In many of the cases, if one buys the cheaper Epiphone and buys a case and all of the upgraded Gibson parts (And can install everything themselves and not have to pay a luthier), the math adds up to pretty close to the MSRP of the "Inspired by Gibson" model. However, spending an average of $1250 on one of these Epiphones is still a hard sell to me. Mainly because reselling them or trading them later is going to be an issue. Like you saw on the Matt Heafy model. $1100 down to $750. I imagine there will be a lot of buyer's remorse later and they will all hit the used market. At that point, I will give them a further look.
VOS for Gibson is Vintage Original Spec and means it's like a real 1959 that has been sitting in it's case for many decades. Epiphone uses VOS as vintage original SHEEN, so confusing marketing but completely different finish. It is basically just a satin poly finish, and looks really different from the gibson VOS which is still gloss, but is just a more aged finish.
Honestly, most guitars now I feel are too expensive. I just bought an American Pro II Jazzmaster only because the guy was asking $1k for it. I couldn’t bring myself to buy it new for $1899.
Like you, it's hard to justify paying anything close to list when the deals are out there online. Most of the "new" guitars I buy are from dealers offering almost 50% off of "mint" guitars. Thanks for watching!
I like the inspired by Gibson epis. But my biggest problem is they still use flame veneers for a 1300 dollar guitar. Thats ridiculous. If I buy a guitar with a flame maple top and it's ok ver 1000 dollars it better be a real flamed cap.
I have a 2022 black Epi Paul Custom. And i just got the new Epi / Gibson Custom Shop inspired SG The Custom Buckers in the SG are amazing. Especially the middle because it's wired to the bridge pup out of phase. But my old 2018 Epi Paul Custom Alpine White with the push-pulls and the phase knob ripped harder than either of the more expensive ones. Good video Subbed
I bet that old Epi had hotter pickups, output wise. I'm always torn on which sound I like better, hotter pickups that break up quicker or P.A.F. lower output pickups which cause you to crank up the amp. Thanks for watching!
@@SapulpaGuitarAcademy I know they were Pro Buckers but I'm not sure which version. I'm pretty sure my newer LP has the same pups but no push-pulls. I'd totally be upgrading it but my Schecter C-1 SLS FR S Elite Evil Twin (Fishman / Sustaniac) is everything I've ever wanted out of a guitar. All my other guitars feel like toys compared. If my Epi Paul Custom is a Camero, my Schecter is a monster truck. B standard and I haven't played anything in E standard in over a year. Lol I got my SG and it's just sitting on the stand. Looking beautiful.
The Alex Lifeson Epi I just got is incredible and the only flaw on the thing was kind of sloppy red staining on the top’s finish that wasn’t applied correctly but you can only see it if you’re really close to it. Playing the neck pickup makes you feel like you’re flying or swimming around in the ocean!
14:14 My guitar right there!! I’m actually going to use it tonight. Once I had a tech set it up for me, it plays so nice. To get all of these features on a different 335, it would cost you way more. And it’s a 355!! Headstock is the only drawback
@@SapulpaGuitarAcademy Love your channel Chris! Nice to meet you, Chuck from North Carolina here...lol. I'll check out Sweetwater for the Wino.... thanks for the update.😁👍🎸
Could you make a video about pre-CBS Fender guitars, please. Besides their collectibility, why are they so special. Could you compare them to a modern day Fender. Thx
PRS and ESP have had some pretty bad price hikes as well. I would buy an EC-1000 if it was under $1000, but for $1200, it's only $100 less than the Epiphone 1959 with custombuckers.
I admit it, I got the '59 I.B.G. Les Paul because of the open book headstock. I've been an Epi fan boy for almost 20 years and if they came out with open book h.s. back in the '00s my head would have exploded lol. However, the heasdstock isn't the only cool thing about it.. the pickups and playability are great and it has the 'Tele on steroids' sound in spades. Doesn't sound as good as my R8 but it's pretty close!
Got to play one of these recently as well. I will agree that everything about it is a bit better than anything else I've played from Epiphone. It's a noticeable step up in quality and the satin finished neck really makes it nice to play. Even the maple veneer had an nice flame and depth to it. The only issue for me is justifying that $1,499 price tag, when I'm seeing nice used Gibson LP's going for $1,599. Thanks for watching!
