Pricing and availability

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Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson epiphone stratocaster.

Build quality

  • Some owners find the necks to be particularly comfortable, especially favoring the models with the 'hockey puck' headstocks.

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  • Bodies are often laminated, which some users feel affects overall quality compared to modern budget guitars.

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  • The guitar often features a laminated body, which some owners suggest may not match the resonance of solid wood counterparts.

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  • Tiny pots may scratch over time; Korean ply bodies are praised for superior sound.

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Comparisons

  • 90s Korean models are praised for their tone and feel, likened to hidden gems compared to newer budget guitars.

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  • Compared to modern budget guitars, older Epiphone Strats may have more quality issues, with some recommending used Squiers or MIM Fenders as better alternatives.

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  • The design and creation of these guitars align with a period of inconsistent strategic direction from major guitar brands, reflecting a blend of styles.

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  • While some find it visually unappealing, the guitar's unique aesthetics, like the batwing headstock, make it a conversation piece.

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User experience

  • Tuners may struggle to hold tuning, with some owners replacing them due to their unreliability.

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  • Owners appreciate the guitar's durability, with some still playing them after years of use and abuse.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Issues with saddles made of pot metal have been noted, causing string breakage due to burr formation.

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Features and functionality

  • Epiphone S-300 models from the mid-'90s were manufactured by Samick in Korea, known for their unique headstock design blending Fender and Epiphone elements.

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  • The guitar is notably heavy, contributing to its unique feel compared to lighter models.

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Other

  • These guitars were part of an effort to capture a share of the Squier market, resulting in a distinct mix of brand influences.

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Use cases and applications

  • The guitar is often used for casual play, such as making noise with kids, highlighting its versatility and durability for non-professional settings.

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 9 Ratings

5 star
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ketchup5050

Nice guitar

Good guitar for beginners, good luck finding one these days though

V

Epiphone Stratocaster

Epiphone Stratocaster I wanted a guitar and the fake that this epiphone is a fender copy convince me to buy it!

karsteniovio

Gibson Strat

The best guitar i ever played in my life. Unfortinatly it got stolen in 2014

Artist usage

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See how Esteban Espinoza uses Gibson epiphone stratocaster

Esteban Espinoza

Singer, Guitarist

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Verified via Photo

Esta fue la primera guitarra de Esteban, fue comprada por el mismo, después de haberse encontrado el dinero en la calle.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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