Gibson vs Epiphone Shootout - Hummingbirds & J200's

[@bradchervel5202]

I was thinking damn that Epiphone sucks and then it hit the other mic and sounded 10 times better. Test FAIL!!

[@DylanCopher]

Exactly what I thought. Judged it a little too early. But damn, that mic made all the difference.

[@tbwilsonky]

yup. although the gibson still sounds miles better on both mics.

[@themartykus]

thank you! exactly my thoughts! I was thinking that's way too bright....and then, they switched

[@MCDreng]

And then the Gibson still sounded amazing through the mic the Epiphone "sucked" through. :D

[@outsidethepyramid]

These guys are shitting on Epiphone just to get you to spend 3K plus on a Gibson. Epiphone have much superior models than the ones shown here.

[@Allann882]

Pete's mic sounds better

[@andertons]

+Allan Ardon Both the same microphones, Neumann KM184. Thank you for watching.

[@OussamaDRISSI]

+Allan Ardon Maybe he has better fingers

[@phrozen71]

+Allan Ardon There is a definite tonal difference between the two mics...be it EQing or the mics themselves... it's there.

[@ruscoelee]

+Allan Ardon Pete seems to get a warmer sound on either of the guitars, no matter which which brand he plays on.

+Allan Ardon Pete's playing sounds better.

[@daithespy]

That was an interesting comparison. I have been playing guitar for 48 years. As a teenager, I aspired to own a Gibson acoustic, and wanted one badly. There were no Gibsons in my local area, and I ended up buying a Guild D25, which turned out to be a much better guitar than any Gibson I've played since. I travel to the States every year, and have frequently bought guitars and brought them back to the UK, because they are much cheaper in the States than here. I always visit guitar shops in NJ and PA, and always take the opportunity to A-B Epis and Gibsons. Whether it's because the Gibsons are more frequently played in the shops, I don't know, but I have always preferred the cheaper Epiphones. They are much better set up, out of the box. They play in tune all the way up the fretboard. There is never any buzz, the action is always spot-on, and the neck is always in the sweet spot. I cannot say the same for the Gibsons, even though they cost 10 times the price. I will concede that the Gibsons have the potential to be better guitars, and will hold their value better. They are all-solid woods, and should be superior to the Epis. Out of the box, they just aren't. In the last decade, Gibson seems to have lost its way, and in my opinion, this is reflected in the lack of quality control that is apparent on the new guitars I have auditioned in the American guitar shops. I do now own a Gibson, a 1970's J-40, but I am in the process of replacing the top with Adirondack Spruce, and it is going to have Martin-type bracing, not the original, infamous, "double-X" pattern that's currently on it. My other guitars include a Martin 00028EC, a Martin 00016C GTE, two LX1Es, a Chinese Guild GAD JF-48, an original UK-made Pilgrim Mk1, and an Ibanez Artwood AC240OPN. I think I can live without a J200 or a Hummingbird. Good work though lads, please keep it up!

[@TekkerzOOT]

One day I will have the Gibson Hummingbird, absolute beauty.

[@maxwellfan55]

As an owner of one. You won't regret it.

[@bloodletter3400]

can you say anything about the Gibson Dove

[@marinos3flash]

both good

[@anonymousguitarist9096]

Fender paramount white color all the way...

[@Drewkungfoo]

David G same can only afford the Epiphone Hummingbird Pro

[@trollfiddler]

Both the Gibsons have warmer and fuller tones. Not a huge difference between the J200 types but the Epi Hummingbird is very tinny sounding.

[@arno-luyendijk4798]

I think the tinny sound depends on one's personal opinion. I know I will find myself in a social media beehive with this, but I consider the Epiphone models resonating deeper than the Gibsons. I find the Gibsons ''tick" too much. The Epiphones "sing ' more. '

[@jeremiahcresswell2055]

the weird thing is, I was at Gibson Memphis last year and the Epiphones sounded way better. These guys are salesmen. They have thinner strings on them in the video, and have the Gibsons set up to sound fuller, with higher gauged strings. its all relative. all about money, and all to sale guitars. The Epi's are every bit as good and if the names were swapped some ppl would be convinced the other way round. I have Gibby's and Epi's and, it all depends on the strings, mic and settings. These Epi's sound fantastic unplugged, comparatively to the Gibby's, every bit as good. just depends on what you can afford.

[@midoguns802]

true and the guitars sizes are noot the same the gibson is bigger and deeper

[@ioodyssey3740]

Yeah... my first thought was those are not the same strings, so....

[@williamroyturney3012]

I have to agree.

[@kimrunic5874]

The Gibson Hummingbird is a fantastic sounding guitar. That is THE acoustic sound IMO

[@erogeguy8887]

The way they talk, the way they look into each other's eyes when they play, the smiles on their faces... You can tell they're truly in love... It's beautiful...

