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Author
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Topic: Samick, Epiphone, Ibanez?
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millard
Member
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posted 01-14-2004 08:29 AM
   
I'm looking to get into a semi-hollow body without spending the money on an ES-333. Each of these makers has a model that is priced high enough that it ought to be a decent axe (Samick=Royale; Epi=Joe Pass, Zephyr, SuperNova; Ibanez=Artcore series). Harmony Central's database contributors say nice things about all of them (while they seem to be less fond of their ES-333s). I'm also not very good at deciding how I feel about a guitar in the store (unless I completely hate it). I need to spend some time playing it and I don't want to be into it for a grand if it turns out not to be my thing.Reading up on Samick, it also seems quite possible that it makes all of these guitars and just puts different company logos and names on them. Can someone with some knowledge separate help me separate the wheat from the chaff? Thanks...Millard |
54merk
Member
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posted 01-14-2004 08:49 AM
To the best of my limited knowledge Samick has been manufacturing Epiphones for quite some time. Not as sure about Ibanez, however the lions share of Asian imports come from Samick, or if not them, Cort.Someone has also posted on this forum that Samick has moved most if not all of their production of acoustics out of Korea, cannot recall if it was China or Pacific Rim. |
millard
Member
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posted 01-14-2004 08:58 AM
I think the post said the factory moved to Indonesia.What I read indicated that many makers use Samick for their budget line. While I don't typically think of a $600 retail guitar as "budget", I can see where Gibson might think that way. Millard |
Birdman
Member
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posted 01-14-2004 09:43 AM
I don't think that Samick just slaps on a different headstock to otherwise similar guitars. My understanding of this (and I'm sure many here know alot more than I do) is that Ibanez or Epiphone will contract the manufacturing to Samick to build the guitars according to their specifications. |
Tadragh1
Member
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posted 01-14-2004 11:28 AM
I would recommend You to search for some used guitars, which could prove better and cheaper - for example older Aria, Westone or other Japanese instruments. |
Peter Woodman
Member
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posted 01-14-2004 12:13 PM
I'm not sure about the current situation, but certainly last year Samick were selling two different ranges under their own brand name. The cheaper range was made in Indonesia, the better range (better materials and better assembly) was still being made in Korea. |
Earlb
Member
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posted 01-14-2004 02:49 PM
Hi, Millard,I've a Sebring Joe Pass Emperor made in Korea that I've been assured by two dealers (this is the only guitar I've ever bought from these guys) was made in Epiphone's (read Samick, I think) plant in Korea. The price certainly seemed right and was well below Epiphone's price at a number of places I checked out. I've had less than a lot of success trying to track the Sebring name, and I'm open to suggestionor information about them. I do love it. I'm getting ready to go put a new set of flat wounds on it right now. I'm strictly amateur, but I do like the sound and feel of this guitar. Check Elderly Instrument's site for used guitars. There was a Samick Joe Pass there, I believe, in the last day or so. |
Earlb
Member
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posted 01-14-2004 02:52 PM
Sorry! Wrong info about Elderly==that was a Samick RL-4 Royale. Might still be worth checking out. |
millard
Member
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posted 01-14-2004 04:47 PM
Thanks for the heads-up. I think I'd prefer the RL-3 in maple, but that price for the RL-4 is outstanding. |
sneakyjapan
Member
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posted 01-14-2004 04:56 PM
consider the Yamahas as well. I have an SA-2200 that is as well made as any Gibson I`ve seen. No joke. Workmanship on these is as good as it gets. The pull up pots allow for a variety of sounds from the humbuckers. Older Yamahas are gaining in popularity too. If you get a chance to play one I think you should. |
drjond56
Member
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posted 01-14-2004 06:12 PM
I cannot remember the exact issue, but GuitarOne had a review of "affordable archtops" within the last couple of years. The Samick got an excellent review. I recall the others reviewed were Dean, Hamer, Alvarez, Jay Turser, Ibanez and they included a Hofner Jazzica as a higher end model with which to compare the others. I'm still looking myself--played an Alvarez and Ibanez but haven't found what I'm really looking for yet (may decide on a Gypsy Jazz model) |
bobore
Member
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posted 01-15-2004 12:47 AM
I recently purchased a new Epi Sheraton, and here's what I've learned primarily from the Epi forum: There are three factories used by Epiphone in Korea - Samick, Saein, and one other I forget the name of. On the serial number, Samick=S, Saein=I, and the other one=U. The most recent Korean Epi hollowbodies I've seen in stores have been made by Saein, and their workmanship is very high quality. A few Epi hollowbodies are now being made in China, and in fact Epiphone uses a number of Chinese factories for their products - but the Chinese hollowbodies are coming out of a new factory owned by Gibson. If you go to their website, their new info shows a stripped down Studio Dot model that looks very much like the ES333, and they refer to it specifically as coming out of their new Chinese factory. Add to that the Japanese made Elitist series hollowbodies, and you've got a number of Epi choices. As for my Sheraton, it's a whole lot of guitar for just a tad bit over $500. It was made in April '03 by Saein, and includes gold Grover tuners, a beautiful bright yellowish sunburst, newly designed thick pickguard, and Gibson designed humbuckers. Look for one recently made by Saein, and you probably won't go wrong. To give you an idea of how to identify them, the serial number of mine is I0304----: The factory, year, month, and four digits to identify the specific guitar. Good luck in your search! |
millard
Member
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posted 01-15-2004 08:17 AM
The biggest problem I've had is laying hand on many of these to actually try them out. Eldery lists the Samick nut width at 1 5/8" -- that's a bit tight for me. The Epis list at 1.68" which is only a teeny bit better. Ibanez doesn't show any details of this sort.The local GC has a bunch of high end ones and an Epi Joe Pass. I found the Samick and Ibanez at Starving Musician in Santa Clara (which is a long way from where I live and I wasn't ready to purchase on the spot). The local used place has some interesting "vintage" ones that they want vintage prices for. I'm going to the travelling show this weekend (Orange County, CA), perhaps I'll get lucky there. I'm hoping to have done enough of my homework that I won't get taken. Thanks all (and feel free to add more suggestions). Millard |
Earlb
Member
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posted 01-15-2004 03:23 PM
Back again==there's an Epi Emperor posted in the used instruments at Elderly now.By the way, I did put the flat wound on last night, and I'm having a great time with 'em. First time I've gone that route. |
millard
Member
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posted 01-17-2004 02:22 PM
quote:
Originally posted by sneakyjapan:
consider the Yamahas as well. I have an SA-2200 that is as well made as any Gibson I`ve seen. No joke. Workmanship on these is as good as it gets. The pull up pots allow for a variety of sounds from the humbuckers. Older Yamahas are gaining in popularity too. If you get a chance to play one I think you should.
You couldn't be more right (from my limited experience today). I went to the travelling guitar show (www.texasguitarshows.com) and played every near and under $1000 used semi-hollow and hollow bodies available. Even the Heritage didn't turn me on the way the Yamaha SA-2200 did (though the Heritage might have been a skosh better looking -- which is saying something). And I almost stole it. I got it for $400 plus my used Ovation (USA-made) that I've been looking for a reason to get rid of anyway. Other than a very tiny nick in the back top of the headstock and some wear on the gold hardware, it is perfect. Though I almost bought an AES-1500B hollow body that was sitting right next to it -- maybe next time... Millard (who may not have GAS again for some time)
[This message has been edited by millard (edited 01-17-2004).] |
