Epi ES-295: Any opinions?

[Nolatone Ampworks]

Hi all,

posted a P90 thread earlier (still going I guess), but I dont' think anyone mentioned the Epiphone ES-295 (love to find a good Gibson version, but don't want to deal with problems of an old guitar or pay what it's going to cost a good one without problems.

Any experience with the epiphone version of this with the Bibsby?

Do they hold tune ok?

I'm sure it would be a tonal alternative to my '57 RI LP Jr.

What are your experiences with the Epi ES-295?

Thanks,

Paul

[Brick]

Hey Paul, I love my Epi ES295.

I've had it for over 2 years and during that time I upgraded the pickups to Vintage Lollars. I have Thomastik-Infeld flatwound 11s on it and has no problem staying in tune.

The Lollars are big and loud, but feedback problems aren't bad. Like other hollowbodys I've played it's there if you want it.

I got it to be my rock-a-billy box (natch) but lately I've started venturing into jazz and it sounds great for that too.

[Nolatone Ampworks]

Hey Paul, I love my Epi ES295.

I've had it for over 2 years and during that time I upgraded the pickups to Vintage Lollars. I have Thomastik-Infeld flatwound 11s on it and has no problem staying in tune.

The Lollars are big and loud, but feedback problems aren't bad. Like other hollowbodys I've played it's there if you want it.

I got it to be my rock-a-billy box (natch) but lately I've started venturing into jazz and it sounds great for that too.

How would it do for a little more rockin' stuff. Not HARD rock, but classic rock, pop, blues, mild crunch?

Thanks,

Paul

[Brick]

I didn't mean to pigeon hole it as a rockabilly guit since I play all that stuff with it too. I was playing more rockin stuff last weekend, using my COT>Eternity>Tonebone Classic stack and it worked great.

[CitizenCain]

I found the Epi ES-295 to be surprisingly versatile. When mine was stock, it could get pretty raunchy for rock and roll type stuff, all the way to some classic rock.

I modded mine with a set of Filtertrons to get me into Gretsch territory. It does, very nicely :D

[Rambo66]

I used to own a Gibson 295 for years, great guitar. My friend has one of the Epiphones and not only do I think it's not even close to the Gibson in terms of quality and vibe, on it's own I think it feels kinda rinky dink and cheap.

[Smakutus]

I used to own a Gibson 295 for years, great guitar. My friend has one of the Epiphones and not only do I think it's not even close to the Gibson in terms of quality and vibe, on it's own I think it feels kinda rinky dink and cheap.

I have a 1952 ES-295.. Mine has a great medium sized neck on it and sounds just like most George Thorogood's recordings. I haven't played one of those Epi's but I did pick up a Gibson reissue of it (92? The one they put the
Bigsby's on.) back when they were new and the guitar didn't feel anything like mine does. Totally different neck.

I don't like the Epi headstock on regular Gibson models. It doesn't look right.

Jeff

[Dave Orban]

I have a 1952 ES-295.. Mine has a great medium sized neck on it and sounds just like most George Thorogood's recordings. I haven't played one of those Epi's but I did pick up a Gibson reissue of it (92? The one they put the
Bigsby's on.) back when they were new and the guitar didn't feel anything like mine does. Totally different neck.

I don't like the Epi headstock on regular Gibson models. It doesn't look right.

Jeff
That's one of the problems with the recent Gibson 295s from the '90s... a different (wussy) neck, and theyre also a lot heavier than the vintage ones...

I've been itching to try a Heritage 295-style guitar, to have as a backup...