Epiphone, the red headed step child.

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Poor Epiphone always the bridesmaid never the bride. Epiphone since it's purchase by Gibson a few decades ago has always been the low budget, just above knock off Gibson, until recently. A new in flux of models from Epiphones past and a few high quality copies of Les Pauls has Gibson investing in the brand.(http://www.epiphone.com/)

When seeing an Epiphone at live shows I always felt the player couldn't afford the real thing. Then, in the mid 90's I was in the market for an ES335 and a Jazz Boxx ( a hollow body with some tone). My budget was limited and I knew what I wanted , a fast neck i.e. dressed frets, and nice responsive pick ups. I to this day regret my decision I tried a Gibson Studio 335 which today probably would have made me money but I bought a Joe Pass and a Sheraton Epiphone.