Why This $150 Epiphone Is All You Need, Maybe We All Just Make Excuses?

[@frasercrowe4041]

"The blues aren't supposed to be played on a a $3,000 guitar." Wisdom. That yellow color is sweet, especially with the painted neck and headstock.

[@mr-nr4td]

$3000 guitars and up equivalents are exactly what real, original blues was played on. Most if not all blues greats played top of the line guitars that would easily be worth what $3000+ of today's money would have been at the time. They a;ll played the finest guitars of their time. T-Bone Walker's ES-5 , Muddy Water's Telecaster, Lowell Fulson's ES-335 and ES-5, Earl Hooker's black/gold Les Paul Custom and EDS-1275 Double-Neck, Lightnin' Hopkins's Gibson J-50 and Stratocaster, B.B. King's ES-345, ES-335, and black guard Telecaster, Albert King's Flying V's, Freddie King's gold top Les Paul and ES-345, John Lee Hooker's Epiphone Sheraton, gold top Les Paul, Lonnie Johnson's Martin 00-21, Elmore James's Epiphone Broadway, Robert Johnson's Gibson L-1 and KG-14, Sister Rosetta Tharpe's Gibson SG Custom, Little Milton's ES-345, Howlin Wolf's Gibson Firebird V, Epiphone Casino, and custom color Stratocaster, Son House's National Duolian, Otis Rush's ES-355, Albert Collin's Telecaster, Buddy Guy's gold top Les Paul, SG Custon, and Strat, Sonny Boy Willaimson's guitar player, Robert Lockwood Jr,'s Guild Starfire XII 12-String Hollowbody, Magic Sam's Epiphone Riviera sand Stratocaster, Magic Slim's sunburst Les Paul and Fender Jazzmaster, Shuggie Otis' sunburst Les Paul, SG, and ES-335, Big Bill Broonzy's Gibson Style O, Gibson L-7, Epiphone DeLuxe, and Martin 000-28, Taj Mahal's National Duolian, etc., etc., etc. They all played the finest guitars of their time. Anyone says you aren't supposed to play blues on expensive guitars doesn't know much about blues.

[@MrMoneyHelper]

​@@mr-nr4td Thanks for all the work put into your comment. I've seen videos of a few old blues players. Their guitars looked like junk. Maybe they bought them used. Maybe they used them until they were fully worn. Perhaps they were mistreated. Keith Richards destroyed his guitars with abuse. I owned guitars for twenty years or more (playing them regularly) and some of them looked new until the day they were sold.

[@vansongs]

Geez! The 5 string lesson was a simple and easy to follow as anything I've seen. Actually easier. More of that kind of content Phil. Thanks for all you do for the guitar geeks and future geeks too.

[@TylerJohnstonGuitar]

Epiphone needs to start putting P90s on more budget (sub 400 dollar) guitars and I’ll be a customer again.

[@Aguirrethewrathofgod]

That's true. There is so much potential for the epiphone and it's original model, but Gibson just didn't put enough effort in it

[@TylerJohnstonGuitar]

@@Aguirrethewrathofgod What they need to do is make the Junior a bit cheaper or give us more options finish wise. I’d be a buyer at 299 for what they offer currently, might spring for what they charge if they come out with some cool colors.

[@HellcatCustoms]

If Epi issued a Johnny Thunders TV Yellow DC Junior, they'd sell a Million of them. It boggles the mind.

[@Natenie]

The SG specials with two p90s are very close to that price point, don’t miss out on the model!

[@hardac7943]

Indio by Monoprice Offset OS30 DLX Electric Guitar with Gig Bag - Sunburst. Isn't to bad sub two hundred bucks its a jazzmaster style with p90 style pickups.

[@zigzag1a]

I have one in sea foam green. I put a Gotoh bridge on it, Fender Noiseless pups, bone nut, reset the neck, filed the fret ends, leveled and polished the frets, added 500k pots, upgraded the selector switch and replaced the tuners. Plays great!

[@Racoldgin]

So basically, you took a $150 guitar and put $500 into it? Could've added another $200 and found a decent Gibson Les Paul Special. LOL

[@zigzag1a]

@@Racoldgin not even close ahole. Guitar was $100 parts were around $100 for what i didnt already have and all labour was by me so didnt cost anything. Dont make assumptions and you wont look like an ass.

[@OldeDog_NewTricks]

Sounds like a lot of aftermarket add ons. How much $$ did you put into it?

