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Dammit. One is never enough, is it?


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Let me know more about how you like that Epi "Dot", Dave. I've been sorely tempted for a while now by that Epiphone Riviera Custom P93, three black "dog ear" P-90s, Wine Red, gold hardware, Bigsby... but I've never been able to test-drive one, and never had quite the nerve to pull the trigger on ordering one whenever I've had the cash...

 

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I had a lust for something similar, the Yamaha SA503 TVL. But by the time I discovered them, they were out of production...and were still $1600.

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Then I found the Reverend Manta Ray 390 LE.

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What. A. Killer.

 

One of the things I"ve found out about Reverend"s in-house P90s over the years is that they"re ridiculously good. When I bought this Fret-King Esprit III, I thought it sounded nice...but not as good as any of my P90 equipped Reverends.

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So after a while, I upgraded the Esprit to a set of Bareknuckle Stockholms.so now that guitar sounds as good as my Revs...after spending a few hundred on installing aftermarket pickups.

 

Basically, Joe Naylor of Reverend and Railhammer knows how to wind a pickup. His RevTrons- miniHBs based on FillerTrons- are a great as well.

 

 

...which is all a very long-winded way of saying I think you would love a semihollow guitar with a trio of P90s, Caev.

Sturgeon's 2nd Law, a.k.a. Sturgeon's Revelation: âNinety percent of everything is crapâ

 

My FLMS- Murphy's Music in Irving, Tx

 

http://murphysmusictx.com/

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Let me know more about how you like that Epi "Dot", Dave. I've been sorely tempted for a while now by that Epiphone Riviera Custom P93, three black "dog ear" P-90s, Wine Red, gold hardware, Bigsby... but I've never been able to test-drive one, and never had quite the nerve to pull the trigger on ordering one whenever I've had the cash...

I love it to bits. Such personality and feel....and what an amazing sound... :love:

 

I've played my buddy's $5k 335, and while his is definitely in a different league than my Dot, I'm shocked my how much of that magic mine delivers.

 

A high-up from Gibson once told me that one of their biggest fears is that more people might figure out the many Epiphones are 90% as good as their Gibson counterparts.

 

dB

:snax:

 

:keys:==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <==:rawk:

 

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I bought an old black Sheraton II at a pawn shop. I knew what mods I would do to it to get it where I thought I would like it. I haven"t changed a thing. The old guitar is perfectly fine stock. I wonder if it has Gibson pickups. It"s an old Korean Epi.

"It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne

 

"A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!!

So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt

 

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[

 

A high-up from Gibson once told me that one of their biggest fears is that more people might figure out the many Epiphones are 90% as good as their Gibson counterparts.

 

dB

 

Reputation runs deep and lasts beyond all reason. The Kalamazoo Epiphones were made in the same factory as Gibson guitars, by the same craftsmen using the same materials.

They are very highly regarded.

 

When Norlin moved Epiphone manufacturing to Japan, the quality took a nosedive. We started seeing plywood top acoustic guitars with bolt on necks, very obviously built to a price.

 

Epiphone may never overcome that reputation, it reminds me of the reputation Peavey amps got early on due to reliability problems. Lots of people still look down on Peavey gear, despite the huge increase in reliability and improved sound, the resale value is really low and bargains can be had. Ironically, Hartley Peavey was the first to use CNC machines to make quality guitars and that is a huge reason the newer Epiphones are so good compared to the previous import models.

 

I'd like a Dot so I could take it out and thrash it with impunity, my 86 335 Studio stays at home because it's fully intact with no headstock break and I would not be happy to have it broken. A Dot? I'd be annoyed but I'd get over it. That's the beauty of the Epiphones, you can take them out and use them!

It took a chunk of my life to get here and I am still not sure where "here" is.
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I bought an old black Sheraton II at a pawn shop. I knew what mods I would do to it to get it where I thought I would like it. I haven"t changed a thing. The old guitar is perfectly fine stock. I wonder if it has Gibson pickups. It"s an old Korean Epi.

 

If it's old (before about 2008 or so) & Korean it's most likely built by Peerless, who make very fine mid-market guitars. They made the Gretsch Historic & Electromatic series instruments which are quite nice affordable instruments.

