Well, it doesn't sound like a Rickenbacker 12-string, but the sound did pleasantly surprise me. I was also pretty happy with the 6-string sound. The pickups are strong and somewhat quiet, but they are not top quality.

I like the volume and tone knob setup, with a master volume and master tone for each neck. I wish they were a little more accessible. The toggle switches are well located and the guitar is very easy to operate. I purposely got the model that DOES NOT have the bolt-on necks.

Basically, there are some nice advantages here, so I'll dwell on the negative. The first is the poor access to the high frets. Anything above the 15th fret is out of reach. The toggle switch that allows the player to have both guitars on at the same time isn't very practical - too much sympathetic vibration. It's heavy and doesn't set very well on the shoulder. I put a 2nd strap button behind the lower (6-string) neck and that made it more comfortable, but the strap prevented me from going past the 13th fret. Ya win some, ya lose some.

I was impressed with the workmanship. The metal parts are not top quality, but they are much more than adequate and I've had no trouble with tuning machines, switches, pickups, etc.

This is definitely worth the cost. I tried the Gibsons and they aren't THAT much better to warrant the immense difference in price.

I haven't needed support, so I guess that makes it a 10.

It is very practical for me as I use a 12-string several times a night and sometimes I don't want to slow down the show so I can pick up a different guitar. I got a white one - - very nice looking.

Professional, lifetime musician

You name it, I do it

Intermediate

Rock

The pickups are one of the two weak aspects of this model. They are colorless, and the two sets are badly mis-matched volume-wise, so this was something that I changed within the first two weeks of ownership. My recommendation (And not only for those on a limited budget) are the "Golden Age" series of pickups. The character of the guitar suddenly sits up to be noticed, with both necks evenly balanced (even though I stayed with open bobbins on the 6-string neck). As others have so accurately stated, this is not a Gibson Don Felder/ Jimmy Page Signature model, so just what do you expect at such a reasonable price? I give it a 10 after the pickup change.

Diabolical tuners, but easily fixed. Three sets of Grovers (or even better, Gotoh replacements), and no more sllppage or sloppiness. The three toggle switches all seem pretty sturdy, but one can't expect CTS pots at this price. Again, if you're handy with a soldering iron.......problem fixed. I noticed someone moaning about the heavy strings and high action. Well it must have been standing in the shop a long time, because mine has yet to have either neck tweaked, and I did very little adjustment to either bridge height or intonation-wise. The strings that come with this model are admittedly garbage, but D'Addario make a perfectly matched 12-string set for their 10-46 XL's. To put it mildly, I doubt whether the Gibson sounds much better even if it may be more playable (in some folks eyes). The bridges have slightly sharp edges (on mine, at least) but again, we're looking at a mid-priced guitar. No complaints about anything else. A 10 after these replacements were done.

As others have said, higher fret access is limited, but that's the same on the Gibson, and just something you learn to live with if you really want this highly desirable machine. I'm used to acoustic 12-strings, so the lighter gauge and lower action are a dream for me. Tuning is a learning curve for those unfamiliar with this style of guitar, and I've also discovered that a .009 is a little better than the .008 (for 3rd string tuning) supplied with the D'Addario sets. It doesn't break as often either. I play it through a couple of original 60's Fender amps, and it even sounds great through the little '66 Vibro Champ.

Is it well made.... in a nutshell, YES, especially at the price. Beautiful wood (even if it is veneer?), a lovely un-blemished Cherry finish, well-fitted set-necks. After the alterations I've made, I'm looking at a $1500 guitar (with hard-case), so I still see it as a bargain. If you're at all a handyman, you can turn an average instrument into an absolute blinder for $450. All those who see & hear it now are (I hate this expression) totally blown away by it. It makes for a great conversation piece too. "The Rain Song" never sounded better! It's a real keeper now. The hard-case is a must BTW, as this is a very vulnerable instrument should it take a tumble.

There's really nothing to compare it to except the Gibson, and as I'm not familiar with that instrument, I'm not going to stick my neck out and say it's anywhere near comparable. But it can be MADE great with the refinements I've covered.

Having bought it from a Japanese company, I've come to expect nothing but the best in the way of service. When my 6 month-old Gibson Hummingbird had a bridge problem, they gave me a new one instead of fixing it! Now that's service!

As I said, it's a conversation piece, and attracts more interest than any of my other guitars, and considerably more attention than the highly over-rated Epiphone "Revolution" Casino that I blew a couple of grand on! It stands alone (even though it's a copy from the same company) in terms of originality. It may not be practical in everyone's eyes, especially as a primarily home-use instrument, but there's a certain charisma to it that I love, and that seems to charm others who see or play it. In a word.... brilliant.

Ex-active musician, now hobbyist.

Rock, including Folk-Rock.

I am in a progressive rock band,and usually have to switch between a 12-string acoustic on a stand,and my electric. Once,I was fortunate enough to be able to use a friend's Epiphone double neck (except it was white)-An outstanding instrument,both in sound and playability!!Perfect for the type of music I play.HOPEFULLY,someday,I'll be able to afford my own!!!

As good components as any higher-end model. Pickups were very responsive,low noise on the 12 side,which was nice.

Heavy,yet very comfortable to play (A Les Paul is my main electric,so weight is not an issue for me.)

Seemed to be made quite well,but again,it was a "loaner"!!

Very affordable,especially when you consider all you get for the money--Nicely made!!

As soon as I can afford one of my own,it WILL be the next guitar I get!!! A definite necessity for my style of music.

