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 in the species of wood that the two companies use is so different, that’s why wood got its own category durante this comparison, simply because the difference durante wood species affects the sound of the guitar so differently.
Con 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 esatto as ‘genuine mahogany’ make sure to point it out durante the product description of their guitars, Gibson as per 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 puro find per 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 durante an attempt esatto 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 puro their factories. When creating caps for their guitars, Epiphone usually doesn’t use the same woods sicuro create their caps as the wood that you would find on the bodies.
Typically, Epiphone uses verso very thin maple veneer, which is common for many companies when using per figured or flamed maple; however, Epiphone still uses verso thin maple veneer when using plain maple tops too.
Both Gibson and Epiphone use several pieces of wood glued together sicuro form the body of their guitars. Gibson typically only uses two sicuro three pieces, while Epiphone can use several more pieces onesto create the body of the guitar.
Per order onesto disguise the number of pieces that the brand is using esatto create the body of their guitars, Epiphone applies per solid veneer on the back of the instrument; mediante the case of Gibson, that is not something that Gibson does on their guitars.
What all of this means esatto 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 onesto want puro keep per mind while doing your research.
However, the minimal differences between the woods con these guitars are jdate what make the Epiphone model much more affordable than the Gibson guitar.
Differences between Epiphone and Gibson’s wood
The differences mediante construction and wood also apply puro electric archtops. Most of the Gibson ES models have per three-ply laminate of either combination such as maple, poplar, maple or maple, basswood, maple.
However, many Epiphone models (such as their Costa model) use verso five-ply design, but this isn’t always the case for Epiphone. It’s per common belief durante the guitar community that the fewer plies that are used on per guitar, it will encourage the guitar to vibrate more freely.
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