Off topic, but I watched Phillip McKnight show off your DTT p90 yesterday. Very nice post and great audio. I'm glad to see you get some props and exposure.
I have a 1978 Explorer. Its an incredible guitar. I have one of these Epi's as well. Phenomenal guitars. Built great. Plays great. Sounds KILLER. Dont let the Epi name scare you....these are great guitars, even compared to my 78.
I have an "inspired by Gibson Custom" 1961 'Les Paul' SG and my thoughts when I got it echoed much of what you said in this video. Even down to the (satin?/gloss?) finish! Epiphone is definitely doing some small but unique things with this series and I don't see how anyone can be upset about it. More great guitars available at more price points is a great thing.
I got the V, and a Lefty at that, the first one that Sweetwater got in. It is truly awesome, the burstbucker pickups match so well with the korina, The attention to detail is commendable, if it had "gibson" on the head stock, instead of Epiphone, I don't know how you could tell the difference. The case is really cool too. Oh yeah I can see the scarf joint on the neck so there is the difference. The finish , while polyurethane, it's dulled and closer to the feel of nitro , but that's just almost insignificant difference - this is a really really good build, no apology needed for being an Epiphone, it's a keeper.
I got one ASAP, still waiting for the Flying V to arrive, back ordered until July. The guitar was perfect out of the box, action, neck relief, no fret sprouts any where. Its damn fun to play.
I was on the waiting list from one of the online stores. When this Explorer became available, I jumped on it. I freakin' love this guitar. The neck profile if pretty chunky, but that's cool with me. The quality of this Epiphone is great. Really nice video, thanks.
Just bought the black inspired by Gibson V for $649, and it’s an incredible guitar. Exceptional build quality, and it plays flawlessly. Feels good, sounds good, looks good. What more could you want. And killer price point.
I just took delivery of my new ‘Inspired by Gibson Custom Shop’ Epiphone ‘58 Korina V today. It’s a killer guitar in every way, EXCEPT, the frets are rough. Like they were never polished at the factory. I’ll take care of that myself. Shouldn’t have to at the $1300 price point though.
I totally agree with your comments. I finally received mine and have not put it down since I got it, even my Gibson Les Paul Standard has taken a back seat. The Burst buckers are nice pickups but I have gone down the route of installing a set of Custombuckers (which the $10,000 dollar custom shop have in them I believe) as this guitar is a keeper. It's been worth every penny I paid for it. The build quality is fantastic, the almost satin finish is amazing I much prefer it over a nitro finish and no issues. So now as far as I know apart from the Epiphone logo on the headstock maybe some slight difference in the electrics? I believe I have the equivalent of the more expensive CS guitar for aa fraction of the price. If anyone is thinking of buying one I wouldn't hesitate to say do it depending on availability as well of course as they seem to be just trickling through at least here in the UK anyway. Cheers for your post and hello from The UK :)
I owned an identical Explorer my folks bought me in the early 70's for a bribe to cut my hair. The only things I remember are it was Mahogany and the neck was super thin. Parental skills!
It is expensive but it’s a good quality instrument, there’s nothing you cant do with the Epiphone iteration that you could do with the Gibson The tone is excellent
@@NintenDub I know right. I buy them to play I don't give a flying ..ck about anything other than playability and sound. The whole resale thing has nothing to do with any thing, unless you consider yourself some guitar trader/seller. I have only sold one guitar ever, an early 1970's MANN strat and I regret it till today.
So I bought one outside of Mike's music, in cincinnati. In 2007. From some kid, for 300 bucks. Without a case. He was just carrying it down the street. Didn't even play it, just took it home and put it straight on ebay. Within 2 hours, bidding was up over a thousand. I was like, damn..... Let me play this thing and see what the attraction is...? After about an hour of playing it, we fell in love. I didn't put it down until 2013, I love that guitar. I'm looking at it, right now and, it looks like a one piece body. And mine has all the gold hardware. But with black knobs. I don't expect I'll be getting rid of it anytime soon... Maybe after I'm dead... And I don't expect that to be happening anytime soon. But if you get a chance, to pick one up, I highly recommend them. I mean sure, you can collect them, and hang it on the wall. But if you do that..... You're truly missing out. Guitars are meant to be played.
Dylan, I don't know why you say you are not that great a guitar player. You are definitely and Advanced player and you rock. Really like what you were playing in this video. I know we all say we can be a better player, I am an Advanced Beginner or a Begining Intermediate player, and I know for a fact I can get a lot better.
I bought an Epiphone a few years ago (ES-339). I'm happy with it. Normally I only buy American, usually Fenders. I decided to give Epiphone a whirl. I did a couple upgrades. I upgraded the nut because I don't like plastic nuts and the tuners (ratio was too low). One day I may upgrade the pickups but these sound pretty good for a budget guitar. Epiphone does make some decent instruments for the money. I don't play professionally anymore but when I did, I usually brought the budget guitars to the gigs. They get banged around and, if they're good guitars, often stolen. Squires and Epiphones were good for gigging. They play nice, sound good and if they get road-worn, so what. They don't get stolen as often and if they do...get another one.
I'm retiring (again) on December 31st of this year (2023). This is in my shopping list at Sweetwater, along with some other things, so I really appreciate your review!!!
It might be nitpicking but I think for that price, they could have at least spec'd it identical to the Gibson counterpart, so rosewood fretboard instead of laurel, same tuners and maybe even the same Gibson hardware. If prices in general were not skyrocketing this might have been a 999$ guitar, which I guarantee no one would bat an eye. Shame I just spent my money on a Edwards E-EX-160E (basically a japanese made Gibson Explorer Antique Natural), otherwise might have given the Epi Explorer a fair shot after hearing all the positive reviews regarding QC.
white limba? never heard of that. i got an unsung factory 2000 korina... took all the horrible poly off of it (which took off the laminate) moved bridge pickup back towards the bridge where it belongs, gave it some color and sealed it in nitro.... great guitar, especially with faber parts and early 70's gibson humbuckers.
