You'd rather it go to some cowboy chord collector instead of a good player in a legendary band who plays it in front hundreds of thousands of people I guess.
I see. But they maybe shouldn't have copied the Greenie just leave it for Kirk until he passes it on. Keep the legend. Good thing he plays it, and not only in his living room! In that big recent interview you can see the gleam in his eyes when he talks about it.
This is really cynical outlook man. I’m not a Metallica fan but Kirk can play, earned this and some day, someone worthy will earn it from Kirk and cynics will detest whoever that lady is.
When I think of the Green God's tone, the first facet that comes to mind isn't the reversed magnet aspect, but the heavy amount of reverb used. Listen to him perform "Need Your Love So Bad" on a Stratocaster and it's still so obviously him, the reversed magnet being irrelevant. I have always thought that way too much credit and influence has been applied to that guitar and not enough to the man's soul, hands, and reverb knob
They have to bullshit you into paying $1,500 for laurel, after all. If all you get on a "top-tier" Epiphone is laurel I'd hate to see an "affordable" Epiphone. Must be made out od cardboard and plywood 🤣
Fair comment - apologies to Gary and fans, he was of course the instigator of many of the features that the guitar ended up with and a spellbinding player with the original in his hands.
Bought mine only because of it. Missed out on all the Gary Moore models - still kicking myself over that. I don’t care at all about a name on a headstock. Just wanted something close to what Gary played as he was such an inspiration to me. I have been playing for forty plus years and I have a few Epi’s. I also own Godins Hamers, USA Jacksons, Jap Ibanez’s etc, so it’s not about the money, I just think you get a lot of guitar for your money with Epiphone. My favorite guitar hands-down is a Epi Les Paul Custom ‘custom shop’, I bought over twenty years ago. Want to be buried with it. :0)
Love your tone and and style , i just put Gibson greenybuckers in my Epi Lazarus, and wow what a big difference , im blown away how much bite, gain and sustain it has now it takes my Lazarus to a whole new level . im a big burstbucker 2/3 fan, but the Greenybuckers are fantastic it makes me appreciate Peter green and Gary Moore even more . i just bought Trogly's epi greeny for a cool price so i dont feel bad about what i paid less than 1500 cheers from Don Playa Del Rey Ca.
I just got mine, I also have 3 Epi '59's and a 50's STD, mine is 8lbs 5oz. and these Epi Greeny's have more going for it than the USA Gibson model. I love mine, after doing my thing to it. I love it
Here's my current thinking. If Gibson had revived the Orville by Gibson name for these higher end Epiphone models I think many would be less snobby about the price, the one piece neck is a higher end thing almost ignored in the arguments. If another manufacturer had made this people would be saying "Gibson can learn how to do it from these".
Agreed. People need to realize that where a guitar is made & what’s on the headstock is no longer a surefire reflection of the quality. I also think people need to let go of the stigma that Epiphones are “beginner” guitars for kids. They have now established themselves as a brand that also makes premium, pro level guitars. For the Inspired by Gibson line, fit & finish on them is perfect, & they need no upgrading of hardware. Something is worth only as much as people are willing to pay. I collect Epiphone signature models, so obviously this was a must have for me. Also, don’t forget Gary Moore had this guitar longer than Peter Green did, & most of the battle scars, wear & tear & repairs on the original guitar were done when it was in Gary’s hands. I think the guitar should be called the “Greeny/Moore”.
@@Ghost_G13X I actually prefer multi-piece necks & even volutes. They’re stronger & have no effect on sound or sustain like you said. But a one piece neck is considered a premium appointment, which is why Gibsons have them. Other than Chibsons, I don’t know of any budget guitars with one piece necks. Calm down there skippy. If ya don’t wanna pay $1500 for an Epiphone, then don’t. No one is forcing you to. I collect Epi signature models, so it’s a must have for my collection
I had a few too many the other night and purchased on of these online,by the time I woke and tried to cancel it was to late. Well I received the guitar today with the intention of returning it, just for the hell of it I plugged into my Marshall and played it. I was very pleasantly surprised,that middle pickup is out of this world amazing. I think I will keep this way too expensive epiphone.
Looks and sounds like a great guitar to me, and I don't understand the complaints about it being Chinese and an Epiphone. People seem to forget that Gibson used to be the cheaper option and Epiphone the more expensive option. So why shouldn't Epiphone strive to get back to making higher end guitars? Doesn't matter to me, if it's a great guitar it's a great guitar. and if not, then obviously it's not. Too many brand name snobs. And a lot of players have been slagging off Gibson's own guitars, and quality control, for a good few years now, so why slag off the same guitar (essentially a Les Paul Standard) that's a lot cheaper but potentially better made? I've been playing guitar since the 70s, been teaching guitar for 40 years, played in many bands, played on a few albums, owned over 100 guitars of all price points, and to me it's the quality of the guitar that matters, not the name. And by the way, the Chinese have been making musical instruments for literally thousand of years - so to complain about them not being able to make a musical instrument is laughable. How long have Yanks made them? 🙂
@@CheBellaTelevisione It entirely depends on how good the guitar is. If it's good enough to cost that much then that's the end of it. Doesn't matter what name is on the headstock. And if it's not, same reasoning applies, and it's overpriced. I would guess in a blind test it would stand alongside an average Gibson LP Standard, I've owned a few and they vary considerably, so it could be better than some ! 🙂
Well, my guitar guy always complained about awful fretalignement. Epiphone has no quality control either. The Japanese actually make good beginner guitars with good quality.
@@gazzie12000it isnt good enough to warrant that price.. you’re literally in used les paul classic/traditional/standard range for this money.. how could this be justified when you could have a real gibson for just a bit more?
Honestly getting a chibson is a better deal than this! I just got one for $300 It had a better looking finish The fret ends have the Gibson style binding.