Scott Fraser
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I bought an old black Sheraton II at a pawn shop. I knew what mods I would do to it to get it where I thought I would like it. I haven"t changed a thing. The old guitar is perfectly fine stock. I wonder if it has Gibson pickups. It"s an old Korean Epi.

 

If it's old (before about 2008 or so) & Korean it's most likely built by Peerless, who make very fine mid-market guitars. They made the Gretsch Historic & Electromatic series instruments which are quite nice affordable instruments.

 

@CEB - Here's a useful link to find out when and where your Guitar was made. This site has proved to be a very reliable source. General rule of thumb for MIK Epiphones, if the serial # starts with an "S", the Guitar was made by Samick, "U" means it was made by Peerless (IIRC), not sure what the letter code for Cort was?

 

Guitar dater project: Epiphone

"Monsters are real, and Ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win." Stephen King

 

http://www.novparolo.com

 

https://thewinstonpsmithproject.bandcamp.com

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I've played my buddy's $5k 335, and while his is definitely in a different league than my Dot, I'm shocked my how much of that magic mine delivers.

 

A high-up from Gibson once told me that one of their biggest fears is that more people might figure out the many Epiphones are 90% as good as their Gibson counterparts.

 

dB

 

 

I bought an Epi ES-175 Premium a few years ago that came stock with USA made 57 Gibson humbuckers and upgraded Gibson 500k pots. It cost $1,000 and keeps up with it's $4,000 Gibson counterparts. The guitar is made in Korea and assembled with US parts here in the US. It is very cool to have this type of quality at an affordable price. I think Gibson is in on the fear factor. If I had a real Gibson 175, it would stay at home while I banged around town with the Epi LOL! :cool:

Take care, Larryz
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The main issue for me with the DOT vs 335 argument is that both are made with Maple laminate; neither one has a solid top, back, nor sides. Nothing can convince me that American "plywood", to put it crudely, is worth several thousand dollars more than Korean plywood.

 

Maybe if I were playing in a major Jazz club, and making good money at it, I could see the value in fronting a Gibson logo . . . maybe, but I doubt it. My DOT cost me $300US when it was new, plus 5% tax, so $315 in all; I still see used ones selling for that much, or more. Even some of the used DOT Studio models are selling for $250-325, which is more than I'd pay for one, but still, how often do you see an import Guitar that holds its value, while it's still a current model?

 

FWIW, I'm less impressed with many of the other Epiphone models, at least in their solid-body lines. Neither the Les Pauls nor the SG's (G-400) have ever quite measured up for me, in sound nor feel. The DOT is the only Epiphone model I've hung onto.

"Monsters are real, and Ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win." Stephen King

 

http://www.novparolo.com

 

https://thewinstonpsmithproject.bandcamp.com

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The main issue for me with the DOT vs 335 argument is that both are made with Maple laminate; neither one has a solid top, back, nor sides. Nothing can convince me that American "plywood", to put it crudely, is worth several thousand dollars more than Korean plywood.

 

Maybe if I were playing in a major Jazz club, and making good money at it, I could see the value in fronting a Gibson logo . . . maybe, but I doubt it. My DOT cost me $300US when it was new, plus 5% tax, so $315 in all; I still see used ones selling for that much, or more. Even some of the used DOT Studio models are selling for $250-325, which is more than I'd pay for one, but still, how often do you see an import Guitar that holds its value, while it's still a current model?

 

FWIW, I'm less impressed with many of the other Epiphone models, at least in their solid-body lines. Neither the Les Pauls nor the SG's (G-400) have ever quite measured up for me, in sound nor feel. The DOT is the only Epiphone model I've hung onto.

 

While the Gibson name holds value, I agree with your assessment. My choice of the Gibson Studio model was based on three things - bearing in mind this was in 1987-8. One, it has a FAT 50's style neck. That is still more towards the small side for my huge hands but the slimmer necks are simply not my flavor. Two, an unbound ebony fretboard. That made refretting it with gigantic frets very easy. Last but not least, the owner of the small used guitar shop (remember those?), knew me and was willing to sell it for $400 and take payments.

 

One great thing about the Epiphone Dot is you can hot-rod it to your hearts content and play it anywhere without fear for your "investment". Locking tuners have meant I can take one guitar to a gig, string changes if/when they happen are super fast and easy. I like EMG pickups and only one volume control. I'd gut the wiring on an Epi in a heartbeat without a second thought. I love the sound of locking bridge hardware on my 335, it makes it more "Les Paul-ish), especially on the neck pickup. There is little or no risk of compromising the value of a Dot, you can just make it your own and play it. That is a value-added feature to me!

