The Best Value Guitar Epiphone Has Ever Released? The New Epiphone 1959 ES-355
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 มิ.ย. 2024
- Your eyes do not deceive you, this is an Epiphone with a Gibson headstock! This 1959 ES-355 from Epiphone has almost every feature you would want from a USA-made Gibson at a price that is difficult to ignore. Take a listen and let us know what you think!
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0:00 Intro/Specs
5:20 Demo
7:31 Final Thoughts
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I don't understand why people still get upset at this new IGC line. The electric models, like the ES355, literally come with every high-end spec that you can ask for. Custombuckers, cts-pots + mallory caps, open book headstock, pearl inlays, custom shop neck profiles etc. and people still b1tch. Why? Yeah they're pricey... because they come packed with high-end specs, DUH!
I played most of the IGC models and I think they're fantastic guitars. If you think they're too expensive, good news! Epiphone still makes plenty of affordable models that you can buy.
Like fr, stop b1tching. I feel like people that get upset at this line of models go through life actively looking for something to whine about lol
well worth $1300 plus it has ebony fretboard not that shit Indian Laurel. I own Gibsons and love them but this is a no brainer buy. Hell, those Custombuckers are $500 alone.
i think so too. the 355 is not my style, but the ibg 335 i own and love. and even pick it at least an equal amount as my ultra tele. and that for a third of the price
They're whining because the headstock still says Epiphone while completely ignoring the value for money this line offers. I've owned many expensive Gibsons and this line is piquing my interest.
Haters don’t wanna hear sense. You are exactly right and I plan on getting one myself. These are bad ass.
They also have long neck tenon and are using a maple/poplar/maple laminate. All the copies are maple/Maple/maple, and do produce a different tone, there's no way around it.
Before people hit post button on their phone to tell me tone wood downs matter: that debate is over solid bodies only. Acoustic and semi-acoustic are definitely affected by the wood.
Hey Chris and Cooper, these are indeed Gibson Custombuckers made here in Nashville. Glad you guys are enjoying it, let us know if you have any other questions!
And boom goes the dynamite
@@benjhaisch Fishing expedition...they should do their homework before talking...
Why didn't it have the Varitone?
I’m buying one now fuck yeah dude
Say what you like I love this guitar with all the look and specs. I bought one yesterday here in Ireland via Epiphone website. Thanks Epiphone for this awesome idea 👍
I got mine. It is right up there with my favorite Gibsons. I picked it Saturday and took it to the Gig that night. I used it almost the whole night. Didnt miss my customshop. It has just a lil less Gain then my 58 reissue. Sounds very similar. Great for classis rock, blues, country ect... The neck is great. The finish is perfect. There is less flaws then a couple of my Gibson standards. I highly recommend the Guitar. I tried the custom and the neck pickup was darker. I didnt care for the thick poly finish. This satin finish feels great. Im glad Gibson did this because I cant justify buying even a 335 at the moment let alone a 355 at 7 k.
Looks like a nice guitar, and at that price point for an Epi with a Gibson headstock, they're undoubtedly paying close attention to QC.
It's almost making me look sideways a little at my Heritage 535 that I chased a year for. (Almost, right? I mean... oh Lord, have I made a mistake??? 😀)
Can you make it feedback relatively easily?
@gianthonour yes you can if you want to. Got plenty of sustain. I didn't have any squealing issues. ( pick ups are un potted)I don't use any noise gates or anything. Guitar into a ritchie Kotzen pedal into a deluxe reverb, I have a mxr micro boost for solos and a wah pedal.
Tried one 2 weeks ago . Was pretty nice.. played good.. then tried 2x 335s which were not really that much different.. I ended up going for an Eastman T59 in vintage cherry red . SD antiquity pickups.. in my opinion played nicer than the Gibsons and epiphone... So took it home with me..
Nice video guys
I just wanna say, I love your guys' videos. My go-to for fun, comfort content. Thanks for doing them.
