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What's the best Epiphone guitar you've ever played?


Phil O'Keefe

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This thread about Squiers caught my attention... and got me thinking about Gibson's budget brand - Epiphone. So in the interest of equal time, what is the best Epiphone guitar you've ever played?

For me, I think the prize would have to go to my 2001 MIK Epiphone Casino. It was made in the Peerless factory in Korea, and man if they didn't get everything "right" with that guitar. The neck is fantastic - it's thin, fast, and comfortable, but not too narrow - it's exceptionally easy to play. And it sounds fantastic too. It's definitely a keeper!

Phil's '01 Casino

 

How about you? What's the best Epi you've ever played? Pics are always welcome! :smiley-popcorn:

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I have four Epiphones, but one of them is an archtop acoustic from 1951 (a Devon), when they were Gibson's competition rather than their budget brand.  That one is best, but I don't think it counts for this thread.  So, I'd say my Dot.  I think it's a '97, and it's MIK.  The pickups are Duncan Alnico Pro IIs, and they sound really fantastic. 

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h470/kayd\_mon/IMG\_1008.jpg

I also have an Epi Les Paul from either '96 or '97 that plays very well.  My SG needs a new nut, but is otherwise pretty good.  Epiphone makes solid stuff.  I have liked a lot of the models that I've tried at shops, and I come back to them a lot - the Riviera P93, the Wildkat, and the Nighthawk, to name a few.

 

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kayd\_mon wrote:

I have four Epiphones, but one of them is an archtop acoustic from 1951 (a Devon), when they were Gibson's competition rather than their budget brand.  That one is best, but I don't think it counts for this thread.  So, I'd say my Dot.  I think it's a '97, and it's MIK.  The pickups are Duncan Alnico Pro IIs, and they sound really fantastic. 

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h470/kayd\_mon/IMG\_1008.jpg

I also have an Epi Les Paul from either '96 or '97 that plays very well.  My SG needs a new nut, but is otherwise pretty good.  Epiphone makes solid stuff.  I have liked a lot of the models that I've tried at shops, and I come back to them a lot - the Riviera P93, the Wildkat, and the Nighthawk, to name a few.

 

 

Nice looking Dot. :)

My Les Paul is also an MIK Epi, and from that same general time period ('96) - it's not quite as special as the Casino, but it's also a very solid guitar that plays and sounds great. It's a limited edition in Trans Red... here's a picture of it.


Epi Les Paul in Trans Red - and friends

 

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The best Epiphone I've ever played is from an era where Epiphone was not Gibson's budget brand (although they already owned Epi).  A friend of mine has a 1967 Emperor.  What a fantastic guitar!  Not only the the best Epiphone I've ever played but one of the best guitars period.

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stormin1155 wrote:

 

 

The best Epiphone I've ever played is from an era where Epiphone was not Gibson's budget brand (although they already owned Epi).  A friend of mine has a 1967 Emperor.  What a fantastic guitar!  Not only the the best Epiphone I've ever played but one of the best guitars period.

 

I have had the same experience. I played a 60s Casino that more than held up it's reputation. I keep trying Epis every so often......... I'm still looking........

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I only have experience with one Epi, but it is one of my favorite guitars to play, and that is out of a PRS, Heritage and an Eclipse LTD.  My Epi is their Korina Flying V reissue.  I picked it up used and while it looks a bit beat up, it plays and sounds great.  Plus, it's just a really cool looking guitar! 

Epi Korina Flying V

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Tough call. 

I played a 1992 MIK Sheraton a couple of months ago that was sweet; just played and sounded great.  Debated buying it but was feeling broke, and by the time I decided to feed my GAS someone had already bought it. 

The other contender was one of the 56 LPs that a couple of other people mentioned.  Again, played it in store and it was a dream, but I had ordered one of the gibson 50's tributes, which was also a p90 LP, and was waiting for it to come in.  Turned out the epi was a better guitar in every way, especially as the gibson ended up going back to the factory a month later with a neck that went back-bowed.  By the time I figured that out the epi was gone, and others of the same model I tried just weren't in its league. 

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I haven't played too many, to be honest, but a dozen years ago I played a Wildcat in a music shop and really dug it.  Every time I'd go in I'd noodle around on that guitar.  Almost bought it, and in hindsight I probably should have.  Reaoly cool for money.

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plasticscouse wrote:

Still has to be my 2004 LP Std

IMG\_1006.JPG

I've recently replace the pups to Toneriders AC2 (after me ruining the stock ones after me experimenting and ruining a pot in the process all fixed now after this pic was taken). It wont be parted with.

 

Wow... that looks stunning! :smileythumbsupsmall:

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Phil O'Keefe wrote:

caught my attention... and got me thinking about Gibson's budget brand - Epiphone. So in the interest of equal time, what is the best Epiphone guitar you've ever played?

For me, I think the prize would have to go to my 2001 MIK Epiphone Casino. It was made in the Peerless factory in Korea, and man if they didn't get everything "right" with that guitar. The neck is fantastic - it's thin, fast, and comfortable, but not too narrow - it's exceptionally easy to play. And it sounds fantastic too. It's definitely a keeper!

 

 

How about you? What's the best Epi you've ever played? Pics are always welcome!
:smiley-popcorn:

 

 

 

Great question Phil. I think the quality varies from factory to factory that Epiphone contracts with. I'm a very long time Gibson/Fender/PRS guy, aka "Asian guitar snob".

 

That being said, I couldn't resist a blonde ES339, $415 WITH the case! It looks great, like all my Gibsons, and a blonde to boot, like all my Gibsons and PRS.

Nicely balanced, great  neck shape-somewhere between "59" and "60" LP. I like this particular headstock shape too, sort of like a Buscarino from behind. The Classic '57 style pickups suite me just fine on this guitar, I probably wouldn't want to swap pickups or pots on this. The push-pull pots are very deep.

 

This guitar sounds great with the Chinese made Marshall SL5. Sounds great through an (American) Ethos as well.

 

I can honestly say, after nearly 35 years of playing, I'm no longer an Asian guitar basher.

 

13011500045-body-large.jpg

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VagueSubscription wrote:

 

 

I can honestly say, after nearly 35 years of playing, I'm no longer an Asian guitar basher.

 

If you've been playing for 35 years, you're old enough to remember the era when Asian guitars were 'knockoffs' by default. Hell, it wasn't until shred and metal came along in the 80s when Japanese guitars  finally found an opportunity to create their own identity in the instrument world, rather than just being 'the cheaper, knock-off alternative to the American version".

 

With global economics being what they are these days, with CNC being what it is, with established manufacturing best practices being what they are and the genius of WE Deming taking Asia by storm,  'Industry" can make some scarily good products for very little money, relative to what similar products used to sell for in the past.

Doesn't matter if its a guitar, a crescent wrench or a toaster oven. You can buy American on principle, but in so many cases, you can pay a lot more for an American made instrument and get literally no added value in return.

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