Gear Rant Episode 4: Are the New Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Guitars Worth the Price Hike?
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- čas přidán 21. 08. 2024
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Welcome back to Gear Rant, where we dive deep into the latest gear releases and give you the straight talk you need. In this episode, we're taking a hard look at the new Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom line of guitars.
I'll be breaking down the recent price increase and discussing whether the added Gibson-style headstock, pickups, and electronics justify the higher cost. While these upgrades may seem enticing, I'll share my honest opinion on whether they deliver the bang for your buck.
Specifically, I'll delve into the new 1959 Epiphone Les Pauls, examining the controversial choice of Indian Laurel fretboards and whether they meet expectations at a hefty price tag of $1299. Additionally, I'll discuss the latest offerings such as the Epiphone SG Custom, Les Paul Custom, and the J180 and J45 acoustics.
But it's not all criticism; I'll also be giving kudos to Epiphone for their efforts in upgrading their popular S2 line with USA pickups and electronics. It's essential to acknowledge when manufacturers get things right, and Epiphone deserves recognition for their commitment to quality improvements.
So, if you're considering investing in one of Epiphone's latest offerings or simply curious about the state of the guitar market, this episode is a must-watch. Tune in for insightful analysis, candid opinions, and the lowdown on whether these new guitars live up to the hype. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more honest gear discussions. Let's dive in!
One thing life has taught me there are always too many people with too much money to make Gibson think they are making the right moves. If I had 1300 bucks I'd buy used and take my time. 1300 is enough to get a smoking deal on the used market.
Yes indeed! I was
Perusing a used site the other day and saw a few Les Paul Traditionals around that price point.
Doesnt that mean they made the right business move, if enough people buy them? Kinda invalidated your own point
So buying a 1300 dollar Epiphone means a person has too much money? What's the solution force pay cuts on workers so they Can't buy expensive Epipphones .
I break my back for my money working Construction but apparently I get paid too much money because I buy 1300 dollar Epiphones .
Slow your role Trotsky .
For me the issue is you could buy.a USA made GibsonTribute SG for that price, but now they have eliminated that line and jacked up the prices of the Epi's which won't hold their value as well. The company can do what it wants but I'm for the consumer getting the best deal. Better deals can be had on the used market. I just saw yesterday a used Gibson Les Paul Classic for $1400 at Guitar Center. That's a lot better deal than one of these Epi's. @@adamwatson6916
They are also keeping their eco line as well as a brick and mortar series line of fair prices nice spec guitar.
I do like Epiphones, I own 2. But only ones with an Ebony board.
You missed all the specs that are beyond just electronics. These are not marketed to people who want cheap guitars. I bought the 63 SG Custom from this series and it’s awesome. As good as the 7 Gibsons I own. Keep em coming Epiphone there is a market for these and the price points are great!
The 63 SG looks real nice but not sure about that finish. If it works for you and you like the price point then it works for you.
@@badbrad I thought the same at first. It’s smooth just satin feeling. Not sticky in any way.
I too condemn the Indian laurel fret boards, but all they require is a couple of treatments with fret board conditioner and they’re good to go. I know for a fact these Epiphone guitars spend months on massive cargo ships in shipping containers.
Yeah even rosewood gets really dry. I always conditionmy boards but Indian just doesn’t feel right to me.
I don’t like the look of Indian laurel and Pau Ferro. I’d rather have Richlite!
yeah me to!
Covered a lot of ground. In 1976, gibson les paul customs were 1500$ in the shop. My mom said NO DICE. Ended up with a fender tele deluxe (poor mans les paul at 365$) For acoustics, I've been eyeing that taylor gs mini koa plus, 1200$, they're proud to announce that its REAL african ebony fretboard. What a beautiful instrument. I feel the same about that indian laurel crap, got one of those on a stewmac kit les paul I built, no matter how much I moisturize that puppy, it always looks dry. It plays great tho, has the gibson greenybuckers, which I think those gibson pups sound great thru an amp rather than a modeler ..... I like those bikini epi's, that is where the fun is at :)
Yeah $1500 back then seemed like crazy money. But used all day long for around $500. Taylor makes some great stuff. I just can't bond with Indian Laurel, you're right it's just perpetually dry. I bet the greeny buckers sound incredible!
