Epiphone Changed... Is That Good News? | Kris & Guillaume

There's a lot of talking about the new direction Epiphone took so let's discuss it.
Ohh and while we're at it, let's check out these sweet Gibson Custom inspired Epiphone 59 Les Pauls.
Leave a comment below!
Gear used: tho.mn/mfg4c
Recorded in Presonus Studio One: bit.ly/S1Pro6
Recorded and mixed with Universal Audio: tho.mn/uadx1
Monitors optimised through Sonarworks: tho.mn/sonar
We use Cordial cables exclusively: www.thomann.de/intl/cat_brand...
Interesting bits and pieces:
0:00 Introduction and intro jam
1:36 What are these new guitars
2:22 PLAYING | Kris | Epiphone Les Paul 59
4:06 The specs and details
6:08 PLAYING | Guillaume
9:01 G's hot take
9:43 Price point of Epiphones - our thoughts
14:30 Outro jam
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[@d0minikh]

btw Epiphone confirmed that the pickups are real USA custombuckers

[@taleman730]

I just got my Epiphone 59, It’s a tone machine. Very, Very happy with it. If you don’t have $7k to shell out for the Gibson buy and it and enjoy, You will not regret it.

[@sydguitar99]

Back when top end Epiphones were cheap, they used cheap electronics and pick ups that would always need to be upgraded these new ones are perfect out of the box

[@jeffkercheval4010]

I have the tobacco burst 59 Les Paul. This is a spectacular guitar! Outstanding workmanship, outstanding playability, outstanding tone. Can't say enough good things.

[@KimboTheAussie]

i had one too and returned it...this feels really cheap for the money...zero mojo....

[@djt6546]

@@KimboTheAussieSorry it was a dud but keep in mind each guitar should be taken in it’s own merits. Don’t forget in a row of identical guitars (regardless of low or high price) one may love only one serial number and really dislike the others. Try multiple whenever you get the chance to do so. 🙂

[@cemylgn1363]

I have an Epiphone standard 60's (IBG) and after installing Gotoh bridge and tailpiece to it and Tonerider pickups, I play it more than my Gibson USA LP Studio really. I think the late epiphone stuff is really killing it.

[@michaelnugent9758]

Yeah, they really stepped up their QC lately. The 59's are fantastic guitars, not just "for the price".

[@OakLawnSpeedShop]

And for what your total spend was you could have just bought the Gibson…….

[@valendis]

My 2 cts, I would advise anyone reading this to find a great Inspired By Gibson cheaper version and customize it with you own pickups, hardware, tuners, etc... You end up spending about the same amount but you have a top notch guitar which is now your own because you customized the hell out of it...

[@viperBSG]

I agree with that. But I have a 1959 Les Paul, not much to upgrade. that's why I bought it, already had Gibby pups and all. But yeah get a 60's standard epi perfect neck and mod it to death better guitar or the custom same slim taper neck but an ebony finger board how can you beat it? then I have imo.

[@samright4661]

You’re 2 cents is stupid ! The pickups cost 500 that’s in the Epi , the hand wired pots etc it’s cheaper to buy this

[@shipsahoy1793]

thanks for the info gentlemen .. appreciate you highlighting this turn of events..

[@taloujazz9504]

Good idea this new upgraded line. I love CTS and the quality components and I am not good in customize guitars so it's fine for me.

[@AndreasFalk_Fellbach]

I own an Epiphone Elitist SG guitar made in Japan. The Elitist series was only sold for a short time and in my opinion includes the best models ever made by Epiphone.

[@jasondorsey7110]

And before that was the orville brand...they did away with orville in the late 90s and just extended the quality/price range of epiphone through the elitist series, so if anything these new pricier epiphones are harkening back to that but without relying on japan's now-legendary reputation for craftsmanship

[@mikethebloodthirsty]

​@@jasondorsey7110they are not in the same ballpark

[@electrofunk5442]

Always was interested in those Elitist models back in the day

[@aminahmed2220]

Absolutely fantastic ❤😊

[@jasminduncanson2520]

I like the change in epiphone design but,the price is too outrageous!😮

[@VeitLehmann]

Looks like a win-win! Gibson moves even more towards a premium reputation, and those Epiphones give you more bang for the buck while moving towards Gibson look&feel with the open-book headstock. I also like the semi-gloss finish, looks kind of vintage. Rosewood would have been nice though.

