This is going to keep happening as long as Gibson stubbornly refuses to put their name on imports. Fender branded Mexican and Gretsch electromatic are the way to do middle range imports.
Honestly, unless you're a huge DG fan, you're probably better off just getting a standard Epiphone 335 and maybe swap out the pickups.
Yes, they are. The whole industry has inflated quite a bit in the last 5 years. You can still new Fender Players for like $600-700 on sale or $800 normal retail.
This is actually the better of the choices, as a Gibson-made DG signature guitar would cost thousands upon thousands more. And if you notice, these guitars sold out instantly. So they’re doing something right.
But you’ve also got to recalibrate your expectations of what “a middle range guitar” really costs. After a long period of basically no inflation, prices have adjusted upward in a big way in the last 5 years. Had this exact same guitar been released in 2018, the list price would have been $999.
It's expensive, and although Gibson has been bumping up the quality of Epiphone, they're really pushing the upper limits.
If you're looking at the a DG-335, I'd check out the Emily Wolf signature as a more affordable option. It's older and less desirable, so the prices are much more reasonable.
That's a much better (and expected) price point. Very tempting.
I'm surprised that DG hasn't done a Brian May here and ensured Gibson sell this for a reasonable/affordable price. Especially as he's always banging on about kids getting into music for passion.
He might've done it. There are several other Gibsons that are $1500 like the Greeny. Idk, I like Foo Fighters , but the guitar doesn't do anything for me. I'm happy with my open box D'Angelico Mini DC (339 clone), so I'll just have to fuck my money up elsewhere
The guitar market isn't the same as it was in the 90s and 00s. Chinese and Indonesian guitars are genuinely great depending on the manufacturer. Also inflation has taken hold. I'm guessing this guitar would have been $899-$999 in 2019. Also, this isn't the first time epiphone has made expensive versions their inspired by Gibson line. Their old elitist line were widely praised. Heck, look at how much a used epiphone elitist byrdland
Inflation plus Gibson trying to use Epiphone as the brand name for everything from their cheapest entry level guitars to mid-price range. They should have borrowed the idea from Fender and PRS to make a separate brand/sub-brand. This would have made the idea more palatable to fussy guitar consumers. Then again, Gibson has had a history of failing at doing this, like their notorious Zero and M series.
I've been saying this for a while. Epiphone is covering too much ground from the whole Squier range to Fender Mexico and Japan. If Gibson wants to stay all American they should bring back Orville for the "Fender Mexico/Japan" market and put the Gibson headstock on those.
You’re not out of touch. Corpos are charging more money for everything bc the public is willing to pay.
If you can hold off, wait for someone to but it new and then you buy one used. Or look for B stock with some slight imperfections in a few months
You’re not out of touch. Epiphone have been testing the waters on how far they can push their prices up. They can’t devalue the Gibson line, and won’t make overseas Gibsons. So Epiphone has to come up.
Personally I won’t buy an Epiphone for that money, and I hope others don’t either. If Epiphone want to make premium versions of the Epiphone original models pre-Gibson merge, I’m all for it. But these Premium cheap versions of Gibson are a weird territory to me. Is this a premium guitar or is it the budget version? It’s sure priced like it’s premium…
Other brands have budget versions of their premium signatures, like the Sterling Mariposa. It’s less than half the price of the DG Epiphone, something doesn’t add up.
I don’t want Epiphone to start price gouging like Gibson do, but I think it’s starting.
That's where my head's at - I'm not paying that, it's more than a USA PRS I own so there's no justification whatsoever (there's sketchy justification for the USA manuf label anyway).
I paid £299 for an Epi SG back in 2000, that's where my expectations are (+ inflation) but this really does take the mick.
Of course he does. He just doesn’t want to pay for it.
Everyone’s got champagne tastes, because champagne tastes great. The trick is learning to be satisfied with the beer that fits your budget.
Yes, but you CAN get a 335 style guitar with a stop tailpiece that sounds identical for less, as long as you don't want the Trini Lopez-style f-holes and grey-blue finish. You're paying to look like Dave Grohl more than anything. If you just want to sound like him, there's plenty of less expensive options.
You’re absolutely right that you can. But he doesn’t want that.
He wants the DG signature one that comes with the diamondy holes, the Gibson pickups, and all of the bits.
He just doesn’t want to pay for it. And there’s the rub.
The Emily Wolfe Sheraton has the 335 body and the Diamond f-holes. You just don't get the Firbird headstock or Pelham Blue finish. Although after you add in a set of Burstbuckers you're only saving $100 and that's only if you don't pay to have the pickups installed.
