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They are more equivalent to an amalgam of Squier and Fender Mexico in terms of price and quality although this is less true than it used to be as Gibson have gone down market and Squier have gone upmarket in recent years.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Epiphone-Gibson-58-Korina-Explorer-Hardcase-Warranty-/252811365851?hash=item3adcbb4ddb:g:2CoAAOSwTuJYxqXD
Rob's an established member of the forum, I'm just shocked he didn't know.
If anything, the Chinese/Korean Epiphones seem to be improving and providing very good value for money if you can live with the headstock shape (which isn't an issue on that Explorer).
It's not so much that they've been dropping their build quality, but Gibson now make more "affordable" basic guitars than they used to which are a bit rough and ready.
Epiphone have moved production quite a few times. The really old ones (like the 60's casinos used by John Lennon and Paul Weller) were made in America are worth similar money to vintage Gibsons. Then there are various ones from the 70s and 80s made in Japan and Korea that also go for reasonable sums (like the ones that Oasis used to play).
As of the 90's and on they've been decent if not spectacular far east made guitars with a lower, (but more consistent) build quality than Gibson. They always used to be limited by poor quality pickups, but some of the more recent high end Epis have Gibson pickups now. Failing that just replace them and you will have a decent giggable guitar for not much money.
If IronGear can put out good quality pickups at the price they do, what excuse is there for budget guitars to have naff pickups these days?
That Explorer looks like it has a veneer front and back over a multi-piece body, which is par for the course for Chinese Epis.
http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Designer/Ltd-Ed-Korina-Explorer.aspx
BUT my firebird is better than then all
Ymmv or some shit
I also have an Epi EB bass too and that is also vey good.......I did change the pickup, but knew I would before I bought it......
I had a Pelham blue 339 p90 and it was outstanding. I'd also love a Casino, imo their hollow bodies are fantastic.
• Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Goldeneraguitars