[@jasonriccoboni5931]

I know there were two different types of guitars played in this video, however I am going to comment on the difference between the J-200s, since this is the guitar that I am looking at purchasing. Without a doubt, even an individual without any musical background can hear the difference in sound between the Epiphone and Gibson. The Gibson's have a much richer sound from what I can hear in this video, and I feel that they both sound better than their counterparts...much better even. And the J-200s are not exactly 10 times as much considering that as of right now Epiphone only makes one version of the J-200 at a price point of $400(Natural Finish from Amazon), but Gibson makes a variety of J-200 style guitars ranging from Emmylou Harris' Version @ $3,050 all the way up to the Quilt Vine Viper Blue for $6250. I guess however that the Epiphone and Gibson they are playing are priced at $400 and $4349 respectively, giving a 10-11 times as much price point. But the question for me is not which one, Epiphone or Gibson, sounds better. I would fully expect that a guitar which costs well into the thousands to sound and perform better than a guitar in the hundreds. Bigger cost equals better material and craftsmanship, and a guitar that is made in USA not Indonesia. So, If I made my living in music, and had thousands to spend on a guitar, then its not even a question...Gibson hands down all the way. Gibson has always been, and always will be a guitar that one aspires to for one reason or another. So the actual question should be, for the normal individual, do the Epiphone's sound good and are they a quality guitar for the price? From what I can hear and see in this video I believe the answer is yes. I have read if you have the Epiphone EJ-200SCE professionally set up, replace the strings, and replace both the Nut and Saddle with quality materials, you will have a guitar that sounds as well as looks great, and that will last a lifetime.

[@ebbulk]

The Epi J200 sounds very good for the money but the Gibson Hummingbird is sonic gold!

[@ziggynumnums5243]

I have the Epi hummingbird, and I love it. It's not quite as warm as the big brother, but, man, it sounds and plays great. My best acoustic yet

[@aaronpeacock8572]

Same here. It's not quite as full but still one of my favorites to play.

[@thomasdoyle4485]

@@aaronpeacock8572 I have an epiphone les paul and I love it... I pick it up over my $2,000.00 guitars just because its fun, and I always have it handy. Since I bought it used its not as heartbreaking when I get a new ding or chip in it. But the quality and playability is excellent.

[@shadowsong1]

its pretty obvious the difference. the gibsons aren't just warmer. they are more complex and subtle sounding. More balanced. The epi's are good guitars. the gibsons are great guitars. the difference is noticably more obvious with the humming bird.

[@robertc7080]

i have Gibsons and Epiphones.. I luv the the tone that comes from both brands.. As for the silly comments below regarding eye contact-- when two players improvise, especially on acoustic guitars where both playing rhythm, eye contact is essential.

[@RedFez]

There's not much between the J200s but the Hummingbirds are worlds apart.

[@petera.michaelsen4657]

its because of the body size mostly

[@pauloratm]

yep , but still....the price is galaxies away too mate.

[@rymns]

I agree

[@woodlands52]

I've been jonesing for an sj200, thought I'd look at some comparison videos just to make sure the Gibson was worth the extra dough compared to the epi. I think it is, at least to me.

[@bozopennywize]

agree

[@mrjimmcdaniels]

The best guitar is the one you enjoy playing and sounds good to your ear.

[@Markkxs]

Jim McDaniels correcto

[@phillipdavidharrisgospel6981]

Look Gibson makes fine instruments no doubt. But the fact that a $400 guitar can sound this close to a $4,000 guitar it's pretty scary. If you can play a guitar really well oh, you can make any guitar sound great. It's all about knowing how to play. And by the way I have played many high-end guitars including Gibson's and I am a fan of them. But I have also played these two epiphone's and they sound fantastic for the money.

[@brianhead814]

@@phillipdavidharrisgospel6981the sound is not close at all ! The difference is huge, in one case you have probably the Best sound you can get from accoustic guitar, in another you have a toy which sound awfull. It is very very difficult to find good accoustic guitar even at high price

[@voicesofww2]

@@brianhead814 Most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference between these guitars. I bet you couldn't in a double blind test

[@brianhead814]

@@voicesofww2 100 % sure i make the difference. You can be lucky and find a epi which sound great, but you have to be very lucky.

[@dominomorton6989]

i feel like there is too much awkward eye contact in this video

[@alexleezer7538]

7:10 - 7:28

[@jozefka1019]

are they into each other or something?

[@grahamp2270]

DominoMorton What you perceive as awkward is a knowing look that both think the Gibsons sound better, but aren't allowed to say.

[@bellinghammond]

Deliverance?? oh yeah, they're into each other

[@marike1100]

Analyzing and reading things into eye contact aside, it's clearly about the guitars. But who cares?

[@Jimmuck315]

I'm an 'over the hill' country singer who rarely oaid more than a thousand dollars for a guitar, who pissed more 'money' away till last year, I had a 'Staph' infection in my replacement knee which almost killed me. I swore that, after each operation (3) I'd make a comeback (at 74, LoL!) went thru the Hummingbird, traded that in for a Songwriter and then promised myself 'the best' the J200, always my dream guitar and J.M.O. the J200 has all the others beaten for total musicability. I play it in my sleep as it's 'sound' is heavenly. Played a 'kitchen party' here in Nova Scotia, Canada and folks told me afterwards that The Gibby sounded miles sweeter than anyone else's. Thanks be to God that I lived to own this treasure.

