Epiphone Wilshires on the cheap?

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 4:58 pm

According so tome folks at HC if you call in and order an Epi Wilshire (http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... sku=518527) but ask for an additional discount (but be ready to buy on the spot) you can get them for $219... which does still include the free hardcase.

That's a heck of a deal and extremely tempting... I just have a hard time justifying another hardtail HH guitar at this point.

jcyphe · Post by **jcyphe** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 5:02 pm

Yeah I read this too it looks like MF is basically doing this with most anything cause of the economy. If you're buying something new it's worth calling and telling them your ready to buy and asking what discount they can give you.

As for the Wilshire it comes with a Hardshell case. There was speculation that the new had neck binding but I don't think that's the case. I saw one on eBay with a hardshell case and it was the same as the one RobRoe has.

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 5:09 pm

jcyphe wrote:Yeah I read this too it looks like MF is basically doing this with most anything cause of the economy. If you're buying something new it's worth calling and telling them your ready to buy and asking what discount they can give you.

As for the Wilshire it comes with a Hardshell case. There was speculation that the new had neck binding but I don't think that's the case. I saw one on eBay with a hardshell case and it was the same as the one RobRoe has.

http://www.80srockphotos.com/fcWebApp/r ... e-2008.php

He says it has neck binding... and if you look closely at the neck on the MF page, it seems like it has a black and white binding. hard to tell though and the decription makes no mention of it.

If it is bound... it's getting harder and harder to say no to this guitar. Really seems like a stunning bargain.

jcyphe · Post by **jcyphe** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 6:33 pm

I'm not into most white colored guitars, especially with white pickguard(too plain for my style). But it's a good deal for $219 bucks especially when you factor in the hardshell case. Too bad they don't have any other colors.

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 6:35 pm

jcyphe wrote:I'm not into most white colored guitars, especially with white pickguard(too plain for my style). But it's a good deal for $219 bucks especially when you factor in the hardshell case. Too bad they don't have any other colors.

Agreed, if it was red or some off the wall color... I'd have probably bought it already.

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:20 pm

Can someone explain the whole Wilshire thing... I like 'em... I see Gibson are producing them for Â£2000 but how can't I seem to find the cheapy ones here in the uk ?? I know they're a different thing.... but whats the deal ?

jcyphe · Post by **jcyphe** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:31 pm

It sounds like you pretty much understand it. there are some limited edition made in the USA ones by Epiphone. Then there is the Wilshire re-issue by Epiphone which started out as Music123 exclusive. Later I did see them on some overseas website in Sunburst and Heritage Red(not sure if that was the exact name).

Here is the link on the limited edition USA model.

http://www.epiphone.com/news.asp?NewsID=1413

Epiphone is proud to introduce the "Epiphone Historic Custom USA" collection. The first in the series of reissues is the 1962 Wilshire in Cherry. Made in Nashville, Tennessee in cooperation with the Gibson Custom Shop

What the hell does this even mean? It shows they're made in THE USA but what the hell does cooperation with the Gibson Custom Shop mean. I guess they're not made by the Gibson Custom shop cause they would have just said that. Does this mean Gibson Custom Shop employees stand around watching a CNC machine and then people doing hand work saying encouraging things like "that's a good jorb!" or "buff that guitar out" and "NICE SET-UP".

DanHeron · Post by **DanHeron** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:33 pm

othomas2 wrote:Can someone explain the whole Wilshire thing... I like 'em... I see Gibson are producing them for Â£2000 but how can't I seem to find the cheapy ones here in the uk ?? I know they're a different thing.... but whats the deal ?

The only ones I have seen in the UK are THESE. I think these are the ones you mean? Â£2000 and look nothing like the white ones. Different headstocks, pickguard shapes are different, different pickups.

jcyphe · Post by **jcyphe** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:40 pm

The re-issue on Musicians Friend started off as Music123 exclusive. Musicians Friend now owns Music123 so maybe it's still mostly exclusive to that company. I do remember seeing this exact guitar for sale on an Australian website in Sunburst and seeing all colors on Japanese websites(The Japanese get everything). So maybe somebody in AUS also got in on this. I am trying to find you guys a UK link but I keep getting hits for the same USA limited edition model.

