Better Guitar

player opinions

Name: Stan
Band: -----
Model Year: 2004
Price Paid: $420
Performance
I’ve played Gibsons and Epiphones and to me there is really no difference in them other than the name. Of course there are differences in manufacturing, like the Maple top is a veneer (makes it a little lighter), the pickups are not Gibsons and the neck is 1mm more narrow than a Gibson. Maybe there is one big difference... the price.
Performance Rating: 10
Sound Quality
When I first received it, the thing was noisy and one of the volume controls didn’t work. I have potted the pickups and completely stripped out all the wiring, volume, tone controls, jack and switch as well as the caps and replaced them with electronics that are even better than what Gibson uses (CTS, Sprague, Switchcraft). I was tossing around the idea of putting Gibson pickups in it but man after potting these Epi’s, they really sound great.
Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
Solid Guitar, workhorse! Great finish... it is curly Maple red. I have had no issues with the guitar and would highly recommend it. If you take the time to shield it, rewire it and replace a few of the cheap electronics you will have a Gibson at a 1/4 of the price.
Construction Rating: 10

Name: Andrew
Band: -----
Model Year: 2004
Price Paid: $600 Canadian
Performance
I am looking forward to buying this guitar as soon as possible because I've gone to the music store and have played it like 20 times this year. It sounds great and I absolutely love the heritage cherry sunburst flame top. Very easy to play and does what it promises.
Performance Rating: 10
Sound Quality
The pickups sound great and I have never have any problem playing anything. The sound can go from nice and clean to classic rock to heavy heavy metal. I played it using a Roland Cube 15 and it sounded OK.
Sound Quality Rating: 9
Construction
The neck is very thin and the body is very heavy (like a usual Les Paul). So far there have been no problems, but I have been debating whether to buy either a Gibson SG Special/Standard or an Epiphone LP Standard/Classic. Like I said earlier: the flame top HCS looks beautiful and I just cant let go of it when I'm playing it.
Construction Rating: 10