Various Epiphone quality issues.

[Dkr84]

I love my Epiphones. I have a G-400 and a Les Paul Standard and I use love them both. However, I have been noticing some problems with them. They aren't really problems, more like various annoyances. There are a lot more of them in the MIC Epis. Anyway, here they are.


Very small, very thin crack going from the nut. It's extremely thin- probably the thickness of a piece of paper, but it's about the length of 1/5 of a fingernail.

Horrible set ups. I know that the first thing you need to do is get any guitar set up, but the Epiphones are the worst set up guitars I have ever used, but they have great potential if you set them up, get them new pups, and upgrade the wiring.

Tuning systems. My D string, G string, B string, and high E string give my problems all the time- but never at the same time. Sometimes the D will stay in tune better but the G, B, and E will have problems- then the D, B, and E will be fine- but the G won't stay in tune.

Strap locks. Need I say anymore? They're always coming loose.

Any problems you guys have that you wanna point out?

 

[Sirzach]

Very small, very thin crack going from the nut. It's extremely thin- probably the thickness of a piece of paper, but it's about the length of 1/5 of a fingernail.

I haven't had this problem on my epi, or have seen it on any other epis. I hear its common and i say you're right.

Horrible set ups. I know that the first thing you need to do is get any guitar set up, but the Epiphones are the worst set up guitars I have ever used, but they have great potential if you set them up, get them new pups, and upgrade the wiring.

Mine came set up quite well. I bought it from a local store, but it was still mint in package. Same with my friend.

Tuning systems. My D string, G string, B string, and high E string give my problems all the time- but never at the same time. Sometimes the D will stay in tune better but the G, B, and E will have problems- then the D, B, and E will be fine- but the G won't stay in tune.

Most guitars with stock tuners have the g problem. I've ran into multiple fenders, squiers, epiphones, and some other acoustics with the G going out of tune.

Strap locks. Need I say anymore? They're always coming loose.

Same with mine. They haven't been, recently.

 

[Dkr84]

Very small, very thin crack going from the nut. It's extremely thin- probably the thickness of a piece of paper, but it's about the length of 1/5 of a fingernail.

I haven't had this problem on my epi, or have seen it on any other epis. I hear its common and i say you're right.

Horrible set ups. I know that the first thing you need to do is get any guitar set up, but the Epiphones are the worst set up guitars I have ever used, but they have great potential if you set them up, get them new pups, and upgrade the wiring.

Mine came set up quite well. I bought it from a local store, but it was still mint in package. Same with my friend.

Tuning systems. My D string, G string, B string, and high E string give my problems all the time- but never at the same time. Sometimes the D will stay in tune better but the G, B, and E will have problems- then the D, B, and E will be fine- but the G won't stay in tune.

Most guitars with stock tuners have the g problem. I've ran into multiple fenders, squiers, epiphones, and some other acoustics with the G going out of tune.

Strap locks. Need I say anymore? They're always coming loose.

Same with mine. They haven't been, recently.

Seems like yours is one of the good ones! My Korean G-400 is the best Epiphone I have ever played, but I don't play it much, and I really should start. Once I upgrade it though, it'll get equal playing time as the Lester.

 

[Drew224]

in regards to tuning, replace the nut, or lube it with graphite. it works.

 

[omicron]

I did have to set mine up and treat it to better strings. No problems with the wiring though and the hot pickups sound great.

I do mention in my other thread that after my LP 100 did a face plant the neck snapped near the headstock which isn't a problem specific to Epiphones although the snap was a clean C-shaped break where the neck wood was glued to the headstock wood.

 

[nbeersiii]

I have found that if you have a problem with strings falling out of tune especially G,B, and high E strings. Make sure you have them wound at least 4 rounds. This usually corrects the problem for me.

 

[rockstar232007]

The ONLY "problem" I've had with my Epi LP (MIC) is string balance. When I strum open chords (specifically C and F) they are very muddled. I thought it was the pickups at first, but found out later that it has something to do with the neck. Playability/sound wise it's perfect, so I'm not really bothered by it.

The tone pots suck big time, so I'll probably change them out sooner or later, but other than that, it's pretty awesome!

 

[Jimmy Page]

Not alot really, i always found Epiphone quality very high when taking into consideration the low cost of the instruments. The only "quality issues" i can honestly say i ever found on my Epiphones were little internal cracks in the laquer coat, below the surface, usually somewhere around where the neck joins the body. I think it is a fairly common thing, i've been told they occur most often at the joins where the lacquer goes on in slightly thicker/thinner layers than on the flat surfaces. All were there when first got the guitars (in fact probably from when the guitars were first built). Just a very minor cosmetic issue though, nothing that affects the performance of the guitar or bothers me whatsoever, if anything adds character. Apart from that, on the Les Pauls i sometimes noticed some of the control knobs would be too far down and "scrape" at the top of the guitar, a slight pull up usually does the trick though, oh and the classic strap holders coming loose. Total nitpicking here really, it wouldnt be really fair to call these things "quality issues". Epiphones are a great guitar in my opinion.

