iankinzel Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 Hi all! Having been the proud owner of Korean- and Chinese-built Epiphone guitars, I'm not the kind of person to write off an instrument just because of where it was made. The Qingdao factory in particular has turned out some amazing instruments over the last 5-6 years - and, extending beyond the realm of Epiphone, my favorite Strat happens to be my best friend's Squier Vintage Modified model. With that all being said, I know that when companies begin operating in a new country, it can take some time for the build quality to match that of other sites. Japanese guitars of the 1950s? Cool, but nothing amazing. Japanese guitars of the 1970s? Arguably better than Gibson. Chinese guitars? In my experience, in general, I've seen a huge improvement between the ones built 10 years ago and the ones coming out today. While Epiphone is normally thought of these days as being based in China, thanks to the well-known Qingdao factory, I've noticed lately that Epiphone has some models being built in Indonesia as well. My only experience with an Indonesian guitar was a pathetic Cort "G-Series" Fat Strat clone; the single coils were dull-sounding, the instrument could never stay in tune, and so on... So my question now is, what about Epiphone guitars made in Indonesia? Any experiences with them? Am I worrying too much and they're already up to par with what's coming out of Qingdao, or are there still kinks that Epiphone needs to work out in the Indonesian factory? How do the production processes in China and Indonesia compare? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitmore Willy Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 I've played good and bad guitars of most brands and models from all over the world. I believe that a guitar that is right for you is where and when you find it. I've played Gibsons that I would have no interest in owning. Others I would commit mayhem for. I've played Epiphones from the DaeWon factory that should never have been released 'till DaeTwo. Just an opinion, Willy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaiser Bill Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 Interesting... I have an Epiphone Emperor II Joe Pass...(love the guitar)...I have no idea where it was made. Probably China...I've had it for 6-7 years...bought it new out of the local misic store. Any way to tell where it was made from a serial#?? I don't remember seeing a label inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitmore Willy Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 Any way to tell where it was made from a serial#?? http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/54419-id-your-epiphone-here-serial-key-guitardater-link-factory-codes-a-worldwide-guide-part-3/ Willy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Loco Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 The 1962 Crestwood is made in Indonesia. It's just flawless, perfect right out of the box. Better than any chinese guitar I've had, and even top korean ones. If there was a "made in Japan" sticker on it, I would believe it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 My 1997 SG Junior was made in Indonesia, and it's a great guitar! I replaced the tuners, bridge, and nut. Everything else is stock. And it sounds very good. The quality of craftsmanship is great! Super straight neck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyg Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 My 2009 Indonesian '66 re-issue Wilshire was good out of the box and after fifteen minutes slightly widening two nut slots, polishing the frets and lowering the bridge has played like a dream ever since. Nothing has broken, nothing has failed and I haven't had to change anything at all. I wish I could say the same about my MIM '50's Classic Strat which cost twice as much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bandini Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 Interesting question. My 2011 ES-175 was made in Indonesia. I'm no expert, but I think it's really, really good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkfanatic Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 I believe my Epi nighthawk custom reissue was Indonesian, tho i removed the sticker when i got it. But i think that was the origin. If so, you have no worries at all. It's as well built as just about anything i've owned at any price. Fret work, finish, everything is quality. Of course as always, the pots and switch aren't great but we're talking $20 of parts so not an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 Using the factory codes from the above link, I have a Wildkat and an acoustic 12 string made in Indonesia. The fit/finish/quality on my Wildkat is excellent (it's my avatar). I did a review on the 12 string when I got it. Here's a link: http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/90035-ngd-12-string/ I'm quite happy with both of these guitars. I also have a Dot from QingDoa and an Elitist Casino from Japan. It's all good!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSAR Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 My 2010 LP Jr. was made in Indonesia, and it's by far the best sounding solid body electric I've played acoustically. It's loud, and it sounds good. Sometimes I don't even want to plug it in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiggy Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 My EJ200CE was made in Indonesia and the build quality and finish is superb. Obviously the quality of the wood isn't the same but the construction fit and finish is up there with the like of Martin, Gibson & Taylor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iankinzel Posted December 17, 2012 Author Share Posted December 17, 2012 That's all very reassuring, and Willy makes an excellent point - Gibson headstocks and "MADE IN USA" stamps guarantee nothing. Does anybody know if Epiphone has its own separate factory in Indonesia, the way it does at Qingdao, or are the Indonesian Epis built at an OEM site? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzoboy Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 My 08 EJ-160-E John Lennon model was made in Indonesia and it's just flawless in build quality and finish and when played acoustically it has the same tonal character as the Gibson counterpart.It's when it's played through a Vox AC-15 or 30 is when it really shines,it absolutely nails the tone of the original Beatle 160 Es spot on.Playing the intro to I Feel Fine will send you into goosebump territory,too bad I can't quite master that feedback in the key of A that John so easily got on the recording and in concert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 I have an Indonesian SG Junior. Its is a great guitar as well. Of course, it has its shortcomings being a $100 guitar, but it had less issues out of the box than my Chinese SG Special P90. Smoother frets, better leveling, nicer fretboard & better beveling. I also have an off-brand Indonesian bass made at the Cort factory that would knock the socks off of any Epiphone bass currently in production. It has a 5-piece maple/wenge neck-thru, a flame maple body (real flame maple, not a veneer), and a nice little flame maple veneer on the headstock. It came with Bartolini MK-1 pickups/preamp and Hipshot tuners, brass nut, mushroom-style strap buttons (as opposed to the hour-glass style), and a solid brass bridge. I'm down with the Indo guitars for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiggy Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 I also have an off-brand Indonesian bass made at the Cort factory that would knock the socks off of any Epiphone bass currently in production. It has a 5-piece maple/wenge neck-thru, a flame maple body (real flame maple, not a veneer), and a nice little flame maple veneer on the headstock. It came with Bartolini MK-1 pickups/preamp and Hipshot tuners, brass nut, mushroom-style strap buttons (as opposed to the hour-glass style), and a solid brass bridge. You know the rules - without pics it doesn't exist! (Actually I just want to see it - sounds gorgeous) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 You know the rules - without pics it doesn't exist! (Actually I just want to see it - sounds gorgeous) I posted pics here when I got it a couple years ago. Its actually the one in my avatar, but here are pics anyway. The nut and bridge are both anodized brass...so they look like satin silver or nickel. The tuners are Hipshot liscensed, but still great. It is an import, after all... Its an Ocean brand bass, designed by a company in California and sold exclusively through Guitar Center. After about 3 years of production, Laguna (GC's house brand) bought out Ocean, rebranded the basses, changed the headstock and a bunch of the internals and made it in to a pretty craptastic instrument. Complaints piled up and they stopped production within a year of Laguna's aquisition. Good Job, Guitar Center!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiggy Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Sweet looking bass. It's always bugged me that bass players always seem to get much better wood options than us 6 guitar players. Having said that I have to admit that I'm finding I spend more and more time on the dark side. I blame it on watching a Jaco masterclass video and finding I could actually do some of the stuff straight off whereas I have to really work at guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keeffan Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 My Nighthawk reissue is an Indo-made. One of the best built guitars I have owned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Cage Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 My 2010 LP Jr. was made in Indonesia, and it's by far the best sounding solid body electric I've played acoustically. It's loud, and it sounds good. Sometimes I don't even want to plug it in. Yeah, I've got one of these, too (an '08), and I'm really surprised by how much I like playing this thing.. Great neck, and surprisingly, I really like the stock humbucker. Not bad for a hundred bucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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