Has Epiphone Passed Gibson? BB King Lucille

[@stweartstreetstringworks7011]

I thought the tp-6 tailpiece was to adjust the string's break angle over the bridge, to make the tension on each string even.

[@andrefludd]

I never knew that’s what it’s for, but I’ll pin this comment and hopefully others chime in as well. Thanks!

[@Nightmerica]

I read somewhere that the intention of the TP-6 was to allow fine-tuning while playing without reaching all the way to the headstock. I don’t know if that’s true, though. I like to set the screws high when I’m changing strings and, after all the stretching, I’ll use them to adjust back to pitch if they’re still tending to go a wee flat.

[@stweartstreetstringworks7011]

@@andrefludd Like how some folk do the wrap-over (for a looser feel) and the others go string thru on the regular tailpiece. This does that and in-between too.

[@upload2352]

Apparently studio folk like them because they enable tonal synchronization among multiple guitars/instruments, I'm guessing by adjusting for inevitable small intonation differences among them when held in chorded positions. I have them on my Ibanez AS103 (but leave them alone).

[@RudolfWolph]

I've never seen anything from Gibson mention anything but fine tuning. "A direct retrofit for the original Gibson stopbar, the TP-6 delivers the ability to fine tune any string on your guitar in seconds. Micro-adjustment tuners and carefully crafted gears and saddles allows for smooth string movement and precise tuning ability. This OEM part is available in either Chrome or Gold finish."

[@donbishop6994]

Dr. Fludd, the tailpiece is known as a TP-6, and it's primary purpose is to allow you to retune a string without having to use the fretting hand. You can fix it as a chord rings out.

[@kennyblackbird5674]

Srat guy here, and I own one of the 2021 Epiphone Lucille guitars.I recorded over twenty songs using that guitar. My main gripe is the treble pickup, it's slightly shrill sounding when using heavy overdrive but other than that it's a pleasure to play and second to the Strat in tone and versatility.

[@lunamatic9775]

I have an Epiphone 335 that I am surprised to say I have no intention of trading up to a Gibson for. Do I *want* a Gibson? For sure, but with the Epi I can tell myself I don't *need* it and not feel bad.

[@abunai.j]

I love this channel. You've become my go-to for someone I trust to give me honest, impartial info on guitars, and I usually end up learning something as well by the time the video is done. And that was some incredibly tasty soloing, by the way. Hope everything is going well for you, man.

[@writewheel]

I have an Epi Lucille... I had no qualms about giving it over to my trusted tech for some upgrades. It now has NOS wire, Homewrecker pickups with coil taps on each and he went crazy and hand-built a NOS varitone switch. It is a tone monster now. I may swap the tailpiece at some point with a Dusenberg trem that I was able to buy in "gold" color. Bottom line for me is that for the price, it was/is a great platform for "that BB sound" and more.

[@gregmock6808]

I used a Scotch Brite pad and took the gloss of my neck in a couple of minutes...it's now a satin feeling neck..highly recommend doing this. I always sit when playing it so the weight isn't an issue...for standing and playing I prefer the tele or Casino .

[@damienalvarez2957]

1:41 I bought two new Epiphones in the last two years and both had very clean-cut nuts. Same thing, though, they could have benefitted from being cut lower, but I wouldn’t consider that a flaw as I think it allows you more room to adjust the action if so desired, but both instruments were playable out of the box, which I think is what matters most in budget instruments: that it doesn’t hiss like a banshee and that it’s not miserable to play.

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

The EART 335 IS INCREDIBLE…bought it 2 yrs ago when it came out for $400 and play it all the time…so so good

[@alembickoa]

Sir... about a year ago I bought an Epi Lucille. I've played the guitar for 64 years so I'm very familiar with the Gibson ES guitars. This Epiphone version of BBs guitar is one of the nicest instruments I've ever owned. I also would like to thank you for the very informative and honest review of the guitars. And kudos for throwing in the D'Angelico. Excellent guitar also. All that said I've subscribed and am looking forward to delving into your world. Much love and many blessings, Sir.

[@pedroleal7118]

Hello Andre! As usual great review and great conclusion ! Take care!

