No knock on Epiphone as they build a decent product, but man... the amount of Indonesian build guitars you can buy from 800-1000 with better fit and finish kills me that anyone would shell out 1300 for an Epiphone.

Personally I like the new/old Epi headstock much better than the Gibson headstock. For both looks and tuning. I also prefer poly over nitro any day.

Why I buy used. Wait a few minutes while someone else pays retail they'll get bored and you can pick them up for cheap🤘🏼

@autodidacticprofessor869

2 ай бұрын

Yeah but you still won't get a Gibson with binding, premium pickups and all those specs for $1500 unless it has a headstock repair and issues. I own a "low end" Gibson and after I did fretwork on it and replaced the crappy Dirty Fingers pickups, then it was decent but it still isn't as good as my Epiphone 1959 Les Paul.

@jamesmarkham7489

2 ай бұрын

I already see these new ones going for hundreds under retail on people doing exactly what you said.

Gotta say, I prefer Epihone’s headstock. The current "kalamazoo" one, not the gravestone-looking one of a few years ago. I prefer the kalamazoo to the Gibson one.

@mikew42906

2 ай бұрын

Yeah, I'm with you on this one. The Kalamazoo headstock is more substantial than the Gibson and goes back to a time when Epiphone was known for US craftmanship.

@JuanJaim

2 ай бұрын

I'm with you. I don't mind the "clipped ears" one, but the Kalamazoo is prettier in my view, feels to me like it's its own thing.

@user-bb7te4yo3y

2 ай бұрын

The Gibson is way better, more aggressive, substantial, edgy , in every aspect better. Kalamazoo makes the guitar look smaller or like a toy. At least in electric guitars

@matthewtyler-jones8317

2 ай бұрын

@@user-bb7te4yo3y I respectfully disagree. I call the Gibson one a paddle. The kalamazoo is elegant in comparison. But that’s ok different people are aloud to like different things.

@user-bb7te4yo3y

2 ай бұрын

@@matthewtyler-jones8317 exactly, an elegant headstock might fit better in a blues band but the paddle would be the way to go with metalcore etc

Hey man. Here's my take on Epiphone's open book headstock. I have 9 Les Pauls, 4 Gibson, 5 Epi. I just pre-ordered the "new" Epi '59 in Iced Tea. Why? Because I like the Iced Tea finish. I'm going to make a Jimmy Page #1 clone with it. Back to the headstock... Epihone has a few models, the Lazarus, Greeny, etc.... which are $1500 normally and MAYBE you can catch them on sale at GC for around $1300. The old Epi 59's typically resale for $999, now on sale for $799. These new Epi's with the open book headstock ALSO have a single-piece solid neck, mother of pearl inlays, Gibson Custombuckers, AND Gibson pickup rings. Yes, the price jumps $300, but the Custombuckers themselves are a $200 cost increase. That along with the solid one-piece neck make this a no-brainer to buy. They're still priced lower than celebrity models (which are only vaguely similar to the originals), and way less than HALF THE PRICE of a real Gibson Standard. People are pitching about the price because it's an Epiphone, but the quality and specs are way above that of even recent Epi Les Pauls. For the money you CANNOT beat this guitar. One more thing, and I hate to break it to some of these anti-china guys... but many parts on real Gibson guitars are also made in China. Almost every plastic part and some hardware are all made in China. The main construction, woodworking, and assembly are all done in USA, bit there ARE many chinese parts on USA Gibsons!!!

the early 2020's epiphones will always be remembered!

Other companies have been charging premium prices for east asian imports for years, so it shouldn't come as a shock. Lakland basses has an Indonesian made model for $1800. It's probably a bit overpriced but also probably quality in range of the american models at less than half the price.

I have always wished there were better epiphones than the $500-$700 ones. I know that a $600 guitar might be good but I also know not to expect too much. These are PERFECTLY in my wheelhouse of really really good guitars at a price point that won't take up all of my "salary cap". I am loving all four of mine...especially the 355. Just an outstanding opportunity for people to get very close to a $3000 + Gibson....and having owned a few, maybe better!

@user-wl1gg4re6s

2 ай бұрын

Not close to 3000 plus one … its the 7000 plus one! Cz 355 got custombucker, which regular gibson 335 doesn’t

@gregperkins7723

2 ай бұрын

@@user-wl1gg4re6s so true...I have the latest epi les paul with custombuckers. Have been considering a Gibson 59 standard but it doesn't have burstbuckers and I fear I'll take a step BACK!!

