Gretsch vs Epiphone – Who Makes Better Guitars?

Author: Ross M | Updated: | This post may contain affiliate links.

Gretsch and Epiphone are two guitar brands that are pretty evenly matched in many respects. Both produce fantastic instruments in their own right, but some significant differences should be considered. 

You’re probably reading this post because you’re trying to decide whether Gretsch or Epiphone is best suited to your needs as a guitarist. You’ve come to the right place!

In this guide, I’ll present you with the pros and cons of both manufacturers, what you can expect from their instruments and a direct comparison of all the major attributes of their guitars.

Gretsch Guitars

American manufacturers Gretsch were founded in the late 1800s, originally specializing in drums, banjos, and tambourines.

Two decades later, they moved to a larger production facility and established themselves as a leading producer of a range of instruments.

When rock n’ roll music exploded onto the scene in the 1960s, the manufacturers who capitalized and dominated the market were Fender and Gibson.

Gretsch continued to amass a loyal following, especially due to their brilliant drum kits.

In 2002, Gretsch partnered with Fender. Their business agreement meant that their instruments would be produced on a larger scale, but the Gretsch family still retained creative control over the brand.

In the modern age, Gretsch has evolved into one of the most popular guitars, bass, and drum manufacturers in the world. Their Electromatic range is particularly popular, including high-quality instruments to suit all price ranges.

Epiphone Guitars

Like Gretsch, Epiphone is an American musical instrument brand. It also originated in the late 1800s, when a man by the name of Anastasios Stathopoulos emigrated to New York City from the Ottoman Empire.

The name Epiphone was based on the founder’s nickname. In 1928, they made their first guitar, and continued to have underground success for the next thirty years, until 1957 when Gibson purchased the brand.

Gibson recognized that Epiphone was its main rival in the field of archtop guitars, and therefore, used their financial clout to make them an offer they couldn’t refuse. This turned out to be a fabulous deal for future generations of guitarists.

In the present day, Epiphone is seen as a sibling brand to Gibson. Many of Gibson’s most popular guitars are remade as Epiphone editions, much like the relationship between Fender and Squier (we've also compared Epiphone and Squier, if you're interested).

Comparing Gretsch and Epiphone

Comparing these two legendary manufacturers is not an easy task – especially due to my personal experience with both. My first bass guitar was a Gretsch Electromatic model, and I’ve also owned an Epiphone 335 in the past.

In my experience, both Gretsch and Epiphone are brilliant producers of affordable instruments. They each produce distinctive guitars, which rival the heavyweights such as Fender and Gretsch in terms of performance and tone.

The only fair way to definitively decide which manufacturer suits you better is to break down their qualities into specific categories.

Style

Gretsch guitars are all distinctively vintage-styled. They have curvy bodies, and the original design has been maintained throughout the decades. Their hollow body archtops were originally designed for jazz musicians but became popular amongst rock musicians.

Their professional range boasts some exceptional instruments. Some deviate from the hollow body style that made the brand famous, with solid-body models becoming increasingly popular.

Epiphone, on the other hand, mainly produces replicas of popular Gibson models. The Les Paul, SG, and 335 are all released under the Epiphone brand, and their designs very closely resemble the original models.

Epiphone also produces a range of their own archtops and semi-hollow body guitars. They vary in terms of design but mainly stick to the similar body shapes of their Gibson siblings.

Tone

Gretsch guitars often employ classic-sounding ‘Tron pickups and Bigsby tremolos. Their tone is typically thick, with plenty of resonance and a warm midrange.

There are some exceptions, but this is mostly the case throughout their extensive range.

Epiphone’s tone is very similar to Gibson guitars. The Les Paul offers the classic punchy, raw tone that has graced so many rock n’ roll classics over the years. Some of the semi-hollow body offerings are more focused on rhythm playing than searing lead tones.

If I was to compare the overall tone of Gretsch and Epiphone guitars, I would summarize that Gretsch is better for an all-round, warm tone, while Epiphone is ideally suited to guitarists who are more concerned with perfecting their skills on the instrument.

Playability

In addition to tone, playability is the next most important aspect of a guitar. Both Gretsch and Epiphone produce highly playable guitars, but there are some significant differences between the two.

Firstly, many of Gretsch’s guitars are ¾ scale-length models. These guitars are popular amongst beginner musicians, as their fretboards are generally easier to navigate. This reduced size affects the playability and tonality.

Gretsch guitars are made with premium tonewoods, which adds to their feel. The more expensive models, such as the Premium range, are littered with high-quality builds that play like a dream.

Epiphone guitars are generally bulkier than Gretsch’s. This makes them great for chord-heavy styles of playing, but less suited to energetic performances as the instruments are less mobile.

Although they don’t use the same quality of materials as their Gibson counterparts, you can still expect to find high-quality tonewoods on the top-end Epiphone models.

Overall, Epiphone guitars are highly playable, but they don’t quite reach the heights of Gretsch’s top-end offerings. This is subjective, however, and based on my own experience with both manufacturer’s instruments.

Summary

Epiphone and Gretsch both produce some fabulous guitars, basses, and other instruments, so choosing between them is very difficult indeed. If you’re still unsure of which to choose, here’s a quick way to decide.

If you’re mainly concerned with having a powerful, thick tone, then I’d recommend a Gretsch guitar.

Epiphone's guitars are best suited to rhythm players who don’t require the same level of energy and twang. If you’re looking for warmth and coloration, then Epiphone is a great choice.

