Epiphone Masterbilt disappointment

[semolinapilcher]

In my experience a dud Masterbilt is definitely more the exception than the rule.

I haven't played one in many months though.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by CT77

It's actually folk sized (OM/000) and it's the only current Masterbilt that really shines - though heavily aimed at fingerstyle. It's also the most expensive at $800 street new, though refurbs $500-$600 are easy to find.

Agreed, that's the one. The other two current models are clunkers -- especially the AJ-45ME. VERY disappointing.

[C_Becker]

Mirrors my experience, I played the DR500MCE and the AJ-45ME. Multiple examples of the DR500, because I actually wanted to like (and buy) it.

Both sounded muffled to me, even though they hang in a big store and must have been played quite a bit.

I liked the I.B. Texan much, much better. Clear and nice sounding, without the undefined bass.

[B.Rawls]

Never heard or played a bad Masterbilt. Sorry you had a bad experience. But your experience is not congruent with the reputation of this line. They're great guitars.

[SFCRetired]

I contributed earlier but I recently had some more experience with the Masterbuilt line. I played an AJ something, AJ500?? maybe, and it was fantastic sounding. So a few weeks later Music Go round had some DR500's so I went and played them with the expectations of maybe getting one.

They sounded good, but not like that AJ I had played. I must say I was disappointed. But in all fairness I had previously been playing a Martin DM and a 214 Taylor. They wanted 499 for the Epi so I ended up buying the DM used for the same price.

When given a choice I would go with a used DM or D-1 over the Masterbuilt line. You can get the Martins for the same price used, you just have to look around and be patient.

I also played an Alvarez concert size, don't recall the model, that was better than the Epi and it had lam B/S. For 499. Probably could get it for 450 pretty easy.

[roylor4]

I used to sell refurbs on Ebay and sold a lot of Masterbilts there and on CL.

They are hit or miss, even with new strings and good setups. i would never buy one without playing it - especially the dreads and AJ's. The EF500's were more consistent from guitar to guitar for some reason.

A really good one can hold it's own with a nice Martin. The bad ones are really, really bad (or were, this was about 4 years ago when I was doing it).

I found that non-electric, satin versions were usually the best and I don't think they make those anymore.

[3 chord]

I guess why I like my Masterbilt is the sum of the parts.

I like the satin finish as some inexpensive guitars look to be coated in plastic. I like the classy open gear tuners (that work quite well) and the off-set headstock. A truss rod that is smooth operating and actually does what it is supposed to do. Good feeling neck and frets. I like the decent neck binding and good job binding overall. Decent grain (imo) used for the top back and sides. Solid wood, tidy interior, decent bass and responds well to PB strings for a more mellow tone and then 80/20's if you want to brighten it up. Hefty enough to feel substantial but lightweight enough to shake in my lap when played. Overtones galore too (if you like that kind of thing).

Tone wise, mine really reminds me of my satin finished 1997 Guild D4 just not as loud. The Epi is just a decent inexpensive guitar that plays every bit as good as a $500 (new) guitar should. And a lifetime warranty to boot for what ever that is worth.

Does it blow your socks off, no but it definitely is more of a guitar than I am as a guitar player. In my opinion my Masterbilt is far from a disappointment.

Maybe you just haven't played the right one yet.

[SpruceTop]

I've played several Epiphone DR500MCE guitars in stores, both acoustically and plugged-in. In general, as long as they had fresh strings on them, they sounded pretty good although a little compressed in dynamics compared to a Martin D-18 dreadnought but that's to be expected given the price difference. Plugged-in, they sounded good but I had to skew the magnetic NanoMag's volume upwards and the Mix control over to its side of the slider to get a nice balance between it and the NanoFlex portion of the Shadow ESonic2 system. I do feel that the Epiphone DR500MCE is a good value and for a few years now, they've all been made in Indonesia. TIP: Always check the positioning of the tuner plates on the back of the headstock as these seem to be positioned by eye and then the holes drilled. This can and does result in some guitars with the lower points of the bases of the two lower tuner plates being installed slightly off the edge of the headstock. This bothers me but YMMV.

[Pitar]

It's symptomatic of a hit-or-miss brand; nothing unusual or remarkable about it, either.

[mickthemiller]

I have owned two masterbilts, the aj500 felt heavy and tight to me, the aj45 is mellow sweet and plays like a dream. I no longer own the aj500 the aj45 is definitely a keeper

[guitararmy]

Originally Posted by Jeremy

I liked them when they first came out. I had an DR-500M and AJ-500M that were stellar guitars. I haven't too impressed with the more recent ones.

I had a similar experience. Bought two refurbished Masterbilt dreads on eBay that were satin finish, one rosewood and one mahogany. They both sounded nicer than my more recently purchased Masterbilt dreads.

I wonder what a new set of strings might do for the one that the OP tried.

[Guitarplayer_PR]

Originally Posted by CT77

It's actually folk sized (OM/000) and it's the only current Masterbilt that really shines - though heavily aimed at fingerstyle. It's also the most expensive at $800 street new, though refurbs $500-$600 are easy to find.

That's the one I have. Indeed, it's made with fingerpicking guitarists in mind; but it's really versatile and LOUD.

[Riakstonic]

Had the DR500mce went through 3 to get the one but it sounded better to me then the Martin, Gibs and Taylors in the room ... My ears right ! Lol

Anyway It tought me much and lead the way to learning all about the tone woods and builds ect ; I sold it because it lacked volume and I blame a to thick poly coating as the main reason but make no mistake this guitar sounded great had great sustain and Clarity and had one of the best necks on could ask for .

The price made that much better well built and clean inside it was the Indonesia line the other 2 were China built .

Suffering through a few guitars vrs the price was worth it you can hear it on my sound cloud page loved the stereo shakedown system to !

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by Guitarplayer_PR

That's the one I have. Indeed, it's made with fingerpicking guitarists in mind; but it's really versatile and LOUD.

Agreed. Anyone who knows me on here knows what a big Masterbilt fan I am. No, they're not a Martin or even an Eastman, but a very good value if you can find a used one.

I recently acquired my fourth Epi MB: An EF-500. I got a steal for one on eBay at $400.00. It's very, very good, and clearly the crown in the jewel of what's left of the line after Gibson gutted it.

I'm glad to see that some have found the AJ-45ME up to snuff. I haven't. Anyway, a satin finish on a burst is a deal killer for me regardless.

Scott

[rwmct]

A month or so ago I tried a dread at Sam Ash, I don't know the model, and compared it with a couple Guild Westerly D-140s (Chinese made, solid mahog body). I expected the Guilds to be better (I like Guild) but the Epi was not even close.

OTH, it probably could have been set up better. The Guilds were very playable as is.