Can You REALLY Buy A Used Gibson CHEAPER Than A New Epiphone?
Vložit
- čas přidán 21. 08. 2024
- With the recent changes to the Epiphone lineup, introducing the Inspried by Gibson Custom Shop, the biggest change that came with that introduction was the implementation of the open book style headstock. A common comment was "Why not just buy a used Gibson for that price!?" Which begs the question...can you find a comparable Gibson used for what Epiphone is offering?
All Links!:
linktr.ee/elec...
Socials:
Facebook: Electric Flamingo
Instagram: @electric.flamingo
TikTok: @electricflamingo
Merch Store:
pink-store-of-...
Check out some other videos here:
/ electricflamingo1
➤ Disclaimers
- No comments on these posts have or will be deleted. CZcams will automatically hide comments that they think are spam for review and then my team need to manually approve these. Please bear with us if your comment is not immediately visible.
- Electric Flamingo reserves the right to remain open and honest with its audience in regards to product demos, reviews and endorsements. This includes the quality of any products appearing on the channel as well as the quality of the company, its representative's and its subsidiaries as a whole.
- If at any time a product is provided to me for a review, paid or otherwise, that will be made clear in the video before any review/demo takes place, as well as utilizing the "paid promotion" box to display the message in the video to coincide with laws regarding paid/sponsored reviews. If any links provided in any descriptions of my videos are affiliate links, that will be stated in the video and well as above the link.
A used Gibson Sg can be found for as low as $500, $700-$800 Canadian. The deals are out there. That's a nice Sg you have.
They are out there but you gotta look for the *really* good deals!
I call bs, find me an example. maybe pre covid but not now.
No one wants Gibson anymore That's reality it's all Epiphone now has been since 2020
@BlueberryStinkFinger62 not so. Gibson is still way more desirable than Epiphone and Epiphone raising their prices will not help their sales.
I don’t want an SG. I want a 355. Find me a Gibson 355 for $1299. Heck… find me a quality 335 GIBSON no headstock break for the price of these new Gibson/epiphone inspired 355s.
I’ll wait…
Thats not unusual with nitro finish. You got a great bargain there with that 61.
I figured, it's just strange that it's only at the fret dots. lol. Can't feel it when you're playing, so that's a bonus. If it saved me a few pennies, I'll take it!
I got an "open-box" Gibson Les Paul Junior (with the case) that's brand new for around $1200. Deals are around if you look
Not bad!
I think the ONLY biggest draw on the 2024 Epiphone is the new Gibson pickups that sell for $500 so many talk about the One piece neck , I say Big Deal , there are plenty of information about which is better 2-3 piece necks or one piece . A lot say 2-3 piece necks a re better becasue they are less likely to warp like a one piece would ..and the are considered stronger.. But anyway i did another review "Is Epiphone pricing themselves out of the Under $1,000 guitar market ??? example the Sire Larry Carltons, the PRS SE line especially the 2023 & 24's great guitars way under $1,000 even if you wanna change the pickups your still be way under the Epiphone cost
When you find cracks along the dot marks chances are the guitar got really cold. The finish and the material of the dots react at different speed to cooling and heating up again and that supposedly can cause the cracks.
Thanks for the explanation!
As a firebird fan, I see this as absolute L. I want a firebird that's not vintage sunburst, and 1700 for epi is too much, but 3000+ for used gibson is also too much...
I guess I could refinish a cheap one.
Very true.
Did you pull the pickups to see what they are ? Most lower priced used Gibson Les Paul’s are 490R/498T . The MAIN ISSUE you are overlooking is this : We can buy the New Epiphone Custom Shop guitars for the $1,299 US AND pay later ! Sweetwater has them on 24 month plan for $55 bucks a month ! 😳. These 1959 Les Paul’s are loaded with Gibson Custombuckers which are about $500 bucks for a set . That knocks the price down to $800 . And you are getting the open book headstock and upgraded electronics . Gibson is going into the Custom Shop Realm where you are going to need $6,000 and better to sniff one . These higher end Epiphones are filling the void between the $599/699 Epiphones and the $3,999 Gibsons .
Absolutely! I own several Gibsons which I got new AND used for $1300 or less. These Epiphones at $1300 are a poor value. Only kind of makes sense if a player is set on those unique specs like custombuckers or a long tenon which is only available on the uber expensive $5K Custom Shop Gibsons. My Gibson SG special was $1275 brand new with a dealer discount. It has the binding, fret nibs, nitro finish and hard case…way better value than any of these Epiphones.
