Are Epiphones serious guitars?

[Bach5G]

I was trying out an Epi Inspired By Gibson ES-355 yesterday. Heck of a deal. About $650 in USD. Played pretty well.

Too much of a good deal? Are these serious guitars?

20 years ago I bought a MIK Epi Emperor Regent. Nice enough although the bridge wasn’t notched very accurately. I paid $1k.

No need to tell me about Epi history. That was 60 years ago.

[DawgBone]

They can be serious guitars if you are a serious player. I had the 335 pro. Decent playing out of the box but like most chinese guitars the electronics left a lot to be desired and the nut was plastic. I had a Sheraton II Pro and other than the neck dive the action, pickups, tuners, pots, and corian nut were great.

It's a way to get a quality gigging instrument for under a grand after your desired upgrades that won't leave you heartbroken if it gets stolen or damaged. There are a lot of pros out there touring with Epiphones. Mr. Sipp comes to mind.

[AllanAllen]

Yes, they're fine instruments. Anyone who dismisses you because of your guitar is full of hot air anyway.

[entresz]

I play a Japanese made 1983 Epiphone Emperor F, and it is very much a serious guitar.

[omphalopsychos]

Guitars are neither serious nor unserious. Serious players play whatever.

[starjasmine]

Considering that you already know what Epi is, and that the price in today's dollars is lower than the price of an Epi 60 years ago, what you are asking seems to be "Are Epis STILL serious guitars... or are they now Epi in name only?"

I wouldn't know, neither having seen nor played a newer Epi. It would be interesting to hear from those who have.

Context: nowadays, there are some very well-made Asian guitars for under $1k. A $650 Epi might very well be a cost-effective, good-playing instrument. Or it might be a POS that bears little resemblance to the Epis of yore.

Now, Gibson's QC has been all over the map for decades, and there are plenty of Gibby-logoed sh-- guitars out there, so I'm not trying to hold Epi to a higher standard. Just wondering what today's $650 Epi is like, for realz.

[garybaldy]

I don't have a modern Epiphone but I tried my neighbour's Epi Dot a few years ago. It wasn't a patch on my 2 Korean Vester MOD700 335 style guitars.
The Epis I do have are a 1992 Epi Emperor Joe pass (my 2nd archtop) which is very nicely built but I found myself still playing my 1997 Korean Fenix FAE8 which is very similar in looks to an Emp. Regent and the other is a 2000 Korean Epi '58 Korina V. It's quirky and ofcourse it's veneered but well built. I don't normally moan about neck size but it's really fat. The pickups could do with changing (as do the ones in the EEJP). I currently don't play either of them.

[DawgBone]

I don't have a modern Epiphone but I tried my neighbour's Epi Dot a few years ago. It wasn't a patch on my 2 Korean Vester MOD700 335 style guitars.
The Epis I do have are a 1992 Epi Emperor Joe pass (my 2nd archtop) which is very nicely built but I found myself still playing my 1997 Korean Fenix FAE8 which is very similar in looks to an Emp. Regent and the other is a 2000 Korean Epi '58 Korina V. It's quirky and ofcourse it's veneered but well built. I don't normally moan about neck size but it's really fat. The pickups could do with changing (as do the ones in the EEJP). I currently don't play either of them.

I had a white n gold "custom shop" version of that 58 V. I have large hands and can pretty much deal with any neck size but that thing was morbidly obese. Like a 2x4 with a rounded back. It was a beautiful axe but that neck made it an expensive wall hanger so I sent it packing.

[sgosnell]

I have an Epi ES175 Premium, and IMO it's as good as a Gibson ES175. I did replace the nut with bone, but otherwise it's a great guitar. I don't have any experience with other new models, but I see lots of pros using Epis.

[wildschwein]

Plenty of decent Epiphones around.

[garybaldy]

I had a white n gold "custom shop" version of that 58 V. I have large hands and can pretty much deal with any neck size but that thing was morbidly obese. Like a 2x4 with a rounded back. It was a beautiful axe but that neck made it an expensive wall hanger so I sent it packing.

That must've been a looker. The odd thing with mine was I expected to see a multiple piece body visible on the edges which is then covered by the veneer. But there is only one seam which is dead centre. It could be argued that it didn't need the veneer but it must have either scabby wood underneath or the production line wouldn't make allowances. Perhaps I should remove the veneer! I could always paint it gold!

[joe2758]

[Fred Archtop]

My 2006 Epi Emperor Regent is a very serious jazz guitar!

[AllanAllen]

Considering that you already know what Epi is, and that the price in today's dollars is lower than the price of an Epi 60 years ago, what you are asking seems to be "Are Epis STILL serious guitars... or are they now Epi in name only?"

I wouldn't know, neither having seen nor played a newer Epi. It would be interesting to hear from those who have.