When I disassembled my Epiphone 1959 Les Paul that was similarly spec'd, it had pickups labeled to match the spec sheet.
sounds like everything I would want or need in an electric guitar.
Bought the exclusive ebony model straight from Epi and can’t wait to get it in.
I also did a few hours ago as soon as I found that out. It’s in back order. I got an email ESD is 05/25. When are you getting yours?
@@mr3klax got mine last week
Man I cant wait for mine as well.
"If anyone's had a chance to disassemble or dive deeper and you know the answers to some of these questions..."
Whaddya waiting for Trogly - an engraved invitation??? 😀
play and trade guitars already did
Lol, this ain't Austin Evans' show.
Trogly is a sour elitist.
@@themanalligator4813 - And he's a total hack too.
Cooper should do a guitar course. Or a separate channel where he shows how to play the stuff he plays in the demos
Agreeeeeed!!
Now we need the Gibson comparison video please.
I own both the $7k Gibson '59 ES 355 in Ebony and this $1300 Epiphone Inspired by Gibson in white, and I can assure you can "feel" the difference between the two, especially in the finish, As an experienced player that's important to me. In my opinions these guitars would never really compete against each other. There's a reason I buy high end Gibsons, so I would not be the "target audience" for this product
BUT... I will tell you hands down, for $5,700 LESS money, this is a very good guitar and GREAT VALUE for the money! I'm snobbish about the expensive Gibsons I own, but I have no problems having this one and the BB King (Stereo out and Varitone) Epiphone models in my collection. Great job Gibson!
You guys and Andertons are my favorites for reviews!!
Gibson is positioning epi as their mid to upper tier brand, while moving Gibson into the upper premium/luxury tier. I expect epi to eventually use the "elite" model specs as standard within the decade.
I got this guitar as soon as it became available. Installed a gold Bigsby and some locking Grover tuners with ivory keystone shaped tuning buttons. It's been mistaken for a Gibson a few times already and sounds just as sweet. I love this thing. Now if they made a '61 SG in cherry with a Vibrola, the Gibson open book headstock and some Gibson electronics I'd buy that in a heartbeat too.
In fact, I think they should start making all of the artist signatures with the open book headstock from now on. The Jerry Cantrell Wino, the Bonamassa SG, the Alex Lifeson Custom with the Floyd Rose, even the modern offerings like Matt Heafy's sigantures, all of these would be soooo much better looking with the Gibson headstock
Fantastic review, great tone, great playing, this kid can play
I’ve got a 1960 ES-330 that I’ll play until the day I die, but being able to justify another ES guitar to gig out more is fantastic. I get they are different guitars, but if they ever make another high end Casino or 330 in this price range, I’ll get one of those too.
Love the Conn tuner behind y’all.
You can always tell when Cooper is super happy playing a particular guitar. Just watching you play is the best ad you could produce. It certainly sold me.
I had four Epiphone Japanese Elitist models over the many years I have bought and sold guitars....amazing guitars.
Beautiful guitar
Hello : I love my 335 into high gain amps and feel the F holes make wind . Have this now , adjust the truss rod for new 10,s raise the tail bar for bending , lower bridge & pickups . These Tuners are smooth as silk 18/1 , because most mine have locking tuners . Guitar and Amp Collector 57 years . This is a Babe !
That guitar sounds fabulous. Full stop. Great value.
Thanks for the demo. Would be curious how it compares to the Larry Carlton Sire?
Much better pickups for sure on this Epi!
Nice video. Just got my IGC 1959 ES-355 in Ebony today. My very first semi-hollow body. And it’s fantastic. It’s VOS. But, I prefer gloss. As expected, it’s got those sharp fret ends. Other than that, craftsmanship is flawless. For me, it looks, feels and plays great. It’s got that woody and airy tone. Cheers!
Sounds good, I have a 1996 es355 59 reissue. That sounds pretty good compared to what I hear from mine.
