Thank you for this. I work for Gibson, have for over 16 years. I started at Epiphone as an inspector, became a repair tech and now work in fullfilment doing DTC (Direct to Consumer). Under the new management, we are all considered Gibson employees. One of the perks is getting to see the new models as they come in. The “Inspired by Gibson” models are incredible, both the acoustics and electrics. The Masterbilt archtops are amazing. I learned to play on an Epiphone my father bought for my mother in 1938 while he was in the Navy and the Olympic model is almost identical. The quality of Epiphone models currently being made is truly incredible. Thank you again for the great, honest review. And may I say, I enjoyed hearing your playing. Wonderful stuff. Subscribed.

I don't need another guitar. I don't need another guitar....I should practice and appreciate what I have. What incredible sounding instruments you have there.

I love Cormier's guitar philosophizing. He's like the Car Talk guys of guitar. Subscribed.

I see a notification for JP & drop what I’m doing to watch

I bought a gibson hummingbird studio and still prefer the Epiphone one. It's actually crazy how well Epiphone did with these.

I love this guy. And he is so correct. God bless and you are just an incredible musician..

JP I SWEAR TO GOD IVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THIS...SO WELL SPOKEN

We are living in the Golden Age of quality affordable guitars. Great advice! Try out some of these models you might be in awe! Don't fall victim to name brand.

"...every guitar has some quality that can change your life..." Words of wisdom and straight talk. Thanks so much, JP.

You really opened my eyes and mind, John. Thank you so much for this.

Once again, glad I found you. We had a friend who was a Nashville recording artist and he played a beautiful old J-200. I’ve always wanted one. Now I feel like I can finally afford one. Thank you for this great video.

I have never heard an Epiphone sound like that! Amazing..

This is now my favorite utube channel after only about 3 days. Great job!!!!

J.P. - I have a story for you. I have a Guitar Center and a Sam Ash store right around the corner from me. 2 summers ago - I kept going into these 2 stores, and I was attracted to this $149 Washburn that was hanging at GC. I would pick it for a couple of minutes then hang it back up on the wall thinking “Oh, this guitar must be cheap crap”, but damn it sounded wonderful. Well, by the end of summer 2019 I eventually bought it. It did need its fret ends filed down, & a truss rod adjustment, which I performed both myself, but dammit - that Washburn Dreadnought is one of the best sounding & easiest playing guitars I’ve ever owned, & I’ve owned Martin’s & Gibson’s. So, don’t look at the headstock. Listen to the instrument. And really feel what the neck is like. Your true dream guitar may only cost you 1/5th of what the Gibson’s, Martin’s & Taylor’s of the world cost. Don’t be snookered by the label.

Thanks for all you do J.P. Sensational sounding instrument! It is great time to be a guitarist, the gear is s good!

been waiting for you to upload, this is gonna be a good one

JP...how did I not "discover" you years ago? You are one refreshing dude --- musically, vocally, and your "share with us" vids like this one are just "off-the-hook" in content and candor. Thanks man for giving us the kind of straight-talk you do: "The hip Canadian down-home guy with the northern accent and fingers that dance across the frets."

Your enthusiasm for guitars is so contagious! I never would’ve even questioned getting a Yamaha guitar before I saw your videos and now I see that epiphone is making some insane guitars!

You are so spot on. Thank you.

Such an inspiring speech for musicians…thanks 🙏

I love your, "Are you hearing this?" expression on your face as you play these instruments masterfully. Yes, we're hearing it! Thanks for sharing your opinions and wisdom with the masses.

For some reason you are someone I can trust and listen to the second I meet you. Thank you for this video. I just received my hummingbird inspired by Gibson today and it’s one of the most beautiful guitars I’ve ever looked at or played.

I needed to see this. Thank you!

Just found this video randomly, and subscribed. You're a pleasure to listen to, and knock down so many points of misinformation that are out there. And a great demo to boot

Really excellent and timely review of the Epi Inspired by Gibby line. I've been eyeballing the Hummingbird for about a month. I'm sold

They seem to ring forever along with amazing tone! Nice going Epi-Voice!