[@MrLespaul2000]

Great guitars. I bought the Explorer in this range. Wonderful quality, plays great. I went another stage and fitted Custombuckers I had spare as it was fitted with Burstbuckers. I don't regret paying the price I did for it as there was no way I could afford $10,000 for a Gibson Custom model. Well happy with it.

[@Slash1066]

I have 3 amazing Epi LPs, a 59 replica, a 20 year old standard with Slash alnicos and a 2010 Slash AFD, all amazing

[@joshblck1]

I have the Es-355 version and I love it, sounds amazing and plays really well. Mine came with scratchy frets but that’s fixable. Overall, I’m super happy with it.

[@cironicholas526]

Mine also came with really scratchy frets

[@RomulusIova]

Hi guys! Nice chords coming from your hands and the guitars are stunning. I own an Epiphone Les Paul Standard and I also like the new ones, but the price is too high for my wage, and also the lutier work added to guitar high price equals non affordable Epiphone 😔. Cheers guys and all the best!

[@svetloba13]

I would pay even more for one with a chunky neck like my R8 and rosewood fingerboard, so I could use it for live gigs and keep my R8 at home. Great vid as always. You guys give a very realistic rievew, it is not just marketing.

[@davecooper360]

It would be awesome if Epiphone did an IBG '58!

[@andrewbecker3700]

Yeah, just raise the neck pickup a little bit, and better articulation and note separation will magically occur.

[@DanielTomaka]

Over 1k for a Laurel fretboard with frets that need to be properly leveled, crowned and polished? Not happening.

[@csharp57]

Damn near every guitar from almost every major manufacturer needs proper leveling, crowing and polish. I have fender Gibson, Epiphone, Ibanez and ALL needed to be set up by a professional guitar tech

[@samwiederspan8823]

I think these are great guitars and if I was looking for a guitar now, I would get one of these instruments. I played a couple of the LP Custom versions and they were really nice. I always change pickups so that's a non issue for me even on my Gibson LP Classic and Standard - Seymour Duncans, right away. I think that upgrading the tuners and bridge while not necessary would seem like a good idea. To me upgrading to Gotoh or hardware like that would propel the guitars into mid level Gibson range qualitywise. Again just my opinion.

[@alexstrums]

These guitars are really nice, but I’m more interested in the new Custom (because it has a chunkier neck than the older version). I’d probably change the pickups to a lower output set though to align with my tastes. Not too bothered about the custom buckers as I’m a big fan of the probuckers

[@MrJingles021]

I just bought one of the new LP Moderns in the purple burst. It has its flaws. One volume knob was way too high. Fret ends are sharp too. But the frets do seem level. The guitar came with the low action at 5/64s and the high E 3/64s, which are Gibson specs. The Modern isn't the most expensive model, or a custom shop one, but if they are going to have these big prices they need to make the fret work better.

[@josephhughes9490]

Hello Kris and Guillaume . I have Epiphones and they are great . If the cost keeps climbing than it's losing the reason for purchasing one. Just buy a Gibson. I have 4 different models and they play great but in a decent price range.

[@alexstrums]

I had 5 IBG Epiphones. All played great but sold them for one Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s. Best decision I’ve made in a while!

[@richfrazier8756]

I have a 2020 Epiphone Les Paul pro top plus! Love it. Got it at a discount nrw for $500.

[@markwilliamsmusic2987]

This is a different beast...

[@liorauf]

Great video! They look awesome guitars

[@philmingasson]

So how do these compare to the Harley Benton’s ? Especially the higher end ones like the Sc550 ?

[@stephenbennett5240]

Much better sound, it’s using USA custombuckers which sound amazing. It plays probably a little better if not it would play the same

[@csharp57]

I absolutely love Harley Benton’s guitars, but the humbuckers in mine have a weak output

[@user-np8hi6yd3j]

Custom Shop I expect stud bolts @ bridge instead of bushes. But give it a try.

[@ivan_emege]

These are the steps for the future “Gibson by Epiphone” core line Gibson guitars made in China. I firmly believe some time soon Gibson move its standard USA production range to China.

[@stanislavmigra]

So they did what Lee Anderton was suggesting for years and years. Dropped the very wobbly low cost USA Les Pauls and introduced properly speced Epiphones in that price range. Epiphones (as I own couple of them for long time), to my ears have strange tone issue. They feel dark, yet there is scrietchi (nails on chalkboard) topend, that is hard to remove, because once you remove it, the guitar became dull. These (and not only in this demo) seems to not have this issue.

