Korean Epiphones vs Chinese Epiphones. Which is better?

You hear a lot of people rant and rave over the Korean made Epiphones as opposed their Chinese counterparts. While you can find many Korean made instruments on the used market fairly often, you're bound to run into the Chinese ones more, since those are the ones currently in production. But, is it worth the extra effort to seek out one made in a different country, in the same region of the world? Are they really that much different, for better or worse? I give my thoughts and opinions on the matter in this video! Leave me some comments below and let me know what you think!
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[@IKilledTheDodo]

Feel is everything imo. Electronics and hardware are easy to change, but making a neck more comfortable or fixing problematic frets is a bigger job. I've done both on my Epiphone.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

100% agree.

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

I prefer the bottom horn cut of the MIK one. The MIC version has a more rounded bottom horn and i am not crazy about that. Like you said the real issue with the older MIK ones is the electronics. If you take a old SAMICK made Korean Epi and swap out the electronics they are fine. Some of the old ones made by SAMICK are excellent guitars.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

I've had many Korean made Epis since this video and I can attest to that wholeheartedly at this point. The 56 was not a fluke with the electronics, they are just bad all around. But 100% agree, swap the electronics on a Korean Epi and it's a banger of an instrument.

[@bluesdawg8014]

I just bought an Epiphone Coronet made in China. I own many high end Gibsons, Heritage and G&L's. My first guitar was a Epiphone Coronet back in the early 60's which I sold. I missed the guitar ever since I sold it. The new Chinese Epiphone Coronet I bought is amazing. Solid mahogany, CTS pots with quality wiring and tuners. The finish is excellent as well. I paid $375 for my new Coronet (basically a Les Paul Jr) The guitar plays and sounds excellent. I can afford a vintage Coronet priced at $4000. I chose this 1960 reissue instead. I'm really happy to have this little powerhouse back in my arsenal. Los Angeles

[@Electric.Flamingo]

I'm glad to hear that! I've been interested in checking out a Coronet but I haven't seen any around to try. Maybe one day!

[@bluesdawg8014]

@@Electric.Flamingo I had to do a little setup for action and intonation. I may go back and use my jewelers files to take burr's off of a couple frets along the side of the neck, most of the frets are perfect, they don't need polishing or nothing. I do feel the need for a spacer under the P90 to get it to specs which is about 1/16th maybe 2/16ths from the string. Easy to do. Go for one now before they start cutting the quality. Oh it also came with a bone nut. Amazing : )

[@artneville5994]

I have a Korean 56 and I love it; added a Bigsby so it’s even heavier 😊 Put Seymour antiquity in bridge and Fralin in neck. Sounds awesome

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Nice! I have never really been a Bigsby fan myself, but they certainly do look great on LPs!

[@artneville5994]

@@Electric.Flamingo what got me was a video of David Gilmore with an old goldtop with Bigsby. Just a great recepie

[@monmixer]

The only import i have is a Fender MIJ and a Fender MIM. So I have no clue but have wondered many times. I did used to have an MIJ Crown SG. It was my first great playing guitar and it was a nice SG. Obviously it was a lawsuit guitar. It lookede eactly like a Gibson and it 199.00 new in 1975. I ended up trading it up to a cortez les paul that was also MIJ and was a great guitar with incredible sustain. That was 350 new. I believe i paid 250 and traded the SG. I wish I still had those two guitars at least i think I do. in 1979 I bought Hamer guitars. Went through two of the sunburst models. the first one was dropped and had a head stock repair. I traded it for another.both of those were in 79. in 1980 he got a Standard in which was Hamers Explorer model. i still have that beauty. I bought the MIM Tel because it was Deluxe Nashvilie and it pretty much covered what ever was playing so the Hamer could stay home as it's worth a nice chunk of cash today and I don't want to break it or lose it some how. I thought the Hamers played better and were actually cheaper than the gibsons hanging in the stores that were not even hand crafted. I was correct to for the price range. Turn out as far as investment goes the 70's thru the mid 80's were also the Norlin years and not the most sought after vintage Gibsons. so I won.

[@BrandonBames]

Great video! Is it possible the pickups in that Korean one were installed backwards? The way you described them almost sounded like they would work better in the opposite position, and 90's Korean QC wasn't anything to write home about in my opinion lol. Just a thought, subbed!

