Gibson is planning a major change to the entire Epiphone guitar line-up

[ataylor]

The Epiphones would definitely look better with a simpler, more traditional headstock. I own one of the Lennon-inspired reissue Casinos and really like the 60s headstock they used:

 

[DADGAD]

The #1 selling electric guitar brand is Fender and Squier is #2. I'm sure the change in headstock design will help Gibson brand sales on the Epiphone line.

I've always prefered the older Epiphone headstock design like the one below. I currently have an Epi Crestwood reissue with that style. My Epi Joe Pass has the larger, floural headstock but looks "okay" on that guitar.

 

[bftfender]

 

[Chunkocaster]

I own two epiphones with the clipped headstock and one without the clipping.
I've never liked the clipped headstock and much prefer the older Japan elitist style, non clipped or the Masterbilt headstocks. A change will be good, I just hope they make it look decent across the range and concentrate more on quality control and consistency.

 

[radiocaster]

I've known more than a few people who've claimed they find the Epiphone headstock so unbearably ugly that they'd never own an Epiphone for that reason alone. Me, I like it. In fact, I think I like it better than the Gibson headstock.

I like it too, but a huge percentage of guitarists are unbearably stupid.

You can actually get Epiphones with Gibson open-book headstocks, they're made for the internal Chinese market. Also they had Japanese ones in the past.

 

[warrent]

Two things. One this a lot of speculation based on a deleted instagram reply. Second when it comes to Les Paul sales the mix is already 60/40 in favor of epiphone for unit sales.

 

[rangercaster]

Cosmetics mean little to me ... If they were to upgrade the hardware and electronics, that would get my attention ...

 

[idjster]

I've had, and I still have, a number of Epis, and to me they play way above their pay grade. I've always gotten guitars based on their sound rather than their look so the idea of a new headstock isn't a big deal to me. Just my $0.05!

 

[burntfrijoles]

I've always thought that Squier make low price versions of actual Fender guitars, whereas Epiphone make cheap copies of guitars that almost look like Gibsons. I wouldn't mind an Epiphone SG but I'd prefer a Squier Tele'.

I’ve seen and played some pretty cheesy Squiers that were like toys. I briefly owned an Epi 339 which was a very nice guitar.

 

[Alamo]

re-cutting the headstock as a "major change"...

The "major change" is what got me reading the article .........but that was as interesting as reading cow dung and figure out what the cow had for dinner.

 

[Uncle Butch]

I had an Epiphone Elitist LP with the "tombstone" headstock, and an Epiphone '56 reissue LP with the 'clipped" headstock. I actually liked the looks of the clipped headstock better. For the difference in price between Epi and Gibson, I'll buy and Epi every time. I sold both Epiphones, I just don't get along with LP style guitars, I prefer single coils, and LP's just seem clumsy to me. Truth be told, I don't care what name or shape is on the headstock if it plays and sounds the way I want it too.

 

[rangercaster]

If you buy a guitar based on the appearance of it's headstock, you may be neglecting more important factors ...

 

[gitold]

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How about the 10 Commandments Headstock on my 65 Olympic Special. I think this was the only guitar they used it on.

 

[Piggy Stu]

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How about the 10 Commandments Headstock on my 65 Olympic Special. I think this was the only guitar they used it on.

This makes me think of Ned Flanders saying 'buttocks'

 

[gitold]

This makes me think of Ned Flanders saying 'buttocks'

Ewwe I’ll never look at that headstock the same again!

 

[tubelectron]

The "angle cut" Epi headstock is interesting because it accommodates large tuners :

(image removed)

And I personally find it good looking :

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-tbln

 

[Matthias]

The DC Pro headstock is just the Dot headstock. I think the article is grasping a bit to read much into that... I’d imagine they’re going to go for something a bit closer to the Gibson one if the story’s accurate.

Good news to me. The design changes to many of the Gibson-based Epis never really worked for me. The Vintages and the Harley Bentons always looked a bit better to me.

 

[warrent]

Let me just repeat that nothing has come from Gibson to state that anything is happening to the Epi headstock.

All that has been said amounts to:
In an Instagram post from Gueikian showing off some vintage Epiphone headstock templates sporting the classic ‘open-book’ style, user ‘cwwoodhead’ commented that the company should bring this shape back to the entire Epiphone range – Cesar’s response? “It’s coming”.

That response was deleted.
There's nothing there anymore to even begin to substantiate the story.

All he posted was this comment
Having a field day going through original archives #theoriginal @gibsonguitar @gibsoncustom @epiphone #gibson #epiphone #sound #craftsmanship #quality #authenticity @matkoehler @markagnesi

And this picture

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2SiLP1HdTJ/

 

[Rumblur]

if they put a gibson headstock on the Epi's - nobody will ever buy a Gibson again. Why would you? Epi's are fine build quality, and let's face it... you can put a humbucker on a petrified dog turd and it sounds the same as a $6k Custom.

You buy a single coil Fender type guitar to make music. You buy a Gibson type guitar because it's pretty. Epi's are like Salma Hayek's body with Oprah's head on it.

 

[PeterUK]

The "major change" is what got me reading the article .........but that was as interesting as reading cow dung and figure out what the cow had for dinner.

My sentiments entirely.

To be honest I never realised that Epiphones had a different headstock. So this ‘major change’ has not interrupted by sleep pattern and I’m feeling okay.

Peter