I totally agree the shape makes a huge difference and I must have the new j200 and the 59 es 355 in red, I just need them. I know they are pricey bit I think in all your still getting a lot for the money!

Headstock is great on the new Epis but my experience with the neck profile and Custombuckers on my 355 has been insanely good. Such a rad axe, worth every penny!

I think a lot of people who complain are missing the point that the "outrageous" price increases are relating mostly to its "Inspired by Gibson" line. Or at least I hope the rest of their guitars don't get a significant increase. If we're being honest, Epiphone has raised the bar across the board when it comes to their guitars, and that's a win for us consumers no matter what. When it comes to headstocks I've never been too bothered, not even by the 'clipped ears' one, and I really like the Kalamazoo, it just looks more unique to me. Whatever the criticism, I think Epiphone will kill it with these new guitars and more will come.

I don't buy a guitar based on the headstock. If I didn't think headless guitars were hideous, that's what I'd buy. As a customer it tells me the brand name & then I consider what I've heard about the build quality & QC regarding that company. As a listener/music fan, it's nice to know what is being used but in the end I don't care unless I don't like the sound. As a consumer I'm not thinking about re-sale value as I'm making a purchase.

From the company that refers to customers as "marks".

@ryanfulldark2775

2 ай бұрын

New to capitalism eh? 😂

I hope they don’t change the headstock for the Casino, Sheraton or Rivera. Those should stay classic

I have a few Epiphones from 2020-23. I don't mind the headstock at all. The newest Gibson style is an added bonus with the upgraded electronics for interested buyers willing to fork out the cash. Either way, I'm as much an Epi lover as Gibson and Fender. My '94 Mexican Strat is an excellent guitar on it's own with no upgrades. I'm it's original owner and it could use new frets lol

I hope they release a 60's Les Paul with the open-book headstock.

I’m pretty sure all but the Les Paul customs get the custom buckers , the custom gets the same as Gibson custom. I think 490t , 497t ?? Love these new Epiphones. I really want the Les Paul custom alpine white.

Epiphone is 150 years old and Gibson big brother and the reason why the Gibson solid body guitar even exists today thats right les Paul and Epiphone its who and where it all started

I don't think many, if any, people complained about Fender making guitars in Mexico in the 90s. Firstly there was no Internet for stupid opinions to be heard and secondly, everyone was used to seeing non-US made Fenders from Japan so it was no big deal. Production was just shifted from one country to another so it was pretty much business as usual. Japanese made Fenders were very common in the 80s and 90s.

I don’t like the Gibson headstock on the Epiphone. Maybe in time I’ll warm up to it.

And i suggest you also research laural and Pau Ferro Woods they are used on very expensive instruments

and...I would rate these waaaaaaaay better than MIM Fenders.

I still wouldn’t pay 1300 for an Epiphone because for me, they major flaw comes not from the electronics, but the fretwork, I tried an Epiphone greeny the other day and I LOVED the tones I was getting, but the fret job was just terrible, and it’s something that affects playability directly, I will say… I still want one of the new Customs since I work at a music store and I get a discount (LOL), but I wouldn’t pay retail price for a guitar where I need to get home a finish the job myself

That Gibson put their custom pickups in the new Epiphone releases just shows how ridiculously overpriced those pickups are, no matter how good they sound.

I like the Kalamazoo. I like the upgraded parts a lot too. The price increases don't bother me much. That's what happens when you improve stuff. But, yeah...folks will bitch no matter what.

The headstock on the new Epiphone ‘59 isn’t as cool as all the US/Gibson parts and accessories. The set of Custombuckers alone are $500! USD before taxes. The guitar sounds amazing.

It's nuts, AND it will be a huge success for them. Oh well, none of this stuff is supposed to make sense... ;)

lol… you’ve got GAS 😂. Jokes aside, these new Epiphones will sell fast. They will sound great and do a great job. Personally, I think the custombuckers are way overpriced. Ha, £500 for a set of machine made pickups that probably cost no more to make than a set of epi probuckers. Hmmm 🤔 I say, play more and GAS less 😅

$1,300 is too much for a Chinese-made Epiphone based on the labor costs. For comparison, most Mexican-made Fenders are cheaper, with the exception of some of the signature guitars like the Mike McReady, and Mexican labor costs are higher. Plus, the Fenders also often use U.S. parts, are back to using rosewood boards, and are Fender-branded. Like you, I actually don’t care that Epi is using poly because Les Paul Standards don’t make good relic’d guitars because the gracefulness of their design goes best with maintaining a flawless finish unlike the rugged beauty of well-worn Strat or Tele. So poly on an LP standard works better for me. But this is where Epi messed up again by using a matte instead of a gloss finish. What’s the point of using poly if not to make the finish immaculate and hard-wearing? Instead they landed in no-man’s land with a dull Hershey-bar finish that neither looks weathered and authentically relic’d nor shiny and fabulously new.

