Why I'm Returning the Epiphone Jared James Nicols Gold Glory

[@kas14244]

Your nutz. If Gibson made it it would be 6,000 for the price it rocks. Complaining about the one pickup you should of thought of that before you bought it.

[@stevenculver6416]

How does one take this review seriously, sorry.

[@kevinh4910]

Like... doesn't like the finish doesn't like 1 pup... then why did you buy it?

[@wickafunk]

You should probably return the rest of your guitars too.

[@joshuamoney7434]

Don’t think he actually owns any.

[@Harrisabd]

Fucking 💀

[@1959LP4U]

You bought it knowing it only has a bridge pickup and now your complaining that it doesn't have a neck pickup!!!

[@dfkendrick]

You are all STONED if you don't like the Gold Glory. Mine was spot on from Sweetwater and I went so far as to put the new Seymour Duncan JJN Silencer in it with a couple of risers to get the pickup closer to the strings. It is a BLUES MACHINE!. Dripping in soul. TCD, you need to practice a bit. my humble opinion.

[@HashiAkitaPuppy]

Are you sure you tuned it?

[@iamcasonwix7622]

I think you should set a guitar up if you have it sent to you as heat/cold can change a guitars intonation and the neck

[@jamiebritton6781]

I love my gold glory. But I also like relic giuars so little finish issues don't matter to me.

[@VN9001]

IMO, I don't think it's fair to judge any guitar by the "out of box" condition with respect to set-up. I definitely would not expect any guitar that was shipped to me to be in tune. The store should be checking this with a basic set-up before it ships out (string height, pickup height, intonation, neck relief). China is a long way to ship from. I agree with you about satin/flat finishes - they are cheap looking and feeling, and cheaper for the manufacturer to use. Some look like basic primer coats imo. That binding issue is the result of sloppy masking/taping before paint finish. I have seen this on several IBG Epiphone models that I have tried at my local shop (ES-339, LP Custom, and ES-335). These are all easily fixed though and would not deter me from buying this model, especially in this price category. Gibson however is not much better, but charges 3-4 times the price of the Epi. No brainer to buy the Epiphone.😐

[@sibariba]

Mine came in perfect condition! Ilove everything about this gtr!

[@philhood4604]

Played the Pelham blue model. Looks cool, sounds great but neck was too thick for me

[@TheJeffcurran]

I've had two of these. I still have #2. I don't think that the binding is scraped. I think it's masked. I don't see how polyethylene can be scraped like lacquer. Both of mine had a slight misalignment on the horn masking, but no big deal. Neither had an issue anywhere else. I polished the tops on both. On the second one I used an orbital palm polisher with some automotive cutting compound. I was able to get the paint flush with the binding whereas prior to polishing there was a ridge from the masking tape. Bottom line is that it plays and sounds great. And after a year of gigging you won't notice the slight flaws after it hits a few cymbals, etc.

[@pjd417]

Maybe you should just play it instead of looking at it

[@belfastgypsy1]

Did you return yours to jimis guitars? I bought mine there, set of Ernie ball 10’s and now its a life long friend.

[@hailmaryrecordings8255]

I’ve thought about picking one of these up & having it re-finished a cool green or something. Agreed, as it sits, the finish is a bit more cheesy than I would expect from Epiphone recently. I was in guitar center in Hollywood yesterday and saw the Black version of this. It looked pretty nice, but I didn’t examine it for long.

[@finishin.my.coffee8780]

I had the black version. It was ultra modern weight relieved and had a chunky neck. So, you can imagine the balance issues I had with it.