Keep in mind the gibson USA antique natural original collection explorer is only 500 dollars more then the this epi . The epi is Korina and the gibson is Mahagony but Korina is just a mahagony sub species. So save a few hundred more and get the gibby
Don’t have one of these Korina models…yet. But I got the Joe Bonamassa ES-335 and Adam Jones Epiphone and feel they were well worth it. Helped I got a small discount on both. They sound, play, and look great and have features that may rival or even beat a Gibson USA guitar. I agree these $1300 Epiphones fill a cool niche where you can get a higher end Epiphone that doesn’t need any mods. For people complaining Epiphone is pricing out people with lower budgets…they still have a massive line up of IBG models like the SG special, or les paul standard and those are still relatively cheap. They didn’t raise prices on their regular line up. They just added an extra higher end line for those looking and willing to spend a bit more for certain features. There’s no downside to having more options imo.
I can't wait to get mine, just need to pay off the last guitar purchase lol! This is really a sickness isn't it!? I thought to myself walking into my apartment yesterday and seeing all the guitars either hanging, resting, and on the work table, looks like a damn guitar shop in here!!! The real problem is sharing time between them all ;)
I saw Phillips Mcknights video on your P90's and I just wanted to tell you they sounded great. I really want to get one of the Epiphone Wilshires and MOD it and I was wondering if you thought that those pickups would work in that guitar. Thank you very much for these great videos.
I wonder what the differences between this newer model and the older epiphone korina explorer other than just the pickups as older model is still widely available here in canada for $1100 cad less that the new one and I gibson brustbucker 2, 3 pickup set is only $350 cad.
I just bought a Gibson Explorer tonight from Guitar Center. Pro Tip. If you take a pedal (or just about anything to trade) GC will give you a 10% discount off the price +plus the value of your trade. I only paid $1799 for the Gibson. I traded several things and walked out of the store with the guitar and $50.
I really wanted the 58 spec and this is it. Custom shop price is out of reach, a real 58 is a unicorn..the build quality on my is fantastic. I actually really like the finish... I bought the Bonamassa Amos V for the same reasons, I did replace the pick ups with the Dimarzio Amos set witch is going to be the closest I every get to a 58 v. I figure when you add a hard shell case vs a gig bag and real Gibson burst bucker pups, and quality pots, cap and authentic Klusson tuners, I think Explorer is priced right.
I had an explorer back in the 80s and it tried jumping off the strap a few times until I installed that dimarzio strap that the ends screw into the guitar. No more problems. Well, only that the strap was a bit narrow. Could have used another inch width.
I finally got mine with a little discount I only paid $1099 for a "blemished" version and I could not find any defects. it is a great guitar, just a little heavier than my V but it plays very nicely.
I don't mind a high priced Epiphone, as long as the quality is there and there are no issues. Not sure about this flat finish though, they did the same thing with the 59 Les Paul.
For US $1299? Yes definitely. For US $1650? Nope. I already own the 2023 Epiphone Flying V Korina. A couple of months ago I was lucky enough to get hold of the last one available in EU, a B-stock for 200 euros less than retail. It's in 100% perfect condition, it wasn't noticeably played, no scratches or stains, only a dent in the outer box and the protective sheet was removed from the pick guard. Maybe it was a showroom model, dunno, but set up out of the box was perfect and it sounds, plays and feels perfect. Anywayz, it's an absolutely AMAZING guitar and I am still in doubt which one is better, the Epi or my Gibson Flying V Antique Natural. And I also own the Gibson Explorer Antique Natural, so of course I was waiting for the Explorer Korina to restock and buy that one too. Now it's back in store in EU but price has gone up and it costs 1500 euros (like 1650 $ US), which imho is too much for a made in China Epiphone. I can buy a Gibson for that money (plus I already own 11 guitars just for hobby, mostly Gibson and Epiphone), or 3 other great Epiphone, so just today I decided to let it go. I'll wait till some trend follower dumps his for half the money, when he gets bored of it and/or needs money for a turbo charged custom shop reliced Fender Jaguar with 30 extra knobs and switches.
Most of the appointments to detail on the Epiphone are of a Gibson. Even though it's a two-piece Korina, it's still real Korina wood. If people complain about Indian Laurel fingerboard not being rosewood? well, I have some guitars with Indian laurel, and it's not bad at all. When these suckers all sell out, don't be surprised on Reverb people asking $2000 or more for a used one. In fact, who has them right now in stock? I say buy it if you can, if you don't like it, sell it or trade it. I still have my Inspired by Gibson 61' Epiphone Les Paul SG. Nice playing guitar that I had to change the Pups to handwired PAF Exact Replicas. Guitar is killer now that blows away Gibsons of thousands of dollars. When I see and think of the Explorer, it's Allen Collins time. Rule #1: If it feels good and sounds good? don't change a damn thing.
That is one kewl looking guitar! I've become an Epiphone fan; I have the '59 LP Liimited Edition and a Sheraton II Pro - both are too good for the price.
Seems silly expensive for what it is - the Epiphone '59 Les Paul Custom Shop collaboration debuted at $699 with Gibson BB2 & BB3 pickups, premium Gibsony electronics and essentially the same features as these so I'm not sure why these cost nearly twice as much. $699 is about what I would consider Fair Market Value for one of these. I would also tone it down by putting a BB1 in neck and moving the BB2 to bridge as I did with the Epi' '59 Les Paul ($999 new last I checked), probably upgrade the tail hardware to Faber, & add locking tuners from Grover or Gotoh. With those mods/upgrades and a buffed-out finish I am really happy with the Epi' '59 for a total budget of ~ $1000, and do not pine for a Gibson Les Paul (I've played many :o)
The money people spend on Gibsons, and now Epiphones is beyond. We are in a golden age where the super expensive name brands mean absolutely nothing anymore for quality.