[@woolleydick]

Just goes to show how important microphone placement and the guitarist is to the mix. (as well as the guitar)

[@MarlonKingShow]

The Depth and sound of the gibsons sounds amazing. I've played a Gibson J200 and can confirm the deep bass tones are lovely. Was secretly hoping the Epiphone was going to sound as good (think we all were).

[@dimesallen1082]

Brought a smile to my face just watching two people jamming about. Looked as if you where enjoying it!

[@Melanatedaquarian]

Watched this and it helped me decide to buy the Vintage Hummingbird last year and I wanted to say thanks for making the comparison! The tone is undeniably better than an Epiphone, which don't get me wrong is pretty darn good at 10% the price, but nothing can compare to the sweet sound of a Gibson Hummingbird.

[@taylorm3560]

3:25 Gibson is strumming at the sound hole, Epiphone is strumming near the bridge. Have both play with the same technique or just have one person play both instruments. Otherwise, entertaining review fellas. Keep up the good work

[@Adam_Barrett]

Came here to say this 🤣

[@kimrileymusic]

Exactly!

[@RaZzoRSnAkEpiT]

Special guest: Leonardo Di Caprio

[@jeremiahcresswell2055]

HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!! yep

[@jayveegumera9250]

Daniel Ibanez and JBL from WWE

[@teresalee4233]

From an average player, the tone difference are mini mob it the price difference is guhg

[@superfly19751]

Lol

[@sercastamere9853]

Crossed with Johnny Depp

[@DrivingDunkShot]

I think it just shows how much effect mic placement can have on the tone.

[@scottyhester1]

It really does. Every time the guy on the left played it was a lot darker sound. It could've also been his hand position when picking

[@bobbyberetta4206]

At first there was a huge difference between the Hummingbirds but then after the swap I started to wonder if it had to do with the mic placement & where they strummed. Either way the Gibsons sounded phenomenal & amazing.

[@santos0x]

I've had an Epiphone Hummingbird for about 2 years now. I can't afford the $3k Gibson. I'm very happy with it, it has a very balanced tone (sounds great both plugged and unplugged), plays easy and I LOVE the neck (a nice chunky D shape). But of course the Gibson is better in every way. People get hung up on Gibson vs. Epiphone, and frankly many players are far too concerned about the name on the headstock. People see "Gibson" and make assumptions about the player, and many players are snobs about cheaper guitars. And that's fine. To each his or her own. But it's absurd for anyone to denigrate a $300 guitar because it's magically not as good as the $3k Gibby.

[@TravistyStudios]

Buy a 3000 dollar guitar and come back and make this same comment. Honestly, you buy cheap you get cheap, I know this cause I started with cheap equipment and moved up to expensive gear and when it comes to musical equipment you don't want to cheap out cause you will notice it in the end. It's like any expensive hobby.

[@mikegilchrist3925]

​@@TravistyStudios Perhaps all the gear but still the same player? Epiphone are less in sound and subtlety but a good player will still get a good response from the cheaper brand. I have heard mediochre players use their expensive kit and great players use cheaper gear.... I know who I would stay listening to.

[@gregfears6989]

try looking at one on a traditionally female holiday. 'They feel selfconcious and quilty more likly to overcompesate by being generous.. My wife and daugherinlaw insisted I by a Gbson Sonngwriter on Mothers day. I couldnt even bargin they paid full price. Just a comment if your out of state, you can have the store send it to you and avoid sales tax. She got a floor model jewelery chest on fathers day. I'd make that trade on any holiday.

[@m00nsplitter72]

Big 'like' from me, not only for the review, but also for the contagious pleasure derived from people making acoustic music together.

[@ArthurRoy]

Try not look so deeply into your M8's eyes when your noodling.

[@BFMV1100]

I honestly think Pete is trying to mess with him when he does that. I find it hilarious

[@idessaoutlaw]

They might be "good buddies"...

[@samhaskins2506]

Wow, what a difference, Gibson was so much fuller. The Epiphone sadly sounded like it was being listened to through a tin can. Thanks guys for illustrating the difference!

[@Fubucia6.]

Let their prices do the talking

[@MalcolmPowder]

The Gibsons certainly sound a hell of a lot nicer than the Epis, but ten times nicer? I would say no. If you can afford the Gibson, get the Gibson, if you can't get the Epi. I would love to hear some Martin comparisons. Maybe D18 vs D28 vs D35. I'm hoping to get a D35 soon.

[@IGarrettI]

"if you can afford the Gibson, get Gibson, if you cant get Epiphone" no shit mr obvious

[@MalcolmPowder]

+IGarrettI If you were a guitar, nobody would buy you.

[@benhanson6720]

+Malcolm Powder sick haha

[@adanacman666]

there is a d-18 to a j45 comparison while martins are the king of acoustics the j45 actually wins,any one of martins taylors gibsons and guilds are beutiful even the japanese guitars yamahas ,takamine sound pretty good

[@ianeurekaxd]

Ben Hanson l

[@AnAmericanGuitarist]

It would have been GREAT if they told us how the necks FEEL ... how the action is .....how they compare in playability.

[@multipipi1234]

Well the neck did feel depressed but perked up in the afternoon.

[@rcarie1]

Can't deny the full sound of that Hummingbird... Amazing tone and a huge difference...