[@MashaT22]

I have to agree that QC issues are not acceptable. Not on the high end Epiphones. That should never have left the factory. That’s not even at the level of B-Stock, if you ask me. That’s more than minor flaws. Can you return this one and pick up another because of all the cosmetic and QC binding issues? Theoretically. Can you go get it repaired as was suggested in the comments? I guess that’s also an option, but you shouldn’t have to pay extra to repair a brand new high end Epiphone that shouldn’t have passed inspection. Ultimately, the flaws bug you, but clearly the ultimate problem leading you to return it is that you miss the bridge pickup even though you said you mostly play in the bridge position last week. I’d also miss the second pickup (if I had an electric to play lol). It’s nice to have options! Unless you’re literally only writing or playing music that’s meant for the bridge only (which isn’t most music - lots of players use multiple positions at different times even in the same song) or want to constantly be switching guitars in a single session. JJN and other pro musicians usually have guitar techs to just hand over the next guitar in the lineup during a set, which is all ready to play. It’s more annoying for at home guitarists who don’t have that luxury and would have to unplug the JJN guitar and then get the next guitar plugged and tuned all over again, which wastes precious playing time. A single pickup guitar doesn’t make sense for most at home guitarists. I really like the Avril Lavigne signature Tele from several years ago. I was also disappointed that it only has a single bridge humbucker. I mean, if I wanted to sit and only play all her songs that use just the bridge (which are many, but not all of her songs), it might make sense to buy something like that - but what’s the likelihood of that happening too often? One could pay to re-wire, route, and install a second pickup but it would affect resell value and attract lots of (engaging Cali valley girl voice), “omg, like what did you do to that signature Avril guitar?! How could you ruin her design?!” comments, lol. I’m with you. On the plus side. It’s nice to know the neck thickness won’t likely put off people who prefer thinner necks and that you like the Epi-lite case!

[@RByrne]

From what I've played, the thickest necks Gibson have are the 50s custom shop reissues, like the 54 goldtop, or 58 burst. Those aren't even that bad at all. Pretty much like an average acoustic neck feels like at worst. I assume he can get a refund on this, or get sent a new one. Sounds like he wants a refund though, and I don't disagree. It's hard not to be put off on a guitar after getting s bad one. He probably has to cover shipping though.

[@RByrne]

Yeah that's pretty disappointing. It was the same with my Epi Wino, it was just so sloppy and uneven. I tried to like it, but I realized the same thing, that I'll never be able to look past the flaws. You pay for a new product, from a major manufacturer, you want a certain level of quality. I thought about getting the Gold Glory when they cane out, but I realize that I rarely play off the bridge PU alone. And it looks cool, like a golden rubber ducky 🐤, but just doesn't suit me.

[@christianvose7756]

Mine came with cracked fret board and bad binding.....its going back also

[@andreliemborg9861]

My Old Glory (the black one) is absolutely perfect and I love it No finish problems anywhere. Proper smooth frets no rattles. Set up perfectly. maybe the store I bought it from set it up good. All in all a very good guitar for the money

[@gautexrex]

Its not the guitar

[@thejakefromstatefarm6768]

I found it impossible to go to your shop. I kept getting something went wrong

[@The..Butterfly..Effect]

This is a beautiful guitar - in black stain About the giveaway, Answers in numbers, and read the questions. - To be fair .

[@MashaT22]

Isn’t that what he did the last time he did the giveaway? It was multiple choice answers and he read the questions out loud. I was there. Came in second place to Scott! 😬

[@The..Butterfly..Effect]

@@MashaT22He did not read the answers, and then it was he who read and understands the questionthe the fastest in English .

[@JesseLeeKing]

Use more than one finger to do your vibratos... when your doing the middle finger on would be my tip because the whole vibrato with one finger each time on ever finger looked like you just started playing. All good keep rocking and to be honest alot of great musicians only needed 3 chords... other than that I'd say hook ur thumb on the top of neck and rotate your wrist when you do the vibrato ....

[@jamiebritton6781]

I feel for ya dave sometimes you get a great giutar and don't bond with it.it happend to me with my gibson les paul tribute. Great giutar just no connection with it.

[@RByrne]

I had the same experience with a tribute. I got a 2016 tribute 50s goldtop for dirt cheap, I think about $400 Canadian. It was mint, but I just wasn't feeling it. Then about a month after I sold it, I was at the same shop, and they had a used one for a fair price. Myself and another guy tried it and both loved it. It had a nice setup, good fretwork and just felt perfect. He ended up buying it and I regret not getting it for myself. I've played all tiers of Gibsons, and It was one of the best LPs I've played.

