Epiphone "Inspired By Gibson" Collection NAMM 2020

DrBGood · Feb 13, 2020

ScottP said:
Unfortunately I did not get to pick my model - the ones they got in were all spoken for. Mine came in at 9lbs (yikes)

Ain't a Custom supposed to be a boat anchor to deliver its tone ? :naughty:

danzego · Feb 13, 2020

ScottP said:
I did bring up the fact that there are now a number of reports of bad frets and QC. He assured me that all guitars are inspected for such issues and that if they encounter them then they don't get sold. Lets hope!

Unfortunately I did not get to pick my model - the ones they got in were all spoken for. Mine came in at 9lbs (yikes)

Pfft, what a line. Sweetwater isn’t going to hold a guitar back for fret issues. Their 55 point inspection is a crock. They don’t do anything.....and that’s speaking from experience.

Anyway, I hope your guitar is a good one. 9 lbs is NOT bad. Not for a Custom and not for an Epi.

GS1 · Feb 14, 2020

ScottP said:
I just got the call from my Sweetwater rep. My Ebony Custom is on the way. I did bring up the fact that there are now a number of reports of bad frets and QC. He assured me that all guitars are inspected for such issues and that if they encounter them then they don't get sold. Lets hope!

Unfortunately I did not get to pick my model - the ones they got in were all spoken for. Mine came in at 9lbs (yikes)

Well, I have an SG Custom coming tomorrow from Sweetwater, although I did get to pick mine. I had the same conversation with my rep, and got the same reassuring quote about the inspection. I have had pretty good luck in the past with them, though not every single time. I am hopeful though! That being said, I will not hesitate to send it back if need be.

I have to say that I did return one of these SGs purchased from a different seller because of a few high frets. Other than that, the guitar was just beautiful. I did look into having Epiphone do something about the frets, but was talked into just returning it. On a reassuring note, my 50s LP has great fretwork, so they are capable when they want to be!

Good luck with yours!! :fingersx:

danzego · Feb 16, 2020

I got a chance to try a couple of the new Epiphones today- a Cherry Sunburst 50’s Standard and an Ebony Custom.

They felt ok. They could have used a setup, but not bad, by any means. Then I played a few Gibsons and went back to try the Cherry Sunburst Epiphone again.

The Epiphones feel like Epiphones when comparing to a Gibson to me. Other than having the same relative specs as their Gibson counterparts, they had that “Epiphone thing”. It’s like when you play a good Gibson and you can just tell you’re playing a quality guitar; here, the Epis felt middle of the road and like an Epiphone has always felt as far back as I remember.

One thing that struck me was that the paint job and flame veneer on the Cherry Sunburst looked pretty low end and cheap. Maybe it’s because a veneer doesn’t achieve the same depth of flame that a real cap can; I don’t know. It just looked pretty flat and lifeless to me and the paint job was too yellow in the middle and the red didn’t fade well at all.

I was intrigued by the NAMM announcement and the good feedback they were getting with the whole “it feels just like a Gibson!” thing. Now that I’ve gotten to try them myself, as someone who owns a Gibson 2019 Traditional and Gibson Standard 50’s, I disagree. I mean, i didn’t catch anything inherently wrong with them (though the action wasn’t real low, so who knows?) but they don’t feel and they definitely don’t look like Gibsons. They’re exactly what the name says: Epiphones inspired by Gibson. :dunno:

Dub Revelation · Feb 16, 2020

Por supuesto que es diferente. He probado un Gibson 2019 60 estándar y es muy diferente, pero eso no significa que el epiphone sea malo, son diferentes y este año creo que tienen muy buena calidad. Si no los comparas con Gibson, mi pregunta es. ¿Es un epiphone Les Paul Standard 60's o 50's una buena guitarra de calidad suficiente y un buen sonido para tocar?

Ebb Ramone · Feb 16, 2020

I emailed Epiphone customer service yesterday, questioning whether they we're going to address the many QC issues that are showing up in reviews, especially frets, and finishes. I also lightly touched on whether the factory is closed, and if they have a back up plan in case it stays closed indefinitely. I hope to hear back from them soon.

Keith

paruwi · Feb 16, 2020

Dub Revelation said:
Por supuesto que es diferente. He probado un Gibson 2019 60 estándar y es muy diferente, pero eso no significa que el epiphone sea malo, son diferentes y este año creo que tienen muy buena calidad. Si no los comparas con Gibson, mi pregunta es. ¿Es un epiphone Les Paul Standard 60's o 50's una buena guitarra de calidad suficiente y un buen sonido para tocar?

google translate is the way to go....

Of course it is different. I have tried a standard Gibson 2019 60 and it is very different, but that does not mean that the epiphone is bad, they are different and this year I think they have very good quality. If you don't compare them with Gibson, my question is. Is a Les Paul Standard 60's or 50's epiphone a good guitar of sufficient quality and a good sound to play?

GS1 · Feb 16, 2020

I received my SG Custom, and am happy to report that it is an excellent condition, and that the frets are in great shape, much like my 50s LP. I will post a photo and a bit more in the Other section if anyone is interested.

Mimmo · Feb 16, 2020

Dub Revelation said:
Por supuesto que es diferente. He probado un Gibson 2019 60 estándar y es muy diferente, pero eso no significa que el epiphone sea malo, son diferentes y este año creo que tienen muy buena calidad. Si no los comparas con Gibson, mi pregunta es. ¿Es un epiphone Les Paul Standard 60's o 50's una buena guitarra de calidad suficiente y un buen sonido para tocar?

Usually yes, but try one before buying if you can.
Nothing wrong with epiphone guitars!

Dub Revelation · Feb 16, 2020

Last Thursday I bought my epiphone Les Paul Standard 60's. I bought the guitar in a big store in Madrid. I was new without unpacking. They just adjusted a little. The basics. I haven't stopped playing all week. It has a great sound. It feels very good to the touch. And its sound is perfect for the music I make. I have a telecaster too, and I was used to the fine profile. But this epiphone feels great too. I always do Reggae and it has the sound that I was looking for. Great instrument.