[@davidkivilaan8084]

Each of these guitars sound good in their own respect. Epiphone makes really great guitars at very reasonable prices and I believe that the player has to keep in mind their expectations vs reality. For 1/10th the price, the Epiphone seems to be one hell of a deal. On the other hand, the Gibsons just have that sweet tone and bottom end that every guitar thinks of when they think of Gibson acoustic. So this all comes back around to personal preference and what's finically feasible. If you're looking for a all around great guitar and a relatively low price point, go Epiphone. If you're looking to buy your forever guitar, go Gibson. Again, this is all my personal opinion and I'm just guessing I'm not the only one who feels this way. Keep up the good work Pete and Mick!

[@MrPinkStrat]

The Gibsons sound Twice as Good as the Epies...but not TEN TIMES as good

[@MrPinkStrat]

Maybe thats a bit of product snobery creeping in there not so much the Listening Closely

[@dmichaelsandphantom]

There is definately a richer sound in both of the Gibbys. However, the question is , is it better? I would say yes.. but definately not ten times better. And..they are all beautifully crafted. $329 bucks or $3290 bucks? I'm gonna have to go with the $329. If I made music for a lively hood, then the Gibsons. For two reasons; They sound richer and it's a Gibson MAN! A GIBSON. Love Epiphone...but it aint a Gibson.

[@MrPinkStrat]

Yet 10 times the Price Mostly

[@jamesadcock5235]

Doug Quinn u American folks have got it good we have to pay 3000 English pounds which is quite a lot more than 3000 dollars

[@MrPinkStrat]

A rip off Price where Ever you Are

[@randallpaul6559]

I think if you want a budget guitar you dont have to worry about then you take any of the epiphones and take them to a tech Bone the saddles and nut set the truss to a nickel width action. Set it up and you have a great guitar. Now if you are into investment guitars then that's different but beware difficult to take them out on gigs, let other people play them and then there is the theft issue. I've been down all those roads on my guitars. so the pro's are Cost, playability and a little more worry free

[@19maurice66]

I'd like to hear your opinions on the guitars as well.

[@kingm56]

Wow, I was surprised how much the tone of the guitar changed when they switched instruments with each other. Both the Epiphone and Gibson hummingbirds sounded much warmer in Pete's hands and brighter in Mick's.

[@chester777ful]

I sure wouldn't pay 10 times as much for a Gibson I am surprised how good the Epiphones sound up against them

[@DoodlesMusic]

The sensible thing to do is buy used. I bought a 2001 Hummingbird 4 years ago for £1,200. No dings or dents, needed a set up and new strings. It's a great guitar but I wouldn't pay over £3,000 for a new one. I wouldn't pay £3,000 for any guitar, actually! At that price, I'd be terrified to take it out of the case.

[@weldonfergusonjr7671]

Did anyone notice when they were switching one was playing the Gibson bird and the other picked up the epi ej200ce. The EPIPHONE EJ 200CE sounded better than the GIBSON HUMMINGBIRD.. MY OPINION. That’s a big money difference.

[@secretwpn]

Why would people pay 10 times for the Gibson? The answer is in the first strum when comparing Hummingbirds.

[@jyd59]

The Epi Hummingbird sounds more spikey in the mids than the Gibson, which has a very well balanced tone. The Epi jumbo sounds closer to the Gibson jumbo, there is not as much difference there, although in a 1x1 comparison with no other instruments the difference is discernable, whereas if there were a keyboard or percussion or singers, the difference would be virtually lost in the mix. Straight up, the Epi jumbo is easily the best value in this comparison. The Epi 'Bird sounds like it needs to age 10 years before it sounds sweeter.

[@cesmcmyth]

If to get one Epiphone version of these guitars, The Jumbo 200 is way better sounding compared to its "original" than the Epiphone hummingbird.

[@40spinup]

First chords on the Hummingbirds was the intro to East Bound and Down by Jerry Reed.

[@rubenvandenbos451]

awesome guitars and awesome guitar players!!!

[@mikezeus71]

I am a new guitarist. I have a epi dove pro. I cannot afford a gibson. However, for the money epiphone makes a damn good version of the gibsons in both look and sound. Of course there is a difference but I'm not at the level where that matters. Epis sound pretty good and the Gibson versions of these are just too pricey. I'm getting a new epi j200 in black tomoro. Will update this later.

[@alanfox270]

I would like to see a comparison of a Gibson Dove and Gibson Hummingbird

[@o2bnaustin]

Looking for the right sound required for the style of music I play (mostly old school rock and blues/Crossroads blues) I bought an Epi Hummingbird. After one day, I returned it and resumed searching. It was too tinny and didn't fit the bill for my blues' formats. But it did very well on many old school rock songs. But I didn't want to be switching guitars between songs. Enter: the Epi EJ200ce (Sunburst). This instrument fills the bill for everything I play, including a few 1940s old standards (soft, full, resonant) as well as C&W and Folk. Sans-effects pedals, but using a volume pedal (only amping through the main PA with a slight bit of Small Hall preset), it will reach down and growl with the best of distorts effects. Easing off on the Vol Pedal a bit gives me that softer sound needed for Poco-type songs by adjusting my strumming. Occasionally, I'll use a chorus pedal for certain things (Dire Straits, "So Far Away", etc.), but that's all the effects I require. I liked the Epi EJ200ce so much that I bought a black one and keep it on standby and tuned to Open A tuning using a Spider Capo. Love my two Jumbos!! Got to; can't afford the Gibsons...even if I could, I'd prefer the 200. Thanks for the review!

