I don't know where you're getting the information on the Chinese built ones being lesser. The fact is Epiphone owns and operates their factory in China, the people managing that factory are not Chinese, but sent to China from Gibson. There's videos on RUclips doing tours of that factory. By owning the factory, they have complete control of the build process and quality assurance checks... When Epiphone builds in Indonesia, they build through Samick. So what happens is, the Samick factory will get the specs Epiphone wants, Samick will setup that assembly line to build a batch of Hummingbirds, they may run that line for a few days or weeks, then they tear it down. Samick quality assurance staff will do the checks on Epiphone's behalf, the entire build is subcontracted to Samick and this is like, all Indonesian built guitars and people rave about them, because Samick has gotten really good... The problem is consistency, when you're building these assembly lines and tearing them down, that entire team has to learn or re-learn how to build that model for each batch... In the Epiphone factory in China, you have a small team focused just on Epiphone acoustics so the consistency goes way up... I love my Indonesian built Epiphone IBG J-45, but man I played one of the newer Chinese built ones and it was lighter and sounded a bit better.
Just found a 2024 Hummingbird in antique natural for $550 in great shape.It should arrive at my house tomorrow. I just noticed it has the Indonesian sticker on the back of the headstock and the 23 code in the serial number. I recently played a Chinese one in Guitar Center and it sounded amazing but picked this one up because it was way cheaper and antique natural which I prefer. I didn't even know about the Indonesian plant Vs the Chinese plant controversy until after I bought it.. Can't wait to play it now and see if there is any difference in sound and build quality
Dude just play the dang thing and make your decision based on your own experience. I bought an Inspired by Gibson Epiphone ES-335 made in China and it's a dang nice guitar.
was gonna say, i'm pretty sure if you get one of good quality (which do exist, just because something is mass produced doesn't mean all of the models have defects), they're just as good as the indonesian ones, and i've even heard they're lighter in weight, possibly bringing the resonance closer to that of a gibson. glad you like your chinabird, my indobird is pretty sweet too, but i really wanna compare it to the chinese ones now haha.
I've done a video with the older version of Masterbilt series where I compared China vs Indonesia and honestly the China sounded way better, louder and more like a vintage instrument... Lighter weight and just resonant
@@brentpalmer2577 It looks that it's more about the finishing laquer thickness weight... A better scalloped bracing ( lighter and thinner) would make also for a more resonating guitar top
I purchased an epiphone excellante made in indonesia, and it is one of the nicest playing nicest built guitars I have ever owned. I also recently purchased a dove made in China, and it also is a beautifully made and fantastic sounding guitar. I heard the same information about the indonesian guitars being superior so I ordered the Dove Studio from sweetwater. This Indonesian dove doesn't sound anywhere near as good as the Chinese dove. In fact, it sounds like a parlor guitar instead of a dreadnought in comparison. The build quality is definitely there, but the sound definitely is not.
It doesn't matter where it's made; If it's here, I would play it to form my own opinion instead of relying on what other people said. Don't forget that the Chinese made is from Epiphone's own factory where they've complete control of the quality while the Indonesia made is from a contractor. I tried the Indonesia made Hummingbird at Guitar Center a while ago, it sounded good but not loud. I remember it was a well built but heavy guitar.
I have a Chinese j-45 and I love it. Very resonant en real good sounding. The finish is more satin than semi gloss though but on the plus side the Chinese ones are lighter. Who needs side bracing it seems so over engineered?
So you just base your opinion on that sticker at the back of the headstock to send it back. You didnt even strum the guitar. My Epi Hummingbird can be out there against the ones that cost 4 times as much and there isn't a big difference in sound. I did went to a music store and picked it out against 4 other guitars and came out best. Especially acoustic guitars should be tested and played before buying, there are too many variables
Same thing happened to me, every looked terrible and I noticed when I looked at the back of the head stock all the tuners were different and the cheap plastic on the bridge!! Put back in the box immediately to return to sender, never gonna buy from ZZounds again!
For those on the fence I wouldn't write off the Chinese IBG Hummingbirds. I just got one and it's better than the Indonesian IBG guitars I've had. A J200 and a J45. Like with any guitar, you need to find a good one. They are putting out good guitars.