[@Electric.Flamingo]

I have considered that. If that isn't the case, I may just end up switching them around anyway. That would make an interesting video...😉

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

@@Electric.Flamingo Those pu's will never sound really good. they were and are the weak point of those korean made Epi's.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

@@These_go_to_eleven_1959 I'm glad it isn't just me. It was such a disappointment. At least they play super well and the pickups can be changed!

[@AQMusic10]

Chinese guitars are doing an excellent job ascetically and build beautiful looking guitars. To cut corners on price they have to on the neck detail and electronics. I have my frets leveled when needed and have upgraded at least the bridge pickup and it makes a huge difference.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Nice comment. I agree, Chinese made guitars are getting really good.

[@phillipholt6005]

My Epiphone LP MUSE is made in Indonesia! What class is mine! It's great for the blues! I have the red and the only thing I changed the clear knobs with Red and black. The New electronics are amazing!

[@Electric.Flamingo]

I agree, I think the clear knobs are a bit of a strange aesthetic choice. Indonesian made guitars are generally pretty good!

[@Overland-USA]

You can look up Epiphone plant in China that was brand new that was run by Gibson management when opened. It maybe still be run or overlooked on by Gibson Management. I don’t recall year opened but other Chinese’s or Korean plants were just contracted manufacturing plants. So I feel it’s important to check serial numbers on your guitars where manufacturing plant was located. This maybe a good topic to cover no matter which Epiphone model compared.

[@NeilNTR]

My 1998 Korean Epiphone is so heavy. I noticed it does not have that straight wire cavity from 3-way switch to the pots. The maple top is very thick and the neck has a long tenon. Maybe those were the reasons why it is so heavy.

[@OneForTheNorth]

Haha yep, they are absolutely a weighty guitar and work horse. The quality of them is just superb

[@thepatriot4355]

The Epiphone Customs Moderns and Prophecy Models are high end guitars

[@Electric.Flamingo]

⚡️🦩

[@Staygoldfarms]

My 56 gold top epi is crazy heavy. Didn’t think 11 pounds. Wow. I played a few shows with it and dayum, that was a workout. I just fixed the action recently and it plays much better. It was going out of tune before. If i got a chibson I’d go for a single bridge p90 Les Paul. They look clean af.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

I couldn't imagine playing like an hour long set or something with that thing. lol. Single P90s are awesome. Might I suggest the JJN Signature that Epiphone does (Either the Old Glory or Gold Glory) as opposed to a chibson. Those are soooooo nice.

[@Staygoldfarms]

@@Electric.Flamingo I have seen the Old Glory. They’re cool. I’m not looking for anything fancy and I certainly don’t want to pay a bunch for something that may not see the light of day with this stupid Covid bs. I sure do miss playing shows. Recording is all I do now. Sux.

[@wolfsguitarden740]

They are I have a few Korean heavy as hell and I'm surprised in your choice the humbuckers in Korean customs that's a different thing man try a custom...I do love all my LPs tho😆but the body's an pickups in the mik customs

[@ry_slash]

Good video man, my opinion I like the Korean flame tops compared to china ones, stands out lot more from what I’ve seen. but yeah definitely favour the china made ones definitely feel a lot better and play a lot better imo funny that where I am the Korean ones can go for as much as a new inspired by Gibson range one people tend to chase them when they pop up. All subjective really but cool to look at and see the differences.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Thanks for checking it out! ⚡️🦩

[@Sean_Plays_Guitar]

Can't wait for that explorer upgrade video bro

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Me either. It'll be fun. Just gotta get the parts all situated, which is in progress!

[@Sean_Plays_Guitar]

@@Electric.Flamingo Sick 🤘🏻

[@billotten5955]

The first thing I'd do on the Gold Top Korean is adjust the pickup height. Your comment on the Korean pickups look to be a factor of pickup height compared to the Chinese LP. The Korean pickups are far lower (is looks like) when compared to the Chinese.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

I tried my best to get a shot of them (I should have done B roll to be honest) but they are a bit a lower. Not a substantial amount, but they are lower. I also have the Explorer, which they are set pretty normally, still the same issue.

[@user-wp7ks7qi8t]

i actually had the pleasure to play a czech les paul studio, it was pretty amazing, liked it more than the gibson standard & studio i also played

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Nice! I've never even seen one before but I would love to try one.

