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OUTSTANDING Chinese Epis(what's yours'?)


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I was an early "naysayer" 'cause many of the early Chinese Epis were just not up to par, but when the "mojo" hit, it HIT & i've seen and played several fantastic models from China within the past year to 18 months.

There was so much smack talked about the early-birds(some well deserved) that i'd really be interested to know just how many here have China-Epis that they'd rate as very-good to exellent or better.

 

my 1st ChiEpi purchase was just over a yr ago, and it's still one of my "go tos"......it actually gets played more than my Gibby SG Std.

I got it thru Sweetwater Music so it got the 55 point inspect/setup, and it has been absolutely perfect from day 1.

i'm soon going to swap the EB reg. .10s for EB Cobalt .10s and adding wings to it!!!

 

GarysCam182.jpg

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You'll notice a difference with the Cobalt strings. I use them because they give a much better signal for the Roland GK3 midi output but that also means they provide a better signal (highly magnetic) generally.

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You'll notice a difference with the Cobalt strings. I use them because they give a much better signal for the Roland GK3 midi output but that also means they provide a better signal (highly magnetic) generally.

 

yes, I have a set on a FatStrat & I love it(them)!

they really perked it up and gave it a tone that will slice thru cement!

one of the things I really like w/the LPC3 are the treble bleed caps on all 3 V-pots, i bet the Cobalt strings will make the hair on my arms stand up!!!

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I love my MIC silverburst T-Bird. This is one of the first basses that played great right out of the box. The only thing I changed was the strings and put a set of Grover tuners that I had laying around. It sounded so much better than my MIK T-Bird, I sold it to recoupe some of the cost of the silverburst. So with the 30% GC coupon, this was the best $50 I've ever spent [thumbup] The case cost more than the bass. [laugh]

 

010.jpg

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Well, each new Epi I get becomes the latest "OUTSTANDING" Chinese Epi in my stable......My Rivera does need some adjusting soon though.....

 

When I get my Chinese made Epi Wildkat, well, then, THAT will become my latest "OUTSTANDING" Chinese made Epi..........................................

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Chinese Epiphones won me over early, I had one of the '66 G400s from 2004 that was amazing quality. My main guitar is now a 2011 G-400 Custom. It has a huge neck, and near flawless construction. The resonance and sound are great. I do have a couple Elitist 'buckers to drop in at some point and will eventually cut a bone nut for it, but for now I'm happy after these mods:

 

Gibson Vintage style tuners (lighter weight)

Gotoh Tailpiece and bridge

Cream switch tip

Rotated middle pickup

#0000 steel wool on back of neck (which has smoothed into a nice semi gloss).

 

lpsg2.jpg

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Hey Bender and Epi Nova,I have the MIC Epi G-400 Custom too and it's an incredible guitar.I think these people who have a knee jerk reaction to MIC guitars-that you have to change out the pups and guts as soon as you get it-are full of it and really stating their ignorance about guitars. When I plug my G-400 Les Paul Custom into my JCM 800 stack she can scream like a banshee or I can plug her into my Blues Jr. and get the sweetest blues and jazz tones since Wes Montgomery.My daughter's boyfriend was a diehard Gibson SG player and figured that the SG was the best guitar for him,that was until he tried out my G-400 Custom,the guitar blew him away with it's tonal range and its action and playability.He couldn't believe the vast array of tones that came from the guitar.He was amazed to find out my guitar was only about 1/5 the price of his SG yet to him sounded and played ten times as good as his MIA Gibson SG.

 

I'm very surprised that there aren't more of these being bought as they are probably the best bang for the buck-in the way of humbucker equipped guitars-ever made. The middle pup really adds another dimension to the tone but it can be turned off so guitar can function as a regular SG so you can still get the AC DC raunch or Tony Iommi's dark ominous tone but bring the middle pickup into play and you can get whatever tones you want especially lush jazz and blues tones.It is quite simply one of the most perfect all around musician's guitars.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]0----------t]dy--------------]--]ttdbjj

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I had a DOT from, 2002 MIC that was not very good. I did all the upgrades to it and I still was unhappy with it. Sold it. Fast forward to Feb this year. I was looking for an LP type just to have that type of sound again to play with. Went to GC and played a lot of LP's almost everything they had hanging on the walls. The 2011 Epi LP +T I ended up with was the best in the house at that time. I was really impressed with the changes Epi made. Very nice. So far I have adjusted the PU to get the little bit of Mud out of the neck pickup. Installed a Tusq XL nut and put pointers on the knobs. I'm done. It"s just right the way it is.

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I have and have owned a bunch of Epi's (probably more than just about anybody here), and like the MIC's best. High quality and consistent, of course that's a result of having their own factory and state-of-the-art equipment. They do a great job.

 

I upgrade the PU's on all of my imports, as that's the weakest link, but then, they're not trying to compete with Seymour Duncan or DiMarzio for that level of tone quality. If you like the stock PU's, you'll really like Epi's with a set of Duncans. Much more definition, depth, and clarity. The better your amp, the more you'll hear it.

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Well, I don't know if I would call it outstanding but... it is definitely great.

