Epiphone vs Gibson:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Epiphone had more branded searches than Gibson among mandolin brands in New Zealand. Epiphone had about 1,310 branded searches, while Gibson had 1,050. Epiphone made up 18.5% of all mandolin brand searches we track, and Gibson accounted for 14.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about mandolin brands, Gibson appeared in three of the five answers and Epiphone in one. Gibson was mentioned before Epiphone in two out of three answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Epiphone, about 25% more searches than Gibson
Who does AI mention more?
Gibson, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Epiphone in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Gibson, named ahead of Epiphone in 2 of 3 answers
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Top mandolin brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Gibson was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Epiphone was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Gibson was listed before Epiphone in two out of three answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Eastman4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Kentucky4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
The Loar4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Gibson3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Collings3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Ibanez2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Washburn2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Northfield2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Epiphone1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Fender0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about mandolin brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which mandolin brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best mandolin brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best mandolin brand in New Zealand for bluegrass playing?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“mandolin brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“bluegrass mandolin brand”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Epiphone or Gibson more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Epiphone and Gibson by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten mandolin brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Epiphone, Gibson. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Fender | Ibanez | Epiphone | Gibson | Washburn | Collings | Eastman | Kentucky | Northfield | The Loar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 41% | 19.5% | 19.7% | 15.5% | 3% | 0.68% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.27% |
| Nov 2025 | 41.3% | 18.2% | 19.6% | 16.2% | 3.1% | 1.1% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0% | 0.28% |
| Dec 2025 | 40.7% | 18.1% | 21.3% | 14% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 0.27% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.27% |
| Jan 2026 | 39.1% | 22.4% | 19.4% | 13.9% | 3.4% | 1.1% | 0.27% | 0.13% | 0.13% | 0.27% |
| Feb 2026 | 38.9% | 17.5% | 21.6% | 16.6% | 3.6% | 1.2% | 0.15% | 0.15% | 0.15% | 0.15% |
| Mar 2026 | 42.4% | 17.8% | 16.7% | 17.8% | 3.4% | 1.1% | 0.27% | 0.13% | 0.13% | 0.27% |
| Apr 2026 | 42.2% | 20.3% | 17.4% | 15.2% | 3.2% | 1.1% | 0.26% | 0.13% | 0.13% | 0.26% |
| May 2026 | 45.9% | 17.1% | 17.2% | 15.2% | 2.8% | 1% | 0.26% | 0.13% | 0.13% | 0.26% |
| Jun 2026 | 43.3% | 18.8% | 18.1% | 15.7% | 2.5% | 0.93% | 0.13% | 0.13% | 0.13% | 0.13% |
| Jul 2026 | 44.3% | 17.7% | 18% | 15.9% | 2.8% | 0.69% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.28% |
| Aug 2026 | 42.2% | 19% | 18% | 16.3% | 3.1% | 0.68% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.27% |
| Sep 2026 | 44.3% | 18.9% | 18.5% | 14.8% | 2.4% | 0.56% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.14% |
How has the Epiphone and Gibson comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Gibson took it in March 2026, Epiphone took it in April 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Epiphone’s share of searches among mandolin brands in New Zealand moved from 19.7% to 18.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.4K to 1.3K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Gibson’s share of searches among mandolin brands in New Zealand moved from 15.5% to 14.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.1K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand mandolin brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Epiphone gained share of searches among mandolin brands in New Zealand, from 18% to 18.5%.
In September 2026, Gibson lost share of searches among mandolin brands in New Zealand, from 16.3% to 14.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
11 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Epiphone’s and Gibson’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among mandolin brands
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