Show me a 355 used Gibson for the price you’re claiming. Nonsense talkers. SHOW ME
@@csharp57 Lol did you even read my comment? When did I even mention the es335? I said I got my Gibson SG special for $1275. They were $1500 new and the dealer gave me a 15% discount.
You can deffo get a second hand Gibson for 800 - 1100 if you look here in Europe and there more in the states im sure . Much better value and better resell value .
If you check Reverb often, you could catch an SG standard for about $700-$1200, and a Les Paul studio for about the same amount. The REAL bargain is the Les Paul Faded, which not many people know about and could be had for $1000-$1500 and those have all the bells and whistles that the Gibson USA Standards have (minus the glossy finish, hence the name) and many pros swear they're on par with the Custom Shop stuff.
I wanna try one of those LP Faded sooooo bad.
One has to consider usage, yes, us guitarists glorify old instruments, but instruments wear. Choosing between a 15 year old studio that has considerable fret wear (expensive to replace), maybe needs a work on electronics or just a general deep clean and setup, or a brand new Epiphone that are "the same price" is not even a true choice in the first place, as they actually don't cost the same when you add up the costs that you absorb for buying used gear.
Used gear is great, but it is used, the name on the headstock does not make it less used.
Spot on point, love that logic!
How long do you expect to get out of that Epiphone and also how much are you going to spend setting it up and then changing out all of the cheap crap on it to get it “closer” to a Gipson?
@@werewolflover8636 I persnlly haven't tried the new high end Epiphones, but a $800+ guitar will probably last you a lifetime and serve you lots of gigs, maybe en recordings but your milage may vary on that. About the Gibson thing, the new Epiphones are pretty much as close as you can get them, really the only difference is the finish (poly instead of nitro). Even then artists like Jared James Nichols go on tour an record with $700 Epis so there's that.
That was a helluva deal on that SG! Bravo! If it’s solid and it plays great, those weird cracks/scratches are character!
Though I’m also sad that I seem to be the only person out there who likes the Batwing better than the 61 small guard.
Exactly! I love it.
I've always preferred the smaller guard. The big one just looks strange to me.
@@Electric.Flamingo I had a couple of the higher end small guard Epiphones, and a Gibson SG Special. A modern collection Standard showed up at a local shop and I went, “well, these don’t show up here all that often, I really should go play it.”
I did. Then spent a day trying to convince myself the Special and Epi ‘61 were better. Then realized I was trying to fool myself.
I never thought I would like the big guard, but there’s something about it. Maybe it’s more resonance, I’m not sure. But I sure wouldn’t go back.
Where are the deals for used Gibson 355? WHERE ARE THEY?? And I’m not talking about any brand except Gibson. They have come along and released an affordable solution to my search for a Gibson ES-335/355. I could sell my Les Pauls, Tele, Strat, Rhodes and a firearm to buy one, but I don’t want to give up many to have just one. I would also worry about gigging it after I gave up so much to get one. I wouldn’t lose sleep over the custom Epiphone 355 if it happened to be stolen or damaged. These guitars have a target audience. While it may not be you reading this, there are others like me happy Gibson decided to manufacture them.
Getting one for my birthday and gigging the crap out of it. Oh… and if you find a Gibson 355 for $1299. Let me know. You won’t, but let me know anyway 😊
Epiphone has been high end now four years some of you need to catch up
I've got a video on the Epiphone Adam Jones Veil of Bees Les Paul Custom and it's had a few comments of this nature. In the UK yes, you can get a used Gibson for a similar price as that guitar but it's not like for like. You can't get a used Gibson Les Paul Custom in silverburst for £1200 or less but you can get a used SG for £1200 or less.
I actually recently pick up a used 1999 Gibson SG for £1200, great guitar, if anything I overpaid for it but it had a load of character and I fell in love with it!
I love an SG '61 reissue, you got a cracking deal on that (excuse the pun), I don't think those finish cracks are anything to worry about, I'd absolutely be happy with it at that price.
It's luck of the draw with finding things like that and "overpaying" a bit for something you like isn't really all that big of a deal as long as it makes you happy!
I LOVE SGs.
That one looks nice!
I do as well! It's very nice, I love it!