[@mikebold1311]

Thanks guys. I tried out the Epi Humming Bird at Guitar Center. It sounded like cardboard, I really wanted to like it. I thought maybe it was just a bad one off. So I did some research and found your channel. What you showed was a accurate non bias presentation. That being said I'll try the Epi J200.

[@michaelfajgenbaum7766]

The mic on the right is definitely better. I bought an Epiphone ej sce200. Changed the stings to the Gibson J200 strings and viola, sounds like the Gibson. Great action, lovely tone and finish.

[@noquarter1983]

I think the Gibson Hummingbird complete destroys the Epi. That Gibson sounded beautiful. Now when it came to the Jumbos, it was a lot closer. Gibson was a little more smoother and warmer, the Epi was a little more mid and in your face.

[@Stephen_Lafferty]

The nice D > Cadd9 > G improvisation had some neat turnarounds that were fun to transcribe! More great interplay whilst demonstrating beautiful instruments, please!

[@theguitarpro2490]

Could it be possible that the epiphone sounds better?! Yes, they sound very different but why do most people make the the assumption that the sound coming from the Gibson is better, because people know it costs 10x more. This calls for a blind acoustic sound test where listeners pick the sound(tone) they like the best, and they don't know the cost or brand of the acoustic they hear.

[@kannonprice7079]

But honestly, I'm not trying to say that I have good ears or anything but I really thought the Gibson one sounded better especially with the humming birds. I even did a blind test where my sister cut out just the two strumming parts from the clip and played it repeatedly without showing me the screen. Just saying, sometimes people do tend to "hear" that it's better just because they know it costs more, but sometimes there is actually quite a difference. But yes, we'd like a blindfold test from these series too!

[@bambostarla6259]

Try one and thats your answer :P

[@freddysnip1621]

The Epiphone is better indeed, how do I know? I brought back my 2016 Gibson J-200 and came back with a Martin D 35, and after hearing and trying a friend's Epiphone CE 200 I bought this guitar as wel

[@SuperCarver2011]

No, I can hear a distinct difference, but it depends on the soundquality of the your computer sound system. I have a 7.0 theatre sound systems and a special audio board to make it as good as possible on a compressed audio track from KZbin.

[@bigjohn5724]

I agree very much. A blind test would be nice.

[@campbelltuck]

As I write this,I'm awaiting delivery of my new 'Epiphone J-200 SCE $499....(Guitar Centre) Sunburst,I'm old fashioned...chuckle........The very first strum of the Gibson made my mind up on all the Gibsons played (ha' as if I didn't know)....Gibsons.they have a ring,a humm,most distinctive!....but me being a tight Scotsman I bought the Epiphone,heck' the gold tuners alone are worth almost half the price of the guitar......really enjoy the playing of the two fellas' Mick & Pete....Great video...Thank You!

[@marcoferrao]

Loved the sound of that Gibson.

[@B17SPN]

Well done, the best comparison video I have seen with a guitar out of each speaker you could really hear the difference.

[@DaneAng]

Can you guys please do a larivee vs Martin vs sigma vs Taylor kind of video? Awesome stuff guys!

[@ianrhodes872]

hi.first of all let me say thanks for taking the time to compare the Gibson & Epiphone acoustics..on the hummingbird test the epiphone sounded a lot thinner than the Gibson and the Gibson had more low end.. on the j200 the tones were closer but would still give thumbs up to the Gibson..but not sure its worth ten times the price! cheers Ian

[@jc8196]

guitar on the right sounds better even when they swap. pick angle , and soft / hardness choice of pick has heaps to do with tone . you really need the same person playing both guitars , and the same microphone .

[@luisjorge4922]

What a perfect example to compare both brands. Thanks for sharing guys.

[@dcortes831]

The epiphone hummingbird sounded very different when each of these two gents played it.

[@mhdz10]

These new videos you are doing are really amazing! Thanks guys!

[@fanicia42]

i like the idea but the fact that you're using different mics makes this a little moot

[@andertons]

+fanicia42 If you have a peak in the description, you will read that the mics are the same, Neumann KM184, into a universal apollo 8p and logic Pro. Thanks for watching.

[@eduardwalhout1740]

+Andertons Music Co You can say that all day but they don't sound the same. Why act like they do? I mean i feel your pain because its a great idea for a video, and the fact that they sound so different is a bit of a bummer. Actually you could fix it partially if you edit it differently, by having one guy do both after eachother. And then the other guy both on the other mic.

[@michaeldiepeveen]

+Eduard Walhout Your comment makes little sense though, ofcourse they sound differently. That's the whole concept of comparing a cheaper guitar with a more expensive one. Same mic, same input, same editing software only difference is in the player, but with the same approach does that matter? All in all if you really want to narrow down the difference go into the shop and play it yourself, your ear will be different from laptop speakers or headphones.