I’ve been watching these and your demos are really shining the light on these for me, Wonderful playing as always Sir ⭐️🌞⭐️🌞⭐️🌞⭐️🌞👍🏻❤️

Love your videos, and just how "natural" you are in front of the camera. Just "sittin'" round the table talkin' 'bout guitars. Love it. These guitars sound amazing. And the mic you are using is fantastic.

Great video! I purchased the Hummingbird last year and was totally floored by the Epiphone craftsmanship. Plays so nice and looks fantastic.

I’ve just ordered an Epiphone Hummingbird “inspired by Gibson” antique cherry sunburst. I did so after much research and comparisons with Gibson and other brands. I had to check and recheck the Gibson and Epiphone specs, because they were that similar that I didn’t believe what I was seeing. Can’t wait to get my axe…..😊

Thank you again for your wise words. It is a privilege to be able to watch your broadcasts. 👍💥🙌🤩

Thank you for your presentation! James

Such a great guitar,sounds heavenly!!

Great video. It reminds me of the Japanese guitars of the 70's and 80's that where cheaper and better than the American originals. I have an old Ibanez that was a copy of a Guild. A joy to play to this day. I ordered a Ibanez Jiva from Indonesia and am totally impressed with the quality. I hope we all don't find our perfect guitar. Thanks for the great reviews.

Great video and amazing playing!

Wonderful Review and profound thoughts!! So glad I found your channel!!

JP you're responsible for my packing all my electrics away and buying an Epiphone Hummingbird as well as a Sigma Jumbo (they didn't have any Epiphone Jumbos in stock). My passion for guitars was fading but these acoustic guitars pulled me out of the doldrums. So all I can say is thank you thank you thank you.

Loved your comments at the end. I used to own a $2500 Larrivee, sold it because I was going to travel. While travelling I thought I'd pick up a small cheap guitar so I went on Kijiji and found an old all laminate 7/8 FS-311Yamaha. I don't know how Yamaha did it but the thing sounds much better than it should being all laminate. I love it and wouldn't part with it for anything! It was $225. I have my eye on one of these J45's which is what brought me here. Then I heard your comments and played my little Yamaha and remembered that I don't really need it. Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have.

Beautiful sounds. Thank you.

Thank you so much for this video ☺️

I bought my step daughter the Epiphone Hummingbird about 2 years ago. It's her first "good' acoustic guitar, and she loves it. Plays great. Sounds great. Unbelievable value. (BTW: that Aston mic sounds great. Really showcases the guitars well. Hope to see you play when the festivals resume.)

I recently got the Inspired by Gibson Hummingbird for $400 at a pawn shop because they thought it was the Pro model, FANTASTIC instrument!

A great video, and real words of wisdom! I saw you play on Campobello Island for Fog Fest a few years ago. I play there myself. Best!

you're one of the few people I can listen to, thanks again, great presentation.

Didn't expect to hear all the acoustic guitar but this is incredible, love your playing. I was looking for the electric s, surely enjoyed your reviews.

I have that Epi J-45. It blew me away when I picked it up at guitar center and played it. It was used and got it for $499. Best acoustic I ever bought honestly. They are definitely a hidden treasure most haven't picked up on yet.

Great advise I'm going to go look for one of these

Love your passion, and your playing! 50 yr player here...

possibly the most thought provoking video Ive ever seen from you.....monster appreciated. Ive owned 5 Martins, some old, some new, and I recognize what you are saying and I agree (along with a few other brands) and like you, Im a victim of this syndrome, but thanks...never again. As you say you cant totally escape this brand/fan prejudice, but at least I will now and forever be aware of it, and will be a more conscious and logical buyer . You don't know what you don't know, but now my eyes have at least been partially opened. Many thanks, to you , Doc, Dan , Tony , Clarence , Don , Earl ,and all my heroes , and yes I now I am coming to see you in that company

i'm going to buy one of these maybe all three

Really dig all your shows!

I truly love the way your honesty comes through. I have a Martin D28, and a epiphone les Paul, and a guild budget acoustic. I love them all, but one of the best sounding guitars I’ve owned was a Kay I bought at 7- eleven back in the 70’s. I agree that the instrument speaks to you. No matter the name on the headstock. Seems to me if you and it are a match, you will make beautiful music together regardless of the brand.

