Epiphone quality/price question

They are nice guitars, kinda pricy compared to direct competition indeed but nice nevertheless.

I like mine. Some of the cheaper ones are iffy, but once you get beyond that.....

I have an Epi LP standard, an Epi AJ1 acoustic, and my son has an Epi LP special. All nice guitars, and I don't have any problems with any of them. I also have the Epi Valve JR amp head, and it's awesome!

Dan

I have an Epiphone/Gibson accoustic and it seems to have nice sound though I don't really have a pool of experience to choose from. The action is a bit high but that's fairly typical on accoustics(right?). Is it correct that Gibson bought them some years back and they became more or less Gibson's B line?

Is it correct that Gibson bought them some years back and they became more or less Gibson's B line?

Yup.

Low end Epis are no better or worse than the low end from any other brand. But Epi is a high volume seller, and you're more likely to see them at a Guitar Center than a local mom and pop store.

Their MasterBilt acoustics are super. Wouldn't mind owning a Sheraton or Casino either.

Is it correct that Gibson bought them some years back and they became more or less Gibson's B line?

Yes, I believe so. I know that most Epis are not made in the USA (China, Japan...not sure) and that they are licensed to make copies of some Gibson guitars (e.g., Les Paul) at far lower prices. They also have their own models which are made in the U.S., I think. But I really haven't heard that any Epi is so bad that anyone would stop carrying them due to poor quality and high cost before this.

While my Allen Woody bass did have a slightly bent truss rod (which is obviously a problem), I'm really hoping that it was a fluke and that it's not just a poor design. Other interesting Epis are the B.B. King model (which Gibson also makes for lots more $$$!) and the Black Beauty Les Paul, just to name two.

Just curious as to your personal experiences with recent Epis.

Is it correct that Gibson bought them some years back and they became more or less Gibson's B line?

Yes, Gibson purchased Epiphone back in the 50's. They still make the older version Epi's, (Casino, Emperor), and mass produced Gibson models. My LP actually says "Gibson" on the truss rod cover.

Check out Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphone

Dan

Is it correct that Gibson bought them some years back and they became more or less Gibson's B line?

Yup.

:roll: :lol:

Boy, that clarifies things! :lol:

Dan

I have owned both an Epi and a Gibson LP Standard. I had an Epiphone Elitist LP (a high end Epi) and now own a Gibson LP Standard. The feel and design of both were just about identical. The only differences I could find were:

(1) the finish on the wood. I am no woodworking expert, so I can't tell you what was on each guitar and I can't even tell you that one finish was better - just diffeent.
(2) the pickups and electronics - Gibson has higher end stuff on theirs.
(3) Gibson has a slightly better hardware (bridge & tail piece, tuners, etc.)

Both are great guitars. I would buy an Epi again in a heartbeat. But, I would want to try it out first, just like any guitar. ALL makers sometimes put out a terribly made guitar - it happens. Lower end/mass produced makers tend to make a higher percentage that are not very good. Just be sure you don't buy that one! :wink:

I currently have 3 EPI's.

My first little jewel is a Cherry Red (quilted maybe??) LP Studio. It came with gold hardware and I'm just in love with it. I am actually playing it for my current GN Jams. It came from the internet in flawless condition. I haven't even had it setup yet. $400 USD brand new.

My second purchase was a Tommy Iommi SG. All black hardware on an all black body with crosses for inlays. Again, flawless and it too hasn't had a setup done to it. That one was $600 new.

My third purchase was What is labeled a Les Paul Custom even though it is an SG. It's an off white body color, with all gold hardware and 3 Duncan Designed pickups. Embarassingly, it was a visual purchase and not that expensive. $500. I have played it the most of the SG's and had it about 5 months less than the black one.

All 3 pass my analytical scrutiny in every way. All electronics work as expected. Nothing was loose or scratched or chipped. I, personally have had A1+ experience with all my EPI purchases.

I have pictures of them in the Swap thread. They are currently offered for sale.

I have an EPI LP Custom (Cherry Burst).
I LOVE this guitar. I agree with what's been said, the lower end Epi's aren't so good, but the higher end models, Elite's Customs are great for dollar/quality/bang for buck.

I have a Epi Dot, $250 used. Very nice guitar, Pickups are OK but I will spend $250 later on some good ones. The Gibson version is about $2000 so I think I will come out pretty good on this one :D --ken

Is it correct that Gibson bought them some years back and they became more or less Gibson's B line?

Yes, Gibson purchased Epiphone back in the 50's. They still make the older version Epi's, (Casino, Emperor), and mass produced Gibson models. My LP actually says "Gibson" on the truss rod cover.

Check out Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphone

Dan

The 50s! Sweet lord(to quote Jim Naydor), I thought they were their own company in the 80s when I was made aware of them. I suppose it's just more recent marketing(late 90s?) that they added Gibson in their badging. BTW, I have no idea what model my accoustic is but it was made in Korea. Are the Epi Standard Les Paul also Asian made? They're priced up against the MIM Fenders, would you say they're of comparable quality(of course different flavor though)?