[@user-wp7ks7qi8t]

@@Electric.Flamingo yeah they are a somewhat rare find, ive seen two pop up on a local auctioning website, one was bought by my highschool IT teacher and thats how i got to try it, i played it through a really bad amp but it still sounded real nice and felt pretty amazing, been looking for one myself but i found a reverend charger 290 for 400 dollars and decided to go with it since it was a huge steal

[@petersuddath6477]

My Chinese built 1956 reissue LP is one of my best playing guitars!!! Bar none. And I have several Gibson LP’s.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

The '56s are some sleepers, I'm telling you. That black one I have is absolutely perfect as is. I've heard so many people say it sits right up there with Gibsons and I tend to agree, non biased of course.

[@J_Braz_]

I've heard the ones made in Japan and the Saein plant in South Korea are some of the best ones. I've got two LP's made in the Saein factory. If your epi serial number starts with "I" its made there. From my understanding they didn't produce the volume of guitars per year as others could. Maybe the attention to detail is better.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Interesting. I've never played a Japanese one but I hear they are amazing!

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

I was told the Korean SAMICK made ones are the best ones?

[@fuzzb0x436]

I was told the Korean Unsung factory were the best

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Playability wise, absolutely. Electronics are definitely the weak point. If you want a great playing mod platform, a Korean Epiphone would be amazing.

[@OneForTheNorth]

@@These_go_to_eleven_1959 likewise, was always told Samick was the way to go

[@petestaint8312]

Killer slide! 😎

[@Electric.Flamingo]

⚡️🦩

[@altospizza-hm3yy]

The Korean LP's sourced better Mahagony(denser wood, probably from the Philippines). Build quality is better than the Chinese LP's(2003-2018). You are correct, 1990's Korean electronics are suspect. Swap them out, East fix. Once you do that, a set up and you'll have an amazing guitar. I personally feel that when factory workers are underpaid and live a life of no opportunity to move up the social ladder, that work tends to reflect in the products they make. One of the main reasons why I avoid Chinese made products as much as possible. A product made with pride is crucial. Especially when making a musical instrument...love and care is what makes each instrument have its character. Like a Japanese Samurai sword. That being said, the new Chinese guitars (2019-present) are good guitars, although the Mahagony veneer on them looks nice...it usually comes with a price (they're hiding the not so good looking wood underneath they used ). Also, say goodbye to the Rosewood finger boards....you get Indian Laurel with the new Chinese guitars . (I don't care for it). So, spend $799 on a new Chinese 1959 Les Paul, or find a good used 1990's Korean made LP for like $250-500 and just swap out the electronics. Korean Pros: - Better sourced mahagony wood - Rosewood fingerboard - long tenon - thick maple cap Cons: electronics

[@trapperjohn77]

Im actually going to pickup a Korean Les Paul Standard from 2002 in a few hours. Can´t wait.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Nice!

[@trapperjohn77]

had it for a few hours now and omg how well it plays and feel. Light weight aswell witch surprised me alot. My american strat was heavier. @@Electric.Flamingo

[@Electric.Flamingo]

@fletchersguitar the weight surprises me because almost every other Korean Epi I've played has been heavier. Enjoy it, dude, it'll be one of the best Epis you play!

[@trapperjohn77]

I had to weigh it just to see and it weights 6,1 lb wich is 2.8kg. Plays like a dream and sounds fantastic.@@Electric.Flamingo

[@thepatriot4355]

Scott Lewis is plant manager and Master builder at the China Epiphone facility so are American luthiers who all worked for Gibson directly Scott Lewis was Master builder for Gibson also and has been at the China facility since 2002 and with Gibson/Epiphone 46 years so when you say China made define that because the facility is run by Americans and the Asian luthiers who are there make top dollar they also are incredible

[@Electric.Flamingo]

"China made" meaning country of origin. An American in China can make something all day, but it's still made/manufactured in China. Look at things that are "assembled in the USA." Foreign parts shipped to the US and assembled by Americans does make something "Amercian Made." If that makes sense.

