Query failed: connection to localhost:9312 failed (errno=111, msg=Connection refused). NGD - Epiphone Frontier USA - Acoustics Discussions on The Fretboard
UNPLANNED DOWNTIME: 12th Oct 23:45

NGD - Epiphone Frontier USA

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I've been looking for a nice maple or mahogany dread and after a day's testing at Coda, I'd narrowed it down to an Atkin Essential D and the Epiphone Frontier. I took the Atkin home but after a long maiden jam the squarish shoulders of the fat neck profile was causing pain in my hand. Coda were happy for me to exchange it, so back down I went and came home with this beauty...











Serendipity may have been at work here; in hindsight this guitar feels, looks and sounds much more suited to me than the Atkin. 

The missus (who knows a bit about guitars) likes it, but was quite shocked how much I'd just spent on an Epiphone.
Even one of the guys at Coda was a bit surprised that they'd sold a few of these now with that name on the headstock ;) I love the fact that Epis are being handmade in the USA again, on the benches at Bozeman no less. And a fine job they're doing too; the craftsmanship is flawless. I suppose if they're going to charge so much for an Epiphone with the association most people have of the brand, it'd better be damn good! 

It's very similar to a Dove in terms of specs, the main difference being a mahogany neck, traditional belly-up bridge, and of course the lariat and cactus engraved pickguard. In fact, the original Frontier, released in 1958, was the inspiration for the Dove which didn't appear until '62. I personally far prefer the aesthetics of the Frontier... and also the tone. Hard to describe but it has a 'creamier' growl, warm but crystal clear, and more dynamic range. It sounds luxurious yet true and honest. Strumming and vocal-accompaniment perfection but also shines with fingerpicking and bluegrass flatpicking.

I love large maple guitars and this is simply the best I've played. I'm going to find it hard to justify keeping my SJ-200, my choice strummer, when this sounds better whichever way you attack it whilst being more comfortable to play. 

Action is perfect for me at 2.5mm/2.0mm and nothing to do at the nut. Intonation is perfect as can be. It came fitted with a Baggs Element VTC which I'll probably swap for an Anthem SL. I had thought about leaving it in and going down the IR route but I like to keep things as simple as possible and know where I am with the SL. That said, any available opportunity to mic this guitar up live will be duly taken.

I'm a happy man. Try one if you get the chance :) 
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Comments

  • Lovely, congratulations. I suppose this guitar is an example of what they call "stealth wealth", as only those in the know will know.
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  • StuckfastStuckfast Frets: 2124
    Oooh, that looks very nice. Don't often get GAS for new things but I could see myself playing one of those. 
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  • bertiebertie Frets: 12145
    it has nibs........................... "stands on chair and goes round"
    just because you don't, doesn't mean you can't
     just because you do, doesn't mean you should.
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  • Dave_McDave_Mc Frets: 2022
    That is awesome.  =) Excellent work from Coda in letting you swap it (as I said in your other thread).

    (I had to look up what a lariat was!  =) )
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  • MellishMellish Frets: 945
    Looking good mate.

    Fingers crossed you've found *the one*.

    :) 
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  • ditchboyditchboy Frets: 186
    I’m extremely jealous you have a Mrs that knows a bit about guitars. 
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  • CryptidCryptid Frets: 405
    Lovely, congratulations. I suppose this guitar is an example of what they call "stealth wealth", as only those in the know will know.
    Thanks man. I'm quite looking forward to not attracting the kind of attention that the Gibson logo can bring on case and guitar at pub gigs.  

    Stuckfast said:
    Oooh, that looks very nice. Don't often get GAS for new things but I could see myself playing one of those. 
    That's what I thought when I saw it, and knew I had to find one to try as it ticked all the boxes spec-wise. It'd look the part with a fringed leather jacket and Stetson, but I'm not quite country enough for that ;) 

    bertie said:
    it has nibs........................... "stands on chair and goes round"
    I can't work out if that means you like a nib or not. Every Gibson I've had has had them. I love how they look and will enjoy them while I can; they'll be filed out of existence when it's eventually time for a refret. 

    Dave_Mc said:
    That is awesome.  =) Excellent work from Coda in letting you swap it (as I said in your other thread).

    (I had to look up what a lariat was!  =) )
    I'll fess up, I didn't know what a lariat was either until I read the marketing blurb. It's a good word though, and I'll use it whenever the opportunity presents itself... which really isn't going to be too often :)

    Mellish said:
    Looking good mate.

    Fingers crossed you've found *the one*.

    :) 
    Well I've been through a fair few acoustics recently so we'll see ;) I've realised that maple dreads and jumbos suit me best for most of the stuff I play and I can't afford anymore merry-go-round frolics - time to settle down and concentrate on the music!

    ditchboy said:
    I’m extremely jealous you have a Mrs that knows a bit about guitars. 
    It's a double-edged sword ;) She's generally supportive with guitar purchases and wants me to be happy, but I can't go pretending a £3k guitar cost me £300. 
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  • Dave_McDave_Mc Frets: 2022
    Cryptid said:
    Dave_Mc said:
    That is awesome.  =) Excellent work from Coda in letting you swap it (as I said in your other thread).