[@nicopoppe4838]

Could be the zink hardware and the plastic nut on your older epiphones. And in some part the cheap meranti/ palaquium wood sounds dull af.

[@nicopoppe4838]

PD, not it seems that they are using okoume (wi h just looks like african mahogany for the untrained eye) but still sounds kinda muffled.

[@adamwatson6916]

What you are describing is a pickup issue . Epiphone pickups are wooly in the lows and spikey in the top end . Epi Alnico classics are the biggest offenders. The Probuckes were an improvement but still wooly spikey and fairly Muddy . The Probuckers are basically a cheap Burstbucker knock off . Even with Real Burstbuckers in a real Gibson they can have the muddy lows and Harsh top end. Burstbuckers can be very hit or miss depending on the guitar. The Burstbuckers 2 and 3 were actually a great match for the older Epi 59s .The BB2 and BB3 are much better than the BB1 and BB2 set . They have a slightly rounder top end less bass and more mids compared to the BB1 and BB2 and the Probuckers . The extra low mids of the BB2 and BB3 gjve an Epiphones lower frequencies more character and more vocal Quality . The Custombuckers are also a great match for an Epi Les Paul . They really open the Epi les Paul's up .

[@adamwatson6916]

​@nicopoppe4838 The maple cap on Epis underneath the veneer is not actually Maple either. I can't remember exaclty what it is called but its not maple .

[@stanislavmigra]

@@adamwatson6916 Ive upgraded about everything that is on my Epiphone, it partialy mittigated the issue, but not to the extent, I was hopeing for. Still likes mine Epiphones and play them regularily.

[@klausfritsch4350]

Kris, it looks like the neck PU on your LP is higher (closer to the strings) under the thick strings and lower under the thin strings. I normally set these uo the other way round. Is there a special reason for your setup?

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Hi, the pickups were pretty much dead straight on my guitar and about the same far from the strings as on G's guitar. I usually also set the pickups up the same way as you (closer to the high E so slightly angled) but I didn't want to mess with the factory setup on this one. It worked pretty well and I wanted to hear and show how it is with a fine, basic setup. Cheers //Kris

[@shipsahoy1793]

interesting.. I find myself wondering why an electric guitar that cost over $1200 has to have Laurel fretboard material .. the laurel they use is just too dry; same with bass guitars; I purchased an HH Tele that had a Laurel fingerboard, and I had to oil it, so that it wasn't so offensive in look and feel, and it "still" has a propensity to dry out. I know Epiphone is a different company than Fender, but I have to assume that the Laurel that they're using on these guitars is probably all the same crap. Let's just say my experience instilled in me disdain for any "more expensive" guitars that sport a Laurel fingerboard..😉

[@valendis]

I hate laurel so much it's the main reason why I sold my Inspired by Gibson 50s standard

[@trevor4533]

Agreed, they need to ditch the Laurel.

[@nicopoppe4838]

It would be suicide if they would use african mahogany and indian rosewood... they would sound good just like a gibson but the wood quality (not race) would be shit and you would end with a 5 to 6 kilo guitar.

[@bruneilange4161]

Whoever misses out this beautiful song will be their loss but today I am listening in 2024.

[@astro2069]

How does the thickness compare to a Gibson? Overall, maple cap thickness etc?

[@joermnyc]

I have a Les Paul Modern Figured from Epiphone, nothing I would change about it (aside from it showing up with the neck not needing a massive truss rod adjustment but that could have been a storage isse), and it was under $800US in a dealer exclusive color (Bourbon Burst) PLUS an ebony board. No way I’d pay any more just for Custom buckers (mind you I do think those are the best Gibson pickups, but I’d rather get those in an actual Gibson.)

[@aaronperrotta7055]

I just bought one as well. Came with a great setup, and 7.5 lbs. The only LP I currently play. I love it.

[@unrequitedmusic8004]

Epiphone has made great strides in quality, but it's not worth paying the already inflated Gibson prices for something that isn't quite the quality of a Gibson (and, yes, Gibson's workmanship is disturbingly inconsistent for their prices, but still...)

[@johnblack9037]

Typical and expected boring comment as usual.

