Epiphone's 150th Anniversary guitars are kinda whatever

[@MashaT22]

I totally understand the “meh” reaction. Squire’s anniversary models had special pick guards and nice colors. They made it feel special. These just feel like another batch of the same old, same old. I do like that they picked original Epiphone models, though. I am hoping they will do something more exciting with originals Epiphone models àla Squier’s anniversary models to make the originals feel like they got dressed for a very fancy birthday party. I’d also love to see them release an entirely brand new guitar design (or even several) to think ahead to the present and future. That would be nice. Yeah, the price thing. These aren’t even signature models. They should all be $699 or less. I don’t see any reason why they need to bump it up to double or more than double the prices of a non-anniversary model as compared with comparable guitars they’ve sold as recent as the past year or so - heck, they may still be at $499-$699 prices last I checked. I just don’t understand how they can ethically be okay with charging more for the brand that has historically been accessible to the masses, especially when there are virtually no covid staffing and supply chain shortages in the guitar parts world anymore. How are they justifying this all? Because if they managed to bump up the quality and sold these very same models with similar specs for half the price, even during Covid, there’s like no excuse other than greed. And it’s gonna come back to bite them in the ass because their customer base cannot afford to keep buying guitars on repeat at these prices. I can understand if they want to bump of the Gibson prices, which are higher than they should be as well, but the customer base tends to be different. Even then, professional musicians and the doctor/dentist/lawyer club will eventually run into a cash flow issue. They can’t be buying guitars on repeat at these prices. Prices of everything we buy naturally inflate slowly with time, but Gibson and Epiphone are apparently inflating a much larger balloon than the rest of the guitar industry with a high pressure inflation gun. These aren’t vintage guitars, after all. New guitars made by large manufacturers should not cost anywhere near the same as vintage guitars. We aren’t talking about an individual builder who can only make like 4-5 guitars annually and painstakingly makes every detail perfect - that’s the only time a new guitar should cost that kind of serious moolah.

[@eddykidd]

The absolute COOLEST Epiphone ever!!! That Wilshire all the way baby! Getting one ! Now let’s have more firebirds and RDs for a change !

[@joeyvanostrand3655]

I would definitely go for a Firebird with Actives and a Floyd Rose! 🤘

[@eddykidd]

@@joeyvanostrand3655 huh interesteing idea for a Firebird.

[@davismiller3769]

For the euro/dollar thing - I *think* it might be a duties thing. High end Epiphones are setup at Gibson USA and then sent to dealers, so when they go to Europe it's yet another international trip. If the quantities being shipped are fairly low, then the cost of that might not be insignificant compared to a price of ~$1000 and instead of eating it, Gibson is electing to pass it to the consumer. Or maybe someone at Gibson divided and not multiplied? Regardless, I think the first is more likely since Gibson is setting up little shops in the UK and EU and they wouldn't be doing that if it didn't make financial sense.

[@cl2721]

Great video man :)

[@Trashslayer76]

I wonder how long they will actually have Gibson pickups in them? It has a subject to change components without notice disclaimer on epiphone's website

[@Trashslayer76]

Since the Gibson pickup shop is a thing , I wonder, will Epiphones soon have more era specific models or availability of guitars with something other than Butstbuckers or '57 Classics?🤞🏻 That could further justify the ever growing elephant in the room of price. Maybe they could bring us more color varieties while they're at it...🤞🏻🤷🏼‍♂️

[@jonathanhorne6503]

I wish on this 150th anniversary series Gibson/Epiphone should have finished these in nitro cellulose. I’d keep these around long enough to where I’d get finish checking. Yes, I think nitro and finish checking is a plus. I’d like to a reissue of the Epiphone Howard Roberts Jazzer.

[@brendonlacer5857]

In 20 years from now, if you don't pickup a chestwood california coral, you'll be kicking yourself and you'll ask someone else to kick you as well. The Sherton and the and the Zephyr, Gibson has guitars like these, but not the Crestwood. Take my advice, buy one before they run out. Case and point, I picked up a Gibson SG Zoot Suit in 2009, so far out there had to get one, Rainbow. Price $1500 Canadian, Today X6. This guy doesn't like the colour. lol. Let me see, red/wine guitars tons out there, blue tons out there, rusty Gretch has a bunch, california coral none. Good Luck.

[@Mike-ky9jz]

Totally agree with your take....I bought a Crestwood....and have no regrets 🤘😎

[@AlexSilva1976]

I own a Epiphone Riviera Custom P93. Overall nice guitar, easy and fun to play. Don't like the tone of those particular P90s though. And I hate the annoying rattling of that particular bridge. Have my mind set to change both but I never come around to it.

[@crestabear69]

Hi Dave - your merch link isn’t working

[@dmac3316]

Cool vid Dave. I tried a P90 Wilshire a few weeks ago and really liked it. My fave Epi is probably my first one, a 2010 Les Paul Tribute cherry sunburst w Gibson 57 Pickups. Hard case was included.

[@TheTurkey79]

The 1st "new" guitar that i ever brought was a lefty LP 100 that i got in 1995 so heaps of nostalgia for that one, out these ones the blue Wilshire is the coolest i reckon B)

[@ChrisFreyLive]

As these guitars are shipped from Asia, there is no justifiable price difference whether these guitars arrive in the USA or Europe (having all taxes and VAT removed). Therefore, asking for 300 EUR more in Europe is a clear ripp-off of that European market. I never understand why brands do this. It hurts the brand long term as it jeopardises trust into a brand. Consumers are not stupid and the Internet makes it so transparent.

[@paulcatarino2209]

I was excited for the Wilshire until I looked up the neck spec Slim D...no thanks Dave any I idea when the Epiphone KH Greeny is expected to be released.

