I find that Epiphones can be either cheap mass-produced poop or
really good instruments. And the good ones are as good as any.
I have an epi EL-00 acoustic, which is a 'reissue' of a mid-30s Gibson L-00. I grew up with a 'real' one (my Mom got it when she was a kid in the '30s) and I can attest that this epi is almost exactly like an original in looks, sound and feel. Incredible for the price.
So based on that I've just orderred an Epi '57 LP Junior 'reissue', which I'm hoping will be another 'good' epi. I couldn't resist the vintage sunburst look of it. Even if I don't like it as a player I'll have it to look at...