Thumbs-down on Epiphones?

[welshr]

Tony,
Excellent advice. See my "pawn shop disaster" posting. Feeling really dumb this evening.
Robert

[welshr]

bluesfreek,
That is a cool-looking guitar; I've never seen one of these before.

[Puddleglum]

Originally Posted by welshr

"Epiphone Masterbilts from the late 90s/early 2000s": They're still making these, right?

Yes, but the older ones were better IMO. Around the same time Martin was making the DM, DR et al - insanely good guitars for way under $1000. But their lower-end stuff changed too, and not for the better, again IMO.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by Puddleglum

Yes, but the older ones were better IMO. Around the same time Martin was making the DM, DR et al - insanely good guitars for way under $1000. But their lower-end stuff changed too, and not for the better, again IMO.

Puddle, 100% agreement. Epiphone/Gibson began killing all the best models of the Masterbilt line around 2007-2008. Really a stupid business decision, but what do I know?

Scott Memmer

[welshr]

Everybody,
I really appreciate your postings to the “Thumbs-down on Epiphones” thread. I’m learning a lot from all of you, especially about taking my time and making wiser decisions before buying yet another guitar. I really need the kind of education I’m getting here on the forum (see my “Pawn shop disaster” posting).
By way of introducing myself (since I’m new to the forum) here are my guitars so far:
Harmony H-162 (1960s; solid wood, spruce top, mahogany back and sides; made in Chicago)
Harmony H-165 (1960s; solid wood, all mahogany; made in Chicago)
Epiphone FT-135 grand auditorium 6-string (1970s; tobacco burst solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides; made in Japan)
Epiphone FT-160 12-string (1970s; tobacco burst solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides; made in Japan)
Alvarez 5054 12-string (1960s; made in Japan)
Alvarez RD-10 6-string (1970s; made in Korea)
Art & Lutherie Wild Cherry (2000s; made in Canada)
Art & Lutherie 12-string (2000s; made in Canada)
Fender CD-60 mahogany (2010s; solid mahogany top, mahogany laminate back and sides; made in Indonesia)
Martin DX1AE acoustic-electric (2010s; solid spruce top, mahogany HPL back and sides; made in Mexico)
Martin DXK2 acoustic (2010s; koa HPL top, back and sides; made in U.S.A.)
Oddly enough, the two Martins are my least favorites, especially the DXK2 (see “Pawn shop disaster”). These are perfectly playable instruments, but the sound is cold to me. Maybe it’s the HPL material. I would really like to get my hands on a 40/50-year old D-18, but that’s never going to happen. Which is OK because I have too many guitars as it is.
Good night from Tucson everybody . . .

[Rmz76]

Originally Posted by welshr

The general thumbs-down on Epiphones kinda makes me sad. The EL-00, the Inspired by 1964 Texan, and the Hummingbird knock-off all look really nice (I think) and seem to be pretty solidly built, but their sound is another matter. I guess I just need to save up two or three thousand dollars and buy a Gibson. (Ha!)

It is a bit of a sad case with Epiphone's current offerings. In my opinion (Masterbuilt) Epiphone AJ500R was the last great acoustic model offered by Epiphone. I believe that model was discontinued in 2010. They sold new at retail for around $500 and they are have been slowly creeping up in value on the used market. Since you have an interest in the Texan, you may really like the AJ500. As with the Texan and Inspired by Texan the AJ500 was a long scale model. It was made available with Mahagony back and sides (AJ500m) and Rosewood (AJ500R) it also sold with or without electronics. I'm not on the hunt for one, but I come across a good one in a pawn shop or guitar store it will be leaving with me




You have other alternatives. If you like the 60's era J-45 tone then check out the Blueridge BG140 and BG160 ($850 and $1200) models. If you like early 40's "banner" era J-45s then look at the Eastman E10SS ($1200). All solid wood, well built instruments.

[welshr]

Originally Posted by Rmz76

It is a bit of a sad case with Epiphone's current offerings. In my opinion (Masterbuilt) Epiphone AJ500R was the last great acoustic model offered by Epiphone. I believe that model was discontinued in 2010. They sold new at retail for around $500 and they are have been slowly creeping up in value on the used market. Since you have an interest in the Texan, you may really like the AJ500. As with the Texan and Inspired by Texan the AJ500 was a long scale model. It was made available with Mahagony back and sides (AJ500m) and Rosewood (AJ500R) it also sold with or without electronics. I'm not on the hunt for one, but I come across a good one in a pawn shop or guitar store it will be leaving with me




You have other alternatives. If you like the 60's era J-45 tone then check out the Blueridge BG140 and BG160 ($850 and $1200) models. If you like early 40's "banner" era J-45s then look at the Eastman E10SS ($1200). All solid wood, well built instruments.

