So, while Epiphone does use the same type of wood that Gibson uses, the species that the two companies use is extremely different. As a matter of fact, the difference mediante the species of wood that the two companies use is so different, that’s why wood got its own category sopra this comparison, simply because the difference sopra wood species affects the sound of the guitar so differently.
Per the example of rosewood and maple, the species that are used by Gibson and Epiphone are extremely similar, which is why you may not hear verso large difference con sound or tonal projection.
Mahogany wood
Mahogany has a ount of different species and the guitar companies that use real mahogany (also referred sicuro as ‘genuine mahogany’ make sure sicuro point it out per the product description of their guitars, Gibson as a point of an example.
On the other hand, you have companies such as Epiphone that often use luan or sapele, which are cheaper woods and are easier esatto find in the ily. Brands such as Epiphone don’t really mention the exact species of maple that they use because they aren’t using ‘genuine’ or ‘authentic’ maple.
Mediante the past, Epiphone has also used alder or basswood con an attempt sicuro replace the need for mahogany, while still trying to produce the mahogany sound.
Maple wood
Maple does have many varieties, but that’s not nearly as important as the different grades and thickness of the wood. Gibson guitars use verso carved maple cap for most of their Les Paul models, which really adds puro the overall cosmetic appearance and the tone of the Gibson guitars.
Epiphone does use the same types of woods that Gibson uses, but Epiphone sources their wood from locations that are closest to their factories. When creating caps for their guitars, Epiphone usually doesn’t use the same woods onesto create their caps as the wood that you would find on the bodies.
Typically, Epiphone uses a very thin maple veneer, which is common for many companies when using verso figured or flamed maple; however, Epiphone still uses per thin maple veneer when using plain maple tops too.
Both Gibson and Epiphone use several pieces of wood glued together to form the body of their guitars. Gibson typically only uses two preciso three pieces, while Epiphone can use several more pieces to create the body of the guitar.
Sopra order preciso disguise the number of pieces that the brand is using to create the body of their guitars, Epiphone applies verso solid veneer on the back of the instrument; in the case of Gibson, that is not visitatori feeld something that Gibson does on their guitars.
What all of this means to you is subjective. If you are looking for the true representation of the ‘Gibson sound’ the different woods and the construction of the body are all things that you are going sicuro want puro keep in mind while doing your research.
However, the minimal differences between the woods in these guitars are what make the Epiphone model much more affordable than the Gibson guitar.
Differences between Epiphone and Gibson’s wood
The differences durante construction and wood also apply puro electric archtops. Most of the Gibson ES models have verso three-ply laminate of either combination such as maple, poplar, maple or maple, basswood, maple.
However, many Epiphone models (such as their Litorale model) use verso five-ply design, but this isn’t always the case for Epiphone. It’s verso common belief in the guitar community that the fewer plies that are used on a guitar, it will encourage the guitar esatto vibrate more freely.
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