Epiphone are only using the open book style headstock on the top custom shop models all other cheaper Epiphone models will keep the Kalamazoo headstock.

Wonder what Gibson will do for its budget range now Epiphone is the new mid range price point?

@danpalmer4820

2 ай бұрын

Gibson won't have a budget range anymore. Epiphone will be their +$1,000 budget range.

@DerComputerist

2 ай бұрын

New brand, maybe? 🤔

@JohnLloydDavis

2 ай бұрын

@@DerComputerist That's what I thought too

@danpalmer4820

2 ай бұрын

@JohnLloydDavis Epiphones will mostly range from $150 to $1,500. Gibson prices will start at $1,500. No need to create another brand.

interesting take. Do you think that these 'inspired by gibson' models are just trying to sucker people in to pay a higher premium? Im sure it comes a point where people will just look at the price and think of just going to Gibson?

@MysterD515

2 ай бұрын

I'm looking into a Gibson Les Paul Tribute.

@jimyounger9490

2 ай бұрын

Heck no , you get a lot for your money. All the genuine Gibson upgrades and an awesome hard shell case !!

The thing is that the "rosewood" that imports use is not a true rosewood , just like the mahogany is not a true mahogany . So the whole Laurel is a deal breaker is just BS

@DerComputerist

2 ай бұрын

Source for the mahogany not being “true“?

People need to listen better. Epiphone has already explained all of this. The Kalamazoo headstock isn't going anywhere. Only the top tier customshop collaborations will have the Gibson headstock. In fact, this past week Epiphone announced the release of some more affordable models that are all under $1000. Word of caution to all the dummies who think a 1 piece mahogany neck is "better" somehow? Theres been issues with ALL of them breaking at an alarming rate. Don't be fooled by a 1 piece mahogany neck construction being touted as a premium spec. Its a ticking time bomb, thats being held together by paint and a thick poly clearcoat. One litte bump, and blamo! You have firewood in your hands! Many examples are breaking during shipping too.

@BlueberryStinkFinger62

2 ай бұрын

All the inspired by is top tear not just these goofy Gibson headstock epiphones the customs.. modern figured and up all high end Epiphones..

@andrewbecker3700

2 ай бұрын

@@BlueberryStinkFinger62 O.K. I'm not gonna argue with you about what you think is "top tier". I've had 9 Epiphones since 2019. The whole point is that they're trying to establish 3 separate ranges. Standard production models, Inspired by Gibson, And now finally the Customshop collaborations and Signature models. You just aren't getting it. I've had and have them all. Four 59's, two AJ sigs. But I'm not dumb enough to buy a 1 piece mahogany construction neck. They've built them from 5 pieces with a scarf joint for a reason.

Headstocks are just marketing bullshit, its what it sounds and plays like that matters. Why 400 plus more for a different headstock shape and different pickups with probably minimal tonal difference over the current 59 epiphone

@jmdyt3626

2 ай бұрын

Well it’s not marketing bullshit because no one thinks a different headstock makes the guitar sound different

@michellewilson8845

2 ай бұрын

@@jmdyt3626 No one? you sure about that. From playing for 60 years and listening to guitar players talk anything is on the table with guitar myths

@jmdyt3626

2 ай бұрын

@@michellewilson8845 well I’ve never heard anyone say anything about headstocks changing the sound, I’ve heard people say they want the Gibson headstock but never heard about anyone saying anything about sound

@michellewilson8845

2 ай бұрын

@@jmdyt3626 ive been around this scene a long time and heard it all

@anthonycraig1458

2 ай бұрын

The whole headstock shape issue is a bit pointless. Whatever shape it is, it'll never be a Gibson. The truss rod cover on Epiphones isn't the same as a Gibson so I can't help but wonder if that'll be the next thing they'll change on an Epiphone to make them look closer to a Gibson. Next bit of marketing to come.

It's the poly finish that irks me

@gameroftheyear1000

2 ай бұрын

I agree, at that price point, nitro would of been better.

@postoffice146

2 ай бұрын

@@gameroftheyear1000 I don't see why a low quality finish would be better than poly.

