Epiphone Prophecy - New Range

[Modular1]

What do you reckon these will be like guys? I like the look of the black explorers - the futura customs . What do you think the quality will be like?

http://www.epiphone.com/prophecy/default.html

[indysmith]

I don't know what they're like, but they're not that new, and they're not explorers; it's a different shape, and it's ugly :P

[AndyR]

Actually, I'm not sure I like that shape either, I wouldn't go as far as "ugly", but... :roll:

It's almost like the designer drew an Explorer from memory but didn't understand the original...

I've only had my Explorer for 6 months or so, but I've always loved the shape. Being able to look at one closely for a while, I can see how every single line was carefully thought out. There's hints of a star shape if you imagine extending all the curves (and all of the main body lines are curved, something I hadn't noticed until I owned one). Considering when it was designed, just as the space race was getting going, and the US had just chucked one of it's early satellites (the "Explorer") into orbit, I think this was a deliberate thing on the part of the artist who designed it. I like it's sister the Flying V, but the Explorer is the sexy one for me (never seen pictures of what the third one, the "Moderne" was meant to look like - does anybody know?)

Back to this one though - my experience of Epis has been pretty good. They seem variable, so I'd definitely want to try before buying (actually, I wouldn't buy any guitar before trying unless it was a real emergency!)

[bobthemerciful]

I quite like it, but then I've never been a traditionalist, as my favourite axe probably shows  :). Do love the original Explorer tho. 1st time I saw a picture of one I had no idea what it was, and assumed it was custom-built cos I couldn't see the name on the headstock. Not sure if I'd call the Moderne ugly either, but I'd say it's close.......
http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/gibsonModerne.php

http://video.google.co.uk/videosearch?client=opera&rls=en&q=gibson+moderne&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&um=1&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title#

[AndyR]

Thanks for posting that bob!

That's really interesting, I can see a Flying V shape hiding in my Explorer, and then that one "complements" them both...

But yeah, it's quite close to "ugly" - especially that headstock (but if you took the Gibson name away it's not too bad...)

Kinda puts me in mind of that laboratory in Alien Resurrection where Ripley finds the earlier versions though! :lol:

I have to admit, coming back in here and seeing it again, that the Epi Futura shape is growing on me in a "machinegun" sort of way.

[WezV]

It's almost like the designer drew an Explorer from memory but didn't understand the original...

i think its actually the other way around... i beleive this shape came first... at least on paper, it never made it into production - not sure if they did a prototype or two.  nowhere near as good as an explorer though

[gwEm]

the futura is an incredibly striking shape. i think it might look better strapped on to a player.

anyway, i'd rather have an explorer than a futura.

don't like the moderne at all :( sorry...

[SG Thrasher]

It's almost like the designer drew an Explorer from memory but didn't understand the original...

i think its actually the other way around... i beleive this shape came first... at least on paper, it never made it into production - not sure if they did a prototype or two.  nowhere near as good as an explorer though

You're quite right Wez.

http://www.guitarcrazy.com.au/GMFutVR.htm

I think they were re-issued around 2002 for a little while.

Edit: I just realised, they're an explorer in a corset.

[AndyR]

That's very interesting, didn't know about that at all.

I don't like it with the sort of "upside down V" headstock at all - never liked those. But the Epi shape with the Explorer head is growing on me. I'm with gwem - I think it could well look better strapped on, notice the bottom strap button's in a "funny place" compared to the Explorer.

[Ted 'N' Leo]

Kinda puts me in mind of that laboratory in Alien Resurrection where Ripley finds the earlier versions though! :lol:

Anything that puts you in mind of Alien Resurrection can struggle to be thought of as a good thing.

[Modular1]

it looked like an explorer to me on first glance. i see now that it is slightly different. i like it. i think i may even like the red one more. not to everyones taste i agree, but for a mainly metal head like me i think its pretty cool guitar. provided its got a bit of weight to it and it has a nice neck id be happy to give one a tryout.

i only asked cos id heard differing reports on the quality of epiphone guitars. ive never had a chance to try em out properly. they are always poorly setup in the shops.

[Alex]

It's an Epiphone and they will always be inferior to a Gibson, because that is what Gibson wants; it's their product policy.

[Philly Q]

Kinda puts me in mind of that laboratory in Alien Resurrection where Ripley finds the earlier versions though! :lol:

Anything that puts you in mind of Alien Resurrection can struggle to be thought of as a good thing.

At least it didn't put you in mind of AVPR: Aliens vs Predator - Requiem.  Now that really would be a problem.

[Will]

At least it didn't put you in mind of AVPR: Aliens vs Predator - Requiem.  Now that really would be a problem.

That film was SO funny, couldn't stop laughing all the way through it. If only it was meant to be a comedy.
The stop tail futura could be ok ish

[Sifu Ben]

It's an Epiphone and they will always be inferior to a Gibson, because that is what Gibson wants; it's their product policy.

Does anyone honestly expect a £350 guitar to be as good as a £1500 one? These kind of statements are intensely unhelpful.