[@eduardwalhout1740]

+michaeldiepeveen i was talking about the mics. Several people have said in this discussion that the left and right mic dont sound the same. Which makes it harder to distinguish the differences between the guitars. I agree with that but Andertons keep saying that they're the same mics, that was bugging me because the one on the right sounds clearly warmer and nicer, regardless of the guitar being played.

[@michaeldiepeveen]

+Eduard Walhout I get that, but I think its more down to the placement of the mic then the mic itself, and also the player, everyone has a unique approach and tone in their fingers, thats why I said, best way to tell the difference in detail is to play it yourself, watch this is a more general idea what the difference is.

[@richoneill5619]

Could you guys do a comparison between the new Epiphone Inspired J200 and the Epiphone ej200sce?

[@wutnot]

Not only do the higher end sound so much better, but they also feel much better also.

[@Michael-mj1bz]

That's was great music! Loved watching you to jam

[@johnnybmagic]

I am absolutely shocked at how close the Jumbos sound, especially since the Epiphone has a cutaway. The Epi definitely needs some different strings and a set-up, but there was very little tonal difference to my ears. The Hummingbirds on the other hand had a huge variance. I even listened without watching the first time to make sure I wasn't being biased, and the Epi bird has a very thin, plastic sound to me. Which really is a shame because it's a beautiful guitar. Maybe a new bone nut/saddle and some new strings/set-up would do wonders for it, but for the price, I would probably go for something that actually sounds like a proper dreadnought straight out of the box.

[@cobbler88]

I agree that it SOUNDED like a huge difference at the beginning of the hummingbird comparison. But a lot of people are pointing out that this likely has more to do with the player and microphone set-up than the guitar. When they switched, the Epi sounded warmer and deeper, but not as much as the Gibson. I agree that the Gibson sounded better overall, though.

[@Pomdaddy]

I own both Epiphone's and love them! However I do have my sights set on a Gibson Hummingbird. Someday hopefully

[@Fyshfungus]

It'd be cool if you could do a parlor guitars comparison Eg. Gretsch Jim Dandys and fender CP-100!

[@miguelabreumacedo]

Tried the gretsch thinking it would be one of those great inexpensive acoustics but, to be honest I think it is the worst sounding acoustic I've ever played (it sounds good on some yt videos so I was really surprised) the playability was actually good enough. The fender was reasonably good, much better than the gretsch but them I tried the Epiphone el-00 pro and that was a really good sounding parkour guitar for 200 euros. It had a solid top and I think that is the big difference. The employees from the store mentioned that some nickel strings and it turned into an amazing delta blues guitar. One day I'll buy one.

[@rogertheshrubber1135]

An interesting watch. Finances permitting it would be the Gibsons for me, they had a much fuller sound to my ears. That said the epiphones did not acquit themselves badly by any means. Similarly sized and price Martin vs Taylor would a good episode. Excellent playing as always chaps, well done.

[@conartist267]

Not a great comparison. Nick's signal was less, thinner and strummed behind the sound hole. Pete's sounded better mainly coz he strummed over the sound hole. Better to have one person doing the demo because of the different styles! Doesn't work for me...

[@ewetoo]

Yeah bad mic placement ruined the comparison.

[@peterjarvis7335]

I just recently bought a Gibson hummingbird and I love it better than I probably would have if I had an epiphone.

[@JoUtan01]

Mick and Pete please review Yamaha Trans-Acoustic LL or LS Guitar

[@ArrekBawrrin]

So I was just guitar shopping and played all four of these guitars. I walked out with the 2019 gibson hummingbird. Tough choice between that and the j200... now the review...one major thing to note is the feel. The gibsons are on a whole different level. So smooth and easy to play. Sound wise the epis are much more tinny sounding. The gibsons are just so balanced and much warmer. If you want a good sounding guitar none of these are a bad choice, but you wont have the epi sound as nice 5 years down the road. Gibson on the other hand will retain its beauty for decades. If you want a guitar just to play go cheap, but if you're looking for unmatched quality that will last a literal lifetime pay the extra. Finance the thing for less than 100 dollars a month. Just play the guitars side by side and you will see the worth of gibson over epiphone. I am absolutely in love with my new gibson hummingbird. Totally worth the price. Even if I'm paying for it for 36 months. Just not even comparable to me.

[@jamesmcminn672]

Gibson sounds better but only marginally, would be very interested to hear the difference between a j45 and an epi Masterbilt ej45!

[@maxsilver894]

I wanted a hummingbird in 77, it was out of stock so i jumped at an epi FT550 great guitar but no hummingbird, however had the opportunity to play some new Hummingbirds in the past two years. They sounded so dead I stopped playing, and now I was offered an epi J200 (not cutaway) and it sounds midway between the sound of the two you are playing and for the price well worth it

[@NoOne-rg7rv]

The hummingbird gibson sounds so good

[@takingcareofpainting]

I own them both (2 of each) I mostly play the epiphones live in my nightly shows & my road gigs -Once they are electrified there as you see here not much difference (plus much less $ risk in public if some kind of accident happens ) but the Gibson's unplugged at home are by my side 24/7 The entire guitar rings you feel the notes ring throughout your body the wood vibrates into you & it's a fatter tone a fuller overall sound, the tone is richer, warmer & the low end feels deeper - & there is less fatigue even with the exact same strings The Epiphone's are great the look is beautiful & they are work horses the stay in tune & feel great 👍

[@1961jscofield]

The Gibson sounded 5 times better. Not 10 but certainly 5!

