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Brand Spotlight: Getting to Know Squier Guitars

Squier Background & History

While many of you surely know the brand Squier as Fender’s little brother, did you know that the brand actually predates Fender itself?

Started in 1890 by Victor Carroll Squier, the company originally was originally created to produce strings for violins, banjos, and acoustic guitars.

It continued on successfully until 1965 when Fender purchased the company with the intention of using them as their primary string manufacturer.

Sadly, in 1975, Fender decided to instead make Fender-brand strings for their guitars and ceased Squier’s production, essentially closing the company.

As fate would have it, this was not the end for the Squire company as Fender still owned the rights and in 1982, they decided to produce cheaper, entry level guitars under the Squier brand name overseas and sell them as “Squier by Fender”.

Fender had been attempting to produce cheaper lines of their guitars under their brand name in their Fullerton factory but was finding more and more competition from cheap, asian-imported copies.

Realizing that they couldn’t keep up with the lower prices at mass production levels, Squier was reborn.

Throughout their history, Squier has produced guitars in multiple locations including China, Japan, Mexico, America, and India before modern day operations moved primarily to Korea and Indonesia.

Squier continues to be owned by Fender and reproduces cheaper models of almost all famous, well known Fender standards ranging from Stratocasters to Mustangs.

While many of their guitars are awesome values and fun to play, it is important to remember what makes them cost so much less and how that may affect performance.

First off, mass production of anything overseas is cheaper than it is in America due to loose regulation, cheap labor costs, and sometimes spotty business ethics.

Regardless of your moral or economic opinion of the American manufacturing exodus to Asia, it certainly has helped make guitars cheaper.

Secondly, they rarely use name-brand parts such as pickups, tuners, or bridges, with some exceptions for more expensive, signature models.

Generally, you will not find advanced features like binding, locking tuners, or coil tapping on any of the entry level or mid-level Squier products either.

This doesn’t mean the guitars are poor quality, especially with CNC mass production keeping guitars to strict quality standards.

You just can’t expect much more than the basics from these instruments, which is why they often make great candidates for parts-casters or hot-rodded instruments.

Squier Guitars by Fender

Popular Squier Guitar Series

Following the hugely popular Classic Vibe and Affinity Series, Fender expanded the brand into more eclectic series such as Paranormal and Sonic.

Designed to appeal to those who want a little more unique personality wrapped in a familiar design, the Paranormal series features quirky takes of mix-and-match body shapes and electronics layouts.

Squier Paranormal Series >>

Squier Sonic Series >>

Squier’s Sonic Series takes another avenue with stripped down features that appeal not only to a tighter pocket book, but embrace a more understated approach to iconic design.

Best Selling Squier Guitar Models

Most Squier models available currently run from $189.99 to $599.99 – depending on the sales source, and can be purchased directly through their site or via popular retailers like Amazon, Guitar Center, Sweetwater Sound, or American Musical Supply.

Are Squier guitars any good?

They often have a robust used market on sites like Reverb.com or eBay.com due to their high production numbers and demand by money-strapped players like me.

They currently have five main series of guitars that they regularly produce at different price points called Bullet, Affinity, Contemporary, Vintage Modified and Classic Vibe.

Discontinued lines that you may still find floating around include the ill-fated Artist series from 2012 or the Deluxe series which produced some nice Strats but not much else. Let’s take a look at some top sellers from all these lines.

Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster HSS Pack

A perfect starter pack for anyone trying to learn electric guitar, Squier has had lots of success with this marketing tactic of packaging a guitar, amp, case, and accessories together.

They have produced these options for both the Bullet and slightly better Affinity Series and can be found at almost any major retailer.

Furthermore, they have tried some packaging of higher end Squier models with low end Fender amps but that resulted in less success.

Often, it meant only getting a guitar and amp with no case/tuner/cord as a way of keeping prices low, which was less appealing to beginners.

With a number of parents buying instruments for their children to learn on, these are an easy way for people who know little to nothing about guitars to safely and securely buy one.

These packs also come in limited acoustic and bass guitar varieties, helping beginners of all kind get their start.

For more info, you might be interested in our complete Affinity Pack review.

If You’re A New Guitar Player

All guitar players have to go through the same process of learning how to play. Today, it’s never been easier – Fender understands this and has put together a great system to help you get started with “Fender Play”.