[@johnkadell6319]

Love the Zephyr. Now make a Byrdland.👍

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Would liked to have seen a new Epi Century in a different snazzy colour 🤓👍

[@Subropontes]

Gibson is trying to make people appreciate what Epiphone used to be again, which unfortunately it will be tricky. Epiphone is seen only as a cheap alternative to Gibson, but every time Epiphone releases guitars with better specs people complain it’s too expensive. I’m a big fan of the old Epiphones, they’re unique and FANTASTIC guitars, I have two vintage ones and they’re my favourite guitars I’ve ever owned. I’m happy to see Epiphone bringing the original designs back and happy to see made in USA Epiphones again. Ideally in the future we’ll see the cheap wanna be Gibson Epiphones for the people looking for affordable guitars and expensive top quality Epiphones for the people who love the brand, but until we can convince the people that Epiphone designs are cool they’ll have to push a lot of these in between models. Same goes for the Made in USA Epiphones, I’d pick one of the new american Epiphone Frontiers over any modern production acoustics because they’re KILLER guitars, but no one wants to spend that kind of money on a guitar that says Epiphone because they see Epiphone as a budget brand. I’m really looking forward to an Epiphone 59 Coronet with the New Yorker pickup and hopefully it will be a made in USA one!

[@paulgordon6949]

Cool guitars. A bit too expensive though.

[@RByrne]

These are definitely kinda boring. The blue one isnt bad, but not worth the premium for that specific color. The Zephyr is pretty cool, but at that price, who are they really trying to sell these to? Not bad guitars by any means, though, and I hear they stepped up the quality a bit on these. Favorite Epiphones ever would be the Emperor Regent, FT Deluxe, Spirit ii, and the original 50s Casino.

[@MashaT22]

They are probably trying to target Gibson collectors who will drop a lot of cash - this would be like a major discount in their eyes for collectors’ models. They are also targeting regular folks who don’t have big bucks to collect Gibsons, but a special Epiphone edition at these prices “might” still be within their reach. I’ve made this point regarding the prior high priced Epiphones. Epiphone should make special guitars sometimes to celebrate milestones and artists, BUT an Epiphone of any kind (even a signature model) should never cost more than $999. They managed to sell signature models and other high end models during the height of Covid when everything cost way more with shortages and shipping issues for $699-$899. All of that is a non-issue for a long time now, so how are they justifying the major price hike? I know Dave said he heard they’re paying factory workers more, which is great - but still, it seems like they’re price gouging. Isn’t price gouging illegal in some countries, btw? Where’s a guitar loving lawyer who wants to sue Gibson (I talked about that in another comment) and Epiphone for price gouging?!

[@ilikeblackguitars]

Yeah I’m just not feeling theses models I kinda like the Sheraton but what little interest I might have is gone with the price I would be interested in seeing other models

[@Wichisdylan]

so dave...the "review" was only pricing complains? which the diference basically on the price is caused on export tariffs..

[@wayneb6128]

The scroll guitar and bass is all I need

[@benallmark9671]

I prefer the Crestwood in red with the bikini headstock.

[@jamesonpace726]

Paid $400. for a 2 p90 model about a year ago....

[@MashaT22]

Which one? I think I recall seeing some original Epiphone models for that price. I don’t recall if they had the same headstock.

[@peterchoe]

At the prices epiphone is asking these days you can easily find the 1980s ones made in Japan with specs near Gibson in some periods. The Deluxe reissue is cool insofar as it shows Epiphone is paying attention to its true history, but they really half-assed it. The "New York" pickups are humbuckers, not single coil as the originals were. The finish is ugly IMO. It's just another fake "archtop" with laminated and pressed woods it's nothing more than a box with holes cut in it. At that point there isn't much in common with the originals.

[@dh9228]

Dave!!!!! Where’s the news on the dg335?

[@pads-zr9ln]

If you want a cheap gibson, buy an eastman, better qc and workmanship. I'm not paying £1600 for a mass produced eppiphone when you can have a hand made guitar for thr same money

[@pads-zr9ln]

@FrankBuyers...guitarista-iu3zg put premium pickups and made to a premium standard if you want to charge premium prices, I'd take an eastman over any epiphone

[@pads-zr9ln]

@FrankBuyers...guitarista-iu3zg an educate yourself response! Please pass on your knowledge oh enlightened one

[@pads-zr9ln]

@FrankBuyers...guitarista-iu3zg all you said eppiphone WAS a premium product, alright grandad, nobody else does. Maybe educate yourself

[@paulsadoff3661]

Seems like a lot of money for guitars from China.......even though the quality is very good.

[@songboy40]

What does that mean, Paul? In spite of the high quality, they should be cheaper because they came from a different patch of land? I don’t get it.

[@paulsadoff3661]

@@songboy40 I'm only basing that on what other Epi's cost. The Explorer is only $ 649 new and it is a really great guitar in a lot of respects. Some of these anniversary editions are nearly twice as much.

[@Mike-ky9jz]

Couldnt disagree more on your take

[@toddmoore2324]

Indeed they are meh. Not excited for them. Yeah, I don't like Chinese guitars anyway but these aren't even cool designs.

[@Nizodizo]

I have been playing a China made guitar for ten years now. Granted the hardware sucks but for what I paid for it money well spent.

[@RByrne]

I agree. The blue one is probably the best of the bunch, and it's the cheapest. I can't see the others selling very much. It's a lot for a Chinese made guitar.

[@MashaT22]

🤔 I’m starting to get the feeling you have a “thing” with Chinese made guitars . . . ? 😂😂😂