Cantrell Prophecy buyer joined the chat My only real gripe with it is that the veneer? overlaps the binding on the horn and it seems to be the same on every unit .. like, damn, they really mass produced and sold one of the most expensive Epiphone guitars with such an obvious cosmetic blemish .. oh well! 🥴
I love the Grecos and I've had a few of them, all with the pancake bodies. However, they were all a fraction of the price of the equivalent Gibson with the same build. Those pancake bodies are heavier and was done as a cost cutting feature that has since been done away with and for good reason. Thanks for watching!
@bnastali It was done for cost cutting reasons, but I've had a few of them back in the day, and they still sounded good. If the weight isn't bothering you, it's really not a problem.
Gibson marketing team. Question one. Do buyers accept the " Inspired by Gibson" Epiphones with Gibson headstock shape and USA pickups? Next step and question, Will buyers accept "Gibson made in China"?
This is great! Now instead of me surfing around looking at guitars, I can just watch this guy surf around and look at guitars...and describe all that is wrong with them. None of which he seems to have EVEN ACTUALLY PLAYED, much less owned. Anyone who wants my opinion of every guitar ever made just reach out to me.
29:25 idk man this guitar is the one i predict will have the highest turnover rate out of these .. tons are selling but THAT FAT BODY .. how many rock guitarists are gonna be happy playing some thick ass casino Riviera guitar body? I think there will be boxes of these for free on street corners
I think the new 59’s are at least in the ballpark on price. I don’t really care about the headstock, but real MOP inlays, custombuckers, and supposedly a more accurate neck profile got me. Bought one, love it. Still expensive. The customs, IMHO, are a bit overpriced only because the 490/498 set, which I love, are not expensive pickups. Beyond that upgrade and the open book, you get a 50’s neck. Hard to understand $500 more than the production models at $799. The greeny and AJ are, to me, a money grab. The greenybuckers are 300 brand new, used they’re $200 all day long. The tops are meh, nothing close to the Lazarus tops which are nice. The AJ has a cool pickup combo, the antique silverburst finish and the chainsaw case. I would love to have one, but I can’t see paying more than $1000. Really enjoyed the video 👍👍
My Epiphone Explorer uses the Indian Laurel fretboard as well. I don't like the look aesthetically more than anything. I'm not sure if these Epiphones are missing much sonically from Gibsons, but the Epiphone's still don't feel the same when you hold them and for players, that's a big factor. That lack of a nitro finish will always be a tell-tale sign for players. Thanks for watching!
i hear they are pretty good, but i was just in GC today and i saw a $129 epiphone SG in matte black that was pretty good for a brand new guitar. $1000 is way too much for the epiphone market
In many of the cases, if one buys the cheaper Epiphone and buys a case and all of the upgraded Gibson parts (And can install everything themselves and not have to pay a luthier), the math adds up to pretty close to the MSRP of the "Inspired by Gibson" model. However, spending an average of $1250 on one of these Epiphones is still a hard sell to me. Mainly because reselling them or trading them later is going to be an issue. Like you saw on the Matt Heafy model. $1100 down to $750. I imagine there will be a lot of buyer's remorse later and they will all hit the used market. At that point, I will give them a further look.
VOS for Gibson is Vintage Original Spec and means it's like a real 1959 that has been sitting in it's case for many decades.
Epiphone uses VOS as vintage original SHEEN, so confusing marketing but completely different finish. It is basically just a satin poly finish, and looks really different from the gibson VOS which is still gloss, but is just a more aged finish.
Places like Sweetwater will say Vintage Original Sheen even on the Gibson Custom Shop models. That makes it even more confusing. Thanks for watching!
Honestly, most guitars now I feel are too expensive. I just bought an American Pro II Jazzmaster only because the guy was asking $1k for it. I couldn’t bring myself to buy it new for $1899.
Like you, it's hard to justify paying anything close to list when the deals are out there online. Most of the "new" guitars I buy are from dealers offering almost 50% off of "mint" guitars. Thanks for watching!
