New Epiphones in the 'Inspired by Gibson' electric and acoustic series

I like the olive one.

 

I thought the same, and I dig the Casino,
but give me the trad gloss Cherry!

( I used to own one years ago,but needed to sell- but I just got a 2018 SG in Cherry!)

 

I dig it too and you’d think they would offer traditional finishes.
I wonder what happened to the American made Casino which was due in the summer.

 

Anyone get one of the Inspired by Gibson ES-339s yet? Just pulled the trigger on a vintage cherry one. I'm hoping it's as good as advertised. I generally don't go with Epiphone as I prefer vintage Gibsons. But I couldn't pass it up for the price and this one had a nice grain pattern on the top. Hoping it will complement my 52 LP and 71 335. I already have an Epiphone Inspired by John Lennon Casino Revolution which I love and a Wildkat which I like but gets little playtime.

 

My Hummingbird turned up today. It's heavier and more solid than my J15! Tone wise, it's different to that, but I couldn't say better or worse. My problem with a new acoustic is that the horrible, zingy metallic string sound takes a few days of hard playing to die. So I'll know more in a few days, but I'm loving it so far. Playability is absolutely top notch (it has a better setup than my J15), and I lost an hour at lunchtime strumming for what felt like 5 mins.

It doesn't feel "expensive" like a Gibson. It is less glossy basically. But that's really a style thing. In terms of playability, it definitely feels well-crafted.

I'm itching to compare this to the new Sigma Hummingbird clone (all solid, coming very soon). I'm due to do that when it arrives in Australia in December. My hunch is that the Sigma will be better since the quality of their expensive models is incredible. But we'll see. The Epiphone is at least the best Hummingbird clone I have yet played, and that includes the Sigma laminate copy, and the Orville by Gibson Hummingbird (felt more expensive, but the top was thinner, and the tone not as good).

Does it sound like a Gibson? I think it definitely does have a characteristic Gibson tone. It is bassier than youtube videos would have you believe, but maybe the mid range doesn't have the same richness. Hard to tell with the new strings.

 

Why would that be friend?

 

Im really GAS'ng for the 335!!! Im actually going to bring my 330 and compare it with the newer Casinos as well.. and see whats the quality difference between the two..

if it turns out to be really good for the money, I might get the 335 and olive green Casino!

 

Mark Agnesi said that Gibson had big plans for Epiphone. Could they be improving them for better sales and Gibson to be their boutique line. Both are offering many less models this year ( I wanted a 330=TD - not in production)- then again 2020 has not been a normal year in many realms.

 

backporhmusic having owned a Japanese Epiphone i don't think you'll be disappointed with this Masterbilt Japanese J-45. Just don't get any with a cheap embossed E on the pickguard.
I know there are the better quality Japanese guitars, not Korean or Chinese. I'd still check before purchasing. Good price for a solid wood body guitar.

 

I really like what Epiphone has been doing lately. I got one of the new LP Special models for my son's graduation present. Was skeptical about buying one online, sight unseen, but got a winner. It's a great sounding guitar with a nice, chunky neck.

I have a Masterbuilt Zenith with a round sound hole that I bought used through Guitar Center a few years ago. The workmanship on it is flawless and it's a beautiful guitar. It has a unique tone somewhere in between an f-hole arch top and a "regular" acoustic. The neck is massive! I hope Epiphone comes out with a couple new versions of their old arch tops. A new take on the Sorrento would be top on my list.



I'm real interested in the new Wilshire. And the J45. And the Riviera. (Damn you, Epiphone!) My suspicion is that they're rushing these out and there may be QC issues, so I'm waiting till I can check them out in person.

 

Well I cannot answer what kind of strings are on the new ones but I put D'Addario Phosphor Bronze on mine, they sound terrific.

 

Cool - those are the strings I favour too. I think I've read that the factory strings are Gibson strings.

 

Was just reading about how Gibson went after the company that owns the legal trademark to the Coronet guitars. I think I’ll skip buying an Epiphone anytime soon.
http://www.satelliteamps.com/store/p33/Satellite_Coronet_Guitar_-_Out_Of_Production.html

 

I see what you mean. This gets into that weird gray area of what is considered a “rip off.” The way I see, and this is just my opinion, Satellite saw a product that people wanted which was no longer being created. Gibson had let the trademark go. My understanding is he legally purchased the trademark and started making the guitars again. Gibson doesn’t seem to have any actual legal way to get to trademark back so they threatened the small company with an endless (pointless) legal battle that would leave them bankrupt. To me the idea of using our broken legal system to run people out of business is “bad” (assuming there is a spectrum of good-bad).
Hasn’t Gibson tried this over and over again (heritage, dean)? Seems like they finally found a small enough company to go after.
I wrote to epiphone asking for some details and a list of other companies they are currently suing but haven’t heard back.
Not sure if we are even allowed to talk about this kind of thing. Feel free to delete if I’m breaking some rules. I don’t want the thread to get locked.

 

Tried out 6 acoustics in the $300-$600 range 2 weeks ago. Played 2 Epiphone's, 2 Yamaha's and a Guild. Went home with a D'Angelico.

 

My inspired by...acquisition. I picked it up yesterday. It is a 2019, that I picked up used.

Lots of glare from the glossy finish.

Once set up, it became surprisingly inspiring!

It does a good enough Junior experience for me.

 

These guitars look great. But the price seems a bit high for an Epiphone, when you can get a used Martin for less money.

Perhaps I would get one of these Epiphoneswhen in a few years, when you can find used ones at reasonable price