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About Ross M

Ross is a music producer and multi-instrumentalist. At his band, he handles vocal and bass duties. He has extensive experience with bass, drums and guitar.

19 thoughts on “Gretsch vs Epiphone – Who Makes Better Guitars?”

  1. Its all about the models. Each brand offers some guitars that can grab ‘the sound in your head’. It’s true that top end Japanese Gretsch and some USA vintage builds are more fairly compared to Gibson or USA Fender (given pricing, etcetera). That said – I have found some of the budget Gretsch makes to have surprisingly good setups and generously broad sound palettes (right out of the box!). In general – Asian Epiphones have more traditional tone palettes that represent classic jazz, blues, and roots tonalities. They may require a bit more adjustment from the factory. Try each, and see what you think.

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  2. I think when it comes to playing you should choose a guitar based on feel. A lot of your sound and tone comes from your own fingers and depends much more on what Amp you’re using and your amp/gain settings. Most guitarists you’re hearing that have tones you just can’t seem to dial in no matter how hard you’re chasing them are also likely using compression and some subtle delay as well.

    My next guitar is going to be a gretsch junior jet because it’s a fabulous guitar that plays and sounds great for dirt cheap.

    And lastly, the fact that people think a guitar can be shipped across the pacific and not need any tweaks out of the box truly believes in miracles…

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  3. I have owned both brands epiphone and Gretsch. Both are disappointing in quality out of the box. I have a Gibson less Paul and a made in Mexico Stratocaster. Both guitars exceeded Gretsch and Epiphone.

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  4. The only real downsides to Gretsch is their compulsion yo slap god-awful Bigsby bridges in everything.
    Also, if you have a white falcon and are playing big rooms. You’re pretty much got stuff the thing for foam at the start of the tour to kill some of that feedback you’re gonna have a few move around the stage at all. otherwise I love those guitars.

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  5. I have owned many epiphonesin the past. 50′ LP, 60’s LP the tuxedo and a few more Epiphone LP’s. I have also owned many of their acoustic electrics including the ej200sce. I now own 3 Gretsch guitars. The 5655tg, rancher falcon and 5420t. My next will be the nick 13 5320. Epiphone makes a great guitar but in mho not as good as Gretsch

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  6. This comparison should be called the best guitars under the $800.00 mark, from Epiphone and Gretsch. Gretsch’s higher end models from Japan are not in the same class with Epiphones but more in line with Gibson and Fender. Gretsch makes wonderful guitars for under a grand. The streamliners are their entry point guitar and the electromatic line a step up from there. Epiphone also makes great guitars and I own a couple of those, firebird and a Les Paul versions. It is hard to choose between the two brands, depending on your style and genre. I switch back n forth between the Les Paul and my Gretsch g5222. The Gretsch is lighter in weight and when I am wanting to get my Malcolm Young vibe on that’s my choice. I then pick up my Epiphone Les Paul and remember why I like it, tough decision. I like both brands as I am more of a Gibson guy (flavor radius) over the Fender style. If you want to get even more confused try a PRS. I have a PRS angelus acoustic that I love playing. I would choose it over the Epiphone or Gretsch acoustics. These are just my opinions though. Enjoy!

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    • In march of this year I bought a custom LP from Epiphone, about 800 bucks. Worst mail order guitar I’ve ever seen. Every fret, every single fret treble, bass, up neck down neck would cut into your hand and fingers and do some damage to your hand. The nut at the 6th string was 3/8 inch from the fret board and about an 1/8 inch at the 1st string. When I removed both strap buttons, paint chipped off both, they were obviously installed while the paint was still wet, and there were 3 high frets that needed attention, 2 on the B string and 1 on the low E. Epiphone has never ever ever ever made a decent sounding pickup, and no matter what the specs say they all sound exactly alike, shrill and grimmy tone, just a cheap pickup and the worst pots and wiring on the market. In june I bought a 2622t Gretch for 500 bucks, it was flawless, pulled it out of the box installed some flatwounds on it, 9 gauge, and it is awesome, even compared to my 3,000 dollar Heritage LP it holds up to the test! Epi’s are just pure garbage and waaay over priced.

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  7. Im looking at a Gretsch G503FT Rancher or Epiphone EJ200SCE Cutaway Vintage sunburst Acoustic – love the look of both guitars – but as older guy, fairly new to playing, I want the easier fretboard but with the rich deeper tones.
    Do I lose either way – or am I on a good thing ?
    Currently own a Tanglewood Sundance premier.

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    • Hi Chris, I’d go with the Epiphone for not much more than ease of playing and lower cost. The Gretsch Rancher is a more well rounded guitar in other aspects.

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      • I own both brands. They both need serious setups and fret work after purchase. Once that is done either one is a fine choice. It’s just a question of taste.

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    • Hi Anthony, although it’s hard to say without talking about specific models, I think a Gretsch guitar will be better suited for your needs.

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      • Which guitar is better suited for a lower mellow tone? Thank you rich. I am 72 and like paying the old mellow songs. Today’s guitars seem to have that twangy sound. I am always changing strings to a thicker gauge to try and get that mellow sound.

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        • I see!

          It’s inspiring to see that you’re still playing with enthusiasm and looking to achieve that vintage mellow sound. 🙂

          For under $700 (currently), you can’t go wrong with a Gretsch G5230T (or similar models).

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    • Hello Anthony. The p90 on a Casino has the vintage sound, as humbuckers were not available till 1958. Gretsch uses humbuckers, as do many Epi and Gibsons models Pure nickel strings go way back as well.

      Reply

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