I've seen some really nice gibson sg standards on the Facebook marketplace for as low as $1,100CAD and 1960's reissue les paul classics going for $1,700CAD which is worth waiting for another paycheck if you'd rather get something other than a studio or a $1,400 epiphone.
Hell yea! Happy to see you got an SG back in the Pink Room of DoomTM
Yeah, man. I needed one! I'm on a bit of an SG kick right now, so depending on things go, more may come because I have a problem. 😅
for $1300-1500 you can buy new Gibson LP Classic or Traditional, which is what these new Epiphones sell for. Or Gibson SG for around $1000. Classic/Trad or SG will be better than Epiphone.
Does the '61 have any neck dive??? Used is always a good option IF you find the right deal.
In my quick test that I just did for you, it doesn't not have any neck dive unless you just jump around like an animal, so there's a plus!
Yes it is very possible! The better deals just like anything are harder to find but are out there.
I got my SG standard thin neck at Canada's Guitar Center, Long and Mcquade on a black friday sale for $999 CDN. I see Used marketplace listing for SGs all the time around 1000-1300. That is way cheaper than a new priced epiphone which here is about $1899 before tax!
Studios and Tributes for 800-1000 all the time too. Great guitars.
The one thing people never think of with Epiphones is once you buy the value is pretty much halved.
If you buy a Gibson and hold on to it even play it for 10-20 years it will retain it's value, even with inflation.
That was my point with the Studios and Tributes is that, they are available obviously, but to get a "real" Les Paul or a "real" SG (Standard) it's a bit harder to find them at a decent price used.
Possible...but harder.
@@Electric.Flamingo for sure. I have seen them! Recently a standard SG for 1300 Canadian and a Les Paul standard for 1800.
Take those over an 1899 before tax Epiphone any day! If you can get them first lol
Yes you can, I see Gibson Les Paul Studios for 800-900 often. SG Standards for about 1300, etc in good to almost new condition
Very true
Ill say this, i was offered the new adam Jones Epi and $300 store credit for my 2024 GIBSON lp standard 50s custom color. The market is really bad right now, and it's a confusing time for Gibson as a brand
I actually wowed out loud at that one.
I just paid 900 and 1100 for used sg’s tributes in mint. If you go after fixer uppers you can go way below epiphone but you better get your wood glue and soldering irons out. Here’s the thing about buying a used bare bones Gibson over a brand new epiphone. The bare bones Gibson will resale for the same price you paid give or take a few dollars. If you pay that much for a new epiphone you’ll get half what you paid now that it’s used.
yes i can attest
very strange surface cracks what I'm thinking is they put the markers in and broke the surface finish , you can probably sand down the neck and re- gloss it ..if you want ..
Nah, it gives it character!
@@Electric.Flamingo LOL
Tributes can be had all day long in the $800-$900 range. I found one a few months ago 'used' and it still had the plastic on it and appeared 100% new, made in 2023.
Nice! I have always loved the Tributes myself.
not if your buying from troggly he thinks 2500 for a mod shop (factory reject) is a steal
Who cares epiphone is the true legend and we all know this now no Les Paul and Epiphone no Gibson Les Paul solid body guitar today plain and simple epiphone wasn't meant to be a budget brand in the first place and the weren't until Norlin ruined them when they took over Gibson.. JC Curliegh Restored Epiphone back to high end guitars in 2019/2020 and it's going to stay that way I have 3 high end 2021 Epiphones and wouldn't have it any other way GIBSON is rapidly becoming the past...
No one wants Gibson anymore anyway epiphone is full circle smacking Gibson around like they did in the good o'l days
That beautiful cherry finish 😍
It's the only finish an SG should be in. 👀lol. It's much lighter than other cherry finishes, but it looks awesome nonetheless.
@@Electric.Flamingo Yeah, heritage cherry is my personal favorite but this one looks great
I live in the EU and today was looking at the price of a Epiphone Les Paul Factory Burst which is currently priced at €1,333. However, for €1,590 (less than 300 euros more) you can buy a Gipson SG Standard for just €1,590. Only a complete idiot would pay that much for a Chinese made copy when an American made guitar is available for just a bit more! Like it or not “Made in the USA” carries weight and it is a big selling point! It’s why even in Europe you’ll always see products proudly stating that it’s Made in the USA and salespeople will certainly let you know this too! But you’ll NEVER see anything or hear ANYONE mention that something is Made in China, especially as a selling point!
