MIJ Epiphone Gold Top

[Eminor]

So I have a pretty good line on a gold top LP with the soapbar P90's, and I'm wondering if anybody here has one of these - MIJ Epi with the open book G----n headstock. Looks like a pretty sweet guitar. Anyone know what type of neck the MIJ Epis have?

The price is REALLY good and I'm wondering if maybe it's a lower-end model - is there such a thing with Epiphone Japan? Do they have differing model numbers like Greco, Burny etc?

Thanks for any help.

[timgman]

The MIJ (provided it's real) have the gibby headstock.. and are sought after.. if it's indeed real. (It most likely is if it looks like it well built and sounds good).
timg

[jkinnison90]

Do you have any pictures of the guitar?

[diceman]

Jump on it fast! MIJ Epis are fantastic guitars - all of them. The neck on my Elitist is a medium profile - between a 50's and 60's neck - I'm assuming that the other MIJ Epis (both are made at Fuji Gen) would be about the same in that respect.

Show us some pictures once you snag it - MIJ Epis are just some awesome axes.

[lifele55]

I don't have the picture of my MIJ but one thing for sure, I LOVE the neck on it... I'd say it has a fast neck for an LP.

Comparing the normal Epiphones, they are hella thin, not so rounded and fat. The normal Epiphone line will feel like a chunk of wood for a neck when you try the MIJ.

I can't compare it to any Gibby neck cause I've not tried one so I'm not able to give you a comparison to that.

[lifele55]

I tried to find one, but its almost impossible to find anything on the Epiphone Japan goldtops with P-90!

I bet she's a keeper. All I can find is the normal GT without the P-90s.

MIJ Goldtop

[Eminor]

Got a couple photos - it's from dealer in Japan and they had removed it from their site while I ponder - but they emailed me the images so I could drool over it some more and basically fall in love with it (smart move on their part).

*ahem* appears I had it wrong about the P90s, I was looking at a lot of guitars and probably mixed one up with another - no big deal however, as I actually like the chrome humbuckers better anyway.

Thanks for the responses guys - I do believe I'm gonna pull the trigger on this one.

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by Eminor

Got a couple photos - it's from dealer in Japan and they had removed it from their site while I ponder - but they emailed me the images so I could drool over it some more and basically fall in love with it (smart move on their part).

*ahem* appears I had it wrong about the P90s, I was looking at a lot of guitars and probably mixed one up with another - no big deal however, as I actually like the chrome humbuckers better anyway.

Thanks for the responses guys - I do believe I'm gonna pull the trigger on this one.

Ya looks great ,also if you want to you could always put phat cats in it , if after a p-90 type sound thing.

[Eggy]

Get it bought sharpish !!!!

If you think it's a good price then I would strongly advise you to go for it. These are getting more and more sought after yet harder and harder to find.

[Eminor]

Yeh I just sent them my info, they've been great about replying so I don't anticipate any issues. EMS is really fast so I may even have it by end of next week, depending on how long it's held up in customs.

Re: P90 sound, I've never had any so not really familiar with their particular sound. Is it more of "vintage" tone, sort of lower output, or??

Mostly I use a very high gain setting and want lots of sustain, so I prefer a pretty hot pickup, like the "HotCH"/"57CH" set that comes in Chinese Epis for instance - liked those p/u's so much I bought another set on eBay to put in some other guitar. Who knows, they may end up in this one.

[Eminor]

Hey Lifele55, I just noticed that link - also a very nice used piece.

However this one I just ordered comes in about ten bucks less than that one including shipping, which is an absolutely killer deal any way you slice it.

Pending examination of the actual item, the usual disassembly, bonding, etc, it looks like I may have gotten real lucky.

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by Eminor

Yeh I just sent them my info, they've been great about replying so I don't anticipate any issues. EMS is really fast so I may even have it by end of next week, depending on how long it's held up in customs.

Re: P90 sound, I've never had any so not really familiar with their particular sound. Is it more of "vintage" tone, sort of lower output, or??

Mostly I use a very high gain setting and want lots of sustain, so I prefer a pretty hot pickup, like the "HotCH"/"57CH" set that comes in Chinese Epis for instance - liked those p/u's so much I bought another set on eBay to put in some other guitar. Who knows, they may end up in this one.