Thanks for the recommendations Wayne, I will check those out. That AJ500 looks pretty sweet.

[bobster7]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Late last year I bought 2 guitars.
Both are 2012 models.
Both are maple jumbo's.
One cost exactly 10 times more than the other.
One likes you to dig in to bring out it's best.
The other responds to the lightest touch.
I enjoy their differences.
They are both great to play.



One is an Epiphone.

Sorry, quick sidetrack I Love the Huss and Dalton! I’m thinking of adding another H&D to my modest collection and this model would fit in nicely. Most H&D’s I’ve tried have great responsiveness, clarity and sweet trebles but a good degree of warm even in their luscious rosewood dreadnoughts. How would you describe this maple H&D’s tone?

To respond to the OP, personally I think there are better Gibson copies out there at present, sigma and Farida are just two examples of brands that produce excellent Gibson like clones that are of significantly higher quality than Epiphone (although their master built range is the exception). For a bit more money Eastman make some wonderful value slopes, especially if you buy used. Epiphone is similar in quality to recording king dirty 30’s series etc. There is nothing wrong with them but you generally get what you pay for.

[AndrewG]

Two or three years ago I bought an IB64 Texan but eventually sold it to a friend because I didn't like the tone. However after hanging on a wall for a couple of years, unplayed (he isn't really a player, more an admirer of guitars), it has begun to sound pretty good. Maybe the solid top and back have something to do with it, but I'm tempted to get another now!

[AndrewG]

Originally Posted by Charmed Life Picks

Puddle, 100% agreement. Epiphone/Gibson began killing all the best models of the Masterbilt line around 2007-2008. Really a stupid business decision, but what do I know?

Scott Memmer

If I recall correctly some early Masterbilts had issues with structural stability and cracking. Reports of the build being too lightly braced began to surface. However reviews all seemed positive.

[lowrider]

Originally Posted by Charmed Life Picks

Puddle, 100% agreement. Epiphone/Gibson began killing all the best models of the Masterbilt line around 2007-2008. Really a stupid business decision, but what do I know?

Scott Memmer

The past management at Gibson made a lot of bad decisions and the new managers are off to a good start cleaning up the mess. Hopefully, some new, better models from Epiphone will be somewhere in the future.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by bobster7

Sorry, quick sidetrack I Love the Huss and Dalton! I’m thinking of adding another H&D to my modest collection and this model would fit in nicely. Most H&D’s I’ve tried have great responsiveness, clarity and sweet trebles but a good degree of warm even in their luscious rosewood dreadnoughts. How would you describe this maple H&D’s tone?

Actually you have described it perfectly!
Lightly built and super responsive.
Beautifully balanced to my ear.
A good strummer but really shines with finger-style bare flesh.
A guitar you can appreciate immediately - unlike some guitars that take time to grow on you, it's there from the moment you start playing.

[Steel and wood]

My Epiphone Hummingbird was a fantastic guitar for the money!

[bluesfreek]

Originally Posted by welshr

bluesfreek,
That is a cool-looking guitar; I've never seen one of these before.

Epiphone still makes this model with an upgraded pickup system and binding around the fretboard. Epiphone says it's body shape is based on their hollowbody electric guitars like the Casino or Sheraton. It has a thinner body which is comfortable to play. It's all laminated construction makes it quite durable. It's more or less meant to used onstage through an amp or PA system. It's not going to win any awards for it's pure acoustic tone but for what it does it's acceptable.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...-pr-5e-natural

[Monsoon1]

Originally Posted by Charmed Life Picks

Ditto. If you haven't played an EPI Masterbilt, you're missing something pretty special. All of them are great, but the (discontinued) AJ-500M and R models are considered by many the cream of the crop. They made a LOT of these and you can find really clean ones for around $400. Just a ridiculous amount of guitar for the money.

Happy Hunting!
Memmer

I would have loved to check out one of the AJ masterbilts, but the narrow nut is a deal breaker for me.