Another RUclipsr who knows his Epiphones can break down the serial number to pinpoint exactly what factory it was made in. m.ruclips.net/video/fCVMWL6nl7g/видео.html&pp=ygUYRXBpcGhvbmViSUJHIGh1bW1pbmdiaXJk
I agree with you, Michael - I'd send it back. $800 is not a small amount of $$$, as far as I'm concerned. I have always bought directly from Epiphone (several times) and always have been satisfied with what they sent me. It's worth the minimal extra cost, IMHO. Good luck - hope you get a good model of this beautiful acoustic - if you buy it again.
Firstly, when you want to buy an instrument of a certain value, you go to a store, you try it, you look, you listen, you make your personal choice. Second, is having the right country of origin more important than the qualities of the instrument itself? Why would a guitar made in China be intrinsically bad compared to a guitar made in Indonesia, if you buy with your eyes closed? Epiphone clearly indicates on its website that the characteristics of each instrument may change at any time without having to expressly notify it. These are the rules of the game. Finally, why not save more and choose a guitar made in the USA, if provenance and authenticity are so important to you? “Play Authentic!” said an enlightened man... Cheers, from Brittany !
I own a ibg Hummingbird 12str, I bought it 4 (,?) years ago, it was made in Indonesia, It has grover tuners, and a bone nut and bridge piece. It's a lovely instrument, although took 6 months to finally get the action right. I also own a epi masterbilt Zenith f hole archtop, again it was manufactured in Indonesia. Iv had it 8yrs, it's a brilliant instrument.
@@ccdeweese All I'm saying is I sent back the Chinese version which you can see that video on here as well. And I got the Indonesian version the second time around and it was way way better.
@@Terrancem4538 ok. Glad you got something you like. I had an Epiphone SG from South Korea that I liked. Now I have a Gibson SG from Nashville. I have a G&L Legacy Tribute from Indonesia. My first electric guitar was a Cort Les Paul from Korea too back in 1984.
Just wondering if you tuned that China made one up and gave it a try. Their were three of them Strait music in Austin Texas 2 made in Indonesia and one in China . I have had three of the Indonesian and they all super sound and crafted. But the China made sounded better than the Indonesia this time at the store hands down by me and 4 other musicians . I guess they slip a rib-bi in with the pork chops every now and then . lol . Hollar back at me if you play Ed it . Thanks Jeff Clark out of Rockdale Texas
Hey Jeff thanks for the reply. Yes I did tune it up and it didn't sound bad at all. In fact I really couldn't tell the difference of the sound from the Indonesian model. I guess what turned me off the most about it was they lied to me and promised me it would be Indonesian made and the fact that I could tell that it had cheaper made material as far as the saddle and the nut. The finish was definitely different as well and to be honest it felt a little lighter than the Indonesian model. And on the sidewood on the inside there was no sidebracing whatsoever the Indonesian model is full of side bracing. They shouldn't be charging the same price as far as I'm concerned. But yes they do slip in a ribeye with the pork chops every now and then haha.
Yep ! I would have been tee- off too. They are most definitely built lighter. The Indonesia made is better craftsman ship. That price on the china should be less . But for strumming the hell out it at local bars the China made will work. The hummingbird ibg is the only one I really thought was way beyond it price. The j-45 and sj-200 didn’t impress me at all while other’s thought they were great.
What a heart sinking moment. Sadly the good Chinese made guitars are not much cheaper than Gibsons or Fenders. I am talking about Eastmans and Shijie. They are exceptional. EART are trying but still use cheap electrics. So I am told.
So they did take the Chinese model back and set me an endonesian model they said it's luck of the drawl and I obviously got lucky by getting the Indonesian model. World of difference so much better than the Chinese model not even comparable.
Just wanted to thank you for this, & your follow-up video! I'm in a similar situation now with the lower price point dove studio solid top w/ fisherman sonitone, & am unsure how I want to proceed. It was delivered yesterday, & it's gorgeous as hell but only the low-e string had tension backed off, & when I began tuning it up to play, the low-e as well as the g-string kept slipping loudly which told me the setup was off. The wraps around the posts all appeared to be normal, but man, the strings were all so tightly wound, I ended up backing them off to try too tune it lower because I was afraid the bridge was going to fly across the room from all the tension! It's never taken me that kind of time tuning a guitar before, & instinctively knew it was a poor setup, & was about to do a full setup with a fresh set of strings when I noticed on the Epiphone website that to make an exchange, the guitar has to be virtually untouched, & I'm sitting here wondering if I'll get anywhere now that it's 10 months later (your experience) combined with many of the comments indicating that no Indonesian guitars have been made for over a year, & unlike you who was told overt the phone that you wouldn't be getting a Chinese version, I assumed that what I've read in all the forums, heard in online groups, & all evidence indicating that all the higher priced Epiphone acoustics were, & had been made in Indonesia for the past decade. I'm still indignant that mine is Chinese though, & suppose I'll just send this online form to Epiphone to request an exchange, & hold off on changing the strings...
