Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy Quality Control Issues

[@nick-neumann]

Is this a widespread Epiphone problem? I was under the impression they were getting better QC over the years. Especially with being more "Gibson" as of late.

[@andyh0010]

I still play my Epiphone (it's in my profile picture). I've had a Jackson KE3 and a few Ibanez but I sold them all. The LP is the only one that stuck. I bought it around 2005 and didn't get on with it to start with. It was a bit heavier and a slightly smaller scale meant my fingers bunched up. But plugged into my JCM2000, sounded great. It's a Korean built guitar (Samick Plant). The serial number dates it as December 2002. Production Number: 13271. I should really re-fret it, but I don't want to "disturb" it.

[@nick-neumann]

I believe Korean guitars have a good reputation for being well built. When I bought a couple of my LTD guitars, I made sure they were made in Korea and not Indonesia. I've read that Korean Epiphones are supposed to be really good, too. There were also some Japanese Epiphone Elites built around the 2000s with the open book headstock that are supposed to be great. The issue is with the Chinese made ones, unfortunately.

[@shamrockshamus]

I've got 3 Epiphone guitars. My SG Modern was near-perfect, and just needed a truss rod adjustment; my LP Custom was also near-perfect, and just needed a truss rod adjustment and lower action; but my Casino had a badly cut / pinging nut so I replaced it with a Tusq-XL and lowered the action. My only out-of-the-box perfect guitar is a PRS SE Tremonti. If Epiphone are still having QA/QC issues they should ask PRS for help. ;)

[@nick-neumann]

Yeah, I think for the most part, any new guitar needs a little adjustment here or there. These Prophecies, at least from what I see on Sweetwater, shouldn't even make it out of the gate. I checked their inventory in the past couple of days, and the majority look a lot better than when I was looking. I get that retailers need to sell guitars, and they can't set up/fix every one, but there should be some QC on their end as well. The guitar I sent back was back up there. I feel sorry for whoever gets that one. Maybe it was just a bad shipment. I hear good things about PRS, and both reps tried to sell me the Tremonti when I was looking at this one. Maybe I should have listened. 😆

[@orlock20]

I believe PRS would not exist as a large guitar company if Gibson/Epiphone had better quality control. Now Gibson/Epiphone is now trying be more expensive than PRS and have worse quality control. No wonder Paul is smiling all the time.

[@scottanderson4175]

Bro I just purchased a $2,199 Fender Ultra 2 and it was so bad I returned it 🤦🏻‍♂️ I thought about letting Sweetwater exchange it but I just returned it I didn’t want to deal with the BS ! I just left Guitar Center and there wasn’t a Les Paul on the wall that I would buy and then had 50’s and 60’s Les Pauls marked down to $2,249 😉

[@nick-neumann]

I think the Ultra 2s look cheap. They remind me of Charvel pro mod so cal style 1 guitars. I was hoping to like the Meteora Ultras but just didn't feel it.

[@happyduck9806]

Yeah epiphone quality is trash. Prices are way too high remember when they were actually affordable wtf happened.

[@nick-neumann]

Epiphone prices have gone up! I had a 59 Reissue with some sharp fret ends prior to this. However, I haven't really looked at other Epiphones, maybe this is widespread, but when I was looking it seemed like a majority of the Prophecy's had some sort of issue. The new Customs seem nice, but that headstock adds to the cost.

[@KonicaHexanon]

No sht Sherlock, how dare they, must have something to do with inflation. Wait until Trump's tariffs are implemented, then current Epiphone prices will start to look like a good old forgotten dream.

[@callmealphalfa8425]

Gibson went "Authentic" n it's been super down hill from there

[@narcostarko]

Cant speak for all Epiphones, but my inspired by gibson adam jones and the ernst fuchs art adam jones i have are flawless. Wish the quality stayed consistent with them so other people could have the same great experience ive had

[@mrtonysantos]

My MII Fender FMT is just about flawless, and I looked hard! You're right, it can be done, there just needs to be someone calling out the factory way before the buyer/reviewer

[@nick-neumann]

That guitar is nice! There was a good sale on one at my local shop. Kicking myself for not getting it.

[@edneumann9234]

Yes, I agree...you spend the extra money for extra quality and extra attention to detail. There are a lot of hundred dollar guitars out there that are getting better all the time with humbucker pickups, stainless frets, and decent aesthetics.

[@nick-neumann]

It's definitely a bummer when you pay a premium and you don't get the level of quality you expect. A lot of these companies rest on their name, and sadly, that is usually enough for people to keep buying even when "cheaper" brands surpass specs and quality.

[@orlock20]

This is across the board with other brands as well. Port inspectors are having trouble spotting fakes of some brands based on quality control because the fakes are being better built than the name brand products, especially when it comes to shoes and clothing.

[@daniellinares2493]

I had a 2020 lp modern that needed a fretboard leveling, not the frets, details with the routing, poor sustain. I ended up trading it for a mij strat 4 months later my drummer offered me the same guitar but 2022 production, and man this is perfect, leveled frets from factory with no flaws on the paint, my theory is that everytime epiphone/squier introduces a new model they comes with unwanted details the same year they launched it

[@nick-neumann]

I like that theory. They iron out the kinks after that first year of production. Kind of like a beta test for guitars, haha. Also, those MIJ Strats are fantastic! I actually bought a couple Aerodynes when they were on that crazy sale, and they were both ready to go out the box. Makes you appreciate that level of quality control.

[@RPRhythm90]

Have you been able to find a hardcase that's fits the prophecy?

[@nick-neumann]

I found some gator cases made for Les Paul's that were 42 inches long that seem would accommodate the extra length. However, I didn't see anything on Gibson or Epiphones end that explicitly stated a longer case size.

[@Gitarrenheld1]

It´s not a matter of QC. It´s a matter building quality in china. If they would have a working QC, they could not sell any guitar. I had one too, but it was so bad, I send it back. No more china-crap.

[@nick-neumann]

Yeah, seems things can get pretty inconsistent. I wish there was a direct Prophecy spec Gibson, and I would probably jump on that.

[@salimel4835]

I never had any issues with my epiphones whatsoever.

[@nick-neumann]

Awesome! I'm glad you had good luck with them. Do you normally buy in person, or do you order online?

[@shatnersufolanded7785]

You guys are way to picky just play the dang thing.

[@nick-neumann]

Can't say I disagree, but when you are slipping off the fretboard it is bothersome. I'm no Keith Richards, I need that string!

[@toneyisaiah3556]

Yeah that's what I 'd say

[@ricswensen4755]

Ive played Epiphones that were Fantastic Gtrs_ after sending back an Epi Chet Atkins SST , a Sheridan ll , ES-175 for Major problems but then i Had to have the Tommy Thayer White lightning Les Paul & the paint cracked & the replacement they sent me arrived Broken & then the Tommy Thayer white sparkle Explorer arrived Broken_ id say im jst DONE with Epiphone Gtrs _ ill stick to my Gibson Gtrs albeit quite a bit More $_ but they are Well worth My investment_ in My experience _!!

[@nick-neumann]

Yeah if I had that string of bad luck I'd probably be done with them as well. I can see why you'd stick with Gibsons!

[@wallofrock6725]

Ooops the Epiphone fanboys ran off at the mouth one too many times 🤣

[@dwguitar4793]

Epiphone hasn't been a good company for over 7 years now.

[@nick-neumann]

Yeah, seems that way. Seems earlier models were much better. I played around on a couple of the new "Inspired by Gibson" that have the new headstock and didn't see any glaring problems. I read it's a "step up" but thing still aren't as consistent as they should be.