[@Nightmerica]

Great video. I bought one of these, traded it off about a year later for a Gibson SG, and after another year bought another Lucille because it had just been so excellent and I wanted it back. Epiphone really hit this one out of the park.

[@dave_oh_dude]

I think the TP-6 is designed to allow you to tune with your right hand while playing/holding a chord

[@upload2352]

That was my understanding, as well. Apparently studio folk like them because they enable tonal synchronization among multiple guitars/instruments, I'm guessing by adjusting for inevitable small intonation differences among them when held in chords. I have them on my Ibanez AS103 (but leave them alone).

[@dave_oh_dude]

@@upload2352 jazz cats like to be perfectly in tune when they’re playing out of key…no offense @andrefludd

[@gregmock6808]

I have the Epiphone 58 version 335 with the chunky neck and I've truly learned to love it...I replaced the input jack which was not great and put a bone nut on mine and love it. I use flatwounds on mine...it can cover a lot of sonic range...That BB model is beautiful..I don't like the Varia tone switch at all.

[@1000foxtrot]

Very good video ... I bought my Gibson Lucille many years ago - '93 -'94 .... And when I listen close, I find the Epi-Lucille sounds more like the older original ones - and stay true to how it sounds too... Must say I feel happy for the TP-6 tailpiece, and used it often when I went on stage ... So easy to fine tune - on the fly too ... Like BB I keep mostly the Varitone on 2 or 3 ... But of course it depends of what I play... Must say - because of the weight - I play the mostly on my Strat or Tele .... But each of these definitely has their good forces for what they can...

[@Joey_McElroy]

This is my first time watching your channel. Very good and in depth review. You articulate your description of both guitars very very well. I really appreciate that. I am definitely going to be picking up one of these new Lucille’s. I’m subbing! Awesome channel my friend!! ❤❤❤

[@zaccarter3801]

Recently started watching your channel! Great content and playing. Hope to see more reviews, I like the focus on premium “budget” brand guitars. Would be awesome to see the more “affordable” USA guitars (fender performer, gibson modern lite or studio, and PRS S2). Not sure if you have as I just watched this and some of the PRS SE vids.

[@unknownpleasures_nic]

Well for someone so used to micro tuners is not a bad idea, you can just adjust quickly on the fly with your ear if you notice some dissonance on a chord. I got that habit from playing floyd rose bridges all the time

[@norseman61]

HOW in the WORLD can an $8k guitar have sloppy inlays? History has shown there is only one way. Gibson.

[@viniciuseduardobomfim]

Just the good ol' garbage Gibson QC. No surprises here, although less common, even their Custom Shop/Murphy Lab put out some gnarly lemons from time to time, search on the internet and you'll see the complaints. They range from chewed up binding, fretboard with dings, chips and tooling marks, super poorly cut nuts, sloppy inlays, electronics going kaput just a couple of months after purchase. Gibson's standard line is already overpriced for what they deliver in terms of quality, Custom/Murphy Lab are straight up scams 😂

[@LoftOfTheUniverse]

Gibson is hiring DEI and inexperienced people

[@norseman61]

@@LoftOfTheUniverse If that were the case, they'd probably be better than they are.

[@LoftOfTheUniverse]

@@norseman61 According to your assumption, but not to reality.

[@norseman61]

@@LoftOfTheUniverse I apologize. Obviously you must work for Gibson's Human Resources Dept. to be so knowledgeable of their hiring practices. My bad.

[@randrothify]

I don’t care what anyone says, I love the Varitone circuit and the lack of F-holes. It makes it unique compared to other 335/345s. Only thing I don’t like is those dark and compressed sounding pickups that characterize BB‘s later years. In his prime he had a much brighter and expansive tone. I know that he favored solid state amps but I don’t think that is what defines his tone. It may be the relative lack of reverb on his later recordings compared to his 60s and 70s heyday.

[@daniellowry660]

@4:00 I believe the technical term is Nibs

[@TobyDN1982]

I happen to get an Epiphone Lucille about a month ago. I was looking for a budget ES 335 and first I bought a Stanford. It's a German brand and Chinese produced 335 copy. It felt great playing, but it kind of lacked the warmth of the Gibson tone. So I checked out a few 335s from Epiphone on KZbin videos and I was really blown away how authentic they sound at just a fraction of the Gibson's prices. So I went to my local guitar store and checked out the a few Epiphones because I was after a Marty Schwarz 335. But honestly the Epiphone Lucille sounded better and felt better to me and I took it home with me after checking it out on an amp. I swapped out the pickups for a set of genuine '57 plus PAFs from Gibson and now it's pretty much all I ever looked for!

