Japanese Epiphones

JCP · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:24 am Post subject: Japanese Epiphones

I've long heard great things about these guitars. Like many here, I've got a room full of Gibby's, but my curiosity got the better of me.

I spoke with a few people on the SG forum who had experience with them, and said they're great. Unlike the Epi's made for the U.S., these guitars are finished in lacquer, and have the Gibson headstock. Someone also told me they are Honduran Mahogany like Gibby's, not Phillipine like most Korean/Chinese built models.

It's an ebony '61 reissue, which, ironically, I bought the Gibson version of on the same day I bought the Japanese model. I'll be able to do a direct comparison, and I'll report what I find.

Would like to know the history of the Japanese Epiphones. It's my understanding that these are from the same plant, and are of the same construction and quality as Orvilles, and they just changed the name to Epiphone when they dropped the Orville name. If anyone can tell me if this is correct or not, or can give me some background on the Japanese models, I'd appreciate it.

The guitar should arrive any day...

JCP · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:16 pm Post subject:

A short follow up. It came today, but I had company, so I've had little time with it so far. I played it a bit unplugged, and looked it over very well.

First impression: Weight is at the low end of my Gibson SG collection. Weighs about the same as one of my Platinum models.

The neck is an exact duplicate of the Gibson 61 Reissue. Feels the same, at any rate. Inlays in the board and headstock are perfect, as is the binding. The finish is as good as some of my Gibby's, meaning not quite perfect, but very acceptable. I found two small fisheye the size of the head of a pin, one right at the neck joint on the heel of the neck, one on the side of the body. If this guitar were not black, I'd probably not seen them.

The fretwork is really excellent. Here's where they really made good. Better than some of my Gibby's.

The neck is straight as an arrow, and I lowered the action very low w/no buzzes. Great player.

The tuners are really cheap looking. The metal stampings look like they came from Tonka. They go right away. I love the Sperzels on my Carvins, I'll do those. The bridge is an exact copy of the Gibby, not like the Korean/Chinese Epis, but the plating has a bit cheaper look. I'll see how it functions, it may go too.

So far it's what I had realistically hoped for. A good guitar to use as a base for new pickups and electronix. I will fire it up to see how the factory stuff sounds, but crazy as it may seem, I bought this guitar specifically for a new bridge pickup I got from John Birch in England. While I'm in there, I'll just replace the pots and caps.

We had a kid come on here last year and try to tell us these guitars are as good as/better than Gibby's. 'Taint so. However, it cost me almost exactly half of what my new Gibby 61 Reissue cost, and I planned to make a hotrod of it anyway. I satisfied my curiosity, and didn't loose in the process.

I'm told by the Japanese dealer that these Gibson-style Epihones have been discontinued over there. He can only get the 61 SG Reissues in black or white, and LP Specials and JR's. He tells me that the Japan Epi's will be U.S. spec from now on, w/the Epi-style heastock we're used to seeing.

If you'd like to read a few other reviews of the Japanese Epi SG's, there's a thread on everythingsg.

It was a bit under $800, shipped from Japan. If anyone is interested in cking one of these out, PM me and I'll give you his link.

In all honesty, if I didn't already have 8 other Gibson SG's, I would recommend putting a hundred or two more down for a used Gibby Standard. But if you want a '61 Reissue and don't have that kind of money, these seem to be a great bang for the buck.

JCP · Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 8:24 am Post subject:

I'm always a little suspect of an owner review, including my own. It's hard to be 100% objective and keep wishful thinking out of the mix. I bought this guitar out of curiosity as much as anything, so I'm determined to be as objective as possible.

I played the guitar thru the amps for several hours yesterday, pretty much as it arrived, with just an action adjustment.

The neck and fretwork remain the best part of the guitar.

The tuners are absolute junk, as cheap feeling/operating as they look. As much as I like the Sperzels on my Carvins, I'm not crazy about the matte finish on the buttons. I'm going to retain the looks of the guitar and replace them with Kluson Vintage locking tuners. $65.00

The nut is plastic of course, and cut too deep. The strings hang badly, and between the nut and the tuners, it's a tuning nightmare. Will replace w/graphite. $10 (I'll install myself.)

As I said before, I bought this thing to hotrod and already have a bridge pickup for it. As for now, I can only say the electronics (pickups, pots, caps) sound like the tuners work. No warmth whatsoever. I was surprised by the output of the pickups, but very thin tone. Whether this problem lies with the pickups or related electronics is hard to say. Might be able to warm it up w/replacement of pots and caps alone. I'm putting a complete RS Vintage kit in it. Another $100

$750 for the guitar shipped, + $175 in electronics and hardware. $925.00. I'm not counting the pickup, as I bought it before the guitar, and it was $200 from an English custom shop. I've got a drawer full of pickups including Gibsons, so I'll draw the neck pickup from my supply. If you don't work on your own guitars, add the labor for the installation and setup.

So, would I recommend this guitar for a one and only or first SG? NO. I believe the U.S. spec Epiphones to be a better bargain, but consider that you'll probably want to replace all of these components on an Epi whether Japanese, Korean, or Chinese. People rave about these Japanese models, and frankly, I can't see it.

No offense to any Epiphone owners here, but if you're looking for a cost-effective alternative to a new Gibson, buy a used one.

JCP · Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:34 am Post subject:

Ok, another update. I've just ordered new tuners (Kluson vintage locking). I like the idea of direct drop-in, and retaining the orginal apprearance.

Also ordered a GraphTech nut, pre-cut for Gibson. This will be my first nut installation, but I've got Dan Earlywine's book to guide me thru the process. I love learning new skills.

On the electronice side, I'm going 300k CTS pots on the bridge controls, to add some warmth, 500K on the neck position.

I've got Jensen oil and paper (.022mf for the bridge position) caps coming. Expensive little buggers, about $15.00 a piece as opposed to a buck a piece for Orange Drops, but I'm going for vintage warmth for the tone circuit.

The basics of this guitar seem to be just fine, so I'm hoping to have a very good sounding workhorse guitar for a minimal investment. We'll see.

Installtion # 4 coming soon.

SAguitar · Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 9:40 pm Post subject:

It's sounding like you're on the right track! Keep up the good work. Cool