 

[rockstar232007]

Not alot really, i always found Epiphone quality very high when taking into consideration the low cost of the instruments. The only "quality issues" i can honestly say i ever found on my Epiphones were little internal cracks in the laquer coat, below the surface, usually somewhere around where the neck joins the body. I think it is a fairly common thing, i've been told they occur most often at the joins where the lacquer goes on in slightly thicker/thinner layers than on the flat surfaces. All were there when first got the guitars (in fact probably from when the guitars were first built). Just a very minor cosmetic issue though, nothing that affects the performance of the guitar or bothers me whatsoever, if anything adds character. Apart from that, on the Les Pauls i sometimes noticed some of the control knobs would be too far down and "scrape" at the top of the guitar, a slight pull up usually does the trick though. Total nitpicking here really, it wouldnt be really fair to call these things "quality issues". Epiphones are a great guitar in my opinion.

Epis are finished in poly (plastic), not lacquer!

The funny thing is, I just bought 'The LP Handbook' (Awesome book btw), and even the author refers to the finish as "lacquer" for an Epi used as a finish repair subject!

 

[River]

<snip>Any problems you guys have that you wanna point out?

No. My Chinese Epi is perfect. Srsly.

 

[rockstar232007]

No. My Chinese Epi is perfect. Srsly.

+1.

 

[Jimmy Page]

Epis are finished in poly (plastic), not lacquer!

The funny thing is, I just bought 'The LP Handbook' (Awesome book btw), and even the author refers to the finish as "lacquer" for an Epi used as a finish repair subject!

Yeah, i understand that they're finished in poly (plastic). But i thought poly was still referred to as a "laquer"? I always thought "laquer" is just a name for any form of clear varnish?

 

[rockstar232007]

Yeah, i understand that they're finished in poly (plastic). But i thought poly was still referred to as a "laquer"? I always thought "laquer" is just a name for any form of clear varnish?

Nope!

Lacquer is an organic compound (acts as a "skin"; Used on high-quality furniture and instruments). Polyurethane is chemical based (used as a highly protectve sealer, which is almost impervious to cracks, chips, and dents; Also, way easier to clean). HUGE difference!

Lacquer is much softer than poly, which is used on most overseas made guitars, because it's easier to work with and has a shorter drying period, which means that more guitars can be made and shipped in a much shorter period of time.

 

[-=[Shifty]=-]

Nope!

Lacquer is an organic compound (acts as a "skin"; Used on high-quality furniture and instruments). Polyurethane is chemical based (used as a highly protectve sealer, which is almost impervious to cracks, ships, and dents; Also, way easier to clean). HUGE difference!

I doubt that ships are that much of a danger for guitar finishes.

 

[dylan.rocks.all.nite.long]

I tightned the tuners, and put pencil graphite in the nut about 4 months ago and have had no problems with tuning.

I do get loose straplocks!

 

[River]

I tightned the tuners, and put pencil graphite in the nut about 4 months ago and have had no problems with tuning.

I do get loose straplocks!

Locks or buttons?

Both of my Gibsons have developed loose buttons and required the toothpick treatment. My Epi has not.

I've got three MIC guitars - Epi, Ibanez, and Variax. They are all built like brick shit houses. They may not be the component-level equals of MIJ guitars, but they weren't priced that way, either. They have solid necks, level frets, flawless finishes, and better-cut nuts than my R8.

You either have a good guitar or you don't. Crediting or blaming the country of origin is bull.

 

[Mike.B.]

You either have a good guitar or you don't. Crediting or blaming the country of origin is bull.

Amen

 

[KP]

Locks or buttons?

Both of my Gibsons have developed loose buttons and required the toothpick treatment. My Epi has not.

I've got three MIC guitars - Epi, Ibanez, and Variax. They are all built like brick shit houses. They may not be the component-level equals of MIJ guitars, but they weren't priced that way, either. They have solid necks, level frets, flawless finishes, and better-cut nuts than my R8.

You either have a good guitar or you don't. Crediting or blaming the country of origin is bull.

Listen up people... words of wisdom here.

 

[Ivan Van Leeuwen]

I hate the fuck----ing bridge buzz...
The saddles moves alone from one side to another!!!

 

[ajimrahal]

You either have a good guitar or you don't. Crediting or blaming the country of origin is bull.