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New stock Gibson or upgrade an Epiphone?


npfrs

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So, I've had my eye on a nice looking Firebird for awhile now...

FB

But I've been thinking about it and it's quite costly. With the announcement of the new Squier Bass VI (which I also want) I've been thinking about getting an Epiphone Sheraton II and upgrading the pick-ups.

SH

In fact, I could put some nice TV Jones Filtertrons in there (TV Classics) and possibly satisfy my lust for a semi-hollow Gretsch, plus it would compliment my Cabronita Tele pretty well. I'd also look into some cosmetic upgrades, maybe change the tuners, take off the pickgaurd, etc, but the main thing is replacing those pick-ups.

 

Basically, for the price of the Firebird, I could get both the Bass VI and an upgraded Sheraton II, and some nice straps. Anyways...  thought I'd ask ye olde forum for thoughts.

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Just me, but I'd go with plan C in this case; grab a used Burny/Orville/Edwards/Tokai/etc. Firebird copy for about half the price of the Gibson, and get your Bass VI as well when they come out. Seif has had his Firebird copy as long as I can remember, and it appears to be a solid guitar that doesn't compromise when compared to the Gibby.

 

Best of both worlds! Look into it. :D

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Two weeks ago, I probably would have said Epi / Squier... but I just got a new SG in for review, and the dang thing is really knocking me out. Out of the box, the setup is just amazing - it's Plek'd, so the intonation is spectacular.

I love my Epi Casino, and if you get a good Epi and do a few key upgrades, they can be really nice... but the new Gibson stuff is pretty darned amazing, so it's really a tough call to make.

 

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Phil O'Keefe wrote:

 

 

Two weeks ago, I probably would have said Epi / Squier... but I just got a new SG in for review, and the dang thing is really knocking me out. Out of the box, the setup is just amazing - it's Plek'd, so the intonation is spectacular.

 

I love my Epi Casino, and if you get a good Epi and do a few key upgrades, they can be really nice... but the new Gibson stuff is pretty darned amazing, so it's really a tough call to make.

 

 

 

Yeah, the Firebird I've been playing in-store is pretty amazing, set-up perfect on the friggin' wall even. Sounds great, plays great, and blows away the Epi Sheraton hanging a few rungs over, but...  does it blow it away by $1000? Does it blow it away to not get a Bass VI? Does it blow it away... that much, when it can be upgraded?

I look at my Squier Jazzmaster. I had planned on upgrading some things in it before I even bought it - new bridge, new pick-ups, etc, etc.

I haven't changed a thing for the past 4 months and I'm still in love with it. I'd be hard-pressed to justify the higher priced USA or even Classic Player JMs considering the value of the Squier.

So, i've got my USA Telebration Cabronita, a '59 Gibson ES-125 full-hollow (single neck p90), a Squier JM (tuned open D, flatwound 12s), and the thoughts of adding a Bass VI + Semi-hollow to the mix VS adding a mini-hum is... well, obviously, debatable!

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Phil O'Keefe wrote:

I just got a new SG in for review, and the dang thing is really knocking me out. Out of the box, the setup is just amazing - it's Plek'd, so the intonation is spectacular.

 

Told you Phil! Those guitars are absolutely phenomenal this year. AOK.gif

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Track down an older korean model.. they are nicer imo... Also, think about it this way with the Sheraton.. What makes the epi different then the Gibson 335? Different pickups, and hardware, thats about it. They are nearly constructed the same (laminate construction), so doing an immediate pickup swap should get you about 90% of that same Gibson sound for wayyy less.. Too bad you werent interested in an epi sg.. Id ust sell you mine! lol Good luck on whatever you choose : )

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I've bought a lot of Epiphones and upgraded electronics, pickups, tuners, etc. but sold almost all of them.

I've bought 2 Gibson SG's and aside from cosmetic changes (different style knobs) I've done nothing to them and consider them "keepers for life". These aren't the super expensive ones, either. I've got a Gibson 60's Tribute SG Junior and a Gibson SG Classic Faded and I didn't spend more than $600 on either one.

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