[@BTBHSOHBOY]

I picked this guitar up when it first came out in 2017, when it was $99. It ended up being backordered for over a month despite the website saying it was in stock, so Sam Ash gave me a $20 refund, bringing the end price to $79 plus tax. I still have it, and it's still one of my favorites to grab and play. I kept it stock until about 2020, when I put about $120 worth of mods into it (GFS "Brighton Rock" pickups and wiring harness, Wilkinson tuners, a preslotted bone nut, and an intonatable wraparound bridge). It was a fun guitar before I modded it, but now it's a genuinely excellent instrument. I absolutely love it

[@hussamjamil4980]

I am actually considering this or a LP DIY Kit and go from there in terms of modifications. The biggest difference is that DIY Kit is mahogany with a mahogany neck (bolt on) and 12" Radius instead of thise Poplar-/Mahogany and 14". I do plan on having P90s, the DIY Kit has Humbuckers, this needs routing....price is the same and i wish to have a natural wood finish (this one would need complete stripping).

[@bobsaturday4273]

nice !

[@oxygen69able]

​@@hussamjamil4980I have bought both a Les Paul and a SG kit and bought some alnico humbuckers for them and some nice tuners. They both play and sound amazing. Better than any Epiphone.

[@Joe-mz6dc]

I remember playing this one in the store just out of curiosity and I thought it was quite nice. Great guitar for the price.

[@michaeld.mcclish]

I did something similar: put 2 Lindy Fralin p90's and CTS500 pots wired to 50's style, and an adjustable wraparound. I had to get a new pickguard and cut it to size, and do a little routing of the body. I put on Kluson tuners. I was going to put a Goldtone Zero fret nut, but left it alone. I should probably polish the frets and edges. I call it my po'boy's 50's Les Paul. I did it as a fun project. I almost considered a Bixby trem bar, but I don't think it would have looked good with the pickguard, and I would have to change the selector switch. All in all I'm pretty happy with it. Mine is classic sunburst and I put some classic knobs on it, the pickguard is black.

[@rodgerbell810]

Well done Phil for showcasing what is possible when things look & feel hopeless after receiving your chosen guitar. You were able to turn a very ordinary example into a guitar that a budding musician would love to play. Cheers ✌️🎸

[@ronwilliams1094]

I’ve always felt a guitar is a tool for creativity. As long as it plays great and stays in tune I could care less what it cost.

[@deeman524]

me too

[@masonkanterbury3007]

With the creativity of that fly, I would want you in my band.

[@danvex_]

@@masonkanterbury3007 Lmaoo, best comment branch I've seen in a while

[@sammccue500]

Couldn't care less.😊

[@rickhammel9541]

so you DO CARE? how much?

[@saintwcf]

I have been an Epiphone fanatic for decades, own three of their finest guitars. This only supports my enthusiasm for the brand. Amazing at this price point.

[@gtrguy17]

This channel's method for inspecting and setting up guitars is the very best I've seen in my 40 something years of playing guitar. Thank you for all you do!

[@williamduvall2800]

I've been eyeing the Epiphone Melody Maker as an affordable addition to my collection. It's definitely a basic but stylish instrument at a great price point. Thank you for the wonderful review, introducing me to the CMA Music To My Ears series, as well as giving us all the opportunity to win this guitar.

[@Russell_Optics]

This looks like the perfect guitar to test your luthier skills and as a mod platform. A comfortable neck profile is the most important thing for me,, but those tuners would have to go. Maybe an high-ratio open gear set of hipshots, or a more affordable set of Wilkinson and just have fun.

[@johnarnold893]

Years ago I bought my son a Fender Squire with a small amp for less than 200 buck. Took it to a guy in town that teaches guitar and he tuned it then started playing blues stuff on it. I was blown away by how good an inexpensive guitar can sound.

[@teuast]

My favorite guitar right now is a 1995 Yamaha PAC102S I found used on Reverb for $250. It's like if a Yamaha Pacifica was a Telecaster, which, coincidentally, is also exactly what it is. I've modded it a little bit with some Graphtech bits, mostly because the saddle height screws were too long and digging into my hand, but also partly just for kicks, and now it plays beautifully, sounds awesome, and looks really cool and unique.

[@Sparky6string]

I completely agree. Those guitars resonate so well and the bodies seem to often times be a single piece of wood. Single piece or not they got the goods man, and I have been kicking myself for not buying one a couple years back. I am in need of a LP Special and I really think one of these Epis would fit the bill. It's good to keep in mind that the Junior and Special were meant to be student guitars after all.

