New IBG Epiphones - Get them before Eagle does

[SillyOctpuss]

I've just figured out why @Eagle has been bashing epiphone so much recently. The new IBG models are released today and I'll bet he's been psyching everyone out so no one pre orders and he can get down to Andertons for his pick of the bunch.

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I see you Eagle

Looks like they've started using rosewood again but Damn these are the expensive.

 

[spawnofthesith]

I just don't get the appeal of a $1300 epiphone. you can get a used studio for waaaay less than that, and can typical find a used traditional for maybe $100 more without having to look too hard

 

[Eagle]

I just don't get the appeal of a $1300 epiphone. you can get a used studio for waaaay less than that, and can typical find a used traditional for maybe $100 more without having to look too hard

This

 

[SillyOctpuss]

I just don't get the appeal of a $1300 epiphone. you can get a used studio for waaaay less than that, and can typical find a used traditional for maybe $100 more without having to look too hard

Yeah the closest equivalent to my Tokai is £100 more expensive than I paid. That includes the import charges I paid. Or you could import an Edwards for closer to £300 less!

 

[Eagle]

I’m not sure where they fit in the world but I will only report back when I have seen enough to be representative. The devaluation second hand will be brutal.

 

[- ★ - BROCKSTAR - ★ -]

The prices make no sense. Shop around and you could get a used mint gibson sg standard for around the same price as what the sg epiphone is going for etc..

 

[Eagle]

Yeah the closest equivalent to my Tokai is £100 more expensive than I paid. That includes the import charges I paid. Or you could import an Edwards for closer to £300 less!

They are going to need to rival Edward’s and Tokai or there is no point and they won’t get close. They are going to sell on the headstock shape.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

They are going to need to rival Edward’s and Tokai or there is no point and they won’t get close. They are going to sell on the headstock shape.

I keep an eye on kurosawa gakki pretty regularly now to look at the limited editon Tokais, Edwards and navigators coming in. Those epiphone Greeny's were listed for more money than the base Tokai and Edwards models. The price reductions since December have been brutal and the stock levels don't seem to be going down.

 

[metropolis_4]

My first electric was an ET-290N so I’ll always have a soft spot for Epiphone. I’m much more interested in their original models though. I’m hoping to see them continue to expand those lines of instruments.

If they brought back something like a US made Wilshire in Silver Fox there’s no way I could resist

 

[Jarick]

Keep in mind the IBG Epiphones have upgraded pickups, electronics, and a hardshell case included. That's probably going to make up the price difference at retail.

Obviously if you're a modder or bargain hunter it's not going to be the guitar you shop for. Used guitars in mint condition with upgrades you do yourself will always be more cost effective.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

Keep in mind the IBG Epiphones have upgraded pickups, electronics, and a hardshell case included. That's probably going to make up the price difference at retail.

Obviously if you're a modder or bargain hunter it's not going to be the guitar you shop for. Used guitars in mint condition with upgrades you do yourself will always be more cost effective.

They've got the same pots as the standard 50s epiphone so you're paying £600 more for pickups, tone caps, a case and the gibson headstock. That's seriously steep. I'd rather buy the 50s and upgrade it myself. Most of the hardware is probably the same too and the wood stock will definitely be the same.

 

[spawnofthesith]

I assume still just veneers too like the $1500 greeny

 

[SillyOctpuss]

I assume still just veneers too like the $1500 greeny

In fairness the Tokais and Edwards are veneers at that price point too.

 

[spawnofthesith]

In fairness the Tokais and Edwards are veneers at that price point too.

Dang didn't realize that. Same with my strandberg too though (and even the ones that go into the $3k range)

Nothing inherently wrong with a veneer of course, but after a certain price point I want the whole piece of fancy maple dangit

 

[spawnofthesith]

What I didn't know until recently is that apparently epiphone often does a veneer on the back of the guitar too to cover up whatever mystery wood and how many pieces are being used. According to TOP that is not the case with these new ones though

 

[la szum]

The IBG guitars have been out for awhile now, haven't they?

The Firebird and early 60's LP (SG) were already well over $1500 here in the States
for a year or more.

Apologies for the Blue Light Filter on my screenshot. I also am wearing a Faraday Cape, and a highly
reflective Tin Foil Snuggy!

 

[SillyOctpuss]

What I didn't know until recently is that apparently epiphone often does a veneer on the back of the guitar too to cover up whatever mystery wood and how many pieces are being used. According to TOP that is not the case with these new ones though

Yeah I don't know if they still do the veneers on the back anymore. I think Fender used to do that too with American standards in the dark days to cover how many pieces of alder they'd used.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

Dang didn't realize that. Same with my strandberg too though (and even the ones that go into the $3k range)

Nothing inherently wrong with a veneer of course, but after a certain price point I want the whole piece of fancy maple dangit

I don't mind a veneer on the top of a LP as long as it has a proper maple top underneath. It's one of the reasons I quite like gold tops and solid colours then they don't need to bother with a veneer. I knkw tokai and Edwards have two piece tops under the veneers, no idea how many pieces epiphone use tbh.

 

[CBHScott]

The 335s are by far the best deal. My local shop put these out a week ago, and both 335s were excellent. They have better satin finishes (more like semi-gloss) than the 355s, with slimmer necks. $1149 new vs. $3999 for the nearest equivalent Gibson definitely works.

As far as the other models go, I agree with getting a used Gibson.

 

[Chocol8]

They've got the same pots as the standard 50s epiphone

I thought they were using CTS pots on the IBG's now? Still, the prices are a bit steep.