I had no idea these guitars existed! After seeing this vid, I checked out a few more videos on these guitars then decided I had to have one! I just bought the hummingbird in the natural finish. 😁 Love your videos and your passion and honesty about guitars/brands. Love from Australia 🤘✌

Great review thank you! I’m sold!

Incredible video… I’m gonna buy all three now, thanks to you

I absolutly love this video. Thank you so much. I am Norwegian, dont know too much about guitars. Started playing at age 55, now 59, and i really need a better guitar now. Started on a Cort (something ) and feel that i need a slightly better guitar. You convinced me in a big way to get a humminhburd ( inspired by gibson ) . Thank you. Greetings from Norway. All the best. I will subscribe to your channel.

Epiphone is doing some really cool things I just bought a Gibson J45 and today I played an epiphone hummingbird natural antique finish and it was one of the best sounding acoustic at guitar center I was blown away they have really turned a corner well done epiphone they are gonna crush it this year 2020!

Great video and commentary. Thank you.

great review and great playing. Thanks

I have my dad's 1966 Hummingbird he used playing the Opry. This Epiphone sounds as good or better. I think I'll buy one just to go with my dad's. Thank you J.P. for this video. Very good.

Inspired by JP. Heartfelt and understood. Thank you

Thank you J.P. I had just bought the J200 yesterday after your honest review. Great job and keep it up Canada!

Love your videos! Amazing!!!

It will be interesting to see how the three guitars hold up structure wise and how they age. Enjoy your videos as a new subscriber. I like Yairis.

I've been a Gibson guy for at least 30 years now. Due to budgetary constraints. I've only been able to purchase used Gibsons. I've been pining for a Hummingbird for a while but knew I could never afford one, new or used. After watching your video review and researching the Epiphone inspired by Gibson Hummingbird I decided to get one. I live out in West Virginia and the nearest large guitar chain is hours away. So I decided to take a chance an order one. Thanks for your honest and well-informed assessment of this new line of Epiphone acoustics.

WO, this is great to listen to, a review, solid wisdom, it is like getting together and chatting during a session.

Very helpful...thank you J.P.

I love this video. I have several Epiphones in the Pro series and they deliver absolute value for money. I am intrigued by the Inspired by Gibson line and J P's review has encouraged me to explore them further. I also firmly support his comments about the cult of brand names that clouds so many people's discussions regarding guitars. Pride of ownership of a brand name frequently prevents many players from opening their minds to the benefits and joys of other brands. I, for example, have been greatly impressed by the Yamaha LL 16 DARE and have found that the John's arguments apply equally to the Yamaha LL series. They deliver quality for a very reasonable price, i.e., around $1,400 CAD. However, I am a huge Epiphone/Gibson fan and will think seriously about finally purchasing my dream guitar, the J 200, from the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson line. Thanks JP.

Point taken. I have a friend who is a great guitar player. He was in a Sears store and saw a hard vase for $15. Opened the case. It had an acoustic in it. No marks, no serial number, nothing. Took it to the counter to see if the case included the guitar or the price was just for the case. It was for both. He bought it. Got the guitar home, tuned it up. He now uses the no name guitar for recording instead of his $4000 Martin. The sound is remarkable!

Wow. It does sound incredible. I was looking at the j45 style that they do. I think I'll have to go and try them. Thanks JP

Fantastic episode!

Felt there was more to say. The ending was beautiful and great guidance. Find your sound, your experience. But don't worship brands alone. Respect every instrument for what it is. Look for huge value. I think these guitars, if they live up to the review hype, are going to sell like crazy because it will fill a huge market opportunity for guys like me looking for a little rock authentic acoustic tone without spending $5k. I am excited and should have one in 5 days if all goes well.

I planned to buy a Gibson G45. I went to a music store and played one but the sound I was looking for just wasn't there. A salesman then passed me an Alvarez MD60EBG...THAT was the sound i was looking for. I can say that i was slightly clouded in judgement by seeing my heros play Gibsons. I assumed any Gibson would pretty much have the sound i wanted but i was wrong. More than happy with my Alvarez though and have received compliments on how good it sounds.

That was very informative and very enjoyable ... many thanks!

I am glad I stumbled upon this video. Excellent playing and review of the guitars. I agree completely about the nostalgia factor that goes into the big brand names. I am really looking forward to checking these Epiphones out.

