How many of you collect Epiphones and how many do you own?

[Raiyn]

I like Epis because I can have all four of these guitars for less than the cost of one Gibby LP w/ specs similar to my Trib Plus

You're doing it right.

 

[Bradley D. Lyons]

I don't collect Epiphones per se, I just like them. I currently have twelve.

 

[Caddy]

First off I think the days of any guitar increasing in value are over unless you have one made back 50 or 60 years ago. But even if a Gibson holds its value better than an Epi the math just doesn't work out. If you spend $500 for an Epi LP Standard and $3200 foot a Gibson LP Standard and sell both and get 50% back on the Epi you lose $250. If you are lucky and sell the Gibson for 75% of the purchase price you are out $800.

For me I would rather lose $250 than $800.

Now to the other part , I don't 'collect' Epis, but do have two Special 1's (one with HBs and one with P-90s), an Epi Jr., an Epi ES-339 (HBs) and an Epi Traditional Pro. Really hard for me to see how the Gibson counterparts could be a whole lot better and certainly not enough better for the difference in price.

 

[MerrChan]

Wow. I've already given an answer

 

[Jeffytune]

I do not collect, but I do hang on to ones that mean something to me, even if I am not playing them. (Sentimental reasons)
But If I could throw this out there as a reason to start to collect a few extras, with the CITES treaty throwing the guitar building world into a trzzy right now, woods we love being restricted or just flat banned, right now, used guitars that have the woods we like are still cheap to get, buy a few for use later on. We could see a spike in the used market for say a rosewood fretboard and such go up in value.
I don't have a Crystal ball but I can remember when you could get a pre-CBS strat for 400 bucks or less.

In the short term, as the supplies run out, manufactures will turn to laminates and well Maple for fretboards, in the long run, who knows.
My point here is, that right now, in this time, we have cheap used low use guitars that we could snatch up and sit on, if not for our own use or for our children's use, maybe to sell to a world that wants a limited supply item that with this treaty may not be possible to build anymore.

Just a thought.

 

[John]

Paruwi that double cutaway is absolutely sexy.......

Yes it is....

 

[John]

I love all guitars and I currently have only 4 Epi's.

 

[sliberty]

I don't consider myself a collector. But I have five of them.

Vintage 1964 Epiphone Coronet
Epiphone Masterbilt AJ500ME
Epiphone ES-335 Pro
Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top Pro
Epiphone 56 Les Paul Pro

Excellent guitars. The 64 Coronet is ridiculous its so cool. Before buying the 56, I had just sold a Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Special. The 56 scratches that itch admirably. In fact, I reach for the 56 much more frequently than I did for the CS Special.

 

[wildeman]

Two right now, one's a real lulu though.

 

[Shadow Explorer]

First off I think the days of any guitar increasing in value are over unless you have one made back 50 or 60 years ago. But even if a Gibson holds its value better than an Epi the math just doesn't work out. If you spend $500 for an Epi LP Standard and $3200 foot a Gibson LP Standard and sell both and get 50% back on the Epi you lose $250. If you are lucky and sell the Gibson for 75% of the purchase price you are out $800.

For me I would rather lose $250 than $800.

Now to the other part , I don't 'collect' Epis, but do have two Special 1's (one with HBs and one with P-90s), an Epi Jr., an Epi ES-339 (HBs) and an Epi Traditional Pro. Really hard for me to see how the Gibson counterparts could be a whole lot better and certainly not enough better for the difference in price.

There are many guitar models that creep up in value for reasons. Slash, rare model etc etc.
If I it ever occurs to me to think what the guitar will sell for, used.
It's not worth buying in the first place.

 

[Steven Howes]

There are many guitar models that creep up in value for reasons. Slash, rare model etc etc.
If I it ever occurs to me to think what the guitar will sell for, used.
It's not worth buying in the first place.

Usually when I see the word "Rare" in a Kijiji ad I laugh and move on. Like a sqier affinity in "Rare" candy apple red.

 

[Raiyn]

There are many guitar models that creep up in value for reasons. Slash, rare model etc etc.
If I it ever occurs to me to think what the guitar will sell for, used.
It's not worth buying in the first place.

Exactamundo!
If you're buying a guitar as a financial investment, you're doing it wrong. A guitar is an investment in yourself, a means of expression in form, function, and sound.

If a guitar "clicks" with me, resale value doesn't even cross my mind. I usually start seeing what she can be and what mods she seems to want.

 

[Marco_J1975]

I have 2 Epi LP’s: an ‘01 Classic (Plus) and a Special II AFD. The Classic is heavily modded, the Special II has the old tuners from the Classic and maybe I’ll put the Classic pups in it too. Was thinking about a Gibby LP Futura, but then thought I’d better save up for a replacement for my Line6 Pod XT. After all, my Classic has all I need and that Pod will not live forever.
And I probably would not dare modding the Gibson when it doesn’t comply to my requirements...
The Special II is my back-up LP when gigging conditions are not suitable for my Classic.

So: no I do not collect Epis, they just happen to be very ok in stock form and an affordable modding platform to give you the guitar you’re looking for. My other 2 electrics are a heavily modded Squier Strat and a Line6 Variax, but they do not get played that often.
And if I bought a guitar as an investment, I probably wouldn’t play it, being afraid to damage it.

 

[Snowbum007]

I have several. I can't afford a Gibson but love my Epiphones and I'd rather buy several of them than one Gibson. The last two I bought already had the upgraded pickups (Johnny A. and Casino). My neighbor across the street (before I moved) was really impressed with the few that I have. He did/does warranty work for Taylor so I hold his opinion high above others (He is also a great guy and that helps!).
Current Herd:
Masterbilt AJ-500RE;
Dot Deluxe in Classic Burst with P-Rails and Bigsby;
61 Reissue Casino in royal tan;
Les Paul Custom Plus in wine red with Pearly Gates;
Les Paul Special (set neck) in tv yellow with Seymour Duncan P-90s;
Johnny A. Signature (number one, amazing guitar).

 

[SGResu]

I'd like to start collecting them but you know...wives...

 

[Bobbydazzler]

Two right now, one's a real lulu though.View attachment 5738

That is a real looker!

 

[shimmilou]

I collect them, starting with the Wildkat after playing a friend’s. I have 9 so far, looking at the Lee Malia Explorer next.

For some reason, when I list my guitars, I get a message saying that my post is “spam-like” or “inappropriate” ...

 

[shimmilou]

Wildkat Studio, Mettalic Gold
Wildkat, Antique Natural
ES 339 Pro, Black
Elitist 65 Casino, Sunburst FMT
1960 LP Tribute Plus, Black Cherry
1955 LP Custom, Ebony
62 Crestwood Custom RI, Cherry
Prophecy LP Custom GX Plus, Heritage Cherry Burst
LP Custom 100th Anniversay, Antique Natural

 

[shimmilou]

With the exception of the Wildkat Studio, which I bought at GC, these are all pics of my actual guitars. Sweetwater emails pics of the exact guitar that was purchased.

 

[Stuart]

As of today I'm back up to five 1990s Epis, out of a stable of seven geets...

It's all in the signature below