As one who had both a Gibson and another Epiphone Lucille in the past, here's an honest evaluation: My Gibson Lucille was absolutely the cream of the crop of all my guitars, played like butter, intonation was spot on, neck and fingerboard were silky smooth and the sound was everything you could ever want...when it worked that is. It had an electronics issue that wouldn't quit, or would quit that is, at the worst times possible. After several 'repairs' I unloaded it. Purchased an Epiphone version which at the time had a rosewood fingerboard, and it was OK, but no where close to the workmanship of the Gibson. Now fast forward to the new, Inspired by Gibson Epiphone Lucille: Stunning. The red color is beautiful and the maple wood grain shows through, making this a gorgeous piece to look at. The ebony fretboard is pretty smooth, could probably have been sanded more but it is still almost like butter ( more like margarine, close but not bad). Frets were smooth and even, fret ends had no sharp edges, There was a bit of red overspray on a small section of the binding but no big deal. The action came about 2 feet too high (OK, I'm exaggerating, but you get the point) and the strings were changed within 5 minutes of receiving. I did a quick set up and this thing really sounds good. New Gibson Lucilles are going for $6900 and this was less than a grand. Is there a $6000 difference? Not a chance. Epiphone really stepped it up, and I am very pleased with this, as a 60 year old blues player… read more with 55 years guitar playing, buying and trading experience. And from one source it stated that Epiphone only made 300 of these red ones. Glad I got it.

Musical Background:
Touring pro

Musical Style:
Blues, funk classic rock read less