Nothing overpriced about epiphone period.. epiphone was never ever meant to be a budget brand in the first place and they weren't until Norlin ruined them when they took over Gibson 2019 that ended with JC Curliegh he restored the legendary Epiphone back to where they should have always been..Pau Ferro and laural are also used on $2,000 + guitars..
They seem to have a habit of making great looking guitars with that horrible looking wood. The new Sheratons and Riviera’s look beautiful until you see the pasty fretboards.
Its expensive because Kirk Hammett's name is affiliated with it. There are those still out there thinking if they purchase this guitar or one like it they are going to sound like Gary Moore or whoever. EXAMPLE I purchased an Epiphone Casino - got it for a good price and the workmanship is great. But did I mention I replaced everything from the pickups, knobs, wiring, bone nut, bridge, tuners, I mean everything --- Now I believe its a nice guitar. It was nice before but not to my liking. Do all those changes I made to the guitar make me a better sounding player NO. Its all in your preference. If you want a guitar like Greenie just get you a similar looking guitar and make the changes to the pickups that were made to Greenie by Gary Moore's guitar tech. GOOD LUCK !
I've got the gibson version, it plays and sounds amazing. I like green, moore and hammett, but at the end of the day i got it for me and I'll make it mine.
Just got mine. Pros: Headstock shape Real mother of pearl inlays Beautiful flame veneer Thick binding White cream plastics ABR style bridge Horn shape Gibson greeny buckers Very nice case Cons: $1499 Made in China 1.68mm nut width Indian Laurel fretboard Terrible nut My thoughts: Not for everyone. I've wanted all these features without the premium price. Stellar features for half the price. $1500 is still better than $3000. Sounds great. Plays smoothly after working the nut. The indian laurel is actually very nice with light and dark tones throughout. My "greeny" is absolutely beautiful and I'm glad i got it. No ragrets!
Be nicer if aged abit looks to new for me have to play one to really make my mind up all down to personality enjoyment..just looks to new and the price .Epiphone make beautiful guitars though
You forgot to mention the one piece neck, long neck tenon, & the Switchcraft switch & jack. I got tips on release day & have no regrets. Best sounding Epiphone I’ve ever played & the QC is better than my Epi ‘59, which needed fret leveling
Or just buy something like a Vintage v100 lemondrop and save over a grand? I’ve been a long time Epi supporter but the recent price hike (and for this model in particular) has lost me entirely, Gibson need to rethink their strategy for the Epi brand.
Rather interesting during the introduction, I could hear the influence of Jimmy Page in the reviewer's playing. Would Epiphone ever do a version of one of Jimmy's Les Pauls? - One can dream, I suppose. That said, however, for the price, I would buy a new Gibson USA Les Paul Studio or even a second-hand LP Classic for a little more and be perfectly happy with that instead.
You sound amazing with this guitar! How did you get the middle position to be so similar in volume to the neck and bridge pickups individually? My main problem with guitars out of phase settings is a huge drop in volume. Peter always seemed to switch back and forth, but never lost significant volume. I must be missing something...
Thanks for the kind words - didn’t do anything special but the J Rockett drive pedal I use gives a nice general hike in level so all the pickup settings sounded decently chunky when it was on. FWIW, I personally think the out of phase sound is quite useable here if you like a kind of cocked wah tone.
I bought one the day it was released and totally agree with you, I think it’s worth every penny. You get the look and feel as well as the exact sound as the expensive Gibson for an affordable price. It’s killer!
I think it so AWESOME that they not only sell it for $1,500, but that it is also comes with Laurel, not Rosewood. So creative at $1,500 USD. At least they haven't done what Fender's done with the Vintera II and the inclusion of Rosewood, even if it is the cheapest of Rosewood you could ever get your hands on. So let's hear for the awesome grey anemic looking Laurel! 👏 Edit: Forgive me, I've left off mention of the tone headstock.
LOL, those Laurel fingerboards are AWFUL. I had a Lazarus. Really great guitar, terrible fingerboard. It was dull, lifeless and the woodgrain was choppy. I added a lit of lemon oil which darkened it a bit, but it soon went back to that dull color. For $1500, it should have a nice darker Rosewood board. As I always mention in comments, PRS puts beautiful Rosewood fingerboards on all their SE guitars, which range in price from about $600 to $1000.
Great playing, thnx for the review. Im a big Peter Green fan, not so much care for that nasal hollow out of phase sound so thats not a reason to get this guitar. One wonders about the value on this thing, as years go by. Will it have any value or just dust away like so many Epiphones although just as good instrument as a basic Gibson for the same price, or even slightly better better perhaps due to the hardware ? Epiphone is making som great guitars here with those new inspired by gibson models. But will the value stick ? tricky q....
Sounds great, thanks! I didn't realise the pick-ups in the Epi are potted and the in Gibson they're unpotted. That's a bit weird, isn't it? Big fan of Peter Green but I'm aiming to put Monty's Bethnal Greens into my Cantrell Wino which is closer to my taste with slimmer neck and ebony fretboard 😀
It sounds nice, but I wouldn't pay near Gibson prices for a copy. Laurel fingerboard and Epiphone don't equate to £1500 in my world. I paid £2099 for my Gibby 50s, I honestly don't know why anybody would opt for this. Let's not talk about that horrible matt finish Epiphone keep doing, dreadfully cheap looking.
I've briefly had the opportunity to play this and the Gibson version. The Epiphone is better built and for less but lacks the solid flame top and has a very banana yellow tint to it.
Yep. Ugly guitar. Not sure why they would not try to paint it closer to the REAL Greeny. Maybe even darken up the edges a ,ittle bit to give it that true vintage feel. You basically have a Lemonburst Epi. I also HATE those Laurel fingerboards. For $1500...put on a nicer rosewood neck. PRS SE's all have beautiful Rosewood fingerboards, and those guitars are all under $1000.