[@warlikesoad]

@@johnblack9037typical hateful and boring comment here

[@emartinezr]

But these aren't the "inflated Gibson prices". These are around 50% the price of a Gibson Standard which is around the same price for most US made or high quality imports......

[@deshawn4077]

Still overpriced

[@deshawn4077]

Still overpriced

[@laurentgalabe8455]

Bonjour est ce que la finition est toujours mat ou maintenant vernis ? Merci

[@lulopatan]

How about the measurements? Is that a 59 LesPaul exactly copy?

[@saintmanuel]

Epiphone made some great limited Run Guitars in ~2005, for example the LP Custom Midnight with active EMGs and the 1984 Explorers in white and black, both with active EMGs as well. Those were fine Guitars for an affordable price, similar to a PRS SE back then. I think pricewise they´re going too far with the new models and the new signatures models as well. The Hammett V had a lot of potential, but the parts they used... even with the Hammett Name on it, they´re not even close to what a KH 602/603 were, when they were released. Even the Pickups were neuteured on those two V´s. They could´ve brought the Elitist Line back, but in general I´d like to see Epiphone in a sub 1000€ range, with only the higher models coming close to that pricepoint.

[@somerandomhomeboy]

I think they are inspired by Eastman,PRS and others. People moaning about the price should ask themselves would you rather have 1 $10000 guitar or 10 $1000 guitars and why?

[@Edward1312]

Those Indian laurel fretboards look very good and dark brown instead of the normal Laurel greyish, have they been treated to darken them I wonder?

[@hlrossato]

Interesting video. So, basically what you're saying is that these Epiphones are better than the Gibson LP Studio and better than the Epiphone Custom Shop (around 800-ish Euros). Is that correct?

[@deshawn4077]

I don’t think they are better than the Studios

[@cechichan]

At about 11:30 you guys talk about the pickups, but arent these custombuckers? like..EXACTLY what Gibson have in the custom shop/murphy lab guitars normally?

[@dragan4658]

Yes upgraded specs on these guitars however it's still an Epiphone, yes, very nice Epiphone but still an Epiphone.

[@itslikethesamebutdifferent8020]

So you buy the brand not the guitar itself? Fair enough.

[@dragan4658]

@itslikethesamebutdifferent8020 brand and guitar kind of go hand in hand. I would still rather buy a Gibson Tribute over one of these Epiphones.

[@dragan4658]

I agree

[@DrChikenman]

At that price tag, maybe it's better ton consider a Larry Carlton L7.

[@Pylos69]

Sure, or a PRS SE single cut.

[@kingmodestfirst4487]

Tokai / Edwards

[@BenderOfStrings]

Theyre heading towards rebranding themselves as "Gibson Asia". At least with the Inspired By Gibson line of guitars. I foresee those models eventually saying Gibson on the headstock with a "Made In China" stamp on the back. Similar to what Fender does with their MIM models, Gretsch with their Electromatics, and PRS does with their SE models.

[@maomao180]

Just wish it wasn't that cheap looking flat satin finish...

[@markdoolan3424]

You need a Murphy Aged Epi then 😆😆

[@PaulCooksStuff]

Trogly tried buffing one for a few minutes. It easily goes semi gloss if you want it.

[@stephenbennett5240]

It looks way better in person. Looks slightly aged and the flame pops more. Way better than the normal finish

[@manelalentorn]

Nor Indian Laurel...

[@stephenbennett5240]

@@manelalentorn Depends on the one you get. My fretboard looks better than 90% of rosewoods I’ve seen. But some are super light and don’t look as good.

[@jeffflint9086]

Nice guitars but I would go with a PRS SE McCarty 594 flame top. Save some money and a nicer looking guitar that sounds good.

[@Worlds_Worst_Guitarist]

That's what i did!