[@thepatriot4355]

@@Electric.Flamingo yeah by American craftsman and luthiers...I guess Gibson since they have many Mexican workers I guess you might as well say they're made in Mexico...where the building sits doesn't matter its whose in the building doing the actual work

[@Electric.Flamingo]

You're assuming I mean that the person who made it. I don't care who made it, Chinese, American, whoever. I say "Chinese made" meaning "Made in China." To disprove your assumption, if an American in Mexico makes a Fender Strat at the Mexican facility, there are still going to stamp it "Made in Mexico." Just because an America lays their hand on it doesn't make it "American Made." I get your point and the loss in translation isn't lost on me, but because I said "Chinese made" you thought I meant "only a Chinese person touched it and built it." No. It. Was. Made. In. China. Whoever touched it, Scott Lewis could have wiped his ass on it, it's still "Made in China."

[@thepatriot4355]

@@Electric.Flamingo American run the China facility American hands are building these Epiphones I could careless that the building sits on Chinese soil whose inside that building is what counts

[@Electric.Flamingo]

I highly doubt an American is standing on a factory line in China working when they don't even want to do it here. The only Americans in the factory are the higher ups overseeing the operation. Search for the video on KZbin of the Epiphone Factory tour and show me where an American is working the line. Again, they aren't going to stamp a product "assembled by an American in China" they are going to say "Made in China." I don't necessarily understand the argument here at all since I was just talking about differences in country of origin. I'm sorry I didn't throw in the fact that an American nay have looked at the product to satisfy that apparent need.

[@chariotdrvr14]

I've probably only ever owned Chinese made Epi's. I find the difference in quality is usually a monetary thing. They're all basically well made as far as the fundamental tooling goes. But the difference between a $300 Epi and a $500 one or those special reissue models can be quite great. Definitly the electronic components are better and the tuners. But even the basic set up with the lower end ones are still good wood to begin with...from there you can mod them to your exact demands. It's always worth it

[@Electric.Flamingo]

I agree with that. $200 can make a big difference in budget guitars. Law of diminishing returns definitely kicks in hard on, really, anything below $1000, in my opinion.

[@chariotdrvr14]

@@Electric.Flamingo Hard to say. There are some lesser known brands that are kicking ass in quality these days, like Schecter, Yamaha and Ibanez. Even Harley Benton in the low price range has turned in some very quality models for the under $300 product lines. Albeit, with them it is hit & miss... I've had some great gear from them (like my Extreme II ...Explorer model.) and a couple of others that were exactly what you'd expect in that price range.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

@@chariotdrvr14 bang on. I've had a HB before (had the TE-70 Black Paisley) and it was awesome! You can't go wrong with Yamaha ever and Ibanez and Schecter are great too. About the hit and miss thing, yeah that's just part of the game as far as I'm concerned. However, sometimes you can find a guitar that maybe isn't set up all that well or missing a small part and negotiate the price down a bit. That's how you seem to find those hidden gem affordable ones!

[@erickleefeld4883]

Could the electronics problem come from cheap pots? If you just changed that variable to better ones, would the pickups come alive?

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Perhaps. That actually crossed my mind at one point.

[@erickleefeld4883]

@@Electric.FlamingoThere really isn’t much special about pickups, once you strip away all the hype. (Only two kinds, good and bad.) But a signal is only as good as the weakest link in the chain, and the pots would be the obvious weak point here.

[@lasersauceretroarchives6544]

Korean Epiphones in Sammick factory where from the last production of 2002, whilst your Chinese ones were newer versions so expect better electronics overall..

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Sure, but the consistency of good vs bad in the Korean ones is my problem. The red Les Paul Custom I have now is Korean and the electronics in that are fine. In fact, I changed the bridge pickup out and reused that one in my Squier Bullet. It sounds great.

[@Grungebob_Squaredance]

I have an Indonesia built 355. Decent guitar for the money.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Nice! Don't see too may of those.

[@23skidoo46]

I don't think I haven't modded or replaced most everything on all my epis. lol, first thing I do is replace all the electronics and pups. Korean made are far better IMO. solidly built instruments. Chinese ones are hit n miss.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Most Epi's nowadays are honestly good straight out of the box. A little set up and you're good to go!

[@OneForTheNorth]

The build quality of the late 90s and early 00s Korean LP’s is off the charts. The make a mockery of the entry level Gibson LP’s now

[@Electric.Flamingo]

And I've noticed the effect of that quality with the used market. Most people who know they have a Korean model price it accordingly. lol.

