• From: The East Coast of Nowhere, UK
  • Registered: 2008-02-11
  • Posts: 2,284

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

All this talk of possibly photocopied signatures on the CoA has made me look again at mine. Joe's signature ink is definitely different to the Epiphone President's signature on the right hand side of the certificate, which really does look like a photocopy. If Joe's signature really is a photocopy wouldn't they all be identical on every CoA? Here's mine. Does yours look the same in every respect, ie placement and style? On mine Joe's signature has a greyish colour whereas all text and the other signature are a definite black.

I'm used to checking the authenicity of signatures in my job, so I'm pretty sure that Joe's signature on my CoA is genuine.

Don't forget to put your S/N and hometown on the Epi Registry sticky at the top of this forum page and I'll update the list.

Phil

Ars Longa, Vita Brevis

“The guy who has helped the blues industry the most is Joe Bonamassa and I would say he is more rock than some rock stuff, so to me blues is whatever you want it to be!”
Simon McBride in my interview with him in Blues Matters! Issue #56
  • Registered: 2011-05-01
  • Posts: 113

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

They are all hand signed, Joe said so himself.

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

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Drama over for me. The signature is different on my CoA. Sorry Joe smile

What The Fuzz ?!

508 Reply by DandyDan (edited by DandyDan 2011-07-03 03:27:01)

  • From: London, UK
  • Registered: 2011-07-03
  • Posts: 8

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Hi all,

New to this forum but thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. Picked my Epi up yesterday (had it delivered in store at DV). I'm something of an obsessive when it comes to new stuff and notice absolutely everything. So all the bad things go through my head first!

Mine (10101512433) wasn't flawless. There was a little (3mm?) ding in the body near the back top edge and a small scratch in the top coat between the the bridge and pick-up. Looks suspiciously like a screwdriver scratch. Not particularly deep, but it's there. Probably done during intonation I guess. There was also some strange mark on the back of the neck near the bottom. Looks like some kind of lacquer wear where the guitar might have been resting. Looks better after some polish but still there a bit. And the fretboard could be better. Some white graining here and there. Again nothing serious but visible to those like me who obsess over new gear! Like many others reported, mine was filthy but got a good clean and a dose of lemon oil.

But... it is what it is. A £500 Epiphone made in China, and not a £2k USA Gibson. However, it does sound freakin' awesome smile

So overall, small cosmetic issues aside, I am very impressed with it and certainly think it's worth the money. With Gibson pick-ups and styling, it is the closest I'll get to the real thing for a while. cool
I feel for those who received really bad or broken ones because it is a lovely playing and sounding guitar.

It's a shame the serial numbers are all over the place. Would love to know which of the production run I got. Is there any way of decoding these things?

Dan

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

One thing that bugged me about the guitar was side by side to a real les paul the body was almost an 1/8th" smaller in thickness then a Gibson, I could have nit picked that guitar to its grave... wait I did sell mine so maybe I did.  I just found things that I wanted to change and could see me modding something so rare.  So now someone is the proud owner of it and couldn't be happier.  I'm debt free now because of it and life is good to waste my money on other things again wink  The one thing I will agree with the playing and the tone were excellent.  And the guitar looked great.

AD3THREE's Website

  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 21

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Does anybody else hate the smell of the case? I presume it's the glue.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Jonwsm?feature=mhee   
Visit my website at www.jonwsm.com
  • From: UK
  • Registered: 2010-05-20
  • Posts: 165

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

It does 'pen and ink' a bit but, meh. It don't bother me.

What The Fuzz ?!
  • From: East Lancashire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 3,019

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Too busy playing. What an awesome sound. Great guitar, beauitiful feel. Still not sure about he crappily obviously photocopied  with printer lines certificate and the lack of warranty card, but why are you sniffing the case, play the damn thing and forget about it. I personally couldn't be happier with mine and it feels an honour to play. Everyone who has seen it says it's awesome. I hope Joe is proud of it for us kids like me at 56 who can't afford the Gibson.

Come on the Blades (sorry Idolbone just had to borrow your line)
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 21

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

If anyone wants to hear my new Epiphone in action, please follow the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Jonwsm?feature=mhee   
Visit my website at www.jonwsm.com
  • From: East Lancashire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 3,019

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Nice , enjoyed your playing. Wish I could get my pinkie to oblige, have always had a problem with it. Must send it to the gym.