Really appreciate you guys voicing your concerns about the guitar. Everyone else just goes along with the hype without critical thinking. That said I did put an order in for one. If there are QC or other issues I can handle those myself and I'll still be way in the green compared to buying a Gibson USA model or higher. Plus the tone in the sound clip was pure honey! What amp did you use for that?
Want the black one but can't find it anywhere, only the red and white seem to be in stock anywhere.
I personally think this is a gorgeous collaboration between the two company’s. Love everything about the guitar and I’m not even a guitarist.
That’s some very nice “hoop-la” Coops 🎸
Yup now just sent this great lookin guitar to me for my approval!
Hi, is the poly finish as thick as the standard series ?
Looks like it's in stock. You guys do great advertising. Smart, showcasing stuff you have in stock. Think this one will move pretty fast. Imagine if Gibson would put their name on the headstock like "Gibson SE" like PRS, or or something like that. These would be "flying off the shelves". Brand dilution?
I got mine and it's fantastic!!
Congratulations! How is the craftsmanship?
Everything is great, one complaint. Epi needs to focus on the fret ends. Not as bad as in the past, but they are behind everyone else.
Another channel took them out and they have the same markings on the base plate.
Cooper, how does this guitar compare to your Larry Carlton?
Nice.
I would be really swayed by a Gibson headstock shape, on an Epiphone.
Epiphone has made some excellent guitars over the years that were obvious "cousins" to Gibson models.
Functionality and price point, swapable p'ups and pots.
The MIK Epi Sheraton back as far as the 90s(?), with the 5-pc neck, I always thought was a killer value too.
Great great neck feel, to me. A cousin, and obvious Epiphone. But a great guitar.
I got one in cherry red. It’s stunning in every way. Go ahead and hate on it - the fewer folks who catch on to this means the more unique I’ll be haha your loss
Congrats! You’re right. When Gibson decides to order Epiphone to stop making this guitar, you have a collectible in your hands.
How much would it cost to replace the button tuners with Gibson shaped ones?
Do you guys ship to Ireland ?
Sounds like a great deal for a Epiphone.
What's with narrow pickguard? Notice how much of the bracket is showing.
I totally dig it. Wish it came in Ebony :D
What is the song called that chris is is always playing where he starts off hammering on the G? it's a real folky song on the acoustic demos
I heard these are 10x better than the Sheraton which I have, worth looking into seriously worth looking into.
The quality of materials Almost had that Elitist Japanese Epiphone vibe to it ( but the pickups on these are way better). I have yet to judge when I finally laid my hands on this Inpsired by Gibson Custom shop models.
One piece neck, Ebony fingerboard and mother of pearl inlays and a Gibson pickups.
P.s. I'd love to visit this wonderful music store and watch a San Antonio Spurs game.
Morr power to your channel.
- a guy from the Philippines
Not nit picking here because it probably is going to be someone’s dream guitar. It definitely checks all the boxes…save one. The six position variance switch. The addition of it would definitely make it a tone monster. Cooper definitely brought it out regardless. For the price point, you can include me. Semi hollows rule.thank you.
My thoughts as well. When I think of the 345 and 355, I think of the Varitone switch.
@@KossoffFan I used to have a 345 in the 1980s and to me the switch made all the difference especially when running two amplifiers in stereo! But I have to admit that the new Epiphone has a very rich, beautiful tone. I would like to know what Cooper ran it through because that tone does have a lot to do with it, his playing style aside.
@@user-vt4ev5bj3o I have heard through the grapevine that there will be a 345 WITH the varitone switch. However whether it has the Gibson headstock is still up in the air.
But yes, every clip i've heard of this guitar it sounds amazing. As do the Firebirds, SG and Les Paul Customs.
Start a poll… Would you honestly buy this based on the specs/feel/appearance/price instead of a real deal Gibson equivalent? Is this guitar “good enough”to scratch your 355 (or Les Paul or SG) Gibson itch?
