Epiphone Inspired By Gibson J45 Review

[@oldmetaldude3480]

Great video but I have to disagree with you on one thing and a lot of people keep saying this about these guitars. Taking the Pickgaurd off I mean I get it but from what I understand it’s also part of that vintage Gibson sound. I bought the J 200 version and thought about doing it to, but that I talk to my luthier and he explained to me that part of the vintage, Gibson sound and now I have grown to love it but to each his own. Great review I may have to try and get me the J 45 also.

[@paulgeorgia8013]

Thanks for watching, I’m actually going to put a new pickguard on, albeit a thinner one. It’s an awesome guitar either way

[@toonzboss]

I took the pickguard off! My God the thing covered a huge space and is about 3 mil thick! Put on one that is smaller, more standard sized and maybe 1 mil thick if that! That top has got to breathe man!

[@greg6509]

​@@toonzboss How did you take it off? Was it discolored underneath?

[@dylan3058]

Great review man, took delivery of a used one yesterday from REVERB, got it at a great price and looking forward to sticking on some new strings and enjoying it. `it also came minus the pick guard too, was in 2 minds to get a replacement teardrop maybe?

[@randysrhythm]

Brother, a great review and you give me way too much credit! That said, thank you. Yours sounds amazing and the sustain was killer, just like mine. Get ready for a review that will get a lot of views. I’m going to look into the polish you mentioned. Yours turned out beautiful. A great review brother man and I did notice the opener! Nicely done. Here’s to pickless Saturday, and may it turn into Pickless Wednesday and Thursday also 🥃 👍🏻

[@paulgeorgia8013]

Thanks Brother Man! I'm very glad I let you talk me into buying this, and the Hummingbird! This one's a Keeper!!

[@gordonstafford1929]

What polish? And tips on removing the pickguard, if you can? Thank you!

[@paulgeorgia8013]

@gordonstafford1929 hi Gordon, thanks for the questions. I think it would be easier to answer them with good detail through email. If you’d like, I can be reached at [e-mail]

[@thekycoffeebean]

Glad to see you found one , Looks good !

[@deanlutgert8292]

I just got one yesterday at guitar center restrung it and fell in love. lemon pledge ed the fret board and bridge which made them darker and more rose wood looking can't decide about the pick guard that'll probably drive me crazy for awhile nice video your guitar sounds amazing

[@dennisstonebrink1215]

Well i removed pick gaurd and put a smaller thiner one on...also sloted the bridge and put in unsloted pins. I think its better

[@LegsON]

Lovely review, appreciate so many personal thoughts!

[@paulgeorgia8013]

Thanks for watching!

[@raymondreeder3274]

I have one and I love it.. the pickup system that it comes with isn't very good better off using a microphone.. it's a great-sounding guitar I've been writing songs with mine.. it's a great guitar for vocal accompaniment

[@paulgeorgia8013]

Thanks, I agree, the pickup is not ideal, but when I play live, a mic isn’t always possible, so I tolerate it. I’m glad you like yours, they’re great for the price. Thanks for watching! 🙏

[@Edward1312]

Are you likely to be purchasing the new Epiphone banner J45 1942?

[@paulgeorgia8013]

Hi actually probably not. Although, I could potentially be talked into one of the new 1957 reissue J200’s

[@markharwood7573]

That is a terrific guitar and I am more than happy with mine. Wish it came without that pickguard, I have no use for those things. The tuners are fine. Nice review, Paul.

[@paulgeorgia8013]

Thanks Mark, I agree, this is a pretty amazing guitar for the price! You may want to consider replacing the pickguard, and the plastic bridge pins. That'll make it even greater! Thanks for your comment!

[@markharwood7573]

@@paulgeorgia8013 Thanks for the advice. I have never noticed a tonal change when replacing bridge pins, but ebony ones might look good.

[@markharwood7573]

@@paulgeorgia8013 Yesterday the end pin jack came loose. This is a problem and it should not have happened.

[@otismanousakos3946]

Terrific review man. Thank you

[@paulgeorgia8013]

Thank you Otis! I hope it was helpful. I still play this one a lot, and it keeps getting better. Thanks again! 🙏

[@greg6509]

How did you take off the pickguard?