Come on the Blades (sorry Idolbone just had to borrow your line)
  • Registered: 2010-10-10
  • Posts: 55

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Jonamassa wrote:

If anyone wants to hear my new Epiphone in action, please follow the link below.

Hey Jonamassa, you play a mean piece. Just wish I had mine to play on.
Well done mate.

  • From: East Lancashire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 3,019

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Hope you succeed in getting one. It's worth it.

Come on the Blades (sorry Idolbone just had to borrow your line)
  • Registered: 2011-02-15
  • Posts: 7

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Finally got my hands on mine today - could any of you guys comment on how the vol controls are working? - with pu selector in middle position i get both pups sounding but as i back the volume down on either one of the pups the correct vol backs off but as it gets to zero it kills the volume of both pups (selector still in middle) - is this right?? (not what i was expecting or as my prev gib lp). Had to bend over the guitar lead jack socket internally as couldn't get my lead to engage in the socket (the supplied lead worked but none of my neutrik jack cables), 3 of the knobs seem to sit on slightly bent pot shafts as the knob edges roll up and down from the guitar body and as noted before the standard of photocopy of the certificate is poor - neck looks pretty straight, action a bit low and rattling for me at the mo but so far sounds GREAT!

  • From: London, UK
  • Registered: 2011-07-03
  • Posts: 8

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

stratomazta wrote:

Finally got my hands on mine today - could any of you guys comment on how the vol controls are working? - with pu selector in middle position i get both pups sounding but as i back the volume down on either one of the pups the correct vol backs off but as it gets to zero it kills the volume of both pups (selector still in middle) - is this right?? (not what i was expecting or as my prev gib lp). Had to bend over the guitar lead jack socket internally as couldn't get my lead to engage in the socket (the supplied lead worked but none of my neutrik jack cables), 3 of the knobs seem to sit on slightly bent pot shafts as the knob edges roll up and down from the guitar body and as noted before the standard of photocopy of the certificate is poor - neck looks pretty straight, action a bit low and rattling for me at the mo but so far sounds GREAT!

Same thing happens on mine with volume and both pick ups. Jack socket was ok on mine but the knobs do look a bit off. As someone else mentioned, think of it as adding character... big_smile

  • Registered: 2006-05-08
  • Posts: 1,996

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Epi's are wired differently than Gibsons.  Rolling off the volume on one pickup does kill both.  Shafts are likely not bent. Rather, it's the knobs themselves and how perpendicular they were to the shaft when they were pressed on. I've seen the same results on Gibson USA guitars.  Annoying, I know.

Gibson 60th Anniversary 1959 Les Paul Reissue, Gibson LP Standard Faded CSB, Gibson Gary Moore LP Standard, Epi Joe Bonamassa GT LP, Epi Zakk Wylde LP, Dean Michael Schenker Flying V, Jackson Randy Rhoads V, ESP/LTD George Lynch Kamikaze, EVH Striped Series R/B/W, Fender/Squire John 5 Telecaster, Fender Joe Strummer Relic Telecaster
  • From: UK
  • Registered: 2010-05-20
  • Posts: 165

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Yeah, I noticed the wonky knobs straight away and just 'finnessed' them a bit to get them straight. One of the tone knobs is a bit low on the shaft now, but it'll bed in a bit with use.

What The Fuzz ?!
  • Registered: 2011-02-15
  • Posts: 7

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

thanks for the replies re the wiring, yes tried straightening up the knobs but some still way out - can live with it though!

  • Registered: 2010-08-18
  • Posts: 7

Re: New Epiphones starting to appear?

Right got mine delivered today, and first of all sincere apologies to anyone with the problem guitars as this might seem hard to read.....


what a great guitar! I can't fault it at all, my fretboard isn't even dirty lol. I was expecting the worst as I opened the box after hearing the stories but was pleasently surprised..

One thing I've noticed....never really knew what people meant about playability, sustain, feel etc. Guitars all seemed the same to me, but this one feels like it plays itself. It's such an easy guitar to play and sustains like no other LP I've played!

Fretboard is perfect. Body finish is perfect. Setup needed a quick tuning and action is spot on for me. The case is pretty cool as well!



Oh, and the signatue's are absolutely genuine big_smile

This is definately a keeper, cheers Joe!!