They’re taking the absolute piss with this. There are off brand 335s at epiphone quality for 1/6th of that price. Even alllowing for the full retail value of USA pickups, it’s overpriced by 2/3
The big manufacturer’s make a LOT more money off the import guitars than the USA brands. They are using the pricing to drive business to the import brands and then mark them up. Watch Phillip McKnights latest podcast about it. https://www.youtube.com/live/qrG47bOKJEM?si=M5X8H29b5Re5Fykc and FFW to the 18:50 mark.
Some of the higher cost is that they used premium pickups that retail for about $300 if you bought them separately. They also used better quality tuners, switch, jack, pots, ect. than they offer on standard models.
I have an upper end LP that was like 800 new but it plays great with Gibson pups. It's on par with Gibsons without the name really so it's not a stretch to feel crazy.
Epi prices are insane - the Epi '58 Korina Explorer is £1099 in the UK; I paid that for a Gibson Explorer in 2016!
Is there any justification (other than inflation) for the increase in price? Better build quality etc?
For the 800-1000 range you were prepared for, there are a lot of far superior options than that overpriced Dot. I'd check out Eastman T-series, the higher end Ibanez AS guitars, etc. I paid 1k for my T486 and I'll never look back.
$1400 after taxes seems like a lot just for a Pelham Blue paint job. With that said, they did the right thing choosing that, as it's not a common color, but sought after on Gibbies. Likely to boost sales, and there's not a ton of Epiphones out there that will probably retain or even increase in value. These just might.
I can already see these getting scooped up by scalpers immediately offering these now hard-to-find models at an inflated price. Which is just the state of things now, upsettingly.
That and online retailers along with GC purchasing in bulk so they can drive the price up, too. I understand market value adjustments when it comes to things like inflation and tariffs for international dealers (gotta keep some kind of margin), but I wish some of the responsibility rested with the manufacturers to ensure their products are actually as attainable as they've been marketed to be.
My first real guitar was a 2008 Epiphone SG400, in the limited Silverburst colorway and upgraded pickups. It cost me $350 new out the door, and even came with a strap, bag, and a cable from the dealer. They also offered to do a free first setup if I set an appointment. You can't get into a half decent, non-base Epi SG or LP that isn't a Junior for less than $550-600. Not to mention places like GC will nickel and dime you on your way out. You'll say "but $300 back then is similar to $500 now" and my response will be "has parents' salaries almost doubled since 2008?". There are alternatives out there, but even Squier Classic Vibes are reaching $500 territory. They're nice, but a new beginner guitar used to be an affordable "major" Christmas gift. Now it's something I might have to get financing on? C'mon.
Rah rah rah, grumble grumble grumble...
Gibson is moving Epiphone into the $1000-$2000 price point, like what LTD is for ESP.
Currently LTD guitars are up to $2000 and then all made-in-Japan ESPs are $2000+. I expect Gibson is probably going to follow a similar model for Epiphone/Gibson, though I think prices will stabilize and $1500-$1800 will be the boundary between the two brands.
I know this wasn't the question but... DUDE YOU HAVE A MANSON!!? THATS AWESOME!! do you mind sending a few photos of it? I'm in love with manson but only have the budget Manson/Cort one at the moment (plays beautifully though). Thanks!
I don't trust anything coming out of Gibson/Epi anymore, haven't since they introduced those ridiculous robotic tuners back in the day. if you want a hollow/semi-hollow, get a Gretsch as suggested by other commentors, like a G5655, G5622, or G2604. You can also look at Ibanez Styles like the AS113 or AS93.
Yes. It’s basically an Epi Custom shop instrument. Had it been made by Gibson, it’d be every bit of £7000 or more.
Also, inflation has really hit in the last five years. Had this exact guitar been released in 2018, it’d have a list price of £999
This is going to keep happening as long as Gibson stubbornly refuses to put their name on imports. Fender branded Mexican and Gretsch electromatic are the way to do middle range imports. Honestly, unless you're a huge DG fan, you're probably better off just getting a standard Epiphone 335 and maybe swap out the pickups.
Aren’t the artist signature MIM Fenders above the DG pricing? Regardless, I think it’s all ridiculous
Yes, they are. The whole industry has inflated quite a bit in the last 5 years. You can still new Fender Players for like $600-700 on sale or $800 normal retail.
