Should I or Shouldn't I

[Tonray's Ghost]

I recently got a Century brand gold top that I like a lot. The pickup's were decent p90s but the wiring and switch dodgy so I swapped in an epiphone harness and some Wilkinson p90s. Love it now.

The same shop is selling a honeyburst model same brand with humbuckers. The finish is really gorgeous and assuming the wiring again is dodgy I can get an entire Epi probucker set for about 85 bucks. $200 for the guitar and $85 for new pups and wiring..whay say ye all ?

[BatUtilityBelt]

$200 for the guitar and $85 for new pups and wiring..whay say ye all ?

Looks good to me. You can't have too many cool guitars.

[Spike]

Go for it! Everyone needs one more guitar.

[Partscaster]

There's no wagon to fall off around here, dude.
It looks nice.
You might need that Tele, too.

But if you dont also buy the Tele, its like you've made a deal with yourself to "go half way" and be prudent.
You'ld arguably owe yourself a future Tele, though.

[Mossman]

I'd get that Tele Custom instead of the LP, but that's just me.

[Tonray's Ghost]

There's no wagon to fall off around here, dude.
It looks nice.
You might need that Tele, too.

But if you dont also buy the Tele, its like you've made a deal with yourself to "go half way" and be prudent.
You'ld arguably owe yourself a future Tele, though.

It's a classic vibe sunburst..I will get one eventually.. Just tired of sunburst finishes

[Tonray's Ghost]

I'd get that Tele Custom instead of the LP, but that's just me.

Yeah.know I'm trying to accumulate guitars with different pickup types. Got a strat (singles), LP (p90s), and in the MKT for humby. I'd love one of the new Epi es 335 models but I think it's gonna be months before they are available here..well see.

I might just get a resonator guitar for Christmas and wait for the es335 to get here.

And really need some with mini hums too..

[jtcnj]

They said back in the '70's:
"If it feels good, do it!"

[Tonray's Ghost]

They said back in the '70's:
"If it feels good, do it!"

I've been doing it ever since the 70s.. Now it just takes a bit longer to get started and I want to nap right afterwards.. . Ha ha ha

[Mossman]

I'd get that Tele Custom instead of the LP, but that's just me.

Yeah.know I'm trying to accumulate guitars with different pickup types. Got a strat (singles), LP (p90s), and in the MKT for humby. I'd love one of the new Epi es 335 models but I think it's gonna be months before they are available here..well see.

I might just get a resonator guitar for Christmas and wait for the es335 to get here.

IMG_20201125_225433.png

And really need some with mini hums too..

What? There are new Epi 335s??

[runs out the door to go check epiphone.com...]

[Tonray's Ghost]

I'd get that Tele Custom instead of the LP, but that's just me.

Yeah.know I'm trying to accumulate guitars with different pickup types. Got a strat (singles), LP (p90s), and in the MKT for humby. I'd love one of the new Epi es 335 models but I think it's gonna be months before they are available here..well see.

I might just get a resonator guitar for Christmas and wait for the es335 to get here.

IMG_20201125_225433.png

And really need some with mini hums too..

What? There are new Epi 335s??

[runs out the door to go check epiphone.com...]

Yes! And new Casino.. 335 figured tops.. New Riviera with mini hums!

[SamIV]

Like someone here is going to say no, don’t buy it.

[uwmcscott]

That's a great looking plaintop - it even has the norlin era jigsaw-puzzle multi-piece top ( which i'm suggesting is a good thing BTW ). Looking forward to the NGD.

[Tonray's Ghost]

That's a great looking plaintop - it even has the norlin era jigsaw-puzzle multi-piece top ( which i'm suggesting is a good thing BTW ). Looking forward to the NGD.

I like the figuring in the wood..multi piece or not. This brand is nicely chambered and actually lighter than a standard Strat...under 8 lbs. But...I am really leaning toward the Resonator if only because it is si different than anything I have and I really enjoy playing the acoustic late at night before bed...that would also tide me over while I wait for the Epi new line Es 335s to show up in Thailand...which is what I've wanted for a long time. We'll see...I want to buy something before Christmas...and to boot there is a tax incentive for my GF if I use her ID # on the invoice as part of a year end stimulus program here. The resonator BTW is about $330 dollars...a Gretsch Boxcar clone with a lipstick pickup.....tasty

[Mossman]

Yes! And new Casino.. 335 figured tops.. New Riviera with mini hums!

Well I didn't see any new 335s, but I saw three ugly Casinos and the Riviera of which you spake. It's interesting that those Casinos are priced $200 less than the regular Casino. At first, I assumed they must have skimped out on construction, like made them 3-ply (like the old, Korean Casinos), instead of 5-ply (as they're made now), but nope... All the specs look identical, except the "Casino Worn" has "Pro P90" pickups... I don't know if those are the same as "P90 Pros", but they gotta be better than the "P90 Classics" in the regular Casino... Is it the thin matte finish that saves you $200?

