When is an Epiphone better than a Gibson?
That can be summed up in one word: Availability.
One (of several) complaints I have about Gibson is that they have several really good models but don't make them in a Gibson USA version. Or if they do, it's a cut rate version of it that doesn't have all the features you want...
...which is where Epiphone comes in. They make the stuff Gibson should be making now.
A classic example of this is the 3-pickup Epiphone Black Beauty Les Paul Custom. Yeah, it's a bit expensive for an Epiphone, but it ticks all the right boxes. It has the diamond inlay on the headstock, all the binding, all the proper electronics and so on. Everything is there and it's missing nothing. You really do get a true Black Beauty 'Paul from Epiphone. Nobody else is making this right now. Not even Gibson.
Two examples of genuinely good Epiphone models that you can't get from Gibson (or would have a really hard time finding from Gibson)
What a guitar, and what a steal this is. If you liked the cheap-and-good Epiphone Les Paul Special I P90, wow are you going to love this. Seriously. This guitar has that raspy and "gritty" single-coil P90 sound and is a total tone monster.
I consider this a "sleeper" Les Paul and am genuinely surprised more people don't buy it. And it comes in gold. GOLD. And it has binding and trapezoid inlays! What more do you want?
You know the old saying "they don't build 'em like they used to"? The '56 is built like they used to make them. If you don't believe me, try one for yourself. You won't be disappointed.
Epiphone Les Paul Custom Pro in Silverburst
If you want a guitar that turns heads that is not a Black Beauty, it's a Les Paul Custom in Silverburst.
This is sometimes known as the "ghost" finish, and wow does it work well. Ever since it was introduced in the 1970s, the 'Paul has always taken well to a Silverburst finish.
If you were ever trying to decide which Epiphone Les Paul gets everything right where the look, price, features, resale value and so on are all correct, this is that guitar. It is literally a can't-go-wrong Les Paul as far as Epiphone is concerned.
There is good stuff from Epiphone when you look
Sometimes your "dream Gibson" might not be a Gibson at all simply because Gibson doesn't make it...
...but Epiphone probably does. Be on the lookout and you'll find some truly great offerings from the brand.
Casio A158 gold face JDM version from Japan
It finally arrived.
(Something to mention up front before continuing: This watch was ordered a few weeks before my laptop disaster happened. Had I known that disaster was coming, I wouldn't have bought this watch. But since I can't send it back for a refund, well, here it is.)
The watch I'm specifically talking about here is model A158WEA-9JF. Expensive? Not at all. It's quite cheap, actually.
The "JF" on the tail of the model name means it's a JDM-specific timepiece (Japan Domestic Market). The only difference between a JDM and one made for North America is the packaging.
You do not get the typical blue/white Casio cardboard box with a low-end JDM Casio watch. Instead, you get a plastic box with hang tag.
And wow, did this watch take a long time to get here. Almost a full month passed before it finally showed up in the mail.
Is the Casio A158WEA-9JF made in Japan?
No. All A158 models are made in China as far as I know. With the 9JF model, the only reason to buy it is for the JDM packaging. You're basically spending 4 to 5 bucks more for it.
Why did I buy this?
I bought this one because it's the only Casio with gold I like, and I wanted an actual Casio timepiece made for the JDM market just for the experience of getting one.
There is a little bit of exclusivity with this particular timepiece, as you don't see this particular gold face version often. Most people will either get the black face or something like the A168WG-9 which is all gold. Some people like an all-gold Casio, but I don't.
For a short time I did in fact own an all-gold Casio, the A500WGA. I received it as a seller goof. I had ordered a chrome version but got the gold one instead. Nice watch, but I just could not get along with all that gold and returned it.
With this one, however, I am definitely keeping it (I have to anyway since it can't be returned) as it's much more my style.
What kind of gold color is on the face?
It's a flat color which is sometimes called camel. There isn't any crazy sparkly crapola going on as it has no metallic flake, nor does it shine excessively. And that is exactly what I wanted as I can't stand watches with any metallic glittery nonsense on them.
For a cheap watch, this gold face Casio actually looks quite nice.
A unique watch in a sea of mediocrity
The muted gold/camel look of the A158WEA-9JF is subtle, but at the same time very unique. You stare at it just out of curiosity because of its muted color combo that no other watch has.
The face has 4 colors on it. Light gray LCD, black segments, black printed text, black border, white printed text, and maroon printed text with maroon printed markers.
You probably wouldn't even notice the maroon until I just mentioned it. The "WR" at bottom right is maroon, and the three little oval markers above the LCD are also maroon.
The 9JF grabs attention for the right reasons. It's not too flashy but is just different enough to be unique and cool. Yeah, it's still a cheap Casio digital, but it's one that has a unique look to it, and that matters. It also has the same rock-solid dependability the F-91W has being it's the same watch in a steel version, and that also matters.
How to run your own guitar company
I'm not suggesting you do this, but it is interesting you can do it.
Being I have a web site that has many articles about guitars and guitar related stuff, I will periodically receive emails from those hocking their wares in my direction.
