Epiphone or Ibanez?

bee-flat · #1 April 10th, 2008

Hello, guys
I am about to buy my long-time dream - a semihollow w humbuckers. I have always wanted some clone of ES 335 - well I wanted the original, but I'm realistic concerning my account and skills.
Well, anyway, I got the money and they got sales in the shops now, and it seems I could afford an Epiphone Sheraton II.
The same amount of money would cost me one of the Ibanez Artcore AGS 83 honeys.
Does anybody have experience with both brands?
Thanks for help!

Stewsayer · #2 April 10th, 2008

Hi Bee-Flat,

I have an Epi Les Paul custom. My final choice came down to it or and Ibanez Artcore (lower cost model than you are considering though). I had tried a couple of Ibanez axes and couldn't get either to stay in tune. The epi felt great sounded good and stayed in tune while i played. I asked my son which to go for and he picked the epi as well.

I know a bit more now though. The Ibanez probably needed to be properly set up and it would have been fine.

I'd say have a play of both brands and see which feels and sounds the best.

Cheers

Stew

knight46 · #3 April 10th, 2008

Epiphone Sheraton II: Harmony Central User Reviews
Ibanez AGS83: Harmony Central User Reviews

Here are the reviews for these, both seem pretty good.

bee-flat · #4 April 10th, 2008

Thanks, guys. I'll tell you which I picked, once I've decided

knight46 · #5 April 10th, 2008

Be sure to try and get your hands on them to see which you like the best...and then post pics

eddiez152 · #6 April 10th, 2008

Both are nice. I kinda like the Epi myself.

bee-flat · #7 April 10th, 2008

Well, my intention was to go for the classic, just that I heard some people say they liked the "Ibanezy" jazz sound.

tinycat · #8 April 16th, 2008

I went through a similar debate. I wound up with an Ibanez Artcore AFS75T. I use it daily and have no regrets.

Buchanan · #9 April 16th, 2008

I haven't played either of the exact guitars you are talkin about. I have an Epi Les Paul and my friend has an Ibanez, I'm not sure of the modle, but the Epi plays better I think. Like these guys said, just get your hands on both of them and see which you like

David

Noodler · #10 April 18th, 2008

I read about an almost exact clone of the 335 just the other day, but it wasn't Epi or Ibanez. I think it might have been an Aria or Tanglewood. Eastwood Guitars also have budget guitars in that vein.

I've got an Ibanez Artcore. It's OK, but it's not an ES 335. When I played an ES 335, I was amazed how the thing actually sounded like what it was, even unamplified. It sounded just like I've heard on tons of recordings. I was filled with lust, but it seemed really fragile, too. The neck was very shallow.

I'd try both, and remember with these sorts of guitars (copies of hollows and semi-hollows), looks can be deceiving. Even if they look the same, they won't feel it, nor sound it.

bee-flat · #11 April 18th, 2008

Wow, it was lots easier to DESIRE the guitar than to actually PICK it....

Noodler · #12 April 19th, 2008

So you've chosen then? What did you go for? And why did you choose the one you chose - what did you like about it?

Stratrat · #13 April 26th, 2008

Just to throw another wrench in the works, the Gretsch G5120 is in the same price range also. I just picked one up a few days ago and am very pleased with it. I don't know if it fits the kind of music you play, but it's worth a look....

Gretsch G5120

Noodler · #14 April 26th, 2008

How is it possible to get that so cheap?

Stratrat · #15 April 26th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noodler

How is it possible to get that so cheap?

I dunno, but I'm sure not gonna complain!

Seriously though, the country of manufacture has a lot to do with it - wages, production costs, overhead, etc. The 5120 is made in Korea; Gretsch has a number of models which are manufactured in Japan that are considerably more spendy....but they also have higher-end pickups, fancier body binding, etc.