It took a chunk of my life to get here and I am still not sure where "here" is.
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I bought an old black Sheraton II at a pawn shop. I knew what mods I would do to it to get it where I thought I would like it. I haven"t changed a thing. The old guitar is perfectly fine stock. I wonder if it has Gibson pickups. It"s an old Korean Epi.

 

If it's old (before about 2008 or so) & Korean it's most likely built by Peerless, who make very fine mid-market guitars. They made the Gretsch Historic & Electromatic series instruments which are quite nice affordable instruments.

 

@CEB - Here's a useful link to find out when and where your Guitar was made. This site has proved to be a very reliable source. General rule of thumb for MIK Epiphones, if the serial # starts with an "S", the Guitar was made by Samick, "U" means it was made by Peerless (IIRC), not sure what the letter code for Cort was?

 

Guitar dater project: Epiphone

 

Thanks. I never knew any of that. I guess my Sheraton is a Peerless. The SN# starts with U07060***.

 

Apparently the guitar was built in June 2007 in the Unsung factory in Korea. I like the guitar.

"It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne

 

"A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!!

So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt

 

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I bought an old black Sheraton II at a pawn shop. I knew what mods I would do to it to get it where I thought I would like it. I haven"t changed a thing. The old guitar is perfectly fine stock. I wonder if it has Gibson pickups. It"s an old Korean Epi.

 

If it's old (before about 2008 or so) & Korean it's most likely built by Peerless, who make very fine mid-market guitars. They made the Gretsch Historic & Electromatic series instruments which are quite nice affordable instruments.

 

@CEB - Here's a useful link to find out when and where your Guitar was made. This site has proved to be a very reliable source. General rule of thumb for MIK Epiphones, if the serial # starts with an "S", the Guitar was made by Samick, "U" means it was made by Peerless (IIRC), not sure what the letter code for Cort was?

 

Guitar dater project: Epiphone

 

Hmmm; what's the general consensus on Peerless-made vs Samick-made MIK Epiphones?

Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do?

 

~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~

_ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _

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I don"t know. I just have the one Korean guitar. I think it"s a much better guitar than my Chinese Baby Casino. (Casino Coupe).

 

The Casino Coupe seems to have a dead spot in the neck between 10th-15th position. Maybe that is just the nature of a small body Casino or any Casino or 330. To be fair I like the Casino and thought I could use it the whole night. I liked the way it talked back to the amp but I tried to play the solo to Dead Eye Dick"s song New Age Girl but there are some runs starting on the 7th bar and it just sort of dies out. Wrong tool for the wrong job.

"It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne

 

"A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!!

So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt

 

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I don"t know. I just have the one Korean guitar. I think it"s a much better guitar than my Chinese Baby Casino. (Casino Coupe).

 

The Casino Coupe seems to have a dead spot in the neck between 10th-15th position. Maybe that is just the nature of a small body Casino or any Casino or 330. To be fair I like the Casino and thought I could use it the whole night. I liked the way it talked back to the amp but I tried to play the solo to Dead Eye Dick"s song New Age but there are some runs starting on the 7th bar and it just sort of dies out. Wrong tool for the wrong job.

 

I am not exactly sure why so many hollowbody electric guitars exhibit these inconsistencies - dead spots and live spots. I've owned a few different ones and they all seem to do it to some extent.

 

It took us a while but we finally convinced our bassist to stop playing his Beatle bass copy and another hollowbody he has. One note will BOOM and the next one you can barely hear.

He's back to solid bodies and the problems have vanished.

It took a chunk of my life to get here and I am still not sure where "here" is.
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Hmmm; what's the general consensus on Peerless-made vs Samick-made MIK Epiphones?

 

Don't know if it's a consensus, but I have 3 archtop Epiphones which all have the same body: an Emperor Regent, a Zephyr Blues Deluxe, & a Broadway. They differ in the pickup complement, & a spruce top on the Emperor, while the others are maple. The Emperor & Zephyr are Peerless, & the Broadway is Samick. I like & play them all equally. I don't see any quality distinction between them. Peerless have a reputation for quality at affordable prices, but I have to say I can find no faults whatsoever with the Samick.