[@GuitarAtoZ1]

I have 2 of these and the finish on one of them is perfect (binding etc).. The second one has binding issues same as yours. As far as I'm aware these are not scraped like Gibsons are, these are a veneer cut to measure and stuck on the top, so it's more likely the veneers aren't cut and stuck very well. I'm with ya on the satin finish, but I used a buffing compound on mine and it actually buffed up to a really nice soft shine (way more vintage looking).. The P90 is fairly killer and playing with the tone knob gets more versatility than it appears.. Great guitars for the money but a bit overhyped by JJN at the time imo.

[@AA-ih6kt]

overpriced guitars

[@williamnapolitano1550]

Binding: 7-ply Top, 5-ply Back and Headstock, Single-ply Fretboard.. This is how the guitar was intentionally made.. not a friday afternoon mistake

[@gedmason6387]

Ive looked at these on a few occasions, though never really bothered gettin one, thanks for the vid , love the Rory and Chuck appearence in the background 👏 ya cant beat a good Chuck ❤

[@daveshort7371]

If it were me, I'd spend a hell of a lot less time pining over build details and cosmetic issues and more time practicing. It's really hard to take objective opinions from someone that very clearly is a first year-level player. I'm not being mean. I just don't think your skill level warrants, at all, your opinion on the quality of an instrument.

[@tacob69]

These are not the super cheap Epiphones that you can overlook stuff being that wrong with it.I learned the hard way when I was a youngster that don't keep a guitar you don't like.I got one from my parents when I was 10 and just starting out and it was pretty expensive and I didn't have the heart to speak up and I didn't play as much as I would have with a guitar I loved.40 years later I will not keep a guitar even if I kinda like it,I'll keep trying till I love one.

[@mattvonbosh3685]

A shame you aren’t keeping it but sending it back is the right decision if you aren’t happy with it. There really shouldn’t be such glaring cosmetic issues on guitars in that £500-600 bracket. Poor show from epiphone.

[@bluwng]

This guitar isn’t for everyone it’s for a rough, tough no nonsense , ass whooping rocker. It’s not for you.

[@56WagonWheel]

I just pre-ordered the latest JJN Blues Power, I hope I'm not disappointed

[@bigkidband911]

Buyers remorse is real 😂

[@bradleyshuppert3393]

Probably two many knobs and six strings…. Most three chords don’t need all that whistles and bells….. a 7 fret guitar is great for 3 chords Dave

[@jamesseverin]

Buy the epiphone jerry cantrell wino custom super Dave! Its a great guitar fit and finish also sounds great!

[@jamesseverin]

@todd moore Well mine sure is a great guitar and has had more good reviews then bad as far as i see here on youtube. China is making very nice guitars these days.

[@3cardmonty602]

That’s horrible about the binding & finish. I built my own from a kit, & love it.

[@MashaT22]

Wait, you built a Gold Glory style from a kit? Building any guitar style from a kit is probably fun!

[@RByrne]

That's awesome! I live near Solo guitars(Canadian version of Stew Mac) and have been planning to go get the stuff to make one. I have a large exotic wood pile from my furniture and billiard cue building days that need a good use.

[@3cardmonty602]

@@RByrne Yea. Solo guitar kits are ideal.

[@DavidRuiz-fv9ek]

Whether you buy a $800 Epiphhone or a $3,000 Gibson, the finishes have just been crap...there are other companies out there that will give you more bang for your buck...

[@MashaT22]

True, but there’s just something special about a Gibson and Epiphone when it comes out right.

[@RByrne]

I've bought 6 new Gibsons in the past year and all came flawless. I've gotten 2 Epis and both were like the one in this video, or worse. People talk about Gibson QC, because for the money it should be flawless. But if it isn't perfect, it's definitely overall much better than Epiphone. I love Epiphone, and still have a few I plan to buy but I'll definitely be checking them well first.

[@sixslinger9951]

@@RByrne I second the Gibson QC..bought 3 new Les Paul's in the last year and all three are flawless and play and sound incredible. Epi's are crap other than an entry level guitar, IMO. Yes, I know some people love them, I don't.

