Do you regret buying an Epiphone?

[Miguello]

I hope I don't regret having an Epiphone, because I have 20 plus. Mostly Les Pauls, but two 339's(humbucker and P90) a Dot Deluxe, a new Firebird, a Junior bolt on with a probucker swapped in. Several of my Les Pauls have been swapped to Stewmac Parson's Street pickups with new CTS/Switchcraft harnesses, PIO caps, etc. They sound as good as any of my Gibsons do.

There is a big 1 of 20/30 situation going on with Epiphone, in regards to pickups and harnesses. I have been lucky to pick up several Epiphones that are excellent examples of what they could, or were meant to be. 1 out of 20 (or 30) will knock your socks off with their tone and playability, bone stock. Some are just average, and some are downright boxes of mud. You have to play more than one. The fit and finish has always been good, at least in my experience. Sure there are some that had sloppy finish issues, but mostly in the dye/pigmentation. Get one that looks good, and if it sounds bad, gut it and start over.

NEVER buy a blue burst Les Paul made by Epiphone. I have seen WAY too many of them faded to grey in the middle, and purple around the edges, and all stages in between. They look amazing new, but they seem to fade quickly, especially in UV light.

[DRS]

She sure looks fantastic!

Thanks

[timmer]

Picked up a 2014 Epi 339 last year, P90 version. My one complaint is the G string constantly goes out of tune. The nut, aside from maybe being of cheap material, has the slots all cut straight--no angle offset for the middle strings.

So looks like a fix is in order, but I definitely consider it a keeper. Plays great, sounds great.

[guitar1303]

I was part of this thread 8 years ago -- and still a big fan of Epis. I did sell the Chet Atkins SST nylon (just didn't play it) but added an ES-339 (an outstanding guitar for the money). If stores start getting some inventory this year (Sweetwater has a total of about 6 electric Epis in stock today!), I may need to add to the family with a Casino or the new LP '59 which is getting rave reviews in the guitar magazines.

The quality of Epiphone guitars continues to improve each year and the seriousness with which Gibson is starting to treat its corporate cousin is very encouraging. Maybe they recognize that the constantly rising Gibson prices are leaving some guitarists behind and that offering a quality instrument through Epiphone will keep those folks in the Gibson family.

As for archtops, Gibson and Epiphone must feel that there's little market for them as both brands seem to have dropped them like a hot rock. I'm sure it's a cost-driven decision but that leaves Ibanez, which makes very good quality instrument, the major contender at all price points if you're looking for a jazz box.

[mad dog]

I've had several epiphones. A few I should have kept. A MIJ Riviera, an open headstock MIJ les paul. Those are the old regrets. Now I'm in the pre-regret zone, about to trade for a Epiphone Century 1966.

[Doctor Jeff]

I posted in the 2018 version of this thread.
Since then I have picked up an Epiphone Johnny A which is not just a great guitar for $999 usd but would be a great guitar for $2-3K.

Wow—beautiful guitar! And with Gibson Classic 57’s...

Wonder where it’s made? The pickguard makes me think Peerless factory, since that’s one of their signatures. (Yes I realize the Gibson version has the same pickguard. So does my Peerless Sunset.)

Anyway, the inlays and binding on that guitar are outstanding. That’s not something you see much of these days.

I was part of this thread 8 years ago -- and still a big fan of Epis. I did sell the Chet Atkins SST nylon (just didn't play it) but added an ES-339 (an outstanding guitar for the money). If stores start getting some inventory this year (Sweetwater has a total of about 6 electric Epis in stock today!), I may need to add to the family with a Casino or the new LP '59 which is getting rave reviews in the guitar magazines.

The quality of Epiphone guitars continues to improve each year and the seriousness with which Gibson is starting to treat its corporate cousin is very encouraging. Maybe they recognize that the constantly rising Gibson prices are leaving some guitarists behind and that offering a quality instrument through Epiphone will keep those folks in the Gibson family.

As for archtops, Gibson and Epiphone must feel that there's little market for them as both brands seem to have dropped them like a hot rock. I'm sure it's a cost-driven decision but that leaves Ibanez, which makes very good quality instrument, the major contender at all price points if you're looking for a jazz box.