[@dankhill6851]

Now that you got the LP special get a paul reed smith

[@Sparky6string]

@@dankhill6851 I don't like them, or their price. An SE ight be in my future at some time though.

[@PaperSailorMusic]

I bought one of these maybe 5 or 6 years ago when it was called the “SL” model for I wanna say about £80. I recorded my entire first album with it, it sounds fucking monstrous.

[@fngonuts]

Link to album?

[@MusiciansUnitedClarksdale]

Clarksdale, Mississippi is a Blues town like no other, right at the heart of the Mississippi delta. You can find blues every night of the week, afternoons, and some mornings too, with some outstanding hometown players and none of them are playing expensive guitars that all the amateurs lust for. The awesome and inspiring music I’ve heard come out of Epiphones and Frender Squires, one of a kind homemade axes and even the most simplistic diddly-bos week in and week out around here proves, without a doubt, it is the talent, passion and feel for the music of the player that makes a guitar perform outstanding and sound wonderful, more so than the most expensive refinements. Regards, Starfish.

[@michaelm708]

This is a great episode. Too many other shows find the “cheapest” guitar and instantly throw parts that cost twice as much. More people need to learn to appreciate the cheap guitar. Good frames won’t save bad paintings and fancy guitars won’t save crappy riffs.

[@Destin65]

Love your videos because you keep it real and show viewers a lot of handy knowledge that guitar players should know. And growing up a poor southern boy, I've always gravitated towards the budget, bluesy kind of guitars that are probably like a throwback to the old catalog guitars and parlor guitars of a century ago that were favored by many blues musicians. Trying to get the most out of them is both challenging and rewarding when it sounds right. I got an old budget Warlock guitar that's a beater type like that Epiphone but mine has the tune-o-matic bridge on it. I'd rather have a bridge like on that Epiphone. Plug n play! Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge and keep it up!

[@anthonym612]

On a whim, I picked up a beat up black epiphone les paul for $50 at a garage sale. After a proper setup and cleaning, I promptly adopted it as my "sticker guitar", meaning that I put as many stickers on it as I want. I'm a lifelong Fender Strat guy but I really love the Epi LP. For what they are, I'll take them on stage any day.

[@copperhead573]

Making cool tunes with a budget guitar and only 5 strings. Love it and thanks for the chance to win a cool vibes guitar.

[@NiechoV]

My first guitar (and I am still learning on it) is an Epiphone Les Paul Special I in worn ebony-- and I absolutely love it! I got a bundle with a small practice amp-- perfect for a small apartment, and in the evening, I plug in my headset. It feels great; it looks great. It makes me want to learn. Even when I'm having a blah day, I was told, "just hold it. Put your strap on and rest it along your knee and just hold it." They weren't kidding. You're not going to hold a guitar and not play.

[@SrJurado]

I’ve got that same one a couple of years ago and then I handed it to someone that was learning. I must say I enjoyed it every minute. Nice easy guitar.

[@FilmThePoliceFTP]

It also depends on what your running it through. I was on a very tight budget when I played in a band. I had a Marshall half stack with a low end marshal head. Can’t remember the exact specs. In order to get the sound I wanted, I had to have a certain pickup setup, idk if the guitar really mattered, as I used a Gibson lespaul for all the shows I played. A low end les Paul, but a les Paul with dimarzzio x2n and super distortion pickups. Had I had a good effects board and better equipment running through my half-stack, or a computer, I’m sure even the shittiest guitar set up would sound great, but as any metal guitarist knows, you want that certain sound that not just any setup will give you. At least not when I was playing shows.

[@JoshuaC923]

That's so cool Phil, great info for beginners and definitely something fun for the veterans seeking something new without busting the bank

[@northernfreedommusic]

My first electric guitar which is what I still play is a 2001 Epiphone Les Paul Studio that I bought in a second hand store for 80.00. It has a Gibson Dirty Fingers pickup. It sounds incredible and I see no reason to get a Gibson or a new one.

[@MikeSchellingMusic]

I bought this exact model and it plays great. Less than $200 🤯

[@denomdemon]

I picked up one on Craigslist. Open box for $130. I was without guitar and needed something. Got a setup, some new strings, and a Blackstar Fly. Now I have a great travel guitar!

