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Unread 07-18-2012, 11:33 AM   #1 (permalink)
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Epiphone China vs korea

This topics probably been brought up a few times on these forums but I'd just like to give my opinion.
After reading up on the Chinese factory and hearing other peoples views on the "China v Korea Epiphones" , I wouldn't think theres much difference between the two. The Chinese factory is dedicated to building Epiphones only which sounds better to me than a factory which produces various brands.
I've also read that the quality of Epiphones is increasing as they want to make the best affordable guitars out there. I used to have a Korean Epiphone but never played a Chinese one so I can't tell a difference.
But if it were me, I'd probably rather buy the newer Chinese one, unless the Korean one had a noticeable difference, but I wouldn't go out specifically looking to buy a Korean one.
What's your experience with this?
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Unread 07-18-2012, 11:51 AM   #2 (permalink)
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Re: Epiphone China vs korea

I own two MiK, one MiC and one Elitist. I'd say they the MiC and MiK are of equal quality, which is to say very good. The Elitist is another thing altogether and is beyond compare with regular Epis.
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Unread 07-18-2012, 11:52 AM   #3 (permalink)
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Re: Epiphone China vs korea

In this day and age, I've have played many Chinese, and owned a Korean. I say they are very similar. Maybe the very earlier Chinese models were weaker as opposed to Korean. But now that it is 2012, the Chinese in atleast my opinion are of a nicer build compared to the Koreans I have played.
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Unread 07-18-2012, 11:58 AM   #4 (permalink)
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Re: Epiphone China vs korea

I currently own 4 MIKs, 2 MICs and a MII. They are all good, but have their individual flaws regardless of origin. Truth be told, my MIKs probably have more flaws and quirks than any of the others. Though, in my experience, and in my opinion, the fret work was better from Korea.

So far, the Indo SG Junior and my Indo Cort-made Ocean bass are the least problematic and the most stable of all of my guitars.
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Unread 07-18-2012, 11:59 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Re: Epiphone China vs korea

It's not about the country - it's always about the guitar


If i like a guitar, I'll buy it - if I don't like it, I don't buy it.......

regardless in what country it was made

I own guitars made in different countries, I like them all
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Unread 07-18-2012, 12:15 PM   #6 (permalink)
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Re: Epiphone China vs korea

I have owned 3 Elitists, 2 MIKs, and 2 MICS. You can see what I still have in my signature. The MIK and MIC that I still have are very comparable in build quality, and I almost think that the chinese might be built a little better! The older MICs (I had a 2006) were not built near as well as they are now from what I have played in stores, and judging by the ones I have owned. And as Barcham said, the Elitists blow them all away in every aspect.
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Unread 07-18-2012, 12:20 PM   #7 (permalink)
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Re: Epiphone China vs korea

all this talk about chinese or korean is makin me hungry
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Unread 07-18-2012, 01:18 PM   #8 (permalink)
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Re: Epiphone China vs korea

I have a 2010 MIC Epiphone Les Paul Plustop PRO/FX Honey Burst and it is flawless I have no complaints

there is another thread that shows lots of pics of a China plant very interesting to look at here:

Epiphone factory pictures
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Unread 07-18-2012, 02:16 PM   #9 (permalink)
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Re: Epiphone China vs korea

Quote:
Originally Posted by computersplus View Post
I have a 2010 MIC Epiphone Les Paul Plustop PRO/FX Honey Burst and it is flawless I have no complaints

there is another thread that shows lots of pics of a China plant very interesting to look at here:

Epiphone factory pictures
Yeah I saw them earlier and that kinda sparked this post.
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Unread 07-18-2012, 02:28 PM   #10 (permalink)
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Re: Epiphone China vs korea

I thought it was a discussion of fake Chinese guitars... following the line, genuine Korean and Chinese Epis IMO seems to have similar quality, I think is about process or quality assurance in manufacturing.

What I can notice is that my korea epi feels more heavy, with more body, maybe the woods are diferent or the chambered body...

Also I have an elitist and it have higher quality, better sound, almost like my Gibson...
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Unread 07-18-2012, 02:29 PM   #11 (permalink)
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Re: Epiphone China vs korea

Quote:
Originally Posted by cilizal View Post
I thought it was a discussion of fake Chinese guitars... following the line, genuine Korean and Chinese Epis IMO seems to have similar quality, I think is about process or quality assurance in manufacturing.

What I can notice is that my korea epi feels more heavy, with more body, maybe the woods are diferent or the chambered body...

Also I have an elitist and it have higher quality, better sound, almost like my Gibson...
Which Epi do you think is chambered ?
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Unread 07-18-2012, 04:17 PM   #12 (permalink)
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Re: Epiphone China vs korea

anybody know where we could find pics of a Korea plant?
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Unread 07-18-2012, 05:38 PM   #13 (permalink)
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Re: Epiphone China vs korea

This is a pic of a Korean Boxwood plant. Will that do?

