Gibson’s subsidiary Epiphone is much more than a simple creator of budget Gibson alternatives. As a combination between classic rock and modern styles, the ’65 Elitist Casino is well worth its price. It’s an original model that has been decades in the market. They have embraced it with both hands and feet! China is changing at an unbelievable pace and I believe Rock n Roll is its soundtrack.The Epiphone Elitist Casino is not your standard Epiphone guitar. Lloyd: Absolutely, Rock n Roll appeals to people from many cultures and the Chinese are no different. We have access to proprietary manufacturing techniques from Gibson and we can be innovators in the development of new models and features which is not always in the interest of our OEM competition. Lloyd: We are Epiphone employees, we are an Epiphone factory so therefore we take ownership of our guitars in a way that no OEM produced brand can do. Several bench marks have been reached including recently reaching our highest production month ever, an internal reduction of departmental reject’s and repairs to less than 5%, a reduction in backorders from over a year to one month and growing our production capabilities to include high end solid top acoustics and other key models such as the Casino, Les Paul Custom Signature models and others.

As a team we have made some great strides that I am very proud of. Scott: Currently we employ approximately 550 employees with 450 of those doing direct labor.

Though there are differences in some of the production processes between the USA and Asian factory, to be successful the end results must be the same, a quality built guitar that musicians want to play. In your garage or on the factory floor, you have to use quality materials, skilled craftsmanship and attention to detail. Making a quality guitar is the same no matter where you do it. Lloyd: I would have to say that in many respects the American and Asian facilities are much more alike than not. On the differences between making guitars in the US and China: Learn more about the Epiphone guitar experience on the very popular user forums on the Gibson website.Ĭheck out a photo series on the Qingdao Epiphone factory here. Following are excerpts from an interview with Qingdao plant manager Scott Lewis and Gibson Qingdao general manager Lloyd Williams from the Epiphone official website. Owned by the Gibson Guitar Corporation for more than fifty years now, Epiphone guitars have been made in Qingdao since 2002. All of the guitar players in The Beatles were satisfied Epiphone owners, and Paul played one on the solo for Taxman. Epiphone has been making musical instruments since 1873 and guitars since 1928.

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