The Gibson Melody maker would be an upgrade on the Epiphone, the Melody Maker is on Gibsons site but it's one of their designer range a reproduction of the original 1959 models, Gibson has it at $582 what price does it come in at Guitar Center? Here's the link to the Melody Maker page Dagger3000
Gibson USA: Melody Maker Guitars, Gibson Explorers, Flying V and Reverse Flying V Guitars Info and Pictures
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