Gibson 1963 Dove Reissue vs Epiphone 1963 Dove Reissue

Gibson versus Epiphone. Expensive versus less expensive. Murphy Lab versus Inspired by Gibson Custom. How do they compare to each other, and what do you really need? At first glance, these two seem very similar. But, as you look closer, you realize they are less and less alike. And that's not a bad thing. Each of them does it's own thing. They stay in their own lane, so to speak. The Murphy Lab Reissue has lacquer checking, aged hardware and thermally aged wood. As cool as it looks, it's missing something that performing musicians look for in an expensive guitar: a pickup system. The Epiphone is smooth as glass. Ours is strung up with 13 gage strings and it sounds better than any other Epiphone acoustic I've touched. It genuinely sounds like a guitar that wants to be a Gibson. And, in 20 years, it might be closer than it is right now. But that remains to be seen. So, at the end of the day, what are you going to use it for? If you're looking for something to play at home or in the studio that sounds like a vintage guitar, the Murphy Lab might be for you. If you're looking for something to take to gigs and perform on stage with, the Epiphone might be the guitar for you. Either way, I don't think you can go wrong with either of these guitars. You just have to decide how much you want to pay. Enjoy!