Epiphone Guitars or Gibson Guitars? Musicians will argue this until the end of time, so let's just focus on a few facts so you can decide for yourself.
First, a bit of background:
Epiphone and Gibson are very popular guitar makers. Epiphone was Gibson's biggest competitor until 1957, when Gibson purchased the faltering Epiphone. At that point, Gibson licensed many of its most popular models to be made by Epiphone, and by doing so was able to penetrate a whole new tier in the guitar marketplace.
So, what's all the fuss about? Why is a Gibson Les Paul $2,000 and an Epiphone Les Paul $500?
Let's take a look at the differences:
1. Where They're Made. Epiphone guitars are primarily manufactured in China. This of course makes huge cost cuts possible, but also makes quality control a bit more difficult. Gibson guitars are always made in the USA, and Gibson strives to have actual musicians making these guitars whenever possible. To some this may make no difference, but if you have an eye for workmanship you will notice a difference in craftsmanship.
2. Quality of Components. Epiphones are going to have lesser quality pickups and tuning keys. While the tuners don't have much of an effect on tone, it can be annoying to have to tune often because of inferior tuning keys. The higher quality pickups on Gibson guitars may be a nuance missed by non-musicians or beginners, but you can bet that not too many Platinum records were recorded using an Epiphone. Countless classic records have been recorded using Gibsons.
3. Headstock. To the untrained eye, An Epiphone and a Gibson may look identical. The key aesthetic giveaway is that the "open book" styling of the top of the headstock is cut off on a Epiphone. Of course, it also says "Epiphone" on the headstock, but this subtle difference is enough to signal the difference between "pro" and "entry-level." Having a Gibson is a statement that you've spent a lot of money on a guitar, and in some cases is a musician's status symbol.
4. Finishing Touches. Gibson guitars sport a Nitrocellulose lacquer finish, while Epiphones have a Polyurethane finish. The Nitrocellulose finish allows the wood to age well and allow some air and moisture to pass through the finish. This brings out different sound characteristics as the instrument gets older. It also has to be applied in multiple layers with sanding in between, and is much more labor intensive.
An Epiphone's polyurethane finish needs only to be sprayed on in one or two coats, so it takes less work and time. This finish also restricts the air and moisture transfer to the wood that reduces the (often desireable) effects of aging.
The effect of each type of finish on tone is debatable, but an Epiphone's finish is obviously cheaper and faster to apply.
Is there a happy medium between an Epiphone and a Gibson?
Yes. Here are some suggestions if you can't decide which guitar to invest in:
*Many guitar players opt to buy a used Gibson to bring down the cost. A guitar that's a little beat up has some "soul," which isn't always a bad thing.
*Alternately, some online retailers offer to spread the cost equally over 5 months with no interest or credit card needed. You can buy a really nice, brand new $2,000 guitar for $400 per month without having to open a new line of credit.
*A final idea that works well is to buy an Epiphone and replace the pickups and tuning keys. This way you improve the two biggest shortcomings of the Epiphone while keeping costs down. If this is your first time attempting this, please hire a professional to do the job!
My Guitar Guide dives into all things Gibson, with a Special Section on Epiphone Guitars
