Epiphone USA Coronet – Are they worth the money?
2,8 / 5,0 | 
The Epiphone USA Coronet model has just been announced. It is a recreation of the original model and is available in two finishes. However, are they worth the asking price in 2024?
Epiphone USA Coronet
These new Epiphone USA Coronet models are based on the model initially launched in 1958. These new modern recreations are available in Vintage Cherry and Ebony gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finishes. They have the distinctive ‘bikini’ headstock badge, a symmetrical double cutaway mahogany body shape, and a pickguard shape from the 1958-1959 edition of the guitar.
Vintage with Modern updates
The specifications are accurate to the original models, which means they come with a mahogany body and matching mahogany neck. However, modern updates include a SlimTaper neck profile and a wider 1.695” nut width. They also have a slightly slimmer body depth of 1.375″, which Epiphone states is to help balance and keep the weight down. Other minor updates include a Graph Tech nut.
P-90
This model has a single P-90 Soapbar pickup with volume and tone controls. The wiring includes an Orange Drop capacitor. Hardware is also minimal, with a wraparound and a set of vintage deluxe tuners with white buttons.
Are they value for money?
They aren’t that affordable, and the specifications are basic and not that appealing. Yes, they are made in the USA and ship with a hard case. As they have been ‘updated,’ they aren’t vintage accurate, which is good or bad, depending on your opinion. It doesn’t worry me that they are updated for modern players with a new neck shape and wider nut, etc.
Epiphone also mentions that they have been used by players including Jimi Hendrix, Steve Marriott, Johnny Marr, and Marshall Crenshaw. This is trying to get guitarists to fall in love with the history of the original guitars, but these aren’t those originals.
I would be hard-pressed to say that these are valuable for money, as many higher-specification guitars are available for much less. However, if you are a fan of the Coronet, then it has been a while since there was a USA-made model. I just suspect that this audience of buyers is quite small and that, for the money, most guitarists will look elsewhere for a single P-90 pickup guitar.
Available at Thomann – Vintage Cherry and Ebony
More Information
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2 responses to “Epiphone USA Coronet – Are they worth the money?”
A simple guitar with a simple shape, simple finish, simple hardware, simple PU, should have a “simple” price tag. 1600.- get’s you a much nicer guitar with 2 PUs, high gloss finish etc, but then again, Epi is trying to get into the luxury market that’s more driven by cult than good value for money. These guitars are kinda cool, but not 1600.- cool. Maybe half of that…
Yeah bro they should price every USA guitar for $300 with free shipping so you can afford it.
Maybe try the povertycaster from squire buddy.