[@TheZookajesus]

Gibson has some Brazilian wood les pauls on their front page right now for only $19,999! Wow!

[@likeakite]

What a shame your JJN guitar was poorly finished. I bought a Gold Glory and it needed some work, especially the fret ends and it needed a fret level and fretboard nourish but now it's a bloody good guitar. I've never owned an Epiphone before but can imagine they all need a bit of fettling?

[@rfamilytrips4475]

You could always scrape the binding and spend an hour polishing the top to a gloss finish and keep it.

[@MashaT22]

Should he really have to do all that on a high end Epiphone? It seems the real issue is the lack of a neck pickup, though.

[@RByrne]

He could, but if the finish is bad, there may be other see r issues that pop up later, when it's too late to send it back. He has every right to send it back, and if people just accept guitars with flaws, they'll only get worse.

[@rfamilytrips4475]

@@MashaT22 “You could” did you miss that part?

[@dannyb4826]

@@MashaT22 i think he should have known it only had 1 pick up when he bought it

[@alfsmith4936]

​@@MashaT22Every new guitar needs a fettle. It's a ten minute job, if you know what to do. The humidity levels, etc are a little different in China than they are in the U.K.

[@siena9594]

Only guitar I’ve ever returned was an Ephiphone (the Alex Lifeson Les Paul that came out last year)… shockingly bad build quality… wouldn’t touch Epiphone again

[@siena9594]

@todd moore Hi Todd, hear what you're saying, but I think as of June 2022, in terms of quality and price point the PRS SE range has pretty much nailed it at the moment. All that being said, I just saved up some more and bough an US made CE24 which I love.

[@damien6997]

Great channel Dave....

[@MashaT22]

Dave’s okay. Mostly, lol. 🤭 But seriously, subscribe, like, and share the channel. We are all trying to help get his numbers up. He really does have great content!

[@SionynJones]

Those finish flaws are just not great. Maybe it's because it's a unique finish they don't do everyday with Epiphone more standard range of guitars. The p90 is a Seymour Duncan sp901b in this guitar isn't for everyone but it isan accurate recreation of 1946 era p90 which would of been found in 50s era Les Paul which this is based on. It's a medium output type of pickup that suites Jarrad somewhat aggressive style of playing. Great review Dave. You're playing isn't bad and with practice will get better.

[@AA-ih6kt]

i think the silent p90 isnt as spanky as other p90s..its rather dull and no crispyness

[@ernieb3626]

Dave you are a really nice guy. Its so obvious that you feel bad criticizing such a popular guitar lol. you did a great job showing the flaws without flawging epiphone. Thankyou for being honest because alot of us have been waiting for the next waive of these(me included) and it seems to be here. The flaws are UNACCEPTABLE, They are demanding a Premium for Gold Glory and We should demand Quality. Thanks as always TCD

[@RByrne]

Yeah, it's nice to see someone doing a proper review. I see so many where they either don't disclose that they were paid, or they just noodle around for a few minutes and call it a great guitar. You can tell when they are avoiding talking about the flaws. When the reviewer says: "this is one of the best switch knobs I've ever used", you know it's not a good guitar.

[@martin-1965]

That binding is, as you say, 100% unacceptable. Pathetic really but, from what we hear about USA Gibsons these days, it could be a "design feature" so that it accurately represents the USA original 😂 - regardless, I would be doing exactly the same on a brand new guitar. If budget makers like Harley Benton can get it right (probably at the same factory?) then what the hell is Epiphone's excuse? I have a gorgeous Epiphone Lemon Burst from 1996 (Korean) and it is still flawless. Bought it from a guy who had it from new about a month ago for £250/$290 and love it. Also have an Epi Dot which is perfect but from 2004. Kinda worries me all this QC going down the toilet from Epiphone as well as other big name brands hmmm...

[@RByrne]

@@martin-1965 Gibson now has very good quality control. A few things slip by, like anywhere but I haven't had any issues in the past couple years with 6 guitars I've bought new. And yes, when Epiphones were made in the Samick Korean factory, things were great. MY first 2 guitars were Epiphone LPs (97, 2000) and they were perfect(well to me anyway, I was 13 when I got my first one). And have you actually played a Harley Benton? I'm wondering how many of the reviews are real, and how many are paid or shills. Currently it seems that higher-end brands are getting better, and low-end brands are getting better at pretending they're good.

