In Defense of Epiphone

[Randy Bass]

I have a somewhat perverse mindset (shocker!) about Squiers and Epiphones. I like playing cheap guitars in public to demonstrate that I can make any guitar play and sound the way I want. I'm not that dependent upon the psychological benefits of buying expensive guitars (though it has its' merits). I guess it's called Thrift Snobbery .

Having said that, I have two Epiphone Les Paul Goldtops that are noticeably inferior in craftmanship to their Gibson counterparts as well as many other guitars in their respective price ranges (PRS SE, LTD). I think most Epiphones are decent guitars, but some are overpriced in the marketplace due to their Gibson DNA. Squiers, however, are an amazing value once you get into the Classic Vibe and Vintage Modified models.

The bottom line is that I think it's important to buy what you really want (if you can afford it), even if it is a $4,200 Gibson. I'm glad I don't want one of those.

[woodddj]

I've never played a high end Gibson , but last year I bought a Gibson LP studio. I never really enjoyed playing that guitar so I sold it. Back in may I bought a Korean made epiphone zakk wylde buzzsaw LP, and I really enjoy playing it. I've been an ibanez man since 92. since I've bought the epi , I have not picked up either of the two Ibanez's that I own. Just my 2 cents.

[mr_william]

i've got an epiphone les paul, a squire classic vibe tele and a '94 MIJ strat.

the squire's the cleanest i've got - the cosmetics are pretty flawless...

the les paul's got a few blemishes within the binding but again, nothing too bad.

the MIJ strat i got in a really beat up state - some real huge dings in the body.

the strat also looks to have poorly fitted markers on some of the frets - not on the fret board, but on the top of the neck.

the epiphone's electronics were bad, when i first started playing, the les paul was my only guitar for around 6 years. for the first 3, the neck pickup didn't work and i didnt have the skills, money or resources to get it fixed...

fortunately, as an inexperienced guitarist, the volume and tone were on 10 all the time and the pickup selector acted like a kill switch for the quiet moments between songs.

i do like it though and as it was an 18th birthday present from my folks, i can't see me ever parting with it.

it's korean made and plays and sounds alright - though does need new hardware and electronics.
some people think this is true of gibsons too these days though!

[baytamusic]

I've owned Epiphones and Squiers as well as Gibsons and Fenders. Squier makes great guitars these days, just as good as a Fender if you get the right ones. I personally don't think Epiphones are nearly as nice as Gibsons for the most part, although the price difference between the two is a little absurd IMO. At the end of the day, if the guitar stays in tune, the pickups sound decent, you've got a good amp, and you can play the thing and write good songs, it really doesn't matter what you play. More expensive guitars are generally more expensive for a reason though, but maybe not thousands better in the case of Gibson.

[Wendigo]

I think people should start removing the logos like they do with cars, kind of a "don't ask, don't tell" type of thing. Then we could just concentrate on playing.

[Ade]

1994 Epiphone Casino, made in the Peerless factory in Korea. I had it re-fretted and put in some Lollars. It's the cheapest guitar I own and on a par with the best.

And the great thing about Casinos is the headstock is actually correct!

I think some Korean Epis are up there with the best of Fender Japan.

Ade

[Gray]

I think people should start removing the logos like they do with cars, kind of a "don't ask, don't tell" type of thing. Then we could just concentrate on playing.

Anyone can tell the difference between a Ferrari and a Prius, badge or not.

[ECWeagles]

My first two guitars were epi's.

A 1996 Dot (which in some ways I wish I still had) and then a Supernova which I had for years.

I then needed a different sound, so I sold it.

When I went through my "multiple guitars phase" I bought a 1997 MIK Riviera.

That was a lovely sounding guitar. I played it for about an hour in the shop before I bought it and a lot of people walked past and gave nods of approval. Now I'm not a great players, so they certainly weren't nodding at my chops!

Ultimately though, I decided I was a Les Paul guy. Started off with a Gibson faded studio which sounded fantastic, but I had to be honest with myself and accept that as long as I had it, I was always going to want a "real" Les Paul.

Eventually I found a great deal on one of the end of the line Classic Custom Les Pauls and bought a gold top version.

This is a keeper. I simply cannot believe the price they put on that model when it was out. Im sure the baked maple board had something to do with it, but for me its the perfect spec.

I've always liked the Custom style headstock and I've always liked the Goldtop finish. I also prefer chambered to solid bodies, so it wins there as well.

there are no real discrenable blemishes on it.