Squier Bullet Stratocaster

The simplest of all their models, this take on a classic strat is targeted to dominate the entry level market as it features just the bare bones of Fender’s most popular guitar.

Typically retailing for $179.99 it is priced to sell to just about anyone and offers a cheap option for parents of beginners or beginners wary of spending too much money on an instrument they may not stick with.

Often times, these models are sold as part of beginner packages that include a small guitar amp, a strap, guitar cables, picks and anything else you may need to learn to play guitar.

These are incredibly popular and are often the first guitars for many of the players in the latest generations, but they come with limited finish options and don’t feature the tuning stability or fast necks of their Fender counterparts.

Squier Affinity Series Telecaster

Are Squier Affinity telecasters any good?

A step up from the Bullet series is the Affinity series which offers more finish options as well as introducing a Jazzmaster model to the world.

Currently costing $229.99 these are not crazy expensive but are generally regarded as one of the best values in the guitar world and feature much better craftsmanship.

Our writer Matt says, “I even recently purchased one of these Tele’s to turn into a partscaster-copy of Joe Strummer’s famous black Tele and was shocked at how much I liked it before any upgrades.”

These are still entry level guitars but definitely make it a little bit easier to learn on as mine had great tuning stability and a comfortable neck. Also, they tend to come in more traditional Fender finishes such as Butterscotch,

Race Green, or 2-color Sunburst in addition to the White and Black variations of the Bullet line.

Find out more in our complete Telecaster Affinity Review here.

Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH

Checking in for the Contemporary Series we have a gorgeous Strat with two zebra stripe humbuckers with a finish headstock.

This line was created to add some modern updates to Squier’s family of instruments that target musicians playing high-gain or metal music.

While super-strats have long been the instrument of choice for shredders, hard rockers, and the like, they have often gone for instruments from Jackson, Charvel, or ESP in lieu of hot rodded Fender products.

The Contemporary Series offers Strats with HH, HSH, SSH, and even active EMG-style humbuckers and beautiful, bright finishes to get any 80’s hair rock or modern metalhead in on the bandwagon.

While still incredibly affordable, these are some of the more expensive Squier guitars coming in around $449.99 or more.

Squier Classic Vibe ‘70s Telecaster Thinline

Last but not least is one of Squier’s best series of instruments, the Classic Vibe series. They tend to cost in the mid-hundreds range – the starting price for many of Fender’s made in Mexico series. Still, they have received great critical and commercial reception.

Boasting Squier’s best hardware and pickups, often referred to as “Fender-designed” meaning that they made overseas copies of the same pieces used on Fender USA models, these things play very similarly to high end Fender’s.

All of the Classic Vibe series set out to recreate the magical guitar models that were popularized in the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s by some of the world’s biggest musicians.

Their take on the ‘70s thinline is one of the most beautiful guitars we’ve seen at this price point, and even features a heavy, smooth gloss finish associated with high end models.

Squier Classic Vibe 50’s Telecaster

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What is the best Squier guitar?

We’ve been asked this question many times. If we had to sum it up in one guitar, we’d have. to say it’s the best is the Squier Classic Vibe 50’s Telecaster.

We’ve had so many come across the workbench for simple mods and setups, we’ve found it to be one of the best overall Squier guitar values you can get!

For more info on this model, check out our complete Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster review.

Squier Vintage Modified Jazzmaster

An older line that is slowly being replaced by the Classic Vibe Series, the Vintage Modified line of guitars was also a huge commercial success for Squier that featured higher quality remakes of classic Fender models.

Entering the market with new re-vamped finish options, upgraded “Fender-Designed” pickups, and vintage specifications their take on the Jazzmaster produced this beautiful model for only a few hundred dollars.

These and the Vintage Modified Telecasters are incredibly popular on the second hand market currently and represent fantastic “second” guitars for players looking for an upgrade or are great live guitars for budget minded performers.

At a lower price point than many of the new Classic Vibe guitars, these are one of the best values in the Squier family.

Squier Classic Vibe P & J Basses

Squier by Fender Classic Vibe 70’s Jazz Bass Guitar

With both classic Fender basses represented in the new Classic Vibe line for only a few hundred dollars, many bass fans should rejoice.

Squier has reinvigorated its bass lines in coming years removing many Affinity and Bullet basses and replacing them with an Affinity P/J bass you’ll see later and these higher quality, more expensive models.