[@buzzmantx]

I gotta say this was one fun episode. and after all, playing guitar should be fun. thanks for the 5 string tip.

[@alecschroeter232]

I had one of these. Surprisingly the neck pick up on mine was super warm. The bridge however was whiny. I upgraded the plastic bridge and tuners before giving it away. I think the bridge adjustment screws were getting stripped. At the time is was 119 dollars. I got it because it looked cool. It served it's purpose. Use 9s. I think 11s will rip that bridge out eventually.

[@strumlead8741]

Phil, great points, inspection and open G demo! My most used guitar currently in my AIO SG-style which is my least expensive but sounds and plays amazing!

[@Dave062YT]

Epiphone Les Paul Special for a little bit more is a much better pick for me .Full size pots with pretty decent hot pick ups that can be modded to take p90s or whatever you like .Mine weighs a very nice 6lb 6oz and with new Kluson tuners that dropped straight in and a roller bridge have made it a nice little player ,

[@wheels845]

To hear you play the Keith riff made it worth the price of admission,❤️🎸🥁✌️

[@M27USMC]

Thats some dope tuning with 5 strings open G. Gonna have to do that to one of my axes.

[@paulcolbourne9112]

It's so weird, a year ago this is exactly what I did with this guitar. Within two days it became my permanent slide guitar. It just suited that better than anything else. However 11's is an even better idea.

[@karcsi-sp]

I'd really like to see a higher end version of this guitar, exact same thing but with maybe a bound neck, better woods, better fret job, better tuners and some higher end electronics. The strat style single coils are a really interesting addition and it'd be cool to see more Les Pauls like that. The Sunburst SL just looks sick, I'd love to have one of those, even just as a novelty guitar.

[@pitguy121]

They do make it it’s called a Gibson Les Paul jr.

[@tomfull6637]

Wow this is by far the most captivating and straight forward enlightening video about guitars I’ve watched! Pleasant to watch too. Thx! Anders Sweden

[@markhammer643]

I will suggest adding the half-out-of-phase mod, via use of a switching pot for the tone control. This cuts some of the bass for the neck pickup, when reversing its phase. It serves up a different sound when both pickups are used that is not the usual nasal tone we expect from phase-flipping, and does not suffer from the expected volume loss. Reducing the bass in the neck pickup results in less overall cancellation. Fender used it in the older Jerry Donahue Telecaster, and it does a credible job of mimicking the neck+middle tone of a Strat, without requiring a 3rd pickup. I've implemented it on two of my guitars, and like it a lot. I use a .01uf series cap to cut the bass on the neck pickup, but one is free to try other values. And, much to my surprise, it also works with humbuckers. Obviously, they won't sound like a Strat, but you still get an additional very usable sound from the N+B setting. It is unlikely to apply in the case of the Epi SL, but one of the perks is that when using just the neck pickup with the bass cut, you get another sound as well.

[@warrenbutterfield4208]

That’s a great take Mark. I believe it’s also an option with a ‘sound’ explanation and great simple diagram in the Haze Guitar wiring book….yeah it belongs on everybody’s cocktail table Don’t put it away on a shelf…. It’s á fabulous resource that should be grabbed when lightning strikes your inner guitar nerves 🎸⚡️🎸 Heat up that soldering gun…..

[@meadish]

Inspired by the Donahue Telecaster, I used that mod on the guitar I built with 2 x P90s, a 4 way switch and a push-push pot. It now has 8 distinct sounds, out of which I find 5 are really useful. The 'half out of phase/series' position is the most unique - it has a honk that sounds a lot like Stevie Wonder's clavinet in Superstition, and is surprisingly great for fuzz tones, too.

[@markhammer643]

@@meadish It's a sorely neglected option that I wish more people would explore. I guess it gets overlooked because traditional "out-of-phase" gets a bad rap from the thin sound. I forget whether it was Bill Lawrence or Red Rhodes who came up with it, but it's a big improvement on what people may *think* they are declining to install.

[@asmbeers]

I spent a bit more, I paid around $400 for a Wolf AIO Les Paul with a hardshell fitted case. It has an ebony fretboard and mother-of-pearl accents in a gorgeous rose brown sunburst quilted maple body. Gold GProvers, gold hardware and plays and sounds just like a Gibson. I'll stick with mine.

[@ghalsor]

Sweetwater: Hey Phil, I bet you can’t take the cheapest, crappiest guitar we offer and make it cool. Phil: Hold my beer.