This just might be the greatest guitar demo/review I’ve ever seen on this site in the 10+ years I’ve been active on here. You did a phenomenal job displaying not only these beautiful instruments, but your wonderful skilled playing! I’m absolutely sold on any of these models. There’s a deal at a local shop near me on that HB for only $400. Can’t wait to grab it soon and jam out and write some tracks! Thank you again for this video and for selling me on one of these fine instruments.

J.P - I think it is you that is making these guitars sound great. And as good as you are, you can only play one at a time...

Thanks for the video. I have been waiting on the Hummingbird version now for about 3 months!

Another great video Sir. I love my 1965 Epiphone Texan FT79N. And it's a solid top and solid back guitar. Some research says the sides are solid to but I would think it's laminated sides. Either way, it sounds great. I feature it in a couple of my videos and still play it hard today. Thanks for another awesome video.

Love the self commentary at the end.. I played those 3 models on March 18 while looking for a Gibson J-45 and true to your word the Epi J-45 and Hummingbird both out performed the Gibson. Both had good setups and seemed like the break in period came as a standard option ?? There was no Gibson J-200 to compare but I’ll tell ya, I wouldn’t want anything any louder then the Epiphone 200 and I couldn’t imagine any nicer tone. Different, yes. But blindfolded it would be a dumb mans guess to tell the two apart. Thanks for the Great review, it’s nice to know that someone who is an actual professional hears what I hear.

No truer words have been spoken 👏. Thanks JP.

Bang on - great video, thank you!

Stunning!

You're killin' me here, JP. I'm a lifelong J200 freak. The two maple Gibsons I've owned (a '50 and a '68) were both dogs. I have a rosewood J200jr that is very nice, but that Epi J200 is calling to me bigtime...$900 here in the states...heaven help me...I'm supposed to be divesting :^)

I just went to our local guitar store fully intending to buy a new Martin 28 or high end Taylor or possibly a Gibson and...I came home with the Epiphone J-45 much to my surprise. I spent 90 minutes trying a variety of guitars and the one I enjoyed playing the most and sounded better than most of the guitars I tried and was easy to play was the Epiphone J-45 and at about 20% of the cost I was intending to spend!

Love your positivity and inspiration. ❤️✌️🇦🇺

I love your channel man. It’s a “feel good” channel that covers a little history, some fun, and great picking. Keep this content flowing brother; It’s a nice place to come after a long day.

Sounds killer! The J-45 is actually mahogany back and sides.

Great video and great playing my friend, thank you. I myself bought a hummingbird from this collection in January and can’t believe how good jt sounds. May I ask which strings would you recommend for the hummingbird. It sounds so good that I’m afraid to change them. Thanks in advance! ✌️✌️

I love when I stuble across a video, takes a look and believe "this is gonna bomb", and then have my mind blown! Damn you can play man! Gonna subscribe! :-)

Love your playing!!!!!!

Sir, you need to be getting a check from Epiphone because I guarantee you are selling boatloads of these guitars. THNK GOD YOU'RE DOING THIS!! Your authenticity. passion and honesty is palpable.

Your videos are honest. Thanks for that. I could never see myself buying a $5k guitar even though I can afford it. I have a Guild that is built like a tank and it was about $800 20 years ago

Great video man, very informative, thank you !!!

Great video!!

These inspired by Gibson models remind me of the Japanese Fenders of the 80s. Some are as good or better then their counterparts. I have the Epi 339. Fantastic guitar under 600.

I’ve been a Gibson lover for many years. Holy grail being the second generation Gospel. I finally traded my way into a G45. I love it. That said, over the years I’ve found a bunch of Alvarez guitars that have the “growl”. They also had the hang tag that my wallet could live with. Twenty five years in…I can afford a $3000 Gibson. But why spend that when I’ve learned that companies like Yamaha, Takamine, and Alvarez can provide great guitars at reasonable prices? Hence, one Gibson in a pile of Alvarez and Takamine guitars.

amazing vid. thanks for the history lesson and such an informative vid. amazing playing and tone brother.

Beautiful playing JP

Have you heard of Doff guitars? They make a plethora of fretted instruments and not a single one is made of anything less than solid woods. The real surprise is that their steel string guitars start at around $300 US and their base classical is less. I know you are all for quality at affordable price and they seem to fit that very well.