I got scared off Epiphone when I read....

[Photojazz]

China, was not satisfied with any EPI I picked up off guitar center's rack, I tried 3 or 4. I saw a black mark where it didn't belong on a 335 or 336 guitar. A lot of problems with string buzzing around the 12th fret, it seemed fairly consistent. They looked fair except for various blemishes I saw like that black mark. I can't remember what else right now, but there was other. Of course, some could have happened at GC.

Indonesia Flourentine was better, but I wound up not keeping it anyway. South Korea makes good guitars, Indonesia, getting there, I will not buy a Chinese guitar. Not after my recent experience trying to get a hollow body. I got a used EPI Casino made in South Korea or Indonesia, and it's pretty darn nice! I forget right now.

 

[TheX]

I will not buy a Chinese guitar.

I'm sure they're ok with that.

 

[moreles]

China and Indonesia today, like Korea previously, and Japan to begin with, have all shown a gritty determination to offer value for money. This is entirely different from the Gibson business plan, which is to manipulate the market and to offer fine work (which used to be standard) only at an astronomical premium. Fender is pretty much like Gibson in many ways -- it's just how business is done in the US. We're heading for a situation where US-made stuff will be targeted to the rich ("1 %") at high prices, while virtually all everyday production for normal people takes place offshore. Sad.

 

[ScottMarlowe]

I have to agree that the most common problem on my Chinese Epis has been mediocre fret work. Either they're not seated all the way, or just not level if they are seated properly. I have one Chinese made Epi that had pretty close to perfect frets, and it was a higher end "Les Paul Custom SG" model with a Maestro on it. That thing was close to perfection in terms of frets and fit and finish etc. Luckily I'm handy at doing my own fret levelling and dressing, so one at a time I'm fixing up my iffy epis.

My Indonesian made Sorrento (also a "higher end" Epi) was just as perfect as the Custom from China. It's a sample size of one, but that one sample is outstanding. Both it and the Custom SG are a match for my Gibson '70s Tribute in terms of fit and finish. If the necks were satin they'd have been perfect from the start. But a green scrub pad fixes that right quick.

 

[rem22]

China and Indonesia today, like Korea previously, and Japan to begin with, have all shown a gritty determination to offer value for money. This is entirely different from the Gibson business plan, which is to manipulate the market and to offer fine work (which used to be standard) only at an astronomical premium. Fender is pretty much like Gibson in many ways -- it's just how business is done in the US. We're heading for a situation where US-made stuff will be targeted to the rich ("1 %") at high prices, while virtually all everyday production for normal people takes place offshore. Sad.

I agree with some of the things here, and disagree with others.
Fender has a totally different approch, because they make guitar in foreign countries (Mexico) and they put their name on it. Gibson on the contrary makes sure the name only appear on expensive guitars, so people buy them instead of other brands.
And as long as the overseas manufacturing cost is such lower than here, you will have better products for the same price or good products for a third of the price. First case scenario was the MIJ lawsuits, second example are the current MIM strats vs MIA strats, or Epiphone standard vs Gibson LPJ.

So yeah, everything will be virtually assembled offshore, unless you tend to balance better the cost of labour. I mean we take fabric here, put it in a cargo, send it to China, they make pants there, and we put them back in the cargo for Europe. That's totally crazy....but that's cheaper, they make more money.

Do you know how much money is worth the wood in an Epi ? In a Gibson Standard ? i'm sure you'd be surprised how low it's worth.

 

[Gary]

A while back, I owned an excellent MIK Epi Les Paul. The Korean Epis were fine instruments. When manufacturing moved to China, I was unimpressed. I tried a few but they definitely felt and played inferior to the earlier Korean instruments. So, I ignored them for years.

Fast forward to 2015. I heard about the Epi ES-339 P90 Pro guitars that are made in China and tried one. I took it home. It is really a great instrument. The Epi Pro series pickups are great.

Perhaps the Chinese manufacturers had a learning curve. But the quality came about. I think you get more for your dollar from a MIC Epi than a MIC Squier or MIC Fender. I've played many to have come to this conclusion.

Mine...

If they would cut the headstocks to be more like Gibson or vintage Epi, they would fly off the shelves.

 

[paruwi]

.........
Perhaps the Chinese manufacturers had a learning curve. But the quality came about.
..........

Probably yes,
just like the US based manufactures had in the 1950-60s
and the Japanese manufacturers had in the 1970s
the Korean factories in the 1980s

Biggest difference (IMO) is - those Asians do learn way faster than we thought they do,
They make great instruments - if they are 'allowed' to do by their Contractors

Maybe in 30 years those 'Early' MiCs get the same hype
like the 'Early' MiJs get now....