[@PhillipMcKnight]

That was great. Thank you for that

[@garys.4789]

I got one when they first came out and they were only $99 ! They really play well when you set them up properly

[@Damn3dYank33]

I bought an Epiphone Explorer Prophecy with Fishman active pickups. It had bad fret buzz on the A string at the 2nd fret. I went on KZbin and found out how to straighten the crowned neck and set it up… It plays great now. Don’t be afraid to learn how to set your axe up to play to your standards! 👍

[@dannylamb2721]

Wonder what telecaster pickups would sound like in it

[@gmac8852]

That is what I'm going to do. Thanks for the great idea 💡. Going to try and make a nice pick guard for it.

[@skillracoonful]

I think the pickguard would have to be routed in order to fit a tele bridge pickup.

[@underthe1104]

I bought that exact guitar to bring to work and ended up using it as a slide guitar- pretty dang fun. No action adjustment needed for that 😉

[@hpblack1953]

I’ve ordered some basses from SW and they have arrived set up pretty well. Fundamentally this video shoes some of what SW would do before shipping. I am not affiliated with SW but I buy from them from time to time.

[@howdytoyer]

Thanks for this video, Phillip, and for those riff tips. Fun stuff. My takeaway from this review: "...the blues aren't supposed to be played on $3000 guitars." That's a pretty good point!

[@Docsjeff]

I bought one of their J45’s a few months back.I’ve been playing my 1998 D28 for 25 years.The last few months I’ve been using the Epi J-45 and absolutely Love It!

[@SEEKPRODUCTIONS100]

Thank you Phil for this video. Yesterday I got one like this used and did some basic setup and it plays like a champ!

[@doofs]

hell yeah man, I've been thinking of picking up guitar recently and saw one of these second hand for 100 Canadian. huge fan of the blues, and i completely agree with those final thoughts you said at the end of the video. I'll definitely give this a shot!!! rock on man.

[@MrRonk55]

These are usually branded Les Paul SL. for slim and light. My brother picked one up for $60. Fun little guitar.

[@RedEyeC]

Wrap around bridge ... 7 years ago I bought an Epiphone Les Paul Traditional Pro for $299 (they're about $100 or so more now) - coil splitting and Grover tuners - fantastic guitar I have used many a time for studio recordings.

[@mikebrown9850]

I agree. Just as the tone is in the hands, the overall sound is from the player. 2 players-same guitar-different sound.

[@stratoleft]

I like their choice of those single coils like that on this body, instead of something like P90's which I would have predicted they would have incorporated. Since I'm not too impressed with P90's to begin with, I say these single coils used on this particular guitar with the full cover like that, with this color, really look good too. Even if they hadn't extended the pick guard up like that, I would still want these single coils in the wood.

[@the_nondrive_side]

I actually love the volume pot placement of these.. special I&II look and feel better. I actually prefer the sound of these over the ceramic Humbucker

[@matsgranbom5918]

This was the first guitar I ever bought about 4 years ago. I bought it to use with a software called Rocksmith. Before I continue, I dare anyone to find a better sounding or more comfortable guitar within this price range. And yes I am aware of Thomann. However! For any beginner that want to use a guitar for learning trough apps. This guitar will not work, simply becaus the intonation and tuning instability is is to bad. The apps or software will not recognice what you play. And then again, if you are not gonna use software, it is an awsome guitar. And it will take you a long way. And it is still my go to electric when I just wanna grab something to play on for a few minutes. For any guitarist that want to learn how to mod a guitar, this is awsome. First thing I did was to sand of the glossy sticky finnish on the neck making it som much easier to play on. It has taken all of my abuse and I have been left with a guitar that is not always on key, but that I enjoy every time I pick it up. So my conclusion, not really for the beginners since you will be spending alot of time tuning it. But for anyone that want to take a cheap guitar and make it your own! Peace

[@andrewgalloway7344]

good flow mate ...enjoyed..

[@erichnunya]

kind of reminds me of my Gibson Melody Maker I bought new in 2006. It was only 399 bucks and has two single coils. I love that guitar. It's so light weight, the neck is awesome and it's just a rock 'n roll machine.