Well yeah. I work in a guitar store. I've played both. The Epi was what I expected. It's the Gibson that let me down, despite the materials being a lot better. I think, mostly, it was the uneven body to binding levels and gaps. None of that on the Epi, and that was a surprise.
NICE guitar, BUT a China made Epiphone getting into GIBSON USA prices is a bit of a joke! I agree that the 'inspired by' range still represent BETTER value, & if THEY sport the parent head stock shape, well even BETTER
...Well yeah. Gibson was selling Demo Shop LP Classics for $1530-$1600 during black Friday. So, of course most people will buy the real deal at the same price 😂
How does a headstock logo "wear" off? 😆 I believe the original Greeny had more than one headstock repair during its life, and was likely painted over. The inlay Gibson logo would remain (sanding would not impact it) while the silk screen Les Paul logo would have not survived the paint/sanding. Or maybe I'm wrong. 🙂
It's nearly worth the money if only they could have put a 2 screw truss rod cover plus a big Gibson logo with made by Epiphone in small letters underneath then it may be worth somewhere near the money.
That, a rosewood fretboard, and a much better veneer. The "Gibson by Epiphone" thing is interesting. Reminds me of the "Orville By Gibson" guitars made in Japan back in the day.
Why could epiphone not have added a rosewood fretboard to a guitar of this price fender have been able to add a rosewood fretboard to their vintera II range and they cost considerably less than this
Agreed .If I were to guess, they're feeling out the market. With how much backlash they're rightfully getting by slapping Indian Laurel on a $1500 Epiphone, I would assume future "Inspired by custom shop" Epiphones will get the rosewood fretboards.
Good question - and an accurate answer is hard to give. Since I didn’t notice the frets intruding on the playing experience of either guitar, without having both in my hands again, I’m going to have to say both were satisfactory - an A/B comparison would reveal more perhaps but we had to send the USA back before this came in - maybe a good subject for a future video though!
When I saw they were opposed to making a lefty model I wasn't interested, but seeing some of the reviews, it's just an overpriced epiphone. Without the name recognition of GM and others, its def an epiphone only. 1500 will get a lot of great guitars.
Nothing to do with the name on headstock or country of manufacture. The specs simply don't add up. For 1500 you would expect a nice rosewood or Ebony type fingerboard. That body colour is way off and cheap looking too. Like a Sherbet Lemon way too bright. I suspect you are being too kind. Thanks for sharing the review though quite indepth. Appreciated.
Epiphone isn't even slightly close to being overpriced im very happy with there prices you're not going to get high end quality for a budget price so stop whining.
I'll stick to my USA made guitars thank you very much. No toy guitars built in China for me. If you're too poor to buy a real guitar, than shame on you
You re kinda having real old school thoughts on guitar from Asia. I have some shocking news for you: in the high labour pride standards many asian scholars have their competence outperforms overpaid and over valued US workmanship. Many Gibson dollars vanish into a low quality over valued not so motivated workforce. I do own true Fender Gibson nade instruments, EU based instrument ( Duesenberg, Hagstrom) and Asia based instruments (EPI, PRS SE, Eastman). There are absolutely not much quality differences, the Dueseys, Eastman and PRS scoring best. In terms of price/quality ratio it s an easy Asian win overall. It s normal thar their prices are rising. Many US brands are hyped, overvalued and overpriced.
I owned a lot of Gibson custom shop les paul and i was impressed by this epiphone. It s soundind and playing like an expensive one. Don t be snob and try one .
For $1200 they couldn't put a real flame top on it, kinda lame. Other companies for the price point can do it. Chinese Labor is cheap now so they could easily do it for zero cost.
What guitar brands are giving you a real flame maple top for $1200? Don't get me wrong, I think the veneer on this guitar is ugly, but I can't recall any brands selling guitars with a real flame top that cheap.
I just tried this guitar at the store... In my view it is way way over priced if you compare it to the other higher quality epiphone prices.. The body top feels exactly like the Vintage V100 greeny model... I would go as far to say that the Vintage V100 version sounds better than this one... The Epiphone greeny that I tried was very heavy in weigh even by les paul values... Its a nice guitar but should be in the £600 to £700 range...I would definitely choose the Vintage V100 PGM over the Epiphone greeny... £1499.00 for an Indian fretboard and stick on maple veneer cap is not what you would expect..
This should be the Gary Moore greeny… Or Peter Green! But in my opinion, Gary Moore made the guitar popular! Kirk Hammett just had a couple million lying around.
No one, and I mean NO ONE, can justify this price point. I played one today. Okoume Mahogany, with cheap overseas construction methods. A used Gibson Les Paul traditional goes for only a fee hundred more. There you get a real figured maple cap, rosewood, quality mahogany, better construction, and thats only scratching the surface. You can get any Epiphone Les Paul, swap the pickups, and have the same sounding and feeling guitar. Whoever buys this is a chump.
I dig the concept and I am cautiously optimistic on what they can do for future inspired by custom shop Epiphones, but the execution could have been done ALOT better for $1500... I can understand no nitro and a Veneer, that's fine. ESP uses Veneers for their E II $2k+ guitars. BUT at least use a better Veneer! I'm sorry, it just looks cheap. The one on the Lazarus looks much better. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if they put a veneer on the back too... Indian Laurel? On a $1500 guitar? C'mon guys, bring back the rosewood at this price, that's just comical. They would be smart if they rolled out an "inspired by" '57 Les Paul custom, since they already use Ebony fretboards. They would sell like wildfire with the open book headstock!
You are an excellent player and could make most things sound great. I find that to be a very unattractive LP. It looks too yellow and the flame top just kind of looks looks fake / cheap. Maybe that's the effect of getting a satin finish. I would prefer to have this in a plain top with gloss, that would look classier and less fake. Just my opinion, to each their own.