The Precision (P) and Jazz (J) basses are arguably the two best bass guitars ever produced and have been widely used by most musical legends.

The P bass on top features the simple, one pickup design of Fender’s P bass which has been relied on for thumping, powerful bass lines throughout rock and funk’s history.

The J bass features two pickups and more onboard EQ options than it’s Strat-bodied predecessor and has more of an offset, Jazzmaster body shape.

For the extra money over the Affinity series bases, many of the upgrades are cosmetic or have to do with the quality and playability of the neck.

The J bass features beautiful black block inlays on the maple neck while the P bass, true to its simple form, has dot inlays along an Indian Laurel fingerboard both with smooth gloss finishes.

Squier Affinity Series P/J Bass

Featuring both P and J bass pickups in the body, this represents one of Squier’s flagship entry level bass guitars at the humble price of $229.99.

With three knobs giving more variable tonal options akin to the Jazz bass, you can get a number of great tones out it as you grow as a live player or songwriter.

In the familiar Strat-like body of the P bass, it has been noted by many for being incredibly comfortable to play.

This P/J bass also comes in the aforementioned packages with case, amplifier, cables, and tuner that makes it so readily accessible to students of all ages and budgets.

However, as with some of the Affinity guitars, you are likely limited in finish options to a basic white or black.

Popular Squier Guitar Signature Models

All popular guitar brands these days are constantly competing with one another to land more and more signature artists.

With each artist endorsement or signature model, the hope is that the band’s recognition will generate sales of the instruments they use as fans try to emulate their idol’s sound.

Often times, the most willing to buy signature models are beginners or students who are looking for their first guitar to learn their favorite songs on or are looking to upgrade from that Bullet series Strat to a more dependable instrument.

J Mascis Jazzmaster

According to J Mascis, he went to a local guitar store to buy a Strat, found out it was too expensive, and walked out with a Jazzmaster, which was a very lame guitar at the time.

Little did he know, his new Jazzmaster would go on to become a guitar icon in the world of alternative rock thanks to his work with the band Dinosaur Jr.

For $499.99 you’re certainly getting a lot of guitar, comparable to a low end Fender model, for less than the $500+ price tag of Mexican or American models.

With a stunning gold pickguard and all the essential Jazzmaster features in tact, the popularity of this model has been driven more by the quality of the guitar than by the name association or fame of J Mascis.

Jim Root Telecaster

Squier’s take on a true modern metal guitar saw them partner up with a true modern metal guitar hero in Jim Root of Stone Sour and Slipknot fame.

The humbuckers may look like active EMG pickups but are actually just matte black passive Squier humbuckers that have been noted for having impressive bite and output for the price range.

Root’s Tele, which can be found on Reverb at good prices, adds a unique option for metal players on a budget who want to look past traditional ESP, Jackson, or Dean metal instruments.

Available in Flat White and Matte Black finishes Squire likely hopes continued artist diversification will pay off in the ever changing guitar retail landscape.

J5 Telecaster

Checking back into the world of modern metal and hard rock, John 5’s love of Telecasters is well known and somewhat uncharacteristic for the music he makes.

Either way, Squier teamed up with him to make one of his signature hot rodded Tele’s available on Reverb at the affordable prices with some great features.

The J5 Telecaster is one of their newest signature models released and features Alnico 5-based humbuckers, a three way selector switch that features two volume knobs and no tone, which allows you to use the selector in as a kill-switch when soloing.

This guitar, like the other signature models listed, has a beautiful finish and detailed headstock that has really made Squier unique in that many of their cheap guitars don’t look like cheap guitars.

Squier Acoustic Guitars

Squier SA-150 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

Fender makes many of its cheaper, entry level acoustics overseas under their own brand name leaving only one Squier acoustic commercially available.

The SA-150 is a budget acoustic targeted to those needing a cheap, acoustic guitar with no frills at a budget price point.

For more information on the package deal, read our full review here.

Pros Use Squier Guitars Too

Platinum-selling band Catfish and the Bottlemen have become one of the new faces of alternative and indie rock mixing the pub-rock influence of Oasis with the more textural guitar work inspired by U2’s The Edge or The Killers’ Dave Keuning.

But little did you know that frontman, rhythm guitarist, and songwriter Van McCann wrote and recorded the entire first album with one of the aforementioned Squier Jim Root Telecasters as his main instrument.

