since i have to put my two cents in, Epiphone guitars are kind of what Lordathestrings said- the name of the guitar means nothing. however, there are only a few models of Epis- the custom, standard, and elite series- that are truly of the same quality as a gibson.

the end all be all, though, is as everyone else has said: let your ears decide, not your eyes (or your wallet for that matter)

btw have fun w/ the new axe, hope i could help some