I hate them for naming it Kirk .... that guitar will NEVER Sing again... RIP GARY MOORE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GARY MOORE GREENY !!!!! FOR EVER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The look alone doesn’t do it for me. Looks too much like a knockoff. Would have expected a closer look to the Gibson version for the price. Sure it plays and sounds good, but looks very cheap.
If it's made in the CCP's China - then that's the deciding factor against it for me. It's a shame though because if it were made in Indonesia or nearly anywhere else - i'd love to own one.
"the cheapskate ends up paying the most" is even more applicable to a guy plunking Gibson money for an Epiphone guitar. And it does as mentioned below have the corporate Epi 'roided out pup rings to boot. Indian Laurel? Sandy much? Even Pau Ferro is a little better. No offense to the Chinese makers but for example for a lousy $250 more than this Greeny I bought a mint used 2022 Gibson Tony Iommi Monkey SG (list $2400) that comes with a plush case loaded with candy like the birth photo, leather strap, multi tool, docs and monkey sticker and a guitar built in Nashville that gets it's real rosewood board a ride on a Plek machine which is worth a few hundred as a service at any repair/dealer shop, 2 piece mahogany and Tony Iommi labeled pups I'm sorry but I feel like I stole this SG the action is so low and fast but OTOH, $1500 for laurel and laminates and a factory albeit good one in China for the Epi??? No. I kind of like the price and features (ebony board) on the Epi Lucille 335 with varitone and TP-6 fancy bridge with fine adjustment though for $950 THAT is a good looking guitar. But man, bite the bullet and go Nashville new or used you won't be sorry. My 2¢..... uhhhhh elongated. 🎸
The veneer for this price is what it is imo. Even ESP uses veneers on their $2k+ Eii models. I don't know why, but it seems its easier and cheaper to get a real Flame top guitar from USA brands. Go figure. That being said, its an ugly veneer, and yes they should have used rosewood.
You will never get your money back on this guitar if you ever sell it. You need to keep it and play it to death 💀 to be worth the price. Just my opinion.
First off the Epiphone Quingdao facility is completely American owned and operated by Gibson Epiphone USA with American and Asian luthiers did you see that American and Asian luthiers and only Epiphones are made there they are also 70% made by hand just like the little brother Gibson.the Chinese made BS is old and very tiresome..
Gibson's aren't even as good as Gibson's in 2024 😂😂😂😂 Remember everyone, play authentic or else Mark Agnesi will find you and burn all of your non authentic guitars 😱
Feel Kirk Hammett just getting credit for being rich enough to own this guitar. Green and Moore made it legendary
And getting richer with each sale now It’s his sig.
You'd rather it go to some cowboy chord collector instead of a good player in a legendary band who plays it in front hundreds of thousands of people I guess.
I see. But they maybe shouldn't have copied the Greenie just leave it for Kirk until he passes it on. Keep the legend. Good thing he plays it, and not only in his living room! In that big recent interview you can see the gleam in his eyes when he talks about it.
This is really cynical outlook man. I’m not a Metallica fan but Kirk can play, earned this and some day, someone worthy will earn it from Kirk and cynics will detest whoever that lady is.
This is the best comment I read today. And maybe even the last few months.
When I think of the Green God's tone, the first facet that comes to mind isn't the reversed magnet aspect, but the heavy amount of reverb used. Listen to him perform "Need Your Love So Bad" on a Stratocaster and it's still so obviously him, the reversed magnet being irrelevant. I have always thought that way too much credit and influence has been applied to that guitar and not enough to the man's soul, hands, and reverb knob
You are 100% right on your analysis.
💯
But a lot of the reason the reverse pickup is popular is due to Gary Moore.
There's a video of Gary Moore playing a few of his other guitars and they all sound just as great. I agree It's the player not the guitar.
They have to bullshit you into paying $1,500 for laurel, after all. If all you get on a "top-tier" Epiphone is laurel I'd hate to see an "affordable" Epiphone. Must be made out od cardboard and plywood 🤣
How on earth could you not mention Gary Moore in this review
Fair comment - apologies to Gary and fans, he was of course the instigator of many of the features that the guitar ended up with and a spellbinding player with the original in his hands.
@@guitaristIt would have been nice to hear a Still Got The Blues inspired solo. This is the iconic tone of this guitar, known by the masses
Bought mine only because of it. Missed out on all the Gary Moore models - still kicking myself over that. I don’t care at all about a name on a headstock. Just wanted something close to what Gary played as he was such an inspiration to me. I have been playing for forty plus years and I have a few Epi’s. I also own Godins Hamers, USA Jacksons, Jap Ibanez’s etc, so it’s not about the money, I just think you get a lot of guitar for your money with Epiphone. My favorite guitar hands-down is a Epi Les Paul Custom ‘custom shop’, I bought over twenty years ago. Want to be buried with it. :0)
SOoooooooooooooo Right Man !!!!!!!!!!!!!! i hate them for naming it Kirk .... that guitar will NEVER Sing again... RIP GARY MOORE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The guitar sounds amazing in your hands...nice honest review
❤ How melodious and a cracking intro solo!
Thank you!
Love your tone and and style , i just put Gibson greenybuckers in my Epi Lazarus, and wow what a big difference , im blown away how much bite, gain and sustain it has now it takes my Lazarus to a whole new level . im a big burstbucker 2/3 fan, but the Greenybuckers are fantastic
it makes me appreciate Peter green and Gary Moore even more . i just bought Trogly's epi greeny for a cool price so i dont feel bad about what i paid less than 1500 cheers from Don Playa Del Rey Ca.
I just got mine, I also have 3 Epi '59's and a 50's STD, mine is 8lbs 5oz. and these Epi Greeny's have more going for it than the USA Gibson model. I love mine, after doing my thing to it. I love it
Here's my current thinking.
If Gibson had revived the Orville by Gibson name for these higher end Epiphone models I think many would be less snobby about the price, the one piece neck is a higher end thing almost ignored in the arguments.
If another manufacturer had made this people would be saying "Gibson can learn how to do it from these".
