Gibson vs Epiphone - is there a difference?

[paulk]

A friend of mine has an old Gibson ES-335 that I've been playing around with - I really like this guitar. I'd like to own one, however - I can't even come close to affording one of these. Even a re-issue is beyond my means.

But - an Epiphone Dot isn't - and it's basically the same guitar.

So... I'd be interested in the opinions of the guitar players here. Is there that much of a difference between Gibson and Epiphone guitars? I mean, Gibson owns Epiphone. Is there that much of a difference in quality to justify the (very much) increased price of the Gibsons?

If I go ahead and buy an Epiphone Dot am I buying a piece of junk? My only other electric is a Fender Telecaster Custom '72, a very nice (and valuable) guitar. Will I find the Epiphone so horrible compared to my Tele that I'll want to beat myself over the head with it?

[ProfessorGAC]

1. Not Really A Gibson Guy, But. . .

. . .i think the basic rule today, as regards guitars, is while you get what you pay for, the differences are far more subtle than they used to be.

Back in the day, a cheap guitar was pretty much a piece of crap with cheap woods, low production value, noisy electronics, and probably wouldn't take much use for long.

Today, there are some awfully good cheap guitars. Squires, Epiphone, Samick, et al make highly playable guitars for really good prices. Yeah, if you go upscale, you get a better playing guitar, which will last longer, and probably has a much better and deeper finish. But, the difference today seems not to be good vs. crappy. It's good vs. great. So, the inexpensive Epiphone is still likely a fine guitar, just not a 335.

One thing to keep in mind. The quality control, and consistency of parts is lower on these cheaper models, so you might have to play several to get a good one. I've played some the Epiphone cheap Les Paul models and some of those have been garbage. But, some of them were pretty darned good for the money.

So, it ain't a 335, but it's still likely a pretty good axe.
The Professor

[leftofthedial]

2. no, they're virtually identical . . .

they are both not Fenders

LOL

[opiate69]

3. Basically..

it's like the difference between a Toyota Camry and a Lexus... still a decent guitar for the price, but you'll eventually want to upgrade

[Sammy Pepys]

4. You're doing alright with an Epiphone Dot

It's up to what it's worth to you. If you bought a real Gibson 335, you're probably getting a better made guitar with higher quality parts (that will generally translate into a nicer sounding and playing instrument)...but most of the money you're dishing out is for the Gibson name and the status that comes with owning one.

[bullimiami]

5. yamaha also made (i dont know if they still do) a 335ish guitar

it is pretty well made.

[freethought]

6. Sounds like the Professor gave you some good advice,

Also remember if you find an Epiphone Dot and you like the way it plays. You can always throw a a few extra bucks for some improvements. For example, you buy the stock Epiphone, nobody can stop you from putting a set of Gibson pickups into it! Or maybe replacing certain parts with replacements that have better and more consistent quality control.
When I was teenager, way back in the Dark Ages, the Epiphone reputation was kind of like "Good until the warrantee ran out". My guitar instructor back then, often said that the Epiphone Les Paul clones would play quite well but seemed to be subject to sudden and large movements in the neck. One day the action would be low and slippery, some time later the action would be raised.

That was nearly 20 years ago and Epiphone is still around. I am quite certain if Epiphone was committed to building junk guitars they would have been out of business some time ago.

I have never played a Gibson ES-335. If money was no object give me a white one just like the one Alex Lifeson plays with. Love to try one someday.

Good Luck!

[johnnie]

7. I use Epiphone and mine are great guitars

If I may offer a suggestion though... Look into the Epiphone Sheraton II instead of the Dot. The Dot is a complete hollow body and will feedback a lot more than the Sheraton II. The Sheraton has a re-enforced body.

[Fiendish Thingy]

8. Epiphone has different levels of quality...

there's the standard Korean built, inexpensive guitars (Dot= $400) that I would stay away from, and there's the "Elitist" series, better parts, construction, etc. (Dot= $1200). Compare that to a Gibson 335 which runs around $3500-4000? I don't think it's worth the extra $$$ for the Gibson, but it's definitely worth it to upgrade to the Elitist.

I have an Epiphone Elitist Casino (double cutaway hollowbody like a Dot, but w/different pickups and internal bracing) that I love.