Quote:
Originally Posted by Theleman
...Korean made Gretsch 5400 series are not too far away from my budget.
How do the 5400 series compare with the Epiphone Semi Hollows?
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As a whole they're a bit more expensive but, speaking as an owner of both, the quality control on the Korean Gretsch instruments is far above what you're going to find on a Chinese/Indonesian Epiphone semi-hollow. The 5400-Series Electromatics are also true hollowbodies - the only comparable models in the current Epiphone lineup are the Casino and Casino Coupe - whereas the Epi semi-hollows have a solid center block like their Gibson counterparts; if weight is an issue, many of the 5400 E-matics are under seven pounds (about 3 kilos) on the strap - as much as two pounds/one kilo lighter than some semi-hollows - and the tone tends to be lighter and airier as well. IME the only thing the Epiphones have in their favor is their pickups - they've really made some major improvements in recent years (the humbuckers in my Ultra 339 are every bit as good as those in the Gibson '61 SG Reissue I owned in the late-1980's) - and if you need something that approaches the classic Gibson ES-335 tone but don't want to spend the money, one of the Epiphone semi-hollows might be a good choice...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scotso
...Eastmans are as affordable as any Gretsch electromatic
1. 386s- can be found for $600 used, mid 800s new if patient
2. 486s- used $700s, new- Reverb has one for mid 800s
3. AR 372 used at GC- $650
4. Ar372 CE used at GC- $800s
5. AR403- used at GC $600
6. 184- used at GC $750
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Theleman
Yup, Eastman guitars are expensive here too. Also very difficult to find one.
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As I'm sure you're aware I'm an old Gretsch guy at heart, but I really like Eastmans as well - in fact, I've got an all-acoustic non-cut archtop on my short-term radar as we speak; thing is, I get the feeling this guy doesn't live on the North American continent - as I said before, his posts look like they've been through a translator app - and he and I both seem to agree that Gretsch will be somewhat easier to find/afford in his part of the world...