Adam Jones "Art Collection" tells us all we need to know. These were made to hang on a wall and show off.
61 LP SG IGC
63 FB IGC
58 Korina V IGC
Prophecy V
Texan
In the batter's box; Banner J 45
Epiphone earning respect
and every red cent
You're right, they could have done much better in the pickup department for that Alex Lifeson Les Paul.
I love me a Wine Red Gibson Les Paul! That’s my favorite color, to be honest.
Mine too!!
Same honestly. I like it way better than the goofy orange sunburst tops that's for sure
I like the inspired by Gibson epis. But my biggest problem is they still use flame veneers for a 1300 dollar guitar. Thats ridiculous. If I buy a guitar with a flame maple top and it's ok ver 1000 dollars it better be a real flamed cap.
Great point! I bought an Eastman SB59 a few years back for $1,300 and it did have a full mape cap and finished in nitro, too. Thanks for watching!
I have a 2022 black Epi Paul Custom.
And i just got the new Epi / Gibson Custom Shop inspired SG
The Custom Buckers in the SG are amazing.
Especially the middle because it's wired to the bridge pup out of phase.
But my old 2018 Epi Paul Custom Alpine White with the push-pulls and the phase knob ripped harder than either of the more expensive ones.
Good video
Subbed
I bet that old Epi had hotter pickups, output wise. I'm always torn on which sound I like better, hotter pickups that break up quicker or P.A.F. lower output pickups which cause you to crank up the amp. Thanks for watching!
@@SapulpaGuitarAcademy
I know they were Pro Buckers but I'm not sure which version.
I'm pretty sure my newer LP has the same pups but no push-pulls.
I'd totally be upgrading it but my Schecter C-1 SLS FR S Elite Evil Twin (Fishman / Sustaniac)
is everything I've ever wanted out of a guitar.
All my other guitars feel like toys compared.
If my Epi Paul Custom is a Camero, my Schecter is a monster truck.
B standard and I haven't played anything in E standard in over a year.
Lol
I got my SG and it's just sitting on the stand.
Looking beautiful.
The Alex Lifeson Epi I just got is incredible and the only flaw on the thing was kind of sloppy red staining on the top’s finish that wasn’t applied correctly but you can only see it if you’re really close to it. Playing the neck pickup makes you feel like you’re flying or swimming around in the ocean!
14:14 My guitar right there!! I’m actually going to use it tonight. Once I had a tech set it up for me, it plays so nice. To get all of these features on a different 335, it would cost you way more. And it’s a 355!!
Headstock is the only drawback
Are they still making the Jerry Cantrell "Wino?"
Still available on Sweetwater as of today sir. Thanks for watching!
@@SapulpaGuitarAcademy Love your channel Chris! Nice to meet you, Chuck from North Carolina here...lol. I'll check out Sweetwater for the Wino.... thanks for the update.😁👍🎸
Could you make a video about pre-CBS Fender guitars, please. Besides their collectibility, why are they so special. Could you compare them to a modern day Fender. Thx
Price hikes are unfortunately a regular event at Gibson and its affiliate companies.
PRS and ESP have had some pretty bad price hikes as well.
I would buy an EC-1000 if it was under $1000, but for $1200, it's only $100 less than the Epiphone 1959 with custombuckers.
Go grocery shopping lately? Price hikes are everywhere. It's not exclusive to Gibson.
I admit it, I got the '59 I.B.G. Les Paul because of the open book headstock. I've been an Epi fan boy for almost 20 years and if they came out with open book h.s. back in the '00s my head would have exploded lol.
However, the heasdstock isn't the only cool thing about it.. the pickups and playability are great and it has the 'Tele on steroids' sound in spades. Doesn't sound as good as my R8 but it's pretty close!
Got to play one of these recently as well. I will agree that everything about it is a bit better than anything else I've played from Epiphone. It's a noticeable step up in quality and the satin finished neck really makes it nice to play. Even the maple veneer had an nice flame and depth to it. The only issue for me is justifying that $1,499 price tag, when I'm seeing nice used Gibson LP's going for $1,599. Thanks for watching!