[@caramanico1]

I am oh so sick and tired of what I call reverse snobbery. Growing up I hungered for a 'burst Les Paul and a Marshall, but all I could afford for a long time was a used Fender Lead I and a tiny Peavey 1x12 solid state amp. Then I got a degree, got out into the workforce, did the marriage/kid/house thing, and when all the bills/finances/investments/careers were all properly set up and running (I always put the MAX ALLOWED into the 401(k)), I bought a to-die-for 2005 Heritage Cherry LP Standard with a stunning, deeply tiger-striped top, a tobacco-burst 2006 American Standard Fender Jazz Bass (after experimenting with a Ric 4003, a Ric 4001 and a Ric 4001 McCartney), a MESA/Boogie and an Ampeg. When i started recording and gigging, I switched to a small Marshall and a bigger Ampeg. Oh, and a small Ludwig kit, a nice Yamaha synth, a Boss BR-1600 compact full studio recorder, M-Audio monitors, a Shure SM57 mic, a Shure SM58 mic, and top-of-the-line Sennheiser headphones. In those days, all of this was a bit under $10k total and worth every single penny. For a music fanatic that has no natural in-born musical talent, this stuff helped me to get the most out of what I could offer through pure hard work and effort. It's all gone now, due to a rather severe medical issue leading to bankruptcy. As an "older" guy who got a late start, I have a lot of pride when I tell people that I did 36 gigs with a local band in a hotspot area for local bands (Annapolis, MD) Also I still have the original recordings preserved - 3-4 just need lyrics and vox overdubbed, a dozen more need to be fleshed out fully instrumentally then have lyrics and vox added and the remaining several dozen snippets of riffs, chords and melodies need to be combined, sorted and turned into fully realized songs with lyrics and vox. Being a music freak that grew up in the classic rock album era, my dream/goal is to one day have 10 songs finished and sequenced for what would have been an LP. Once again, the excellent equipment was a huge help in assisting a non-musician get this far.

[@jordanlucasthemusician]

i actually like these a lot, it would be cool to put a little 59 in the neck and a JB jr in the bridge. add some coil split pots. I feel like if gibson wanted to make a tele style guitar it would be cool to go with this pickguard look

[@jazzalmenasmusic]

MAn, this guitar has so much potential, I can put in some dual rails, 2 push-pulls, and a better 3 way switch, also upgrade the jack. Change the nut to Graphtec tusq, and Hipshot Baby Grand and respective tuners... I got my tele/LP beast!

[@drownthepoor]

My ex girlfriend had an Epiphone Les Paul Custom II I think was it's name? I LOVED it. IT was the most comfortable guitar I've ever played. It felt small, but especially making power-chords on the lower range had no stress on my writst whatsoever. About a year after I broke up with her I found one exactly like it at guitar center for sale for $100, and it was a little beat it up. I still kick myself for not buying it then because it was so cheap I don't know why I didn't do it.

[@nicholaswoolfenden5254]

Great low budget guitars. Incredible. So what if it's bolt on neck? Having been through the ringer with the big brands over 40 years I'm a convert on these instruments. Change tuners, set it up .... Thanks for the vid Phil

[@glennkubik3774]

Too many problems. I have one, needed major setup, tuners are poor (upgraded to $50 Wilkensons) and replaced Bridge Pickup with a Dual-Rail (humbucker). Still after all this, the Compensated Bridge is a pain for attaining Intonation. My $400 (Canadian) Epiphone SG (split Pickups) is very good for value

[@stickmanmusic5840]

I own a few guitars, mostly in the $800-1500 range. I also own an Epiphone LP Jr. that I bought at GC on sale years ago for $99, and a recently acquired $199 Squier Sonic Telecaster, their cheapest model. Both are as much fun to play as my more expensive guitars. In fact I never thought I'd own a Telecaster, just tried it as a joke while trying some guitars costing much more, and it's been knocking my socks off. Its tones have been getting rave notice at bar jams (and even Rhett Schull liked those ceramic pickups in a Telecaster shoot-out). Of course no two guitars will be exactly the same and results can vary, even within the same model in the same store. It's what moves you to make music that counts.

[@benn746]

got my bullet mustang for 150. its good. Maybe my favorite now. Might pick this up too.

[@spongebobsquarepants3577]

I bought an epiphone les paul, put; new tuners, wiring harness, nut ,bridge, 500k pots, neck, body, pick guard, plays great!!! lol

[@SolamenteVees]

Love your content & vibe… You have stayed 100% true while being very successful, which can’t be easy.

[@mpelgudmir]

I picked one the turquoise up on reverb for $89, shipped. The previous owner had already put Wilkinson tuners on it. I put a Duncan quarter pounder in the bridge and I love that guitar.

