I have 3 SG Jrs. While I don't have a vintage Gibson Jr, I have a 2018 Banner series Gibson Jr. The first new Jr. they made since the 2011 which was not historically accurate. Prior to 2011 there was a late 90s re-issue based on the late 60s batwing version. The 2018 Banner guitar is the first accurate remake of the early 60s Jr. I also have the new EPI Yungblud Jr. It's a fine guitar for the money. Especially since it comes with a nice case at a very affordable price. It holds its own against the Gibson. But the 3rd is my best. It's actually a kit guitar from Precision Guitar Kits. It was assembled and finished at their factory (so technically not a full on DIY kit). It has a Lollar P90 and a Tone Pros bridge and an ebony fretboard. The finish is lacquer like the Gibson. Amazing guitar. I agree that the poly finish on the Epi gives it a little more snap and maybe a little less bass response. But once it's plugged in it's hard to notice. The feel of lacquer is definitely luxurious compared to poly. But in the end I'd take all 3 of these onstage any day of the week and use them interchangeably. I don't even feel a need to replace the pickup in the Epi.
Just got the Epiphany SG Junior and its great guitar for the money. Mine has some weight to it, which I prefer. I had a 2021 Gibson SG Junior and I swear it weighed like 4.5lbs haha. Too light for me.
We can change most everything on a guitar, except the finish. Unless we go custom shop, we are stuck with poly finishes that are near impossible to get off, and they come in every color you can imagine. There is a reason why Gibson never changed their finish, when they realized what poly did to the sound of their guitars. Fender went all in by using poly on their "Professional line" of American guitars, with the claim that the finish doesn't matter. After 40 years, most people believe that lie, having never really owned a nitro finished guitar. But some of us were there, and we remember what a good strat was like. I guess their motto now is - "Always leave them wanting more"
Sure but Epiphone makes the faded series guitar still. I've got a Les Paul tradproIV gold top and it's a killer guitar ! Rings out nice and bright just like a Gibson and the pickups are killers !
thanks for making this awesome review. I LOVE the white epiphone junior, because it's impossible to find anything that looks like that that doesn't cost a few thousand bucks. But man, that Gibson sounds like it's almost breathing when you play it.
@jeffmckinnon5842 I guess I haven't played enough Epiphones to confirm that they are better built. Im not knocking Epi's. They are pretty great. There just aren't many around my neck of the woods to try out.
Gibson does make a standard usa SGJr. With p90 and one my dad got 2019-2022 is not a nice guitar. Sure it's looks nice as it's brand new but there's a reason the original owner sold it, it's a dog leg. But Gibson has for sure made ab standard usa SG junior since 2019 and still makes it.
I have 3 SG Jrs. While I don't have a vintage Gibson Jr, I have a 2018 Banner series Gibson Jr. The first new Jr. they made since the 2011 which was not historically accurate. Prior to 2011 there was a late 90s re-issue based on the late 60s batwing version. The 2018 Banner guitar is the first accurate remake of the early 60s Jr. I also have the new EPI Yungblud Jr. It's a fine guitar for the money. Especially since it comes with a nice case at a very affordable price. It holds its own against the Gibson. But the 3rd is my best. It's actually a kit guitar from Precision Guitar Kits. It was assembled and finished at their factory (so technically not a full on DIY kit). It has a Lollar P90 and a Tone Pros bridge and an ebony fretboard. The finish is lacquer like the Gibson. Amazing guitar.
I agree that the poly finish on the Epi gives it a little more snap and maybe a little less bass response. But once it's plugged in it's hard to notice. The feel of lacquer is definitely luxurious compared to poly. But in the end I'd take all 3 of these onstage any day of the week and use them interchangeably. I don't even feel a need to replace the pickup in the Epi.
Just got the Epiphany SG Junior and its great guitar for the money. Mine has some weight to it, which I prefer. I had a 2021 Gibson SG Junior and I swear it weighed like 4.5lbs haha. Too light for me.
We can change most everything on a guitar, except the finish. Unless we go custom shop, we are stuck with poly finishes that are near impossible to get off, and they come in every color you can imagine.
There is a reason why Gibson never changed their finish, when they realized what poly did to the sound of their guitars.
Fender went all in by using poly on their "Professional line" of American guitars, with the claim that the finish doesn't matter.
After 40 years, most people believe that lie, having never really owned a nitro finished guitar.
But some of us were there, and we remember what a good strat was like.
I guess their motto now is - "Always leave them wanting more"
Sure but Epiphone makes the faded series guitar still. I've got a Les Paul tradproIV gold top and it's a killer guitar ! Rings out nice and bright just like a Gibson and the pickups are killers !
thanks for making this awesome review. I LOVE the white epiphone junior, because it's impossible to find anything that looks like that that doesn't cost a few thousand bucks. But man, that Gibson sounds like it's almost breathing when you play it.
I want to like the Epiphone as much as the Gibson, but they're just not on the same level
Absolutely fantastic have a great day also I subscribed to the channel also Tuesday January 14th is my friend birthday
Happy birthday!
They both sound great, but the Gibson had something extra. What it is, i dont know.
If you wrap the Gibson completely in duct tape, they will sound about the same, although the Epiphone is likely to be the better built instrument.
@jeffmckinnon5842 I guess I haven't played enough Epiphones to confirm that they are better built. Im not knocking Epi's. They are pretty great. There just aren't many around my neck of the woods to try out.
Extra cost
@garretazonsa Well, yes because the US pays its people more than West Tiwan ( China).
Gibson does make a standard usa SGJr. With p90 and one my dad got 2019-2022 is not a nice guitar. Sure it's looks nice as it's brand new but there's a reason the original owner sold it, it's a dog leg. But Gibson has for sure made ab standard usa SG junior since 2019 and still makes it.