[@OneForTheNorth]

@@Electric.Flamingo haha they do just that! You can pick a good one up for around £500 give or take and honestly, a better guitar for that money you are not getting.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Oh yeah, absolutely. I have been on the hunt for an SG. They typically have the chunky neck on them that I like and ones that I have played before, I have regretted not getting. The Korean SGs are phenomenal.

[@OneForTheNorth]

@@Electric.Flamingo I’ve never picked an Epi SG up, but I will keep my out now that you’ve said that

[@blackbearbear9313]

There about the same they flame the same in the old chimney

[@Electric.Flamingo]

I take it you aren't an Epiphone fan?

[@okiecowpokey]

My 56 gold top is China made & it's a quality guitar

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Most of the Chinese epis are quality. ⚡️🦩

[@wolfsguitarden740]

I just left a msg on a video saying u have to try a Korean custom..lol idk man to me the Koreans are way nicer and idk I have a white one with a real nitro finish .it's yellowing over..and yes!! The Korean Epiphones are so heavy but I love them

[@madwilliejackson7523]

i think the difference is the korean epiphones were made by oem manufacturers but Chinese epiphones are made by 100% gibson owned factories with some new and real deal gibson/epiphone working process and QC standards. they trained some Chinese aunties into skilled instrument builders. and i think the marketing part is more and more clear when they setup factories in China.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Whatever the difference, there clearly is one!

[@thomasniemann]

Korean epi’s rivaled American Gibsons. Many point out that production moved to China and ruined it. Noticing you only play distorted octave rock music, Korean pickups were designed to imitate paf and lower output vintage buckers where Chinese models are geared towards higher output metal heads like you. I had a korean epi les paul that played better than any Gibson Ive ever touched

[@Electric.Flamingo]

That's a general consensus a lot of others have as well. It just means that the Korean factory did something right with those things.

[@user-qd9nu2zl7s]

Cutaway horns are different. Koreans look like Gibson while the Chinese are less pointy.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Gotta say, I never noticed that. Thanks for pointing it out!

[@kevinvc1804]

China, Korea, Japan and for some of the extremely cheap models Indonesia.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Japanese is, definitely at the top of that list, as far as I'm concerned.

[@kevinvc1804]

@@Electric.Flamingo yes I was just replying locations. No particular order. I have a Korean Les Paul where electronics are great, but not original owner so never opened to see if original.

[@christopherrefusal4843]

So weird how absolutely all over the place people are with their Chinese guitars. I don’t play any epiphones but y’all crazy lol

[@Electric.Flamingo]

I couldn't give a shit where the guitar is made, as long as it plays well. I just saw an opportunity to piss some people off and took it. So far, it's worked on one other guy. 😂⚡🦩

[@luiscantu4968]

The Korean guitar sounded better

[@Electric.Flamingo]

You think so? I dunno, the pickups just have a lower output to me and don't sounds quite as "powerful."

[@MrPhr0sty]

Sometimes it is not about the guitar. Myself, I will not contribute a cent to the Chinese economy if I can help it. With their tyrannical government, persecution/genocide of minority ethnic groups, Covid cover up, etc, etc...

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Eh, I tend to keep out of politics, I'm about the music, to be honest. Whatever device you typed this comment on was more than likely made in China. I don't say that to be rude or anything, just that point has never made much sense to me.

[@MrPhr0sty]

@@Electric.Flamingo - Didn't say it mattered to you - Just to me. Truth be told though, I do wish more people would care. Also, the device I typed this out on was made in Cupertino California, USA.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

@@MrPhr0sty okay. Thanks for watching and your input.

[@ArrozCLeche]

Nice job. You just made a fool out of yourself and you're all over instagram. Props 👏👏👏

[@MrPhr0sty]

@@ArrozCLeche Who did? [EDIT] I see he posted a screenshot on his IG. Thats fine - I commented on his channel and he has a right to. I can't figure out for the life of me WHY, but whatever. Also not sure why that would make me a fool. Furthermore, just because he posted my comment on his IG, I would hardly call that "all over IG"... LOL

[@apocalypsevoyeur]

Why did you make this video??????????????????????????

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Does the title not give it away?

[@Smugglerbuttler]

Korean guitars : Looks good outside ,bad inside. Chinese guitars: Looks fake outside, bad inside.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

I honestly think most Chinese are guitars look fine.