I’ve been watching you since 2006 2007 ish thought you were around my age. You were the first guitar channel i got into. Now I found out we were both born in October of 89 rock on 🤘
Good stuff man! Thanks for all the blink lessons you've done over the years. I don't play guitar much these days since I got other stuff going on but I still pop in every once in a while to see what you're up to. Keep up the good work bro!
80s/90s Korean-made Epiphones are in their own league. I have a mid-90s Explorer made in the Unsung factory that is legitimately one of the best guitars I've ever owned, even when compared to USA-made Gibsons and Fenders. I bought it in 1998 and will never part with it (luckily it's still not worth much on the used market, so the temptation is never there anyway). The stock pickups were a little lacking, so I changed those in the early 2000s, but the rest is all original.
Hey! I've got that same guitar. It was made in Korea in 1989 and has the same headstock. Its color is pretty unique: it isn´t tobacco sunburst but it isn't cherry sunburst neither. It's so heavy because is made out of high quality mahogany wood. This guitar is actually awesome and I also want to know more about it. Sounds so nice and plays very comfortable. This guitar is a dream for me. Greetings from Mexico.
Hey I also have this guitar. Have you had the pickups out? Mine have the patent applied for sticker and braided conductors. Was curious if these were stock or aftermarket. Thanks!
I have a red burst 1995 Korean made epi les Paul I’ve had for over 10 years. It really sounds amazing when you play it you can really feel the vibrations in the guitar something I’ve never felt in a fender it’s a really strong feeling. The guitar was pretty much like brand new when I got it my friend owned it and it really just sat and never really was played. The pick ups were microphonic so I tried wax potting them it helped but the were just too far gone. I ended up putting in a dirty fingers bridge and a pearly gates neck and surprisingly it really sounds amazing to the point we used this guitar on an album even though the studio had many very expensive guitars as well as the lead player in my old band had TONs of guitars but we used this one! The studio owner couldn’t believe that it was a cheap epiphone guitar he was blown away. I do not like the pearly gates neck pup but the dirty fingers sounds amazing in it which you wouldn’t think it would. The wood this guitar was made out of is definitely the reason is sounds so amazing, again you can just really feel the vibrations in the guitar it’s really crazy. The only thing that sucks is I don’t like playing les Paul’s they just don’t feel right in my hand I really like fenders, Jackson’s, LTD’s but any time I’m in the studio it’s the go to guitar for sure.
A little history lesson and information for you. So, 1989 is an important year regarding epiphone and the quality of guitars that they made. The reason these 89 Korean les Paul’s are so good, is this was the first year that they had been given this contract from Gibson, so they really pulled out all the stops because they wanted to secure more future work, and needed to make a seriously good impression because Japan were churning out insane guitars (Greco,Tokai,etc) - so they tend to be very good, really the best year regarding Korean built Epiphones I believe. (If I am wrong, somebody please let me know). But yes, lovely guitar my friend! Hold on to it! Sorry for the loss of your grandpa- rest in peace to him!
I own a late Japanese strat, and a super early small bodied squire bullet one korean made strat... its a one piece poplar body etc... and the better guitar is the first year korean madesquire bullet. By then the Japanese were cutting corners a little, still great guitars, but used basswood etc... but I agree with your take on why early guitars are good. Of course, Squire realised they had to lower the quality of bullets, but they did it drastically to the point of them bearing no resemblance to a strat, other than in looks.
I’ve got an ‘89 Epiphone Flying V made in Korea. It sounds and feels amazing. It’s got Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 pickups. Everything else is stock. An absolute treasure with great tone.
I’ve got a ‘95 epi Korean-made les paul Custom, it doesn’t have the same headstock but it’s a very sweet guitar, the Korean factory really was on-point back in that era . I didn’t know you had original music out, I’ll check it out tonight....
Apparently Noel Gallagher of Oasis started out with an epiphone from that year. Said in an interview it was junk. After meeting Johnny Marr, Noel was given Marr’s black beauty Les Paul that he’d used on the queen is dead.
Thank you for making this video! Helped me put together the information on an exact guitar like yours, that I just got my hands on! And a bonus is it being an 89! I already have an 89 G400 to put it next to!