 

[SWeAT hOg]

Probably yes,
just like the US based manufactures had in the 1950-60s
and the Japanese manufacturers had in the 1970s
the Korean factories in the 1980s

Biggest difference (IMO) is - those Asians do learn way faster than we thought they do,
They make great instruments - if they are 'allowed' to do by their Contractors

Maybe in 30 years those 'Early' MiCs get the same hype
like the 'Early' MiJs get now....

It's crazy to believe they can't. Asians have been building intricate stringed instruments for 100s and 100s of years.

 

[RTH]

Yeah, I was out of town today and happened upon a guitar shop. I went in all excited, looked around, no Epis. A lot of ESP/LTD, Jackson, Fender but no Epiphone. I just couldn't get into it. That's sad.

Fanboy I guess...

The amp selection rocked though.

We have a guitar store like that in town. I rarely go there. Its a real snooze fest.

 

[claven2]

that they are China and not great wood choices and even ESP is Korean.
Japanese they say do better.
I am a prude I guess but I prefer USA when possible.
Epiphone's sure look good but I am a little scared of them myself. Maybe some of the users can change my notions.
I had a buddy who used an EPI and he seemed OK for him. But I think there is a difference between them, yes?

By the way I was reading that Les actually wanted an ALL Maple one piece body over the Mahogany Maple top thing.

Not much more I can add here. I have both Gibsons and Epiphones. I play both brands about equally. They are different, not better/worse. I tried them all before buying and bought the guitars the felt the best in hand and sounded nice.

The quality of luthier setup I paid for afterward had more effect on my user experience than the decal on the headstock - YMMV.

 

[Mr. Satchmo]

I had an early 90s epi korean Les Paul Standard and it was the best guitar I ever owned at the time. Unfortunately it died a tragic death one day when the headstock snapped off.

I replaced all the electronics with quality USA stuff, and it became even better. I have never found an epiphone that played like it.

(note these pictures are before I replaced everything).

I ended up buying a Gibson Les Paul Traditional to replace it many years later but to this day I find myself looking at the Epi Les Paul customs, even if they are chinese I would still buy one

 

[Groove Toad]

My son's Epi LP Traditional Plus Gold Top is one of the best guitars I've ever played. Who cares if it's manufactured in China.

 

[RandyRhoadsLesPaul]

that they are China and not great wood choices and even ESP is Korean.
Japanese they say do better.
I am a prude I guess but I prefer USA when possible.
Epiphone's sure look good but I am a little scared of them myself. Maybe some of the users can change my notions.
I had a buddy who used an EPI and he seemed OK for him. But I think there is a difference between them, yes?

By the way I was reading that Les actually wanted an ALL Maple one piece body over the Mahogany Maple top thing.

My Epi is China-made. I'm still playing and loving it.

 

[B5Erik]

It doesn't matter where a guitar is made.

What matters is specs, materials, and quality control.

You can get a poorly made American Gibson guitar. There are a lot of them out there. There are a lot of great ones, too.

I'm changing my mind on Epiphone. Yeah, the cheap ones are pretty cheaply made, but the high end Epis have become pretty darned good. Well, there have been good high end Epis for a while. (Anyone want to part with an Elitist? I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for an Elitist today...)

 

[Fuelish]

If they would cut the headstocks to be more like Gibson or vintage Epi, they would fly off the shelves.

.... are there really, truly people who would or would not buy a guitar based on headstock shape?? That's laughable...
Your ES 339 Pro looks sweet

 

[Kamen_Kaiju]

.... are there really, truly people who would or would not buy a guitar based on headstock shape??

yes,...oh yes. very much so.

 

[chasenblues]

Well you could...

 

[MusicLaw]

Well you could...

This is the funniest thing I've seen all day! Thanks for posting.

 

[dBase23]

Nowadays, these Epis that China are making are some of the best quality guitars you can ever have. I own one, an LP Standard Plus Top Pro and out of the box every part is flawless. The sound is even better. Sometimes I can't help but to let my mouth open as I play it because of the superb sound it produces considering they are stock pups. But for the sake of getting that AFD sound of Slash I swap them for SD Alnico 2 and replaced the tuners. Classic.

 

[TheX]

But for the sake of getting that AFD sound of Slash I swap them for SD Alnico 2 and replaced the tuners..

Yep, we all know the tonez are in the tunerz.