Gibsons own knockoffs
- Thread starter JohnnyGoo
- Start date
I think Gibson should have done this a long time ago.
My guess is that Gibson finally realized that a lot of people want to buy Les Pauls, but don't care for the headstocks most often used by Epiphone, yet are not financially situated to get the Gibson-branded model.
This is similar to the Fender/Squier situation. The basic body, neck, and headstock shapes are the same, as are the general hardware and electronics (realizing the Squier will use cheaper variants), but the names on the headstock are different.
My initial thought is that the sales through the Epiphone line will increase somewhat now that they look essentially the same as the Gibson versions, save the actual name on the headstock.
My guess is that Gibson finally realized that a lot of people want to buy Les Pauls, but don't care for the headstocks most often used by Epiphone, yet are not financially situated to get the Gibson-branded model.
This is similar to the Fender/Squier situation. The basic body, neck, and headstock shapes are the same, as are the general hardware and electronics (realizing the Squier will use cheaper variants), but the names on the headstock are different.
My initial thought is that the sales through the Epiphone line will increase somewhat now that they look essentially the same as the Gibson versions, save the actual name on the headstock.
Clockworkmike
Ambassador of STACKS in WV SHACKS
It never made sense that Gibson wouldn't allow the traditional headstock when they allowed every other guitar with nontraditional headstocks to be copied (i.e the Explorer, the Flying V, and Firebird). Like mentioned previously by @smitty_p , Fender has been doing this since the creation of Squire, but so has ESP with LTD, while Jackson, G&L and PRS, never differentiated their headstocks from their affordable line nor used a different brand name, rather using a different model name.
Gibson once again, is late on the draw with this one and it could only help their sells because yeah, im one of the guys who owns the old style Epiphone headstock and have always despised it for that reason only: all they did was literally cut the points off to a 45deg angle. Why???
Gibson once again, is late on the draw with this one and it could only help their sells because yeah, im one of the guys who owns the old style Epiphone headstock and have always despised it for that reason only: all they did was literally cut the points off to a 45deg angle. Why???
Well…it’s got the other open book headstock….but…
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Edit: …and there’s also an orange V in the sparkle finis line…
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Clockworkmike
Ambassador of STACKS in WV SHACKS
That's the same one I got, probably the longest lasting Epiphone headstock they usedHeadstock on my 2000-something G400. Didn't realize I wasn't supposed to like it. (insert shoulder shrug)
I was probably being a little snarky.....
Truth is. I don't mind the Epi headstock at all. One doesn't have to read the name on the headstock to know it's not an actual Gibson. Out of respect, I've always referred to it as my G400 rather than calling it an SG.... which technically it is. But I figure most of you with an SG spent more money on yours than I did mine.
That said. Over a period of years, I've swapped/modded everything on it other than the wood and the plastic. I've had a guy at church play it that knows more about electric guitars than I will ever know..... hand it back to me and tell me..... this is a nice guitar.
OP
To me Epiphone is turning into the old Gibson when they didnt charge to rediculas prices for guitars that nowdays are all cut on CNC machines.Gibson will be for the name on the headstock guys,collectors,or people with enough money to shell out for a real Gibson.Im not Gibson bashing cause Fender doing the same thing with there USA line. 1000 to 3 or 4 thousand Teles and Strats.Are you nuts Fender .What you been smokeing sheesh.A person can partscaster those things all day long for a fraction on what there asking. Just my 2 cents.
I tend to be the outlier. But if I were in the market to purchase another guitar and that guitar was going to be a Les Paul.... I would buy an Epi. Reasons: Today Epi is making good guitars..... less expensive than Gibson labeled, by a lot in some cases...... the headstock. I like it. What can I say?
..... or buy an MIM Fender like I did with my Strat. Good quality. At about 1/2 the cost of an American Fender. Sure..... I'd love to buy American, but sometimes it's just not fiscally possible.