Agree with the above but I would also add Godin, Peerless and D’Angelico to the mix in addition to Ibanez.

[monkmiles]

I rather like the 2013 Epiphone Reissue 1962 Sorrento.

[Jimmy Mack]

So many great threads with great stories/bio's to read. So I'll just add my own and wait for the book to come out - it WILL be great reading!
My Epi existence started with a '64 Riviera (a great guitar) and then I found a modded 60's Rivoli bass. I have been a happy camper.
In the 80' and 90's I tried Epi models, trying to replace the '65 Gibson Johnny Smith I sold. But I couldn't bond with any of them. Until I found a Epi lucille reduced for clearance at Manny's closing. Nice. But then I received a 339 Pro P90 at GC for not a lot of $$$ and WoW what a guitar. Sold my Gibson LP Custom "57 RI. The Epi's were better.
Now I cherish my RI '61 Casino (one of the best guitars in 50+ years of playing and trying them all!) and I recently bought an Epi 335 Pro for humbucker service at the gig. No regrets at all, it's the 335 I always wanted but never owned.

So, winners: 64 Riviera, '63 Rivoli, 2009 Epi Lucille, 2013 Epi 339 P90 Pro, '61 RI Casino, and 2018 Epi ES335 Pro

Losers : 2003 Gibson Les Paul '57 RI Custom

[guitar1303]

I came soooo close to getting a Sorrento -- regret that I didn't. Maybe I'll get another bite of the apple!

[garybaldy]

Yes, old thread but I still have my AF84E (and I added an Epi 339 and Epi Les Paul Custom).

I love the guitar itself because it's difficult to find affordable non-cutaway jazz guitars and Ibanez makes a great guitar for the money. The AF84E didn't stay in production too long -- I guess must people like cutaways. The guitar plays very well -- great neck with smooth action. The pickup is excellent but it's a little brighter than my Epis. That's not a criticism -- some folks think that Epi pickups are a little dark or muddy (I don't agree) -- but I like having the AF84E for those times I'm looking for something a little brighter. Sounds great through my amp and is fun to play. For a modestly priced instrument, it would be hard to beat.

What do you plan to do with the pickup?

Just happened to find this old thread! It's been a while since you asked me this question. Sorry about that.
The pickup is now in my Fenix FAE8. It had the Atilla Zollar floater which to me was dreadful. As well as being honky/boxy it may have had a fault causing the high e string to be really quiet. The Ibby works very well. I did buy a similar pickup which has pole screws and is Alnico. Don't know of the Ibby pup is Alnico. Haven't used that one yet. Cheers.

[Sleeko]

Regret? Not one bit.

[powerwagonjohn]

No regrets buying my 1950 Epiphone Triumph. Thanks John

[AllanAllen]

Regret? Not one bit.

Are those the 3D printed hexagon knobs from ebay? Or did you find nice ones someplace else?

[lawson-stone]

Are those the 3D printed hexagon knobs from ebay? Or did you find nice ones someplace else?

Those are standard on the Elitist Broadway

[AllanAllen]

BAH! That doesn't help me at all.

[Sleeko]

Those are standard on the Elitist Broadway

Yes they are, yes indeed!

[lawson-stone]

Yes they are, yes indeed!

Selling my Epiphone Elitist Broadway was one of the two dumbest guitar sales in my entire life. I miss that guitar every day,

[Sleeko]

Selling my Epiphone Elitist Broadway was one of the two dumbest guitar sales in my entire life. I miss that guitar every day,

I won't lie, she's a handful compared to my L4 CES but there's just something about her ...

[garybaldy]

I miss that guitar every day,

Especially the hexagonal knobs?

[DRS]

I just bought an Epi SG Standard 61. A great guitar and affordable.

[frabarmus]

I don't regret buying mine! Here it is.

[Webby]

I am also a very happy owner of an Epiphone:

[diamondjazzy]

All the Epiphone Les Paul Customs I've had were quite amazing guitars.

[Sam Sherry]

They can't all be winners. This guitar demonstrates what happens when 40s, 50s and 60s Epiphone parts are force-fit then hit with a bandsaw:

[AllanAllen]

I'm confused, how is that not a winner?