[@christiandude3149]

Mögen echt gut sein kein Zweifel... aber ich würde wenns keine orginale Fender bzw Gibson sein soll lieber zu den Orville, Epiphone, Greco, Burny, Edwards oder Tokai Gitarren zwischen 1978 bis 1998 greifen... kosten etwa das selbe bei den unteren Modellen und sind qualitativ defintiv besser und haben die specs der orginale... trotzdem schön zu sehen das Epiphone langsam wieder vernünftige Gitarren baut und kein Spielzeug mehr... 😊

[@compucorder64]

They are great guitars. I tried one, but in the end, I left the shop with a second-hand Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute. Because, I don't like those Indian Laurel fretboards. I'll put up with Indian Laurel, on a cheap guitar that is otherwise great (Epiphone Casino & J Mascis Jazzmaster). But I just prefer how P90s sound, and I never was a fan of the luxurious Les Paul fit out. Be nice if Epiphone put out a Special, that's rosewood, or better yet ebony. Also, for me, I don't think these are worth the money over the Standards. I'd get a Standard and maybe upgrade it little by little myself later. And then, even with the Epiphone Standards, I _much_ prefer how my Sire L7 plays, compared to Epiphone standards (even if the Epiphone's edge out the Sire a little on classic tone).

[@francescobarbaro7114]

Case and pickups are already a +500€ plus... and there you have the price 🤷‍♀

[@elevenAD]

Are these maple caps with a veneer on top or are they genuine full figured tops with no veneer?

[@samyazza23]

I think Trogly tested one and he said it was veneer

[@elevenAD]

@@samyazza23 man, i guess im in the minority but that ruins it for me. thanks for the info.

[@williamtm1965]

Epiphones have veneer, not solid maple top.

[@elevenAD]

@@williamtm1965 Thanks man.

[@elevenAD]

@@williamtm1965 not a veneer fan but if these came in solid colors with these specs i would be fine with the price.

[@OrbitlynX]

As an owner of 6 Gibsons and 5 Epis over last 2 years, I would chose Gibson any day. It is not the logo, headstock or where is it made. I believe that the specs and craftmanship might be even better but where Gibson excells is the feel. Both how the neck feels but also how the guitar, now I mean the wood part) behaves. I have heard the stories about misses in Gibson, but for me 5/6 Gibsons are terrific resonant instrument that are just joy to play. One is ok but nothing too special. Epiphones (I had mid to high end) just always end up feeling as Epiphones, they sound ok, also look apart, but the feel of Gibson is just not there. I even liked Standard 50s better than 59 Outfit, but then again Gibson Tributes are some of the best guitars you can get, especially used under grand.

[@mylogify]

So why don't you sell those 5 Epi's and get 1-3 Gibsons?

[@OrbitlynX]

@@mylogify I sold all of my Epis and have only Gibsons now.

[@michaelbalser7447]

So why did epi bring out another 59? They already have the 999 Euro 59 outfit. What makes the vos 350 bucks better? Please give me feedback with your professional look on both 59 models! Tia.

[@benedekgabor.]

It’s just a new shape of headstock, and that’s it. Ohhh I almost forgot, that it is more expensive because Gibson loves money.

[@michaelbalser7447]

The Kalamazoo shape is already on the 59 outfit. I did cost like 750 Euro when I bought it​@@benedekgabor.

[@davidgloier2913]

And one piece neck, better pickups, and the matte finish is nowhere near as grainy as the previous 59s I have.

[@nebroTtfeoH]

In the end, it’s just an expensive Chibson. I’ll go for a real Chibson for 300 bucks from a trustworthy dealer with a reputation and upgrade hardware and pickups afterwards. You get them already with nitro finish in case you like to relic them. Just put Chibson on the headstock or whatever you want to call it.

[@trevor4533]

Highly unlikely you're getting nitro on a chibson, even if they advertise it such. They're already lying about it being a Gibson, why would they start telling the truth now? 😂 Upgrading a worthless chibson is such a waste of money anyways.

[@AnnoyingCritic-is7rp]

I think tolman has to sell so many of these in order to stock them and so everybody has to say they're so great and to reviews on them. But I think these big brands are just going to disappear. Why do people buy them? I mean it's always possible that if you're a great player far better than I am you can tell the difference in these guitars. But luckily I don't have that problem!

[@chrisgilsonmusicchannel7144]

Everythings Just dear, like all companies, epiphone has said how can we bang our prices up too?? We're all being ripped off.

[@tonya4157]

It's an Epiphone. Whether it's $500 or $1500, it's an Epiphone. If you like them, that's great. I don't. I've owned several and sold them all. I was tempted again by the Adam Jones non-artwork Custom, but I just couldn't do it. There's always something that disappoints.

