Epiphone Inspired By 1964 Texan vs. Epiphone EJ160E John Lennon Acoustic-Electric Guitar

[Axelorox]

I am a huge Beatles fan. When I started playing guitar late last year, I used a cheap guitar from Costco. However, I'm not very happy with the quality of the sound, so I'm looking to get a new guitar sometime soon. Since the Epiphone Texan and Gibson J-160E were two of the most famous acoustic guitars used by the Beatles, I've decided that my new guitar will be one of the cheaper ($499) replicas of those guitars. Since they both cost the same, I'm not sure which one to get. Since Paul is my favorite Beatle, I'm leaning toward the Texan. If I get the Texan, I'll most likely end up taking it to a shop to convert it to a left-handed guitar. Would this affect the sound in any way?

 

At this point I'm really undecided on which guitar to get. Do you guys have any suggestions?

 

Edit: Oops, I posted this in the wrong section. Can a mod move it?

[tweed2]

I am a huge Beatles fan. When I started playing guitar late last year, I used a cheap guitar from Costco. However, I'm not very happy with the quality of the sound, so I'm looking to get a new guitar sometime soon. Since the Epiphone Texan and Gibson J-160E were two of the most famous acoustic guitars used by the Beatles, I've decided that my new guitar will be one of the cheaper ($499) replicas of those guitars. Since they both cost the same, I'm not sure which one to get. Since Paul is my favorite Beatle, I'm leaning toward the Texan. If I get the Texan, I'll most likely end up taking it to a shop to convert it to a left-handed guitar. Would this affect the sound in any way?

 

At this point I'm really undecided on which guitar to get. Do you guys have any suggestions?

 

Edit: Oops, I posted this in the wrong section. Can a mod move it?

The question of texan or ej 160e comes up periodically in both sections of the forum. Right now, I'm looking at the same two guitars as my next purchase. Since both are "electric" guitars, with pick ups, I'd be interested in seeing what nuggets of wisdom might appear here. Anybody object?

[charlie brown]

The question of texan or ej 160e comes up periodically in both sections of the forum. Right now, I'm looking at the same two guitars as my next purchase. Since both are "electric" guitars, with pick ups, I'd be interested in seeing what nuggets of wisdom might appear here. Anybody object?

 

I have both (Gibson's J-160E, 1954 "vintage" version), and a new (this year) Inspired by "Texan."

Both have their place, but the amplified acoustic tone, of the Texan, is much better. The J-160E,

has a magnetic (P-90/P-100 in the Epiphone version) pickup, needing "electric" strings, and it has

a more traditional "electric" tone, too.

 

The Texan, has the Shadow Nanoflex pickup, with EQ, so the amplified "acoustic" tone is much better! IMHO.

Both of my guitars play well, with the old J-160E having a bit of an edge, there. But, I love 'em both!

 

CB

[Axelorox]

Does anyone else have any input?

[dubstar]

I believe someone on this forum recently converted an inspired by texan to lefty...try a search in the acoustic room

 

if you only have one guitar, you'll probably get more mileage out of the texan

[tweed2]

As much as I like the iconic look of the 160e, I've been leaning towards the Texan. If only because my Casino has P-90s, so I have that covered, and all my other guitars are natural/blonde. I'm finding it easier to try Texans locally as nobody ever has a 160e around long enough. I just want to try one before I make my decision.

[Axelorox]

I believe someone on this forum recently converted an inspired by texan to lefty...try a search in the acoustic room

I can't seem to find the mentioned thread. Does anyone have a link?

[bonzoboy]

I'm a confirmed Beatles Freeeeaaaak and I'm part way through collecting at least one guitar of each type they played. I don't have the Texan yet and that's farther down my list.I do however have the EJ-160-E John Lennon and to this day I still get goosebumps when I play it as the sound is so close to the original's especially in songs like I'll Be Back and I Feel Fine both acoustically and plugged in respectively it sounds so much like the real thing that it's uncanny even with electric strings.I could've bought the Texan when I bought the 160 E but the 160's tone was so spot on I had to have it.

[Axelorox]

Which one do you think will end up being less common in the future? According to some eBay listings the EJ160E is a limited edition model. Do you guys think either guitar will still be commonly available in December?

[RaSTuS]

Do you guys think either guitar will still be commonly available in December?

In all honesty, I doubt if even Epiphone themselves could answer that.

[Versatile]

Personal opinion.....

 

Some guitarists prefer the pre-piezo approach to amplifying an acoustic ie with a magnetic string pickup

 

I am sure the Beatles in their heyday would have used a condenser mic in front of their true acoustics...

 

V

 

[bonzoboy]

On songs such as I'll Be Back and This Boy the J-160-E was most certainly miced as you get only that lush acoustic tone.John played the 160-E through an AC30 for I Feel Fine in order to get the feedback that was on the album and 45 when they played in concert.