I honestly don't care that much about Epiphone guitars themselves. It's more that it seems to me that they are pushing Epiphone into the lower end of the Gibson spectrum, consequently pushing the Gibson line exclusively into very-high end and collector range. Gibsons are what my influences have used, and its been ingraned into me to the point of feeling extra inspired to pick up the guitar and play because of what it is. I know it sounds, dumb but it is what it is. If Gibson are going to pull the move of making Gibsons so unaffordable that the Epis are the new Gibson strandards, then I might just start looking at entirely different guitars.

I’m super glad I got my Epiphone LP Classic, when I did. It’s a 2020 inspired by Gibson, for under $800 Canadian.

Just a quick pedantic economics lesson. No countries currency is increasing in value. Things are increasing in price not value. Two different things. Price is what you pay, value is what you get.

Just my 2 cents: Just to preface, I have owned 11 guitars, all could be considered "low end" or "budget." All Epiphones, squires, Ibanez, jackson, things like that. In 2020 I bought an $800 Epiphone Les Paul 60's standard. I was very worried spending that much on an Epiphone. I can now confidently say, I think that guitar is very good for the money. I love playing it, good electronics, good hardware, stays in tine, looks awesome. Even though Epiphone is still considered to be "entry level," they do make a very good guitar for the money. I'm curious to see what the new model has to offer.

I would tend to agree. I think the guitar market is now composed of four distinct parts. The boutique builders who can persuade people that an electric guitar is worth $4000. The 'brand' builders who can add $500-1000 to the price because of what is on the headstock (Fender, Gibson, PRS). The 'budget brands' which will be bought by people who are attracted to the big brand shapes and styles (Squier, Epiphone). And the top quality guitars that pass under most people's radar because they are not super expensive and don't have the brand marketing that other guitars do (I would put here Kiesel, Cort, Fernandes). I like guitars in the last category A LOT but all it takes is for a 'name' player to be seen with one of their models to totally screw the second hand market on those models. Epiphone WAS a real high value brand before it became the Gibson 'budget' line, and it would make a lot of sense in terms of Gibson's traditional history-centric focus to edge Epiphone back towards becoming a proper 'brand' in its own right again (with related price hikes and more income from individual sales).

My first electric was an '86 Japanese Epiphone Wilshire II, still have that guitar, and it's awesome. I have the Gibson Adam Jones LP standard, and it is a sweet, sweet guitar. However, I have been very tempted by the Epiphone Les Pauls and their ES-335s. I think above 1K, it's definitely diminishing return on your money, but you do get more, just at more cost. If it starts to go above 1500, I'd just spring for the Gibson. But if I could get something virtually indistinguishable or just as good at just over 1K or lower, yeah, very tempted.

I love your style of industry news! Definitely gonna follow

When I sold guitars I always pitched Epiphone and Gibson like this. Epiphones are for beginners, gigging musicians, in people who like to mod their gear. Gibson's are for people who 1. Enjoy Nitro Finishes and appreciate real wood tops and the small nitpicky woodworker things. 2. Want a made in the USA stamp on their head stock, alongside the warranty and experience of owning a Gibson, for example when I got my blueberry burst, just looking through the case candy and at the warranty card was exciting for someone who's never had a new guitar over $1,200. 3. The higher end Gibson's are for people who think of guitars as investments more so than "toys" to be played. While I see how people think Epiphone are crazy for making these more expensive guitars, I look at the custom shop greenie, and then I look at the Epiphone greenie, and I could easily see why someone would pay a 20th of the price for an import version that essentially looks, and "sounds" the same. Dean is a perfect example of this with the dean from hell, they had the custom USA relic, they had the USA, then two tiers of import. And they literally rebuilt their brand off of that guitar design, even now with the Dimebag estate and Dean being separated, they're still trying to put out look-alikes. These $1500.00 are "entry-level dream pieces" whereas those of us who have been around the block for a while and had a few nicer guitars, we probably desire something a little bit more exotic, AKA expensive

Nah, man. Gibson's price is justified by select woods (1-piece body with full depth flame top, no veneers), nitro finish (which is pain in the A to apply properly), brand name (which warrants decent resale value) and sometimes real MoP inlays. You can argue that all this doesn't really affect tone, but it certainly adds value. Without all this I can hardly justify ANY similar guitar priced over $1000. Some options like real Floyd Rose, or built-in preamp, or neck-trough can push it to 1500. But I just can't see why basic LP-style guitar can cost more than $1000. And yes, with modern cnc and some decent QC staff you can pump out great playing instruments with no problem even under $300. And then we have China politics, which I don't want to support in any way.

