

 

Digger

[Darren W]

Dig which Gallins store were you at.

 

I go to Blackburn, and find the boys there great.

 

I have only had 1 drama with an Epi from there which was a loose pot, and easily fixed.

 

When I got my robot one of the auto tuning heads wasn't operating quite right, it was probably damaged in the shop by fiddlers. The guitar was replaced within 24 hours.

 

I haven't heard the same good reports about Prahran unless you are buying an 5K gibby

[Digger]

Dig which Gallins store were you at.

 

I go to Blackburn, and find the boys there great.

 

I have only had 1 drama with an Epi from there which was a loose pot, and easily fixed.

 

When I got my robot one of the auto tuning heads wasn't operating quite right, it was probably damaged in the shop by fiddlers. The guitar was replaced within 24 hours.

 

I haven't heard the same good reports about Prahran unless you are buying an 5K gibby

 

 

It was Sth Yarra, in Chapel Street Darren, and the three Epis I've got all have problems. Bloody shame really!

 

Dig

[charlie brown]

Let's not forget, that shipping, and the environment they're

in, or shipped to, can do terrible things, to some guitars,

depending on where, when, and for how long.

The dealer "should" inspect, and adjust, prior to putting

them out for sale, and a few do that...E.M. Shorts, for one,

but...all too often, they don't. That's sad!

 

I have to say, though...that ALL my Epiphones have arrived,

in great condition, with better fret work, than most "pre-pleked,"

Gibson's. My MIJ '61 SG Standard was even in tune, with perfect

intonation, too...all the way, from Japan. Can't beat that! ;>)

 

CB

[DennisMiller]

The only guitar I've received in years that actually needed a lot of attention paid to the setup upon arrival was a Gibson Les Paul Studio Satin. Tweaking the neck and bridge was no big deal and took all of 15 minutes, so I did it myself and I'm happy with the guitar.

 

On the other hand, the two Epi acoustics I've bought recently were wonderful straight out of the boxes.

[ThumperR2D]

I bought a new Epiphone LP Ultra II and had some problems. First, I went to a gig and had a terrible hum that I knew was a ground wire issue. Took it to the authorized repair shop (2 hours away). Upon repair, it was also discovered that I had a stereo jack that was loose on the inside. He ordered a new one and after taking forever to get it in, I drove 2 hours again and the replacement had the same problem. He found one he had laying around in the shop and it works like a charm. I had other gigs to do, so in between repairs I had to use the guitar gently as it had a problem with the bridge pick up cutting out. All the electrical seems to be worked out now, but the thing will not stay in tune. I am very disappointed and may get rid of the thing and cut my losses. I love the guitar capabilities and would love to play it. Any tuning suggestions? I stretch out my strings and still no luck.

[midiman56]

I bought a new Epiphone LP Ultra II and the thing will not stay in tune. I am very disappointed and may get rid of the thing and cut my losses. I love the guitar capabilities and would love to play it. Any tuning suggestions? I stretch out my strings and still no luck.

 

Hey, Thumper ... welcome!

 

99% of the time, if any guitar has an issue with staying in tune, its the fault of the string binding up at the nut. You get it in tune, and as you start strumming, it slips just a bit and you're all screwed up again.

 

Are you using .10's like the ones that came with the guitar? If you went with something heavier, you might need to file those slots a bit. If not, try lubing the slots with any of the many "nut sauce" products available or just use some shavings from a pencil (it's graphite and will work great).

 

Let us know how that works for you ... good luck!

 

Jim

[7C]

I have 4 Epiphones, 3 were purchased new and 1 was purchased used. Guess which one required no set-up.

 

New guitars

Speciall II - bridge too high, intonation slightly out.

Les Paul Standard - bridge too high and at an angle (bass side), intonation way out (factory strings awful).

Dot - bridge too high at treble side, intonation way out (took a while to get right).

 

Used guitar

Les Paul Studio - action a little low for my liking but very playable, intonation spot on (interestingly the TOM had been reversed).

 

I have no problem doing my own set-ups so no major issue for me, however I would be surprised if the new guitars had ever been properly tuned and played prior to landing on the showroom floor.

7C

[ThumperR2D]

Hey, Thumper ... welcome!

 

99% of the time, if any guitar has an issue with staying in tune, its the fault of the string binding up at the nut. You get it in tune, and as you start strumming, it slips just a bit and you're all screwed up again.

 

Are you using .10's like the ones that came with the guitar? If you went with something heavier, you might need to file those slots a bit. If not, try lubing the slots with any of the many "nut sauce" products available or just use some shavings from a pencil (it's graphite and will work great).

 

Let us know how that works for you ... good luck!

 

Jim

 

********************************************************************

Thanks! I was excited about this guitar because the stop bar and tuners were all made to help keep the thing in tune. I took off the .10's and changed to .12's to get a more meaty tone. I had the same problem with the .10's that were factory wound. I will definitely give the nut a lube job and see how that works out.

Thanks again!!!!!

[Bender 4 Life]

I've bought 4 brand new Epis in the last 10 yrs....the 3 Korean models all came out of the box in perfect condition, and within a 10 minute setup from perfect playability. Couldn't ask for better !!

The only one that was made in China was an early Chinese model, and was in TERRIBLE condition in the still sealed box.

It had the "inspected & setup in the USA" sticker (by # 22) and was in such terrible shape I almost sent it back...had it not been a "Ltd Edition"(yeah, right) '56 GT that was hard to get at the time.

The neck took 2 separate adjustments, over 2 days, to get right.

The neck P-90 wasn't even screwed to the body, it was literally hanging loose under the strings.(how did QC miss this?)

The input socket had to be replaced before it would play electrically (how did QC miss this?)

And finally, the 3 way switch had a broken "pivot pin" and only worked if you wiggled it just right.(again, how did QC miss this?)

 

Once I had gotten it into playable condition it turned out to be a great little guitar, and I play it often....it just soured me on Chinese Epis unless I can do a "hands on" test drive 1st.(which isn't always an option for me as I live 75 mi. one way from my closest authorized Epi dealer, and won't buy from "unauthorized" sources)

I've read that the QC on the Chinese models has improved astronomically, which is to be expected, and I understand that every factory switch causes temporary "growing pains", but i'm still astounded that the 2 or 3 level deep QC missed all these problems .