[@gearViewmirror]

Yes, every time you are playing the 300.- beater which feels, sounds and plays just aswell or better than the expensive Epi! Sold them all too, now i "custom shop" my cheap guitars and have a way stronger bond than to the 'expensive' guitars i've had🎸👊🏼🎸

[@mylogify]

I agree, I am not saying Epi's aren't good enough, but for what it is, Gibson Les Paul Studio is 1600 whereas new Epi's are about same price. Gibson has many advantages compared to them, it's so unbalanced. They are made in U.S. has Nitro finish on them, they are Gibson. Then there are Epiphone's made in China, and poly finish, they aren't Gibson, and pickups shouldn't matter that much, as they are made by Gibson...... They aren't some different company that Gibson has to pay them to order. I'd absolutely prefer either Gibson Les Paul Studio or SG Standards at 1500-1600 price range, but still don't mean Epiphone's aren't good, it's just me...

[@russellzauner]

I would guess that since several Japanese companies have no problem using the open book headstock shape (Edwards, Tokai, et al) that instead of trying to sue all of them they just decided to pimp their own open book on "second tier" or "sub brands" that are actually their own knockoffs of Gibson models. Epiphone existed before Gibson, so...

[@williamdesmarais4931]

Gibson did try suing those companies. Gibson waited too long to sue.The Japanese government ruled that because so many guitars in Japan were using the open book headstock, it basically was a generic look by that point and that people weren't likely to be fooled into thinking the Tokai,Burny,Greco etc were Gibsons. This is just my opinion, but I think Gibson is seeing the massive influx of Chinese knockoffs (Chibsons) and has realized that many players are choosing those over Epiphones due to the low price and correct headstock. I'm sure there is a lot more in play here, but that seems, to me, to be a plausible reason for the change.

[@RandyFricke]

All guitars are made on CNC machines now. There's no artisan's sweat dripping into the neck pocket anymore. I have a Harley Benton 500SC that I'd put up against any of these over-priced things. My HB was $148 to my door. Yes you have to upgrade some things but a lot of us are going to do that even with the pricier guitars.

[@deshawn4077]

There’s still some handwork going on with the Gibsons.

[@fraenkiboii]

Come on guys don't seduce me with these beautiful Les Pablos. I just bought Tool tickets and ordered a custom made Les Pablo my wallet is in danger ^^

[@pads-zr9ln]

Yes the pickups are amazing, I wouldn't trust the quality without playing one, if I'm paying a grand for a guitar made in china I would expect it to be flawless

[@Superman-pn1rx]

That people expect less than perfection for a thousand dollar Chinese guitar, but accept defects for a 3-4 thousand dollar American guitar confuses me a little😅

[@pads-zr9ln]

@@Superman-pn1rx who tf accepts defects from a guitar that costs that much

[@PaulCooksStuff]

Nearly every Gibson owner does.

[@wolfgator]

1300 bucks for a Les Paul made in China with a Laurel fretboard... Gibson really has gone mad.

[@adamwatson6916]

Those are real Gibson Custom shop pickups .

[@itslikethesamebutdifferent8020]

I would say these are great guitars but they’ll never be good enough for the head givers (i;e those who look at the brand in the headstock). For the true guitar players out there who want affordable quality guitar with USA made custom buckers, I’d say check some of these models, they won’t disappoint. For the head givers, add a few extra hundred bucks and buy yourself a used Gibson.

[@marc_leblanc]

With their prices increasing, it's just becoming another brand I can't afford.

[@leandrobremer-music]

What a great strategy. They made everything more expensive and a Gibson is way too expensive and an Epiphone is just as expensive as a Gibson was a few years ago. Great reason never to buy neither of these!

[@MrPinkStrat]

Are they Better than a Japan made Tokai Les Paul ... Around the SAME Price NEW ?

[@Xaelrik]

@Thomann You shoud take a look at Rivolta guitars. It's incredible for the price!

[@neg1977]

There the same pickups as a custom shop

[@davecooper360]

These LPs do the Tele on steroids thing very well!

[@Mike-ti6hg]

Move over GIBSON. I have the TOBACCO BURST epi 59. WHAT a GUITAR, i wish i could do it justice, playing wise. Mine was a DEMO model from SWEETWATER. NOT a SW commercial . WHAT an instrument .

[@tenebroruncr4374]

My Gibson LP Tribute cost me less two years ago than those Epiphones. Seeing is believing.

[@markwilliamsmusic2987]

Well my Greeny is a way better guitar in every way than my Tribute Goldtop 2018

[@carlsylvester425]

Don't believe it. They put the Open Book headstock on it; and inflate it by 500.00?!? Sorry. The new PRS SE CE24 wipes the floor with this, IMHO.....for 6-800.00 LESS...