Either pay $1,300 for the Epiphone, or $10,000 for the Gibson. I know the fretboard material isn’t as good and the lacquer isn’t nitro, but it still seems like a deal to me. An $8,700 price difference is huge
I'm not a Explorer kind of guy but it looks (fit and finish) and sounds nice. All the metal guys in the 80's pretty much turned me off to the pointy guitars including the Flying V. Firebirds though I can appreciate and currently own a Gibson Studio which is slightly scaled down and with P90's so it works for me. The Epiphone traditional is really good as well just a bit large. But I digress.
Keep in mind the flying V and explorers were used by blues guys and classic rock guys long before metal players took them up . Metal players discovered them when people realized the midrange of those guitars would cut through a bottom end heavy hard rock/,metal mix especially with 2 guitar players using heavily distortion and high output pickups. The explorer and the V retain a clarity in the midrange and a midrange definition under loud volume and heavy gain the way a les paul can't.. they cut through and stay clear and have less bass then a les paul so they don't get squashes by the bass and drums but originally the V and explorer were blues and rock guitars. Originally nobody wanted the V or explorer so they could be had dirt cheap . If you were a struggling or aspiring blues player and you had a hard time affording a strat tele or 335 these were a cheap option and with their boosted midrange, they and, some great sounding very vocal and creamy Sounding blues leads. The explorer is the most versatile gibson in my option because you can play blues classic rock metal ,vintage or modern . They even do jazz really well with PAF style pickup in the neck .
@@adamwatson6916 For sure, I have seen some classic surf bands also using these models. It was just my first impressions that turned me off to them as a kid when starting out. Many of my hero's played the other relatively cheap rejects from Fender (Jazzmaster, Jaguar) and that is what I gravitated to.
I started off playing 90’s grunge-ish and bought a ‘91 Gibson Explorer in ‘93 just to be different from my friend who had a ‘91 Gibson Les Paul Studio. I genuinely preferred my guitar because it came with Grover tuners and excellent build quality. I’m with you on the metal scene pigeonholing the guitar a little bit. I don’t care for that either. Almost every time someone demos an Explorer, they drench it the sound in high gain and play flashy licks. I prefer to hear the guitar clean and then adding modest dirt is okay. Dylan gave it a proper demo.
I have the Flying V and it is wonderful. The cases on these are covered in burger cheese or something that cuts just as easily unfortunately; covering material not fit for purpose.
I don't think it would be worth it to me. That body shape is not for me. But I can tell you that I got to help with an unboxing of Epiphone 's Casino semi hollow worn yesterday. It was excellent in every way. Frets, nut, finish, tuners... much better than my like priced Ibanez AS73 was. Good for Epiphone. I'm glad to see it. It makes me look forward to getting my Wilshire even more.
See, and ‘58 Korina V and Explorer ARE for me, while the Casino and Wilshire do nothing for me. Thankfully, Epiphone has us ALL covered. BTW, I’m 57 years old, and play Blues, old Country, and some classic rock.
I think that only the customshop collectors editions with the Brazilian rosewood ($30.000) have a one piece body! The type of wood, woodgrain and figuring on the gibson is very different. The gibson has custombuckers and the cases look like those of the gibson but in real are very different.
Really cool !! Like the fact that they put all Gibson hardware on that instrument!! I was wondering about 1 issue that you didn't mention ... Does the guitar have serious "neck dive" ? A lot of Explorers do and I imagine that one is no different. All said , still a really cool guitar !! Thanks for sharing !!
You can see the tendency to neck dive at 8:21 / 8:22 which is mainly caused by the location of the strap button on the fretboard side, at least thats my expirience. I never had a Gibson style Explorer with the strap button on the heel that was neck diving.
He asked what makes it an Epiphone and he can’t tell. The fret board! I had a $150 Epiphone Les paul with Indian Laurel on it. This company loves up charging. Where’s the rosewood for $1299!?
I agree it's worth the price it's a signature module. It prriced with the Ibanez revstar and PRS Asian instruments . Unlike these other guitars, epiphone has a history. With building other epiphone models in The USA ,AT this time the resale prices are not dropping. Maby gibson doing some thing Wright. Now their building a platform to try new things and bypass bad press of those refuse to change.
Epiphone had sold Korina Explorers until very recently for $649. Then put a inspired by Gibson Custom Shop sticker on it, put in Burstbuckers and Mallory caps then doubled the price. 🙄
@@What11235 I bought the Epi LE 1958 Korina Explorer Reissue brand new in Mar. '22 for $599 USD from AMS and it is not veneered. The neck does have a scarf near the headstock (makes it stronger at the historical weak point). Again, the "collaboration" is just marketing IMO. So it goes.
I wanted the black guard Explorer. Not sure they still produce it. Here in EU Epiphone and some other stores have both Flying V and Explorer in stock, but none has the black guard listed, it's not even on Epi's own website anymore. The Explorer black pg was 200 euros cheaper than the white pick guard, last week it was still listed but not available, now it's totally gone.