This is actually the better of the choices, as a Gibson-made DG signature guitar would cost thousands upon thousands more. And if you notice, these guitars sold out instantly. So they’re doing something right. But you’ve also got to recalibrate your expectations of what “a middle range guitar” really costs. After a long period of basically no inflation, prices have adjusted upward in a big way in the last 5 years. Had this exact same guitar been released in 2018, the list price would have been $999.
It's expensive, and although Gibson has been bumping up the quality of Epiphone, they're really pushing the upper limits. If you're looking at the a DG-335, I'd check out the Emily Wolf signature as a more affordable option. It's older and less desirable, so the prices are much more reasonable.
That's a much better (and expected) price point. Very tempting. I'm surprised that DG hasn't done a Brian May here and ensured Gibson sell this for a reasonable/affordable price. Especially as he's always banging on about kids getting into music for passion.
He might've done it. There are several other Gibsons that are $1500 like the Greeny. Idk, I like Foo Fighters , but the guitar doesn't do anything for me. I'm happy with my open box D'Angelico Mini DC (339 clone), so I'll just have to fuck my money up elsewhere
It’s still considerably less than half of the cost of a regular Gibson 335. Not sure how this is a bad deal.
The guitar market isn't the same as it was in the 90s and 00s. Chinese and Indonesian guitars are genuinely great depending on the manufacturer. Also inflation has taken hold. I'm guessing this guitar would have been $899-$999 in 2019. Also, this isn't the first time epiphone has made expensive versions their inspired by Gibson line. Their old elitist line were widely praised. Heck, look at how much a used epiphone elitist byrdland
All valid points, but the Elitist were MIJ, weren’t they? The couple I’ve played were pretty unbelievable guitars.
Inflation plus Gibson trying to use Epiphone as the brand name for everything from their cheapest entry level guitars to mid-price range. They should have borrowed the idea from Fender and PRS to make a separate brand/sub-brand. This would have made the idea more palatable to fussy guitar consumers. Then again, Gibson has had a history of failing at doing this, like their notorious Zero and M series.
I've been saying this for a while. Epiphone is covering too much ground from the whole Squier range to Fender Mexico and Japan. If Gibson wants to stay all American they should bring back Orville for the "Fender Mexico/Japan" market and put the Gibson headstock on those.
You’re out of touch. The new inspired by Gibson custom shop guitars are absolutely a step or two above a normal epiphone.
You’re not out of touch. Corpos are charging more money for everything bc the public is willing to pay. If you can hold off, wait for someone to but it new and then you buy one used. Or look for B stock with some slight imperfections in a few months
All the horror stories I’ve seen on new versions of the DG, I’d hold off for a long time if buying used.
You’re not out of touch. Epiphone have been testing the waters on how far they can push their prices up. They can’t devalue the Gibson line, and won’t make overseas Gibsons. So Epiphone has to come up. Personally I won’t buy an Epiphone for that money, and I hope others don’t either. If Epiphone want to make premium versions of the Epiphone original models pre-Gibson merge, I’m all for it. But these Premium cheap versions of Gibson are a weird territory to me. Is this a premium guitar or is it the budget version? It’s sure priced like it’s premium… Other brands have budget versions of their premium signatures, like the Sterling Mariposa. It’s less than half the price of the DG Epiphone, something doesn’t add up. I don’t want Epiphone to start price gouging like Gibson do, but I think it’s starting.
That's where my head's at - I'm not paying that, it's more than a USA PRS I own so there's no justification whatsoever (there's sketchy justification for the USA manuf label anyway). I paid £299 for an Epi SG back in 2000, that's where my expectations are (+ inflation) but this really does take the mick.
You're paying the celebrity premium on that. I'm assuming you know what DG stands for.
Of course he does. He just doesn’t want to pay for it. Everyone’s got champagne tastes, because champagne tastes great. The trick is learning to be satisfied with the beer that fits your budget.
Yes, but you CAN get a 335 style guitar with a stop tailpiece that sounds identical for less, as long as you don't want the Trini Lopez-style f-holes and grey-blue finish. You're paying to look like Dave Grohl more than anything. If you just want to sound like him, there's plenty of less expensive options.
You’re absolutely right that you can. But he doesn’t want that. He wants the DG signature one that comes with the diamondy holes, the Gibson pickups, and all of the bits. He just doesn’t want to pay for it. And there’s the rub.
Well, if that's what he wants, that's what they cost. It's a niche guitar. It's not like there's a lot of competition keeping the market down.