@gameroftheyear1000

2 ай бұрын

@@postoffice146 I agree poly is the better in terms of paint security but let’s be honest, you’re paying for the Gibson specs when you buy one of these, otherwise the Kalamazoo headstock models will suit you just fine otherwise. Buying one of these, with Gibson specs, it should be nitro finish. I’m somehow sure they’ll make it so after some initial feedback from the crowd. Same thing when the Kalamazoo headstock models hit, they had some initial feedback from the crowd and made modifications very soon after which still are in run today. The size of the diamond on the headstock was the big one I remember they changed super quick. All in all this is pretty much an import Gibson, or the revival of Orville is what I call it but I digress. Also I know it’s a polarizing opinion but I love the way nitro checks and cracks over the years and how it turns white finishes different shades of yellow. Nitro checking is all unique because it’s all a product of the environments they’ve been in. Down to UV damage and how your hand sweat and rubbing on the guitar body wears the finish down over time, almost like a time capsule in a way. But again it’s a polarizing opinion.

@postoffice146

2 ай бұрын

@@gameroftheyear1000 That's ok, if you like to see UV and sweat damage, but I wish Gibson would offer poly finish to customers who prefer a better finish.

@gameroftheyear1000

2 ай бұрын

@@postoffice146 very fair point, they should make a mix of both, especially in the modern era where polys are common as dirt. My dad is actually one of those people who wishes his Gibson was poly because he hates the way nitro breaks down and ages.

Why pay that much for a brand new epiphone when you can get a used Gibson real deal made in America

@carlosgarciaruiz1102

2 ай бұрын

Because made in usa means nothing

@NoNameNo.5

2 ай бұрын

@@carlosgarciaruiz1102 if it meant nothing, it wouldn’t be on there

@carlosgarciaruiz1102

2 ай бұрын

@@NoNameNo.5 it says made in china on epiphones so what is your point?

@NoNameNo.5

2 ай бұрын

@@carlosgarciaruiz1102 my point was in my original comment, since there is a market for both, I don’t understand what your point is? And when you say something…means nothing….idk who you’re speaking about?

@carlosgarciaruiz1102

2 ай бұрын

@@NoNameNo.5 if both are made of the same materials with same electronics what does it matter if it's made in USA or china?

I don't know why, they're still not a gibson.

They will sell like hot cakes. Just my humble opinion, though.

About time… The Epiphone headstock is terrible

What I don’t understand is why you would pay this kind of money for something that’s not a Gibson? Like, if you’re buying an Epiphone you clearly want a Gibson, so if you’ve got the best part of £1500 to spend, why not just either save up a little bit more or stretch the credit card and get the guitar you really want? Sorry, I don’t get it. I’m not a fan of Gibsons or Epiphones anyway, had a shitty cheap Epiphone Les Paul custom back in the early 2000s and sold it after literally a couple of months, it was unplayable, I’d never buy from them again

@therightisright8276

2 ай бұрын

Playability is all about setup, strings and good parts. I have PRS, Epis, Danelectro, Xavier, Henry L. Mason and even a old Harmony Bobcat but setup is key. I do agree not to spend that much for a licensed Chibson with no resale value vs a Gibson that has it though.

@WillyMcCoy50

2 ай бұрын

It's okeh to be shallow.

"People complain about anything" *complains that the old headstock makes the guitar look "cheap"* Yikes.

Don't expect resale value why? Because thats not epiphones Kalamazoo headstock its not epiphone original Kalamazoo headstock design..the epiphones Customs.. modern figured and up with the Kalamazoo headstock will have great resale value this isn't up for any discussion... also the epiphone pro buckers pick ups are highly acclaimed and made the same exact same way as the Gibson burst buckers with the same exact materials..do any of you content creators research first before you say anything?

@linkhatchet

2 ай бұрын

They don't because they're fucking stupid.

@user-bb7te4yo3y

2 ай бұрын

So the Matt Heafy signature ones and other Epiphones with the older crappy epiphone headstock got a resale value cause of?

@FrankBuyers...guitarista-iu3zg

2 ай бұрын

@@user-bb7te4yo3y older crappy Epiphones? Nothing crap about them from 2019/2020 and thats right no proper Kalamazoo headstock no real resale value plain and simple and these crappy ones you call them their resale value will become later on fantastic

@buzzcrushtrendkill

2 ай бұрын

Gibsons have high resale solely because "Gibson" is on the headstock. Epiphone will never be regarded as highly by collectors.

@user-bb7te4yo3y

2 ай бұрын

@@FrankBuyers...guitarista-iu3zg did you even read what I said? “Older crappy epiphone HEADSTOCKS”

"too many guitars" 😄 wait until you become a pedal junkie.

This is a thing? Really? SMFH

1300 dollars+ Epiphone . . .nah

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