[@martin-1965]

@@RByrne Hi Ryan, that is good to hear because I haven't heard good things in the last year about a lot of new Gibsons, to the point that I was thinking of getting a Heritage from the old Gibson staff at the old factory as haven't heard a duff review of them at all (would have to play one myself of course - spending decent money, I am not ordering blind online lol, as each guitar has its own feel and quirks). My experience with fixing Gibsons (not new ones) - I do guitar repair work part-time - is that most of them have a few issues like any guitar, but are generally beautiful instruments. I'm just shocked at how many reviews have highlighted finish quality on new guitars lately, and reviews by people who have bought them not had them provided for review. Gibson is the pinnacle imho (along with Fender) of the guitar world; I only owned one briefly and it was great but 2008 happened and rent had to be paid sob... With Epiphone, I've never seen a finish as bad as the one in this video so it sent up a red flag that maybe they are taking their eye off the ball on their lower end product as well. I hope I am wrong, and your experience is a bit of a relief as a Gibson is on my purchase list soon (unless the financial apocalypse happens again/end of world lol). Final note, in all the Gibson negative reviews it was only the finish and QC that was an issue. The reviewers always praised the playability, sound and feel of the guitar, but if I'm parting with serious cash and it's not a custom shop relic, I'd expect it to be perfect, like any new product I bought.

[@muddyh2o240]

@@RByrne My last 4 Custom Shop Gibsons slipped by. I love them, but what I've received, and what I've seen online looking at photos on dealers websites shopping around, they have a long way to go quality wise. It's great you got 6 in a row that didn't have issues, you're one lucky hombre. If I can look at a dealers photos and see issues within a minute or so, there is really no excuse for this stuff to get by their QC checks. It sucks, but they are rushing these things out. When they are right, they are fantastic, but my experience so far this year has been, well not great.

[@anthonysilva5312]

It is after all an Epiphone , if you want perfection buy a Suhr! Lol Having said that, I played a used Koa Destroyer today that I’m STILL trying to talk myself out of going back and buying it!! Lol

[@stonephilips9361]

Picky Picky Picky🍌

[@steviefitzsimons9113]

Good video. 👍🙂 Subscribed. 😀

[@mobius8002]

i looked at your hands in the playing clip .either you sound is out of sync with the vt or...you were miming the playing .also the sly little look at the camera when you fluffed the "mime" midway made me think mmm...this guy has no confidence to play along and record. i see why your called 3 chord dave .

[@jeffbeck6501]

I think the problem is a loose screw.

[@wevycall_inz6156]

You shouldn't be reviewing anything about guitars until your skill level goes up.

[@aaronlovell6026]

This guitar is perfect. I love mine. The imperfections are what you are looking for. It's simple and straightforward. It's perfect. You can't blame anything on your guitar It's one pickup, one volume and one tone. It makes you a better player. If you suck, then just practice. You can't buy a better guitar for less than 750 bucks. By the way, you suck at guitar.

[@ibrajimenez2098]

Even Gibson has quality issues.

[@minkorrh]

I have $125 guitars that sound better than that, playing aside, and I couldn't give a flying shit about anything with a Gibson or Epi label. I feel bad for the giveaway winner, other than the $50 they'll get when they sell it lol. No reflection on your video!

[@nolatone]

This guitar was made in China. They had to get home to EAT the cat, not FEED the cat.

[@MilennialGeo]

The black one is better

[@johnthemachine]

Dude really bought a cheaper, better LP Jr and sent it back because he wants a neck pickup and a non-budget paint job?

[@vincentdoyle6987]

Chinese made. They ate the cat btw.

[@Johnjingleheimerschmidtt]

Put down the camera and pick up the guitar. Practice, mate.

[@john745745]

No one cares

[@AA-ih6kt]

overpriced guitar

[@motofish312]

GEE..... THERE'S A REVELATION!.....