307 Reply by StewartW (edited by StewartW 2011-02-11 09:58:41)

  • From: Essex UK
  • Registered: 2010-03-19
  • Posts: 164

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Ian916 wrote:

I might be wrong but the assumption that these broken necks are from impact damage must surely be wrong? Having so many must be due to manufacturing failure, that headstock is not connected to that neck right surely?

Nobody likes a SA, so sorry for this but I just would not buy a guitar without seeing and playing it, which is probably why I will never have a Joe signature model as there are too many people who will order up-front without playing the thing. And that goes for Gibson as well as Epiphone (and Fender), - there appears to be be too much variance in quality.

I think that the Epi range was a toe in the water testing market reaction before launching a £1000 Gibson which has now happened. But again i have read too many message-board posts about varying Gibson quality control to pay before play. Sorry to be glass half empty on this.

Hi Ian,

I understand what you are saying about a manufacturing failure, the problem is that the Les Paul has an inherent design floor in the neck/headstock area, that's why if you breathe to heavilly on a Les Paul the neck can break. There is no connection between the neck and the headstock it's all carved from one piece of Mahogany.

Now, bearing in mind how fragile a Les Paul neck is to begin with, ship it in a low quality case (without adequate packing and also with the strings tuned to playing pitch) and you have a recipe for disaster.

I have just heard from a guitar salesman at PMT who has spoken to Gibson QC in Europe and he has been told that there is an issue with the quality of the cases that are being shipped with the Epi JB inside them, this could account for the seemingly high number of breakages. I would be interested to know if the guys that have recieved theirs already noticed whether the guitar was pretty much tuned. The strings should be substantially de-tuned prior to shipping to reduce the pressure on the neck during transit.

Have Fun and laugh like it's your first time! You never know you might get to like it! big_smile
  • Registered: 2010-12-07
  • Posts: 49

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

YorkieDav wrote:
NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

Is there serial numbers on these? Time for a JB Epi Registry?

Yep, and include the busted ones on there too.

that might not be a bad idea in case they show up as 'new' again. . . .

www.myspace.com/orogenymusic
www.purevolume.com/orogeny
  • From: Central PA, USA
  • Registered: 2007-11-18
  • Posts: 1,037

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

michaeljohn wrote:
YorkieDav wrote:
NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

Is there serial numbers on these? Time for a JB Epi Registry?

Yep, and include the busted ones on there too.

that might not be a bad idea in case they show up as 'new' again. . . .

I've been wondering what happens to the busted ones that are returned to the manufacturer AND what happens to that serial number?  Depending on the severity of the problem, do they attempt to repair it, and resell it?  Or, if it's trashed, is that serial number forever out of circulation, or do they build a replacement for that serial number?  If they're not replacing the trashed ones, then this is REALLY gonna be a limited run.  I'm not a player or a buyer, so forgive me for not knowing how it works, but in reading about all these problems the past few weeks, I've become curious.

--Vik cool

  • Registered: 2010-10-28
  • Posts: 9

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

BONAMETAL !!!  That is a great idea ....
For all I know I might even have someone who return this to where ever with a twisted headstock..
I'm kind of new to this forum....It's been about 30 years now since I bought an Epiphone guitar...
I seen the Gibson model.....it played nice was too expensive for me...
I already have 11 guitars..
Also didn't like the custom shop AGED marks all over it anyway...especially on the back of the neck...
Once I heard JB was going to endorse a EPI version I joined this forum and ordered mine from AMS....
Truthfully I know JB tours many days out of the year but if I was famous and was going to endorse 1000 guitars I would look at ALL 1000 and sign the pick guard the send them on the little brown trucks !!!!
I might sound bitter and I am because my JB headstock has a definite TWIST and like I said the pick-ups and pots make it sound sooooooooo good...
Just too bad there wasn't better Epiphone quality control for JB !!!!!!!
My serial number is !!!!!! 10101511817......I've changed the name of this guitar from a JB Les Paul to TWISTY !!!

  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,857

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

YorkieDav wrote:
NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

Is there serial numbers on these? Time for a JB Epi Registry?

Yep, and include the busted ones on there too.

A sub category for the broken ones. The pics I've seen of the broken ones look like the nut slot was cut half of the neck deep!