[@johnmiller7682]

I'd say they were 6 times better.

[@TheSoulsandRevive]

Love the overall tonality response from both the Gibson models (especially the SJ200) compared to the Epiphone's..From 12 mins 10 secs on, I was actually jamming along with you guys!

[@hyperfee]

Could you compare the Gibsons with their Epiphone Masterbilt counterparts? That would be a closer comparison as they would both have solid wood.

[@knucklesprayer]

+Andrew Fee That's the first thing i think!

[@hyperfee]

+knucklesprayer They're not the Mastetbilt range. In their descriptions you may be led to believe (although it doesn't say exactly) they're all solid wood but I don't think they are. The Mastetbilt range are however. Take this one for example: www.andertons.co.uk/electro-acoustic-guitars/pid18319/cid679/epiphone-masterbuilt-dr500mce-electro-acoustic-vintage-sunburst.asp ... It actually says "all solid woods".

[@hyperfee]

+knucklesprayer ... Sorry, links don't work in the descriptions. If you follow the link above to the Epiphone range you'll see the Masterbilt one.

[@michaelaiello9525]

They may not be 10x better, but wow, I would certainly love a J-200 and a Hummingbird. That opening chord number just sounded incredible, even though it was easy chords both of those guitars together just sound fantastic! I know Pete loves a D-18,.. so I’d like to see him compare the Hummingbird to a D-18. I’d also love to see Gibson and Martin slope shoulder Dreads and then square shouldered dreads being compared. Thx

[@rickys.tcg96]

Could you guys please please PLEASE compare gibson P90s with epiphone P90s? I have a 56 epiphone gold top that i had for five years and i want to put gibsons P90s in it but is there even a huge difference in them? If you could do this comparison it would be much appreciated :)

[@reggietito3261]

no

[@bbnatedogg]

+Ricky S. Forget the Gibsons. Go with Kinman if you're going to spend big. No noise either. Kent Armstrong makes a noiseless set, Stealth 90, that sound like vintage spec P90s and run 100 US for a set. They are really surprisingly good. If you want noisy ones, you could get a set from Benson Custom wound however you like. He has them listed on FeeBay for 145 a set, but you could make an offer for less.

[@rickys.tcg96]

+bluesboynate i will give it a look, thanks for letting me know.

[@SnorriFinnski]

+Ricky S. The usual let down on the Epies (I have a few, to few to be honest ;) ) is the electronics, change out the pots and the caps for CTS and PIO and the Switchcraft switch and jack. After that you might find that the different to the Gibson is not very big anymore.

[@panchovilla7744]

+Ricky S. Seymour duncan antiquities also sound amazing, they are quite expensive though

[@jeffreymorreale7223]

Im so glad you guys switched instruments so we could hear each guitar on both mics. The epi hummingbird sounded really inferior until they guys switched. On Pete’s mic the difference wasn’t as pronounced. The Gibie still sounded better but the epi is pretty close.

[@pomaranc747]

I wonder how would Masterbilt Epis compare to these.

[@ArielCardona]

I have an Epiphone EF500RCCE. MUCH, MUCH better than those two Epis, but I also have a Gibson CL-20 Standard Plus, which is the most resonant acoustic I've ever had.

[@tomnanD3]

I own the Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500MCE which I've had for over six years. I recently bought the Epi EJ-200. The DR-500 is all solid tonewoods and is superior to the Epi. Much richer, fuller sound and rumbly bass. I will say that the Indonesian-made EJ-200 is gorgeous and the workmanship is first-rate.

[@TooLooze]

I played a floor model Epi Masterbuilt and was astonished at the sound. Epi build quality these days is excellent.

[@turdferguson9942]

Have had a DR500MCE for about six years as well and it's such an amazing guitar. For the price they really can't be beat. I keep hoping that they'll do a 12 string Masterbilt at some point.

[@Mjo742]

I have a masterbilt. love it. for under a grand there's not too much competition

[@qw1419xtj]

The position in the room has a HUGE effect on the sound of these guitars. When they switched players, the difference was very apparent.

[@slickyjorj]

No comparison...Gibson much better sounding. Big full rich tone. You get what you pay for.

[@haydengroover590]

Imho I think the Epi J_200CE and the Gibsons AJ-200 are fairly similar in tone. I ignored the sound of mic on the left because that guy was forcing that tone by playing really close to the bridge. I compared them eith the mic/player on the right and I found very little difference in the sound. The Gibson picks up the high end just a little better, but not $3500-$4000 better. They're both absolutely great guitars for sure, and I'm probably going to be getting the Epi J-200CE soon. But that aside, the Gibson is obviously going to be at least a little bit better of a guitar, but the Epiphone is EXTREMELY close to matching the Gibson. The matter of the hummingbird, well there's a little more of a difference there. But they're still both outstanding guitars.

