#1
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Epiphone Masterbilt Series vs. Gibson Acoustics
Not really a "Guitar A vs. Guitar B question," but I'd like to know your thoughts on the Epiphone Masterbilt (all three current models) compared to Gibson acoustics. I have the EF500RCCE and I think its tone is basically Gibson-like in terms of tone, but less. . . dry. What do you think?
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-2017 Gibson J-45 Standard -2019 Gibson J-15 -2019 Gibson Les Paul Junior -2020 Gibson Les Paul Special -2019 Gibson Les Paul Studio -2021 Fender Aerodyne Special Telecaster -2022 Fender Telecaster 50s (Vintera) -1994 Fender Telecaster Deluxe 70 (Vintera) -Sire V5 5-string |
#2
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I've owned a few of each, and while the Masterbilts are "Gibson-like", and very good guitars, they just don't have the Gibson vibe or thump. Something about the Gibson sound that is truly unique.
Rb |
#3
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I owned an aj500m as well as an aj500r. Decent guitars. They are heavy, and provided you find one whose neck is not warped, they are decent guitars.
By the way I also played the AJ45ME... And it was "meh". Comfortable, easy to play... But thin sounding. I own two Gibby slopes, a Bird, and an LG2-AE. They all have that airy crispness, and the thump. I am really happy you like your EF... I have heard good things about them... But otherwise, the Epis can't be mentioned in the same sentence with the Bozemon guitars. They are that different.
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i got tired of updating my guitars. |
#4
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They are both good guitars, but here is the problem. Unlike Martin and Taylor, and others, with a Gibson or an Epiphone...you need to find "a good one." You may read between the lines for yourself on that. But when it comes to Gibson and Epiphone...almost everyone knows that they can both be great guitars but, ..you need to find... "A good one." That is much less true of Martin and Taylor, Guild, Collings, etc etc etc.
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#5
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Gotta give props to Gibson... despite some QC and high pricing issues, they are catching up to Epiphone!
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#6
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I have an older Masterbilt. When I bought it I did so because I thought it was a decent Epi and never once did I associate it with being a relative to a Gibson.
Sigma resembled Martin more so than Masterbilt resemble Gibson, (to me at least). |
#7
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-2017 Gibson J-45 Standard -2019 Gibson J-15 -2019 Gibson Les Paul Junior -2020 Gibson Les Paul Special -2019 Gibson Les Paul Studio -2021 Fender Aerodyne Special Telecaster -2022 Fender Telecaster 50s (Vintera) -1994 Fender Telecaster Deluxe 70 (Vintera) -Sire V5 5-string |
#8
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My favorite Gibson acoustics are the J-45 and the Songwriter, specially the J. I'd love to have one.
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-2017 Gibson J-45 Standard -2019 Gibson J-15 -2019 Gibson Les Paul Junior -2020 Gibson Les Paul Special -2019 Gibson Les Paul Studio -2021 Fender Aerodyne Special Telecaster -2022 Fender Telecaster 50s (Vintera) -1994 Fender Telecaster Deluxe 70 (Vintera) -Sire V5 5-string |
#9
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I think the current models in production are really trying to distinguish themselves from the Gibson acoustic line. We have all solid wood guitars in that price range from Seagull, Fender, Alvarez and others and I think Epiphone's current Masterbuilt's are designed to compete with those instead of simply trying to be middle of the road Gibson copies. If you want an all solid wood copy of a Gibson J-45 or J-200 that stays true to the spirit of Gibson's designs look to Eastman and Blueridge. I have a Gibson J-15, Blueridge BG140 and Eastman E20SS and love both the Blueridge and Eastman every bit as much as the J-15. I would not hold one of the three as better quality in terms of craftsmanship, materials and tone. In terms of craftsmanship and consistency I feel Eastman and Blueridge are modern counterparts to the Japanese built Epiphone Elite series. I've never played a Epiphone Elite J-45 but have played an Epiphone Elite Texan and I regret not buying it. The bottom line is the the step up from a $500 price point where Epiphone's Masterbuilt line tries to say up to the $700-$800 range (where Eastman and Blueridge all solid wood models appear) really buys you quite a bit more guitar with the right builder but if you need to stay right at $500 USD the Masterbuilt line is pretty hard to beat. Just don't think of them as Gibson copies because even the most Gibson like of the current Masterbuilt models (EJ-45ME) doesn't sound anything like a Gibson J-45. It doesn't feel like a J-45 and it cosmetically it only loosely resembles one thanks to sharing some of the same dimensions. If you've found a Masterbuilt model you like, it's not going to be a horrible choice, in fact it may be perfect for you but if you're buying it thinking it's the best path for the inexpensive Gibson copy the truth is Eastman and Blueridge both deliver much better in that category
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Wayne J-45 song of the day archive https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis..._Zmxz51NAwG1UJ My music https://soundcloud.com/waynedeats76 https://www.facebook.com/waynedeatsmusic My guitars Gibson, Martin, Blueridge, Alvarez, Takamine Last edited by Rmz76; 03-14-2016 at 09:54 PM. |
#10
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Have you played a lot with the factory rig as far as settings and such? If so, I might wanna pick your brain at some point. The ones I've heard at open mics and such leave much to be desired. I've heard rumor that they can sound pretty dang good if dialed in correctly. What's your experience? I'll let you know when it's in the barn. Scott |
#11
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And the new AJ-45ME is, to put it politely, a dud. They ended up trying so hard to NOT make it into a J-45 that it ended making it into nothing. Without a doubt, the worst MB model in the last ten years. Bring back the AJ-500. sm |
#12
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It would be funnier if there weren't more than a little grain of truth in that statement. sm |
#13
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I haven't really liked any of the epi masterbuilts I've played, and I've played quite a few. I think I'd rather have a takamine if I were looking for a cheaper alternative to the gibson sound.
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All of my guitars are rescues. '85 Gibson J30e '75 Ovation Balladeer '99 HD28V '99 Gibson WM-00 '75 Takamine "guild" Jumbo '46 Harmony Silvertone H700 '12 GS-Mini '?? Epiphone Dr-212 CSU Rams |
#14
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If I were looking for cheap sounding and thin, Epiphone and mostly Taylor would be perfect.
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#15
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masterbilts sound good for a 500 dollar guitar but not even in the ballpark of a gibson and any1 who thinks so is just another agf basher of gibson.
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Tags |
acoustic, epiphone, gibson, masterbilt, tone |
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