THAT HEADSTOCK has ARIA written all over it.... i have been researching my own.. korean made i believe it was born between 92-97. i just picked my sweetie pie up today from GC.. needed a very past due set up and soldering action.. anywho, thetech at guitar center offered me $900 for it !!! i was taken aback and found this video .... i am still not sure why he offered that so it must mean it might be worth more... but maybe to him i don't know... thanks for posting
Great looking Epiphone, I'm digging it! Super nice. Sounds really ballsy too! I enjoy my upgraded plus top pro. Probably the cheapest guitar I own, but you can't argue with tone!
I believe these came stock with Gibson 490 ad 498T pick ups. tIf you go looking for one of thee on line best to discuss this with the seller and make sure those have not been stripped out and replaced with something other if having those pick ups is one of your points of purchasing this particular year.
So....I listened to 5-6 songs off “Big Riff Energy” and wow man, firrst of all I love the titles like “just go man”, an obvious dumb and dumber reference... haha very creative titles. Then the songs, just beautiful heavy melodic riffage, lots of pop punk influence, the drums sounded killer even if they were programmed they sound huge, but yeah dude, I’ve been writing a lot of stuff this year as well as last, just haven’t put it all into a coherent polished format like yours, but you’re making me realize that I can do it. Stellar work, I’ll have to check out the rest of your catalog my man 🤘🤘🤘
I have that exact same guitar, 89 epi standard in that same dark yet still cherry and very red deep burst. The neck on mine is very thin compared my gibson traditional which has a 50's fat neck. But pretty comfy to play on and a good build considering their 31 years old now, mine prolly needs some TLC but it functions. Mine still has the serial number sticker so thats a bonus.
I have a cherry red 2016 1960 les paul tribute plus and a 2009 explorer, of which I put a Duncan invader in the bridge. They both sound amazing. And the lescpaul has Gibson 57s in it
I was lucky enough to find an 89 epi lp at Guitar Center. The manager was uneducated on the classic Gibson open-book headstock. Most epi's (all but 89) have the vomit-inducing "clipped ear" headstock. The manager of GC immediately thought "counterfeit," as if anyone had ever copied an epi. Lol. He sold it to me for 50$. It is literally the best feeling guitar I have ever played! This sent me on a mission to play every single les paul I could get my hands on. No American LP that I have played has come close to the amazing quality feel of the 89 epi. If I were rich, I would purchase every 89 epi I could get my hands on at the $600ish that they go for on reverb. Have you had the pickups out? Mine had the famous "patent applied for" sticker on the back and braided wire conductors. Was just wondering if your's were the same? Or if these were aftermarket
Lovely guitar mate! ive got a epiphone les paul year 2000 gold top i'll never get rid stunning, love the tone on that guitar in the vid what amp was you using if you dont mind be asking?
Hey Jon, what do you recommend doing as practice to become a better guitar player? I usually play Blink and NFG songs so I’d say I’m a little better than beginner in terms of skill level
So cool that those guitars are passed down to someone who appreciates them like you do.
I’ve been watching you since 2006 2007 ish thought you were around my age. You were the first guitar channel i got into. Now I found out we were both born in October of 89 rock on 🤘
That Epiphone sounds great! I play a Gibson Les Paul Epiphone and I love it, I’ve had it since 2005. Great video Jon, killer tone!
Good stuff man! Thanks for all the blink lessons you've done over the years. I don't play guitar much these days since I got other stuff going on but I still pop in every once in a while to see what you're up to. Keep up the good work bro!
80s/90s Korean-made Epiphones are in their own league. I have a mid-90s Explorer made in the Unsung factory that is legitimately one of the best guitars I've ever owned, even when compared to USA-made Gibsons and Fenders. I bought it in 1998 and will never part with it (luckily it's still not worth much on the used market, so the temptation is never there anyway). The stock pickups were a little lacking, so I changed those in the early 2000s, but the rest is all original.
Hey! I've got that same guitar. It was made in Korea in 1989 and has the same headstock. Its color is pretty unique: it isn´t tobacco sunburst but it isn't cherry sunburst neither. It's so heavy because is made out of high quality mahogany wood. This guitar is actually awesome and I also want to know more about it. Sounds so nice and plays very comfortable. This guitar is a dream for me. Greetings from Mexico.
