Epiphone '59 Les Paul Coming

[Street Lethal]

I will just have it pleked'

That's fine but keep in mind I don't think you can return a pleked guitar for a refund to Sweet Water, if that's where you're getting it done. And, if you can I'm pretty sure they don't refund the amount of the plek services. We had this conversation earlier in the thread. And, the person running the plek machine still needs to know what they're doing, they can screw it up. It all depends on how much money you want to sink into an Epiphone. The point is cheaper guitars from other companies have better QC and don't need to have frets leveled. I like Epiphones but I always had an issue with their crappy QC. People shouldn't be getting new electric guitars that produce no sound when plugged in or produce nothing but ground hum and need to be completely rewired. That's ridiculous.

 

[fry]

PRS leave the EPi's in dust for QC fit and finish.

Maybe, but then they stick that ugly-ass headstock on them.

 

[Ebb Ramone]

As I've so far only heard about fret buzz from the one person, I'd be surprised if it was as widespread as it was on the early 2020 models,, and as I said, mine came with perfectly leveled frets, zero buzz, no bad fret ends, and the real surprise was how well polished they are. I think the main problems with these are going to be like those experience by Seven, and to a lesser extent my uncrimped bushing, they will be electronic in nature due to the lack of experience the factory has with hand wiring, and High end components. Just my opinion

 

[Direwolf16]

That's fine but keep in mind I don't think you can return a pleked guitar for a refund to Sweet Water, if that's where you're getting it done. And, if you can I'm pretty sure they don't refund the amount of the plek services. We had this conversation earlier in the thread. And, the person running the plek machine still needs to know what they're doing, they can screw it up. It all depends on how much money you want to sink into an Epiphone. The point is cheaper guitars from other companies have better QC and don't need to have frets leveled. I like Epiphones but I always had an issue with their crappy QC. People shouldn't be getting new electric guitars that produce no sound when plugged in or produce nothing but ground hum and need to be completely rewired. That's ridiculous.

Thanks I'm asking SW to see what they say but I don't know what to do yet. It's crazy this dilemma.

 

[Direwolf16]

Might cancel this order, It's driving me crazy. Maybe I'll just cancel the pleked and have my tech look at it and fix whatever QC missed.

 

[Street Lethal]

By the way, I'm not basing my comments solely on the 2020 models. I'm basing it off of owning about a dozen if not more Epiphones (including a 2020 and returning two of them this year) from all different years over the past twenty years. Their QC is not a consistent as with other brands in the same price range and cheaper. Just my opinion.

 

[cliffenstein]

By the way, I'm not basing my comments solely on the 2020 models. I'm basing it off of owning about a dozen if not more Epiphones (including a 2020 and returning two of them this year) from all different years over the past twenty years. Their QC is not a consistent as with other brands in the same price range and cheaper. Just my opinion.

The only new Epiphone I’ve ever purchased was my 2020 LP Special and it is flawless. I’ve owned several used Epi LP Customs in the past...no issues there either. So I’ve either been fortunate or you’ve been very unlucky.

I’m always prepared to get tech work done to any import guitar I buy and would have to see something truly egregious for me to want to return.

 

[Geezer101]

Why is it assumed the build quality will be superior on a 59 vs any other Epi?

 

[Sp8ctre]

Why is it assumed the build quality will be superior on a 59 vs any other Epi?

That's a good question and I don't think it will be any different than the average $799 Epi. It just has some upgraded components and a hard case...

 

[CHIP702]

Why is it assumed the build quality will be superior on a 59 vs any other Epi?

Because that is the way it was described being their "Flagship" model back in the NAMM videos.

 

[Geezer101]

That’s just a marketing term and if I recall it was Andertons who used that term not Epiphone.

 

[Street Lethal]

The only new Epiphone I’ve ever purchased was my 2020 LP Special and it is flawless. I’ve owned several used Epi LP Customs in the past...no issues there either. So I’ve either been fortunate or you’ve been very unlucky.

I’m always prepared to get tech work done to any import guitar I buy and would have to see something truly egregious for me to want to return.

