tdrrmr Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 Hello all , I've been playing Gibson's for years, and a few days ago I came across a Epiphone es 295 mg 2004 model for 250.00 ....this thing looks like it just came out of the box ....I know the body is laminated maple and all, but I am very impressed with this guitar....the craftsmanship seems to be very good , and the action and that p90 sound is awesome ...My question is why are these modern Epiphones (from what I've been told in the past) not thought of as very good guitars....This is one sweet guitar.... did I just get lucky ? Tdrrmr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fringe Lunatic Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 Like any product, Epiphone has its fans and its detractors. Quality-wise, Epiphones are on par with many Asian and Mexican imports, and they boast a lifetime warranty, something that few, if any, offer. There are a lot of gripes about the electronics, especially the pots, jacks, and pickup switches, which do seem to be weak points. But those are easily remedied. Congrats on your new guitar! Your experience shows that forums can be misleading. BTW: Most Gibson ES models are laminated maple, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crust Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 Epiphones are thought of as "not good guitars" because they are not made in the USA. At one time, a long time ago, they were. Gibson bought out Epiphone and uses the Epiphone name to make Chinese, Indonesian and Korean copies of Gibson, USA manufactured guitars as well as their own models (Emperor, Broadway, Casino, Riviera, Wilshire...) The wood, metal, hardware and labor are all cheaper than Gibson. The finish is plastic, not nitro cellulose coated, the tops are laminated wood (plywood) as are some bodies, not solid like Gibson, and the pickups, pickup selector switch, tone and volume controls, electric and electronic components are not as high of a quality as what is used in Gibson guitars. There are other things that make Epiphone guitars less expensive than Gibson guitars, that is my short list. When I go to the several guitar shops in my area of Massachusetts and play all the various guitars that hang on the walls, I usually end up playing a few Epiphone and Gibson's, various models. The "playability" of the Gibson's is very slightly better on some and not quite as good as others when compared to Epiphone guitars. It's kind of hit or miss. I don't think the price difference between Epiphone and Gibson reflect the "playability" of Epiphone guitars. All the recent ones I've played were fantastically superb guitars (for the money). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 This is one sweet guitar.... did I just get lucky ? Tdrrmr Yep, you got lucky. They go for >$500 on eBay and elsewhere: http://cgi.ebay.com/...=item19c327fb3d Congrats and welcome to the forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fringe Lunatic Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 All the recent ones I've played were fantastically suburb guitars (for the money). Yeah, those city guitars suck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crust Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 ^^ If you think the city ones suck, you should hear the country ones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g6120 Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 I purchased a Epiphone 295 myself on Ebay and up to that point I had not ever had the opportunity to play one of those guitars . It was a lightning strike and what a fine guitar Ive found it to be . The original owner had heavy strings on it and it plays and sounds so well Ive decided to keep it just the way it is right now . Great action and what a fine woody tone and the only thing I will do is change the tuners at some point . Do I recommend this guitar to others yes indeed . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdrrmr Posted February 24, 2011 Author Share Posted February 24, 2011 Thanks everyone for your opinions,I have found a new respect for these Epiphone guitars ....@ Brian H, I see from your profile pic that you have up a LP jr with a Bigsby installed on it..... Did you do that yourself ? or buy it that way ..I have a 04 Gibson jr that I put a Bigsby on (very fun guitar to play)....I have never seen one factory installed is why I ask......thanks again everyone......Tdrrmr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twofeets Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 I bought a 295 as well...Peerless factory model, 2003. Really well-built and resonant. The stock P90's were horrendous and that's being kind...way overwound and lifeless. Otherwise a great guitar in all respects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 Thanks everyone for your opinions,I have found a new respect for these Epiphone guitars ....@ Brian H, I see from your profile pic that you have up a LP jr with a Bigsby installed on it..... Did you do that yourself ? or buy it that way ..I have a 04 Gibson jr that I put a Bigsby on (very fun guitar to play)....I have never seen one factory installed is why I ask......thanks again everyone......Tdrrmr Td, here's the link about the yellow Jr: http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/56660-kids-todaymods-complete/page__p__763266__hl__%2Bkids+%2Btoday__fromsearch__1&do=findComment&comment=763266 Welcome again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdrrmr Posted February 24, 2011 Author Share Posted February 24, 2011 Td, here's the link about the yellow Jr: http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/56660-kids-todaymods-complete/page__p__763266__hl__%2Bkids+%2Btoday__fromsearch__1&do=findComment&comment=763266 Welcome again... Thank's,That was cool !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adok Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Just as many people here, I own many guitars, of course. The Epi ES295 is one of my actual favorites. I love it on any crunch tone. I feel the Bigsby as an excellent addition to expression. To my standards, craftsmanship is excellent when it comes to frets and fingerboard. Had to let some contact-spray on the mic switch, and glued-on the slipping bridge with epoxy, though. BTW, just bypass the second Bigsby string roll. No use of it at all on this guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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