EPIPHONE Guitars: The good, the bad and the not so ugly??

ZarK · 2010-07-07T11:56:39+00:00

In my quest for some decent budget guitars to be used for alternate tunings only, I have considered many. One brand that stuck in my mind over the years is E...

EPIPHONE Guitars: The good, the bad and the not so ugly??

Banditman

singemonkey wrote: Compare the Epiphone LPs to the Made in China Tokais before you buy. See for yourself which you prefer. And the MIC Tokais might even be cheaper - and their can hardly be an issue of headstock logos this time ?. I haven't played MIC Tokais myself, but owners seem extremely pleased with them - although again, many opt to swap out the pickups.

Not worth spending too much on pickups for a low end guitar though. No sense in buying a pair of Bare-Knuckle hand-wounds and sticking them in an Epiphone or MIC Tokai. ?

I've tried a few of the Tokai MIC 335s (which have the same internal electrics and PUPs as the other Traditionals) and was really impressed. As good as any Epi I've played and better than many. I don't think Lance is bringing in the Les Pauls (apart from the Special model) in that range, though. You could look at the SG or Firebird which will give you basically similar tone.

You can find some good Epis - one of the youngsters I know found a Korean '97 - made Goldtop with humbuckers (like a '57 LP), and it's a great guitar. I'd have snapped it up as a spare and not felt I'd wasted money.

I agree with Singe on overcapitalising on low end instruments. If you can find clean used Seymours or similar for a good price then go for it ubt rather keep the R3K in pocket towards a better instrument.

Tokai-SA

Banditman wrote:
singemonkey wrote: Compare the Epiphone LPs to the Made in China Tokais before you buy. See for yourself which you prefer. And the MIC Tokais might even be cheaper - and their can hardly be an issue of headstock logos this time ?. I haven't played MIC Tokais myself, but owners seem extremely pleased with them - although again, many opt to swap out the pickups.

Not worth spending too much on pickups for a low end guitar though. No sense in buying a pair of Bare-Knuckle hand-wounds and sticking them in an Epiphone or MIC Tokai. ?
I've tried a few of the Tokai MIC 335s (which have the same internal electrics and PUPs as the other Traditionals) and was really impressed. As good as any Epi I've played and better than many. I don't think Lance is bringing in the Les Pauls (apart from the Special model) in that range, though. You could look at the SG or Firebird which will give you basically similar tone.

You can find some good Epis - one of the youngsters I know found a Korean '97 - made Goldtop with humbuckers (like a '57 LP), and it's a great guitar. I'd have snapped it up as a spare and not felt I'd wasted money.

I agree with Singe on overcapitalising on low end instruments. If you can find clean used Seymours or similar for a good price then go for it ubt rather keep the R3K in pocket towards a better instrument.

I brought in the MIC Tokai SG's, Firebirds, 335's, Les Paul Specials, and Explorers.

ZarK

Tokai SA wrote:
Banditman wrote:
singemonkey wrote: Compare the Epiphone LPs to the Made in China Tokais before you buy. See for yourself which you prefer. And the MIC Tokais might even be cheaper - and their can hardly be an issue of headstock logos this time ?. I haven't played MIC Tokais myself, but owners seem extremely pleased with them - although again, many opt to swap out the pickups.

Not worth spending too much on pickups for a low end guitar though. No sense in buying a pair of Bare-Knuckle hand-wounds and sticking them in an Epiphone or MIC Tokai. ?
I've tried a few of the Tokai MIC 335s (which have the same internal electrics and PUPs as the other Traditionals) and was really impressed. As good as any Epi I've played and better than many. I don't think Lance is bringing in the Les Pauls (apart from the Special model) in that range, though. You could look at the SG or Firebird which will give you basically similar tone.

You can find some good Epis - one of the youngsters I know found a Korean '97 - made Goldtop with humbuckers (like a '57 LP), and it's a great guitar. I'd have snapped it up as a spare and not felt I'd wasted money.

