DHart
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2019
- Messages
- 223
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I had a bias against Epiphones (vs. Gibsons) for many, many years. A few years back, however, I discovered that the Epi ES-339 Pro was actually an excellent instrument, good enough that I felt quite pleased to have my first Epiphone. A couple of years after that first ES-339, I bought another Epiphone ES-339 in natural finish and installed a pair of Rob's Cavalier Firebird pickups and a new custom wiring harness in it - fabulous guitar - for a steal of a price. (I like it as much as my Gibson ES-339, to be honest.)
Another year or two passes and I discovered the Epiphone ES-Les Paul. I found a used one in great condition in transparent wine red.
Just for fun and interest-sake, I installed a pair of TV Jones T-Armond pickups, with a new '50s wiring harness, CTS pots, Switchcraft switch and output jack. Quite a wonderful guitar.
I liked it so much that I also bought a new Trans Black Es-Les Paul. The trans black model remains stock with ProBucker 2 and 3 pickups, coil splitting, yada yada.
Turns out that Gibson and Epiphone stopped making ES-Les Pauls around that time and I was so fortunate to have mine.
Another two years pass, to THIS year, and I discovered the "Inspired by Gibson" Epiphone Les Paul Modern - with ebony board, asymmetrical neck carve, locking Grover tuners, Graphtec nut, with modern chambering weighing just 8 lbs! I went to GC to check it out and after they unboxed it and I played it for a minute... I couldn't get my wallet out fast enough. It balances beautifully on the lap! What a wonderful instrument, for an insanely great price!
Being the modder/tweaker that I am, I decided to make this "Modern" a little more traditional, so I wired up a new '50s wiring harness with premium pots, switch and jack, and installed a pair of Dimarzio PAF Master pickups (very much a favorite of mine). Added a poker chip and some new knobs and, voila:
Turns out, now I love this Les Paul Modern so much that I decided to seek out another copy but this time in their "Sparkling Burgundy" color.
And in the process of seeking that out, I discovered that they are also making an "Inspired by Gibson" SG Modern Figured. An SG with a 3/4" maple cap! And with an ebony board, locking Grover tuners, Graphtec nut, and coil split/phase switching. WOW.
Well dang! There remains no doubt now... Gibson has fully succeeded in turning me into a BIG fan of their high-end Epiphone guitars! These two are now en route to me:
I'm sure that some mods will be made (at least a poker chip on the Les Paul)... so I'll report back when that happens.
As the build-quality of offshore-manufactured guitars has hit a fabulous peak in recent years, Epiphone has risen to the call and is making fantastic instruments, selling for very reasonable money.
Gibson now understands that their "cash cow" guitars, the ones they are selling like crazy, are not Gibsons... but rather are Epiphones! So, they're pouring resources into and setting quality standards for their Epiphones to make sure they keep on selling like hotcakes. I love that!
Another year or two passes and I discovered the Epiphone ES-Les Paul. I found a used one in great condition in transparent wine red.
Just for fun and interest-sake, I installed a pair of TV Jones T-Armond pickups, with a new '50s wiring harness, CTS pots, Switchcraft switch and output jack. Quite a wonderful guitar.
I liked it so much that I also bought a new Trans Black Es-Les Paul. The trans black model remains stock with ProBucker 2 and 3 pickups, coil splitting, yada yada.
Turns out that Gibson and Epiphone stopped making ES-Les Pauls around that time and I was so fortunate to have mine.
Another two years pass, to THIS year, and I discovered the "Inspired by Gibson" Epiphone Les Paul Modern - with ebony board, asymmetrical neck carve, locking Grover tuners, Graphtec nut, with modern chambering weighing just 8 lbs! I went to GC to check it out and after they unboxed it and I played it for a minute... I couldn't get my wallet out fast enough. It balances beautifully on the lap! What a wonderful instrument, for an insanely great price!
Being the modder/tweaker that I am, I decided to make this "Modern" a little more traditional, so I wired up a new '50s wiring harness with premium pots, switch and jack, and installed a pair of Dimarzio PAF Master pickups (very much a favorite of mine). Added a poker chip and some new knobs and, voila:
Turns out, now I love this Les Paul Modern so much that I decided to seek out another copy but this time in their "Sparkling Burgundy" color.
And in the process of seeking that out, I discovered that they are also making an "Inspired by Gibson" SG Modern Figured. An SG with a 3/4" maple cap! And with an ebony board, locking Grover tuners, Graphtec nut, and coil split/phase switching. WOW.
Well dang! There remains no doubt now... Gibson has fully succeeded in turning me into a BIG fan of their high-end Epiphone guitars! These two are now en route to me:
I'm sure that some mods will be made (at least a poker chip on the Les Paul)... so I'll report back when that happens.
As the build-quality of offshore-manufactured guitars has hit a fabulous peak in recent years, Epiphone has risen to the call and is making fantastic instruments, selling for very reasonable money.
Gibson now understands that their "cash cow" guitars, the ones they are selling like crazy, are not Gibsons... but rather are Epiphones! So, they're pouring resources into and setting quality standards for their Epiphones to make sure they keep on selling like hotcakes. I love that!
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