For me the answer is… maybe? I’d like to try one first to really get a sense for myself how good these new Epiphones are. I suspect the Les Pauls are pretty heavy (are they weight released at all)? I also know that the flame top veneers don’t look anywhere near as nice as the real Gibson flame tops. But a solid color guitar like the 355 in this video? Unless you absolutely must have a nitro finish there may be damn near zero difference between the Epiphone and Gibson model other than the name on the identical headstock… things to ponder while sitting on the can. 🤔
Epiphone Iommi SGs came with USA Gibson pickups for years.
Sounds really great! Whether it looks great as well depends on personal taste. Personally, I prefer gloss over satin finish except for the neck. If this guitar gets polished and buffed to a high gloss, will it alter the sound? Any comment will be much appreciated. Thanks!
I doubt it would effect the tone enough to notice any difference at all
It's a fantastic value, looks and sounds great! I'd submit for consideration for best value Epiphone the previous (I believe 2021) Inspired by Gibson Firebird. True neck-through and Alnico rails. Granted the headstock isn't vintage-accurate and it'd be nice to have a vibrola option but still... sub-$1,000 it's an absolute steal.
(First!)
I'd reiterate a question that cropped up in another vid: beyond the hardware used, what specifically is the involvement of the Gibson Custom Shop with this guitar? When they say "in collaboration" does it go no further than the use of the CS pickups?
Basically the template to build. They’re using the specs that the custom shop uses for build parameters. They also go through a different wood selection process.
Wow! OMG! What a life's accomplishment. Call your mom. She will be so proud. 🙄
@@scottjua I agree...
@scottjua
I'd summarise that as: there's no actual collaboration with the custom shop. There's simply a green light from Gibson head office to use specs/equipment.
@realitywave Beware monsters that mock the meat they feed on.
Sounds good.
So if I understand well, Epiphone is the the Seiko, Gibson is the Grand Seiko, Custom shop and Murphy lab are the Credor.
To me they're clearly going after the D'Angelico, Eastman and (non-Japan) Ibanez lines in this price range. It will be interesting to see how the competition responds. Are they also doing that so they can raise the price of Gibsons? To each their own but Gibson prices are already not particulary attractive as they are.
Bought the Gibson - pendant 3 weeks ago for 6800.- and it is a good Guitar for sure - but as at 11:30 said : for the road and on smaller stages i will buy an Epiphone as well. Definitely the better option in terms of what you get for your money.
This Epiphone looks good and sounds great. As for best value, I think my Excellente acoustic-electric is a similarly great Epiphone value for about the same price. It sounds better than most Gibson Hummingbirds I've played in guitar stores. Also love my cheap Epiphone Les Paul, which cost about one-fourth of this one; of course it doesn't have any high-end specs, but it sounds darned good for the money.
Haven't read up enough to know whether these have treble bleed circuits, but it would be nice to hear this guitar played at 5 or so on the volume control. Also, is the neck a fuller profile? My Epi's have a D feel, which i prefer over Gibson's "slim taper".
The neck is the fuller C shaped profile.
@@AlamoMusic Thanks!
I have one. Volume and tone roll-off are stellar
@@adamproctor483 Thanks! I wish more yt guitar vids would address this, for oldsters like me who learned to ride the volume in the 70's.
@@SixStrRzr agreed! Thats how you play on stage. These folks either are themselves or are speaking to bedroom warriors
I had a black Epiphone 335 that I regret ever parting with, but I honestly didn't think we'd ever see a 355 from them. Thing sounds freaking amazing but it got me to thinking. _ why don't they start making the 135-137 style single cutaway guitars that Gibson have discontinued down there at the Epiphone plant?? I'm someone who regularly checks them on the used market and they can sometimes be had for less than 1,500 bucks, but I think that the reason for this is simply the p100 pick-ups. They could offer mini humbuckers or straight up P90s in them and give them the Gibson headstock but be able to try out other appointments for a guitar that maybe would have been too much of a gamble for the American made product lines.
