A call out to VT guitar players!

[Wakesetter03]

Hi all,
I've been playing guitar for a few years now and it is a major part of my life.
So far my parents have helped me out with purchasing my instruments.
My dad is an old guitarist and believed thoroughly that Gibson were the way to go over an Epiphone equivalent, and steered me towards Gibson both times, something I don't regret because I love both my guitars over anything else I've played.
Recently I've noticed that I don't take my accoustic many places as the finish scratches easily.
I went online to find a cheap substitute for playing with mates and found Epiphones "Masterbuilt" Series.
These guitars, equivalent to my accoustic, are less than half the price!
So does anyone have any experience with Epiphone, and what are your thoughts on them over Gibson? Electric or acoustic, doesn't matter I just really am curious about these instruments, which technically are made by Gibson anyway?
Personally I can not see why my dad insisted on a Gibson, yet I haven't played an Epiphone yet.

[kenoloor]

From my admittedly limited experience with Gibson and Epiphone, Gibson always felt better. I really can't explain it any better than that. Gibson is an excellent brand and Epiphone is like the level down from that, in my mind anyway.

That being said, you can usually get more for your money with other brands. With Gibson you're paying for the name, and that name can be expensive. I have a PRS Tremonti SE that retails for 500 USD (I got it used for $350) and it plays better than most $1000 Gibsons that I've tried and it's the best guitar that I've ever played.

[Aves]

I've liked playing the few Epiphone acoustics I have over Gibson's. I have an Epiphone, it's really nice. Don't be fooled, you're not paying for the name Gibson though if it's a Gibson guitar. You're paying for the quality of wood. In reality, that's what the price comes down to. "How good of wood did we use on this?" "Will it warp over time naturally, or has it reached the age where it will not?" These are the questions asked when companies put price tags on guitar.

Long story short, Epiphone's are nice, I love mine. I prefer them more for acoustics.

Gibson over Epiphone for electrics, however.

[christcenteredlife]

i DO NOT play cheap guitars. so this is a tough one. i also don't play epi or gibson. i do however play martin and takaminie. one of those would be my suggestion. my tak hex is great.

[Wakesetter03]

I've already got a Gibson J-45, I just need a cheap accoustic to take out with friends.
I was just wondering if the hype over these Epiphone Masterbilt accoustics is true, because if they play as good as everyone says, it would be a worthy substitute for a Gibson for 1/6 of the price.
I plan on trying out an Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500M today, I've been playing the J-45 all morning so I can make a comparison.

[christianteen]

If you want a very good accoustic for a price that's cheeper than a Gibson and hand made try Maton. They're Australian and very good. They're pretty top though at $1000+

Maybe Yamaha? I have a steel string accoustic from them that's pretty good. The APX-10 I think. They're cheep now at about $500 to $700 but when they were brought out they were $2000.

[Fiction]

If it's cheap you're looking for you can find much cheaper than a gibson or an epi. I have a Jim Deacon acoustic. It's a fairly cheap one but it plays really nicely. I'd definitely reccommend one of those.

I don't mean to undermine the above poster but my experience with yamaha guitars is not good and I wouldn't recommened..

[kenoloor]

I don't mean to undermine the above poster but my experience with yamaha guitars is not good and I wouldn't recommened..

Same. Maybe Kathy and I both have shitty luck, but I agree; I certainly don't recommend Yamaha.

[Genghis Khan]

Personally I've always preferred Fender or Ibanez necks over any other brand. Although the two are totally different in their shape and being, they are awesome brands.

I can't say much for Gibson or Epiphone, although I'm guessing Epiphone is some rip off Gibson as LTD is to ESP and Squier is to Fender. Don't get involved in those kinds of brands, they almost always bring bad quality sound, low durability and sustain along with them. Admittedly they are cheaper but are not the kind of guitars you want in the long run, it's more of a starter crap guitar.

Even though that Epiphone is half the price, I'm quite sure you'll be disappointed by both its quality and sustainability. Gibson > Epiphone.

But hey, if you're that good a player, you can make awesome music out of broken strings and distorted pickups.

[augustburnsred1996]

nothing wrong with epiphone at all.... ive had an epiphone les paul standard plain top for 3 years now, still havent had one problem... not a "cheap kockoff." so go with the epiphone man.

[JeSuisAmericaine]

Unless it's an archtop, just do yourself a favor by buying a Gibson. Epiphones are foreign-made, relatively low-caliber instruments. I've had an Epiphone Les Paul for a while and just recently switched to a Fender and it made a huge difference. And if you're looking for a fat tone in electrics, Fenders are just as competent. You just have to know which model to buy. I suggest posting what kind of a guitar you're looking for (solid body, archtop, acoustic) and what kind of a tone you're looking for. Don't forget to mention ergonomic preference as well.

[deadpie]

fuck guitar i play the canjo

http://www.smokeymountaindulcimer.com/images/CANJO%20003.jpg

[Stryker125]

Nothing wrong with epiphone at all. Personally, I don't really like Gibson, since you're really just paying for the name and can get guitars that are just as good or better for half the price.

[Chris95]

I don't have personal experience with Epiphone, but I do know that they get a bad reputation and they really do produce high quality guitars. Gibson's quality control as of late has been very hit-or-miss from what I've read, and some people even swear by Epiphone over Gibson. It really depends on the person; you should try out both and see what you prefer.

[Wakesetter03]

I ended up getting one (actually got it like 2 months ago but forgot about the thread...)
I purchased AJ500M that's somewhat comparable to my J-45 even though its maple.

I can honestly say it is one brilliant fiddle. I love my J-45 still and its place is secure (but as I saw someone mention, Gibson quality can be hit and miss at the moment due to GFC, I've played a dodgy J-45 that wasn't anything like mine) but for what I want it for - jamming with friends so the J-45 doesn't get knocked around, it does a fantastic job.

The sound is better than some Gibson acoustics I've heard, and I'm extremely impressed for this thing that cost me 1/5 of my Gibson.

I got one of the last fully acoustic Epi Masterbilts (Masterbilt is a line of full wood design, not laminate) and they're only making two models now that have a pickup.

Too any player, depending on what you're using it for, I couldn't recommend this guitar more.

Thanks for everyone's help and opinion.