Gibson can learn from Yamaha. Epitome of quality for price.
Agreed. People need to realize that where a guitar is made & what’s on the headstock is no longer a surefire reflection of the quality. I also think people need to let go of the stigma that Epiphones are “beginner” guitars for kids. They have now established themselves as a brand that also makes premium, pro level guitars. For the Inspired by Gibson line, fit & finish on them is perfect, & they need no upgrading of hardware. Something is worth only as much as people are willing to pay. I collect Epiphone signature models, so obviously this was a must have for me. Also, don’t forget Gary Moore had this guitar longer than Peter Green did, & most of the battle scars, wear & tear & repairs on the original guitar were done when it was in Gary’s hands. I think the guitar should be called the “Greeny/Moore”.
@@geraldpinkerton6412 They always WERE & are OLDER than Gibson!
@@Ghost_G13X LOL! Correct.
@@Ghost_G13X I actually prefer multi-piece necks & even volutes. They’re stronger & have no effect on sound or sustain like you said. But a one piece neck is considered a premium appointment, which is why Gibsons have them. Other than Chibsons, I don’t know of any budget guitars with one piece necks. Calm down there skippy. If ya don’t wanna pay $1500 for an Epiphone, then don’t. No one is forcing you to. I collect Epi signature models, so it’s a must have for my collection
Love the playing though ♥️
Got my new Gibson LP classic for 1600
How do you like it? Paid $1900 for mine😮
Beautiful playing.
Great playing! Thanks for that!
I had a few too many the other night and purchased on of these online,by the time I woke and tried to cancel it was to late. Well I received the guitar today with the intention of returning it, just for the hell of it I plugged into my Marshall and played it. I was very pleasantly surprised,that middle pickup is out of this world amazing. I think I will keep this way too expensive epiphone.
Looks and sounds like a great guitar to me, and I don't understand the complaints about it being Chinese and an Epiphone. People seem to forget that Gibson used to be the cheaper option and Epiphone the more expensive option. So why shouldn't Epiphone strive to get back to making higher end guitars? Doesn't matter to me, if it's a great guitar it's a great guitar. and if not, then obviously it's not. Too many brand name snobs. And a lot of players have been slagging off Gibson's own guitars, and quality control, for a good few years now, so why slag off the same guitar (essentially a Les Paul Standard) that's a lot cheaper but potentially better made? I've been playing guitar since the 70s, been teaching guitar for 40 years, played in many bands, played on a few albums, owned over 100 guitars of all price points, and to me it's the quality of the guitar that matters, not the name. And by the way, the Chinese have been making musical instruments for literally thousand of years - so to complain about them not being able to make a musical instrument is laughable. How long have Yanks made them? 🙂
Valid points but I don’t think complaints over the price tag are entirely unwarranted
@@CheBellaTelevisione It entirely depends on how good the guitar is. If it's good enough to cost that much then that's the end of it. Doesn't matter what name is on the headstock. And if it's not, same reasoning applies, and it's overpriced. I would guess in a blind test it would stand alongside an average Gibson LP Standard, I've owned a few and they vary considerably, so it could be better than some ! 🙂
Well, my guitar guy always complained about awful fretalignement. Epiphone has no quality control either. The Japanese actually make good beginner guitars with good quality.
i buy epiphone because they stay in tune better the 13% angle over gibson17% headstock angle makes a difference when you play 3 songs in a row live
@@gazzie12000it isnt good enough to warrant that price.. you’re literally in used les paul classic/traditional/standard range for this money.. how could this be justified when you could have a real gibson for just a bit more?
Dammit man you can play that freeging guitar. Massive soul
🙏🙏🙏 Thank you.
Way overpriced. And an Indian Laurel fretboard for $1,500? Epiphone lost me on this one.
Honestly getting a chibson is a better deal than this!
I just got one for $300
It had a better looking finish
The fret ends have the Gibson style binding.
Nothing overpriced about epiphone period.. epiphone was never ever meant to be a budget brand in the first place and they weren't until Norlin ruined them when they took over Gibson 2019 that ended with JC Curliegh he restored the legendary Epiphone back to where they should have always been..Pau Ferro and laural are also used on $2,000 + guitars..
@@Nightshade1881not even slightly close to being true.. epiphone is back to a high brand..have been since 2019
@@BlueberryStinkFinger62 lol nope sorry
Most always have nasty sharp unfinished fret ends
They seem to have a habit of making great looking guitars with that horrible looking wood. The new Sheratons and Riviera’s look beautiful until you see the pasty fretboards.
1.5 K? Dunno about that. Second hand LP can be just over that. Vanity contains its own reward.
Great playing though!
Its expensive because Kirk Hammett's name is affiliated with it. There are those still out there thinking if they purchase this guitar or one like it they are going to sound like Gary Moore or whoever. EXAMPLE I purchased an Epiphone Casino - got it for a good price and the workmanship is great. But did I mention I replaced everything from the pickups, knobs, wiring, bone nut, bridge, tuners, I mean everything --- Now I believe its a nice guitar. It was nice before but not to my liking. Do all those changes I made to the guitar make me a better sounding player NO. Its all in your preference. If you want a guitar like Greenie just get you a similar looking guitar and make the changes to the pickups that were made to Greenie by Gary Moore's guitar tech. GOOD LUCK !
I've got the gibson version, it plays and sounds amazing. I like green, moore and hammett, but at the end of the day i got it for me and I'll make it mine.
Just got mine.
Pros:
Headstock shape
Real mother of pearl inlays
Beautiful flame veneer
Thick binding
White cream plastics
ABR style bridge
Horn shape
Gibson greeny buckers
Very nice case
Cons:
$1499
Made in China
1.68mm nut width
Indian Laurel fretboard
Terrible nut
My thoughts:
Not for everyone. I've wanted all these features without the premium price.
Stellar features for half the price.
$1500 is still better than $3000.
