• From: New Castle, DE USA
  • Registered: 2011-01-03
  • Posts: 1,256

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

t92780 wrote:

Epi China made guitar will not sound/resonate and feel as good as a Gibson USA made guitar.

Generally, you're probably right.  But in this particular case (Epi JB vs. Gibson JB Studio) I think the differences will be minimal...

Gibson name on headstock does mean and worth something:  Better Playability, Better Craftsmanship, Better Warranty, Better Re-sale Value, More Collectible, etc, etc..

We'll have to agree to disagree on the playability.  The craftsmanship on my Epi is excellent, although I acknowledge there has been considerable variance on this model.  The rest of your list doesn't matter to me, and things like warranty, re-sale value (like I'd ever sell!   wink  ), and collectability will not make the Gibby sound better than my Epi.  What it sounds like is what matters most to me.  I bought mine to play, not to put on display or sell at an auction down the road...

I have no reason to believe that the Gibby's body or neck are significantly better than my Epi's, and some reason to think they might not be quite as good.  The pickups are the same.  I'm having a hard time seeing $750 more value in the Gibby as a player, that's all...

Personally, I think the Gibby is the result of Gibson's realizing there was a MUCH bigger market for an affordable JB model than they had supposed.  I'm glad they decided to build it, and I'm glad those who missed out on the Epi will get another shot, but I wouldn't swap my Epi for the Studio straight up.  Now, if someone wants to swap their Bona-Burst even up, that's another story...   big_smile

Terrance Shuman
New Castle, DE
  • Registered: 2009-10-27
  • Posts: 250

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Good points.  Higher end guitars receive choice woods = in most cases better resonating = better sounding guitars.  I've found, though rare, but have MIM Strats that sound as good as MIA Strat - gems and duds avaialble in all price ranges.

Congrats again on our purchase.

417 Reply by Sjmckean (edited by Sjmckean 2011-05-13 19:04:25)

  • From: Chesapeake, VA
  • Registered: 2010-12-05
  • Posts: 76

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

t92780 wrote:

Good points.  Higher end guitars receive choice woods = in most cases better resonating = better sounding guitars.  I've found, though rare, but have MIM Strats that sound as good as MIA Strat - gems and duds avaialble in all price ranges.

Congrats again on our purchase.

Well, I got the Gibson JB studio.  I LOVE it!  I know the pups are the same as the Epi version, but man, they can SQUEAL in the Studio.  The neck is slightly thinner, but thicker than a 60's.  Its extremely easy to play!  The finish is beautiful, and although I love my Epi JBLP, this one has a more "vintage" look with the gold and nitro-cellulose versus the polyurethane.  I'll post some side by side pics later.  The electronics are nothing special.  Ceramic caps and standard Gibson pots, but the sound is great!  I'm a modder, but I think I'll be leaving this alone.  It sounds great just the way it is.  I've never had a "real" Gibson, let alone a Studio, and was never really interested in a Studio.  I figured if I eventually got a Gibson, I'd get a "full" version, but this has changed my mind!  This Studio is awesome!

2011 Gibson Joe Bonamassa Les Paul Studio Gold Top, 2010 Epi Joe Bonamassa Les Paul Gold Top, 2010 Epi Les Paul Standard '57 Gold Top, 2010 Epi Les Paul Standard Honey Burst (autographed by Joe Bonamassa), 2006 Epi Les Paul Classic Quilt top, 2004 Eric Clapton Strat, 1989 First wife
  • From: Dixieland,USA
  • Registered: 2010-04-11
  • Posts: 147

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Anybody post this one yet ?
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Epiphone-Joe-Bo … 3f09d484bf

419 Reply by t92780 (edited by t92780 2011-05-13 18:48:10)

  • Registered: 2009-10-27
  • Posts: 250

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Congrats on Studio and feedback.  Problem, with many of us, you can't go to a store and play a JB Custom, JB Studio and JB Epi side by side, if one could, you would easily see, hear and feel a noticeable difference - even a beginner would.

SMJ:  Also - one can mod a Squire, by changing pots, dropping in some Fralin pickups, etc and some improvement will be heard, but there is no modding the wood on guitar, which is the most important factor and why you can play 3-identical guitars and all sound and feel a little different - no mods for this.

Have agreat weekend.

  • From: BC, CANADA
  • Registered: 2010-12-29
  • Posts: 121

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Hi all,

If there's anyone still looking for an Epi JB Les Paul, I was in the Long & Mcquade in Victoria, BC this morning and surprise, surprise,  they've got one hanging on the wall. I think it was $775. You can reach them here...

756 Hillside Avenue
Victoria, British Columbia
V8T 1Z4, CANADA
Phone: (250) 384-3622
Fax: (250) 384-0716
Email: victoria@long-mcquade.com

Toll-Free: 1-888-230-6443

RP

Guitars: 2002 Gibson R8, 2008 Gibson SG Standard, 1977 Fender Statocaster, 1979 el Degas Les Paul Custom, 2011 Epiphone JB Les Paul
Amps: 1982 Marshall 4010
  • Registered: 2010-10-10
  • Posts: 55

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

If only I was in Canada! big_smile

  • From: Dixieland,USA
  • Registered: 2010-04-11
  • Posts: 147

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

t92780 wrote:

Congrats on Studio and feedback.  Problem, with many of us, you can't go to a store and play a JB Custom, JB Studio and JB Epi side by side, if one could, you would easily see, hear and feel a noticeable difference - even a beginner would.