[@imacmadman22]

I bought my Ibanez AS-93 after trying Gibson, Epiphone, Schechter, Fender, D'Angelico and a few other semi-hollow guitars. I liked the classy design, playability, feel of the neck, the craftsmanship (after almost six months, I haven't found a flaw on it) and the pickups. I didn't like the weight of the Epiphones, Gibson - the price, Schechter's control layout was weird, I didn't like the maple-only fingerboard of the Fender Starcaster semi-hollow. The D'Angelico would have been my second choice but, I chose the Ibanez because I liked the sound and feel of the guitar.

[@garypannone7755]

Great review. I bought a Shinichi Ubukata ES 355 and love it basically the same guitar. But not really LOL.

[@JazzGuitarScrapbook]

Yeah what is with all that neck gunge on 335s lol? I don’t think it’s a nitro thing. Seriously considering an Epi 335 of some type as my playing around the house with kids running around guitar. I usually have a tele for that but I like the way an unplugged semi sounds…

[@nicksalvatore5717]

Epiphone necks in general feel extremely sticky in a friction way. I used scotch brite sponge and then daddario polish and it’s great now

[@JazzGuitarScrapbook]

@@nicksalvatore5717 no idea about Epis but my Gibson 335 is well gungy.

[@AdrianFarrell]

I'm considering buying my first semi-hollow, and for value for money the Epiphone Sheraton is currently the top of my list. As a big BB fan I also considered the Lucille, but I have a thing for simplicity, and the extra switching kinda put me off. I know I don't have to use all the options, but .... Mainly wanting it for jazz chord melody but not wanting a full archtop.

[@simonpark843]

Another excellent video. Thank you!

[@johndaugherty4127]

The very next guitar in my sights. Thank you thank you thank you! I swear my Epiphone SG Modern is a gibson in every way but name and maybe the body a little. The neck, just, wow! Setup was high also. You made up my mind. Great playing.

[@6955Yusuke]

What is the name of the guitar behind your left side?

[@BillySoundFarm]

Me: not excited about epiphones, almost any other brand would get me more excited. ... Also Me: plays my epiphone casino at home more than my Gibsons or PRS's.

[@michaelmenkes8085]

My IBGC Firebird V is phenomenal. The tuning is stable, the vibrato is solid, the build quality is right in the mix with other top tier Asian builders like World Music, and the Gibson pickups are just perfect.

[@LuziferVegan]

i think it’s an unnormal outstanding Guitar… i NEED this Epiphone Lucille in my collection 😍

[@c.conga11]

I had no idea what "sucked-in" tone was, but then I heard it and instantly understood

[@indigos290]

I got the ES-335 Figured. I did the setup myself. No way I'm buying the Gibson.

[@jonathanstrand2474]

Personally declining output for each setting, is not what I would like or use. But on my guitars engaging both PU, is a 2-3 db decline, that’s usable Sounds like between setting 1-6 it’s more 5-6 DB decline on the Epiphone

[@alieffauzanrizky7202]

Passed gibson on value? YES. I'm still amazed by them ever since they did the "Inspired by Gibson" series a while back. For $1,700~ you get a very nice build quality, sound, a case with every nits and bits gibson usually gives you. Sure it's not cheap and you could get a strandberg or a fancy PRS for that but remember it can cost up to $10,000+ just to replace the headstock to a gibson one. This also goes for their lower end models that usually go around $300-$700. I've heard it's mostly because of the current advancement on CNC and other automation at making guitars there so they can press the cost even lower while maintaining quality. Good for them.

[@ianariyoshi2712]

Gibson probably saw that inlay work and was like “awwww fuck” 😂

[@jinbyun]

I've always wanted to get a Lucille. I mean, it has backplate! I really don't understand why other semihollow, or even hollowbody archtop doesn't have them.

