Have you been keeping up with Epiphone recently? During the last couple of years, the brand has undergone a pretty significant revamp. Their always-good guitars are now impressing people who would’ve previously held out for a more expensive guitar from a flashier brand. Not so in 2026! New ground is being broken with each subsequent range, and it’s a wonderful thing to witness.
For anybody looking for a quality guitar at a good price, Epiphone has always been a touchstone. With this new brace of Inspired By Gibson Standard models, this sentiment not only continues but is enhanced.
Let’s check them out, shall we?
What is this new Range?
So, this new range of guitars is known as the Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Standard series. We’ve seen stuff with similar names coming from Epiphone before, though they were often more focussed on Gibson Custom instruments. With these, Epiphone are refreshing their mid-priced acoustic offerings, and aiming these at the serious player, the emerging pro and the busy gigging guitarist on something of a budget.
As I’ll show you in just a second, these are based on classic Gibson acoustic guitar designs, and it seems to me that they are most definitely pointed towards players who plan to perform live.
New Models?
So, the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Standard range currently contains a total of 5 guitar models, not including lefty variants:
- Epiphone Inspired by Gibson J-45 Standard
- Epiphone Inspired by Gibson J-45 Standard EC
- Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Hummingbird Standard
- Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Hummingbird Standard EC
- Epiphone Inspired by Gibson L-00 Standard
The ‘EC’ version of the J-45 and Hummingbird refers to ‘Electro Cutaway’, which is a popular option for gigging players. It should be noted that the non-cutaway models still have pickup systems fitted, even though the model names don’t imply that!
So, what makes these so interesting and worthwhile? Read on!
Main Features
There’s a lot to love about these new Epiphones! First off, they are made entirely with solid timbers: the tops, the sides and the backs. At this price, that is great news, because each guitar’s tone will start off sounding great and then only improve as the instrument ages and seasons. An all-solid acoustic guitar is best-case-senario stuff for players who seek great tone!
Secondly, each guitar has a very nice Fishman pickup and preamp system fitted. Fishman are widely known as one of the best pickup makers in the business, so they are definitely the right people to rely on here. An undersaddle piezo pickup is married perfectly to a soundhole-mounted Presys II preamp. Control your volume and EQ settings discretely, without ruining the vintage look of the guitar itself.
Speaking of that, these instruments are lovely, faithful and affordable takes on enduring Gibson classics. The Hummingbird and J-45 are widely-loved dreadnoughts, and the L-00 is a more intimate parlour-sized affair for those who may prefer to fingerpick instead of some heavy strumming.
Here’s the highlights in some straightforward bullet points:
- All-solid timber construction. No layers, no plies.
- Classic looks from classic Gibson acoustic models
- Fishman pickup & preamps systems fitted as standard
- Choice of vintage-correct finishes
- Grover tuners
- Good quality gig bag included
Who are the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Acoustic Guitars For?
Broadly speaking, every guitarist who is interested in acoustics will be able to use and enjoy these new Epiphones. After all, they are classic designs, built with skill using solid timbers. Being more specific, I see these as good dependable gigging tools. I say this for a few reasons, listed below:
- There are numerous options for cutaway models, which in the industry are always seen as ‘live’ guitars
- The guitars are fitted with good pickups and come with gig bags: everything you need to get going.
- The price point and solid timber construction speaks to me about players who know quality and want it, but also don’t want to bring their pride and joy heirloom acoustic out for local gigs in ‘questionable’ venues!
An affordable acoustic that still gives up the goods tonally is the ideal tool for the job, really.
Available NOW!
In a nutshell, we have this: three classic Gibson acoustic models remade as high quality Epiphone replicas, fitted with good pickups and complete with a decent gig bag. They can go straight on stage with you for a professional sounding performance, and they all bear classic Gibson good looks.
You can choose from three of Gibson’s most popular acoustic models, each remade with their own sound and character by Epiphone. Epiphone are currently doing their best-ever work. It’s about as straightforward as that, folks! Head along to your local guitarguitar today for a strum, or click through and buy yours today.
Sometimes, a good, simple idea that’s well-executed is all you need.
Click to View the New Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Standard Acoustic Guitars
