2020 Epiphone Texans?

[viper00085]

Obviously Made in USA models ere being promoted strongly. They look and sound sweet as there already a few demos from NAMM hitting the web. Don't know if I was dropping $2,500 that's what I would get, might as well head straight for a sweet J45 or something else..

However I am interested in the new 2020 Masterbilt version of the Texan. Wonder how similar it is to the Frampton 2018 model (all solid w/LR Baggs) or maybe even the older AJ500M's?? Those earlier AJs were pretty stout in performance and an awesome value.

Curious of anyone's first hand knowledge, demo test or take on this?

Thanks!

[hayvis]

I'm pretty sure the new USA built Texans are built in the Gibson factory so the only difference between a Texan and J45 would be aesthetics and scale length. I think it's great and can't wait for them to role out more US Epiphones.

[73171]

I hope they make an Epiphone made-in-USA J200!!

[mrjop1975]

I have one of the Frampton Texans, and it seems like it is the same stats as the new Masterbilt version, only with a choice of finish. Same Baggs pickup etc. I have not tried the new Masterbilt version to make sure.

[Ralph124C41]

Originally Posted by viper00085

Those earlier AJs were pretty stout in performance and an awesome value.



Thanks!

Not to go on a scenic detour, but what years were these for the "earlier" AJs? Weren't they all pretty much the same ... the ones without electronics, that is? I'm speaking about AJ500M and the AJ500R series.

[mrjop1975]

OK, so this was bugging at me further, so I went onto the updated Epiphone website, and it looks like they updated the specs on the Masterbilt Texan. Whereas I remember it saying even a day or two ago solid mahogany back and sides, it just says mahogany back and sides with solid spruce top. They also updated the pickup system information to Fishman instead of the Baggs. Here is the stats and information for that https://www.epiphone.com/Guitar/EPI2...n/Faded-Cherry

Here is information on Guitar Center's website regarding the Peter Frampton edition of the Texan https://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphon...0texan&index=2

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by viper00085

Obviously Made in USA models ere being promoted strongly. They look and sound sweet as there already a few demos from NAMM hitting the web. Don't know if I was dropping $2,500 that's what I would get, might as well head straight for a sweet J45 or something else..

However I am interested in the new 2020 Masterbilt version of the Texan. Wonder how similar it is to the Frampton 2018 model (all solid w/LR Baggs) or maybe even the older AJ500M's?? Those earlier AJs were pretty stout in performance and an awesome value.

Curious of anyone's first hand knowledge, demo test or take on this?

Thanks!

Viper, hi. I saw this model at NAMM, but it's too noisy there to do any kind of realistic playing or listening. I'd be surprised if this was made in the USA. Was the Frampton? All the other MBs have been made offshore. I'd sure be happy to be wrong, but can't imagine that happening.

I own three AJ-500Ms, which have been out of the line going on ten years now, I believe. I have not seen any guitars from them in the MB line that could hold a candle to the older ones. The AJ-45ME? Uh, no.

So it will be interesting to see if this Texan model measures up. Intriguing.

Took some photos, but just don't have time to download or post them.

Best to All,
Scott

[ataylor]

Seeing some conflicting information here — but Epiphone is definitely making a Texan model as part of their “Epiphone USA” collection, which will also apparently include the Casino from their selection of electric guitars.

The USA-made Texan has a retail price point of $2700, which puts it right there with the J-45. The USA-made Casino isn’t up on their site yet, but I imagine it will be priced similarly to Gibson’s basic ES-330/335 models.

[zombywoof]

Considering the second run of USA-madse '64 McCartney Texans (without his signature and the relic finish) sold for around $8K the price on these may be a bargain.

[Wellington]

Originally Posted by mrjop1975

OK, so this was bugging at me further, so I went onto the updated Epiphone website, and it looks like they updated the specs on the Masterbilt Texan. Whereas I remember it saying even a day or two ago solid mahogany back and sides, it just says mahogany back and sides with solid spruce top. They also updated the pickup system information to Fishman instead of the Baggs. Here is the stats and information for that https://www.epiphone.com/Guitar/EPI2...n/Faded-Cherry

Here is information on Guitar Center's website regarding the Peter Frampton edition of the Texan https://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphon...0texan&index=2

Now it says solid mahogany again

[frenchie]

Has anyone else noticed that the new USA made Epiphone Texan, has the same bridge shape and placement as the original issue 2009 Inspired by 64 Texan. Seems a little odd to me.
https://www.andertons.co.uk/epiphone...ntage-sunburst

[Murphy Slaw]

I like the idea.

[zombywoof]

I think it was back in 1993 that Gibson came out with an extremely limited run of a made in the USA Epi Excellente, Texan and Frontier.

[CASD57]

With some of the prices, I've seen...I think Epiphone has fallen for their own Hipe

[fazeka]

There's a private forum I frequent that had a really great write up on the history of Epiphone in the '60s. It addresses especially the consideration of pricing and will be invaluable to those that weren't around or don't remember Gibson US-made Epiphones. I thought it was very well written and I wish I could just post a link to it. Failing that, here's the post:

"That's why there WAS an Epiphone brand, so the parent company CMI could sell guitars to a second dealer when there was already a Gibson dealer in that territory. If a Gibson dealer had a territory, CMI could not sell Gibsons to another store within it. But they could sell Epiphones to the store next door without violating the letter of the agreement.

Originally, CMI bought Epiphone in a sort of salvage sale, to gain access to its machines and parts for making basses. They soon realized that the brand name itself was valuable, because it gave the a way to get more sales in existing, protected territories by offering a line up that closely mirrored Gibson's to dealers that othwerwise had Gibson unavailable to them.

Kalamazoo-made Epiphones were never less expensive, second class citizens. In the '60s they were the equivalent of Gibsons in both in price and quality and made in the same facilities, though there were minor price variances that reflected special features and ornamentation, as you'd expect. Some Epiphones were MORE EXPENSIVE than Gibsons, like the Excellente acoustic that has been recently reissued. Epiphone became a budget brand when manufacturing was outsourced to various offshore makers on the '70s to combat the rise of low-cost import brands."