[@scottanderson2879]

Still poly chines made. They should have done what fender have been doing for years and just put a Gibson logo on it and said made in china. The mexcian fenders fly out the door

[@andrewtait6197]

Right so i see it as a few hardwear updates which cost a few pounds nothing more and just hundreds added onto the price for the proper mustache. Id just buy a second hand gibson studio.

[@marquisdecarabas1312]

1349€ for a cheap looking satin finish and no rosewood fretboard? 🤣🤣🤣 No thanks 😅✌🏻 i stay with my korean epi les paul custom i payed less then the half of the lrice of this one 🤷🏻

[@TheWorstManOnEarth]

It is actually VERY BAD NEWS. Gibson added a Gibson headstock "CNC cut" program to their Epiphone production (which costs NOTHING) to justify a major rise in sale prices. Even the Gibson pickups aren't such a big deal as they produce tons of these PUs and they're also semi industrially produced and have a LOW "production cost". Any import Epiphone over a 1000$ is definitely NOT a clever purchase price wise, I got a mint used Gibson Midtown Custom in that price range, and "Gibson" is written on the headstock (if that's what you're looking for).

[@dennismullins4930]

They still have the same old fret problems. This is unacceptable at the price point imho.

[@markwilliamsmusic2987]

I bought the ES-355 and a Greeny... both were perfect...

[@antonyyuryev9750]

it will be so much better if they just leave gibson usa pups from previous 59 (burstbuckers or something) and just improve the visuals as they did ... so guitar will be cheaper and more competitive on the market (where is competition so dense on this pricepoint). I think there is no need to put 500$ pickups in a budget guitar like this... when it can do same good stuff with 250 buck set... ( and let's remember for manufacturer it's not a 500$) ... so that's why here i so much people who can't undestand, myself included, why you should pay so much for chinese solidbody guitar with laurel??? and I'm not hater... I really want that the Epis will doing well, it's a brand with so rich heritage history... P.S. maybe something wrong with me, but I somehow can't believe that this is the same Custombuckers as on Gibson... Maybe it's because they slightly has different name as on Gibson specsheet... maybe so you can't sue them in future if you find out it's not the same pups... or it's just traditional stuff when someone just messed up something on a website... I guess we'll see soon)

[@Micha83HB]

Epiphone , made in Indonesia, indian Laurel instead of rosewood. 1.350 Euros. Sorry Guys but this is ridiculous

[@JACKPAVAL]

I've never played an Epiphone that was as good as a Real gibson. They are always lacking

[@fr.abbadon]

This is one of the reasons i switched from Epiphone to Harley Benton. I get more for my money with HB

[@JJMorris84]

For a quarter of the price you get locking tuners and EMG 55. I really don't understand people paying more just for a headstock shape

[@Tecniconta]

I prefer to buy my Epi for its normal price and I customize it to my liking rather than pay 1500 euros for an Epi

[@michaeldorrenbacher8977]

For this price you are nearly at FGN, which are I*N*C*R*E*D*I*B*L*E instruments from Japan that are faaaaaaaar beyond of what Epi and specially Gibson are able to build plus you get CS specs like long neck tenon aso…An other option would be Maybach. Bet there are a lot more. So in 2024, there is no need anymore for buying a brand, that just lives from brillant guitars from the past or the way overprized Epi. Don't like to say that, but it's the reality. There are too much better options!

[@shanewalton8888]

Epiphone used to be cheap crap and they are expensive crap. So many better options than an Epiphony. Never buy a brand where the owners are too embarrassed to put their name on it.

[@DanTheDiggler]

Sub 1000€ for an Epiphone is what they should settle in for. Above that I’d rather look for a second hand Gibson/better guitar. Why not go for stripped down versions with less bells and whistles? I’d rather have simple but good guitars than phony faux stuff that just looks and feels tacky. Gotta give them credit for finally going for the Gibson style headshape, all other headshapes has been so damn ugly (of course not uglier than the mini-weenie PRS headstocks) and a big no no for me. Cheers!

[@PooNinja]

An emperors eppi?

[@warlikesoad]

Me personally, I just can’t bring myself to buy a Chinese made guitar for more than a few hundred bucks.

