Epiphone changes the headstock shape!

For guitars of the straight waisted variety (or reverse offset).
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secretroutines
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Re: Epiphone changes the headstock shape!

Post by secretroutines » Mon Jan 13, 2020 8:31 am

sookwinder wrote:
Sun Jan 12, 2020 6:29 pm
Maybe I am a little thick/dumb today ... but I do not understand.

As shown below there are three different Kalamazoo Epiphone headstock variants.
The initial one similar to the normal Gibson headstock, as shown with my Sorrento this also had the bikini plate.
The next variation is a slight elongation of the first, without the plate.
The last is the hourglass version that we all know.

So how is THIS particular headstock that Gibson is now using on epi gtrs "the" Kalamazoo headstock?
They all are ...

Image
You’re not, the Kalamazoo brand originated in the 30’s. They had a different headstock shape. The 3 examples you posted have always been with Epiphone, even per Gibson.

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Larry Mal
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Re: Epiphone changes the headstock shape!

Post by Larry Mal » Mon Jan 13, 2020 8:47 am

Oh, I'm not crazy, these are supposed to be headstocks from the Kalamazoo branded guitars and not Epiphones:

The ‘Kalamazoo’ headstock shape was originally used on the guitars made for the Gibson budget brand of the same name in the 1930s, and as we reported back in September, has teased by Gibson CMO Cesar Gueikian as a key part of the brand’s overhaul.

Other than that one example of a depression era acoustic, though, and those Fender Mustang looking super cheap Kalamazoo electric guitars that they made in the 60's, I don't know of any Kalamazoo guitars.

And I don't know of any that have this headstock. I probably just don't know what I'm missing, though.
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Re: Epiphone changes the headstock shape!

Post by leokula » Mon Jan 13, 2020 11:56 am

I'm on the fence... I didn't mind the old headstock, never kept me from getting an Epi.
Jaguar > Jazzmaster :)

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Re: Epiphone changes the headstock shape!

Post by parry » Mon Jan 13, 2020 12:26 pm

Interesting... Isn't that ("new") headstock shape the same shape as the 70s-era, bolt-on neck EAs? That's what I saw, when I looked at them...

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Re: Epiphone changes the headstock shape!

Post by Larry Mal » Mon Jan 13, 2020 1:09 pm

What is that cool guitar? I love that.
Back in those days, everyone knew that if you were talking about Destiny's Child, you were talking about Beyonce, LaTavia, LeToya, and Larry.

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Re: Epiphone changes the headstock shape!

Post by parry » Mon Jan 13, 2020 1:15 pm

Larry Mal wrote:
Mon Jan 13, 2020 1:09 pm
What is that cool guitar? I love that.
Search up EA250 and EA255. The walnut one is the 255 - I think sometimes, they call them Casinos as well...
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Re: Epiphone changes the headstock shape!

Post by RuffiansFC » Tue Jan 14, 2020 7:37 am

There are some 80s Epis rocking the kalamazoo headstock that look ok. I'm not a fan of it. the Gibson like truss rod plate is a way better look that what is proposed. doesn't look as cheap imo.
Image

At least it's better than the Elitist headstock that look like a tombstone. they are amazing guitars and were expensive by today's standards, but imo the headstock was more off putting than the run of the mill look.
Image

there are a couple of current LPs out with the 65 Riviera/Casino headstock that work for me like the Viv Campbell, but it has an ugly truss rod cover. reminds me of the Epi Genesis which I want but never pull the trigger on.
Image

I don't hate the classic Epi headstock, but it is forever associated as being budget even when the quality is better than many gibsons from the last decade (like my 97 MIK LP standard). I love mine and still play it out a lot.

for the price of some of these new Epis, i'd rather put my money into a used MIJ Epi or Orville with the Gibson specs and headstock.
Image

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Re: Epiphone changes the headstock shape!

Post by BoringPostcards » Tue Jan 14, 2020 1:40 pm

I like it. It looks better than the current one they've been using since forever.
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Re: Epiphone changes the headstock shape!

Post by øøøøøøø » Tue Jan 14, 2020 2:14 pm

I think this is long overdue!

The second paragraph of that piece is a bit misleading. Epiphone was not a "Gibson budget brand... in the 1930s."

But anyway, you know what I feel would be an even better move? Revive the "Kalamazoo" and/or "Recording King" marques and use those for the inexpensive imports. Then make cool, high-end Epiphones again, like the 1930s-1960s.

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Re: Epiphone changes the headstock shape!

Post by BoringPostcards » Tue Jan 14, 2020 3:48 pm

øøøøøøø wrote:
Tue Jan 14, 2020 2:14 pm
I think this is long overdue!

The second paragraph of that piece is a bit misleading. Epiphone was not a "Gibson budget brand... in the 1930s."

But anyway, you know what I feel would be an even better move? Revive the "Kalamazoo" and/or "Recording King" marques and use those for the inexpensive imports. Then make cool, high-end Epiphones again, like the 1930s-1960s.
There's already a brand using the Recording King name. They make pretty decent acoustics and archtop style ones with f holes.
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Re: Epiphone changes the headstock shape!

Post by Larry Mal » Tue Jan 14, 2020 3:50 pm

I think they are referring to the guitars that were made under the brand Kalamazoo...

"budget brand of the same name in the 1930s,"

The ones that Creedence sings about in "Down On The Corner".

Although I agree with the rest of your points. Epiphone has been as cool as anything at times, they should just let it shine its own light.
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Re: Epiphone changes the headstock shape!

Post by Larry Mal » Tue Jan 14, 2020 3:52 pm

Here you go... these Kalamazoos.

Although the headstock on these is nothing like whatever they are talking about putting on those Epiphones, so I have no idea what's going on.
Back in those days, everyone knew that if you were talking about Destiny's Child, you were talking about Beyonce, LaTavia, LeToya, and Larry.

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Re: Epiphone changes the headstock shape!

Post by Embenny » Tue Jan 14, 2020 3:56 pm

Larry Mal wrote:
Tue Jan 14, 2020 3:52 pm
Here you go... these Kalamazoos.

Although the headstock on these is nothing like whatever they are talking about putting on those Epiphones, so I have no idea what's going on.
I think I'm getting warmer. Not 100% the same but at least we're in the ballpark now...

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Re: Epiphone changes the headstock shape!

Post by Larry Mal » Tue Jan 14, 2020 5:56 pm

There you go, Mike! I think that's the missing information right there.
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Re: Epiphone changes the headstock shape!

Post by sookwinder » Tue Jan 14, 2020 6:37 pm

Yeah … but how does that Kalamazoo brand relate to Epiphone?
At the time the Kalamazoo brand gtrs were manufactured, Epi was making them in New York.

I still do not get it...
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