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:43 pm

I know they have an Epiphone plant over in Nashville just across the road from Gibson... I think ones like these are basically just quality controlled by Gibson or that's what I was led to believe the from the Gibson guy I spoke to.

I just wonder why the cheaper versions (nicer looking IMO) are no where to be seen here, when folks like Rob have 10 under their bed... ?

damienblair17 · Post by **damienblair17** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:47 pm

I really like the headstock. Does that make me weird?

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:47 pm

I don't think these have been selling to well...

$299
$250
$250 plus HSC
$219 plus HSC

Gibson fans must only want LPs and SGs. Most of the people I know that got excited about these were fender fans. MAybe because they did poorly in the US, they decoded not to even try in the UK?

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:48 pm

damienblair17 wrote:I really like the headstock. Does that make me weird?

I love the headstock. So yes.

jcyphe · Post by **jcyphe** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:49 pm

othomas2 wrote:I know they have an Epiphone plant over in Nashville just across the road from Gibson... I think ones like these are basically just quality controlled by Gibson or that's what I was led to believe the from the Gibson guy I spoke to.

I just wonder why the cheaper versions (nicer looking IMO) are no where to be seen here, when folks like Rob have 10 under their bed... ?

German webshop with with english pages. Heritage Cherry model. Still looks like it's for sale at $279 euro. Probably left over from the first run.

http://www.musik-schmidt.de/gb-Epiphone ... herry.html

jcyphe · Post by **jcyphe** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:51 pm

endsjustifymeans wrote:
Gibson fans must only want LPs and SGs. Most of the people I know that got excited about these were fender fans. MAybe because they did poorly in the US, they decoded not to even try in the UK?

I don't think that's the case about Fender fans or poor sales. The thing is Epiphone doesn't even have this model listed on their page. The people in the epiphone forums like them, so I don't know what the deal is.

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:52 pm

jcyphe wrote:
othomas2 wrote:I know they have an Epiphone plant over in Nashville just across the road from Gibson... I think ones like these are basically just quality controlled by Gibson or that's what I was led to believe the from the Gibson guy I spoke to.

I just wonder why the cheaper versions (nicer looking IMO) are no where to be seen here, when folks like Rob have 10 under their bed... ?
German webshop with with english pages. Heritage Cherry model. Still looks like it's for sale.

http://www.musik-schmidt.de/gb-Epiphone ... herry.html

I like that one more that the white one...
not the price though.

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:10 pm

I've been staring at body close up number 2... I'm damn near positive that neck is bound.

Why are these so freaking cheap? The demos I've heard show them to have decent for low end pickups... they seem to have good fit and finish, positive reviews, mahogany body, set and seemingly bound neck. Eye catching tasteful design... what exactly is wrong with these that retailers want to get rid of them so badly.

Do they explode if rawked to hard? Frets made from razor wire? Built from the bones of the criminally insane?
What gives?

James · Post by **James** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:16 pm

endsjustifymeans wrote:I've been staring at body close up number 2... I'm damn near positive that neck is bound.

There's nothing to doubt.

jcyphe · Post by **jcyphe** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:24 pm

endsjustifymeans wrote: Why are these so freaking cheap?

they're made in China. In reality that's what all solid body guitars should cost that are made in China.

I read on Harmony where that dude that puts out Agile and SX said he coudln't believe the price on Squiers and Epiphones because being in the business of getting guitars OEM he knew what his costs were and Fender and Gibson obviously sell guitars in much bigger volume and therefore much lower cost than he does, so his whole point was they're making a bunch off these low end guitars.

matthoj · Post by **matthoj** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 12:22 am

can you get replacement pickguards for these? i was looking at these guitars when they first came out, and i was interested, but jackie just saw me looking and i might get my balls ripped off if i buy anything else before we go on vacation...