Honestly, what the difference between Gibson and Epiphone?

[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.

[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.

[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.)

[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.?

[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.

[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?

[MetalHeadMat]

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

[DonP]

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

End of Discussion.

[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!