"Made in China" Epiphones: Any experiences...

There seems to be a dividing line between the cheapest bolt on guitars and the more mid-priced models.

The nut is usually very poorly cut on the cheap ones, it may even be misaligned. Tuners are covered gear, functional with loop and lack stringing but not ideal. Humbuckers are very hot, non-P90 single coils are lacking character. P90's are usually good. Electronics are better than you might expect in most cases.

The higher end Epiphones are typically very good. Pickups sometimes aren't a good match, such as the very overwound P90's on the Casino.

 

I've owned and played many MIC Epiphones and I don't think they've ever been better.

 

https://www.guitardaterproject.org/epiphone.aspx

 

China, 2006. Thanks, Backporch!

 

This x1000.

The bottom guitars like the LP Specials have junk tuners and pickups. I picked up a LP Special II as a trade for a crappy Line 6 Spider amp. The pickups were easily the worst I've ever had, and that's out of about 60 guitars. All I can say is yes, they did produce some noise so I guess you could call them pickups. But it was just a muddy mess with no articulation. Went right into the trash can. I also replaced the tuners (originals and the bridge with stuff I had sitting around the house. Now it's a decent player.

The mid-level stuff that goes for $300 and higher though is really good quality now. Kinda like the higher end Squiers. I think Chinese production sucked back in the '90s but now they're right up with the Korean stuff from 20 years ago. Great for people just starting out.

 

I bought a cheap Epi Spec II. I got interested because it was a rare Goth Edition. Mod'ed it with good but affordable parts, and here's the story...



Ans this is it in a semi-full production using the same track:



Yep, made in China!

 

My 2008 China Epi Studio. My main LP. I changed the trim, that's all. I've had a Gibson LP Custom Black Beauty and a Gibson LP Deluxe and I like this better:

 

I have owned 10 Epiphones (currently seven MIC). No problems at all. Highly recommended.