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sotob
I got a Epi-339 from earlier this year new. Reason for it is mainly Chuck Berry played a 335. A 339's body is a little smaller. Overall the guitar just rocks and was $2,000 cheaper!! I love playing Chuck and Stones "Chucks" songs on it!!
Enjoy your new guitar!
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Spud
Epi variants of traditional Gibson models are generally very good value for money these days...and some of the recent reissues of original Epi designs are especially impressive.
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Spud
Epi variants of traditional Gibson models are generally very good value for money these days...and some of the recent reissues of original Epi designs are especially impressive.
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schillid
Didn't Gibson own Epiphone at some point?
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schillid
Apparently Epiphone Hummingbird and Epiphone Masterbuilt Hummingbird are two different things!
I read a comment on Amazon that the Masterbuilt (USD $849) is all solid wood, and the Epiphone Hummingbird (USD $449) is laminate.
Cannot verify this myself
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TheflyingDutchman
Epiphone in general make good guitars, but if you want the jackpot, you have to pay.
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Big AlQuote
schillid
Didn't Gibson own Epiphone at some point?
They still do.
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SpudQuote
Big AlQuote
schillid
Didn't Gibson own Epiphone at some point?
They still do.
Gibson first acquired Epi around 1957 and some iconic designs sprung from the following cross pollination.
Since most Epi production moved "offshore" from the 1980s . Epi has become in some respects a Gibson "budget " line...a bit like Squire has been to fender.
This is quite ironic in a way because when Gibson took over Epi in the late 50's, the Epi versions of many essentially similar designs were pitched as the higher priced premium models.
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Sighunt
As a long time on and off guitar player (I would rate myself as a solid intermediate, sometimes bordering on advanced player lol), my experience with Epiphone guitars has been very positive. I have talked to enough knowledgeable guitar players and techs who have told me that the quality and reputation of many of the Epiphones has improved significantly. I myself (at least currently being semi-retired) could not afford a $3000.00 plus Gibson guitar (eg Gibson 335 or 355). Several years ago I purchased a black Epiphone Sheraton for something like $800.00. I swapped out the original pick-ups for Gibson '57 classics and this thing basically sounds great and plays itself. Plus it looks pretty damned good! Several friends of mine who play our regularly all seem to have Epiphones and what they typically do is swap out some of the hardware for more upgraded parts and then they have an Epiphone that really plays like a Gibson! I think Epiphones are certainly a good buy if you don't want to fork over 3 bills for a really high end guitar.
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Big AlQuote
Sighunt
As a long time on and off guitar player (I would rate myself as a solid intermediate, sometimes bordering on advanced player lol), my experience with Epiphone guitars has been very positive. I have talked to enough knowledgeable guitar players and techs who have told me that the quality and reputation of many of the Epiphones has improved significantly. I myself (at least currently being semi-retired) could not afford a $3000.00 plus Gibson guitar (eg Gibson 335 or 355). Several years ago I purchased a black Epiphone Sheraton for something like $800.00. I swapped out the original pick-ups for Gibson '57 classics and this thing basically sounds great and plays itself. Plus it looks pretty damned good! Several friends of mine who play our regularly all seem to have Epiphones and what they typically do is swap out some of the hardware for more upgraded parts and then they have an Epiphone that really plays like a Gibson! I think Epiphones are certainly a good buy if you don't want to fork over 3 bills for a really high end guitar.
Great post, Sighunt.
It's pleasing to read there are other Epiphone fans amongst us. Whilst - very briefly! - considering a new electric, I did watch a few video demonstrations of the Sheritan II Pro.
Anyway, I understand my 'Inspired by Gibson' Hummingbird has arrived. Now, if only the next two hours at work would fly by!
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Big Al
Well, as I mentioned in my previous post, the guitar has arrived. First impressions: wow. Honestly, I do not feel I have held, or strummed a guitar of quite such quality. I used to own a Mexican, 50’s-reisue Fender Stratocaster, but this instrument feels nicer. It resonates with quality and craftmanship. I do wonder how many ‘experts’ could be hoodwinked into thinking it is a genuine Gibson U.S.A. model. It almost seems as if it is only the Epiphone etching that makes the difference. Okay, so I am exaggerating, of course! After all, this ‘Inspired by Gibson’ retails at around £750, whilst the ‘cheapest’ Gibson model is priced somewhere in the region of £2000+; and yet, that’s what’s so flipping marvellous about this current, ‘deluxe’ Epiphone line: they’ve done such an incredible job in creating a range of instruments that get even remotely close to the Gibson originals; and let’s be real, here: £750 isn’t the price of a ‘beginners guitar’ This is a momentous upgrade from my old Yamaha.