Scott Fraser
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Hmmm; what's the general consensus on Peerless-made vs Samick-made MIK Epiphones?

 

Overall, the Korean-made Epiphone semi-hollow Guitars were very well regarded. When I was selling Epiphones, we'd get a lot of serious players who'd buy a DOT or a Sheraton and drop Gibson pickups in them. Bear in mind that the Gibson pickups cost as much or more than a DOT by itself, and it was still cheaper than buying a 335.

 

I've had a number of Epiphone models, over time, mostly LP & SG models, but I've also tried a couple of Bass models, the Thunderbird and the EB-0. Both of the Basses were pretty awful, for sound and playability. Guitars have been a mixed bag, nothing truly awful, but not inspiring, either. I had one Ivory G-400 for a while, and it was nice, just not quite up to my other SG's. Eventually, I traded it in for something else?

 

Of all the Epiphone Guitars I've had over time, the DOT is the only one I've kept, and it's not going anywhere . . . I recently ordered a Schaller Roller Bridge for it, one of my favorite after-market upgrade parts. Schaller is now offering the Roller Bridge with a set of posts that will retro-fit import Guitars, as well, so you can upgrade your Epi, LTD, or what-have-you, without drilling and routing.

"Monsters are real, and Ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win." Stephen King

 

http://www.novparolo.com

 

https://thewinstonpsmithproject.bandcamp.com

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Overall, the Korean-made Epiphone semi-hollow Guitars were very well regarded. When I was selling Epiphones, we'd get a lot of serious players who'd buy a DOT or a Sheraton and drop Gibson pickups in them. Bear in mind that the Gibson pickups cost as much or more than a DOT by itself, and it was still cheaper than buying a 335.

 

 

+1 I talked a buddy into dropping in a pair of 57 Gibson pups into his Epi Sheraton and upgrading the pots. He liked the upgrade so much that he has done it to a couple more of his guitars. Not cheap at $160 for each pup. A lot of guys have upgraded MIM Strats, Squiers, etc. But a few serious players were into upgrading the Epi's. They could get the cheaper guitars and make them sound great as the pups really make the difference. Epi is doing the upgrades for you these days using US made humbuckers and P90's. They cost a bit more but are still way cheaper than a Gibson counterpart. :cool:

Take care, Larryz
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That"s where I"m at right now. I have some high value guitars. Mostly Fender stuff. I"m old and it"s stuff I bought when I was young before it became vintage but I"m not taking the stuff out anymore. I"ll take a Tele or two ( usually a Baja 50s model and an Esquire build I did last year) But my workhorses are a pair of modded up 600 series Yamaha Pacificas. They"re made in Indonesia. They feel like my old 70s 4 bolt Strat. I swapped bridge pickups and installed momentary kill switches. For the most part they needed nothing. They were good enough off the rack. I just don"t leave stuff alone.

 

All this Epiphone talk I got the Sheraton out and been playing it this week while on vacation.

 

VgcNpQn.jpg

"It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne

 

"A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!!

So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt

 

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That"s where I"m at right now. I have som high value guitars. Mostly Fender stuff. I"m old and it"s stuff I bought when I was young before it became vintage but I"m not taking the stuff out anymore. I"ll take a Tele or two ( usually a Baja 50s model and an Esquire build I did last year) But my workhorses are a pair of modded up 600 series Yamaha"s. Their made in Indonesia. They feel like my old 70s 4 bolt Strat. I swapped bridge pickups and installed momentary kill switches. For the most part they needed nothing. They were good enough off the rack. I just don"t leave stuff alone.

 

All this Epiphone talk I got the Sheraton out and been playing it this week while on vacation.

 

VgcNpQn.jpg

 

All y'all with your sweet semi-hollows are making me want one!!!

I love my Gibson but I don't want to risk it at some of the places we played back when there were gigs.

It's not a NEED but it is a WANT!!!!

 

Got a beater parts Strat customized to the hilt, love it. Not the same tone or feel as a semi-hollow. I guess I'll just keep spankin' the plank...

It took a chunk of my life to get here and I am still not sure where "here" is.
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All this Epiphone talk I got the Sheraton out and been playing it this week while on vacation.

 

VgcNpQn.jpg

 

Damn, brother, that is nice, always loved the Black w/Gold hardware look!