Guitars across the board are more expensive so welcome to the new world post 2020 folks. Ya need to stop complaining about it and move along. And frankly, it makes companies even more competitive so there’s that. Epiphone is allowed to have guitars over $500 😂. I’ve spent some time with the V and I’ll say these are really good. Of course I ended up buying a Tabacco burst Gibson SG but I digress… Gibson is walking a thin line here. I mean, if Gibson/Epi were to start using nitro on some of these along w/the Gibby pups there’d be almost zero reason to spring for the Gibson due to all the paint sniffers. As an admitted paint sniffer and Gibson guy and sometimes headstock snob, I’ll be grabbing one of these at some point and won’t feel one ounce of regret. I don’t care about the name or even the country of the build. Everyone has at least 1 mouth to feed. The shape of the headstock to me is a thing and these are identical in shape to their Gibson counterparts. And when there’s no binding to improperly scrape I’m in, period. We should all be cheering Gibson/Epiphone when they do a good thing.
After 30 seconds of playing one I knew I was going to buy it. To me they are an ergonomic disaster and pretty ugly, but the sounds is unbeatable. The look is growing on me as well. I play it more than any guitar I own. Something about this one :)
@@DylanTalksTone I did watch the video. Thanks. Its just that sometimes they get sneaky and do a veneer over a lesser wood and call it something thats not technically correct
Its a lovely guitar, no doubt. But they're too over priced here in Oz. The cheapest is $28000AU and with an exchange rate of 67c to the dollar, it should come in at about $1950. At that price, I'd be porting my money into something else.
I don't evan need to ask the question, the answer is NO, unless Gibson's production has dropped so low in quality, the absolute highest price your budget price guitars should be is around, $1000, after all you have multiple levels of Gibsons that start below that price, that's not to say the Epiphone is worth less than a Gibson because it's not US made, (It probably isn't) it's because there is very little reason why Gibsons cost as much as they do.
She is nice, but in my neck of the woods, overpriced. In Canada she sells new for $1900 when the Gibson version is $2500 new. So yeah, if I had to buy one new... Gibson. If this Epi was $1299 Canadian, I would most likely own one by now.
$1300 for an Epiphone and they’re still giving you an Indian Laurel fretboard. No thanks. No reason they can’t give you a rosewood fretboard at that price point
@@Delowist Because rosewood just feels better....i can oil and wax my squier indian laurel fretboards all i want and it still won't get that same smooth feel rosewood or ebony has! Besides, i can get 300 dollar guitars with rosewood or ebony fretboards nowadays, or a MIA Fender Performer Strat for the same price as the Epi and it also has rosewood....🤔😳🎸🤘🎸
In 2010 I got a Korina Explorer. Paid $500.00 for it. Was a fantastic guitar. PAID $500.00 FOR IT. NOT $1200.00 $1200.00 for a Chibson Explorer is ridiculous. Not even close to as ridiculous as a brand new Gibson ANYTHING for 10 thousand dollars. You could get any other brand of guitar PLUS 2 Marshall full stacks and still have change from a $10,000.00 bill. Gibson is out of their phkng minds and anyone stupid enough to spend 10k on one guitar is equally delusional. No off the shelf guitar is worthy of even a $2,000.00 guitar. All Gibson is trying to do is rip off their fan boys who have too much disposable income.
Off topic, but I watched Phillip McKnight show off your DTT p90 yesterday. Very nice post and great audio. I'm glad to see you get some props and exposure.
I have a 1978 Explorer. Its an incredible guitar. I have one of these Epi's as well. Phenomenal guitars. Built great. Plays great. Sounds KILLER. Dont let the Epi name scare you....these are great guitars, even compared to my 78.
I have an 82 and it cost the same. Id rather have an American. And yes my American most definitely plays better than the epi.
I have a 2016 and it is my fav.
I have an "inspired by Gibson Custom" 1961 'Les Paul' SG and my thoughts when I got it echoed much of what you said in this video. Even down to the (satin?/gloss?) finish! Epiphone is definitely doing some small but unique things with this series and I don't see how anyone can be upset about it. More great guitars available at more price points is a great thing.
I got the V, and a Lefty at that, the first one that Sweetwater got in. It is truly awesome, the burstbucker pickups match so well with the korina, The attention to detail is commendable, if it had "gibson" on the head stock, instead of Epiphone, I don't know how you could tell the difference. The case is really cool too. Oh yeah I can see the scarf joint on the neck so there is the difference. The finish , while polyurethane, it's dulled and closer to the feel of nitro , but that's just almost insignificant difference - this is a really really good build, no apology needed for being an Epiphone, it's a keeper.
I wished Epiphone would start with nitro finishes. Beautiful guitar.
I got one ASAP, still waiting for the Flying V to arrive, back ordered until July. The guitar was perfect out of the box, action, neck relief, no fret sprouts any where. Its damn fun to play.
Thank you for this demo and showing us this beautiful guitar! I have one ordered too, now have to wait a few months :)
Just ordered mine can't wait
I was on the waiting list from one of the online stores. When this Explorer became available, I jumped on it. I freakin' love this guitar. The neck profile if pretty chunky, but that's cool with me. The quality of this Epiphone is great. Really nice video, thanks.
The SC-450 Plus GT Vintage Series!!! What an awesome guitar!
Just bought the black inspired by Gibson V for $649, and it’s an incredible guitar. Exceptional build quality, and it plays flawlessly. Feels good, sounds good, looks good. What more could you want. And killer price point.
I just took delivery of my new ‘Inspired by Gibson Custom Shop’ Epiphone ‘58 Korina V today. It’s a killer guitar in every way, EXCEPT, the frets are rough. Like they were never polished at the factory. I’ll take care of that myself. Shouldn’t have to at the $1300 price point though.
Congrats on the new ride.
This really isnt my style, but im glad you got what you like. I really want a brian may “red special”, as its my unicorn.
Thanks for the review! It looks amazing!