You need to get the Malaysian made model It was very good. U must have had a remainder China made one. Too bad. Send back and request the good one. I have a Gibson 68 hummingbird and I have played the epi Malaysia one and I like it too. Especially at that price!
![Epiphone Factory Tour in China [English Subtitles] - presented by Digimart](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LRczd_ZEf4E/mqdefault.jpg)
I don't know where you're getting the information on the Chinese built ones being lesser. The fact is Epiphone owns and operates their factory in China, the people managing that factory are not Chinese, but sent to China from Gibson. There's videos on RUclips doing tours of that factory. By owning the factory, they have complete control of the build process and quality assurance checks... When Epiphone builds in Indonesia, they build through Samick. So what happens is, the Samick factory will get the specs Epiphone wants, Samick will setup that assembly line to build a batch of Hummingbirds, they may run that line for a few days or weeks, then they tear it down. Samick quality assurance staff will do the checks on Epiphone's behalf, the entire build is subcontracted to Samick and this is like, all Indonesian built guitars and people rave about them, because Samick has gotten really good... The problem is consistency, when you're building these assembly lines and tearing them down, that entire team has to learn or re-learn how to build that model for each batch... In the Epiphone factory in China, you have a small team focused just on Epiphone acoustics so the consistency goes way up... I love my Indonesian built Epiphone IBG J-45, but man I played one of the newer Chinese built ones and it was lighter and sounded a bit better.
Just found a 2024 Hummingbird in antique natural for $550 in great shape.It should arrive at my house tomorrow. I just noticed it has the Indonesian sticker on the back of the headstock and the 23 code in the serial number. I recently played a Chinese one in Guitar Center and it sounded amazing but picked this one up because it was way cheaper and antique natural which I prefer. I didn't even know about the Indonesian plant Vs the Chinese plant controversy until after I bought it.. Can't wait to play it now and see if there is any difference in sound and build quality
Dude just play the dang thing and make your decision based on your own experience. I bought an Inspired by Gibson Epiphone ES-335 made in China and it's a dang nice guitar.
Those hollow bodies they make are great! I just got a Chinabird and it's better than the Indonesian ones I had. J200 and J45.
Man I just bought one made in China mine is really nice .
Epiphone guitars rock ❤ .
was gonna say, i'm pretty sure if you get one of good quality (which do exist, just because something is mass produced doesn't mean all of the models have defects), they're just as good as the indonesian ones, and i've even heard they're lighter in weight, possibly bringing the resonance closer to that of a gibson. glad you like your chinabird, my indobird is pretty sweet too, but i really wanna compare it to the chinese ones now haha.
Mine is also a great guitar. Better than the Indonesian IBGs I had.
I've done a video with the older version of Masterbilt series where I compared China vs Indonesia and honestly the China sounded way better, louder and more like a vintage instrument... Lighter weight and just resonant
the China made is more light weight because it has less internal bracing than the Indo. made guitars
@@brentpalmer2577 It looks that it's more about the finishing laquer thickness weight... A better scalloped bracing ( lighter and thinner) would make also for a more resonating guitar top
Sounds louder but not richer … no detail in the sound in testes both i l prefer indonesia with grover tuners
My Chinese Hummingbird sounds better than the Indonesian J-200 and J-45 I had.
@@omytupapa Mine has more detail and resonance than the Indonesian IBG's I've had. The trick is finding a good one, no matter where it was made.
I purchased an epiphone excellante made in indonesia, and it is one of the nicest playing nicest built guitars I have ever owned. I also recently purchased a dove made in China, and it also is a beautifully made and fantastic sounding guitar. I heard the same information about the indonesian guitars being superior so I ordered the Dove Studio from sweetwater. This Indonesian dove doesn't sound anywhere near as good as the Chinese dove. In fact, it sounds like a parlor guitar instead of a dreadnought in comparison. The build quality is definitely there, but the sound definitely is not.