Proving you don’t need expensive gear to write quality tunes, you can hear this affordable Squier tone all over popular singles such as “Kathleen”, “Homesick”, and “Cocoon”.

McCann commented on his use of Root’s signature model: “I don’t even know him. Doesn’t he have a mask on sometimes? I use that guitar because it’s matte black and it’s got a volume knob, and that’s it. It was like £150 and I’ve swapped the scratchplates over and I’ve smashed it up, but it just doesn’t break or go out of tune.”

The post Squier Guitars [Brand Profile] first appeared on GuitarNiche.

Epiphone Guitars: Are They Passionate About the Future?

Background and History

Many people just know Epiphone as the little brother company to Gibson, akin to what Squier is to Fender. But in reality, Epiphone historically was one of the giants of the retail guitar world and was Gibson’s top competitor.

During the nascent period of the electric guitar, Epiphone was producing hollowbody electric guitars that outsold Gibson, Fender and Gretsch at various times.

We certainly hope you benefit from the information we provide in this article! Just so you know, we may receive compensation if you use the links on this page. If you do, thank you so much!

Started in 1873 by Anasatasios Stathopolous and later run by his son, Epi Stathopolous, they got their start making banjos, violins, acoustic guitars among other stringed instruments.

Originally founded in NYC, it was purchased by Gibson’s parent company, Chicago Musical Instrument Co. in 1975 and moved headquarters to Kalamazoo, Michigan alongside Gibson’s factories, before moving to Nashville, Tennessee.

Both before and after being purchased by CMI, Epiphone introduced several important electric guitar models that would be used by such legends as John Lennon of the Beatles and The Edge of U2.

After being bought out in 1957, Epiphone continued to produce their own line of guitars in the USA until 1970 when most production was moved overseas, first to Japan.

Through the years, more and more production was shifted overseas as they transitioned into making budget, entry level guitars for Gibson in Japan, China, and Korea.

Despite mass production of Les Paul’s, SG’s, and other Gibson stalwarts, they still continued to produce Epiphone-specific guitar models as well, also at wallet-friendly prices, such as the Casino, Wilshire, Sheraton, and Emperor.

Despite this shift in production, some of Epiphone’s highest quality instruments were and are still manufactured in the US at the Gibson plants as they still sell some expensive, custom shop-esque acoustics and electrics.

What Company Makes Epiphone Guitars?

Gibson controls and manufactures under the Epiphone company brand name. You’ll find obvious signs of that control on Epiphone instruments, often on truss-rod covers.

Unlike, the Squier by Fender name brand, Epiphone produces a wide range of acoustic guitars and artist signature electric guitars in addition to the low-end versions of their parent company. While Fender has a sort of intermediate brand, the Made in Mexico Fenders,

Gibson does not necessarily have an intermediate product line, which means the Epiphone is leveraged to produce guitars ranging in price from $119.00 all the way up to high end $1000.00.

Fender’s $400-$900 range is generally covered by these higher quality, but still outsourced, models from Mexico.

Best Selling Models

Does Epiphone Make Good Guitars?

There are many interesting factors about Epiphone’s products that make their best-selling guitar models unique. First off, they have many more signature models than their main competitors at Squier do.

Secondly, they offer many more guitar types such as dreadnought, acoustic-electric, hollowbody, semi-hollowbody, and solid body electric and bass guitars. Let’s take a look at a large list of some of their best-selling models.

Epiphone Les Paul Player Pack

Epiphone offers a number of awesome beginner guitar packs for both electric and acoustic models that include all the essentials a student would need.

Including an amp, strap, cables, cases, and picks, these can be a great value and an easy way for parents, teachers, or new players to make a smart purchase without knowing much about guitars.

The most common pack of them is the Les Paul Player Pack, including an Epiphone Les Paul Special II, which will go into detail about below.

Are Epiphone Les Pauls Good Guitars?

With a sale price in the mid-200’s, you are limited in finish options and are getting the lowest quality Epiphone electric guitar but the convenience value is certainly a plus.

Epiphone Les Paul Special VE

The Epiphone Les Paull VE guitar is one of their most basic electric guitar offerings and is a budget-restricted take on the Les Paul, one of the most popular guitar designs of all time.