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Unread 07-18-2012, 10:13 PM   #14 (permalink)
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Re: Epiphone China vs korea

Ha Ha...
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Unread 07-19-2012, 09:43 AM   #15 (permalink)
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Re: Epiphone China vs korea

I have a Korean Epi LP Studio and the Chinese G-400 SG. Build quality on both is very good. I feel the fret work on the Korean guitar is a bit better, as there appears to be a slightly high fret on the SG (around 15th.) This happens with all guitars from time to time, and it's not a big deal to get fixed. In terms of quality of wood, fit and construction, both guitars are very good.
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Unread 07-21-2012, 07:39 PM   #16 (permalink)
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Re: Epiphone China vs korea

Hey Man I have two customs from Korea both are 96 year models , have the voluted neck and they weigh the exact same 9lbs, 10 ozs. build quality is top flight, one is cream one is ebony...just bought a 04 Korean 3 pick up Black Beauty, same volute neck, but this neck is FAT like a Louiville slugger... lotta years between these builds but the quality on all is really very good... Sustain for two day! esp the Ebony 96'. I have a 05' MIC Studio and the build quality is awesome on it too...another fat neck, I think the frets are much bigger and better on the MIC tho. Have two Washburns from Korea 1989 one Wp50 and a wp80....I have rewired, repotted repickuped and rebridged ALL of them used 50's wiring and the old braided shielded wire on all of them...that wire made all of them sound better...oh yea I use Teflon Russian caps in all of them, .033mf I have played a lot of Gibson's that a friend of mine collects, and I'll take my Epi's any day of the week, even tho they are all technically rebuilt, they were great guitars right when I got em, I'm just picky about how they must play. And do like the Gibson's I just think that for 600.00 dollars or so apiece my Epi's whether made in Korea or China are just the best deal for my hard earned dollars!
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Unread 07-21-2012, 10:16 PM   #17 (permalink)
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Re: Epiphone China vs korea

^ Epiphones with a volute? I'd like to see pics of those.

Strike that. I just did some searching and sure enough Sweetwater had some 2011 Epi's with a volute. I had never seen one before.
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Unread 07-22-2012, 06:06 AM   #18 (permalink)
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Re: Epiphone China vs korea

Well after buying a new Chinese Epi LP, I think that the Korean ones are in fact better quality. My Chinese one plays great but the binding starts off normal at the 1st fret, then gradually gets thinner to the 22nd fret. Also where the binding meets the body, some of the black paint is transferred onto the binding (sloppy paint job). There is also a line of filler around some of the inlays. These are only small things that I don't really care about and I'm still very happy with the guitar, but I'm positive that my older Korean BB was better in terms of build quality.
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Unread 07-22-2012, 05:31 PM   #19 (permalink)
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Re: Epiphone China vs korea

ehhem...
have a Japanese strat copy...dents here and there...plays like a charm
have a british semi accoustic...some scratches out of the box...sublime sound..
have a Korean epi LP standard...nice coloration, bridge starts to oxidize...great for soloing...
have a gibby trad pro..some paint mishaps but rocks your socks off.


...just saying....a flawless guitar don't get you on stage dude... Skills do...!!

Go to a shop, and play guitars untill you find the one that feels/sounds best to YOU..
yu'll know it when you play her...
Never mind a flaw if it doesn't onstruct the playability.

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Unread 07-22-2012, 07:07 PM   #20 (permalink)
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Re: Epiphone China vs korea

Quote:
Originally Posted by insp.clouseau View Post
ehhem...
have a Japanese strat copy...dents here and there...plays like a charm
have a british semi accoustic...some scratches out of the box...sublime sound..
have a Korean epi LP standard...nice coloration, bridge starts to oxidize...great for soloing...
have a gibby trad pro..some paint mishaps but rocks your socks off.


...just saying....a flawless guitar don't get you on stage dude... Skills do...!!

Go to a shop, and play guitars untill you find the one that feels/sounds best to YOU..
yu'll know it when you play her...
Never mind a flaw if it doesn't onstruct the playability.

Like woman....maybe not a beautyqueen but she's a whore in bed.
I have no problem with the guitar I love it but I'm just giving my opinion on the China vs Korea topic and pointing out the flaws the Chinese one has that the Korean didn't.
They're only aesthetic and don't affect playability or anything and it's a great guitar. Got it half price anyway so I can't complain
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Unread 07-22-2012, 08:23 PM   #21 (permalink)
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Re: Epiphone China vs korea

I have a 1998 Korean born Explorer, which I really like. I have a 2010 Chinese LP Std, which plays as well as the Explorer or any other Korean LP I've played.
To go even farther, I've compared it straight up to my 1978 Gibson Deluxe Goldtop, and it plays and sounds really the same. Sounds like blasphemy and sacrilege, I know, but keep in mind the late 70's weren't glory years for Gibson by any stretch.
I have had some issues with the Chinese model; pickup selector took a crap 2x, knobs don't stay put very well; but I don't consider that to be a factory flaw. Those are parts issues, and we all know the issues any Epi can have with wiring, pots, and selectors. Fortunately none of it is difficult/expensive to replace.
That's my take on Korea vs China, for what it's worth.
It's so easy to go to the store or craigslist or wherever locally and try one out for yourself. If it plays well/sounds great, who cares where it was made?
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Unread 07-22-2012, 10:06 PM   #22 (permalink)
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Re: Epiphone China vs korea

I have a Joe Perry Boneyard MIK in 06 and I have a Zakk Bullseye MIC 08.
Both very nice guitars. Without the serial number I would not be able to tell you which one was made where.

On the other hand I own a Kramer KS-400 so I know what a crappy, shoddily built guitar is.
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Unread 07-23-2012, 03:12 PM   #23 (permalink)
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Re: Epiphone China vs korea

The thing I notice most on the Chinese LP is the finish on the bursts, they just do not compare to the Koreans.
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