SMJ:  Also - one can mod a Squire, by changing pots, dropping in some Fralin pickups, etc and some improvement will be heard, but there is no modding the wood on guitar, which is the most important factor and why you can play 3-identical guitars and all sound and feel a little different - no mods for this.

Have agreat weekend.

Dang and you had to have yours imported.LOL But that was fun though.

  • Registered: 2011-05-01
  • Posts: 113

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

If anyone is still looking for a JB Epi (just bought mine), I just got this email from Dietze Music after I inquired awhile ago about the one that they supposedly had:

Hi, good news: the guy that bought the Epi Joe Bonamassa a week or so ago decided to return it cuz he found something in our store he wanted more. The guitar is pristine, as is the case so it is available again. It’s a factory second, which means it has a cosmetic blem somewhere on it, so it’s 649.99 (with case)

Thanks,

Dan Sullivan
Pro Shop Manager
Dietze Music Omaha
proshop@dietzeomaha.com

  • From: BC, CANADA
  • Registered: 2010-12-29
  • Posts: 121

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Jerrdogg wrote:

Dang and you had to have yours imported.LOL But that was fun though.

Yes it was fun!!!  big_smile And now that I've had it for a little while, I wouldn't trade it for anything. It's my new favorite, I play it every day. Probably because it's sitting out all the time instead of living in a case but that was the point of buying it. To play it. It sounds great and plays great just like a Les Paul should.

RP

Guitars: 2002 Gibson R8, 2008 Gibson SG Standard, 1977 Fender Statocaster, 1979 el Degas Les Paul Custom, 2011 Epiphone JB Les Paul
Amps: 1982 Marshall 4010
  • Registered: 2010-12-07
  • Posts: 49

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

i'm still loving my epi.
it's made me start to look at and play other les pauls more. . . especially the gibsons
i've yet to find a total package that compares
maybe i've got a good one. . . . but i've yet to play a gibson that can hang with everything i love about this guitar.  there's always something 'off' . . . .
the acoustic sustain is excellent
the pickups are perfect
the neck is ideal
i totally prefer the tuning pegs
oh. . . and the paint is great big_smile

www.myspace.com/orogenymusic
www.purevolume.com/orogeny
  • From: UK
  • Registered: 2010-05-20
  • Posts: 165

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Guys, could you please quit it with the 'my Epi is ace' posts and spare a though for us poor sods on the eastern edge of the pond?  wink
It's like listening to the cool kids at school talking about the tropical island holiday they had in the summer while you were stuck in a leaky tent in Wales.
It's a shame this board doesn't use spoiler tags so you could self censor these kinds of comments to safeguard the sanity of fellow members who're still playing the waiting game.

I guess I'm under a cloud today. I emailed Gibson yesterday for an update but still no response....

What The Fuzz ?!
  • From: The Netherlands
  • Registered: 2010-07-12
  • Posts: 40

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

YorkieDav wrote:

Guys, could you please quit it with the 'my Epi is ace' posts and spare a though for us poor sods on the eastern edge of the pond?  wink
It's like listening to the cool kids at school talking about the tropical island holiday they had in the summer while you were stuck in a leaky tent in Wales.
It's a shame this board doesn't use spoiler tags so you could self censor these kinds of comments to safeguard the sanity of fellow members who're still playing the waiting game.

I guess I'm under a cloud today. I emailed Gibson yesterday for an update but still no response....


Can you please let us know what Gibsons reply is.
I am also still waiting here in the netherlands for my Bonamassa Epi.

Please check out my Joe Bonamassa Blog at jbonamassa.eu

marhoog's Website

  • From: UK
  • Registered: 2010-05-20
  • Posts: 165

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

marhoog: of course, no problem.

What The Fuzz ?!
  • Registered: 2010-10-10
  • Posts: 55

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Well said Yorkiedav, Im with you on this one.  big_smile

YorkieDav wrote:

Guys, could you please quit it with the 'my Epi is ace' posts and spare a though for us poor sods on the eastern edge of the pond?  wink
It's like listening to the cool kids at school talking about the tropical island holiday they had in the summer while you were stuck in a leaky tent in Wales.
It's a shame this board doesn't use spoiler tags so you could self censor these kinds of comments to safeguard the sanity of fellow members who're still playing the waiting game.

I guess I'm under a cloud today. I emailed Gibson yesterday for an update but still no response....

  • From: UK
  • Registered: 2010-05-20
  • Posts: 165

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

The response from my email to Gibson...

Gibson wrote:

Unfortunately there has been a further delay with the delivery of the Epiphone Joe Bonamassa Les Paul. This delay has occurred at the production site and the product is not ready to ship yet. We are sorry for this delay.

Our dealers however will only get invoiced when the guitars are delivered to the shop. If you have questions about the payment modalities please address your dealer directly. Gibson does not interfere with the payments policies of the dealers.

I'm getting a bit pissed off now. Still no idea of when we're going to get them.

Time to rattle a few cages? If so, who's? Would it do any good?

My answers.... Yes, god-dammit; no idea; probably not as they don't give a flying f...        sad

What The Fuzz ?!
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Not to tick anybody off but I found a used on a music site yesterday for $559 that xcorperate found.  Comes home Monday  smile

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: UK
  • Registered: 2010-05-20
  • Posts: 165

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

AD3THREE wrote:

Not to tick anybody off but...

Then stop right there, buddy! big_smile

What The Fuzz ?!