For that price i'll get and ESP with an evertune. No way, too expensive for no reason. Epiphone wants to get Authentic now too.
Lots of great options out there.
ESPs have Evertune bridges?
Yes I believe some do. @@hailmaryrecordings8255
First world problems. From what I've seen, the last 8 years or so Epiphone has been turning out really nice guitars for what $549 (?) hanging on the wall at GC.
They make a nice guitar at that price point but $1400 is another thing....
Have your priced the Gibson custom
Buckers and a nice HSC? The 59 LP standard is a killer deal. If I did not already own several Gibson I would be all over the new EPI
They are very good pickups and very pricey so yeah....it's a valuable upgrade but I just can't bond with Indian Laurel.
@@badbrad To be honest, the more I think about it I am pissed at EPI, out of all my Gibsons none have these PUPs, Mine are all some iteration of 49* and Burstbuckers in my classic, i have paid bank for these and someone can come along and now get a nice ride for a fraction of the cost of one of mine. *btw* I am not a brand snob, I find good in all brands and levels.
@@glencooper1091 Now that's a point that is very valid. I mean in order to get a guitar that came with Custombuckers...you had to buy a Custom Shop Les Paul right....$5k. Now I do like the Burstbuckers and 57 classics are ok, but do not like the 490 series.... On another point you buy a 6k Les Paul Custom the crem de la crem of the lineup and they give you the crappy 490 set....There are a lot of issues with Gibson and I'm not a brand snob either these days. The guitar I use the most on my gigs is an Ibanez and I was never a Ibanez guy...but it's a great guitar and holds it own with the Super Strats I own.
I have 2 of them and looking to buy a 3rd. I think they offer great value if you cannot afford Gibson.
Hey I hear ya bro. It’s a lot cheaper than the Gibson.
I have the 2021 custom and the 59 reissue. the probucker are good they aren't as muddy as the gibson in the 59 reissue. I just bought the 650 firebord model. It came smashed.i found a blemished 2024 version for 1k with a case. I was upset and not thinking clearly. I don't even know if im going to open it? I wanted the epiphone fb720 pickups, and this has the gibsons.
The Indian laurel is super dry. You can feel the difference. It doesn't bother me as i think we waste wood, but there's a difference. Oh well, at least i don't have to pay shipping to return them! I do like the new headstock on the firebird. It's got a real 60s vibe, but even with the value from the hard case, it's not worth 1,100.
Yeah it’s a lot for the consumer to think about. Def will have us all scrambling to find deals. Used seems to be a great option. I just can’t deal with the Indian Laurel ….
Gibson basically got rid of the tribute line, so they could sell Chinese made guitars for the same price. Sad times. The new owners are going to milk it like a cash cow and run it into the ground.
Yeah that is indeed sad!
Very sad!
A Gibson 355 is more epensive than Tham most Gibson SGs.
Yes indeed!
Get a 355 .. you will not regret!
I had a Gibson 335 but it mostly stayed in the case. Killer guitars but not really for me.
I had an S2 and couldn't wait to get rid of it. It was junk. The Schecter I replaced it with was cheaper and a higher quality instrument.
I do like the Schecter stuff!
490R and 498T are awful pickups . The les Paul Custom should have came with Custombuckers as well or at least the BB2 and BB3 or 57 classic and classic plus .
I completely agree!
At $1299, they're obviously a much better deal than the Firebirds. I hate to say it, but that's gotta be by design. ...Someone over there really doesn't wanna sell Firebirds 😂
Yeah it sure seems that way or it’s a market test to see what people will tolerate.