Frankly I'd struggle I think to put down much more than what I paid for this for any electric guitar, id just be too afraid of breaking it, but for me, I'm glad I;ve got a Gibson.

That said, I now have my Dad's old 1970s epi acoustic fitted with an LR Baggs M1 and use that live. Never found an acoustic that plays like it.

And a few years ago I bought my wife an Epi John Lennon acoustic. It cost £350. I did an A/B recording test with my Avalon D300 of pretty much the same (theoretical) spec, but about 100 times the cost.

The Epi won on sound, hands down.

Go figure.

[baytamusic]

I guess I should add, that I'm talking about Epiphones that are copies of Gibsons, not usually being on par with their Gibson counterpart. The actual Epiphone models like Casino, Crestwood, Riviera, Wildkat, etc. that I've played are usually really great guitars. My bandmate has both models of the "Inspired by John Lennon" Casinos and they are both great guitars. They have Gibson pickups, good hardware, etc.

[DiabloS]

I have an Epiphone G400 ( I think that's the model) It's a mid level SG. I have owned a ton of Gibson SG specials which are about $200 more when looking at new prices. IMO, that $200 gets you a long way. The Gibsons have always felt and sounded better to me. But when you can hop on Ebay or Craigslist and get a used SG Special (Gibson) for $400, I think that's the way.

However, with the Les Paul Epiphones, there is a HUGE affordability gap compared to Gibsons, say they may be a better value.

That's pretty much my take on it too. The cheaper of the Gibson SG line are still really good guitars that compare to the quality of standards and they're not much more than the Epiphones. And I actually prefer not having the glossy finish since the neck feels smoother.

I'm selling my American strat to help pay for the electronic drum kit I just bought, but I might replace it with a Squier CV. I've owned one before and thought it was really good! The CV basses that I've tried were really good too!

[a.hun]

Now, I think the QC on the lower level Squiers (like Bullets, Standards...etc) is pretty bad, and you might have to play 20 of them to fin a good one. But I've never picked up a CV or a Vintage Modified and felt bad frets, twisted necks, terrible setups...etc They really are nice guitars. Heck, I even like the pickups in my CV!

You should hear me ranting about the quality control on some (ie many) of the Gibsons I've played over the past decade or longer. I am a (happy) Gibson owner but sadly reckon that it is about the most hit or miss make of guitars around in terms of the actual quality of what I've seen in the shops here. (UK or Europe!) Fender (and some Squier ranges for that matter) are way higher up that list in terms of consistency.

Among the great ones Gibson do also put out A LOT OF really duff guitars. Seriously, I've seen 6 month old Gibson solid bodies with corkscrewing necks which would be unplayable in another 6. And plenty of new Custom Shop ones with desert dry rosewood boards which would easily be put to shame by any new Danelectro I've ever seen.

I do find this very sad, but it is my honest experience.

My experiences of Epiphone over the years has general been 'a lot less varied' shall we say...


Andy.

[bclaire]

1994 Epiphone Casino, made in the Peerless factory in Korea. I had it re-fretted and put in some Lollars. It's the cheapest guitar I own and on a par with the best.

And the great thing about Casinos is the headstock is actually correct!

I think some Korean Epis are up there with the best of Fender Japan.

Ade

Beautiful Casino! I'd love one like that... or maybe a faded sunburst!

[mesa/boogieman]

Personally, I think Gibson should have gone with the Fender business model and put out the import Les Pauls as Gibsons. We all can tell the difference between MIM, MIJ, CIJ, and MIA Fenders so why not Gibsons? I think that business move is what made Epiphone to get a bad rep at times.

That said, my Epiphone Supernova is one amazing guitar! Well-made and beuatiful, it is a simply awesome sounding guitar! I added a Bigsby to it and it really opened it up even more!

I think they should have kept the name for actual Epiphone reissue models; used Gibson with an ID for country of origin for imports, and then maybe Orville like Squier, for the cheaper things.

Here's my Supernova:

I'm jealous!!! I've always wanted a Supernova! Noel Gallagher was a big influence for me when I first started out.

[Doctor Volume]

i have a 2002 epi les paul (honeyburst). it iwas my baby until my neck cracked. all my fault though. i was young and SRV used fat strings so... well you know. i put 500t and 496r in it. wish i could hear it through my TH100 .

[Doctor Volume]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLuBA66xc0c



if you are easily offended, i would skip over.



if not, it becomes profound at 1:21


imports aren't bad... just sayin.