Context: nowadays, there are some very well-made Asian guitars for under $1k. A $650 Epi might very well be a cost-effective, good-playing instrument. Or it might be a POS that bears little resemblance to the Epis of yore.

Now, Gibson's QC has been all over the map for decades, and there are plenty of Gibby-logoed sh-- guitars out there, so I'm not trying to hold Epi to a higher standard. Just wondering what today's $650 Epi is like, for realz.

The $650 Joe Pass has been replaced with a $900 Broadway. I personally love the Broadway, but wanted a single pickup guitar so I've been buying and selling things left and right instead of coping with what I have and like.

[Sam Sherry]

Anyone who dismisses you because of your guitar is full of hot air anyway.

Maybe a true story; maybe not:
A fan said, "Mr. Getz, your saxophone sounds wonderful!"
Stan handed her the horn and said, "How does it sound now?"

[BBGuitar]

It's not the guitar it is the player.

[2bornot2bop]

Another thumbs up for the Epi ES175 Premium. Can’t do any better for that price!

[nyc chaz]

I wholly agree about the Epiphone es 175 Premium.I sold my Gibson es 175 after buying the Epi,it sounded just as good and i liked the neck much better on the Epi.Mine has the wine red color and looks really beautiful with the matte finish.

[Woody Sound]

Might be apples and oranges, but I bought a Squier Strat that plays and sounds awesome. Just needed some setup and tweaking by myself. Can't imagine a "real" Fender could be any better.

[starjasmine]

Might be apples and oranges, but I bought a Squier Strat that plays and sounds awesome. Just needed some setup and tweaking by myself. Can't imagine a "real" Fender could be any better.

I had the opposite experience. Back in the 90's I tried every Squire that I could get my hands on within about a 50 mi radius (SF to South Bay), bought the best one I found, did professional install of EMG active pickups and a Kahler bridge ... the hardware and electronics cost more than the guitar! In the end, it just didn't play very well. I sold the EMGs, put the Kahler on my Charvel Model 6 and gave the guitar to my nephew.

Again, not saying that a "real" Fender or Gibson has to be better than a Squire or an Epi... I've definitely seen Epis that are every bit as good as a Gibby without the bling (and the price tag.) As noted, my experience with Squire was not great. I'm glad you found a good 'un!

[DawgBone]

That must've been a looker. The odd thing with mine was I expected to see a multiple piece body visible on the edges which is then covered by the veneer. But there is only one seam which is dead centre. It could be argued that it didn't need the veneer but it must have either scabby wood underneath or the production line wouldn't make allowances. Perhaps I should remove the veneer! I could always paint it gold!

It was a looker. I've had multiple V's and that was the prettiest. I should've kept the faded V though. It was an ebony board with the single crescent moon at the 12th, the rarest of the faded V's. Paid $350 and let it go, doh. I've seen those go for well above $1500....

You pull the pickups on that Epi and looked at all in there? I though the cores were multipiece whatever wood then an outer layer korina but not really sure about that. Some of the veneers can be virtually invisible. I have an Edwards LP and the flamed top veneer is so flawlessly added when I pulled the pickups you can't really tell there is a veneer at all other than it visually lacks the depth of a legit full thickness flamed top. I've had such good experiences with the Edwards I've owned and the ones I've handled I probably won't bother with another Epi again.

[Cunamara]

Yes, they're fine instruments. Anyone who dismisses you because of your guitar is full of hot air anyway.

Yep, it’s what you play not what you play.

[Sleeko]

I own an Elitist Broadway and Byrdland and a 1994 Korean Emperor Regent along with a Gibson L4CES and Guild Savoy X-150. All very worthwhile and I enjoy them all for different reasons.

Here's our own Fred putting an older 1995 Vintage Sunburst Korean Emperor Regent through it's paces;

My 1994 Emperor Regent in Antique Sunburst. A pleasure to play, hear and look at;

[DawgBone]

I own an Elitist Broadway and Byrdland and a 1994 Korean Emperor Regent along with a Gibson L4CES and Guild Savoy X-150. All very worthwhile and I enjoy them all for different reasons.

Here's our own Fred putting an older Korean Emperor Regent through it's paces;

The elitist instruments are awfully close to Gibson level right out of the box and are priced accordingly. I can't believe what kinda $ an Elitist Byrdland commands. Other guitar player I hire has an Elitist Casino and it is a superb instrument.

[Sleeko]

The elitist instruments are awfully close to Gibson level right out of the box and are priced accordingly. I can't believe what kinda $ an Elitist Byrdland commands. Other guitar player I hire has an Elitist Casino and it is a superb instrument.

I lucked out back in the day, came to my senses and nabbed the very last Byrdland and Broadway from Fuller’s Music. These were purchased brand new $1600.00 each. I’ve seen them for sale recently for $2500.00 and more.