I think part of the confusion could stem from figuring out who 'they' are. It seems to me that Epi is a brand in name only that contracts with other builders to provide them with products made to their specifications. Some are made for a higher price point and the quality of the resulting guitar or bass reflects that. Others are made to target a lower price point, again with the resulting level of quality. I know some of their designs are either Gibson or classic Epiphone based, but is there an Epiphone factory anywhere, like Gibson, Fender, Rickenbacker, etc?