Epiphone EJ-160e VS Gibson J-160e

[@marxsgiraffe1150]

Wow, can’t believe 2023’s epi actually sounds so well

[@tomcon21]

Paul, thank you for this comparison video! 1966 is the one! But the 2023 holds its own. I need one! Thanks again!

[@guitargearconnection]

Glad you enjoyed it Tom!!!! I definitely do love the Epiphones still. They hold their own. But them vintage ones just give a certain ring that’s beautiful

[@sampopkin]

That ‘67 sounds just like the records. Great demo as always Paul!

[@sampopkin]

Also, the 2004 sounds incredible

[@guitargearconnection]

Thanks Sam!!!!!!

[@milan5079]

Is this your j160e Sam?

[@sampopkin]

@@milan5079 no mines a 1966

[@MichaelSokil]

Love the editing here - you can really hear the tone differences. Incredible work!

[@guitargearconnection]

Thanks Michael!!!!

[@Justin2129]

Just ordered the Epiphone! Definitely close enough for me. Ready to cover some early Beatles!

[@jjames5210]

Little fun fact. The Gibson J160e was the only guitar that was recorded on EVERY Beatles record from Meet The Beatles to Let It Be. Don't have to just stick with just the early stuff! ;) haha Enjoy!!!

[@joshscus]

@@jjames5210It was definitely on Please Please Me, their first record, as well! So that’s every album! Though to be honest I cannot really think of any song on Abbey Road that has a J160E on it. The acoustic parts that John played (Polythene Pam and Bathroom Window) were on a 12-string George played his Gibson J-200 Super Jumbo Paul played his Martin D-28

[@trevorfromengland]

Fuck the Capitol Beatles albums. My pet hate of anything Beatles. @@jjames5210

[@itslikethesamebutdifferent8020]

@@jjames5210actually not from meet the Beatles, from please please me and onwards on every beatles album. Meet the Beatles was a compilation album, not their first record.

[@ponzo1967]

Get an Epiphone and put on a nice set of Elixir strings , you'll love it.

[@TheVinylBeatles]

The 2004 is the most closest you can get to the Beatles original/vintage sound IMO Excellent video, thanks for taking the time to compare and edit. You should have many more likes, you deserve it !

[@guitargearconnection]

Thanks!!!! Trust me I wish I had a billion likes with the hours it took me to make it hahaha but thanks for the kind words really so appreciate it!

[@profile2047]

I can’t imagine the amount of work it takes to put this video together. But thank you so much.

[@guitargearconnection]

Thank you!!!

[@joshscus]

I agree with Sam, the ‘67 sounds exactly like the records! And the 2004 is nearly identical. What makes the biggest difference with all of these guitars is something I learned from Brandon over at AbblyHouse, which is the original J160e’s had a particular type of X bracing on inside underneath the top. This was done to dampen the vibration of the top of the guitar to prevent feedback when plugged in. If you rewatch the videos with this piece of info in mind, you can clearly hear that the newer Epiphone’s lack this X bracing because they sound so much more full and lively, like what a traditional dreadnought acoustic sounds like, because their tops are able to vibrate freely! So anybody in the market for J160E because they want it to sound just like the Beatles, make sure to check for that X bracing under the top! Pretty cool!

[@guitargearconnection]

Thanks for commenting! The vintage Gibson J-160’s & the reissue 62’ spec’s all came with ladder bracing. The reissue standard Gibson J-160’s & all the Epiphone EJ’s came with X-bracing. I have an “All About” video up on both the Gibson & Epiphone that go over all the differences.

[@joshscus]

@@guitargearconnection oops I had it backwards! Thanks for the correction!

[@user-pe8gz7mx6rtank]

Gibson 1967 sounds fantastic.

[@JacobKMusics]

Okay...stick with me here...my favorites hands down was the '66, followed by the '04. My least favorite was the OG Epiphone. Therw was something "off" about it, can't really tell you what, though. The newer Epiphone sounded surprising close to my favorite two. The Standard sa somewhere in the middle. Sure, it was superior unplugged, but the magic is with the ladder-braced top, honestly. Despite the fact that they versatile guitars...I'm wanting one now thanks to this video. This is hands down how a guitar shootout should be done. Great work here, Paul!

[@guitargearconnection]

Thank you Jacob! That OG Epiphone definitely does sound so much different than the rest. And you definitely need to add one to the arsenal!

[@michaelquaglia4266]

Wow 2004 might be the best acoustic sound I’ve ever heard. The ‘66 and 2001 are very good too. Honestly in comparison the Epiphone’s sound pretty crumby. You post amazing content, I can’t wait for people to catch on and you get the viewership you deserve!

[@guitargearconnection]

Thank you! I agree the 2004 sounds amazing! And thanks again for your kind words.

[@timfury9268]

They all sound unique and amazing. The 67 definitely is the Beatles sound with the 04 Peace model being close second to my ears.

[@guitarandbeyondplus]

I have a 2002 Epiphone John Lennon signature EJ-160. Great video but I don't have the budget to warrant paying up to 10 times the price for a real Gibson. The differences between all these model to my ears is minimal. Great video BTW and is nice to see someone who can play Beatles tunes properly.