I agree. I think they should lower the price on it but I’m actually happy now that they’re using the open book head stock because that is the one thing I’ve been begging them to put on the Epiphones

I just picked up the epiphone wino jery cantrell beautiful guitar well made and not just a regular custom, got it used for 480.00 its a 2023 guitar ,seems like the used epiphone market has some really good deals,

Totally agree. Nice commentary

I bought a Firefly Les Paul style guitar. I changed the pickups to a set of Wilkinson PAF style pickups and what a huge difference that made. I like the pickups that came with my Epiphone Les Paul Traditional Pro, after changing the pickups in the Firefly I absolutely prefer it to the Epiphone. That’s an important point though. I didn’t have to change the pickups on the Epiphone to appreciate the sound.

I think you are correct sir!

I recently bought the new Epi Korina V. Initially I was a bit hesitant but it’s a hell of a good guitar. It was $1200 but has a full korina body ( not just veneer as the previous versions) and partial Gibson hardware and totally worth the money.

@michaelheller8841

4 ай бұрын

I think the V and Explorer by Epi are some of the best feeling and playing guitars they make if not the best IMO. The korina feels top notch and the necks are smooth and fast. I almost walked out with an Explorer But I went with a Gibson '61 SG instead. But I know for a fact you have a great guitar.

I played an Epiphone Dot and Gibson ES-335 on a visit and preferred the feel of the Dot. Pickups would need to be changed though.

I draw similar conclusions to yours. I played an Epiphone Les Paul Custom a few nights ago and short of the aesthetic, it felt significantly cheaper than its Gibson and Japanese counterparts. Perhaps it was a little older, I’m not entirely sure. What I find is that each of the Epiphone guitars are individuals. I played their 60’s Les Paul Standard last year and was beyond impressed for the price. Like you suggest, I would maybe through Seymour Duncan pickups in it, but it really was a great price for a guitar I found no real flaws with. I remember playing an Epiphone Sheraton II Pro last year and I loved it. Last week, I played one at the same shop and felt like I just couldn’t bond with it. Ironically, I played a $375.00 used Epiphone Dot while testing an amp and I wasn’t expecting much from the guitar. I had to have the Dot (especially at that price). I’ll almost definitely change the pickups and I’m not in love with its triple black appearance, but for $375.00, I have a guitar that I haven’t been able to put down for long. Conversely, there aren’t any Squiers that have impressed me. I’m a huge Fender fan, but I recently got back from a trip to California and I was playing new Fender Telecasters that were $2,500.00+ and all I found myself saying was “They want 2500 for this?…This is a perfect $1,000.00 guitar!” I actually can’t wait for those Gibson Les Paul Modern Lite guitars to show up on the used market. Those really impressed me.

@dannyturner7967

4 ай бұрын

Not for 1400 though lp modern

I have always said epiphone is a top contender, i have a2004 flame top, and a2011 limited edition custom shop. QC is excellent well built guitars and sound amazing. I depend on the 500-700 dollar range, average Joe's have to be able to afford these. Just because we're not pros alot of us take it seriously it's s passion. They have to keep Joe avarage the family guy in mind for affordable guitars we are the masses

I say Gibson should bring back the Orville brand for the mid-tier stuff

@dk70

4 ай бұрын

Agreed. I know its petty, but the name itself, pronounciation and look on the headstock kind of ruins it for me. Just make Orville by Gibson and I think they could boost their sales by quite a lot.

@fermisparadox01

4 ай бұрын

I love the Orville's. The thing is, though, they were made in Japan. The quality is excellent. To make it now would be expensive .

@adriankurt1872

4 ай бұрын

They could even make them in Japan for 1.5k that should be expected !! I mean FGN guitars (Fujigen) builds immaculate Les paul clones for 1-2k. But that would probably hurt them since Japanese craftsmanship is superior to usa's craftmanship.

Youre absolutely correct, its about profit by raising prices on Epiphone guitars. I for one would definately buy a lower priced Gibson for the fact of the headstock and Im sure the quality of those guitars will be good.

I've got the 59 Les Paul model and it's pretty awesome. The only things I upgraded were the bridge/tail piece and few plastic parts and real Klusons. Aside from that, it was killer out of the box. I would say the flagship/upper end of Epiphone has surpassed the low end of US-made Gibsons. Better fretwork, better QC and when they US pickups, the sound is basically the same.