No rosewood, no dice.
Reminds me of the movie “Fast Times” no shirt, no shoes, no dice!
You do this whole bit on Epiphone as being overpriced, then praise the PRS which is a grand more. Wow! I’ll take Epiphone over PRS any day.
To each his own. They are both great instruments but has anyone noticed Gibson has eliminated their Tribute line that was priced around the same as the Epi's? I mean nothing for nothing but I would rather have one of those over the Epi. I like Epi's but I don't like the price trajectory.
Also the PRS is U.S. made.....
IMO,The only one worth the price is the 355. You wont find a build like that for that price.Gibsons start at over 3 grand. But if i spend over a grand on a les paul I dont want a veneer,Even if it`s Not figured,I will buy used instead. I know veneers are nice I own a couple. But not on My les paul. Plain top, but Real. Not a thin piece of eye candy for looks. It wont wear the same either, $1,500 is a lot of Money for a guitar, If You dont think so,Buy me one. I love Gibson Guitars. I dont like china period. nor anything coming from there. " its made in America so it cost more," Really. what bullshit. They can keep all of them. I will Buy a used Gibson before I purchase an over priced Import from CHINA. Between our politicians and chinas greed,all the mom and pop shops are closed or closing. Thats what they wanted. Bring Epiphone Back to the country from which it originated and put Americans back to work. I will pay . Until then its just another high end knock off cash Grab.call it what you want to. The only thing cheaper to make in China and not here is Slave labor, wake up.
You make a lot of sense bro! We need more of that.
I can't find a used Gibson Les Paul with remotely the same quality electronics ...sound quality! .... under $2500. S$1299 seems like a solid deal to me. Custombuckers are heads and shoulders above any other Gibson pup...Epi pups?? Laughable. Personally I wish the price was $1499, even 1599 with rosewood, not laurel.
Custombuckers are great but I agree Rosewood would be worth more. Perhaps they will listen and switch back to rosewood.
I tried a Sire 335 model,nice for 700
Those look real nice:
They’re pricing themselves right out of the market. Nobody has extra money to spend on these guitars not if you’re an average working musician.
I feel the same way!
I ain't paying $1k plus for any guitar made by Chinese slave labor. Maybe if they were still making them in South Korea.
I hear ya!
Custom Buckers ~ The models with the Laurel Fretboards ~ Thumbs Down.....
I have to agree with you ….
9:10 I don’t like the satin finish either, the new J200 has it too 😢
Yeah I’d rather have poly gloss.
Great rant! In 2021 bought a new Special Tribute P90 for $1150CAD and I love it. But Gibson killed that line and replacements cost a lot more. Looking at Epi as 'affordable' but not a fan of laurel at all, can't stand it, look or feel. Even with USA pups and electronics and an ebony board in an Epi, I'd rather buy a used Gibson. Recently bought used, very clean LP Studio and SG for great deals, cheaper than the high priced Epis with USA parts. PRS S2 going with Core pups is a good move, but the lowest tier Standard 22 Satin will be $2350CAD and a new Gibson SG is the same. Have owned a few PRS but end up preferring Gibson tones and feel. Although I couldn't resist the sale on the new SE Swamp Ash HSH in Iri Blue (Teal)- fun guitar.
I’m with ya! Lots of great deals used. I do like the Gibson tone better than the PRS tone but playability I give to PRS. There are so many great options out there and used offers the best deals. Thanks for chiming in!
You can rant all you want epiphone was never meant to be a budget brand in the first place and they weren't until Norlin ruined them in 1976..2019/2020 JC Curliegh Restored Epiphone back to where they should have always been I have 3 2021 high end Epiphones and wouldn't have it any other way.. your not going to ever get an epiphone with premium electronics hardware and build for cheap so get over it and go buy something you can afford..
Bro I can afford whatever I want....
@@badbrad sure you can.. know what you're talking about before you open your mouth and stick your foot in it
Bless your heart.