[@guitargearconnection]

Thank you I appreciate that! And agree, with a little more playing and aging of the wood, that 2023 EJ is one hell of a fantastic guitar and sounds amazing.

[@garychambers5850]

Waste of money to buy the Gibson J160.. The Epi looks and sounds like Gibson. You'll sound like George and John (Sometimes Paul) and still have a lot of money. in your pockets that you saved from buying the Epi 😉💰💰

[@ralphwest8156]

2001 160 has great top end with a great deep end resonance - with the set up you have, seconded by the 1966 160 but this lacks the deep bass resonance in comparison. What a great back to back demo this is, exactly how it should be done ' thank you Paul.

[@guitargearconnection]

Thanks for the kind words! And agree, that 01’ in person really does sound magical.

[@ZackyDog]

Thanks for creating this video; nice work. I would love to hear the Epiphone with a P90, in lieu of its stock p100, pickup.

[@galeazzofrudua2512]

Bellissimo video Paul!

[@guitargearconnection]

❤️

[@feudone]

Beautiful work!!!!!! I feel fine is spot on!!! Perfect!!

[@guitargearconnection]

Thank you!!!

[@CharlieNframe]

Paul, overall, I liked the 1966 model, both sound-wise, as well as in visual appearance. I know it's not as important as the sound, but the beautiful (3 color?) sunburst finish, with the darker color in a relatively thin line around the edge makes that one you have, look by far the most attractive to me, followed closely by the 1967 model that looks very close to a cherry sunburst finish. I was 15 in 1966. My parents helped me buy a Guild F35 sunburst the year before, for my birthday ($157 with hardshell case). The Gibson catalog price list had the J160e for about $250 retail, IF you could find one. And I didn't dream I could ask them to help me spend that much, back then, anyway. But to this day, I sometimes think about how if only I had asked them to help me trade off that guitar, and buy one of those J-160e 1966 models... I had an opportunity to purchase my choice of two J160E'S while visiting Gruhn's Guitars in Nashville in 1991, while I was stationed in the Army at Ft. Knox, KY. But I saw that the current Gibson J-200 was available for almost the same price, (about $1400) and I jumped at it. Two years later I sold it on commission to Mandolin Bros. All your guitars sounded very nice, some nicer than others. I tried looking away sometimes so as not to be biased for or against one guitar or another, especially while you played the first position chords and then listened to the sustain of the sound on the last chord. But I couldn't help but look to see which guitar was being played, each time. I'll have to go back and replay the video a few more times. Overall, I really enjoyed your video. And I'll be checking out your other ones, too. THANK you for all the work it must have been for you to produce this one!

[@invoxicated]

I have both guitars. The Epi sounds way warmer than the Gibson. Mainly due to the ply top versus the solid top. The ply top is more Beatle accurate but has the thi sound. I have found that miking and plugging in the Gibson gives you a very nice sound when recording. Don't forget there are two versions of the Gibson J160E. A solid top and a ply top. The ply top has ladder bracing and a ceramic bridge as where the standard J160E has a solid spruce top with cross bracing and fixed bridge.

[@bobbelloff4588]

Paul, that ‘66 is the absolute winner. I think that the ‘23 E holds up very well. I’m not a fan of the ‘67s sound. The ‘97 E is very boxy, and does not have many overtones.

[@guitargearconnection]

Completely agree! And thanks again Bob!

[@dustinmcfarland2441]

I have to agree that the '23 sounds surprisingly good. I feel like the '66 is definitely the winner though as well as it should be. Nice vid

[@jerome___s]

The Epiphone really holds its own here. I didn't realise they were making them as recently as last year. I can never find one

[@guitargearconnection]

Yeah they are tough to come by. It almost seems like Epiphone makes them in small batches each year & sends them out to the big players like guitar centers. GC is the place to check, they always have used ones too

[@jamescraig5299]

Yep. The '67 is awesome!!

[@SanFranciscoFatboy]

great video's sir :) amazing collection of amps n gear u got too, good on you

[@guitargearconnection]

Thank you kindly!

[@Simonogilvie41]

Crazy how the 66 sounds almost exactly like the records. The 23" Epiphone was very good as well. If i wasn't looking, I could have mistaken it for the 66.

[@guitargearconnection]

Once the 23’ starts getting some years under its belt, I bet it will open up and sound even closer to the vintage.

[@michaelvires8871]

Just opened my new Epi J160 from frets 11 - 15 thud, thud, thud, no musical notes just thuds. Fortunately have a close friend who is a great luthier. I wish Epiphone had done a proper set up.

[@martini6946]

Great Video

[@guitargearconnection]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@carlcrump8625]

I'm glad I baught my E. Now I have a 1961 j50 Gibson

[@guitargearconnection]

Awesome! Beautiful guitars.

[@blakemcnamara9105]

The '66 is definitely the one. I have the 2023 Epiphone version. Now, I'm slightly disappointed. Haha

[@mrcarloselche248]

I always find the Epi J160e body a bit off and weird. It looks like a pear.