 

I keep posting this all over these forums, but yeah, it's still not enough. My Ultra III is excellent in every way. None of the problems all the other people had with the Ultra III (such as fret buzz or USB issues), PERFECTLY set up from the factory and with really nice comfy strings too, GREAT all around sound that has never disappointed from clean, to tons of effects, to heavy distortions, many times more comfortable to play than a regular LP... And of course, absolutely stunning looks... It really has stolen my heart... There hasn't been a negative comment for this guitar from any of my guitarist friends who have picked it up, and they all go wide-eyed when they hear its tonal versatility as they change sounds...

 

This image should already be floating about somewhere here, but whatever.

 

01012012452.jpg

 

Every Chinese Epi I've played that came out in the last couple of years (since around 2010) has been really good, but mine takes the cake. Ok, maybe I'm not the best of judges, but it still does :D

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I unfortunately have not really had the pleasure.

 

Got a Casino online which played great but the top had an odd combo of one very grainy half and one totally plain half.

 

Exchanged it for another which played awfully - loads of tuning problems, buzzing, etc. Got rid of it.

 

Someday I'll find that perfect Casino...

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Unfortunately I haven't had the pleasure of a new Quingdao Epi.

My last Epi bought is a Korean model Explorer.

I hear they're getting better and more consistant daily so I have to go with that for now.

I hope that in the near future I can find that special one, just made

for me. [biggrin]

 

 

Cheers

Paul

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I do not know if it is outstanding, as its my first electric guitar, but i sure enjoy it much!!!

 

sam0092a.jpg

 

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

I'm pleased for you, Congrats on a great guitar. Enjoy. [thumbup][thumbup]

 

My wife was checking one of these Cherry G400's and comparing it with a Gibson SG Standard.

She prefered the look of the Epi's Finish but the neck and balance of the Gibby was better.

She eventually opted for a Vox SDC33 Goldtop. Not bad for a beginner and her first guitar.

 

I've put the Vox on Layby for her at $659. It feels as good as the Gibby, looks elegant and smoothe and, above all, it weighs barely 6 lbs.

 

The Epi was going for over $740 and that clinched the Vox deal for me. [thumbup]

I hope she really sticks with it. [-o<

 

voxsdc33standarddoublec.jpg

 

Cheers

Paul

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Chinese Epiphones won me over early, I had one of the '66 G400s from 2004 that was amazing quality. My main guitar is now a 2011 G-400 Custom. It has a huge neck, and near flawless construction. The resonance and sound are great. I do have a couple Elitist 'buckers to drop in at some point and will eventually cut a bone nut for it, but for now I'm happy after these mods:

 

Gibson Vintage style tuners (lighter weight)

Gotoh Tailpiece and bridge

Cream switch tip

Rotated middle pickup

#0000 steel wool on back of neck (which has smoothed into a nice semi gloss).

 

lpsg2.jpg

 

 

Awesome!!! That is a lovely girl. (check those curves) [rolleyes]

 

I've got the 2006 LTD Custom with Maestro and it's a beauty.

A present from the missus in 2008. I made a few mods also; Gibson BB Pros, Gotoh bridge, completely rewired electrics, pots and switches and new control knobs.

 

Definitely a keeper. [biggrin]

 

cimg1168f.jpg

 

Paul

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I've been really pleased with my '07 LPC Silverburst. I took it out last week to an open jam, and got lots of compliments about the sound and look. I have bought all new electronics for it (minus pickups), just haven't had time to install.

 

Silverburst.jpg

 

Silverbursthead.jpg

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Awesome!!! That is a lovely girl. (check those curves) [rolleyes]

 

I've got the 2006 LTD Custom with Maestro and it's a beauty.

A present from the missus in 2008. I made a few mods also; Gibson BB Pros, Gotoh bridge, completely rewired electrics, pots and switches and new control knobs.

 

Definitely a keeper. [biggrin]

 

cimg1168f.jpg

 

Paul

 

Wow that's a killer SG! I'd love to have one with the Maestro. Wish mine had the straight white finish too, as much as I like the antique ivory.

 

Part of why I like the MIC SGs is they seem to have a more accurate body outline. At first the lack of deep beveling put me off, but I've come to prefer the sturdier feel and speculate that it helps beef up the sound a little, having more wood.

 

I agree the G400 Custom is a hidden gem in the Epi lineup. They've been making them forever but I don't see them around much.

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This is my 2011 Epiphone Korina 1958 Flying-V made in China. To tell the truth, I thought all Epiphones were made in China.

It's a very nice guitar to play, I have modded it with a couple of Gibson '57 classic pick ups.

 

 

alim1797.jpg

 

 

.. but for now I'm happy after these mods:

 

..

#0000 steel wool on back of neck (which has smoothed into a nice semi gloss).

 

 

I think it's a very good advice for me, thanks!

 

[thumbup]

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Awesome!!! That is a lovely girl. (check those curves) [rolleyes]

 

I've got the 2006 LTD Custom with Maestro and it's a beauty.

A present from the missus in 2008. I made a few mods also; Gibson BB Pros, Gotoh bridge, completely rewired electrics, pots and switches and new control knobs.

 

Definitely a keeper. [biggrin]

 

cimg1168f.jpg

 

Paul

 

Great looking SG. I have one in cherry, 2 pups, with a Maestro and I love it. I put BBs in it too.

 

This has become one of my favorites, a '56 GT. I took out the P90s and put in a set of Gibson minis, best move I ever made. I am just not a P90 guy. I also put in a set of Grover Deluxe Green Keystone tuners. The originals were fine, but I just really like the looks of the Green Keys.

 

GTwithGreenKeystones-fullfront.jpg

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