Pawn shops are better and cheaper
I just got the new headstock epiphone les paul custom in ebony and it is absolutely stunning... What a guitar... I got it for 1089 with full set up and good strings... Back in 2007 I bought a black gibson Studio new for 850...This new epiphone feels and plays much nicer than that guitar did.... I wanted a good custom and I doubt very much that I would find a used gibson les paul custom for anywhere near 1089...no way... So if you are in the market for a brand new high quality custom, the new custom will get you right up there in the right ball park.
If they are anything like how the Inspired by Gibson stuff is, then I already know those are great!
@@Electric.Flamingo I had the 59 inspired in dark burst with burst bucker pickups.. It was nice but this custom is on another level with a quality ebony fretboard for great play feet on the fingers... The older 59 was really good though...
a lot of people trashing on the new epiphones are ignoring the other specs. custombuckers in a $1300 guitar is pretty great
Only a complete fool pays that much for a Chinese made guitar! No mater what you do to it or how much you love fact is it’s a terrible investment that’s not going to be worth anywhere close to what what you paid for it the moment you buy it! With a Gipson you can be assured it will always be valuable even in terrible shape! I’ve seen Les Pauls with broken necks and without pickups that are a year or too old sell for over a grand. Good luck trying that either way a Epiphone!
The simple solution to that is don't buy guitars as investments. Buy them as instruments to play and you won't have to worry about that.
I find it weird that this is case. Not sure how Gibson is getting away with charging more for a new epiphone than a used Gibson, but kudos to their marketing team. They have certainly made it viable for themselves. I can't afford either so my commentary is from the bleachers LOL. Grains of salt. So many.
Well, Gibson doesn't really control the used market, so I can see it. Buying a used Gibson does nothing for them financially, so it is a bit strange. But, Epiphone is filling a gap in the market that lies between the low end Gibson and high end Epi, probably why they discontinued the Tribute line, but that's just how I see it!
@@Electric.Flamingo I think I mostly agree with you. It's just weird to see them go High End with the budget brand, rather than offer a value line of the High End brand. I think that is what we have all been used to so it's just disorienting for myself and probably a lot of folks. But definitely cool to get an Epiphone and NOT have to mod it with new pickups and hardware!!
I just got the new headstock custom in ebony for 1089 inc full setup and good strings.. I wanted a black custom of high quality... I doubt very much that I would be able to find a used gibson les paul custom for anywhere near to 1089.. Probably 3k upwards
@@Sean_Plays_Guitar Gibson have always offered a budget affordable in the Studio, the tribute, les paul junior, melody and low end SG... The new Epiphones are amazing and definitely higher end quality. How would Gibson offer an affordable les paul custom or 335?.. By using the Epiphone brand, that's how.
@@Electric.Flamingo I have the new headstock epiphone les paul custom and its up there past the low end gibsons.. I have a Gibson 2002 cherry burst standard and the new epi is right in the ball park with it... They really nailed it with some of the models eg. The custom and the 335
HI, Great guitar when you look hard enough ..i made a video also about this check it out, i got a Beautiful Top on a studio actually amazing But i got 2 Gibson demo versions which absolutely nothing wrong.. Tribute for $921 and the studio for $1400 ... check it out ..
Nice scores!
Id take a new epiphone over an old Gibson.
I'm surprised to see this answer a lot as of late. I love that Epiphone is getting the love it deserves.
@@Electric.Flamingo these new models have excellent spec and build quality. I have 2008 epiphone studio gothic LP and I absolutely love it. I would really love to buy on of these custom shop models. They look flawless. I do question so spec choices and would prefer to see grovers in most models apparently from that they are total dub.
You can most definitely find a Gibson for the price they are charging for that plasticy crap they make at Gibson. I got a 2018 lefty Gibson LP standard for 1350 USD. Got a great Blood -orange top. You can see it in my latest YT video.
That's a great price on, especially, a lefty LP Standard! Major score!
LOL 😆 I just looked at your channel and seen all of the “I hate Gipson, so you should too” videos! Take your medication and get off CZcams, Gipson isn’t going anywhere and I assure you myself and millions of others will continue buying their guitars.
@@werewolflover8636 lol There is no, I hate Gibson so you should too, video. You obviously didn't watch any of the videos.