It doesn't matter where it's made; If it's here, I would play it to form my own opinion instead of relying on what other people said. Don't forget that the Chinese made is from Epiphone's own factory where they've complete control of the quality while the Indonesia made is from a contractor. I tried the Indonesia made Hummingbird at Guitar Center a while ago, it sounded good but not loud. I remember it was a well built but heavy guitar.
I have a Chinese j-45 and I love it. Very resonant en real good sounding. The finish is more satin than semi gloss though but on the plus side the Chinese ones are lighter. Who needs side bracing it seems so over engineered?
My Chinese Hummingbird is better than the Indonesian j-200 and J-45 I had.
So you just base your opinion on that sticker at the back of the headstock to send it back. You didnt even strum the guitar. My Epi Hummingbird can be out there against the ones that cost 4 times as much and there isn't a big difference in sound. I did went to a music store and picked it out against 4 other guitars and came out best. Especially acoustic guitars should be tested and played before buying, there are too many variables
Chinese inspired by Gibson Hummingbirds are great! I'd ask the dude if he has anything in his house made in China, lol.
Feel sorry for the guys at the Indonesian factory. Did too good a job so production was switched to China.
Same thing happened to me, every looked terrible and I noticed when I looked at the back of the head stock all the tuners were different and the cheap plastic on the bridge!! Put back in the box immediately to return to sender, never gonna buy from ZZounds again!
For those on the fence I wouldn't write off the Chinese IBG Hummingbirds. I just got one and it's better than the Indonesian IBG guitars I've had. A J200 and a J45. Like with any guitar, you need to find a good one. They are putting out good guitars.
Another RUclipsr who knows his Epiphones can break down the serial number to pinpoint exactly what factory it was made in.
m.ruclips.net/video/fCVMWL6nl7g/видео.html&pp=ygUYRXBpcGhvbmViSUJHIGh1bW1pbmdiaXJk
Gibson sends most of their guitars out with plastic saddles and nuts too...
You are correct
Dude I just bought a china humming bird it's awsome plugged in. Great guitar I'm going to swap to bone pins
I agree with you, Michael - I'd send it back. $800 is not a small amount of $$$, as far as I'm concerned. I have always bought directly from Epiphone (several times) and always have been satisfied with what they sent me. It's worth the minimal extra cost, IMHO. Good luck - hope you get a good model of this beautiful acoustic - if you buy it again.
I got a new one and it is Indonesian made they took the Chinese one back.
Glad to hear it - enjoy! @@Terrancem4538
Firstly, when you want to buy an instrument of a certain value, you go to a store, you try it, you look, you listen, you make your personal choice.
Second, is having the right country of origin more important than the qualities of the instrument itself?
Why would a guitar made in China be intrinsically bad compared to a guitar made in Indonesia, if you buy with your eyes closed?
Epiphone clearly indicates on its website that the characteristics of each instrument may change at any time without having to expressly notify it. These are the rules of the game.
Finally, why not save more and choose a guitar made in the USA, if provenance and authenticity are so important to you?
“Play Authentic!” said an enlightened man...
Cheers, from Brittany !
I’ve had mine almost a year and love it
They are inspired by Indonesia.
🤣🤣🤣
I own a ibg Hummingbird 12str, I bought it 4 (,?) years ago, it was made in Indonesia, It has grover tuners, and a bone nut and bridge piece. It's a lovely instrument, although took 6 months to finally get the action right. I also own a epi masterbilt Zenith f hole archtop, again it was manufactured in Indonesia. Iv had it 8yrs, it's a brilliant instrument.
Yeah, I ended up with a Chinese IBG Hummingbird. It's a far cry from the Indonesian made! Epiphone is ripping us off!
Gibson opened a factory in China 20 years ago for Epiphone. They are not using the Cort Factory in Indonesia.
@@ccdeweese the were actually usually the old Samick factory in Indonesia.
@@ccdeweese All I'm saying is I sent back the Chinese version which you can see that video on here as well. And I got the Indonesian version the second time around and it was way way better.