I agree with Singe on overcapitalising on low end instruments. If you can find clean used Seymours or similar for a good price then go for it ubt rather keep the R3K in pocket towards a better instrument.

I brought in the MIC Tokai SG's, Firebirds, 335's, Les Paul Specials, and Explorers.

I'd love to know how much the Les Pauls, Sg and explorers go for compared to what Epis are going for. I might even prefer a Tokai over an Epi. Who knows?

killafo

Someone correct me if i'm wrong.....

(Based on Standard LP's second hand is the low price, new is the high price)

EPI = 4 - 5K
Tokai = 8 - 9.5k
Gibson = 15 - 20k

singemonkey

killafo wrote: Someone correct me if i'm wrong.....

(Based on Standard LP's second hand is the low price, new is the high price)

EPI = 4 - 5K
Tokai = 8 - 9.5k
Gibson = 15 - 20k

That doesn't look right at all. Epiphones typically go for the range you stated second hand. They're much more in the shops. I think someone quoted R8K - R9k?

On specials and after discount, you can get a made-in-Japan Tokai new for 9K - 10K. And there are good arguments that even those low-end MIJs are better than factory Gibsons. What are the new prices on an MIC Tokai vs. the new prices on an Epiphone Les Paul?

A Gibson Les Paul goes for that money second hand. The last time I saw a factory model new in the store (years ago) it was going for over R30K.

Second hand prices are different to new prices people.

ezietsman

just came from marshall cape town. they have new epiphone LPs for R5000.

prices on the mesa boogies are, however, much much higher ☹

ZarK

Those prices don't seem correct to me either. For 1. I can get an Epi SG 400 new for R3250 and an Epi LP new for R3750. Retail should be between R5k and R7k depending on model... This is for cash and after discount at my local store... Gibsons generally go for between R22k and R30k second hand in my experience.

DonovanB

ZarK wrote: I might even prefer a Tokai over an Epi. Who knows?

Play each one. Bear in mind the opinion on any forum is biased toward the guitar the person owns.
A Strat man will tell you a Les Paul is an abomination, Others swear by Ibanez while some want to gouge their eyes out at the thought of them. I absolutely love my Les Paul with EMG's in and others hate it.

I don't like the idea of copies. for me, if I wanted a single cut guitar with 2 humbuckers I would either go for an original or a variant on the theme like the Ibanez ART series, the PRS SE, or the LTD (like the James Hetfield Truckster)

It bodes well for discussions as well, every time someone mentions Gibson or Epiphone lately the discussion goes in one direction.

DonovanB

Something reminded me, I have owned some very horrible Epiphone's though.
you want to steer clear of the LP100, the Special or the Studio IMO.

I never fancied the quality of either of those and had all 3. The Customs are very good and feel like a real les paul if that makes any sense.

ZarK

Donovan Banks wrote: Something reminded me, I have owned some very horrible Epiphone's though.
you want to steer clear of the LP100, the Special or the Studio IMO.

I never fancied the quality of either of those and had all 3. The Customs are very good and feel like a real les paul if that makes any sense.

I am not biased towards any specific brand of guitar and I certainly shall try all the guitars before I decide which ones I'm going for. I know which guitar I’d buy if I could choose only one, but I would much prefer to have a variety to choose from for their own individual strong points and tone(s).

Back in the day I really wanted an Epi Les Paul, but ended up getting the real thing. Unfortunately the fit and finish on that guitar was just as bad as the tone was great! It cured my lust for Gibson's, though... After that experience I ended up being not particularly fond of Gibson as a brand taking price and therefore value-for-money in consideration more than anything else. The level of workmanship and the features some other manufacturers offer for the same price, puts Gibson to shame imo. I do love certain of their models' tone a hellovalot, however!

