Epiphone quality from different factories?

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Just a bit of a follow on, just wondering how major the differences between guitars from the different epiphone factories are?

The two epiphones im looking at right now, one is from Saein, the other is from Qingdao. On the serial number site I used to look them up, the Saein factory was much higher rated (both had 1000+ people having given an idea of quality).

Both the guitars I am currently looking at are the same price.

#1 - Epiphone Black Beauty - Saein Factory - Upgraded tuners (originals also included), comes with hardcase. Is well used but not abused. There is some marking and all the hardware looks really really worn (guitar made in 97).


#2 - Epiphone Black Beauty - Qingdao Factory - Stock, no hardcase. Essentially brand new, bought from a legit company, so it shouldn't be fake (lots of fake black beauties around these days ).


I don't have the chance to try before buying.

Which do you guy's think I should go for? I'm not bothered about the upgraded tuners, they are locking ones which I find to be a pain in the ass. And it is nice to have a hardcase, but I can get one for £30-£40, so would probably be better going for the newer one. But the older one is from a factory with what appears to be generally higher in quality.

Just not sure which to go for

[T-Bird]

Hi.

I've found that it's not so much the factory of the manufacture, but the amount of work that goes on between the factory assembly line and the customer.

The Black Beauty I had for a while was really a fine piece of oriental manufacturing, and I can honestly recommend that to anyone. Didn't look up the manufacturer, but if an when we have a practice again, I can look it up. Sold it to the guitarist of my band .

For comparison, mine was a new scratch and dent, and I mean a real DENT, and I made a moderate profit by selling it for 20% off of the lowest retail price I found.

Usually I like second hand instruments more as the problems are often solved already. If the latter "new" epi isn't a brand new with a warranty, I'd go for the more used one. A safer choice IMHO.

Regards
Sam

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I'm usually in the same boat, but second hand instruments are usually also cheaper. Just seeing they are at the same price point, i'm not sure which way to go. Dare say i'm getting quite a few extra bits'n'bobs with the used one.

Probably go with that one.

Anyone else have any opinions?