@@Terrancem4538 ok. Glad you got something you like. I had an Epiphone SG from South Korea that I liked. Now I have a Gibson SG from Nashville. I have a G&L Legacy Tribute from Indonesia. My first electric guitar was a Cort Les Paul from Korea too back in 1984.
3:36 seconds of a 5:37 second video....just to unbox the guitar.
Just wondering if you tuned that China made one up and gave it a try. Their were three of them Strait music in Austin Texas 2 made in Indonesia and one in China . I have had three of the Indonesian and they all super sound and crafted. But the China made sounded better than the Indonesia this time at the store hands down by me and 4 other musicians . I guess they slip a rib-bi in with the pork chops every now and then . lol . Hollar back at me if you play Ed it . Thanks Jeff Clark out of Rockdale Texas
Hey Jeff thanks for the reply. Yes I did tune it up and it didn't sound bad at all. In fact I really couldn't tell the difference of the sound from the Indonesian model. I guess what turned me off the most about it was they lied to me and promised me it would be Indonesian made and the fact that I could tell that it had cheaper made material as far as the saddle and the nut. The finish was definitely different as well and to be honest it felt a little lighter than the Indonesian model. And on the sidewood on the inside there was no sidebracing whatsoever the Indonesian model is full of side bracing. They shouldn't be charging the same price as far as I'm concerned. But yes they do slip in a ribeye with the pork chops every now and then haha.
Yep ! I would have been tee- off too. They are most definitely built lighter. The Indonesia made is better craftsman ship. That price on the china should be less . But for strumming the hell out it at local bars the China made will work. The hummingbird ibg is the only one I really thought was way beyond it price. The j-45 and sj-200 didn’t impress me at all while other’s thought they were great.
I could not agree more the J45 and the JS200 did not impress me whatsoever not even close.
Bought a Epiphone Dove. Its nice but the quality control isnt great. Its put me off a bit.
The bridge and saddle are not plastic, quit telling lies dude.
That looks like the $499. Not the $899
Who the fuck said these are “made in Indonesia” ?
I understand they use cheaper wood and steel in China, cost savings
My Chinese one is better than the Indonesian IBGs I've had.
If its built in Indonesia all the inspired by Gibson models will have the 5th and 6th digits of the serial number being 32, top tip.
It’s not 32. It’s 23.
What a heart sinking moment. Sadly the good Chinese made guitars are not much cheaper than Gibsons or Fenders. I am talking about Eastmans and Shijie. They are exceptional. EART are trying but still use cheap electrics. So I am told.
So they did take the Chinese model back and set me an endonesian model they said it's luck of the drawl and I obviously got lucky by getting the Indonesian model. World of difference so much better than the Chinese model not even comparable.
I just made an updated video if you guys want to go check it out
Just wanted to thank you for this, & your follow-up video! I'm in a similar situation now with the lower price point dove studio solid top w/ fisherman sonitone, & am unsure how I want to proceed. It was delivered yesterday, & it's gorgeous as hell but only the low-e string had tension backed off, & when I began tuning it up to play, the low-e as well as the g-string kept slipping loudly which told me the setup was off. The wraps around the posts all appeared to be normal, but man, the strings were all so tightly wound, I ended up backing them off to try too tune it lower because I was afraid the bridge was going to fly across the room from all the tension! It's never taken me that kind of time tuning a guitar before, & instinctively knew it was a poor setup, & was about to do a full setup with a fresh set of strings when I noticed on the Epiphone website that to make an exchange, the guitar has to be virtually untouched, & I'm sitting here wondering if I'll get anywhere now that it's 10 months later (your experience) combined with many of the comments indicating that no Indonesian guitars have been made for over a year, & unlike you who was told overt the phone that you wouldn't be getting a Chinese version, I assumed that what I've read in all the forums, heard in online groups, & all evidence indicating that all the higher priced Epiphone acoustics were, & had been made in Indonesia for the past decade. I'm still indignant that mine is Chinese though, & suppose I'll just send this online form to Epiphone to request an exchange, & hold off on changing the strings...
You need to get the Malaysian made model
It was very good. U must have had a remainder China made one. Too bad. Send back and request the good one. I have a Gibson 68 hummingbird and I have played the epi Malaysia one and I like it too. Especially at that price!
all are made in china the last indonisian samak ones stopped more than a year ago.
china ones are just as good!
Wait a $300.00 guitar is Shite?
What's $300?