Sounds great. Plays smoothly after working the nut. The indian laurel is actually very nice with light and dark tones throughout.
My "greeny" is absolutely beautiful and I'm glad i got it. No ragrets!
Why "made in China" is a con?
It is a CNC guitar and the quality control is very good on chinese top guitars.
Be nicer if aged abit looks to new for me have to play one to really make my mind up all down to personality enjoyment..just looks to new and the price .Epiphone make beautiful guitars though
@@noroticusbecause “Chinese” and “quality” don’t mix well.
@@Turba80 Utter cobblers.
@@Turba80 They SEEM to make quality respiratory viruses!
You forgot to mention the one piece neck, long neck tenon, & the Switchcraft switch & jack. I got tips on release day & have no regrets. Best sounding Epiphone I’ve ever played & the QC is better than my Epi ‘59, which needed fret leveling
Or just buy something like a Vintage v100 lemondrop and save over a grand? I’ve been a long time Epi supporter but the recent price hike (and for this model in particular) has lost me entirely, Gibson need to rethink their strategy for the Epi brand.
Exactly!!!
Rather interesting during the introduction, I could hear the influence of Jimmy Page in the reviewer's playing. Would Epiphone ever do a version of one of Jimmy's Les Pauls? - One can dream, I suppose. That said, however, for the price, I would buy a new Gibson USA Les Paul Studio or even a second-hand LP Classic for a little more and be perfectly happy with that instead.
You sound amazing with this guitar! How did you get the middle position to be so similar in volume to the neck and bridge pickups individually? My main problem with guitars out of phase settings is a huge drop in volume. Peter always seemed to switch back and forth, but never lost significant volume. I must be missing something...
Thanks for the kind words - didn’t do anything special but the J Rockett drive pedal I use gives a nice general hike in level so all the pickup settings sounded decently chunky when it was on. FWIW, I personally think the out of phase sound is quite useable here if you like a kind of cocked wah tone.
I Love it !!! 1500 ain’t too bad
I bought one the day it was released and totally agree with you, I think it’s worth every penny. You get the look and feel as well as the exact sound as the expensive Gibson for an affordable price. It’s killer!
Some tasty licks! Cool video!
Too expensive for an Epiphone. Looks great, sounds great, and probably feels great too, but still... it's just an Epiphone.
Well...put a Gibson logo if that's the problem.
@@noroticus
Doesn't change it from being an Epiphone. It would just be an overpriced Epiphone with a Gibson logo.
You forgot to mention Gary Moore ; )
I think it so AWESOME that they not only sell it for $1,500, but that it is also comes with Laurel, not Rosewood. So creative at $1,500 USD.
At least they haven't done what Fender's done with the Vintera II and the inclusion of Rosewood, even if it is the cheapest of Rosewood you could ever get your hands on. So let's hear for the awesome grey anemic looking Laurel! 👏
Edit: Forgive me, I've left off mention of the tone headstock.
That was 1500 POUNDS Sterling, not U$D!
LOL, those Laurel fingerboards are AWFUL. I had a Lazarus. Really great guitar, terrible fingerboard. It was dull, lifeless and the woodgrain was choppy. I added a lit of lemon oil which darkened it a bit, but it soon went back to that dull color.
For $1500, it should have a nice darker Rosewood board. As I always mention in comments, PRS puts beautiful Rosewood fingerboards on all their SE guitars, which range in price from about $600 to $1000.
@@ApeLikeCreature A GOOD trick is to DYE it with something like Prooftint in walnut colour, then buff in wax or use paraffin oil!
@@DMSProduktions It turns dark if you play it a lot, no need for trick oils. I have one guitar in laurel. But yeah not for dentists who barely play.
@@bassyey LOL! Ok, good to know Bassy!
Great playing, thnx for the review. Im a big Peter Green fan, not so much care for that nasal hollow out of phase sound so thats not a reason to get this guitar. One wonders about the value on this thing, as years go by. Will it have any value or just dust away like so many Epiphones although just as good instrument as a basic Gibson for the same price, or even slightly better better perhaps due to the hardware ? Epiphone is making som great guitars here with those new inspired by gibson models. But will the value stick ? tricky q....
Man that sounds tasty. I hope I get that good.
I can't get over the pick up rings Epiphone uses.
I will have mine this afternoon, got it from Gear4Music UK at £12,999. Great video like 578.
Sounds great, thanks! I didn't realise the pick-ups in the Epi are potted and the in Gibson they're unpotted. That's a bit weird, isn't it? Big fan of Peter Green but I'm aiming to put Monty's Bethnal Greens into my Cantrell Wino which is closer to my taste with slimmer neck and ebony fretboard 😀
It sounds nice, but I wouldn't pay near Gibson prices for a copy. Laurel fingerboard and Epiphone don't equate to £1500 in my world. I paid £2099 for my Gibby 50s, I honestly don't know why anybody would opt for this. Let's not talk about that horrible matt finish Epiphone keep doing, dreadfully cheap looking.
Sounds sooo good
I've briefly had the opportunity to play this and the Gibson version. The Epiphone is better built and for less but lacks the solid flame top and has a very banana yellow tint to it.
Yep. Ugly guitar. Not sure why they would not try to paint it closer to the REAL Greeny. Maybe even darken up the edges a ,ittle bit to give it that true vintage feel. You basically have a Lemonburst Epi. I also HATE those Laurel fingerboards. For $1500...put on a nicer rosewood neck. PRS SE's all have beautiful Rosewood fingerboards, and those guitars are all under $1000.
@@ApeLikeCreature I can't get past the wood on the neck on this one or the Gibson version.
The Epiphone is better built... lol! - Is it bollocks - NO Epiphone is 'Better Built' than a Gibson. Honestly.
Well yeah. I work in a guitar store. I've played both. The Epi was what I expected. It's the Gibson that let me down, despite the materials being a lot better. I think, mostly, it was the uneven body to binding levels and gaps. None of that on the Epi, and that was a surprise.