With the common HH configuration and 3-way selector switch circuitry that most people know, this makes an excellent beginner guitar for students who were inspired to play by watching Slash, Eric Clapton, or Jimmy Page rip an LP.

While Gibson’s main design for all their guitars is a set-in neck, meaning it is secured to the body by wood glue, many of their cheap solid body guitars like this actually feature the bolt on neck popularized by Fender.

One important thing about that is how difficult it can make it to change necks. You cannot simply just screw in a nicer Gibson neck the way you can just screw in a Fender neck on a Squier.

You either have to shop for after-market bolt on necks that are to Epiphone’s scale, or pay a tech to glue in a nicer one.

Epiphone SG Standard Electric Guitar

A bit of step up from the Les Paul and SG Special models mentioned above, the Epiphone SG Standard is a beautiful, highly rated alternative to pricier Gibson SG’s and comes in a glossy red or black finish.

Usually around the mid-400 dollar mark, these guys are loaded with Epiphone’s own Alnico humbuckers and even feature upgraded premium CTS electronics, which is uncommon in this price range. While it is still priced to potentially be an entry level guitar it is definitely on the higher end of the spectrum.

Instead, this is a prototypical “second guitar” for someone looking to upgrade and would not sound out of place at all being used in a live setting by a young band or musician. The Epiphone SG Standard is no doubt one of Epiphone’s best values.

Epiphone Les Paul Standard ’60’s Electric

True to its name, the Epiphone Les Paul Standard ’60’s Electric Guitar is, well, your standard Les Paul just at a more accessible price point. Especially considering even the most barebones Gibson LP costs almost $1000 before taxes and shipping,

it can be really challenging for many musicians to get a quality LP from the Gibson family line without going broke.

Luckily, Epiphone has produced a great option here, retailing in the middle hundreds, that is much more palatable to most. With a variety of classic Les Paul finishes available and high output Alnico Probucker pickups, these things are built to rock and make great candidates for a project guitar to upgrade.

With its upgraded tuners and PAF-style humbuckers you’ve practically got a Gibson for a few less bucks.

View the Latest Epiphone Deals at Sweetwater.com >>

Epiphone Casino

Arguably the guitar most associated with Epiphone throughout their history, the Casino has never quite gone out of style. Featuring two dog ear P90 pickups in a semi-hollow guitar body, the Casino has excellent sustain, single coil chime, and killer looks.

Moving into the upper echelon of their guitar offerings, the Epiphone Casino is a bit pricy for entry level or student guitars. At just above the middle hundreds, it fits a great price level for many modern musicians looking for their main guitar.

The Casino is the first in a line of many Epiphone semi hollowbody guitars that are not remakes of Gibson’s ES-300 lines but are still affordable to the average musician.

While the company has recently started producing budget ES-339’s and 335’s, the Casino, Sheraton, Riviera, and Dot remain their best sellers.

Epiphone Sheraton II PRO

Continuing on with another high-quality archtop, the Epiphone Sheraton II PRO is a favorite of amateurs and pros alike looking to get a reliable hollowbody capable of bluesy leads or high output rock riffs.

Retailing typically in the higher hundreds, the Sheraton packs a lot of quality into an import guitar for that high of a price. Featuring the same Alnico humbuckers as the Les Paul Standard, upgrades include Grover tuners, multi-body and multi-neck binding, and Abalone inlays.

With Natural, Ebony, and Sunburst finish options, one of the Sheraton’s top selling points is how beautiful of a guitar it is.

While the Casino offers classic P90 tone, the Sheraton offers more of the classic Gibson Humbucker tone at a similar price point, especially considering almost all of Gibson’s archtops retail for well over $1000.

Another Epiphone archtop guitar worth noting is the Wildkat Semi-Hollowbody sporting a Bigsby B70 Vibrato and powered by classic P-90 dogear pickups. Find out more about the Epiphone Wildkat guitar here.

Epiphone G-1275 Double Neck Electric Guitar

First popularized by Jimmy Page during live performances of “Stairway to Heaven”, the double neck Gibson SG has become one of the most well-known guitars in rock history.

Featuring a 12 string neck alongside a 6 string neck, this monster of an instrument allows for one guitar player to fill multiple tonal needs in a song such as rich, stadium filling chords before transitioning to a blistering 6 string solo.

