What is the difference between a high-end production guitar and a Custom Shop model?

High-end production guitars (such as PRS Core Custom 24 or Gibson USA Standard) utilize advanced CNC precision combined with hand-finishing in standard production runs. Custom Shop models feature lower batch volumes, hand-selected tonewoods, custom hand-wound pickups, period-accurate construction, and master luthier voicing.

Why should I avoid drop-shipped high-end electric guitars?

Drop-shipped guitars are dispatched directly from logistics warehouses without unboxing or inspection. Without a bench inspection and 5-point setup by an in-house guitar technician, you risk receiving an unplayable instrument affected by climate shifts during storage and transit.

What does MusicStreet's 5-point setup include?

Every instrument sold through MusicStreet undergoes a comprehensive 5-point bench inspection: truss rod and neck relief calibration, nut slot depth check, bridge radius and intonation alignment, pickup height and electronic circuit testing, and fretboard conditioning.

Can I try boutique and custom shop guitars in person at MusicStreet?

Yes. MusicStreet operates a showroom at 10 Chequers Court, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, where players can test premium PRS, Fender, and Gibson models through high-end amplifiers in a dedicated testing environment.

Epiphone Guitars

Explore Epiphone Guitars at MusicStreet

Epiphone Inspired by Gibson J-45 Standard - Vintage Sunburst Finish

£749.00

USED - Epiphone Les Paul Junior Ebony, 2013

£199.00

USED Epiphone ES335 Vintage Sunburst

£399.00

USED Epiphone J200 EC Studio Solid Top, Fishman Sonitone - Vintage Sunburst - Acoustic Guitar

£350.00

B Stock Epiphone Hummingbird Studio Acoustic Guitar - Faded Cherry, Solid Top, Fishman Sonitone

£389.00

USED- Epiphone SG Custom Electric Guitar - Ebony

£450.00

USED - Epiphone Casino Electric Guitar - Natural

£475.00

USED Epiphone Les Paul Standard Cherry Burst 90s

£399.00

USED Epiphone EJ300S Vintage sunburst

£375.00

Epiphone Les Paul Standard 60s Cobra Burst - Iconic Sound and Stunning Design

£649.00

Epiphone 50's Les Paul Standard including premium gig bag - Classic white

£549.00

Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue, Lemon Burst

£1,099.00

Epiphone 1960 Les Paul Standard Reissue in Washed Cherry Finish - Premium Electric Guitar

£1,099.00

Epiphone 1960 Les Paul Standard Reissue Washed Bourbon Guitar

£1,099.00

Epiphone 1960 Les Paul Standard Reissue - Iced Tea Burst Finish

£1,099.00

USED Epiphone DR-212 - Natural

£149.00

USED - Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard Outfit - Aged Dark Burst - inc hard case

£550.00

Epiphone J45 Studio Solid Top - Natural, Acoustic Guitar

£299.00

Epiphone Dobro Hound Dog Deluxe Round Neck

£549.00

Epiphone Tak Matsumoto 1955 Les Paul Standard, Antique Gold, Exclusive

£1,099.00

Epiphone 1955 Joe Bonamassa Les Paul Standard, Copper Iridescent - in hard case

£749.00

Epiphone 1963 Les Paul SG Custom With Maestro Vibrola Inspired by Gibson Custom, Classic White - inc case

£1,019.00

USED - Epiphone les paul - Slash signature, appetite burst

£599.00

Epiphone J-45 EC Studio soild top, Ebony

£349.00

Explore Epiphone Series & Related Brands:

Gibson Les Paul Gibson SG Epiphone Acoustics Beginner Guitars Used & Second-Hand Epiphone Cases Straps & Accessories Electric Strings

Epiphone Guitar Buyer’s Guide: Inspired by Gibson vs. Original Archtops

With upgraded CTS electronics, GraphTech nuts, ProBucker pickups, and vintage Kalamazoo headstock profiles, modern Epiphone guitars offer professional performance at accessible price points. Here is how Epiphone's major lines compare:

1. Inspired by Gibson Collection

Les Paul Standard 50s & 60s: Solid mahogany bodies with carved hard maple caps, AAA flame maple veneers, ProBucker humbuckers with 50s wiring, and CTS potentiometers.
SG Standard & '61 Maestro: Ultra-slim, lightweight mahogany bodies, Alnico Classic PRO humbuckers, and full upper-fret access delivering iconic hard rock and blues growl.
Les Paul Custom: All-mahogany construction, ebony fingerboard, multi-ply custom binding, gold hardware, and ProBucker pickups.

2. Archtops & Semi-Hollows

Epiphone Casino: True hollowbody construction without a center block, lightweight 5-ply maple body, and Dogear P-90 pickups delivering the chiming Beatles resonance and controlled feedback.
Sheraton & Riviera: Semi-hollow construction with solid center blocks and mini-humbuckers for high-gain feedback rejection and sustain.
Dot / ES-335: The quintessential semi-hollow workhorse combining acoustic warmth with dual-humbucker punch.

3. Masterbilt & Acoustic Series

Inspired by Gibson Acoustics (J-45, Hummingbird, Dove): All-solid wood dreadnoughts and square-shoulder acoustics featuring Fishman Sonitone preamps and bone nuts/saddles.
Masterbilt Series: Premium solid spruce tops, solid mahogany or rosewood back and sides, vintage aged gloss finishes, and studio-grade onboard electronics.

The Music Street Workshop Promise

Every Epiphone guitar is unboxed and dialed in by our in-house technicians before shipping:

Truss rod adjusted for optimal neck curvature and low action
Nut slots cut and lubricated to eliminate first-fret buzz and tuning snags
Tune-O-Matic or LockTone bridge intonated across all 6 strings
Fretboard conditioned with lemon oil and frets hand-polished
Full electronic pickup, pot, and output jack continuity check

Frequently Asked Questions About Epiphone Guitars

Are modern Epiphone guitars as good as Gibson? +

Epiphone's recent Inspired by Gibson and Masterbilt series have significantly closed the quality gap. While Gibson guitars are handcrafted in the USA using nitrocellulose lacquer finishes, Epiphones feature upgraded CTS electronics, GraphTech nuts, ProBucker pickups, and all-solid tonewood options, offering exceptional professional performance at a fraction of the cost.

Are Epiphone guitars set up before delivery? +

Yes. Every single Epiphone guitar purchased from Music Street is unboxed, inspected, tuned, and professionally set up in our Huntingdon workshop by our guitar technicians before dispatch so that it arrives ready to play comfortably straight out of the box.

What is the best Epiphone guitar for beginners? +

For beginners, we recommend the Epiphone Les Paul Special / Studio or the Epiphone SG Special. These models provide dependable tuning stability, comfortable SlimTaper neck profiles, and versatile dual-humbucker tone at an entry-level price point.

Do you offer free UK delivery and finance on Epiphone guitars? +

Yes, all orders over £99 qualify for free, fully tracked and insured UK mainland courier delivery. We also offer interest-free 0% finance options at checkout so you can spread the cost of your purchase easily.

Can I trade in my old guitar against a new Epiphone? +

Yes, we welcome part-exchanges on new and used gear. Simply bring your instrument into our Huntingdon showroom or send clear photos and specifications to [email protected] for a fast valuation.