Epiphone guitars, who uses them?

shaunm

I was wondering who uses them on here?

I have a Sheraton that I love and although I know it isn't as good as some of the best 335's I've played (I played one this weekend which is the best guitar I've played by far) it is better than some of them I've played.

I find that I can get a great sound out of an Epi and I don't mind taking it anywhere because it hasn't cost me the earth. Personally I have spent the difference in money on a better amp and pedals as I think they effect my tone more than the difference between my Sheraton and a Gibson 335.

Has anyone here any experience of the Epi 339? I am very interested in these as after a few modifications to the pickups, pots etc and a good set up it should get me a decent guitar for a relatively modest outlay.

By the way this is not a post where I am trying to say people are wasting money on buying high end, of course I'd love those guitars but I find it hard to justify to myself the ownership of a £2000 guitar.

HAL9000

Not me. However Paul Weller, Noel Gallagher, Gary Clark Jnr, The Edge, John Lennon, George Harrison, Keef, Dave Grohl, and Dave Davies have all sported Epiphone guitars so you're in good company.

GuitarZero

I've got the Epi 339 P90 Pro and I love it.  I had a Sheraton before and didn't like the body size, I sold it and bought the 339 with the proceeds.  It turned out to be a great plan, the 339 feels, plays and sounds a lot better than the Sheraton I had so I'm very happy.  

The Epiphone 'Pro' pickups are a cut above anything else that Epi does.  Whilst mine are the P90s, the ones in the regular ES339 Pro are their 'Alnico Classics', these are meant to be very similar to Gibson's 57 classics.  I can't say how well they match the 57 classics as I've only heard those pickups in an SG and the differences in guitar will be enough to give them a different voice, but when I played the regular 339 Pro, I thought it sounded excellent.  I only bought the P90 version because I was looking for something different.

GuitarMonkey

Plenty of professional bands play Sheratons. They are good reliable instruments.

markslade07

I've got a Limited Edition Les Paul (think I've only ever seen one like it other than mine) which I've had since new for about 15 years. I love it and it's the one I would never sell. I could probably get some different pickups in it (currently got a JB and a 59 in there) but it's so playable...so much so that I can't believe it's not butter.

underdog

I have an Epi SG anniversary something or other that I absolutely love, and with its simple construction I'm not sure I could justify the extra for a Gibson version.

I owned an early 90s Sheraton that I loved but sadly had to sell due to relationship breakup, and I'd really like a TV yellow Epi LP junior 57 reissue.

shaunm

underdog;631107" said:

I have an Epi SG anniversary something or other that I absolutely love, and with its simple construction I'm not sure I could justify the extra for a Gibson version.

I owned an early 90s Sheraton that I loved but sadly had to sell due to relationship breakup, and I'd really like a TV yellow Epi LP junior 57 reissue.

This is where I am at. I love playing guitars and if I could justify it to myself if have a raft of Gibsons etc.

I guess it's the same with any brand find a good one and its a great instrument

GazLion

My first guitar was an Epi LP special, then I got an Epi LP custom in white. Then a fair while later I got an Epi Elitist SG. All long gone now, but all superb guitars, even the special was fun!

Only yesterday I was looking at those ES-339 P90 pro's, I'm quite keen to try one. 

XWulfhere

I've got an Epiphone Riviera and I've got a lot of experience with a Sheraton too. Both of the Korean era, both structurally very good, but I think the quality of the hardware is where they make some of the savings. In the case of my Riviera I changed the tuners for Grover rotomatics, the bridge for a slightly wider spaced Gotoh, new pickups from Mojo and completely new electronics. I do love my Riviera and it's completely eliminated any feelings I night have had about getting an ES-335/345/355. It sits quite happily with my USA Les Paul and Jaguar.

breakstuff

I've got an Epi Les Paul 1960 Tribute.Gibson 57 classics as standard and it's just a really nice guitar.Unfortunately it doesn't get much play time since I got my LPJ but it's still sounds every bit as good as the Gibson.I just prefer the neck on the latter.

drwiddly

I have an Epi Elitist (MIJ) 335 and I think it's a great guitar. I've no desire to replace it with a £2k Gibson. I also had one of the Elite LP's and that was a cracking guitar too.

underdog

breakstuff;631150" said:

I've got an Epi Les Paul 1960 Tribute.Gibson 57 classics as standard and it's just a really nice guitar.Unfortunately it doesn't get much play time since I got my LPJ but it's still sounds every bit as good as the Gibson.I just prefer the neck on the latter.

Oh I had one of them too and it was great, if it had Gibson on the headstock and cost 3 times the price you'd not have questioned it.

IanSavage

If they're good enough for The Backyard Babies...

NervousJohn

The singer in my band has an Epiphone Dot and it sounds lovely. I'd have one in a second if I had any spare cash.

BigLicks67

Here's my 2 penneth - A kid across the road has got an Epiphone Les Paul standard Pro, which I've got to say I was very impressed with, good set up straight out the box and no tuning issues, really well made for the money. 

I've never played an Epiphone semi that I liked - A mate had a 1960s Casino that never stayed in tune and another had a Sheraton that had the same problem, the Sheraton was a Korean job I think, I imagine the chinese ones are much better. I'm a Weller/Lennon fan so I've hankered after a Casino from time to time, so I'm not opposed to them in principal.

Regards the 339 I've played the Gibson one up against a 335 and to my mind the 339 is an elaborate joke played by Gibson, it looks like a 335 that has shrunk in the wash. I'd have a 335 or 330 any day over one of them. Don't forget there's a cheap Tokai 335 copy and you can get a Yamaha SA2200 cheap second hand.

rocktron

The Epiphone Sheraton II finished in a natural glossy blonde top is a beautiful instrument!!!

Doin't forget that John Lee Hooker plays it.

Adam_MD

Really love my elitist goldtop.

Rox

Some people sneer at Epis, but the quality runs the full range from bolt-on beginners stuff to some excellent Japanese stuff and everything inbetween.  They cater for all pockets.

The Squier brand seems to have had a reassessment over the last couple of years, but Epiphone haven't, which is a shame.  A lot of their new stuff is really rather good, especially at those prices.

Another confirmed Epi fan here. 

longjaw

I have a 90s MIK Epi Sheraton that's a cut above my 2006 Tokai MIK ES-60. Great guitar!

dogload

I play a Casino (well, a Peerless Songbird, but it's the same thing- I put Epi Casino pickups in it) although many years ago I had a rather wonderful genuine Epiphone one that I virtually gave away, much to my later disgust. I also occasionally drag out my old Korina SG, which is lovely!

I've had one of their Firebird VIIs which was also very nice, but just 'not me' (I know!).

One of my objects of desire for some time has been the Jack Casady bass, which is very good indeed.

XWulfhere

I think the thing with Epiphone - and this is coming from someone who loves their designs - is that its essentially a brand name that's been franchised out to various factories in various companies over the years, and the name is not any indication of quality or consistency.