They have a 355. I own it. It’s a signature guitar from a Japanese guitar player. Comes with a varitone and bigsby. I love it. I can’t wait to own this version
I just wonder how it would fare against those old Korea-made Epi's. There's the John Lee Hooker 335, it was made in Korea, I believe.
Pickups are the USA made Gibson custombuckers. Confirmed last time I was in a popular Gibson dealer in the Houston area, the Gibson rep was in store and this was one of my questions.... How is that possible?!? Because $289/each price on the USA Gibson Custombuckers have plenty of margin. Epiphone actually has to buy them from Gibson, but they are a fraction of the retail price... Because Gibson owns Epiphone, Epiphone gets the Gibson parts at cost, so it's actually cheaper for Epiphone to put USA Gibson Custombucker pickups in an Epiphone than it would be for them to buy DiMarzio's or Seymore Duncan picksups in bulk that are priced less at retail than the Custombuckers at retail.
This vs the Dave Grohl sig is my current inner-debate
For that price I prefer a Gibson Les Paul Tribute (still available in GC) or Custom made in USA. How do I resell an Epiphone in a couple of years at that prices?
If you're buying a Gibson new, don't expect to make your money back either when you sell it, so that's a moot point.
Buy used(this applies to anything really), if you're concerned with resale value.
@@trevor4533 the case is that I dont want. to sell any of my guitars. Now and never. But my point is that is easier to sell a cheap Gibson that an expensive Epiphone because of the image of the brands. I may be wrong...
@@ricardobastianon5362 Maybe its different now with FB marketplace being so active, but my experience shows otherwise lol. I've sold 3 Gibson Les pauls in my life, 2 studios and a standard, and it was like pulling teeth lol. All of them were reasonably priced, and I was still getting dumb lowball offers and ridiculous trade offers. "400 cASH for the studio" "$1000 todAY for the standard" Had a guy also ask 20 friggen questions on the standard, just to not buy it...
🤣
Great Sound
I think theyre very reminiscent of the older japanese made epiphones for their market. Also had the gibson headstocks. Id buy one before the price goes up or they quit making them.
Back to the futur !❤
1399 for a full gloss version?
I would sign up for that one!
Okay now what is different from the Gibson 355
No doubt I think this is the best value. I have two ES 335 standard Gibson models that I play and my son truly wanted one so I upgraded him from the guitar he had which was a less Paul tribute and gave him this and I’ve got to tell you after I had the fretwork on it fixed. It was a great guitar. The Fretz suck. However, I was not surprised I own $12,000 custom shop guitars from Gibson and I have had Fred issues on those two but these were really bad so hopefully you got one with good Fretz and hopefully the guitar stores will correct that before shipping them out if they know about it, who knows maybe that goes with the inspection we can only hope so because the kid could cut themselves on that neck if a parent weren’t present 1:08
Chris: "Some people are going to balk at $1299USD". But this Epi 355 is $1900CAD in Canada if you can believe it! Even as sweet as this sounds (what doesn't sound good when Cooper plays), while I can afford used Gibson LP and SG, I can't afford these new import Epiphones, lol. Still they might suck me in yet if they come out with a 359 fitted out like this.
I paid 1400 CDN for mine and btw you can still buy the inspired by Gibson ones for $799.99
My issue with this model is no bigsby and no inclusion of stereo output with phase switch.
That is a big part of what makes the ES-355 and its omission makes this a hard sell for me.
I prefer to just buy a standard Epi 335 and put the bigsby on it and save myself $800.00.
$1879.00 w/ case at Long & McQuade. Pricey but well worth it for what you get.