I totally agree with your comments. I finally received mine and have not put it down since I got it, even my Gibson Les Paul Standard has taken a back seat. The Burst buckers are nice pickups but I have gone down the route of installing a set of Custombuckers (which the $10,000 dollar custom shop have in them I believe) as this guitar is a keeper. It's been worth every penny I paid for it. The build quality is fantastic, the almost satin finish is amazing I much prefer it over a nitro finish and no issues. So now as far as I know apart from the Epiphone logo on the headstock maybe some slight difference in the electrics? I believe I have the equivalent of the more expensive CS guitar for aa fraction of the price. If anyone is thinking of buying one I wouldn't hesitate to say do it depending on availability as well of course as they seem to be just trickling through at least here in the UK anyway. Cheers for your post and hello from The UK :)
Looks nice, I like the Explorer shape. Got a '76 Destroyer and a '84 Explorer (EXP 83 model).
I would love to have that guitar, the Bonamassa Lazurus model turned out to be more than I could have imagined it would be. Thanks for the review!
I owned an identical Explorer my folks bought me in the early 70's for a bribe to cut my hair. The only things I remember are it was Mahogany and the neck was super thin. Parental skills!
Hair grows back, a guitar can last forever! You got a good deal
It is expensive but it’s a good quality instrument, there’s nothing you cant do with the Epiphone iteration that you could do with the Gibson
The tone is excellent
Except sell it for what you paid for it five years from now.
@@jburdsinfuse
Maybe half? 😂
@@jburdsinfuse I don't understand why that's always a point. Who buys guitars to sell em
@@NintenDub I know right. I buy them to play I don't give a flying ..ck about anything other than playability and sound. The whole resale thing has nothing to do with any thing, unless you consider yourself some guitar trader/seller. I have only sold one guitar ever, an early 1970's MANN strat and I regret it till today.
So I bought one outside of Mike's music, in cincinnati. In 2007. From some kid, for 300 bucks. Without a case. He was just carrying it down the street. Didn't even play it, just took it home and put it straight on ebay. Within 2 hours, bidding was up over a thousand. I was like, damn..... Let me play this thing and see what the attraction is...?
After about an hour of playing it, we fell in love. I didn't put it down until 2013, I love that guitar. I'm looking at it, right now and, it looks like a one piece body. And mine has all the gold hardware. But with black knobs. I don't expect I'll be getting rid of it anytime soon... Maybe after I'm dead...
And I don't expect that to be happening anytime soon.
But if you get a chance, to pick one up, I highly recommend them. I mean sure, you can collect them, and hang it on the wall. But if you do that..... You're truly missing out. Guitars are meant to be played.
Looking forward to seeing this! It's a great looking guitar and the specs looks good on paper
LOVE it, and this and the Korina V sound like really great, pro values. ( 2 piece bodies and Gibson pickups, HSC are primo items)
1958 was my birth year, I have the flying V, saving up for the Explorer. I particularly like the Poly finish, my V is super light and very resonant.
cool video. Does the neck feel heavy? is there any neck dive when standing up?
Dylan, I don't know why you say you are not that great a guitar player. You are definitely and Advanced player and you rock. Really like what you were playing in this video. I know we all say we can be a better player, I am an Advanced Beginner or a Begining Intermediate player, and I know for a fact I can get a lot better.
Good points made in the video
I bought an Epiphone a few years ago (ES-339). I'm happy with it. Normally I only buy American, usually Fenders. I decided to give Epiphone a whirl. I did a couple upgrades. I upgraded the nut because I don't like plastic nuts and the tuners (ratio was too low). One day I may upgrade the pickups but these sound pretty good for a budget guitar. Epiphone does make some decent instruments for the money. I don't play professionally anymore but when I did, I usually brought the budget guitars to the gigs. They get banged around and, if they're good guitars, often stolen. Squires and Epiphones were good for gigging. They play nice, sound good and if they get road-worn, so what. They don't get stolen as often and if they do...get another one.
I'm retiring (again) on December 31st of this year (2023). This is in my shopping list at Sweetwater, along with some other things, so I really appreciate your review!!!
It might be nitpicking but I think for that price, they could have at least spec'd it identical to the Gibson counterpart, so rosewood fretboard instead of laurel, same tuners and maybe even the same Gibson hardware.
If prices in general were not skyrocketing this might have been a 999$ guitar, which I guarantee no one would bat an eye.
Shame I just spent my money on a Edwards E-EX-160E (basically a japanese made Gibson Explorer Antique Natural), otherwise might have given the Epi Explorer a fair shot after hearing all the positive reviews regarding QC.
white limba? never heard of that.
i got an unsung factory 2000 korina... took all the horrible poly off of it (which took off the laminate) moved bridge pickup back towards the bridge where it belongs, gave it some color and sealed it in nitro.... great guitar, especially with faber parts and early 70's gibson humbuckers.
Keep in mind the gibson USA antique natural original collection explorer is only 500 dollars more then the this epi . The epi is Korina and the gibson is Mahagony but Korina is just a mahagony sub species. So save a few hundred more and get the gibby
Don’t have one of these Korina models…yet. But I got the Joe Bonamassa ES-335 and Adam Jones Epiphone and feel they were well worth it. Helped I got a small discount on both. They sound, play, and look great and have features that may rival or even beat a Gibson USA guitar. I agree these $1300 Epiphones fill a cool niche where you can get a higher end Epiphone that doesn’t need any mods. For people complaining Epiphone is pricing out people with lower budgets…they still have a massive line up of IBG models like the SG special, or les paul standard and those are still relatively cheap. They didn’t raise prices on their regular line up. They just added an extra higher end line for those looking and willing to spend a bit more for certain features. There’s no downside to having more options imo.
Its my next investment i tried it out on a 5150 it sounded awesome!!!!! Does it neck dive?
