personally every time i play the gibson version of this guitar i think that they are trying to rip me off because of the name i like the switches better on the epiphone and as far as action goes i can not tell a difference at all if both are properly set up the only thing was that the gibson did have a lot better pickups on the six string neck

This is an amazing rig for the price (keyword), but when I see folks say it's the same thing as the Gibson just thousands less in price and the headstock logo says Gibson instead of Epi.they really are very wrong. The pick ups, volume and tone pots, wiring, necks, bridges and tailpieces are all different to name a few things. The parts used in the Epi are all overseas stuff, like the whole guitar is. Where as the Gibby is ALL made in the U.S. with traditional parts, pick ups, pots and wiring etc. It sounds way better, especially at high/giging volumes and the overall build and feel are so much better on the Gibson that it makes for an easier and faster playing guitar. For the money this is still a great deal, but at high volume it muds up, the neckes are slow and the tone pots really don't change the tone much, they just muffle it when turned all the way down. To get this to sound just like the Gibby your gonna have to put a grand into it and it will still just be a hot rodded Epi...really play both and you decide why there is a big price difference. Looks don't add up to sound, tone, build, playability and performance. If it did we'd all play cheap Chinese knock offs.

First off, I have to say that I'm a Gibson/Fender snob and only play on vintage equipment so I was hesitant about buying Epi but the Gibson version is way out of my price range. I have to say, I was really surprised with how well it plays. The neck was set up nicely, no buzzing, intonation was good and the thing stays in tune!! Output levels are matched nicely between the 12 and 6 necks so switching is seamless. Yes it's heavy, but it's got 2 necks, what do you expect. The balance is an issue at first but you learn to compensate fairly quickly.

Couple of things I don't like: tuning pegs are way too sensitive and the sensitivity is not uniform among all the pegs...plan on replacing them but not a big deal because, like I said, it stays in tune. Bridges were flimsy and not firmly affixed to the body so I had them replaced with Gibson ones. Tone knobs are also poor, you can't hear any difference between 4 and 10. Finally, and in my opinion, the most pressing issue are the pickups. Yes they're hot and sound ok when moderately driven, but when cranked, clarity is an issue. The neck pickups are very muddy when driven and, in my opinion, are pretty much useless (I play through a Fender Tremolux head and Hiwatt cab). I will be replacing the pickups with p94's.

That said, I think the guitar is still a good buy and would certainly buy one again if my mine were ripped.

This guitar is awesome! The finish is darker than the picture but, it's beautiful. On the clean channel it's sounds incredible especially on the 12 string. On the drive channel, a wall of pure growling awesomeness. The only problem I have with it is that past the 17 fret, it's hard to reach. I don't mind that much since I don't play up high on the neck a lot. If you're looking for a great 12 string, or doubleneck, or just a fun guitar to play, BUY THIS. If your looking for a guitar to shred on, look elsewere.

I've had this guitar for about 4 months not and it is a big dissappointment. When you play it your neck hurts in about 5 minutes because it is so heavy. I strongly suggust not to get it because it doesn't have that good of sound and it has a very slow neck. You can get a much better guitar for the same price.