Active,recording musician

Progressive Rock

it sounds great to me when i played one at a store the amp was crap and wouldnt hook up to the 12 string neck but apperently the 6 string part was fine so im gonna buy it on the site here and not the store.

the components were good i just love the vintage tuners it reminds me of jimmy page. the case that comes with it for a 100 more is a drop dead good deal.

the sounds i got out of it without an amp waas great they were so ambient and perfect volume.

the color and finish i would say is better than the gibson because it is a little darker and have you ever seen the crappy lite neck on the gibson????

great price not a waste of money at all worth every penny better priced then just single necks also!!!

all of my guitars are epipphone except my bass mostly because of price range on my allowance i pulled together or i would have got the thunderbird bass.

i want it so bad no matter what my family says im buying it this week no questions asked!!!!! beautiful guitar walked right over to it in the store and there were at least 200 guitars in that store!!!!

im a active musician having band trouble drummer is gay.

they are all good except techno.

Listen to stairway to heaven live.....

3, Three-way switches (when the gibson only has 2{which, in my experience, are the wrong way round}

Its hard if you don't have long arms, and it can get a bit heavy

only thing better.. a Gibson

10/10!!!

havent used it!

attracts more attention than any of my other guitars

Guitarist

Led Zeppelin!!!!!!!!!

I have way too many guitars. Most of the ones I own are cherry orchard imports that are just amazing. I bought this as an experiment. Very solid construction and classic appearance. I thought that the electrics would need some tuning up. I was wrong. Using this in live settings with a GS-10 and the digi eleven front ends and mosvalve power. The honking midrange tone of the six on this one is very pleasing. The twelve is a bit understated, but works with proper eq settings. Patch tweeking.........

Descent hardware for the price range and it arrived with the twelve set up great, the six took all of 3-4 minutes to get to where I prefer it to be.

New stuff requires a learning curve. This one will require some backend time before the stage.The layout of the switching and controls, although familiar, will take some time to commit to memory. After that it is seamless.

very solid. Although it does have sticky nuts. A little graphite will do for the time being. Tuners on this one are solid.

Compared to the prices of the Gibsons, this one is one you can build on.

No comment on this. Most of the epis that I own are from the Japanese era of construction.

You pull this out, anywhere, and it has this WOW factor. Just be able to play it well to complete.

working musician for 40 years

rock and everything else

This is an amazing sound. With 2 tone knobs, and 3 pickup switches the possibilities are endless.

Doesn't really have anything extra then the real Gibson model, but looks amazing. Really doesnt need any accessories.

Very great.

This is a very high quality instrement. Very durable, down to every detail.

Pretty good price, but buying certain things for this product will become somewhat of a hassle. Like a case or tuner, and if a string breaks forget it

IDK

I want one of these badly, infact im saving up right now

Active Musician

Metal

action way to high ridiculous,hard to play 6 strings are heavy gauge, pickups the worst need replacement no power or tone . replace pickups a must gibsons, burstbucker or seymore duncans whats the purpose of them saying guitar is set up with such high action everything must be reset fix these things it might have great sound

guitar features ok but needs 12 string tuning guide , also the case is cardboard, says epiphone(a.k.a cheap axe) and i practicaly have to jump up and down on guitar to smash it in cutout didn,t fit , too small, dont buy this case !!!!

good except their is a line down the middle of body of guitar where the grain of wood is mismatched close up it ruins overall good qaulity, bet a gibson wouldnt have that problem, tuners are sloppy and need constant attention,junk pickups, junk tuners heavy strings

if you dont mind spending a lot of money (pickups)and time resetting all plus strings and can put up with grain mismatch this is still a dead sexy axe that attracts more attention than any guitar in my collection still cheaper than gibson but not as good of quality your choice

havent used

despite it failings it is the poor mans i want it bad got to have it axe it is dead sexy with time and good parts plus set up it is still cheaper than gibson and might be good

active musician 40 years

rock country jazz metal grunge

the sound on the 12 string neck is clear and jangly - perfect for that vintage page-like tone. the 6-string is excellent for great sweeping solos and punchy rock n roll riffs. its really awsome for ovedriven tones.

the extra selector switch that the gibson model doesnt have is really great for switching necks in the middle of a song if you want to use a different pickup, like if you wanna use a treble pickup for a chordy song but then use a rhythm pickup for a tasty solo.

to be honest, the one drawback of this gutiar is its heaviness. if you started on a les paul, it shouldnt be too bad, but if you play an sg or strat, this guitar will really hurt your shoulder/back if played for more than 15 mins. but once you get used to it, it just seems like a normal weight. in terms of playability. each fret is easily reached on both necks, and if you use ernie ball super slinkies, the strings are pliable as anything thanks to the greater distance between the stopbar and the bridge.

the guitar is great. the finish is perfect, and, with the purchase of straplocks, you'll never worry about it getting broken

yeah, this guitar is great value.

well, ive never really had to repair the guitar, but im sure epiphone provide a great support.

haha if you have a jimmy page thing like i do, this guitar will make you drool

active musician

classic rock

The sound of this Guitar is excellent especially because you can use the top neck with its 12 strings or the bottom 6 strings for different sounding.

The 12 or 6 string option.

If you can play a regular guitar it pretty much self explanatory.

The quality is great despite it not being a true Gibson.

A little pricy, but for a rare guitar it is definately worth it.

I have never had any problems with the guitar with the exception of my roommate always breaking all my guitars(he hates Metal(freak!)).

I got the guitar after I saw my friend playing guitar with his character(Axel Steel)playing the guitar. Now only if they had a chick in a bikini playing it. I will always wonder.

Muscician in a Metal Band

Metal(Speed, Thrash, and Heavy)