Epiphone

Epiphone, of course, is owned by Gibson and represents many of the same Gibson model guitars but at a lower cost. Epiphone acoustic guitars come in such familiar models as the Dove and the Hummingbird. Other models include the AJ-100 and 200, the DR-100 and 200, the DR-212 12-string acoustic guitar, the EL-00, and the EJ-200 styled after the famous J-200 Gibson acoustic guitar model.

Epiphone builds over a half dozen models of acoustic/electric guitars designed with electronics built in for live stage performing. The EJ-200CE is designed to emulate the famous Gibson J-200 acoustic guitar, but this Epiphone model comes with electronics and a cutaway for easy upper-fret access. The EJ-200 also comes in an Elvis Presley model and a John Lennon model. Other models include the AJ-200SCE, the DR-200CE, the Perfromer ME and Performer SE, and the SST Studio.

Archtop guitars are designed mainly for jazz and blues guitar playing. Again, many of the Epiphone archtop models emulate their more famous big brother Gibson models. The ES-175 is a good example of the famous Gibsion 175 full hollow body guitar style. Epiphone also offers such famous designs as the B.B. King Lucille modeled after the thin hollow bodied Gibson 335. Among the over 15 models of archtop guitars that Epiphone offers are Joe Pass, Tom Delonge and Nick Valensi models.

The bass collection from Epiphone consists of over a dozen bass models. The El Capitan and the El Segundo are acoustic bass guitars. The Jack Cassady model is a thin hollow body style bass. The Nikki Sixx Blackbird takes a Gibson style Firebird solid body style, as do the Thunderbird Pro and Thunderbird-IV models. The Zenith is a jazz style bass with a hollow body. The Viola Bass is styled similarly to Paul McCartneys famous Hofner bass for that "british invasion" look.

Epiphone's bluegrass models include the MB Series of banjos, the MD-100 resonator guitar, the MM Series of mandolins, and the Electric Mandobird, four or eight string electric mandolin with a Firebird style solid body.

Epiphone's designer collection of guitars includes 1958 versions of the famous Gibson Explorer and Flying V models, the Firebird Studio model, the Prophecy Series of electric guitars, and the Zakk Wylde ZV Custom, a wild looking guitar with an SG type upper body and a Flying V type lower body. There are over 10 designer models to choose from.

The Les Paul style guitar models from Epiphone include over 20 styles altogether. Nearly every model is included, from the Les Paul Black Beauty 3 three pickup guitar to the Les Paul Custom. Of course, the Les Paul Standard is available in three different models and there is a Slash Les Paul Goldtop for all of you goldtop lovers. Three Zakk Wylde Les Paul models round out the collection.

Epiphone offers guitars modeled after the famous Gibson SG guitars. Take a look at the Emily The Strange SG. It comes with a gigbag and strap to complete the ensemble. The G-310 is a classic black SG electric guitar while the SG Special is cherry colored. Rock legend Tony Iommi lends his name to a G-400 model with Tony's signature "cross" inlays up the 24 fret slim neck and Tony Iommi Humbucker pickups.

Epiphone's Goth collection offers four styles of electric guitar; the Goth 1958 Explorer, the Goth G-400 (an SG style guitar), the Goth Les Paul Studio, and the Goth Thunderbird-IV. All models understandably come in black.

Epiphone's Historical Collection of acoustic and electric guitars consists of over a half dozen models. The 1962 Wilshire Reissue is a solid body electric guitar limited to only 100 instruments worldwide. The John Lennon 1965 Casino is an ES-335 style thin hollow body electric guitar. The Paul McCartney 1964 Texan is a replica of Paul's famous Texan model acoustic guitar.

The Masterbilt Collection is a series of acoustic guitar models. Most models are of a 14 fret design, but a few come with the neck joined at the 12th fret. While most guitars come with a solid sitka spruce tops, there are some models with cedar tops for mellower fingerpicking styles. The same goes for guitars having either mahogany or rosewood back/sides. This series of instruments also includes a banjo and a ukelele.

Epiphone offers the SST Classic, an acoustic/electric classical guitar. This is a newly designed guitar that features active volume and EQ controls, and Epiphone's Shadow NanoFlex pickup system. A headphone/mp switch allows the player to plug in headphones for practicing purposes.

Epiphone "Packs" come in a variety of configurations. Their electric guitar and bass packs come with everything you need, from amplifier to cords and headsets, to start your playing career. The guitar and bass themselves are not included. There are some electric guitar packs that do include the actual instrument, like the Flying Vee Wee Rave Rig and others. The electric guitar is packed together with a battery-powered MiniAmp, gigbag, strap and cord. Their Acoustic Player Packs include an acoustic guitar along with a gig bag, instructional DVD, strap, pitch pipe, picks and more.

Accessories available include cases and gigbags, wall hangers, guitar stands, IntlliTuners, instrument cables, metronomes, picks, straps, etc.

The Syndicate deals new and used guitars and amps. Vox dealers, Epiphone, Dean and MXR.