A guitar company from China has emailed me for either the second or third time in a row with this exact same email, grammar mistakes and all (certain parts redacted):
Dear sir or madam,
Glad to hear that you're in the market for Musical instrument .[Redacted]. is specialized in electric guitars,basses and hollow guitars field for several years with good quality and pretty competitive price.We are so nice to visit your website . All the guitars can be made according to your requirements . Because of the high quality and competitive price,our products are sold to all over the world,including American countries,European countries, Southeast Asian countries and so on .We sincerely desire to cooperate with you in the near future,hope you are interested in our products and expect your orders.
Please do not be hesitating to contact me if you have any question.
Sincerely yours
SheilaSkype [redacted]
...........................
[Redacted]
Tel: [redacted]
Fax:[redacted]
Mobile :[redacted]
Office ADD:[redacted]
Factory ADD: [redacted]
Email : [redacted]
Website: www.[redacted].com
Yes, this totally looks like junk mail but it's actually not. This is a real company in China with a real factory, real phone number, web site and so on. It's all legit. Or at least it appears to be. However, "Sheila" evidently didn't bother to address me by name properly even though my name is plastered all over my web site. How nice. I guess it wouldn't have made any difference anyway.
I visited the web site of this guitar company, and yes, they do offer several styles of guitars. How is the quality of the instruments? I have absolutely no idea.
As for the guitars offered, there are Strat copies, Les Paul copies and some hollow body offerings. Nothing you haven't seen before.
Why am I not showing the guitars? Because it's possible some other guitar "companies" here in the US use this China company, and it just so happens this China company uses headstock shapes that Fender would instantly shut them down for.
For those not in the know, it is usually true the #1 thing Fender will lawyer up for is when another company copies specific Fender-design headstock shapes. Not the body, not the pickup layout, not the control layout. In the end, it's all about that headstock shape. And this China company absolutely has an offering that copies the Strat and Tele headstock shapes way too closely, hence the reason I can't show it here.
Example of good: The Fender Modern Player Telecaster Plus. That guitar is absolutely a 100% pro-built machine and I am seriously not kidding. That guitar is one of the best electrics China makes. I don't know who Fender is outsourcing to build that particular guitar, but I can assure you IT IS GOOD. It's probably the same company who produces Squier Classic Vibe guitars, which are also VERY GOOD.
Example of bad: "Chibson" Les Pauls. Actually, they're not all bad, but whenever you buy one it's a total crapshoot whether you'll get a good one or not. There's significant buyer's risk involved there. Then again, it is cheap, so... I guess you just take your chances.
As for this guitar company that emailed me, it's like I said, I honestly do not know if they make good or bad stuff. But they fact they're fishing for buyers just by randomly emailing people like myself makes me believe the quality isn't exactly top shelf.
Instant guitar company, just add guitars
The thing I find amusing and a bit scary is that all I have to do to become a "guitar company" is contact some China-based outfit that will build my guitars real cheap to my specs, have them built, shipped here and start selling.
Not only that, I could have an entire range of guitars in several shapes. I could even include bass guitar models too if I wanted.
And yeah, it's that easy.
Would I do it? Heck no...
...but it's fun to think about.
Guitar of the week #62 - Epiphone SG Special with KillPot
It's cheap, and it has a feature a lot of people pay extra for.
The Epiphone SG Special with KillPot comes in cherry or black at a very nice price and has something a lot of players pay extra for. A kill switch, a.k.a. the "KillPot".
How it works is that when you physically tap the volume knob, the signal is momentarily cut, making for a "stutter" type sound effect.
Arguably, the player who did this technique best was Buckethead with the song Jordan.
The only way to get that stuttering sound is to use something you can press that will cut the sound and bring it back when you let go...
...and now you can get it built-in on a guitar for real cheap with the Epiphone. Believe me, it's way cheaper than trying to get a Buckethead edition Gibson Les Paul.
Can you get just the KillPot itself?
Yes, but you have to choose whether you want one for single coil or humbucker use (which basically means 250K or 500K).
How long will a pot like this last?
Unknown, but I do know this:
With the exception of the Fender S-1 switch, you almost never see pushbutton controls on a guitar. The reason for that is the life span of a pushbutton control is much shorter than that of a rotary.
If you decide to get the Epiphone above and the KillPot wears out early, fortunately you can very easily replace the volume control with a regular 500K pot and you're back in business. Or you could install a replacement KillPot.
Guitar of the week #61 - Fender Modern Player Telecaster Plus
This is the best Chinese Fender made right now.
The Fender Modern Player Telecaster Plus is one of only two guitars left from the Fender Modern Player Series. The only other one that's still out there is Fender Modern Player Telecaster Thinline Deluxe.
To the best of my knowledge, all Modern Player Fender guitars are made in China, but as I can tell you from first hand experience, these are awesome guitars. The ONLY reason they sell for as cheap as they do is because of where they're made.
The best of the best from the Modern Player Series is the Telecaster Plus. No question about it. The guitar is an HSS with a coil-split toggle switch between the volume and tone controls for the rear humbucker. The blade selector is 5-way.
Basically, this Tele is a hot-rodded Strat. It even has the belly cut in the back of the body. Yes, it does.
Also, again speaking from personal experience, the Honey Burst finish looks way better in person than in photos. You'd swear this is a $2,000 guitar but it's priced nowhere near that.
How does it play? Wonderfully. How does it sound? Loud and awesome.
Get one before Fender stops making them. If I had the cash, I'd buy one myself right now and I'm not kidding.