I bet it is. I have an Epiphone/GCS '62 Les Paul (SG) that is definitely worth the $!
I can't wait to get mine, just need to pay off the last guitar purchase lol! This is really a sickness isn't it!? I thought to myself walking into my apartment yesterday and seeing all the guitars either hanging, resting, and on the work table, looks like a damn guitar shop in here!!! The real problem is sharing time between them all ;)
Hey Mark, have you got one youself already?
I saw Phillips Mcknights video on your P90's and I just wanted to tell you they sounded great. I really want to get one of the Epiphone Wilshires and MOD it and I was wondering if you thought that those pickups would work in that guitar. Thank you very much for these great videos.
Nice guitar.
By the way re-issues were 76 & 77. I have a 76…it’s my favourite guirar by far.
I wonder what the differences between this newer model and the older epiphone korina explorer other than just the pickups as older model is still widely available here in canada for $1100 cad less that the new one and I gibson brustbucker 2, 3 pickup set is only $350 cad.
Exactly
I just bought a Gibson Explorer tonight from Guitar Center. Pro Tip. If you take a pedal (or just about anything to trade) GC will give you a 10% discount off the price +plus the value of your trade. I only paid $1799 for the Gibson. I traded several things and walked out of the store with the guitar and $50.
Pro tip?!?! Pro tip?!?! Bwahahaahaha! 😂
I'm trying to figure out what your DAW is doing back there, where it visibly squishes the gain down every few seconds.
Great Video
Here in Australia $3000 Aussie dollars saw one in the music shop the other day cheers
I really wanted the 58 spec and this is it. Custom shop price is out of reach, a real 58 is a unicorn..the build quality on my is fantastic. I actually really like the finish... I bought the Bonamassa Amos V for the same reasons, I did replace the pick ups with the Dimarzio Amos set witch is going to be the closest I every get to a 58 v.
I figure when you add a hard shell case vs a gig bag and real Gibson burst bucker pups, and quality pots, cap and authentic Klusson tuners, I think Explorer is priced right.
I'd put some strap locks on that so fast. the strap looks like it could come out of the top button so easily. Cool guitar, looks and sounds good
I had an explorer back in the 80s and it tried jumping off the strap a few times until I installed that dimarzio strap that the ends screw into the guitar. No more problems. Well, only that the strap was a bit narrow. Could have used another inch width.
That guitar is amazing. If I was in the market for a new guitar I would easily buy it
Future classic. Amazing build quality it looks like.
My Gretsch G2010 is the same quality. Amazing build. For little money. I bought a original Gretsch case for it. Because it is that good.
i want one of these so bad. One day I really hope to get one.
If you put a set of flatwounds on this it would be great for a jazz tone.
I think it looks fantastic!!
I finally got mine with a little discount I only paid $1099 for a "blemished" version and I could not find any defects. it is a great guitar, just a little heavier than my V but it plays very nicely.
Very nice playing.
I don't mind a high priced Epiphone, as long as the quality is there and there are no issues. Not sure about this flat finish though, they did the same thing with the 59 Les Paul.
OOO that opening shot... Chin down frown.. Its almost like you expect the Gibson authentic EZ break neck to explode. It just might do that..
If its built as nice as the adam jones epiphone than it is worth that price.
Why can a Epi Explorer and V have the same headstock as a Gibby but not their SG's or LP's?
Man, it looks great and sounds great. For 10% of the retail price of the Gibson models, what’s not to like.
Gorgeous wood
For US $1299? Yes definitely. For US $1650? Nope.
I already own the 2023 Epiphone Flying V Korina. A couple of months ago I was lucky enough to get hold of the last one available in EU, a B-stock for 200 euros less than retail. It's in 100% perfect condition, it wasn't noticeably played, no scratches or stains, only a dent in the outer box and the protective sheet was removed from the pick guard. Maybe it was a showroom model, dunno, but set up out of the box was perfect and it sounds, plays and feels perfect.
Anywayz, it's an absolutely AMAZING guitar and I am still in doubt which one is better, the Epi or my Gibson Flying V Antique Natural. And I also own the Gibson Explorer Antique Natural, so of course I was waiting for the Explorer Korina to restock and buy that one too.
Now it's back in store in EU but price has gone up and it costs 1500 euros (like 1650 $ US), which imho is too much for a made in China Epiphone. I can buy a Gibson for that money (plus I already own 11 guitars just for hobby, mostly Gibson and Epiphone), or 3 other great Epiphone, so just today I decided to let it go. I'll wait till some trend follower dumps his for half the money, when he gets bored of it and/or needs money for a turbo charged custom shop reliced Fender Jaguar with 30 extra knobs and switches.
I got a 58 goth Explorer and it's got terrible neck dive. How's yours?
Looking forward to this
Most of the appointments to detail on the Epiphone are of a Gibson. Even though it's a two-piece Korina, it's still real Korina wood. If people complain about Indian Laurel fingerboard not being rosewood? well, I have some guitars with Indian laurel, and it's not bad at all. When these suckers all sell out, don't be surprised on Reverb people asking $2000 or more for a used one. In fact, who has them right now in stock? I say buy it if you can, if you don't like it, sell it or trade it. I still have my Inspired by Gibson 61' Epiphone Les Paul SG. Nice playing guitar that I had to change the Pups to handwired PAF Exact Replicas. Guitar is killer now that blows away Gibsons of thousands of dollars. When I see and think of the Explorer, it's Allen Collins time. Rule #1: If it feels good and sounds good? don't change a damn thing.
That is one kewl looking guitar! I've become an Epiphone fan; I have the '59 LP Liimited Edition and a Sheraton II Pro - both are too good for the price.
Damn that sounds good!
