Honestly, what the difference between Gibson and Epiphone?

[PowerTube]

Okay, so Epiphone Les Paul bodies are made from mahogany. Gibson Les Paul bodies are made from "Honduran" mahogany (oooohhhh!!!!!).

So other than maybe some hardware differences, are Gibsons worth the 400% or higher price difference? Something in me says that the answer is no.

I would also apply the same question toward Fender and Squier. The Fender Strats seems to have thicker necks and are a tad heavier than their Squier counterparts, so that's probably a body wood difference.

I can notice the difference in Jacksons, but not in the others.

Discuss!

[DonP]

I like Gibsons. I can afford Gibsons. I buy Gibsons.

End of Discussion.

[MetalHeadMat]

Made in the U.S.A is an easy way to make 2 grand+. I think the Epiphone's are Korean(?)

[toejam]

Okay, so Epiphone Les Paul bodies are made from mahogany. Gibson Les Paul bodies are made from "Honduran" mahogany (oooohhhh!!!!!).

There are lower grades of mahogany. You don't think Epiphone really uses the "good" stuff; do you?

[Axewielder]

I've got an MIJ Elitist which kicks ass, but I've never found a regular ol' Epi that rolled my socks up and down.

[Spivonious]

Made in USA is a license to print money when it comes to guitars. The quality could be exactly the same and no one would care.

It's like paying $500 to get an Apple logo on your PC. The hardware isn't any better, and the OS is cheaper, so why does it cost more than an equivalent Dell/HP/Gateway/etc.?

[Rich#6]

I think the Epiphone's are Korean(?)

They now have thier own factory in china. No more having samick or cort make them for them.
If I liked the LP shape I would pay the extra cash to not have to look at that ugly epi headstock. Are gibsons worth the money not to me. ( I gave a friend a Jackson DXMG last year and I just sold his 81 gibson flying V on ebay for him, since he didn't play it anymore.)

[PowerTube]

There are lower grades of mahogany. You don't think Epiphone really uses the "good" stuff; do you?

Of course not, but exactly how "select" is that Honduran mahogany, considering that the entire top is going to be covered in maple, anyway? And besides, the wood doesn't make quite as much difference on an electric guitar as it does on an acoustic instrument.

Don't get me wrong; I'm not trashing Gibson in any way. I'm also not asking if Gibsons are worth their price tags. I'm just asking if the difference is really warranted.

[Grandturk]

Brands like Squire and Epiphone will never lose their "beginners" label in my mind - I don't care how good they may (or more likely may not) be.

[Flatpicker]

Don't get me wrong; I'm not trashing Gibson in any way. I'm also not asking if Gibsons are worth their price tags. I'm just asking if the difference is really warranted.

In all honestly? No, the differences aren't really warranted anymore. A CNC machine dosen't have a nationality and the rest is detail work.

I wonder if someone used asian labor and CNC machines then plekked the necks and fretwork, would we know the difference?

That being said, I'm a sucker for a good USA guitar and will pay more for the locale.
But, I have my fair share of imports that I was able to set up to my liking.

[Larz]

The Epi bullseyes were so good that Zakk Wylde decided to keep them all.

[eakinj]

From what I understand, Epiphone also don't use solid mahogany either. And the core is usually alder (this may have changed but I know it's how it was on a lot of their les pauls for a lot of years) I have one of the "Guitar of the month" Epiphone Les Paul Custom "ltd" guitars and it kicks serious ass. I don't have my les paul custom anymore to compare it against but it's a great feeling and playing guitar.

[Flatpicker]

From what I understand, Epiphone also don't use solid mahogany either. And the core is usually alder (this may have changed but I know it's how it was on a lot of their les pauls for a lot of years) I have one of the "Guitar of the month" Epiphone Les Paul Custom "ltd" guitars and it kicks serious ass. I don't have my les paul custom anymore to compare it against but it's a great feeling and playing guitar.

That changed in 05 I believe. Now they are solid, but multi-piece.

[hippietim]

As soon as someone hands me a decent Epiphone guitar it becomes a worthy comparison.

[MetalHeadMat]

As soon as someone hands me a decent Epiphone guitar it becomes a worthy comparison.

The majority of Epi's I've played have blown the Gibby's of the same model out of the water.