Hey I also have this guitar. Have you had the pickups out? Mine have the patent applied for sticker and braided conductors. Was curious if these were stock or aftermarket. Thanks!
I have a red burst 1995 Korean made epi les Paul I’ve had for over 10 years. It really sounds amazing when you play it you can really feel the vibrations in the guitar something I’ve never felt in a fender it’s a really strong feeling. The guitar was pretty much like brand new when I got it my friend owned it and it really just sat and never really was played. The pick ups were microphonic so I tried wax potting them it helped but the were just too far gone. I ended up putting in a dirty fingers bridge and a pearly gates neck and surprisingly it really sounds amazing to the point we used this guitar on an album even though the studio had many very expensive guitars as well as the lead player in my old band had TONs of guitars but we used this one! The studio owner couldn’t believe that it was a cheap epiphone guitar he was blown away. I do not like the pearly gates neck pup but the dirty fingers sounds amazing in it which you wouldn’t think it would. The wood this guitar was made out of is definitely the reason is sounds so amazing, again you can just really feel the vibrations in the guitar it’s really crazy. The only thing that sucks is I don’t like playing les Paul’s they just don’t feel right in my hand I really like fenders, Jackson’s, LTD’s but any time I’m in the studio it’s the go to guitar for sure.
A little history lesson and information for you. So, 1989 is an important year regarding epiphone and the quality of guitars that they made. The reason these 89 Korean les Paul’s are so good, is this was the first year that they had been given this contract from Gibson, so they really pulled out all the stops because they wanted to secure more future work, and needed to make a seriously good impression because Japan were churning out insane guitars (Greco,Tokai,etc) - so they tend to be very good, really the best year regarding Korean built Epiphones I believe. (If I am wrong, somebody please let me know). But yes, lovely guitar my friend! Hold on to it! Sorry for the loss of your grandpa- rest in peace to him!
I own a late Japanese strat, and a super early small bodied squire bullet one korean made strat... its a one piece poplar body etc... and the better guitar is the first year korean madesquire bullet. By then the Japanese were cutting corners a little, still great guitars, but used basswood etc... but I agree with your take on why early guitars are good. Of course, Squire realised they had to lower the quality of bullets, but they did it drastically to the point of them bearing no resemblance to a strat, other than in looks.
Very heart felt inheritance; my condolences for your loss brother... 😥
I’ve got an ‘89 Epiphone Flying V made in Korea. It sounds and feels amazing. It’s got Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 pickups. Everything else is stock. An absolute treasure with great tone.
I’ve got a ‘95 epi Korean-made les paul Custom, it doesn’t have the same headstock but it’s a very sweet guitar, the Korean factory really was on-point back in that era .
I didn’t know you had original music out, I’ll check it out tonight....
Hope you enjoy!
Believe it or not, a lot of Korean guitars are quite solid! I own a Gretsch that was made in Korea, surprisingly greatly made guitars.
They're great guitars. I had a Korean one with the Gibson truss rod cover from 1997. Superb guitar. Wish I'd kept it.
Apparently Noel Gallagher of Oasis started out with an epiphone from that year. Said in an interview it was junk. After meeting Johnny Marr, Noel was given Marr’s black beauty Les Paul that he’d used on the queen is dead.
Thank you for making this video! Helped me put together the information on an exact guitar like yours, that I just got my hands on! And a bonus is it being an 89! I already have an 89 G400 to put it next to!
THAT HEADSTOCK has ARIA written all over it.... i have been researching my own.. korean made i believe it was born between 92-97. i just picked my sweetie pie up today from GC.. needed a very past due set up and soldering action.. anywho, thetech at guitar center offered me $900 for it !!! i was taken aback and found this video .... i am still not sure why he offered that so it must mean it might be worth more... but maybe to him i don't know... thanks for posting
Great looking Epiphone, I'm digging it! Super nice. Sounds really ballsy too! I enjoy my upgraded plus top pro. Probably the cheapest guitar I own, but you can't argue with tone!
Beautiful guitar, I’ve been playing on an 89 Korean epiphone LP custom. Absolutely love it, wouldn’t even trade it for the real thing.
I have Korean, and it does sound good. What makes them different?