Buying online isn't as risky as one might think. If you buy from a reputable store, returns are usually not a problem. I do however wonder how the stores are dealing with all of these damaged necks? I also prefer play then pay but it's not always a option for certain makes/models if they're a limited issue.

  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2011-01-01
  • Posts: 411

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Mine wasn't broken at the headstock.  There was a  8"  diagonal crack in the neck starting about 3" from the headstock.  With the design issue, seems is it was a handling issue it would have broken at the headstock.

Bonaburst #18, JB Epi #191, MusicMan Darklord, LP Cherryburst Traditional Plus, Gigliotti GT, Takamine, Takamine 12 string, Martin D-28 & GPCPA1, Fender Amer STD Strat, Fender Custom Shop Gold Metalflake, Custom "OSU" Wagner Tele, Gibson SG Limited Govt Model, Jim Kelly Combo
  • From: Ireland
  • Registered: 2010-10-25
  • Posts: 57

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Just recieved mine from Thomann and knowing my luck its got a twisted headstock mad . So should I send it back or keep it. Upon first inspection it seems to be the only flaw apart from some very minor finish work.

Guitars: Epiphone JBLP, Epiphone Les Paul Custom
Amps: Marshall Vintage Modern, 18 watt clone
  • Josh J
  • Silver Member
  • Offline
  • From: Tampa FL
  • Registered: 2010-07-21
  • Posts: 53

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Mine came in, every thing looks good and plays great, but i did notice that the neck pickup is kind of free floating in its mount, ( can move it a little with my finger)this is my first les paul epi guitar so is this normal or does something need to be adjusted, oh the bridge pick up is tight can't move this move with your finger.

315 Reply by Spider (edited by Spider 2011-02-11 13:30:36)

  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,857

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

The pickups are attached to the pickup rings by two screws and a spring in between. It's normal that they move about. Essentially they "float". No they're not solid mounted.

Damn password crap makes half your message disappear.  neutral

316 Reply by Petty

  • Registered: 2010-12-26
  • Posts: 14

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Indy wrote:

When it rains it pours!

Last week I went looking for a dealer who may still have stock or guitars on backorder and had no luck.  Just the other day Petty recommended George's Music and as luck would have it they had the guitar in one of their stores and now it is being shipped to Philly and should be here Monday.  By chance I also called ZZounds and was also able to get on their backorder list since they had not sold them all, but delivery is not expected until sometime after March 10th.  Then I get a call this morning from Guitar Center and they have one as well and it is now being shipped to a nearby Guitar Center store.

So now I have three guitars coming to Philly, what's a poor sod to do?  Based on what I have read on this thread I think it would be wise to at least let the two guitars come to George's & Guitar Center and pick the best one and if I get a good one out those two I'll cancel my ZZounds order.

Or could there be any reason to own two of these guitars?

Dont know if you made your mind up yet Indy. But since your getting two play both, then pick your favorite and sell the other to someone on the board. I'm not sure there will be much difference. The one I played at Georges played EXACTLY like mine. Usually no two guitars are the same but my opinion these were.

Also for the guys who got their guitars. How do you like it after the "honeymoon period"? Still love mine, I think it's my number 1 for the time being.

Andrew Petty
  • Registered: 2006-05-31
  • Posts: 184

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

+1 here on starting an Epi registry if for no other reason than to hopefully keep an eye on those busted ones.

As I stated before, mine (#934) has an almost unnoticeable twist in the headstock. You really have to look for it to see it, so I have decided to keep the guitar as it plays and sounds great.  tongue 

I have two other Gibson's. A LP Classic Antique and an ES339. Both of those cases have better support for the headstock than the Epi case. Don't know if that was an issue in the breakage problem, but info in another thread seemed to point that way as a possibility.

My Epi was detuned slightly when I got it. I have always heard that a guitar should be detuned for shipping to relieve pressure on the neck allowing for expansion and contraction due to temperature changes if nothing else. Makes sense to me. If that didn't happen on these, the tension could have been another contributing factor to the breakage. Just a thought.

Nothin' but the Blues
  • Registered: 2010-10-28
  • Posts: 9

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Hey Jimmy......I just got back from my guitar guy.....And without any BS he's the best around here in Western NY.....Everybody goes to him and most all of the dealers use him to....
Anyway.....I showed him the twist in my headstock and he took me back and showed me 3,000 Gibson with a worse twist and they've been that way for at least 10 years and still play fine.....
He also showed me at least six Gibson LP's with headstocks broken right off....He said it's a thing he repairs all the time and to him it's no big deal.....