I've always seen Epi's as a stand alone brand rather than a knock off of Gibson. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe not? If I end up forking out the big $ for a Gibson Les Paul and/or Explorer, I'll probably go for a custom shop model to try and get the fit and finish that I expect all Gibsons should have, but don't imo... At this stage I think I'd be much happier with something like an Epi with decent pups. Maybe I'll look back a few years from now and say that was a great idea, maybe I look back and think I was misguided. Either way I love to get other guitarists' opinions. In the end I’ll purchase and test things myself to form a true opinion. If Gibson Les Paul standards cost between R10k to R14k, I wouldn’t have considered any other Les Paul even though they probably would still offer better fit and finish…

I'll check out the Epi LP Custom as well... Thanks!

Thanks for the input! Much appreciated.

vic

Donovan Banks wrote: Something reminded me, I have owned some very horrible Epiphone's though.
you want to steer clear of the LP100, the Special or the Studio IMO.

I never fancied the quality of either of those and had all 3. The Customs are very good and feel like a real les paul if that makes any sense.

Those are the MIC basswood models (with bolt-on necks ?) I think. No use upgrading these with real Gibson HB's.

ZarK

I'd definately want a set neck with mahogany body and neck on a Les Paul...

vic

ZarK wrote: I'd definately want a set neck with mahogany body and neck on a Les Paul...

Zark...hop down to Marshall Music (Zietsie says he has seen a few there) and check the Epis out. Also check for the specs of the materials used and if they are MIJ, MIC, MIK....etc and kindly let us know... ?

singemonkey

Donovan Banks wrote: It bodes well for discussions as well, every time someone mentions Gibson or Epiphone lately the discussion goes in one direction.

It wasn't until just then.

If Epi LP's are really going for R5K, that's very cheap. I've consistently seen them going second hand for that money. They've certainly been seen going for a lot more recently (way to much imo), so perhaps the second hand market was eating their sales. Now if only they'd bring all local guitars down to reasonable prices.

DonovanB

singemonkey wrote: If Epi LP's are really going for R5K, that's very cheap. I've consistently seen them going second hand for that money.

We also don't know which Epi is going for that price. It probably isn't the Custom.

ZarK

vic wrote:
ZarK wrote: I'd definately want a set neck with mahogany body and neck on a Les Paul...
Zark...hop down to Marshall Music (Singe says he has seen a few there) and check the Epis out. Also check for the specs of the materials used and if they are MIJ, MIC, MIK....etc and kindly let us know... ?

I shall do that asap! (Already spoke with them.)

killafo

Fair enough.

I have an EPI LP standard second hand....paid R4,500 for it, beautiful burst.
My '93 Gibson LP standard second hand picked that up for R14,500....yes it is original, made in USA with original case. So its not far fetched. Learn to bargain!!!
As far as the Tokai, went to Marshall Music here in Hillcrest LP standard was R9k. So prices may vary from where you live i guess.

MikeM

Yea anything more than R3500 for an epi with a case is too much IMO 2nd hand.

On the topic of good deals, I paid R1400 for my Epi that was in crappy nic, but it's actually a stunning guitar. No case though.

ZarK

singemonkey wrote:
Donovan Banks wrote: It bodes well for discussions as well, every time someone mentions Gibson or Epiphone lately the discussion goes in one direction.
It wasn't until just then.

If Epi LP's are really going for R5K, that's very cheap. I've consistently seen them going second hand for that money. They've certainly been seen going for a lot more recently (way to much imo), so perhaps the second hand market was eating their sales. Now if only they'd bring all local guitars down to reasonable prices.

?

A Gibson will always be a Gibson... No matter how long or clever the debate... You just have to decide if they are value-for-money to you. If you're buying a "copy" but really lust for the real thing, you'll probably never be satisfied untill you get the real thing, so you might as well start saving... I'll be happy with 90% of an authentic Les Paul's tone at 25-35% of their cost. -if thats at all possible. It would be epic if I could do that with a pimped epi! I should know soon enough... ?

killafo

Honestly a well build EPI with a set neck and a change of pick ups would get you more than half way there to a gibson, but like you say a Gibson is a Gibson and an Epi is an Epi. Good luck with your buy!!! Post picz or it didn't happen, ?