[@paulsharp5473]

I like the JL sig.

[@guitargearconnection]

It does sound great!

[@azxyul]

I hear "Buzz" on the 6 and 5 string......

[@trevorfromengland]

The '66 and '67 Gibsons were the best. As you would expect

[@guitargearconnection]

They nail it!

[@peterlewis3715]

They all sound great

[@edised71]

the 2001 sounds radically different, in a good way, more like a J45

[@dtaboso]

What set string have epiphone EJ160?

[@guitargearconnection]

At that time I was using Fender regular round wound electric .012’s

[@dtaboso]

@@guitargearconnection are bronce or iron ? Thank you

[@DerComputerist]

What kind of strings are you using in this demos, Paul? Including gauge.

[@guitargearconnection]

12 gauge Fender round wounds with a wound G. I might be switching to the DR round wounds, though I don’t think there’s much sound difference at all between any of the regular rounds

[@xgn3pick253]

Where do I get a new EJ160E?

[@guitargearconnection]

Guitar Center or Musician’s Friend if you’re in the states. Outside of that, more will start coming on Reverb soon I’m sure.

[@xgn3pick253]

@@guitargearconnection I just found out that GC has them online for 23% off or $399.00!

[@garychambers5850]

My wife purchased my *Epiphone Hummingbird inspired by Gibson Acoustic Guitar* from " *Sweetwater* " and the Guitar came quick for my Birthday. The salesmen would call and ask my wife How the Guitar was. Was there any problems. Very courteous ..Last month I purchased my *Yamaha PSR-EW425 Keyboard/Arranger* Great service, and the salesmen called me to make sure I received the Keyboard, and was there any problems with it. So from now on I use " _Sweetwater_ " even if its for _Strings, Guitar Stands, Slides,_ Etc. ❤❤👍🏻👍🏻

[@Floyd_18]

@@guitargearconnection UK player here, just managed to grab one of the newest variants on eBay after watching your EJ history video Paul! Looking forward to playing it.

[@guitargearconnection]

@Floyd_18 awesome!!!! I really hope you enjoy it!!!

[@ghyslainperreault6179]

I like the 2001 but the Epiphone is very close.

[@Lucas-mm5vx]

The epi doen't exist anymore =(

[@SkyBoundMP3]

Do you have to special order the present day (2023) epiphone 160e because i cannot find them anywhere

[@guitargearconnection]

If your in America, Guitar Center & Musicians Friend have them in stock ready to go usually. If not you can go to one and order it, or just go to any store that is an authorized Epiphone dealer and they will be able to order it no problem

[@rickfowler3710]

Wow, that's a lot of Vox amps

[@watson123]

John Lennon ❤

[@a2000a]

1967

[@grrg1963]

1997 Epi and 2001 Gibson sound best to me.

[@garychambers5850]

They sound practically the same. Can't tell the difference. I'd go with the Epiphone, its probably more than half the price of the Gibson. 🤑🤑☮☮🎸🎸

[@松の間1000の花]

昔持ってたけど、なんちゅう楽器のチョイスしてくれるんだビートルズはwwと思ったわ。。

[@tr4nquil4um]

2001 and the epiphone are better

[@liamjh81]

I think the 1997 Epiphone sounds the best out of the two Epiphones. Not sure if that’s because it’s practically the same model I have but I really don’t like the look of the more modern Epiphones

[@guitargearconnection]

It does sound great! It’s so much brighter than the rest of them, and has a bit of a different punch.

[@bobbystereo936]

The 1997 sounded the best when plugged in!

[@mrcarloselche248]

The good news is that acoustically speaking they all sound like shit but it s the Beatles sound, the Epi should be good enough.

[@guitargearconnection]

You’re not wrong there when you compare them to a nice true Martin or standard Gibson!

[@bluenotgreen63]

Oh, please. There is no comparison. I don't own a Gibson but I do own the Epiphone EJ-160 low quality, assembled in a monkey cage acoustic oversize ukelele. Please don't compare gravel to a diamonds. It took them two tries to send one that wasn't falling apart and still needed some work. Indonesia can't make a decent pair of socks much less a guitar. They can't even make good babies. That's because they grow up to make crappy socks and guitars. Ok. My work is done here.

[@guitargearconnection]

You’re missing the point. Lots of people don’t own expensive Gibsons. Just like you. Hearing what kind of a sound difference there is will help people determine if they want to save up and take the expensive plunge. Plus, why wouldn’t you want to hear what the sound difference is? Like, it’s completely helpful & interesting. When I was starting in all this, I would have loved to hear what all the different variations sound like against one another. Probably has to do with the fact you’re a racist bigot. Not much of a brain you got.

[@william121852]

I bought a EJ160e John Lennon model , It sounds like crap! Don't even play it , it hangs on the wall ! I'm thinking if maybe a bird house !!! Maybe a $3,500 vox might help ?

[@dalewalker4666]

Surely you played it before you bought it?

[@william121852]

@@dalewalker4666 NO , like an idiot , I bought from Sweetwater , and I should have returned it . I have been a huge Beatle fan all my life and wanted it for the nostalgia . BIG MISTAKE !!