Right off, the 4 stars in Quality are because the bridge pickup was angled towards the neck. It was an assembly error that was easily remedied when I changed the strings. The fret quality is good with no sharp edges. Once I got the neck relief adjusted and installed the strings I like and adjusted the bridge for them, this guitar was off the chain!
The looks are incredible. The satin finish is gorgeous and really shows off the beautiful Korina body and neck. Epiphone has done an excellent job matching up the grain at the centerline. It really looks stunning! This thing is a monster that will immediately draw attention so get used to the stares while playing it! The tone of the neck pickup is milky smooth and the bite of the bridge pickup is edgier than anything I've ever played, and yet, it's not overly aggressive, but actually very smooth and it blends in a mix very well while maintaining presence. The balance is excellent but be mindful of the top-facing strap button. Controls are smooth and she cleans up very nicely. The neck is fat (like a baseball bat cut in 1/2!) and the high note access is beyond belief. One can easily play on the neck pickup! The period-correct case is a blast too! I love the hot pink color!
The '58 Flying V has been a dream of mine for decades and with this new model by Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom Shop, it has been fulfilled in a way that goes beyond my expectations! The only problem is - now I'm very curious about the Explorer in the same series!
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