Now obviously, the Epiphone G-1275 is one of the most expensive guitars in the Epiphone line at over a thousand dollars, but that pales in comparison to the cost of the Gibson version which currently is a custom shop model worth almost $8000.

While this instrument certainly doesn’t appeal to everyone, it’s always great to have an inexpensive option should this be your dream guitar or a live concert necessity.

Epiphone EB-0 Electric Bass

While Epiphone and Gibson are more famous for guitars than basses, they still have had some historically prevalent models such as the EB-0.

Best known for being Jack Bruce’s bass of choice in Cream, the guitar features a SG-style body with a single humbucking bass pickup at the neck.

Epiphone’s offering is extremely affordable, with a sale price less than $300 and providing a solid entry level alternative for young musicians not looking to just play another P or J bass copy.

The EB-0 is as simple and straightforward a bass as any, and that simplicity is partly what has made it such an attractive instrument over the years.

While some people can be confused or overwhelmed by the variety of tonal options presented by the Jazz bass, there is nothing but pure, bass tone here.

Thunderbird IV PRO Electric Bass

Probably Epiphone’s most well-known bass, the thunderbird is a beautiful example of Gibson’s attempts at an offset style model.

At a still affordable mid-hundreds, this bass is a bit of a step up in Epiphone’s line from the more entry focused EB-0. Well known as Nicki Sixx’s bass of choice, it wouldn’t surprise me if the recent Motley Crue documentary re-ignited some interest in this model.

Two humbucking pickups, with a volume control for each, and one tone knob, are outfit on this beautiful, streamlined design.

Similar to Epiphone’s hollowbody guitar options, the Thunderbird IV PRO bass represents more of a serious option for even the most experienced musicians and shouldn’t be limited to just students.

Epiphone PRO-1 Acoustic Guitar

One of the cheapest guitars in the whole Epiphone line, the PRO-1 Acoustic is designed to be an affordable entry level option for players looking to learn on a trusted brand name instrument.

Costing much less than $200 , Epiphone leverages years of high-quality acoustic guitar making by its big brother Gibson, into a more accessible option.

While it is no doubt great for beginners, experience players would be wise to take a look at more options on the expansive Epiphone line of Acoustics or Acoustic-Electrics.

Epiphone Hummingbird PRO Acoustic-Electric

Modelled after the famous Gibson Hummingbird design that is one of the gold standards of the acoustic guitar world, Epiphone scales down the cost here while still producing a quality instrument.

Until this year, Gibson has never offered an Acoustic guitar under $1000, which is why Epiphone’s take, costing less than $400 and usually found on sale, has been a top seller for years.

Despite the huge price reduction, playability, build quality, and sound has still been well regarded on these models, making it a top seller at most major retailers.

Made of solid spruce tonewood and sporting Gibson’s iconic, detailed pickguard, this model will get you close to the sound popularized by Keith Richards on the original Gibson model.

Epiphone EJ-200SCE

Epiphone’s take on another Gibson classic, the Jumbo acoustic guitar, is much of the same story as the Hummingbird. They take the shape, design, and feel of the classic, and distill it down into a price that is easier for young players and working singer-songwriters.

For around $500, you’ll be getting a time-tested Acoustic-Electric guitar design in one of the three classic finishes: black, natural, or sunburst.

With the well-known “mustache bridge” and detailed pickguard, the Epiphone EJ-200SCE is as close as you can get to vintage Gibson quality without taking out a mortgage for the real thing.

Popular Signature Models

Unlike their main competitor Squier, Epiphone has dozens of artist signature models in the middle of their price range.

By focusing the core of their lines on simple, well known models, they have freed up much of their signature line for crazy modifications and interesting finishes. Ranging from heavy metal pioneers to blues giants, Epiphone has a signature model for everyone.

Epiphone Slash Firebird

While he may be more known for his use of a Gibson Les Paul, Slash recently worked with Epiphone to release a beautiful Firebird model in limited quantities.

Despite the relatively high price of around $900 for an imported guitar, it features upgraded Seymour Duncan Slash Alnico pickups, a gloss mahogany neck, and trapezoid inlays.

Slash went as far as to say, “who doesn’t want a firebird?”, and he might be right when you see this gorgeous offering that is sure to turn heads as an alternative another LP or SG.

