I have tried Epis and compared the Epi to the Gibson online...
From what I hear the Epi is heavier... Both have strap placement issues... And unconfirmed but the Epi has a nicer finish.
Go with the Epi, it's pretty much the same thing minus the brand.
i have an epiphone thunderbird, and yes the strap placement sucks
plus the buttons for the straps are just badly desinged, i would suggest buying new ones..........but besides that it's a great bass