I can't figure out why they're so cheap.

[Tonray's Ghost]

Yes! And new Casino.. 335 figured tops.. New Riviera with mini hums!

Well I didn't see any new 335s, but I saw three ugly Casinos and the Riviera of which you spake. It's interesting that those Casinos are priced $200 less than the regular Casino. At first, I assumed they must have skimped out on construction, like made them 3-ply (like the old, Korean Casinos), instead of 5-ply (as they're made now), but nope... All the specs look identical, except the "Casino Worn" has "Pro P90" pickups... I don't know if those are the same as "P90 Pros", but they gotta be better than the "P90 Classics" in the regular Casino... I can't figure out why they're so cheap.

Yeah...that's a funny detail on the Casinos...pplus the colors are ghastly !

https://www.epiphone.com/Guitars/Collection/original-es

[uwmcscott]

https://www.epiphone.com/Guitars/Collection/original-es

I dunno...the raspberry Tea burst figured 335 looks pretty OK to me. Having said that, if I were to want a Chinese 335 copy i'd probably go for a Firefly for 1/4 of the cost.

[Mossman]

https://www.epiphone.com/Guitars/Collection/original-es

I dunno...the raspberry Tea burst figured 335 looks pretty OK to me.

We were talking about the new Casinos that come in Army Green, Chalkboard Black, and Ghastly Blue.... That 335 there is awesome! Now I've officially got GAS. Thanks, Scott...

I've been wanting to get an Epi 335/Dot for a long time, but they've never had any finishes I could get excited about. Heritage Cherry is so played out I can't stand it, and I've got enough 3T Sunburst in my life. That "Aquafresh" finish, or whatever they called it, just made me sea-sick every time I looked at it, and I didn't like old "Iced Tea" finish, either... But that Raspberry Iced Tea is something I can get behind!

Having said that, if I were to want a Chinese 335 copy i'd probably go for a Firefly for 1/4 of the cost.

1/4 the cost, but I can't imagine they can come close in quality. Since 2015, Epiphone's archtop guitars are better than they've ever been (well... in my lifetime, anyway). My Korean Casino was a great guitar, but I wouldn't trade my 2016 Casino for it. It's a substantially better built, better finished guitar. Feels much more like a pro instrument than a "budget guitar". Before I bought it, I had a chance to play one side by side with a used Korean Casino, and there was no question... The Korean one felt like a toy compared to the new one.

I've considered buying a Firefly, or Grote many times, but at the end of the day, I think I'd be let down and end up buying an Epiphone anyway.

[Tonray's Ghost]

https://www.epiphone.com/Guitars/Collection/original-es

I dunno...the raspberry Tea burst figured 335 looks pretty OK to me.

We were talking about the new Casinos that come in Army Green, Chalkboard Black, and Ghastly Blue.... That 335 there is awesome! Now I've officially got GAS. Thanks, Scott...

I've been wanting to get an Epi 335/Dot for a long time, but they've never had any finishes I could get excited about. Heritage Cherry is so played out I can't stand it, and I've got enough 3T Sunburst in my life. That "Aquafresh" finish, or whatever they called it, just made me sea-sick every time I looked at it, and I didn't like old "Iced Tea" finish, either... But that Raspberry Iced Tea is something I can get behind!

Having said that, if I were to want a Chinese 335 copy i'd probably go for a Firefly for 1/4 of the cost.

I've considered buying a Firefly, or Grote many times, but at the end of the day, I think I'd be let down and end up buying an Epiphone anyway.

That's exactly my thinking here also. I waited a long time and that raspberry tea.. That's my ticket.. And block inlays are mandatory for me anyway.

[uwmcscott]

1/4 the cost, but I can't imagine they can come close in quality. Since 2015, Epiphone's archtop guitars are better than they've ever been. My Korean Casino was a great guitar, but I wouldn't trade my 2016 Casino for it. It's a substantially better built, better finished guitar. Feels much more like a pro instrument than a "budget guitar". Before I bought it, I had a chance to play one side by side with a used Korean Casino and there was no question... The Korean one felt like a toy compared to the new one.

I've considered buying a Firefly, or Grote many times, but at the end of the day, I think I'd be let down and end up buying an Epiphone anyway.

I bought one of the 339's that was not long after they switched from the Indonesian production to Chinese and it was a wreck - but it was only one guitar and I have also heard that the stuff they are bringing over now is much nicer quality.

The other things that are very appealing to me about the new semi hollows from Epi are the rounded C neck and the new less obtrusive/gaudy headstock. I really do not like the traditional Epiphone flat D neck profile or the huge ornate headstock. So yeah, these new ones have a lot going for them. And I agree that they are very likely a much nicer guitar than the Firefly 338. I had 3 of those that had to go back too

[Mossman]

That's exactly my thinking here also. I waited a long time and that raspberry tea.. That's my ticket.. And block inlays are mandatory for me anyway.

