When did Epiphone change their headstock shape, Les Pauls etc?

[39martind18]

How are either of those "Gibson-esque"?

They both are the symmetrical "open book" shape that is traditionally Gibson. In the case of my Sheraton, its headstock is a replication of the one on a 1964 Sheraton, made by Gibson, in the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo. The Riviera 12-string is similar to the 1967 ES335 12- string I had many moons ago. So, at least to my old eyes, they are Gibson-esque. YMMV

 

[Wallaby]

I thought the Gibson-style headstock was used on "Inspired by Gibson" guitars, and traditional Epiphone models still use a traditional elongated Epiphone headstock?

 

[widefault]

I'm partial to this headstock, myself!

View attachment 1088162

Same here

 

[bettyseldest]

In 2020 they started marketing a couple of series as "inspired by Gibson", these guitars have the open book headstock which is similar to a Gibson headstock.

 

[takauya]

My taste has changed and now I find Epi headstocks appealing me better than Gibson's, but since they've successfully brainwashed me to believe Epis were inferior guitars when I was a kid in the 00s, I still have some difficulties with the logo unfortunately.

I find Epi's unusual body shaped guitars/basses very appealing though since they don't remind me upgraded Gibson models.

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The Epiphone Newport Bass offers players a well-priced, short-scale classic '60s design and is available in four great colour options

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[Peegoo]

Apologies to anyone triggered by my not having yet trimmed the strings.

HAR! Never apologize for stuff like that. People that get butthurt by inconsequential things other people do are simply victimizing themselves. You cannot stop that sort of behavior

 

[Tim S]

Considering how consistent Epis are compared to Gibsons, maybe Gibson would sell more guitars if they had the elongated Epiphone headstock?

 

[ChicknPickn]

I think it may have been a..."crowdsourced"...decision.

Gibson was probably paying attention to online discussions in many guitar boards; people griping about Gibson not using their traditional open-book headstock shape on Epis, claiming the Epi shape is what kept them away. "If they made them with the Gibson shape, I'd buy one." I saw that a lot over the last 20 years or so.

The shape of a headstock is important to a lot of guitar players.

It’s why I didn’t like Telecasters for a long time. But when you’re 15, a year is a long time.

 

[Donny Osmond fan]

Looks very similar to the Gibson headstock now. Was watching a Youtube video (an Epiphone 59 Les Paul Standard tribute demo) and assume due to the headstock, was that old "elitist" or "elite" model? But then I went to Guitar Center site, and saw they had the headstock.

I like it better. Anyone know when it changed?

A few years ago. Some loved it. Some hated it. Some way the Gibson open book headstock. It was a big controversy.

 

[marshman]

I kinda feel bad that I really disliked the 'old' headstock and really like the 'new' headstock simply because of the similarities with Gibson headstock. The Epiphones I've had have all been prefectly good guitars, though. The reviews for the new Inspired By '59 have really juiced my GAS.

I also really dislike the 70's 'big headstock' on strats.