I don't think it's a matter or being fortunate or unlucky, it's just my experience with Epiphones and other people I know. I also think it depends on a person's playing level and what they expect out of an instrument and what they notice. I don't play cowboy chords all day long, when I play I'm all over the neck. I'm a rhythm and lead player. I'm not saying I'm a badass I just move around a lot on the neck and bend a lot. I will say the reasons I have returned Epiphones include dings, chips, dents, crappy fretwork and improperly set necks, as in way too steep of an angle, which can't be fixed easily or cheaply. As for crappy fretwork, I know how to level frets myself, but it has to be a stellar or hard to find instrument for me to take the time to do it these days. I can also pay somebody but again it really depends on the guitar. Not all import guitars need a fret level out of the box. I have plenty that didn't need it.

 

[djw171]

Maybe, but then they stick that ugly-ass headstock on them.

lol...You mean that really nice small headstock with perfect positioning of the tuners to pull the strings straight and not need a crazy break angle...ah yes that's the one

 

[djw171]

The only new Epiphone I’ve ever purchased was my 2020 LP Special and it is flawless. I’ve owned several used Epi LP Customs in the past...no issues there either. So I’ve either been fortunate or you’ve been very unlucky.

I’m always prepared to get tech work done to any import guitar I buy and would have to see something truly egregious for me to want to return.

See I feel a guitar worth $1000 no matter where it was built, should not need, fret work, plek etc... yes it may need the action changing to your liking but it should be set up.. This is not a 2 bit, just starting out company here.

Would anyone be happy if you bought a new TV for $1k got it home and no sound...Oh well it's made in China so I'll just take it in to get it fixed....

These are not $300 Chibson knock offs we are talking...

Crazy thing is they CAN do it.I have the Bonamassa Firebird. Superb in every way

 

[cliffenstein]

See I feel a guitar worth $1000 no matter where it was built, should not need, fret work, plek etc... yes it may need the action changing to your liking but it should be set up.. This is not a 2 bit, just starting out company here.

Would anyone be happy if you bought a new TV for $1k got it home and no sound...Oh well it's made in China so I'll just take it in to get it fixed....

These are not $300 Chibson knock offs we are talking...

Crazy thing is they CAN do it.I have the Bonamassa Firebird. Superb in every way

I was in no way saying the work should be expected. I was simply saying that I’m not put off by the need for work when necessary being done on imported guitars.

My 2020 LP Special is quite literally perfect. Didn’t need a dang thing done to it at the tech level.

 

[cliffenstein]

I don't think it's a matter or being fortunate or unlucky, it's just my experience with Epiphones and other people I know. I also think it depends on a person's playing level and what they expect out of an instrument and what they notice. I don't play cowboy chords all day long, when I play I'm all over the neck. I'm a rhythm and lead player. I'm not saying I'm a badass I just move around a lot on the neck and bend a lot. I will say the reasons I have returned Epiphones include dings, chips, dents, crappy fretwork and improperly set necks, as in way too steep of an angle, which can't be fixed easily or cheaply. As for crappy fretwork, I know how to level frets myself, but it has to be a stellar or hard to find instrument for me to take the time to do it these days. I can also pay somebody but again it really depends on the guitar. Not all import guitars need a fret level out of the box. I have plenty that didn't need it.

Awesome assumptions on my playing level you appear to be making there.

 

[Street Lethal]

Awesome assumptions on my playing level you appear to be making there.

Just a general statement that has nothing to do with you. Don't go hitting the report button for nothing like the other guy.

 

[Tilion]

By the way, I'm not basing my comments solely on the 2020 models. I'm basing it off of owning about a dozen if not more Epiphones (including a 2020 and returning two of them this year) from all different years over the past twenty years. Their QC is not a consistent as with other brands in the same price range and cheaper. Just my opinion.

It's funny, I got a 2020 Epi Standard 50's Gold Top earlier this year, and the fret had a literal dip in it. It was so bad that anything on the G string up past the 10th fret wouldn't even produce a note. I didn't want to wait for another GT so they had the Cherry Burst in house and it was setup really well. Just decided to exchange it instead of waiting.

 

[fry]

You mean that really nice small headstock with perfect positioning of the tuners to pull the strings straight and not need a crazy break angle...

It is all those things, in addition to being ugly and uninspired.

 

[cliffenstein]

It is all those things, in addition to being ugly and uninspired.

The old headstock design is the exact reason I could never EVER hold on to an Epiphone. Now with the new design, I couldn’t be more pleased and proud to play Epiphone. And I intend to stay a while...a good long while.