Me too... I'm a sucker for block inlays. I wanted to get a 335 Pro before they discontinued them, and the blocks were a big part of that.

[Mossman]

I bought one of the 339's that was not long after they switched from the Indonesian production to Chinese and it was a wreck - but it was only one guitar and I have also heard that the stuff they are bringing over now is much nicer quality.

Man, after they moved all of their production to the Chinese factory in 2009/10 they put out a lot of dogs. Even as late as 2014, I can remember picking up Casinos in stores and seeing just awful examples, with glue coming out of joints and finished over, and just bad, amateur finishes. I even saw one that someone tried to paint a burst on the back of the neck that looked like it was done by a 9-year-old with a rattle can (I imagined to cover a ganked scarf joint or something... Natural Casinos don't have painted necks). This was hanging in Guitar Center!! If I could find one that looked decent, it sounded and felt like crap, and I figured I'd have to hunt down a good used one if I ever wanted to have a Casino again.

The other things that are very appealing to me about the new semi hollows from Epi are the rounded C neck and the new less obtrusive/gaudy headstock. I really do not like the traditional Epiphone flat D neck profile or the huge ornate headstock. So yeah, these new ones have a lot going for them. And I agree that they are very likely a much nicer guitar than the Firefly 338. I had 3 of those that had to go back too

I was happy to see the return of the 'C' profile too. My Casino has the 'D' profile, and while it doesn't really bother me that much, I do prefer a rounder neck.

[uwmcscott]

Man, after they moved all of their production to the Chinese factory in 2009/10 they put out a lot of dogs. Even as late as 2014, I can remember picking up Casinos in stores and seeing just awful examples, with glue coming out of joints and finished over, and just bad, amateur finishes. I even saw one that someone tried to paint a burst on the back of the neck that looked like it was done by a 9-year-old with a rattle can (I imagined to cover a ganked scarf joint or something... Casinos don't have painted necks). This was hanging in Guitar Center!! If I could find one that looked decent, it sounded and felt like crap, and I figured I'd have to hunt down a good used one if I ever wanted to have a Casino again.

Yes the 339 I bought was one of the MF SDOTD deals and I was really excited about getting it - it was one of the P90 models in dark cherry. The clearcoat looked like it had been dipped in a vat of it whole with runs, globs at the joints etc and the F-holes looked like someone cut them out with a dull butter knife. But that was probably in that 5-6 year ago range.

I have to say that Epi really seems to have done a very nice job overall with their entire line this year. Maybe it's a reflection of the changes made way up at the top? Whatever the reason though, these new Semi-hollows are very nice looking and they also have a lot of cool offerings in the Les Paul line, and even some of the entry level Juniors/specials and Sg's really have some good appeal. The issue they face now is supply of course, but hopefully that will improve soon.

[Mossman]

Yes the 339 I bought was one of the MF SDOTD deals and I was really excited about getting it - it was one of the P90 models in dark cherry. The clearcoat looked like it had been dipped in a vat of it whole with runs, globs at the joints etc and the F-holes looked like someone cut them out with a dull butter knife. But that was probably in that 5-6 year ago range.

Yeah, I remember the f-holes looked like shite too, and on the Casino, the inside edges are painted black. I remember thinking I could have done a better job with a Q-tip when I was drunk.

I really liked the 339 with P90s, but I wanted the Pelham Blue one. I never really developed any serious GAS for it, though. I always had something higher on my list that I wanted more.

I have to say that Epi really seems to have done a very nice job overall with their entire line this year. Maybe it's a reflection of the changes made way up at the top? Whatever the reason though, these new Semi-hollows are very nice looking and they also have a lot of cool offerings in the Les Paul line, and even some of the entry level Juniors/specials and Sg's really have some good appeal. The issue they face now is supply of course, but hopefully that will improve soon.

Yeah, unfortunately now that I've had a chance to look at more of their offerings, I'd have to agree (unfortunate in that I don't need any GAS, and I can't justify adding another guitar to my collection!). I've been waiting for Epiphone to come out with an LP or SG Special. The LP is in TV Yellow (!), but I'm particularly taken by the "Sparkling Burgundy" finish on the SG.

[uwmcscott]

Yeah, unfortunately now that I've had a chance to look at more of their offerings, I'd have to agree (unfortunate in that I don't need any GAS, and I can't justify adding another guitar to my collection!). I've been waiting for Epiphone to come out with an LP or SG Special. The LP is in TV Yellow (!), but I'm particularly taken by the "Sparkling Burgundy" finish on the SG.

Some of the ones that really caught my eye were the lower priced offerings. I generally am not a fan of non-traditional colors, but the worn green P90 SG really has something that trips my trigger.



Also the SC junior which seems to be a nice step up from the super basic bolt-on neck models


The yellow special is nice too of course.