Epiphone has once again collaborated with the Gibson Custom Shop to produce these very enticing Firebirds. This single pickup edition is the 1963 Firebird I.
The 2-pickups + whammy version is the 1963 Firebird V.
Each purchase includes a hardcase. Prices: Firebird I - USD1,299 / Firebird V - USD1,699.
We don't have an Epiphone dealer here so in a way, there are no real interests in these instruments but just because this is the situation, should the players here mirror the business politics in their purchase considerations? That's a firm NO. People would continue to be enticed by new products regardless of domestic availability. There is this thing called online purchase these days so not having a store distributing the instruments you want is not a real hindrance. However, it makes life a little more difficult for us; waiting time, mishandling of items, defects mitigation, etc.
Is this Epiphone - Gibson thing good? Is guitardom anticipating this collaboration? My take: Good & bad.
- GOOD: Epiphone will strive to meet the Gibson standard which means we don't get a shoddy Epiphone. Also, we get a close interpretation of a Gibson through the Epiphone name which is fair; there's no compulsion for Epiphone to re-interpret / redesign anything to please the masses. The guitar geeks out there has a full understanding that Epiphone is a subsidiary of the Gibson name so they are commissioned to do Gibson things, to put it bluntly. Fine.
- BAD: Darn obvious - it's driving prices up. If the guitar community endorses this, prices would border on the unattainable. It moves away from the Epiphone philosophy; a subsidiary brand name that caters to newbies / budget-minded individuals. If Epiphone does not champion this cause, then we question its existence / relevance.
Pics: Epiphone
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