Look at your nut at the E and A string.......I bet it's way too high like mine also....
That's a problem that could easily be fixed as well.....
My bridge was set-up wrong and the last three strings were about to snap......He said he'll fix that to...
Plus a few little things I wanted done....Hey for 50 bucks it's gonna be a great looking and sounding guitar
Well worth it !!!!!!!!!!
I know it sounds great I didn't put it down since Wednesday when the little brown truck brought it to me.....
So my luthier made my day plus even had in stock three tung-sol 12AX7's with GOLD pins.......
What a day......it's about time.........LOL
Have it check out real good.......check for cracks and your guitar guru should give your JB LP a clean bill of health to.......

  • From: Ireland
  • Registered: 2010-10-25
  • Posts: 57

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Thanks for the advice deeblues, I think i'll hold onto it as it's a great guitar. Im already loving the neck having just played it for an hour or so. big_smile

Guitars: Epiphone JBLP, Epiphone Les Paul Custom
Amps: Marshall Vintage Modern, 18 watt clone
  • Registered: 2010-11-09
  • Posts: 23

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

I've had mine since the first week in Jan and still really, really like it....have looked it over carefully two or three times or more and haven't found any issues yet...my action was set just where I like it and I might need to adjust the intonation just a hair...but at this time, no neck issues, knob issues or finish issues...love the baseball bat neck and the Burstbuckers....one quesiton though...

serial number is 10101509086.....I know the 1010 means Oct of 2010 and the 15 means the Quingdao, China plant but whats the 09086 mean?  I knowit refers to the production number but...later.

cowboy

321 Reply by Petty (edited by Petty 2011-02-12 09:35:45)

  • Registered: 2010-12-26
  • Posts: 14

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d116/ … G_0801.jpg

Here is mine after it's first bar gig last night. We do alot of slower songs but last night was kinda rockin since i brought this thing and a Class 5.

Andrew Petty
  • Registered: 2011-02-09
  • Posts: 2

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Mine is perfectly set up right from the box (though the strings are a bit light for me).
SN is 10101509073. 073 or 086 in your case might be the number from 000 to 999 for the 1000 JB produced.
It's just a guess !

  • Registered: 2010-12-30
  • Posts: 49

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Jerrdogg wrote:

Well #2 got here today, so excited.  sad  Maybe I'll just finsh my LP build,and get Joe to sign it .   Gotta go,have to find a can of gold paint for the build. roll

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii18 … rs/ep2.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii18 … rs/ep3.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii18 … rs/Ep1.jpg
http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii18 … rs/ep4.jpg

That sucks Jerrdog.  Did you at least keep one of the others on order?  If not, maybe you can try a replacement neck...

  • Registered: 2010-12-30
  • Posts: 49

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Petty wrote:
Indy wrote:

When it rains it pours!

Last week I went looking for a dealer who may still have stock or guitars on backorder and had no luck.  Just the other day Petty recommended George's Music and as luck would have it they had the guitar in one of their stores and now it is being shipped to Philly and should be here Monday.  By chance I also called ZZounds and was also able to get on their backorder list since they had not sold them all, but delivery is not expected until sometime after March 10th.  Then I get a call this morning from Guitar Center and they have one as well and it is now being shipped to a nearby Guitar Center store.

So now I have three guitars coming to Philly, what's a poor sod to do?  Based on what I have read on this thread I think it would be wise to at least let the two guitars come to George's & Guitar Center and pick the best one and if I get a good one out those two I'll cancel my ZZounds order.

Or could there be any reason to own two of these guitars?

Dont know if you made your mind up yet Indy. But since your getting two play both, then pick your favorite and sell the other to someone on the board. I'm not sure there will be much difference. The one I played at Georges played EXACTLY like mine. Usually no two guitars are the same but my opinion these were.

Also for the guys who got their guitars. How do you like it after the "honeymoon period"? Still love mine, I think it's my number 1 for the time being.


Petty, I've had mine a little over a month and I'm still loving it.  I'm blessed to have gotten one early and in one piece.  I'm trying to tip off folks on here if I see any more for sale out there.  I'm still a Fender guy overall, but this one is side-by-side with my strat!