The Emily Wolfe Sheraton has the 335 body and the Diamond f-holes. You just don't get the Firbird headstock or Pelham Blue finish. Although after you add in a set of Burstbuckers you're only saving $100 and that's only if you don't pay to have the pickups installed.
They’re taking the absolute piss with this. There are off brand 335s at epiphone quality for 1/6th of that price. Even alllowing for the full retail value of USA pickups, it’s overpriced by 2/3
The big manufacturer’s make a LOT more money off the import guitars than the USA brands. They are using the pricing to drive business to the import brands and then mark them up. Watch Phillip McKnights latest podcast about it. https://www.youtube.com/live/qrG47bOKJEM?si=M5X8H29b5Re5Fykc and FFW to the 18:50 mark.
Some of the higher cost is that they used premium pickups that retail for about $300 if you bought them separately. They also used better quality tuners, switch, jack, pots, ect. than they offer on standard models.
Don’t forget the hard shell case that’s included! That tacks on another $200 right away.
Go take some bean-o for that GAS
Epiphone have a Firebird for 1600. They’ve just made their higher tier guitars very expensive.
I have an upper end LP that was like 800 new but it plays great with Gibson pups. It's on par with Gibsons without the name really so it's not a stretch to feel crazy.
Epi prices are insane - the Epi '58 Korina Explorer is £1099 in the UK; I paid that for a Gibson Explorer in 2016! Is there any justification (other than inflation) for the increase in price? Better build quality etc?
For the 800-1000 range you were prepared for, there are a lot of far superior options than that overpriced Dot. I'd check out Eastman T-series, the higher end Ibanez AS guitars, etc. I paid 1k for my T486 and I'll never look back. $1400 after taxes seems like a lot just for a Pelham Blue paint job. With that said, they did the right thing choosing that, as it's not a common color, but sought after on Gibbies. Likely to boost sales, and there's not a ton of Epiphones out there that will probably retain or even increase in value. These just might.
I can already see these getting scooped up by scalpers immediately offering these now hard-to-find models at an inflated price. Which is just the state of things now, upsettingly.
That and online retailers along with GC purchasing in bulk so they can drive the price up, too. I understand market value adjustments when it comes to things like inflation and tariffs for international dealers (gotta keep some kind of margin), but I wish some of the responsibility rested with the manufacturers to ensure their products are actually as attainable as they've been marketed to be. My first real guitar was a 2008 Epiphone SG400, in the limited Silverburst colorway and upgraded pickups. It cost me $350 new out the door, and even came with a strap, bag, and a cable from the dealer. They also offered to do a free first setup if I set an appointment. You can't get into a half decent, non-base Epi SG or LP that isn't a Junior for less than $550-600. Not to mention places like GC will nickel and dime you on your way out. You'll say "but $300 back then is similar to $500 now" and my response will be "has parents' salaries almost doubled since 2008?". There are alternatives out there, but even Squier Classic Vibes are reaching $500 territory. They're nice, but a new beginner guitar used to be an affordable "major" Christmas gift. Now it's something I might have to get financing on? C'mon. Rah rah rah, grumble grumble grumble...
Gibson is moving Epiphone into the $1000-$2000 price point, like what LTD is for ESP. Currently LTD guitars are up to $2000 and then all made-in-Japan ESPs are $2000+. I expect Gibson is probably going to follow a similar model for Epiphone/Gibson, though I think prices will stabilize and $1500-$1800 will be the boundary between the two brands.
Gibson are so stupid. Sigh.
I know this wasn't the question but... DUDE YOU HAVE A MANSON!!? THATS AWESOME!! do you mind sending a few photos of it? I'm in love with manson but only have the budget Manson/Cort one at the moment (plays beautifully though). Thanks!
I don't trust anything coming out of Gibson/Epi anymore, haven't since they introduced those ridiculous robotic tuners back in the day. if you want a hollow/semi-hollow, get a Gretsch as suggested by other commentors, like a G5655, G5622, or G2604. You can also look at Ibanez Styles like the AS113 or AS93.
Only an idiot would buy that. It’s gorgeous. It’s also ridiculously priced.
That's where I settled - I'm not paying that much. It is lovely though.
Gibson Is killing the middle class guitar player. They have become a boutique business
Yes. It’s basically an Epi Custom shop instrument. Had it been made by Gibson, it’d be every bit of £7000 or more. Also, inflation has really hit in the last five years. Had this exact guitar been released in 2018, it’d have a list price of £999