[@cugir321]

From everything I've read and seen from Epiphone....the CE doesn't have a solid top....it would be the SCE. I don't think they had a CE.....it doesn't have a solid top...at least that's what they say at epiphone. that's why the gibson sounded so close to the ephipy

[@andywason3414]

My first guitar is a epi FT570BL a big blonde bloozy jumbo that I bought in 1973 which I still have. My newest guitar is the natural epi J200 EC that I just bought. (don't ask me about the other 20 or so other guitars in between!). Love my epi's!

[@25hourpartypeople]

Mic placement is totally screwing this comparison.

[@LivingDead898]

just both awesome guitars I'd love to have just one of them

Skunds like the Gibson is a bit louder and warmer.

[@TheSwedishUploader]

+Tilen Marš I find that to be true as well. A bit softer on the ears but still making itself heard. I kinda like the Epi's snappiness, but I'm not too sure you'd be heard well enough with it.

[@gapping3000]

Love that the mics sound different. Just highlights that it's night and day even with the difference in mic sound.

[@juanmartinreborati7928]

Pete's microphone sounds fuller. So when he play de gibson the difference is big. When Mick plays de gibson, the difference is not that big. That's to my ears... There's is a difference obviously.

[@englandsdreamin100]

+Juan Martin Reborati AGREE ,,biggest difference was mics

[@secretwpn]

+Juan Martin Reborati my ears tell the same. Either the guitar to mic position or some other variable. I guess they try to make the settings equal. It would be cool to eliminate this kind of difference in comparison videos.

[@bengalvin9932]

+Juan Martin Reborati you are right on.

[@bengalvin9932]

+Juan Martin Reborati that's so true.

[@SuperCarver2011]

Is it a case of microphone equalization used and the placement angle of the microphones? These are top quality Neumann KM84 mics (condensor type) "Km84 capsule produces a near-perfect cardioid pattern which maintains frequency response even 130-degrees off-axis and yields a very natural sound ."

[@cosmo5889]

The epiphones sounded thinner. The Gibsons had a bigger warmer sound. Tone is relative. I did a similar test and bought a Gibson Songwriter. How much are you willing to spend?

[@arricat5e311]

Tonewood doesn't make difference on acoustic guitar ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) *Ducks for cover* ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@foreignsaint94]

*outraged an offended*

[@TheBigDean18]

+ArriCAT5e Umm...are you drunk?

[@arricat5e311]

+Jonathan Dean blazing

[@TheSammyreynolds]

+ArriCAT5e on an acoustic everything matters. On an electric you're right.

[@foreignsaint94]

+sammy reynolds Watch the prs comparison video with lee and rob. I cann clearly hear differences between those guitars, though they're subtle. selected timbers make a huge difference in every instrument made mainly of wood.

[@davidmartin2631]

Do the Epis look smaller? The Gibsons seemed bassier and maybe clearer?

[@pl4typuses]

Honestly i found the playing styles of the two defined the sounds more than anything else. Not saying that Gibson and Epiphone sound exactly the same, but from this video the differences are so minimal while being played by one person

[@reijerlincoln]

+Minh Bear Yup. Pete made the Epi Hummingbird sound better than Mick did. Having said that, the Gibsons do sound better overall (fuller, sweeter, bigger bottom end). Still, A-B comparing them in a quiet room is one thing. Playing them in a room with other people and their instruments... you'll never hear a difference. A person should be put in a straight-jacket for paying 1000% more for the Gibson Hummingbird.

[@pl4typuses]

+bigfancycar completely agree. I think Pete's playing makes the epiphone sound warmer. At least visually he picks the strings closer to the hole

[@devonbiker]

I'm a bigger fan of Gibson now that ever before! Great video! Good to see the comparisons between budget and top of the range. I aspire to one day get the J200!

[@shaunm1983]

The Gibsons sound much warmer and bassier to my ears

[@ernestochang1744]

+Stinkfist2000 you're right, it's because it's slightly bigger body if you take a look at them they're not the same size indeed

[@theexpatriatenomad9369]

The overall tone response from both Gibson models are amazing. Particularly the Gibson J200.

[@smcgst]

I have to say the Gibsons sound better but not everyone is rich. I enjoy my Takamine. Just saying

[@WindOfTheWisp_Janine]

Love all of your videos...please keep them coming! I have the Epi Hummingbird (2014) & it sounds much less "tinny" than it does here..it's more resonant & the lower end is much richer. As others have said, I have to wonder if different strings would make a difference...new/different strings can often improve a guitar's sound to the point that it sounds like a completely different instrument. I always immediately change the strings on any new guitar I get. Even if the specs list a well known, high quality string coming from the factory, by the time the guitar reaches you, they are usually in pretty bad shape. (I put John Pearse strings on my Hummingbird...love the sound...one of my fave strings! I'm going to try Elixirs on it next...am very curious if they will sound as good on this guitar...love the fact that they last forever, and am hoping they will give me the same full, rich sound that the John Pearse do. I have Elixirs on many of my other guitars, but haven't tried them on this one yet. Anyway, to anyone out there who has an Epi Hummingbird, you might want to try John Pearse strings on it...compared to the original strings, on mine, the difference was night & day!)