[@joskal1965]

At last!! Old ugly headstock is out💥

[@olindobasel3723]

EUR 1350 for a budget guitar with shitty laurel fretboard, no locking tuners, and no stainless steel frets? Nope, this is not the way I want to see Epiphone goes...

[@Mike-ti6hg]

As good or dare i say even BETTER than my GIBSON SPECIAL . TRUTH TOLD.😇

[@Worlds_Worst_Guitarist]

Double the Price of the original '59 Outfit 😮 That's a real No Go! Luckily i still have the original one and bought a PRS SE 594 SC instead, better Guitar all around!

[@nieko3038]

I paid 600 in 2015 for the budget Gibson. Small difference. Not the 1200 they were recent years. They want to make a Ferrari out of a Fiat branding wise. You still part of a store so salesman.

[@achill3usoverclocking874]

actually 600 in 2015 equals pretty much 1200 today if you add inflation but anyway got your point :)

[@nieko3038]

@@achill3usoverclocking874 Wrong. About 800- 850

[@francescobarbaro7114]

add an hardshell case, USA pickups, better electronics and nut and you're pretty at the same price.

[@nieko3038]

@@francescobarbaro7114 It has classic 57 and 57+ pickups. Don’t need other pu. Non argument for buying this guitar.

[@francescobarbaro7114]

@@nieko3038 you, maybe, paid 600 10 years ago for a used studio. So the "plainest" one. And Custombuckers, like it or not, are superior pickups used on custom shop Gibsons. In today's market you could buy good NEW budget guitars for those 600€ and as you buy a case and improve pickups, nut, electronics and tuners, you've reached 1500. Your personal experience does make no sense at all! 10 years ago I paid my Les Paul less than what it costs today... but that doesn't mean anything 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@williamtm1965]

This is not good news. I recently got used Gibson LP Traditional 2016 for $1400, this guitar is so much better than new Epiphone for $1300. Who would want to buy these fancy expensive Epiphones and see them lose 40-50% in value if you can get real deal Gibson for about the same and watch it maintain or increase in value?

[@trevor4533]

Comparing a used Gibson to a new Epiphone is apples to oranges. I'd wait and see what these settle for used in a year or two before making comparisons. Also, you're concerned with a new Epiphone losing 40-50% in value. Despite that same Gibson LP traditional retailing for about $2300 in 2016. That's also a 40% loss in value.

[@williamtm1965]

@@trevor4533 it's not really apples/oranges, it's about getting the best for your money. Used market is soft right now, there are so many great deals on made in USA or Japan instruments for around $1300 that Epiphone charges for their new Chinese guitars.

[@trevor4533]

@@williamtm1965 Comparing used vs new anything is always apples to oranges. Its not even just a Gibson vs Epiphone thing. Again, I'd wait until they start ending up used before making comparisons like that. If they follow a 40-50% depreciation like you say, that would make them a pretty good value considering the specs. Yes, buying used always gets you the most for your money.

[@williamtm1965]

@@trevor4533 That's exactly my point - that used Gibson Traditional already lost 40% and will not be getting substantially cheaper. It has more stability or even upside than new Epiphone which is guaranteed to become cheaper. If you want to subsidize pre-owned market by paying retail and then losing half on the resale - sure, go ahead, it's your money.

[@trevor4533]

@@williamtm1965 ...Which is why I said its an apples to oranges comparison. You're comparing a guitar that has already lost 40% of its value. Of course a used Gibson is the better value. No one's arguing that.

[@kenthhogstrom3722]

I think that is a way to kill a brand.Epiphones vas a very popular instrument among serius players before this 5 year old customers had heard the blues.Come on!

[@jamesonpace726]

Salesmen, bah....

[@2001tigers]

Still made in China?

[@nicopoppe4838]

Well I can buy an aluminum tailpiece for 13 euros... wood still looks like okoume... and since the newly boom of custom made chinese guitars, i could orther a custom guitar even with fijian mahohany, yes you read that right for no more than 700 euros/bucks. And chibsons are still like 300 bucks... asian big brand guitars are way too expensive besides the wood is shit... especially indonesia.

[@yetimatzenightcat8702]

A few extra shekels in your bag ?..deploy them, run around the world and play some rock music for the kid's 😅

[@gregmontbello6969]

Just get a used Gibson les paul

[@markwilliamsmusic2987]

With these specs ?😂😂