Guitar shops should offer a free setup when they sell you a guitar. Sweetwater has an inspection but not a set up. A set up is specific to the guitar player (purchaser) and can make a uncomfortable guitar easier to play. A guitar shop is really the only place that has the technicians to do the work. I recently purchased a PRS DGT SE and as good as it is, I still needs a set up.
You'd think any shop that has a repair guy would do that to everything they have. A crappy $200 guitar that doesn't work can turn into a $300 guitar and your "well setup" epiphone guitars could be a selling point to compete with the guy down the street selling the same guitar. Sweetwater had the "50 point checklist" on their guitars.
@@user-qr7ee2cp4y First I'm not defending any repair guys or shops. Second reality is the shops that still have repair guys are backlogged with repairs. Other shops the repair guy/tech/luthier was the first position to fall when the big box stores opened. This problem is enhanced by a lack of guitar Tech/Luthier (s) and no training schools for them across the US. When I became a Luthier GC offered me a whooping $8 per hour and the store was 40 miles away this was several years ago but even then it wasn't a good comp to any other tech pay.
@@talonguitarworks7514 I wished I could do what you do... I only know enough to be dangerous. Loved reading the monthly Luther column in vintage guitar to see different screwed up guitars get fixed.
PRS-SE was the first to really start offering consistently great imports with full size volume and tone pots, nice fretwork and upscale feel. Epiphone seems to have REALLY stepped up, and they're dropping great new models by the day. Most of the new Gibson inspired models are now starting to gave the trademark open book headstock. I was a very lucky kid, and I had my first Gibson SG Standard at 14. I got another one at 17, an SRV signature Strat and by the time I was 21 I had three SG's, a Les Paul Standard and a Firebird V. They were still somewhat affordable to the player. Anymore, it seems as though Gibson has abandoned the player, in favor of the rich guy --- for models that are flooded in the marketplace. I was a cork-sniffing gear snob most of my life, but I've done an about face the last few years. You can get so many options-loaded imports for a grand. You're barely getting anything at that price point for a USA guitar. I'm a conservative and a capitalist -- not a huge fan of China, but it's hard to blame anyone for getting their hands on a PRS-SE or any of the new Epiphones.
It’s also quite possible that they don’t actually have lower manufacturing. If they had to use the accounting/financial reporting rules that developed economies are required to follow then their cost position, and so their price also, would be different (higher). I believe China is a member of the International Trade Commission (ITC) but they’re classified as a “developing” economy and may get to operate under some different trade rules as compared to ITC “developed” economies - but this is a separate issue from the accounting/cost/price practices I mentioned above.
To each his own .I mean I miss that dean guitars could make z guitar and flying v for a reasonable price ,but they can't due to copyright.the way things are going I wouldn't be surprised if a entry level guitar started around 500. due to inflation
Some of the very price sensitive brands, who primarily do imports, I see them already going to other countries like India. An example being Chapman from the UK. I am curious to see what the quality is coming out of India. The Indonesians and Chinese factories have raised prices a lot recently so people are making moves.
Chapman took a beating from the Chinese factories on their early runs. When you contract a factory for a small run it is a risk you take and has driven some "Guitar Makers" out of business.
@@talonguitarworks7514 That’s very interesting, I’ve never had my hands on any of his guitars. I am very tempted to check out one of the Indian made, if the quality is similar to the Chinese factories I would rather give my money to India imo.
The Epiphony Firebird V for $1700? I can’t imagine who is stupid enough to think that is not a complete ripoff. It wasn’t that long ago that I got a brand new Gibson Firebird V for $1050. That was the price at Sweetwater, so no discount. 🤣😂😆
Waiting for the day Americans can see QC at made in USA isn’t always on par either. Many can’t or don’t want to pay extra for made in US. Gibson starts at 1600 Euro. They discontinued the Tribute wich was more of a LP than that Lite they now have as entrylevel. Gibson is moving away from players. It will bite them in time. I expect work on any guitar I buy. My Gibby needed leveling of upper frets out of box. And fretends. Latest Epiphone only fretends. My 99 Euro Harley Benton shortscale bass needed zero work out of the box. Americans are a bit biased wich I do understand but still.
I agree Gibson is lost to the world of guitar players. Part of that is the Stradivarius syndrome with the bursts and there connection to the vintage market. The other major problem for Fender and Gibson is the model range. As I have said Fender has 21 models in the Player Series alone. Gibson doesn't release how many models they have per year. That being said I would love to review a Harley Benton for several reasons. 1. Thoman is a German Company 2. Germans don't tolerate bad quality control IMO. Thoman SP (auto correct is killing me.) will be the leader in Europe fast. I would also like to review a Framus import.
@@talonguitarworks7514 Stradivarius syndrome. Good one. Those player serie guitars are in a good pricerange. Especially being a Fender and not Squier. Entry level Gibson is double the price. I see a lot of cheaper guitars entering the market with specs as stainless frets etc. A lot different than 30 years ago. CNC does a lot. Framus is interesting. Being An older brand. Can’t remember seeing people with those. I was surprised about the Harley Benton especially for the money I spend. The TE62 tele looks interesting. Ashtray bridge, string through. Double bound. Only 160 Euro. Just took a look at the US store on Reverb but that is empty atm.
