I am looking forward to the Epi Vintage Pro- just hope it becomes a regular part of the Epiphone line and comes in some more colours over time. Yes, I know, I am very deep.
I view the economics behind it all as being like lots of other things these days. Try and find an Australian built TV, fridge, toaster or car for that matter. When Gibson built the 60s TBirds, all those things were built in Australia. All gone now.
Fact is, Gibson has not seen the need or opportunity to produce a Gibson branded, US built, roughly 60s spec TBird, seemingly like these Epis, in over five decades. So I haven't been able to buy one. I have never seen a 60s TBird for sale in Australia. I have seen only two 70s TBirds for sale here. Would I have paid a premium if Gibson had built them some time in the last fifty years? Yes, but they didn't.
What TBirds they have produced in the last twenty years or so have been overpriced, aesthetically relatively unpleasing (to me) and with pickups that I don't particularly care for. But I bought one anyway brand new at the going (high) rate and modded it.
What surprises me about the whole thing is that are branding them Epiphone. I wonder if eventually Gibson bass production will be from China and they (and other current Epis) will wear a Gibson logo.