Gibson custom shop does not use Gibson USA pups. They are still made in US. Gibson usa just means it is production line
I don't think Gibson is diluting their brand because I think someone who is generally even considering an Epiphone are probably not considering a Gibson, just due to the price differential. I do think Epiphone is certainly being upped, which is great.
I own a Murphy lab 355, I happened to play one of these at my local shop. I didn’t notice a quality bump to the standard newer epiphone ES models there at $479. Of course the pickups are better in these, + the headstock. It still doesn’t feel as “nice”. It played fine but I personally found nothing better when compared to the $400-$500 models. Gibson is successful in marketing these to be a Gibson at a “budget” level when it’s far from it. Still, perhaps the headstock change and USA Pickups is enough at 1K+ it’s still an fairly cheap made guitar from China, at around 1K you can find amazing Korean made guitars from other manufacturers that surpass epiphone.
😂 I have this and owned a few 335 Gibson you are wrong in so many ways !
@@markwilliamsmusic2987 it’s just my opinion, I’m not saying it’s definitive. I highly advise everyone to play this in a store if they can next to a current epiphone ES model. Going from $450 to $1200 is a lot for some people. The Marketing on these are tricking so many, it’s still an epiphone at the end of the day. Your 1K+ can go so far with dangelico and other mid tier guitars.
@@Tweed_Tone Why anyone would pay over a grand for a Chinese guitar is beyond me.
@@Tweed_Tone Some of these people are so delusional. Come on man, they can't feel the difference between a Gibson and an Epiphone? Clue: the Epiphone is the one with unpolished frets!!!
@@kennyblackbird5674 yeah it’s not even close, I’m not hating on epiphone, I honestly think they are amazing for the price point. If this were Korean or Japanese made epiphone at $1200-$1500 I think that would be amazing. I still see the shotty fretwork on these which is expended, but at 1K+ for these new inspired by series, I don’t see it. Maybe when these eventually hit the used market I could see some value in them
I bet this is to compete with the D’ Angelico guitars.
Wish there was an epiphone ES-339 without a pick guard and satin finishes...the 335 is too big for me
I think Gibson is making a genius move here. For years the main complaint about Gibson guitars was the price point. They’re creating future Gibson customers out of current Epiphone customers. By giving these fence sitters a solid taste of the Gibson brand at a price they can justify now it makes it all the easier to sell them the Gibson proper down the road when we all hopefully are in a much more secure financial position. This is a long term game plan for a company who has felt the of recent financial insecurity of their own. A we’ll scratch your back if you scratch ours scenario if you will.
Geeezzz epiphone, do something about that nasty truss rod cover !!😮
A Gibson ES-355 is $6999. Why exactly would they need a $1299 Epi version to “justify raising the price of a Gibson”? To what? $7999? $8999? A 355 is already insanely priced.
A 335 is around 2,900.
335 lists for $3499. First off, this is a 355, so it’s not a direct comparison. But even assuming it is a reasonable comparison, this Epi costs 37% of what a Gibson ES335 costs. Hardly seems outrageous. And an Epi 335 is $599 - those are quite good and only cost 17% of what a Gibson ES335 costs. Given that a Gibson ES355 is nearly twice the cost of a Gibson ES335, the relative price of the Epi 355 to the Epi 335 also seems reasonable.
I'm a big epiphone fan at pre 2022 prices but sorry at current pricing I'll pass. I just got a 60s Gibson standard from S Ash on sale for 1860. Speak with your wallets and if you want the open book so bad go Chibson. Fender and Gibson are trying to justify these increases to make up for lack of shut in sales. Please don't support that. These are great designs but not at these prices, buy them second hand and let someone else take the hit 😂
Great video
You are giving very wise advice. I just recently picked up an amazing fender telecaster professional II for hundreds off because I got it used. Second hand these 355s will be going for way under $1000. Maybe $800? No one is going to pay premium for an epiphone. I have an itch to grab one right away for my upcoming birthday, but I should probably wait.
this is the funniest video you guys have made … i am laughing in my flight seat next to the restroom and the end of the plane …
How much work, and money, would it take to make that a 'real Gibson'?