"Monsters are real, and Ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win." Stephen King

 

http://www.novparolo.com

 

https://thewinstonpsmithproject.bandcamp.com

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That is GORGEOUS, Kuru! I love the black and gold.

 

So, I mentioned to my good friend Stan that I was selling one of my Poly Evolver synths. He wants a Poly Evolver...one thing led to another, and this is now on it's way here.

 

E9lAgMA.jpg

 

Dammit. :wall:

 

dB

 

Well, it's not mine!!!! It's CEB's guitar and yes, it is GORGEOUS!!!! Photo of mine attached, it's pretty too. 86 Gibson ES335 Studio - red and gold.

 

You are going to LOVE that SG!!!! That's one of the high end models. Full access to the entire neck and some fat sounding screamer/creamer pickups. Plus, they don't hum. Awesome guitar, Sir Dave - well done.

1137.thumb.jpg.a05d44657522402b8dfdad0d5dba8653.jpg

It took a chunk of my life to get here and I am still not sure where "here" is.
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That is GORGEOUS, Kuru! I love the black and gold.

 

So, I mentioned to my good friend Stan that I was selling one of my Poly Evolver synths. He wants a Poly Evolver...one thing led to another, and this is now on it's way here.

 

E9lAgMA.jpg

 

Dammit. :wall:

 

dB

 

This picture makes me ask...what version of the SG is that?

 

I ask because I once walked into my FLMS and they had a trio of SGs that looked like that, except they had metal flake finishes. One was that same shade of blue, the others were ruby red and emerald green. They were flawless. I was thinking hard about getting one, but decided to sleep on it. When I went back a few days later, someone had purchased all three.

Sturgeon's 2nd Law, a.k.a. Sturgeon's Revelation: âNinety percent of everything is crapâ

 

My FLMS- Murphy's Music in Irving, Tx

 

http://murphysmusictx.com/

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That is spectacular, Marshall! I'm way jealous. I'm sure you'll enjoy that... :rocker:

 

Well, it's not mine!!!! It's CEB's guitar and yes, it is GORGEOUS!!!!

Sorry, CEB! :hider:

 

Photo of mine attached, it's pretty too. 86 Gibson ES335 Studio - red and gold.

A pretty baby indeed!

 

You are going to LOVE that SG!!!! That's one of the high end models. Full access to the entire neck and some fat sounding screamer/creamer pickups. Plus, they don't hum. Awesome guitar, Sir Dave - well done.

Damn...now I'm even more psyched. Thank you, brother!

 

This picture makes me ask...what version of the SG is that?

 

I ask because I once walked into my FLMS and they had a trio of SGs that looked like that, except they had metal flake finishes. One was that same shade of blue, the others were ruby red and emerald green. They were flawless. I was thinking hard about getting one, but decided to sleep on it. When I went back a few days later, someone had purchased all three.

Stan sez it's a 2006 reissue of a 1961 model. I've seen a bunch of them in Pelham Blue, but the Sapphire seems pretty rare.

 

dB

:snax:

 

:keys:==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <==:rawk:

 

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Stan sez it's a 2006 reissue of a 1961 model. I've seena bunch of them in Pelham Blue, but the Sapphire seems pretty rare.

 

dB

 

So technically, it is a reissue of a 61 Les Paul guitar but in 2006 Gibson had resumed building the original Les Paul guitars and Les Paul was still alive. He was famous for not liking the SG much plus his pending divorce with Mary Ford made him want to reduce his income for the settlement so he cancelled his contract with Gibson.

 

They made SG "Les Pauls through 1962 or so if I am not mistaken. A friend of mine has one of the SG Les Paul Jr. guitars from the same era and it is a great playing and sounding guitar with a fat neck and one of those P-90s that injures the guitar amp and makes it howl.

 

2006 was a great year for Gibsons, that will be a sweet axe and it's a cool color!

It took a chunk of my life to get here and I am still not sure where "here" is.
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2006, eh? Sounds about right. And if the metal flake colors were so rare AND that was a good production year, I can see why someone snapped all three up.

Sturgeon's 2nd Law, a.k.a. Sturgeon's Revelation: âNinety percent of everything is crapâ

 

My FLMS- Murphy's Music in Irving, Tx

 

http://murphysmusictx.com/

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