Cantrell Prophecy buyer joined the chat
My only real gripe with it is that the veneer? overlaps the binding on the horn and it seems to be the same on every unit .. like, damn, they really mass produced and sold one of the most expensive Epiphone guitars with such an obvious cosmetic blemish .. oh well! 🥴
What is the issue with a pancake body? I have a Greco with that feature and see no problem with it.
I love the Grecos and I've had a few of them, all with the pancake bodies. However, they were all a fraction of the price of the equivalent Gibson with the same build. Those pancake bodies are heavier and was done as a cost cutting feature that has since been done away with and for good reason. Thanks for watching!
@bnastali
It was done for cost cutting reasons, but I've had a few of them back in the day, and they still sounded good.
If the weight isn't bothering you, it's really not a problem.
I agree with the comment about 70s Les Paul’s, they were Horrible!!!!
Right , 70's Les Paul get lots of hate . But there selling for 3 , 4 , 5 k $$$ now a days used .
I love my Epiphone s, but it would be hard for me to justify buying a new one now, especially in this abysmal economy.
"Bidenomics is working"-Dementia Joe
Surplus economy
In every way possible measurable
you're welcome!
Gibson marketing team. Question one. Do buyers accept the " Inspired by Gibson" Epiphones with Gibson headstock shape and USA pickups? Next step and question, Will buyers accept "Gibson made in China"?
This is great! Now instead of me surfing around looking at guitars, I can just watch this guy surf around and look at guitars...and describe all that is wrong with them. None of which he seems to have EVEN ACTUALLY PLAYED, much less owned. Anyone who wants my opinion of every guitar ever made just reach out to me.
😅😅😅
29:25 idk man this guitar is the one i predict will have the highest turnover rate out of these .. tons are selling but THAT FAT BODY .. how many rock guitarists are gonna be happy playing some thick ass casino Riviera guitar body? I think there will be boxes of these for free on street corners
Totally agree on the hazy veneers, specially when PRS SEs also use Veneers and they look way better than Epi's
I'd be more forgiving....but Laural and no case? No, thank you. In fact, I've paid $1,100 for an Epiphone. But it has an ebony board.
I think the new 59’s are at least in the ballpark on price. I don’t really care about the headstock, but real MOP inlays, custombuckers, and supposedly a more accurate neck profile got me. Bought one, love it. Still expensive. The customs, IMHO, are a bit overpriced only because the 490/498 set, which I love, are not expensive pickups. Beyond that upgrade and the open book, you get a 50’s neck. Hard to understand $500 more than the production models at $799. The greeny and AJ are, to me, a money grab. The greenybuckers are 300 brand new, used they’re $200 all day long. The tops are meh, nothing close to the Lazarus tops which are nice. The AJ has a cool pickup combo, the antique silverburst finish and the chainsaw case. I would love to have one, but I can’t see paying more than $1000. Really enjoyed the video 👍👍
19:15 Epiphone would have to pay me to play a guitar with a top that ugly lol
24:00 The Floyd Paul 😂😭
26:15 Toothpaste metallic blue 😂
The Les Paul has a laurel fretboard for 1200 plus dollars. Not good. They are not the same as Gibsons. Don’t sound the same.
My Epiphone Explorer uses the Indian Laurel fretboard as well. I don't like the look aesthetically more than anything. I'm not sure if these Epiphones are missing much sonically from Gibsons, but the Epiphone's still don't feel the same when you hold them and for players, that's a big factor. That lack of a nitro finish will always be a tell-tale sign for players. Thanks for watching!
Surprisingly better, I agree!
I do like the wine red Les Paul Studio. I do not like the price tag for no binding on the neck.
i hear they are pretty good, but i was just in GC today and i saw a $129 epiphone SG in matte black that was pretty good for a brand new guitar. $1000 is way too much for the epiphone market
Gibson humbucker's suck !!
Only to your ears...
I have seen Epiphones play better than actual Gibsons.
With your eyes?
Amazing!
I play by ear
to let my fingers rest.
@@LewisShieldsUS Ahhh yeah
Me, too!