[@stephenedgecock]

they are called "fret nibs" on the Gibson

[@PatrickGeneLeBlancHardy]

Thanks For Sharing 🎸🧠🎶🎶✌️

[@yoheff988]

Never understood all those plywood guitars LOL

[@fandangodrive4310]

Tried the epi and did not like it. Had issues with the neck and the pickups were junk. My action was high and the frets were rough and some were higher than the other ones

[@RByrne]

Same. I bought one and returned it the next day. It had so many issues, it was unbelievable. Worst was the frets, but also red overspray onto binding, fretboard dye turning the inlays gray, and in ageneral just looked like a kid built it. I went for the Gibson Lucille legacy in trans-black. It's flawless, looks, and plays like a dream.

[@warmitag]

I've got the Epiphone... while I don't doubt the Gibson is a nicer guitar, the Epiphone is a great guitar and the price is excellent

[@IgorHatesEverything]

The Gibson may be marginally nicer, but that’s it. I’m sure your Epiphone is very good.

[@Lordofmrak]

Varitone is the biggest advantage of this guitar. Other brands are not doing that.

[@paulsteinbrunner7197]

Now go track down an old Lab Series combo to complete the B.B. King rig.

[@andrefludd]

I have tried 😂

[@tonepilot]

Am I the only person in the world who finds glossy necks slicker than bare or satin?

[@TheRange7]

If only Epiphone would wake up and make this in a lefty

[@BillyTheKidsGhost]

I see you cured your red light syndrome... Excellent 🤙

[@bluegryp]

Man i would send that gibson with the bad inlays back. That’s clearly unacceptable. That said I still think Gibson is an all around better guitar. Is it worth the price difference, it depends on your needs.

[@PlatinumBlack90038]

The Epiphone headstock is deformed - the Low E and High e are not straight behind the nut.

[@PlatinumBlack90038]

The Epiphone headstock is deformed - unlike the Gibson; the Low E and High e are not straight behind the nut.

[@MattMorgans]

No!

[@deanallen927]

No.

[@mark6302]

rather get a H. Benton than a Gibson in 2024....

[@runrin_]

frets on top of binding is actually better imo. it's basically impossible to maintain those stupid plastic nubs when you refret a gibson, so your luthier will probably remove them and refret the guitar like the epiphone anyway.

[@HALWASRIGHT]

For those reading the comment above...it's not "impossible" to refret a neck with fret "nubs" (actually called fret nibs). There are things to consider if you chose to leave the nibs intact, but it's not impossible. I wish people would think before making wild assumptions.

[@daniellowry660]

Damn that's a pretty jazzy 335

[@markpell8979]

Gibson's new motto should be, "Here's what you get from us so Suck It." Btw, André, I've wondered why I haven't been getting you in my feed for a while and found myself unsubscribed from your channel again, for about the third time. That's not counting the time I unsubbed myself as a pointless gesture of 'principle' when you accepted those easy chairs, as did Landon Bailey, etc. Then I realized a YTer has to take what they can get or it's not worth your time and effort. I appreciate you, man. Today I'm resubbing (again) so let's see what happens this time.

[@andreasfetzer7559]

The biggest bs.

[@Billiamwoods]

Watch out for that loose seal on your lap Anyone get this?

[@snorrepedersen6914]

Buster!

[@MattSwain1]

They used this gag in maybe series 2 or 3 of Arrested Development. It was kind of brilliant that they named a character Lucille and then waited until the 2nd or 3rd series to get this in 😂

[@DS-nw4eq]

Only get epiphany if you want wood that warps in six months.

[@raytorvalds3699]

Speaking from experience?

[@msaintpc]

Lol, nice try kid. Comparing a Gibson to an Epiphone is like comparing lightning to a lightning bug (Mark Twain).

[@IgorHatesEverything]

😂😂 The Gibson marketing department loves people like you.

[@SaberToothGary]

Epiphone has been a better brand for 80 years...

[@jfar3340]

Obviously the gibson is a lot better: they are 2 completely different guitars with the same shape. I would never play or buy again a guitar with anything other than nitro finish. Period.

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

Have the Gibson but swapped out the gaudy ass hardware for smoked nickel…can’t stand good guitars with gold bs everywhere