P-90 sound what can I say , oh first welcome to the forum if I have not done so yet my fellow Canadian, I am at the other end in N.B. . P-90 think early (woodstock) Santana, Leslie West (Mississippi Queen) and a host for Southern Rock guys , as well as our own Neil Young, some of his guitars have P-90.Also the late great Canadian Kirt Winter (guess who) played Gibson P-90s from time to time.
John Forgerty uses a Gold Top with soap bar quite often.
Any how you probably will not need to change out the pups if you are a HB . But whatever .

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by Eminor

Hey Lifele55, I just noticed that link - also a very nice used piece.

However this one I just ordered comes in about ten bucks less than that one including shipping, which is an absolutely killer deal any way you slice it.

Pending examination of the actual item, the usual disassembly, bonding, etc, it looks like I may have gotten real lucky.

If you would be good enough post back when it come , I would like to get a MIJ 335 never been able to figure out how to get one without worry to Canada.
I could get an Elitist but want a sunburst which Elitist no longer comes in.l

[overdriver]

In reguards to pick up change the ones in it may be great I do not know that they are could be Gotoh? and if you like the Epi China ones well great. but if you would like a little better pickup cheap a few guys here are selling pickups from their Elitists made in U.S. (Gibson) which have the same specs. as the Chinnses ones , but built better and sound better.

[kec]

Hey if you don't want it I'll take it I haven't even seen a P-90's version before.

Here's my non-P90 MIJ goldtop....

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by kec

Hey if you don't want it I'll take it I haven't even seen a P-90's version before.

Here's my non-P90 MIJ goldtop....

I think you passed on some of the reading in his posts I do that also from time to time. I hate it when I do!
Nice guitar maybe you could chime in on what pickups are stock on those nice guitars for us. Or at least how to they work for ya !

[kec]

Originally Posted by overdriver

I think you passed on some of the reading in his posts I do that also from time to time. I hate it when I do!
Nice guitar maybe you could chime in on what pickups are stock on those nice guitars for us. Or at least how to they work for ya !

Yes, you're right! I missed the post about it not being P-90's DOH! Hey, I was in a hurry and wanted to post before I went to lunch

[diceman]

Yeah, that is a beauty. An early congrats - as I'm sure you'll follow through on that purchase (or check yourself in to an asylum) !!

What a great looking guitar...

[Kuroyama]

So THATS where the guitar went!!! (yeh, small world) Ive been recently looking for a gold top but dont wanna shell out 4K for one. I also just recently figured out about MIJ Epiphones and the open book headstock. I called the shop about THAT guitar, but they told me it had been sold.

Congrats.

Ill be keeping my eyes open for future MIJ EPI love...

[diceman]

Small world!

[lifele55]

Haha, love the MIJ's!

Hey Eminor, any chance that GT is from Ishibashi?

Kec: That is a sweet MIJ GT there. Like what overdriver says, how does she play? How's the neck on it?

[Eminor]

Well, it showed up yesterday afternoon - less than a week from Japan to my door, not even any significant customs hangup. Sadly no new pix as I have no working camera, but man it is in beautiful shape. Slight ding on one edge of the headstock and a couple tiny scrapes on the back. Fujigen-made in August 2000 according to the s.n. Very comfy 1960-type neck, a little meatier than the Chinese Epi type. I find it a bit easier to get my thumb over the "shoulder" than with the Chinese neck shape. A/B'ed with my '96 Burny Super Grade, output is noticeably louder, not quite as thick in the low end but a very satisfying tone. Pickups sound great, haven't taken them out yet for a look inside. I do notice it's a little noisy on the bridge pickup, less so in the middle position, hardly at all on the neck. Seems easiest to play standing up out of three LPs, just seems to hang right and has a good weight without being a boat anchor. G string issue at the nut though, getting that "ping" and pulling sharp effect - no big deal, need a setup done anyway as I use LTHB 10-52's. AND it came with a HSC!!

To answer a few questions from previous posts: Overdriver, just make sure the seller in Japan ships by EMS, I've found this service to be very fast, extremely trackable, safe and reliable. Mind you, you pay for what you get.

And Lifele55, yep, it came from Ishibashi. Excellent customer service via email. That's another thing I love about buying from Japan, great service and they are so polite.

A fine addition to the MIJ arsenal...

[diceman]

Congrats. Hoping to see pix next time you're near a camera!!

[overdriver]

Thanks Eminor and congrats, enjoy.

[lifele55]

Nice catch...

Ishibashi does have great service, without a doubt. 3 buys from them and all packed very very well with excellent service.