Why are the Epis made at the Saein factory better?

[JoEpiWong]

Hi all

I noticed from this forum that the Epis made at the Saein factory in Korea are more sought after that the ones made at Unsung or Samick.

Anyone care to explain why?

I have a 2002 Alpine White LP Custom from the Saein factory and a 2000 Vintage Sunburst LP Classic Plus from the Unsung factory.
Both are wonderful to play!

Thanks!

Joe

[Steelpriest]

In my believe this is only a legend that those "I" guitars from the Saein (often mentioned as Shine) are better than those from Unsung or Samick. Maybe they are only more rare, because these manufacturer doesn´t produce so many guitars like the other ones, maybe their plant is smaller...? I saw good, decent, nice, but also sloppy guitars from all that particular manufacturers. I don´t think that those three korean manufacturers are so different concerning the overall quality. Also, at least to my knowledge, these manufacturers build the instruments for Gibson only under license and I guess Gibson has made very precise specifacions concerning these guitars. For example Samick is known in Germany under their own brand name for manufacturing guitars and pianos. To cut it short: IMO Saein is better than Samick or Unsung is a legend.

[Ol Geezer]

My blue QuiltTop is of the "I" origin, and while it's likely the prettiest of my Les Pauls I don't feel it's as well made as some of my others from elsewhere.

[zep]

As far as I know it seems to be mainly a preference thing. There shouldn't be any big differences between the factories, although I have heard some negative comments concerning the China factory I haven't played Epis that weren't from the saein "I" factory, so I can't say which is better (if any).

[Dezine]

I own one of the "legendary" ;D saein Epi LP customs and i find that it generally plays and feels much better than ANY of the chinese epi's. But i have also played many unsung lp's that with a good set-up would be just as good, remember the set up is poor with all the epi's. As for samick, i have never played an Epi made by samick, i do own however, a samick super strat style guitar. This was my very first guitar that i bought about 15 years ago (paid $100 brand new), i dont play it much because of bigger and better things (LP'S and Strats) but it is a very good guitar, acoustically it is excellent, the pups and electronics are like most korean stuff, not the best. The frets also need polishing, but it did come with a real bone nut. I will pass this guitar on to my son when he wants to learn, I may even put some new pups into the old axe and replay some of the first Randy Rhoades stuff i learned on that very guitar. Its still better than most of the chinese stuff out there.

[ZacAttack]

Well my LP Special II was made by the Sae Jung factory judging by the serial number "SJ" are the first two letters. I love it it plays sweeter than any Special II that I have played.

[Uriah]

Hmm... My FAT-210 (which is great) was also made by SJ

The samick factory... Is that in Korea? Cause my guitar had a stick on it "Made in china" The sticker was on the neck though....

[Smooth]

SJ isn't Samick. Only S and SI are the Samick codes.

[Steelpriest]

Well, it´s a bit off the topic, but as Smooth seems to have certain knowledge maybe he can help me with my both Epi Les Paul Studios. Both carry the manufacturer code B, even Gibson´s customer service had no answer for me...

[Smooth]

send me a pm with Sn..like to keep it off the main.

[Steelpriest]

Smooth said:

send me a pm with Sn..like to keep it off the main.

Thanx buddy!

[JoEpiWong]

Thanks guys (and gals, if there are any) for your answers. In my own experience, there isn't any much difference between the made in Korea models. Although, my LP Custom (from Saein) doesn't respond to a lower action because I get my G-string and first E-string buzzing away at the higher frets whenever I lower the action. The LP Classic, on the other hand, has good low action with no string buzzes at all. Maybe I'm not doing it right, and possibly the truss rod need some adjustment too.

The only main difference that I have come across with the Made in China models is that the Standards are considerably lighter when compared to the Korean models. Also the body seemed 'hollow' when rapped, as compared to a similar Korean model. Hardware though is fine.

My preference is for the Korean models.

Joe

[Steelpriest]

Hi JoEpiWong, if you are sure that the set up is correct concerning the truss rod adjustment and still some string buzzing occurs then have the frets levelled to an equal height, this job requires a good guitar tech and isn´t that expensive... This problem is also found on much more expensive guitars from time to time.

[JoEpiWong]

Hi Steel

Thanks. Will check it out with the guitar tech to have the frets levelled. The problem I have is finding a good guitar tech in Singapore. They are as common as apple trees here...haha...

Joe

[jeje]

I've got a Saein 03 LP Standard in honeyburst. The pupswitch sometimes doesnt work when switching to treble, otherwise, the guitar is all good as far as I can tell..