I believe these came stock with Gibson 490 ad 498T pick ups. tIf you go looking for one of thee on line best to discuss this with the seller and make sure those have not been stripped out and replaced with something other if having those pick ups is one of your points of purchasing this particular year.
That’s such a charming color, I don’t usually like bursts, but it’s very dope 🤙🏻
Looks like a Samick factory Epiphone. Great builds!
Jon liking an epiphone?!?!?!
Shocking I know
Open book headstock. Nice guitars there you have
Love the warmth of it. Looks like the neck action is super smooth too.
Yeah ive got it fairly low. Plays great
So....I listened to 5-6 songs off “Big Riff Energy” and wow man, firrst of all I love the titles like “just go man”, an obvious dumb and dumber reference... haha very creative titles.
Then the songs, just beautiful heavy melodic riffage, lots of pop punk influence, the drums sounded killer even if they were programmed they sound huge, but yeah dude, I’ve been writing a lot of stuff this year as well as last, just haven’t put it all into a coherent polished format like yours, but you’re making me realize that I can do it. Stellar work, I’ll have to check out the rest of your catalog my man 🤘🤘🤘
Thanks a lot. Good luck with your music ✌
I have that exact same guitar, 89 epi standard in that same dark yet still cherry and very red deep burst. The neck on mine is very thin compared my gibson traditional which has a 50's fat neck. But pretty comfy to play on and a good build considering their 31 years old now, mine prolly needs some TLC but it functions. Mine still has the serial number sticker so thats a bonus.
Just realized its actually the guitar in my profile picture on my youtube account, go figure.
I love Epiphone. I have over a dozen of their electrics and acoustics.
Tight
I have a cherry red 2016 1960 les paul tribute plus and a 2009 explorer, of which I put a Duncan invader in the bridge. They both sound amazing. And the lescpaul has Gibson 57s in it
I was lucky enough to find an 89 epi lp at Guitar Center. The manager was uneducated on the classic Gibson open-book headstock. Most epi's (all but 89) have the vomit-inducing "clipped ear" headstock. The manager of GC immediately thought "counterfeit," as if anyone had ever copied an epi. Lol. He sold it to me for 50$. It is literally the best feeling guitar I have ever played! This sent me on a mission to play every single les paul I could get my hands on. No American LP that I have played has come close to the amazing quality feel of the 89 epi. If I were rich, I would purchase every 89 epi I could get my hands on at the $600ish that they go for on reverb. Have you had the pickups out? Mine had the famous "patent applied for" sticker on the back and braided wire conductors. Was just wondering if your's were the same? Or if these were aftermarket
Man I'm digging the LP, but that Chubbs Peterson shirt is awe-inspiring
It's all in the hips, baby.
Rush covers with that axe!
I literally bought a May 89 production Tobacco Burst Epi LP today on reverb. Hope it's as nice as yours when it arrives.
Nice!
They were making them a little too good during that era and Gibson told em too start skimping
killer! i've always been curious about these
I was hoping skiba guitar, xd cheers from Mexico deer Jon!
Lovely guitar mate! ive got a epiphone les paul year 2000 gold top i'll never get rid stunning, love the tone on that guitar in the vid what amp was you using if you dont mind be asking?
I use an axe fx 2. I likely used a tone based on an orange ad30 amp. Thats my go to these days
Sounds like a Gibson
Are there many guitar players in the family tree besides you and great-grandfather? I definitely got inspired by some of my older cousins
Jimmy Eat World covers on that thing possibly?
You dont use the alumitones you had on the strandberg anymore ?
Hey Jon, what do you recommend doing as practice to become a better guitar player? I usually play Blink and NFG songs so I’d say I’m a little better than beginner in terms of skill level
Everyone learns differently. You gotta find what works for you. But no matter what, play a lot. Thats what's most important
Anyone ever tell you that you look like Crowley from supernatural
Have you ever tried the most recent lightweight Gibson les pauls?
I have not had much opportunity to try new Gibsons
I like my les Paul to weigh a ton lol
I know your 335 is unsellable. Does this apply to this and the emperor as well because of the familial ties?
Probably
@@littleredguitars2 love that. I stand to get quite a few from my dad. I feel the same.
frets dont need any work after 30 + years?
There's some wear but not enough to really fuss over