#61
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I think he's a bit younger than me, and I've been offering -- free of charge -- some pointers on getting his website up, marketing, etc. I hope I don't sound like I'm full of myself. I just like helping people, especially someone who makes such gorgeous products. Eventually I'm going to have a small section up on our site where we recommend vendors we love -- again, no charge -- just because I think it's good for the industry. So he'd be part of that for sure. And not just anyone. It will be a select group -- Eastman, Martin, Larivee. The first one we'll put up? Dunlop. No kidding. Dunlop. They've revolutionized the pick industry and will always be the leader. The only way I wouldn't put them up is if I asked them first (which I will do with everyone) and they declined. But otherwise, they're the first ones to go up. BTW, Russ, as you probably surmised from my post, the "tan line" of that Epi MB pickguard is enormous, so if we do end up doing a batwing, it has to be a full inch larger on the bottom (closest to the edge of the top). I told him not to do it if it's too much trouble, but he insisted. Thanks, Russ, always good to hear from you. scott |
#62
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I bought my Epi DR500mce in 2014, traded a Takamine as the Tak wasn’t giving me the tone I wanted and I experienced a sore shoulder at times after playing it. The Epi gave me the tone I was after and a side benefit was no more sore shoulder. Checked the dimensions of both guitars and discovered the Epi body is 1/4” less deep than the Tak. Interestingly the Epi has more bottom end sound. The plek’d setup was excellent out of the box, too.
Now that I’ve owned it for approaching 5 years I’ve experienced no issues. I do trim the opening (to make the hole larger) of guitar straps that attach to the oversized end pin. I find the electronics very versatile and have used separate cords from both pickup connections to stereo in when recording for a very big sound. I’ve also used the mag pickup only, located near sound hole at end of the fretboard, with the tone control set to no treble and can get a near nylon stringed guitar sound. Just wanted to report my excellent experience with this Epi Masterbilt
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Gibson J-15 Martin DC-28E Taylor 150e Epiphone DR500mce Epiphone Texan (old) Plus an assortment of bass and electric guitars |
#63
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Love my DR500 as well. Only issue is that darn endpin strap button.
Hard to fit anything on there securely. I would love to utilize the stereo dual outputs, but unless you have a right and left speaker, it's kind of pointless. Quote:
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Gear: PRS Hollowbody II Piezo, Martin HPL 000, PRS Angelus A60E, Martin 000-15M |
#64
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scott memmer |
#65
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These are awesome sounding live stage guitars
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Gear: PRS Hollowbody II Piezo, Martin HPL 000, PRS Angelus A60E, Martin 000-15M Last edited by JackB1; 03-04-2019 at 08:23 AM. |
#66
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sm |
#67
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Gary Clark Jr. playing an Epiphone Masterbilt AJ-500
Gary Clark Jr., “12 Bar Blues-Jam” (playing an Epiphone Masterbilt AJ-500) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqWl2Zxs2es
Last edited by welshr; 03-02-2019 at 09:51 PM. |
#68
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I have a Masterbilt AJ-500 with rosewood back and sides and nice sunburst finish. I got that guitar at a steal of a price and took her overseas with me a few times. On my last trip to the Middle East she ended up with a big crack in the back that happened when I shipped her home. I didn't bat an eyelash at having her repaired. I wish I could say she is good as new but the you can see and feel the repair, however its stable, sounds good, and plays well. That guitar survived a war zone and has the scars to prove it!
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Gibson CL-40 Artist Epiphone Masterbilt AJ500 MVS '88 Hot Rodded Telecaster G&L S-500 |
#69
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Folks, a model that doesn't get enough praise in the older EPI MB models is the little EF-500 OM models. I recently got extremely lucky to snag one of these locally for only $250 from someone on CL moving out of the area (very nice guy; guitar was not hot).
The one I got is the EF-500mns, with the letters standing for "mahogany," and "natural satin," I believe. I like the satin models because when playing out with pictures being taken it doesn't reflect fingerprints, etc. And it's a fine little player. They also made a few blinged-out version of the same guitar, I believe with genuine mother-of-pearl and not imitation. They are hard to track down and tend to run close to $1000 for a good, clean used one. But just gorgeous. And I'm not certain, but I believe they may have also made a few rosewood b&s of this same model. All solid wood, and a fine fingerstyle instrument. I don't think these get as much buzz because most of us, including me, play mostly dreads. But if you're needing a good little all-solid OM, these are sweet. scott memmer |
#70
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#71
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Interestingly, he had it on CL for a while, and by the time I got to it, it had been sold. Then, low and behold, a week later it was back up for sale. Typical story: the first guy was a CL flake and he had pulled it down then reposted. I said, "I'll be right there and I have cash." I met him in an Office Depot on Long Beach. Sweet sweet sweet. I suppose it's an empty hope, but I'd love to see the new management at Gibson, once they get settled, re-intro some of these models. There are so fine. George, do you think they got rid of them because they were stealing too many sales from Gibson Bozeman, where they make the flat top models? sm |
#72
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Whenever you make and sell something that is less expensive and is quite similar to a more expensive item it will definitely reduce sales of the more expensive item. Epiphone makes or has made various models of Hummingbirds and Doves that closely resemble the Gibson Hummingbirds and Doves. The Epiphones cost 1/5 or less of the cost of the Gibsons. Gibson owns Epiphone, so, it looks like they are kinda "shooting themselves in the foot".
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#73
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I've had techs tell me that the inside of an Epi Les Paul is pretty dang impressive. Thanks, George, Scott |
#74
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#75
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I have had my Masterbuilt DR500MCE for at least 5 years or so. It is a great sounding guitar. I like the ability to adjust and mix the sound of the two different pickups. I put medium strings on it at one point, and it just roars with the mediums on it. I was concerned about the extra string tension so I went with the mix of mediums on the E,B, and E strings, and lights on the rest.
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_____________________ Yamaha FG-140 Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500MCE Martin GPRS1 |