Epiphone BB King Lucille Signature

BB King is without a doubt one of the most recognizable guitar players to ever pick up the instrument. Almost as well-known as his songs however is his ebony Gibson hollowbody known as “Lucille”, which is differentiated from all others by the lack of any of Gibson’s traditional f-holes.

While Gibson signature models of this blues guitar staple cost thousands, Epiphone has a beautifully bound, ebony copy with vintage specs for just over $700, not much more than their other hollowbody options.

Complete with BB King’s classic “VariTone” control knob next to the volume and tone pots and mono and stereo outputs, this guitar is loaded with features.

Epiphone Limited Edition Richie Faulkner Flying V

One half of Judas Priest’s two guitar attack, Richie Faulkner adds some serious metal credibility to Epiphone’s artist list and boy does this instrument live up to the billing.

It is loaded with features including a Floyd rose tremolo system, locking nut, and two EMG active humbuckers under traditional Gibson-style covers.

Of course, this comes at a cost of around $1000 but surely checks every box you’re likely looking for on a metal guitar aside from the brand name. Finished in ebony with a heavy gloss coating, it is ready to stand up to any tests that the road may throw at it.

Epiphone Lzzy Hale Explorer Outfit

Like Richie Faulkner’s Flying V, this signature model is one of the best ways you can get your hands on an Explorer without having to shell out for the expensive Gibson model.

Over the years, the Explorer has become one of the staples of modern hard rock with musicians like Jason Hook and James Hetfield donning the futuristic guitar.

Lzzy Hale and her band Halestorm have wasted no time showing that women can keep up and push hard rock into the future as Epiphone pays homage to her skill with this stunning white and gold explorer.

As with most Epiphone signature models, it comes at a stiffer price tag in the higher hundreds. But that pales in comparison to the $1400 or more expected for Gibson models and provides a modern rock roar through the Epiphone Alnico PRO humbuckers.

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa ES-335

A recent addition to the Epiphone signature series is this beautiful recreation of one of Gibson’s best guitars, the ES-335. Spec’d to Joe’s impeccable standards as a vintage guitar collector, it packs some of the best hardware and sounds out of all the guitars discussed here.

With two ProBucker pickups and a Bigsby B7 vibrato tailpiece, most people will easily confuse this guitar with a Gibson custom shop creation.

As one of today’s premier guitar revivalists, it is no surprise Joe Bonamassa’s Epiphone signature model is a homage to everything he has loved about vintage Gibson’s at a way more accessible price of around $1000 than anything you’ll find from the custom shop or at a vintage guitar dealer.

Epiphone Jared James Nichols Old Glory Les Paul

Last but not least we have one of the new faces of Epiphone, Jared James Nichols. Nichols has been thrilling crowds these past couple years with his American-blues and classic rock act that has revitalized guitar and rock music.

Just like his playing, this guitar is stripped back to the basics with a single Seymour Duncan dog ear P90 in the bridge position, one tone knob, and one volume knob.

‘Reminiscent of Gibson’s “Black Beauty” Les Paul, this guitar features Grover tuners, full binding, and a gorgeous ebony fretboard.

Priced in the hi-mid hundreds range, it’s on the more affordable end of Epiphone’s signature models and should be a must-have model for any new, young blues enthusiasts looking to follow in Nichols’ footsteps.

Find Great Deals on Epiphone Guitars at Sweetwater.com

Final Thoughts: Are Epiphone Guitars Good?

We’ve certainly seen our fair share of Epiphone guitars come in for service. Dollar for dollar, their entry level guitars offer great value for beginners, and the upper end models easily stand toe-to-toe with professional instruments offered by other manufacturers.

Pros Use Epiphone Too

Considering the wide range of signature models, you’d be correct to guess a number of active performers use Epiphone guitars on stage despite their humble price points.

The Edge, of U2 fame, who is notorious for his particular use of many, expensive guitars, still uses vintage Casinos and Sheratons on tour.

A more modern musician, Gary Clark Jr still uses a 2007 Epiphone Casino standard out on tour despite his rise to guitar hero status capable of playing whatever he wants.

Jared James Nichols put his money where his mouth is and actively uses the exact Epiphone signature model that he endorses on tour despite his similar rise to fame like Clark Jr.

For all the alternative and garage rock fans out there, you may have noticed Nick Valensi of The Strokes rocking his Epiphone Riviera on stage throughout the history of the band.

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