If it's set up correctly and pretty close.. it doesn't matter what you play it's how you play.. with feeling and some soul.. let's face it.. it's in the hands really.. I toured for years.. used most of them... Signature guitars and rare models are good for investment and collecting... So if you can afford a Gibson great.. but most squires, samicks, etc... can be very inspiring.. play on

Epiphone were originally on a par with Gibson in the 50's and 60's and made in the USA at Kalamazoo like Gibson, but slightly cheaper to buy.

Who's the best value at the moment for ST style guitar do you reckon, Sire?

@Randolphguitars

4 ай бұрын

Sire or Squier Classic Vibe for sure

You are right.. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Epiphone producing premium quality lines of guitars..If people don't like that then they should stick to the lower end models and stop complaining..

I think they need to be careful though, a lot of people are buying with they’re wallets, and not with the name on the headstock.

I just want chinese guitar to keep getting better so I don't have to drop the whole load on a Shecter Hellraiser C-7 FR (s). It's a guitar that doesn't even hold it's value, because it costs HALF to do it. I send it to multiple chinese stores if they could do a replica and they only say the pickups or the bridge will be bad, so if you actually just buy a body and pickups and a bridge, put them together and save a hundred bucks, maybe even get a second one with more strings or for other kind of bridge, who knows. I was planning on even writing to one of these Chinese Companies to make 3 Custom Guitars and brand them with my own brand lol.

@diegolatorre6793

4 ай бұрын

By the way I have a guitar with IRANIAN wood, from an ARGENTINIAN company, and I still keep the body because the wood and fretboard are so wild i'd tell fender to take one in the rear.

Gibsons were always expensive even back in the day. I don't know why so many people crap on this, it makes no sense. In 1959 the Gibson Les Paul is now considered the Holy Grail guitar today. Anyone from 1957-1960 were the cream of the crop and you would be damn lucky to own an original. Keep in mind the 1959 Gibson Les Paul sold for $450 with the case. In 1959 that was considered a lot of money. The company Epiphone was making jazz boxes and archtops for professional musicians and they were even more expensive than a Gibson in the early and mid 50's. Gibson bought them out so they didn't want to make Epiphones better than Gibson. Epiphone had really become Gibson's stepchild. Fast forward to 2020 Gibson/Epiphone had been making better guitars than in the past many years. Gibson will no longer make $1299 models USA. It all starts at $1500 and up from there. Epiphone will still have a more affordable line but will also have signature models that have been selling very well. They also will be making models at $1000 and signature ones with Gibson headstocks and better electronics for $1500. Gibson/Epiphone is not the only company that is doing this. Fender is doing this as well as PRS and many others. At the end of the day pick up whatever guitar you want, and play it, if you don't like it put it back on the rack. It's not that complicated. If you love it, take it home with you. There is no right or wrong in doing that.

Great! Now I soon won't even be able to afford an Epiphone. These companies have lost touch with reality.

@markwilliamsmusic2987

4 ай бұрын

You will be... only their premium ones will be over $1400 you can still buy the 50s or 60s at a good price for the guitar you get.

Interacting for metrics, thanks mate

I like my Epiphones. Seems like Americans could almost be building them at these most recent prices. We like to complain, but people keep shelling out the money. This allows them to just throw out a price to see if it will stick and then do damage control on our reaction. "Chinese wages are going up". Do you know what's skyrocketing by comparison? Gibson's profits! 😂

Epiphone is now going to make their base “affordable” models all the way up to very high end ($1500 ish) guitars. And Gibson will no longer make “less expensive” guitars just so you can buy a guitar with that name on it. Instead you spend up to $1500 and then after that if you want to spend more, you’ll be buying a Gibson.

Whose motorcycle is this, Its not a motorcycle baby its a chopper Whos chopper is this Zeds Whos zed Zeds dead baby zeds dead

No one would ever be able to convince me that any Epiphone is worth a cent over $1000. Chinese import quality, budget grand, no thanks. Fender player are still a leap above these

Make America Great Again

Buy PRS, much better quality

go pickup a Gibson Tribute Les Paul, then go pickup a Epiphone custom shop. Epiphone cost more, and yet feels significantly cheaper. they aren't bad, but they are not worth what they are charging. we are living in times where people are always tryin to convince others that squire, Harley Benton, Epiphone are way better. they aren't