Anyone ever been "shamed" because they were playijg an Epiphone G400/SG?

You know, there is something to that. The 310...with the bolt on neck, yes? Stronger than any set neck SG, that is for sure! I wouldn't mind playing one either.

 

Huh, I wonder why I repaired so many ripped our jacks (they leave an awful ragged hole) and stripped neck pockets over the years? Oh well, I remember all the fun I had with my MGTC, too, instead of the countless hours sorting electrical issues and cleaning up oil spots, so it must have been much better construction and material than my Lincoln Towncar.

 

I totally understand the urge to do that because I have to admit I take a sadistic pleasure in playing "junk". The more expensive the guitar is that our other guitarist brings the cheaper I go. Since we plug them in and play them at the same time and place it's a literal duel. I'm cheating of course because I know how to set up a guitar and he doesn't. He loves his guitars and I love mine so it's all done in good fun but I sometimes wonder if he will ever get the message that a guitar is just a slab of wood and the rest is in the pickups, boxes and amp....

I'd say that the battle should be fought with your specific guitar vs Mr. Somedudes specific guitar and not between brands and/or models. All in good fun though of course. (because blessed are the meek...)

 

Three years ago (MF) had a deal going on Epiphone 335 Pro's. I already had the '66 Epi. SG and knew it would be a quality instrument. When it arrived I was very pleased. That same year I was invited to meet with a drummer I had worked with for twenty five years to laugh about old times. We agreed to meet in New Orleans because he had a (time share) there and we wanted to go to some jazz clubs. One of the groups we listened to had a great guitarist. His full mellow jazz chords and melodic fills really held the arrangements together. Most interestingly, he was playing the same type of Epiphone 335 I had just bought. When I asked him why he was playing an Epiphone, He said, " It was just the best guitar buy for the money". Of course, he had removed the big plastic "E" from the pick guard. Which I did to mine as soon as I got home.

 

I had less work to do. The big plastic E on my 339 was already half off when I got it home. From that I just assumed it was Epiphone's version of the plastic film you peel off (that feels SO good) when you get something new.

 

True! Peeling that film off a new guitar pickguard is like taking the plastic covers off the seats of a brand new car

 

When a great aunt of mine passed in 2002, the plastic was still protecting the seats of her powder blue 1963 Ford Falcon. The upholstery was still in great condition, btw.

 

Playability.

That’s really what a lot of it comes down to, isn’t it? That’s why a lot of fussing and fuming between people over which instrument is better or worse is so futile. Much of it really comes down to what may feel more comfortable or playable for YOU. No one can judge what is more comfortable or useful for you. That’s a really personal thing.

 

What about the "construction" part of his comment, smitty?

 

I guess it depends on what is meant by “construction”. Are we referring to quality control issues, such as how well frets are dressed or how well the bridge is aligned? Or, are we talking about the build design, such as control layout or neck joint type (set-neck, bolt-neck, etc.). These, of course, are just a few of many possible examples.

When I hear “construction” my immediate thought is more of a QC-centric idea. But, it could also mean more of the idea of the type of build, itself.

If we’re discussing the latter, there is still a lot of personal preference. In general, I prefer a Les Paul type of control layout (though I’ve been playing mostly my Strat lately, and that’s become pretty instinctive, too). This is how the guitar is built (constructed). Others may strongly disagree, and have a different preference. And, you know what? That’s fine!

 

It' s not a shame, it' s hilarous ... LOL

I play my €piphone Casino boys, don' t worry.

 

Nice two-step around the real issue of softer wood and poor quality hardware.

 

Two-step?

I had more the idea of a Tango in mind, but I’m flexible.

Seriously, though...I must have missed a post or comment. Were those mentioned? I wasn’t even thinking of those ideas.

But...since you brought them up...let me jump right in with both feet - two-steps - if you will!

True, there are some construction elements that do play into the useability of an instrument. You mentioned hardware and softer wood. Some of these things are less a preferential matter and more speak to the physical integrity of the instrument.

Poor quality hardware is an issue with which I’ve personally been affected. Once during a sound check I had the pickup switch on my Washburn HB30 (sort of an ES-335 type of semi hollow) break. I fiddled with it to get it working and had to do the whole event on just a single pickup. I normally switch pickups a fair deal, so this proved to be a bit of a handicap. Within two weeks afterwards I had replaced every electronic component, except the pickups, on that guitar - pots, caps, and output jack. From that standpoint, the guitar’s construction, insofar as electronic parts were concerned, were something I could not trust, so I replaced them. I should add, I had intended on replacing the pots and caps, anyway, with parts of different values. The experience with the switch hastened the project.

I did replace the nut with a Graphtech XL nut, too.

However, the fit and finish on this guitar is actually quite good. It is a very comfortable guitar for me to play, it intonates well, and holds tune very nicely. The neck has a nice profile, and the frets are decent, too.

By the way, the guitar was $278.00 on eBay.

This brings up an interesting paradox. Sometimes, making a cheap guitar into a very decent, useable, gig-able instrument is not out of reach and doesn’t necessarily need to be cost prohibitive. It all depends on the foundational integrity of the instrument.

As for woods, I confess to not really being an expert on that, so I can’t speak with too much experience. However, I also have a basswood guitar. While technically a hardwood, basswood is a softer hardwood and is reviled by some. I do confess, the lightness does give the guitar somewhat of a cheap feel, and I’ve considered replacing the body. However, this does not affect the tuning stability or playability of the guitar. But, I suppose it does make the guitar less respected.

But, getting back to the point of your OP, I’ve never been looked down on for playing these guitars live. But, I suppose some may have thought it, but never said anything to me.

 

Yeah,fck the original idea of this thread, lets argue instead!

 

Sorry, I was overcome by intellectual honesty.

 

Here's a pretty cool gig done with a couple of Epis (guitar + bass) and a Lowel.

 

Nice record, I don' t think he plays a chinese Casino.

 

I'm not sure either what G. Clark's Epiphone is. The headstock looks like on recent Epis, but the body, especially the color, fading, etc. make me wonder what it is. Looks and sounds great though. I would't mind and Epiphone like that.

 

I' ve got a Casino made in China, this is not a fantastic guitar but I like it.

On the video the trapeze tailpiece is long like an USA Casino.

 

Gary's formerly red Casino is a 1966. He picked it up in a guitar shop in London in 2013. It is his favorite and shows up in many of his videos.