Gibson is planning a major change to the entire Epiphone guitar line-up

[Raiyn]

All they really had Hindi was shorten it a bit. Who knows..Maybe they will.

I'm not as optimistic, Buddism they might.

 

[RTH]

Well, rumour has it that India will be the next china when it comes to manufacturing.
Prophetic Autocorrect? Maybe i should look into this budda fellow.

 

[Davis Sharp]

The first time Fender made Squiers in India, they threw away more than they shipped because of QC issues. They returned to India years later and had better results.

BTW, Hindi is a language, not a religion. So the Buddhism comment is a little off the mark. Many in my family are Hindus, but very few speak Hindi.

Namaste.

 

[Raiyn]

BTW, Hindi is a language, not a religion. So the Buddhism comment is a little off the mark. Many in my family are Hindus, but very few speak Hindi.

I realize that, but it was all about going for the joke. No line crossing intended. I figured but "autocorrected" to Buddism was funny. Perhaps if I had dwelled a little longer I'd have gone with "Budda they might" instead as it fits even better.

What did the Buddhist say to the pizza chef?
Make me one with everything. The pizza chef prepares it and gives it to the monk. The monk pays him and asks for the change. The pizza vendor says: “Change comes from within.”

I'm a Dudeist myself, but at times I struggle with my inner Walter.

 

[Davis Sharp]

I'm a none of the above-ist, but I'm thinking of starting The Church of the Six Strings.

 

[DHart]

I think Gibson should do as Fender does (use essentially the same headstock on USA and non-USA Teles, and Strats).

I'd like to see Epiphone with the same headstock as they use on Gibsons. Most of the Epis are clones of Gibsons anyway, and made by the same company, just made in a different country.

 

[Raiyn]

I'd like to see Epiphone with the same headstock as they use on Gibsons. Most of the Epis are clones of Gibsons anyway, and made by the same company, just made in a different country.

That would make it too easy for unscrupulous individuals to make Fibsons and sell them to suckers. With a Fender, it's a bolt on neck so you're already looking at other things beyond the headstock.

 

[DHart]

That would make it too easy for unscrupulous individuals to make Fibsons and sell them to suckers. With a Fender, it's a bolt on neck so you're already looking at other things beyond the headstock.

Yeah... it probably would enable that. I'm just thinking that since Gibson wants to make lower cost versions of their USA models, they might as well make them look like they should look. That's all.

 

[BGood]

YI'm just thinking that since Gibson wants to make lower cost versions of their USA models, they might as well make them look like they should look. That's all.

But they do, for 99% of the guitar.

 

[Raiyn]

Yeah... it probably would enable that. I'm just thinking that since Gibson wants to make lower cost versions of their USA models, they might as well make them look like they should look. That's all.

I see where you're going, but I respectfully disagree.

I, for one, am perfectly happy with the current / previous headstock design. With an "authentic" Epiphone, the body looks like a ________, (legally, no less). I can then take that axe and make it sound awesome for nowhere near the price of a Gibby. I didn't feel the need for the name on the headstock; why would I need the supposed validation of the "dove's wing"?

If anything, I see metric hardware + open book = Chibson regardless of the name stamped on it.

It seems like self-inflicted brand dilution in what I fear is a bass-ackward manufacturing attempt at establishing a "defense" of their "trademark" - even though the open book existed long before Gibson.

As an inside joke to the long-timers, I'd bet a certain mime is rolling in his croissants silently cackling at this.

 

[DHart]

It's just because I like the shape of the Gibson headstock, that's all. To my eyes it's just a much better looking and simpler design.

I have no interest in trying to make anyone think that an Epiphone IS a Gibson. I've been impressed with the two Epiphones I've had, one was a Made in Japan (Elitist Casino) and the other a MIC ES-339 Pro P90. My Epi ES-339 Pro P90 compares quite favorably to my Gibson ES-339 Studio, in fact I like the Epi neck a little more than the Gibby neck!

A well-made Epiphone is an awesome guitar. For a very sensible price, even if one might wish to replace a few components.

I do like that Epis can easily be made to sound as good as pretty much any guitar, Gibson or otherwise. For a song.

 

[MonochromeRainbow]

I was hoping it would be the wildkat head stock or a return to the 1989 headstock shape.

 

[RTH]

I was hoping it would be the wildkat head stock or a return to the 1989 headstock shape.

I'd be down with that. My PRO-1 acoustic has the wildkat headstock, so why not?

 

[Raiyn]

I was hoping it would be the wildkat head stock or a return to the 1989 headstock shape.

I'd be down for either of those. The flatter "book" is more appealing to me. If they could go a small step further on the CNC they could carve a flush inset for the Wildkat "thong" I'd be all over it.

 

[MonochromeRainbow]

I think both designs are still distinctly Epiphone, while being similar enough to Gibson design to make the people that want that shape happy. Both would look great on LPs and SGs too.

 

[musicmaniac]

That's a great point about them fitting cases. I didn't even think of that.

 

[JeffMcLeod]

Could be worse

Wow, talk about ugly, lol.

 

[Scott Campbell]

Personally, I find the Epi "hourglass"/"sloping dovewing" headstock far more elegant and impressive than Gibson's headstock and I prefer Epiphones to Gibsons. The clipped wing headstock really didn't impress me except when it was bound. I think it's a great idea to have the larger headstocks on Epiphone LP's and SG's.

 

[Raiyn]

I think it's a great idea to have the larger headstocks on Epiphone LP's and SG's.

The last place you want a larger headstock is on an SG. Enough people kvetch about neck dive as is, why exacerbate the problem?

 

[Norton]

That’s part do the plan. Gibson headstock for les Paul’s and a steinberger locking nut for the sg’s.

No more headstock at all!