What CBM64 said and even more so. Exactly how it is.

Fwiw, epis are much the same quality as gibson with 2 big differences: aftermarket parts won't always fit properly because the dimensions aren't gibson standard and the woods are always inferior (laminated tops etc. although most can't even tell they are).

Personally I think woods make very little difference to a guitar's sound and all things considered, I'd rather get an epi and tweak it better, unless I wanted an investment, in which case I'd buy a used Gibson. I've owned a few of both brands too. Of course, if money is no issue I'd get a gibson, and in most cases get a better guitar out of the box too (except gibson can sell some crappy finishes)...but for playing, and with my own money on the line...probably no more gibsons, unless a cheap nice used sg happens my way some day when I have some extra dough lying around.