$0
I'm a bit worried that we pay big bucks just for the headstock. Yes, it's a pretty headstock, but the Epiphone open book isn't as bad as some of the older Epiphone headstock designs. Of course looks matter, but not for any price. And I'm also a bit sceptical towards the higher output pickups. My two other 335 models (Epiphone Dot and Epiphone inspired by Gibson) are both absolutely wonderful. I love the chunky necks and the warm sound. I'm not saying that this model is bad, by any means, but I don't want to pay that much extra for a headstock design from another guitar. So it's a narrow no from me.
You pay for way more than the headstock look at the specs....
This premium line of guitars was really a great move by epiphone..... to offer guitars that are of gibson quality but without the price tag... For what you are getting here, these guitars are a steel...Those who don't want to pay the extra money can stick to the less expensive lines now that the choice factor has expanded... They really nailed it with this line, especially on the 355 and the LP customs.. And yes that Gibson headstock is such a nice touch to the overall finish and look of the guitar when you compare it to the older ugly duckling "not quite at home" epiphone headstocks
Wow, surely I'm wrong, but there's no way you guys are ticked about this. Gatekeeperish? I mean no..right? Your not alone...its confusing kinda...it almost feels like the idea of us Plebs getting anywhere close to the private club is upsetting to some. Like I said, surely I'm wrong but the perception really does hint...this isnt the only video yall have done that might suggest..have an open mind and consider..thx guys. Yall really do have a great show and pcast.
You're projecting your own insecurities on to a balanced discussion of the instrument at hand.
Haven’t ever practiced with one lol.
I just wish Epiphone was a completely independent company. No ties to Gibson. They have a super long history and they deserve to be there on their own. Kinda annoying to hear things like "oh, it doesn't say Gibson on the headstock". Well, Epiphone should be strong enough of a brand to be like "wow, this says Epiphone on the headstock!" / by the way, I bought the Greeny model for 925 USD and I'm happy with it. Would I be willing to pay 1400 USD for it? Unlikely, but that's because I'd rather get a Strat or Tele for that kind of money.
Guitars like these address I think the need for "not" famous professional and semi-professional guitarists to be able to have a top professional quality guitar in both looks and build and sound quality without having to spend more than twice or three times their price for a comparable Gibson. I don't think these will actually cut into Gibson sales as guitarists who can afford them will buy them regardless of price. However, when you're a player like me, you're not getting all the gigs at the most famous venues, but playing local bars, clubs, various events, etc., but I still want to have the best instrument I am able to afford that looks, plays and sounds as good as top of the line guitars. When you consider all the specs, this guitar is a bargain. I think people forget that Epiphone was once a top end guitar company that was also Gibson's biggest competitor. After Gibson acquired it, they were still building guitars that matched Gibson models in quality side by side with Gibsons in Kalamazoo. It wasn't until 1970 that Norlin, after acquiring Gibson, decided to make Epiphone an import brand. I also personally like the fact that they are releasing classic Epiphone original designs and finally acknowledging Epiphone's own unique heritage.
I’m not 100% sure on this, but I believe the Epi’s ( 1299 ones ) are coming with real MoP inlays, the Gibson’s of the 50’s didn’t even come with that ( again… I think but not 100% certain ). If it’s true it’s actually an upgrade over the actual Gibson. The LP’s still come with Indian Laurel boards, not sure about the ebony ones…
All and all though, I won’t be buying a 1,300 dollar Epi personally but I thought I’d just mention that.
Yes all the IBGC lines do have Mother of Pearl inlays. I got this guitar and I am madly in love with it !
I was under the impression that in order to be a 355 the guitar had to have a varitone.
It is the real custombuckers what are you talking about ?