    (I had to look up what a lariat was!  =) )
    I'll fess up, I didn't know what a lariat was either until I read the marketing blurb. It's a good word though, and I'll use it whenever the opportunity presents itself... which really isn't going to be too often :)
    Yeah I can't imagine I'll be using it too much either, but it's nice to know just in case! :D 
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  • Winny_PoohWinny_Pooh Frets: 7202
    Love the look esp those inlays :) keep wondering though how it will look with nickel or white button oval tuners
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  • stickyfiddlestickyfiddle Frets: 24852
    Nice! I hadn't seen those inlays up close before; they're really neat!  I'm 50/50 on the overall visual but they sound fantastic from demos.
    The Assumptions - UAE party band for all your rock & soul desires
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  • CryptidCryptid Frets: 405
    Love the look esp those inlays :) keep wondering though how it will look with nickel or white button oval tuners
    I love the look of white button oval tuners but not the biggest fan of them in use. Haven't had a guitar with keystones for ages and forgotten how much I like them! Not normally one for gold hardware but feel it suits this guitar. 

    Nice! I hadn't seen those inlays up close before; they're really neat!  I'm 50/50 on the overall visual but they sound fantastic from demos.
    I'm very happy about the inlays. The side dot markers are fat and brown too, matching the neck. Makes it very pleasing on the eye when playing :)

    Almost time for a string change since I've been playing it non-stop and EJ16's don't last long at all with my finger oils. Will try some Newtone Monels next as they last months and can suit a large maple box nicely once settled in. 
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  • rossirossi Frets: 1658
    I would love to whack out some bluegrass on that .
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  • bertiebertie Frets: 12145
    edited January 2023
    Cryptid said:
    bertie said:
    it has nibs........................... "stands on chair and goes round"
    I can't work out if that means you like a nib or not. Every Gibson I've had has had them. I love how they look and will enjoy them while I can; they'll be filed out of existence when it's eventually time for a refret. 

    ooooh I hate the bloody things, forever catching the top E cos of my sloppy style (I aint changing it after 45 years !!) the chair thing is relation to a  60s St Trinians film where the old school inspector (culpepper-brown ?) had an anti-stress mechanism by standing on a chair and go round like a ballerina (or something like that)
    just because you don't, doesn't mean you can't
     just because you do, doesn't mean you should.
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  • MellishMellish Frets: 945
    And the St Trinians spiv? A young George Cole =) great laugh. 
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  • The inlays seem nicer than a Gibson Hummingbird.

    I wondered if you know if it is made in the same American Factory as Gibsons?
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  • MellishMellish Frets: 945
    edited January 2023
    @Smellyfingers ; Gibson's Chinese-based factory in Quuingdao I think.

    Possibly shipped the US for final inspection, setup etc 



    I would imagine, though, that all at the factory are capable of doing it all by themselves. 
















     
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  • chrisvchrisv Frets: 550
    edited January 2023
    Mellish said:
    @Smellyfingers ; Gibson's Chinese-based factory in Quuingdao I think.

    Possibly shipped the US for final inspection, setup etc 



    I would imagine, though, that all at the factory are capable of doing it all by themselves. 
















     
    These are made from start to finish in Bozeman. Amazing guitars.  
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  • MellishMellish Frets: 945
    @chrisv ; even better
    Glad about that. 

    Cheers :+1:
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  • CryptidCryptid Frets: 405
    Yep this one is basically a Gibson CS and comes with the usual case candy - Gibson pick holder keyring, cloth, Gold warranty, truss rod tool and humidipacks. They've paid real attention to these, I can't find a manufacturing blemish or defect anywhere.

    There's a more affordable Masterbilt Frontier that's made in Qingdao, apparently excellent for the money. Sounds great from the demos I've heard. 
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  • MellishMellish Frets: 945
    @Cryptid ; I hope you're as happy with your new guitar as I am with mine :) 
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  • CryptidCryptid Frets: 405
    @Mellish I'm very happy indeed, thanks mate. Can't put the thing down! I'm going to end up moving my SJ-200 on at some point, perhaps trade it for a nice electric or a couch-friendly acoustic.  

    It's time for some string experimentation; the Newtone Monels haven't arrived yet so think I'll start with a set of DR Veritas (one of my go-to's for the SJ-200), or perhaps D'Addario Nickel Bronze. 
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  • MellishMellish Frets: 945
    I've got Newtone on order too (Masterclass). Have you tried Sunbeams on your new Gibby? DR Dragonskin, DR Pure...

    With another guitar I was very happy with cryogenic strings. I want to say GHS brand but not sure. They were certainly different, anyway. 

    Got EJ16 on the OM-28 at the moment :) 
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  • CryptidCryptid Frets: 405
    Coda put a fresh set of EJ16 on for me but I've never been a huge fan, they're a good reference point though. I rate Sunbeams highly but feel they're a bit bright and jangly for maple guitars in general. 

    DR Rares might suit this guitar well but I've got a few packs to get through yet; D'Add Nickel Bronze, Rotosound Jumbo Kings, Curt Mangan PB, DR Veritas and Newtone Monel. I'm hoping the Monels are the ticket as they last me ages so represent great value at £10 a pack. 
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