People will put it down simply cuz it says epi on the headstock vs the price .they do the same with higher end squires.
Seems silly expensive for what it is - the Epiphone '59 Les Paul Custom Shop collaboration debuted at $699 with Gibson BB2 & BB3 pickups, premium Gibsony electronics and essentially the same features as these so I'm not sure why these cost nearly twice as much. $699 is about what I would consider Fair Market Value for one of these. I would also tone it down by putting a BB1 in neck and moving the BB2 to bridge as I did with the Epi' '59 Les Paul ($999 new last I checked), probably upgrade the tail hardware to Faber, & add locking tuners from Grover or Gotoh. With those mods/upgrades and a buffed-out finish I am really happy with the Epi' '59 for a total budget of ~ $1000, and do not pine for a Gibson Les Paul (I've played many :o)
The money people spend on Gibsons, and now Epiphones is beyond. We are in a golden age where the super expensive name brands mean absolutely nothing anymore for quality.
But if you like them…. You like them. I like them. Why can’t people just think things are cool
I mean…. Do you eat chips? The bag is only half full, do you buy fuel for your car?
Sounds and looks awesome to me. You’d think they’d be more popular.
Not for the price of an American Gibson or fender
Either pay $1,300 for the Epiphone, or $10,000 for the Gibson. I know the fretboard material isn’t as good and the lacquer isn’t nitro, but it still seems like a deal to me. An $8,700 price difference is huge
I'm not a Explorer kind of guy but it looks (fit and finish) and sounds nice. All the metal guys in the 80's pretty much turned me off to the pointy guitars including the Flying V. Firebirds though I can appreciate and currently own a Gibson Studio which is slightly scaled down and with P90's so it works for me. The Epiphone traditional is really good as well just a bit large. But I digress.
Keep in mind the flying V and explorers were used by blues guys and classic rock guys long before metal players took them up . Metal players discovered them when people realized the midrange of those guitars would cut through a bottom end heavy hard rock/,metal mix especially with 2 guitar players using heavily distortion and high output pickups. The explorer and the V retain a clarity in the midrange and a midrange definition under loud volume and heavy gain the way a les paul can't.. they cut through and stay clear and have less bass then a les paul so they don't get squashes by the bass and drums but originally the V and explorer were blues and rock guitars. Originally nobody wanted the V or explorer so they could be had dirt cheap . If you were a struggling or aspiring blues player and you had a hard time affording a strat tele or 335 these were a cheap option and with their boosted midrange, they and, some great sounding very vocal and creamy Sounding blues leads.
The explorer is the most versatile gibson in my option because you can play blues classic rock metal ,vintage or modern . They even do jazz really well with PAF style pickup in the neck .
@@adamwatson6916 For sure, I have seen some classic surf bands also using these models. It was just my first impressions that turned me off to them as a kid when starting out. Many of my hero's played the other relatively cheap rejects from Fender (Jazzmaster, Jaguar) and that is what I gravitated to.
I started off playing 90’s grunge-ish and bought a ‘91 Gibson Explorer in ‘93 just to be different from my friend who had a ‘91 Gibson Les Paul Studio. I genuinely preferred my guitar because it came with Grover tuners and excellent build quality. I’m with you on the metal scene pigeonholing the guitar a little bit. I don’t care for that either. Almost every time someone demos an Explorer, they drench it the sound in high gain and play flashy licks. I prefer to hear the guitar clean and then adding modest dirt is okay. Dylan gave it a proper demo.
@@continentalaquatics2725 I hear ya. Different is good for sure. Peace.
I have the Flying V and it is wonderful. The cases on these are covered in burger cheese or something that cuts just as easily unfortunately; covering material not fit for purpose.
Your Sweetwater links still don't work.
I just tried them … they all work
Not a fan of gold but that’s a winner.1299 ouch
Can you hang that cool ass gtr on a standard walk hanger?
I don't think it would be worth it to me. That body shape is not for me. But I can tell you that I got to help with an unboxing of Epiphone 's Casino semi hollow worn yesterday. It was excellent in every way. Frets, nut, finish, tuners... much better than my like priced Ibanez AS73 was. Good for Epiphone. I'm glad to see it. It makes me look forward to getting my Wilshire even more.
See, and ‘58 Korina V and Explorer ARE for me, while the Casino and Wilshire do nothing for me. Thankfully, Epiphone has us ALL covered. BTW, I’m 57 years old, and play Blues, old Country, and some classic rock.
I think that only the customshop collectors editions with the Brazilian rosewood ($30.000) have a one piece body! The type of wood, woodgrain and figuring on the gibson is very different. The gibson has custombuckers and the cases look like those of the gibson but in real are very different.
Whatever you do dont do the “Clapton cut” or the “Van Halen destroyer cut” it will destroy the value of the guitar. But then again YOU do YOU!
Really cool !! Like the fact that they put all Gibson hardware on that instrument!! I was wondering about 1 issue that you didn't mention ... Does the guitar have serious "neck dive" ? A lot of Explorers do and I imagine that one is no different. All said , still a really cool guitar !! Thanks for sharing !!
You can see the tendency to neck dive at 8:21 / 8:22 which is mainly caused by the location of the strap button on the fretboard side, at least thats my expirience.
I never had a Gibson style Explorer with the strap button on the heel that was neck diving.
Plays better than all my other guitars..love it, glad I got one..
He asked what makes it an Epiphone and he can’t tell. The fret board! I had a $150 Epiphone Les paul with Indian Laurel on it. This company loves up charging. Where’s the rosewood for $1299!?
Imo it should be 899 like the 59 pes pauk with gibson electronics and a case
I agree it's worth the price it's a signature module. It prriced with the Ibanez revstar and PRS Asian instruments . Unlike these other guitars, epiphone has a history. With building other epiphone models in The USA ,AT this time the resale prices are not dropping. Maby gibson doing some thing Wright. Now their building a platform to try new things and bypass bad press of those refuse to change.