I got my first inspired by Epi, a Slash goldtop, and its the best Les Paul I have ever played. Rosewood be damned, at $799 it wails.
NICE guitar, BUT a China made Epiphone getting into GIBSON USA prices is a bit of a joke!
I agree that the 'inspired by' range still represent BETTER value, & if THEY sport the parent head stock shape, well even BETTER
Thanks for the review. How chuncky is the neck? Just curious always found it hard to play the big chunky necks.
It wasn’t mega chunky. Pretty easy to get your hand around.
Thank you for the great review.
Didn't the original have a worn out section around the bridge pick up where moore had played and worn rhe varnish 🤔
This is NOT a relic model!
Man nice feeling in your playing. Kind of like tasting color. But its certainly there.
Thank you!
Love all the complaining, you don't like it, go buy the Gibson one.
...Well yeah. Gibson was selling Demo Shop LP Classics for $1530-$1600 during black Friday. So, of course most people will buy the real deal at the same price 😂
Wow this is what I wait. Second hand 👍
2.6 k here ! Too expensive for a epi
How does a headstock logo "wear" off? 😆 I believe the original Greeny had more than one headstock repair during its life, and was likely painted over. The inlay Gibson logo would remain (sanding would not impact it) while the silk screen Les Paul logo would have not survived the paint/sanding. Or maybe I'm wrong. 🙂
It's nearly worth the money if only they could have put a 2 screw truss rod cover plus a big Gibson logo with made by Epiphone in small letters underneath then it may be worth somewhere near the money.
That, a rosewood fretboard, and a much better veneer.
The "Gibson by Epiphone" thing is interesting. Reminds me of the "Orville By Gibson" guitars made in Japan back in the day.
Why could epiphone not have added a rosewood fretboard to a guitar of this price fender have been able to add a rosewood fretboard to their vintera II range and they cost considerably less than this
Agreed .If I were to guess, they're feeling out the market. With how much backlash they're rightfully getting by slapping Indian Laurel on a $1500 Epiphone, I would assume future "Inspired by custom shop" Epiphones will get the rosewood fretboards.
Hello, sir, one question. What is your opinion of the frets dressed in on the Epi compared to the Gibson Greeny.Thanks.
Good question - and an accurate answer is hard to give. Since I didn’t notice the frets intruding on the playing experience of either guitar, without having both in my hands again, I’m going to have to say both were satisfactory - an A/B comparison would reveal more perhaps but we had to send the USA back before this came in - maybe a good subject for a future video though!
Thanks@@guitarist
Remember when ESP made the LTD? I think Epiphone and Gibson are kind of doing the same thing. The new Epiphones are actually pretty good.
When I saw they were opposed to making a lefty model I wasn't interested, but seeing some of the reviews, it's just an overpriced epiphone. Without the name recognition of GM and others, its def an epiphone only. 1500 will get a lot of great guitars.
Nothing to do with the name on headstock or country of manufacture. The specs simply don't add up. For 1500 you would expect a nice rosewood or Ebony type fingerboard. That body colour is way off and cheap looking too. Like a Sherbet Lemon way too bright. I suspect you are being too kind. Thanks for sharing the review though quite indepth. Appreciated.
Great points and I agree.
The older I get, the more people give me a complex, because to me.. The guitar is Yellow...
Epiphone isn't even slightly close to being overpriced im very happy with there prices you're not going to get high end quality for a budget price so stop whining.
I'll stick to my USA made guitars thank you very much. No toy guitars built in China for me. If you're too poor to buy a real guitar, than shame on you
Extremely overpriced. Chinese import quality, mediocre wood, USA pricing? No thanks. They’ve priced themselves out of the equation.
You re kinda having real old school thoughts on guitar from Asia. I have some shocking news for you: in the high labour pride standards many asian scholars have their competence outperforms overpaid and over valued US workmanship. Many Gibson dollars vanish into a low quality over valued not so motivated workforce.
I do own true Fender Gibson nade instruments, EU based instrument ( Duesenberg, Hagstrom) and Asia based instruments (EPI, PRS SE, Eastman).
There are absolutely not much quality differences, the Dueseys, Eastman and PRS scoring best. In terms of price/quality ratio it s an easy Asian win overall.
It s normal thar their prices are rising. Many US brands are hyped, overvalued and overpriced.
I owned a lot of Gibson custom shop les paul and i was impressed by this epiphone. It s soundind and playing like an expensive one.
Don t be snob and try one .
For $1200 they couldn't put a real flame top on it, kinda lame. Other companies for the price point can do it. Chinese Labor is cheap now so they could easily do it for zero cost.
What guitar brands are giving you a real flame maple top for $1200?
Don't get me wrong, I think the veneer on this guitar is ugly, but I can't recall any brands selling guitars with a real flame top that cheap.
I have 3...in a few years people are gonna be sayin'..hey remember when you could get an Epiphone for only $1500.?
I just tried this guitar at the store... In my view it is way way over priced if you compare it to the other higher quality epiphone prices.. The body top feels exactly like the Vintage V100 greeny model... I would go as far to say that the Vintage V100 version sounds better than this one... The Epiphone greeny that I tried was very heavy in weigh even by les paul values... Its a nice guitar but should be in the £600 to £700 range...I would definitely choose the Vintage V100 PGM over the Epiphone greeny... £1499.00 for an Indian fretboard and stick on maple veneer cap is not what you would expect..
Prices going mad in the guitar world.
Bidenomics
Tried to buy the Epiphone korina explorer and it was horrible. I expect this will be just as bad.
I love mine ! I did get a better deal however for $1100.00 .
Too close to gibson les paul std prices. I will stick with my Epiphone LP Tribute plus 60s.
Guitar looks good. Price not so much...