[@Mr.Owl9]

Nice video Phil, the kids got it good these days, Fix your guitar , play your guitar, I love it...

[@abeal5188]

What a sound. Proper shout on the 5 string open g tuning! That cheap guitar breathes heated goodness, I do declare!!

[@danielosullivan3110]

I got rid of all my guitars,casino,strat,les Paul...i only kept my Epiphone les Paul special w /p90s! $125 ! I Love it❤

[@NateNakao]

I just ordered an Epiphone Les Paul 100 for $250. It'll be my first electric. I've been playing rhythm acoustic for many years, so I kinda feel like I'll have no idea what I'm doing, but at $250, it doesn't feel like too big of an investment

[@EJP286CRSKW]

Full marks for mentioning inductance. Most guys in that business have never heard of it. Instead they measure DC resistance of the pickup, in ohms, and call it output level, which is measured in millivolts, and which is determined by inductance, not DCR, and which varies as the _square_ of the DCR, i.e. the square of the number of turns. So they don't know what they're talking about on about three different levels at the same time. The StewMac guys do this all day long. A spirit of determined amateurism prevails :-| This seems like a good guitar at the price, given that it needs an immediate fret dress and a new bridge, so just factor that into the cost. Back in the day cheap guitars were total crap, unplayable monsters. I paid $270 for my first good electric, an Epiphone Casino, about 1971. But I did get strong fingers from the earlier ones ;-)

[@JamesBrown-nu2kt]

Absolutely fantastic vid Phillip, please do more of the same, appreciate you sharing your knowledge 👍👍👍

[@bradleyard4195]

Swap the bridge and tuners, clean up the frets, adjust the truss rod, and this would be one hell of an instrument! I may need to get one and do just that, since I have another guitar with excellent tuners that I nonetheless want locking tuners on, and they'd work great on this.

[@scootertrasher1369]

I got a used Epi les paul special II with Alnico humbuckers , covered with sticker or duct tape residue for 30 bucks at GC a few years ago, cleaned up like new plays and sounds fine, I can't hear the neck joint, played it more than any of my American guitars , simply because it sat out in a stand in my kitchen by my computer, because I don't worry about scratching it.

[@jonkomatsu8192]

Keefer-stylee! Love it! A fun find, simple and cogent adjustments. Great job, sir! 🤙🎶🎸

[@user-qm7nw7vd5s]

I think you can get away with a cheap solid body, as long as the neck is good. But a cheap acoustic? No way. Especially for someone starting out, because it can really discourage you. Best to get a very good used Japanese made Yamaha, or a German made Hofner (even brand new only a few hundred dollars), or a used Lucida, made in Spain. Need to spend $400 to $600. Here is a tip: You can still find a used Telecaster knock-off called “New York Pro” for about $150, and the build quality is so good, legend has it Fender told them to stop! Another tip: For super fast action, thinnest neck, get your hands on a 1960s Hagstrom solid body electric. Incredibly, the body is just plywood covered in vinyl and plastic, but it’s all in the neck and pickups. Got mine for $600. You could tell it was not used for decades, rusted strings. But came roaring back to life, like a Sleeping Beauty.

[@tomaszdura5158]

My guitar cost me about 200 dollars in 2015 or so. Since then I never upgraded it, never changed it... what for? It sounds great, feels great. I even played on it with a band for 2 years or so. Sometimes I get a "what if I bought a better one" or "what if I bought a semi-hollow" and all that, and then I remember the looper and multieffect I bought and rarely ever use them. So my guitar is Jay Turser 220D TR, I'm not sure if they still even sell these, lol

[@Tom-ze8fn]

My 1997 epiphone, put me on the way to get Gibson and then Gibson custom shop (getting older allows it 😂) . But I still play it regularly as its sound is pretty good anyway.

[@carpathus]

Pick guard looks like a pony. Cheers!

[@warrenbutterfield4208]

It’s cheesy. Add some trompe l’oeil holes to that body and you’ve got a chunk of Swiss for your next gig in Montreux …….. Smoked Swiss on the Water🎸 🧀🧀🧀

[@Buckseed]

I picked up a Gretsh Streamliner P90 for $300..looks similar to this model and plays great. Of course I have to play Rockabilly with it.

[@travhammer]

I have the early 90's Epi which is styled on an Stratocaster. She played well. Now she plays great and deep. My fav gitfidle.