[@TrilliumRV]

I own an Epiphone Masterbilt Aj500mns that was made in China in 2006. Same quality as what you are playing and maybe a little better. The chinese 2000-2008 masterbilt were exceptional guitars. Gibson/epiphone stoped making them...why, who knows but likely because they were better than the American versions of the original J45 at the time. It's all about money $$$. If you can find one from this period try it. The first letters in the serial number are GR-*"""*. Thank you for your present review.

[@timkbt]

What mic are you using? Sounds great.

[@paulgeorgia8013]

Thanks! Used a Shure condenser mic I’ve recently bought a Warm Audio WA-87, which is amazing. Thanks for watching, I’m going to do a video of this guitar with a bone pins upgrade to see if they make a difference. Rock on! 🤘 🎸😎🙏

[@tyroneshoelace4872]

I liked your video. thanks for making it. I've owned an Epiphone Masterbilt with that "satin" finish, and what you'll find is that with skin contact, that satin turns to polished. It's awful.

[@paulgeorgia8013]

Thanks for watching. I’m glad you enjoyed it and I hope it was helpful. The polishing does help take away that play wear. 🙏😎🎸

[@markochomba8755]

I have the Epiphone J45 and I think it is an excellent guitar, but my question is if the 2 guitars weigh the same, because the Epiphone is very heavy, I don't have how to compare, since I don't have the Gibson, could you clarify this doubt. And if all solid body guitars are that heavy?

[@paulgeorgia8013]

Hi I can only assume that the back and sides , as well as the neck, are thicker. Also, the Epi is a polyurethane fine, whereas the Gibson is nitro

[@SiggyMe]

I tried one and the only thing I didn't like was that the volume was lower than a Gibson J-45 especially the trebs. Maybe it was just that guitar? Otherwise price wise and tone its really good.

[@paulgeorgia8013]

Thanks for watching. I agree, it’s definitely not like a Gibson J45. More on the bass side. It does open up, a bit, after several hours of playing.

[@DL-yc4pm]

I wouldn't expect it to be just like a J45, but it might be closer to it if you remove that 2mm pick gaurd Epi stuck on these. I'm thinking of getting one.

[@rodnocker505]

You must have removed the pick guard. Or is it optional?

[@paulgeorgia8013]

As I stated on the video, I removed it. It was too thick

[@eolden7749]

How did you remove the awful pickguard. With or without heat?

[@paulgeorgia8013]

I use a hair dryer and plastic spatula. Go easy, and be patient

[@berserker_2886]

Is that slash one of these exactly the same as this?

[@berserker_2886]

Nevermind, actually answered by watching it, split between the slash j45 and an EJ200 (the one without the cutout)

[@willtilley513]

Made where?

[@paulgeorgia8013]

Indonesia

[@endoffate5475]

Is it hard to remove the pickgard?

[@paulgeorgia8013]

Removing a pickguard is a delicate process. What I use is a hair dryer to heat up the glue underneath the guard, the I use a plastic spatula to pry it off. Patience is essential. Go slow! Then you’ll need to remove the excess glue with some lighter fluid. Now, on this particular guitar, there’s going to be a different surface from the satin finish that’s on the rest of the top, so you may want to replace the pickguard with a thinner one. Good luck!

[@endoffate5475]

@@paulgeorgia8013 Oh really a diff surface? Did the buffering you did help that?

[@paulgeorgia8013]

@@endoffate5475 it helped, but you can still see where the pickguard was. Apparently they put the pickguard on before they applied the textured finish. It almost looks like a clear pickguard now. I’m good with it

[@endoffate5475]

@@paulgeorgia8013 Ok thanks, thats good to know.. Im suprise nobody mention this before about these guitars.

[@paulgeorgia8013]

@endoffate5475 it definitely sounds way better without it

[@stillpist]

A lot of people remove the pickgaurd but I'm wondering about other mods such as unslotted pins or tusq nut/saddle. Anyone try?

[@paulgeorgia8013]

I’m about to try some bone pins, I’ll let you know how it goes. Thanks for watching 🙏

[@stillpist]

Cool, looking forward to hearing about the results.