This should be the Gary Moore greeny… Or Peter Green! But in my opinion, Gary Moore made the guitar popular! Kirk Hammett just had a couple million lying around.
is that a real flame top or a veneer?
You do realize Gibson also uses veneer on their guitars.. Google it
DIDN'T watch LONG enough, DID you?
No one, and I mean NO ONE, can justify this price point. I played one today. Okoume Mahogany, with cheap overseas construction methods. A used Gibson Les Paul traditional goes for only a fee hundred more. There you get a real figured maple cap, rosewood, quality mahogany, better construction, and thats only scratching the surface. You can get any Epiphone Les Paul, swap the pickups, and have the same sounding and feeling guitar. Whoever buys this is a chump.
Epiphone GREEDY. Indian Laurel fretboard, veneer top, poly finish.... nope
I dig the concept and I am cautiously optimistic on what they can do for future inspired by custom shop Epiphones, but the execution could have been done ALOT better for $1500... I can understand no nitro and a Veneer, that's fine. ESP uses Veneers for their E II $2k+ guitars. BUT at least use a better Veneer! I'm sorry, it just looks cheap. The one on the Lazarus looks much better. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if they put a veneer on the back too...
Indian Laurel? On a $1500 guitar? C'mon guys, bring back the rosewood at this price, that's just comical.
They would be smart if they rolled out an "inspired by" '57 Les Paul custom, since they already use Ebony fretboards. They would sell like wildfire with the open book headstock!
Nice!
They call it something and double the price are put a signature on it wake up guitar players !
Buy a now discontinued Gibson Les Paul Tribute,buy the Greeney pickups from Gibson and you’re all set.
check
You are an excellent player and could make most things sound great. I find that to be a very unattractive LP. It looks too yellow and the flame top just kind of looks looks fake / cheap. Maybe that's the effect of getting a satin finish. I would prefer to have this in a plain top with gloss, that would look classier and less fake. Just my opinion, to each their own.
Thanks for the kind words on the playing - aesthetics are hard to be definitive on, very subjective as you say!
@@guitarist Agreed.
So I guess the artist is raking in the loot on this one?
Its a steal !!! Not in a good way though XD
Don't even know why Kirk Emmett even gets a name all on this apart from owning the original
I hate them for naming it Kirk .... that guitar will NEVER Sing again... RIP GARY MOORE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GARY MOORE GREENY !!!!! FOR EVER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A good player can make a cheap guitar or an expensive guitar sound good as long as it's set up properly ! End of story
The look alone doesn’t do it for me. Looks too much like a knockoff. Would have expected a closer look to the Gibson version for the price. Sure it plays and sounds good, but looks very cheap.
Gary had the guitar much longer that Peter Green
1500 pounds of WHAT?🤠
Rip off!
$400 extra just for a headstock shape??
No it's called restored back to top quality
They have cheaper Epiphone’s also. You don’t have to buy the most expensive ones.
Why have a Wanna be. Gibson plus Nothing
If it's made in the CCP's China - then that's the deciding factor against it for me. It's a shame though because if it were made in Indonesia or nearly anywhere else - i'd love to own one.
"the cheapskate ends up paying the most" is even more applicable to a guy plunking Gibson money for an Epiphone guitar. And it does as mentioned below have the corporate Epi 'roided out pup rings to boot. Indian Laurel? Sandy much? Even Pau Ferro is a little better. No offense to the Chinese makers but for example for a lousy $250 more than this Greeny I bought a mint used 2022 Gibson Tony Iommi Monkey SG (list $2400) that comes with a plush case loaded with candy like the birth photo, leather strap, multi tool, docs and monkey sticker and a guitar built in Nashville that gets it's real rosewood board a ride on a Plek machine which is worth a few hundred as a service at any repair/dealer shop, 2 piece mahogany and Tony Iommi labeled pups I'm sorry but I feel like I stole this SG the action is so low and fast but OTOH, $1500 for laurel and laminates and a factory albeit good one in China for the Epi??? No. I kind of like the price and features (ebony board) on the Epi Lucille 335 with varitone and TP-6 fancy bridge with fine adjustment though for $950 THAT is a good looking guitar. But man, bite the bullet and go Nashville new or used you won't be sorry. My 2¢..... uhhhhh elongated. 🎸
Just buy a damn standard and make your own history.
Epiphone Greedy more like. A Veneer Top, Laurel & Hardy fretboard and made in China for €1,700??? - they’re having a laugh 😆
The veneer for this price is what it is imo. Even ESP uses veneers on their $2k+ Eii models. I don't know why, but it seems its easier and cheaper to get a real Flame top guitar from USA brands. Go figure.
That being said, its an ugly veneer, and yes they should have used rosewood.
You will never get your money back on this guitar if you ever sell it. You need to keep it and play it to death 💀 to be worth the price. Just my opinion.
Unfortunately there is nothing worn looking on the guitar. It should have been aged
You must know guitars, you have a British accent
More mutton dressed as lamb
Way overpriced, € 1.700,00…
First off the Epiphone Quingdao facility is completely American owned and operated by Gibson Epiphone USA with American and Asian luthiers did you see that American and Asian luthiers and only Epiphones are made there they are also 70% made by hand just like the little brother Gibson.the Chinese made BS is old and very tiresome..
Sorry but have to be honest! Get a secondhand Gibson! This epi is way overpriced!!
Gibson's aren't even as good as Gibson's in 2024 😂😂😂😂
Remember everyone, play authentic or else Mark Agnesi will find you and burn all of your non authentic guitars 😱
too expensive for “Made in China”
Over priced…and you need to learn how to light a video !,…way too dark !,
OHHHHH come on Man....... u play a KIRK HAMMETT... that means you have to play some METALLICA Stuff and Sounds........... we need High Gain !!!
Well you get Gibson with Epi logo for twice less money. The only downside is poly finish. Not sure why everyone is bitching.
It's a rip-off copy £1500 from a rip-off company