Epiphone had sold Korina Explorers until very recently for $649. Then put a inspired by Gibson Custom Shop sticker on it, put in Burstbuckers and Mallory caps then doubled the price. 🙄
Yeah… and it’s a killer guitar.
@@What11235 I bought the Epi LE 1958 Korina Explorer Reissue brand new in Mar. '22 for $599 USD from AMS and it is not veneered. The neck does have a scarf near the headstock (makes it stronger at the historical weak point). Again, the "collaboration" is just marketing IMO. So it goes.
And unlike Fender, Gibson/Epiphone realizes that there are left-handed people who play guitar aren't willing to over pay for their products.
I bought the Flying V version.....and I LOVE it!!!!
That's actually a Gibson bridge... Small (4mn) post holes in the bridge
It’s epiphone locktone according to the spec sheet
Great review! I'm trying to get one of the black guard Flying Vs, but the local distributor here didn't order any 😡 Gonna have to wait for this one.
I wanted the black guard Explorer. Not sure they still produce it. Here in EU Epiphone and some other stores have both Flying V and Explorer in stock, but none has the black guard listed, it's not even on Epi's own website anymore. The Explorer black pg was 200 euros cheaper than the white pick guard, last week it was still listed but not available, now it's totally gone.
Just change the pick guard to black if that’s what you prefer🤷🏼♂️
Why did they go to the trouble of making it 100% korina and then do indian laurel?
Nice but this price and it's not neck through the body? How how how? 😎
Guitars across the board are more expensive so welcome to the new world post 2020 folks.
Ya need to stop complaining about it and move along. And frankly, it makes companies even more competitive so there’s that. Epiphone is allowed to have guitars over $500 😂.
I’ve spent some time with the V and I’ll say these are really good. Of course I ended up buying a Tabacco burst Gibson SG but I digress…
Gibson is walking a thin line here. I mean, if Gibson/Epi were to start using nitro on some of these along w/the Gibby pups there’d be almost zero reason to spring for the Gibson due to all the paint sniffers. As an admitted paint sniffer and Gibson guy and sometimes headstock snob, I’ll be grabbing one of these at some point and won’t feel one ounce of regret.
I don’t care about the name or even the country of the build. Everyone has at least 1 mouth to feed.
The shape of the headstock to me is a thing and these are identical in shape to their Gibson counterparts. And when there’s no binding to improperly scrape I’m in, period.
We should all be cheering Gibson/Epiphone when they do a good thing.
Better then any Gibson, sad but true.
After 30 seconds of playing one I knew I was going to buy it. To me they are an ergonomic disaster and pretty ugly, but the sounds is unbeatable. The look is growing on me as well. I play it more than any guitar I own. Something about this one :)
Couple of things, is it REAL Korina? How many pieces is it made of and is it plywood construction. If not then you bet its worth it.
We cover all that in the video
@@DylanTalksTone I did watch the video. Thanks. Its just that sometimes they get sneaky and do a veneer over a lesser wood and call it something thats not technically correct
Its a lovely guitar, no doubt. But they're too over priced here in Oz. The cheapest is $28000AU and with an exchange rate of 67c to the dollar, it should come in at about $1950. At that price, I'd be porting my money into something else.
To me it looks a lot like Obeche or Abachi, not like Korina or Limba as Gibson would call it. It is an african Wood soundwise a bit like Mahagony…
I don't evan need to ask the question, the answer is NO, unless Gibson's production has dropped so low in quality, the absolute highest price your budget price guitars should be is around, $1000, after all you have multiple levels of Gibsons that start below that price, that's not to say the Epiphone is worth less than a Gibson because it's not US made, (It probably isn't) it's because there is very little reason why Gibsons cost as much as they do.
At least have the cavities shielded at this price.
Yeah… because humbuckers are sooooooo noisy
if you are satisfied , it's worth it then.
She is nice, but in my neck of the woods, overpriced. In Canada she sells new for $1900 when the Gibson version is $2500 new. So yeah, if I had to buy one new... Gibson. If this Epi was $1299 Canadian, I would most likely own one by now.
$1300 for an Epiphone and they’re still giving you an Indian Laurel fretboard. No thanks. No reason they can’t give you a rosewood fretboard at that price point
Worth it for me. Unique design and not common. Well built too. I would pay $2500 and be fine with it. For a lifetime guitar, it’s a bargain
@@Delowist Because rosewood just feels better....i can oil and wax my squier indian laurel fretboards all i want and it still won't get that same smooth feel rosewood or ebony has! Besides, i can get 300 dollar guitars with rosewood or ebony fretboards nowadays, or a MIA Fender Performer Strat for the same price as the Epi and it also has rosewood....🤔😳🎸🤘🎸
do what i did, buy an older one with rosewood.
Wood bigots!!!! Love it!!!
In 2010 I got a Korina Explorer. Paid $500.00 for it. Was a fantastic guitar. PAID $500.00 FOR IT. NOT $1200.00 $1200.00 for a Chibson Explorer is ridiculous. Not even close to as ridiculous as a brand new Gibson ANYTHING for 10 thousand dollars. You could get any other brand of guitar PLUS 2 Marshall full stacks and still have change from a $10,000.00 bill. Gibson is out of their phkng minds and anyone stupid enough to spend 10k on one guitar is equally delusional. No off the shelf guitar is worthy of even a $2,000.00 guitar. All Gibson is trying to do is rip off their fan boys who have too much disposable income.
Is pushing a $1300 Chinese guitar honest? Shouldn't it say Chibson instead?