[@johnshields6852]

It's the musician, you can make any guitar sing and talk, obviously some are better than others, to get those sweet notes and tones you need a well built, solid guitar.

[@EddKeudell]

My Harley Benton SG copy is probably my most fun guitar to play. Ya, it has a couple very minor issues, but it rocks, surfs, and blues just fine. Plus it's one of the very few guitars I've found that has 24 frets, and compared to my Fender Tele with only 21frets it's a BIG difference. My mantra has always been a good guitar player can make any guitar sound good.

[@lukesteverything627]

I really wish there was a huge Sweetwater store here in the UK. My local music store only holds a tiny stock but this place looks amazing.

[@billkallas1762]

Reminds me of the Special II that I bought after I retired, to get back to playing again, after 47 years. It sits and gathers dust, since I bought a few "better" ones.

[@timsharkey1993]

I really enjoyed this video. It’s great that there are good guitars available in this price range, because back in the mid-1960’s when I was first getting started there were not.

[@quemeveswey5123]

This was my first guitar and I wanted to mod it but just never got to it

[@JRoss-zxzx]

Stevie Ray's #1 was gifted to him because the music shop owner thought it was junk. Hendrix would play with guitars just pulled off the shelf. Other blues greats had hand-me-down Silvertones and Harmony guitars

[@beaumorris5289]

I found a black Epiphone and a great amplifier on the side of the road. 1 day it was crazy, but play super good. And I don't know why it was there.

[@BrotherBrownMusic]

Impressive sound from that low wound neck pickup!

[@garyssimo]

The following is 100% true Always loved ACDC tone so I found a used cheapie Epi SG made in Maylasia. Now my 56 Syrat sits unplayed. Its insured for 26 k but I love the $60 used SG!! The frets are amazing as well as the tuners and humbuckers. I think it was $200 new?

[@TheDrunkenScoundrel]

I have the P-90 super-cheap Epiphone single cut, bolt-on. LOVE it. Tuners had to go, but I bought it s a learning/mod platform. Had to address fret sprout twice, but when I pulled it out of the box and the neck relief was insane it was STIL intonated well, all I ha to do was adjust the truss rod and lower the action. Going to upgrade it with some GFS stuff and do my first regret on it, when I', done, I'll have an amazing guitar for around $300.

[@juliankirby9880]

Hey! I like my VEH humbuckers from GFS and love my new Slick P bass. Wait till the next holiday sale, they have 20 and 30% off deals.

[@sgt.grinch3299]

A set up for the win. Inexpensive guitars can be used for all your musical pleasures.

[@GT-Reviews]

Sweet water also sells those really nice Fishman Fluence Modern pickups you can install in this bad boy 😮‍💨

[@MGC-1977]

Would I need to route the cavity for a set of mini humbuckers? I promise I'm not trying to be annoying - I just think a set of Lindy Fralin alnico mini humbuckers would be AWESOME to try in this guitar 🤘

[@grif900]

I love this video for two reasons ! I Think the single coils sound great on this demonstration, indeed a lot of bang for the buck. I am looking for a different sound from a guitar that I can keep set up for slide. But I am going similar but different By putting p-90's in a Squire/Strat with no trem that someone left at my shop and never came back to collect. When I'm done it will be strung with five strings. Thank you for cementing my decision.

[@ianshadrick1414]

Love that color and the blues demo! Fun stuff!

[@DennieSparkman]

Fun video to watch. Guitars like this are a serious point of frustration for new players trying to learn how to play guitar. String height too high hurts fingers and makes it hard to play usually causing early abandonment on their efforts to learn. If you know how to fix those problems and have the tools to do it that’s one thing but most beginners don’t know how to make the required adjustments nor have the tools to make Epiphone guitars like this just basically playable. The cost of a full good setup by a reputable luthier on a cheap guitar like this comes close to the initial cost of the guitar. Sweetwater says they do a 55 point inspection but they don’t fix the problems they find like you did. Inspections without fixing the problems you find is useless. The Epiphone factory does not appear to do a basic baseline setup either. Because of these factors and others in many cases guitars like these are a complete waste of money for many people especially beginners buying it online site unseen. For experimentation I guess it’s ok if you have $150 to throw away on a toy but I wouldn’t. If you do buy one of these know you will need to spend money to have the guitar setup properly if you can’t do it yourself. But your mileage may vary.

[@test4el]

I own this guitar and love it. Easy to play.