Why keep referring to the podcast? You haven’t uploaded a new episode in almost 12 months… 🤦🏻♂️
They’re the same U.S.-made Custombuckers! Geez, guys.
Taking it to Eastman
Gibson can price any pickup they make how they want. The price they sell Custombuckers for on their website is pure marketing. By selling them for a higher price they appeal to the boutique market buyers who are paying the same silly money for ThroBaks and other similar brands. The pickups don't actually cost that much to Gibson, so their value is basically arbitrary when it comes to pricing. The value of the pickup is perceived to be higher for the person buying it, but the cost difference of putting this pickup in this guitar instead of another is likely minimal. They aren't made of anything more precious than any other pickup Gibson offers. Gibson knows this, and knows this is great marketing for them.
Gibson does this with a lot of their pickups - they put them in high-end or limited edition guitars, create some mysticism about them, and then release them in a second-tier offering before saturating the market. They've just made a "production model" outside of the CS version of the Custombucker. They did this with the Burstbucker line (remember all the unbalanced coils marketing, the Tribute versions, etc) and with the '57 Classic before that.
"speculaish?" Sorry, never heard of that word before. Care to provide me with a "definish?"
When they came out with the Adam Jones custom art models, the neck pickup is listed as being an Epiphone Probucker Custom? Well, there is no such pickup. It's listed as having over 10kohms of resistance. To this day, after having a "The Berserker" version for over a year now. Nobody has been able to tell me what pickup it actually is? It's certainly NOT an Epiphone pickup, regardless of what cover it has. It has classic 2 wire construction with the shielded ground. As far as I know, Epiphone doesn't even make any 2 wire humbuckers, and certainly not that hot of output. I believe they wind the pickups in the states, and then slap an Epiphone cover on them to conceal it. If they didn't do that, people would raise a huge stink. My theory is, it's an overwound Custombucker specifically built for those guitars. That's what Epiphone has said from the beginning. I just hadn't realized why, until I started looking into it. Now they're just using Custombuckers openly in lots of models. So it makes sense that they would conceal the Gibson pickup in an Epiphone cover, before that phase of sales strategy kicked in.
We can thank the 80s re-issues of the Casino-Riviera-Sheraton and Emperor for starting the ball rolling, the Casino put "Epiphone" back in the spot-light. This 1299 dollar Guitar(with hard case) must be a very aggresive loss leader if the specs are 100%, lose the bulk of the profit or just break-even to get to the no1 selling F -hole Guitar spot ? I would'nt buy one but I would "use" one if I got the opportunity cos it does sound close to a 355 mono.
Unless we're getting lost in semantics, I don't think the threat to 'sales' is the question - I mean, as Chris astutely says, it's all a game of flip-flop "USA Gibson/Gibson USA" and margins but ultimately it all goes in Gibson's - or I suppose more accurately, KKR's bank account. I think the question is what's the threat to the Gibson brand. Whether this is a one-off or not, it raises expectations and questions in more than a few folks' minds out there who have to be wondering more and more why to bother putting out 3x more if they're THIS close to the same thing. At best, I'd say one helluva painstakingly calculated risk.
Or am I missing something in the equation?
Typo: it's KKR.
I think it comes down to how well Gibson Brands understands its customer segmenation -- and I suspect they understand it very well. What stops the cannibilisation is that the Gibson afficianados and collectors are obsessed over tiny details. For example, the three screws in the truss rod cover here vs the two in a Gibson. For the kind of person who is seriously thinking about shelling out 6k for a guitar, as ridiculous as it may seem, that is an issue (as is obviously the fact it says Epiphone and not Gibson). As is the nitro/poly. There will be a segment who don't care about that, and they are the ones that are getting upsold a Chinese-made guitar. Possibly they also persuade someone who already has Gibson semi-hollows to buy one of these also as a player.
@pepmasters-999 Corrected (cue Homer "Stupid tiny keypad" 😀 ) and all good points.
The best value Epiphone is the Uptown Kat ES.