|
|
#31
10-07-2018, 11:13 AM
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
I've been vaguely aware of the 12 fret version, but never seen one. Out of interest, could you tell me the scale length , nut width and string spacing? Is it all solid woods? Regards,
__________________
Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom! 
|
|
#32
10-07-2018, 12:08 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
One thing I noticed: The one I have with the satin (non-glossy) top is noticeably louder than the identical model with standard glossy top. In fact it's the only guitar in my collection (about fifteen guitars now) that one could truly call "a cannon." So I love them. I love my Eastmans and Martins more, but I don't like taking my top guitars to play in situations where they could be stolen or damaged. The Epis fill that niche nicely -- an all-solid-wood guitar for about a quarter of the price of a Martin. scott memmer
|
|
#33
10-07-2018, 12:34 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
|
|
#34
10-07-2018, 01:27 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=523884
__________________
2001 Larrivee O-01 2015 Larrivee OMV-40 Mahogany 2019 Larrivee C-03TE 2020 Larrivee SD-40 2020 Larrivee LV-03 2015 Eastman AR372 Natural 2011 Fender Thinline Telecaster (=O=}====:::
|
|
#35
10-07-2018, 03:08 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
As the OP, I probably told this story earlier in this thread. Check it out. About a year ago I was at my usual luthier's in town who does most of my installations. There was someone in front of me at the counter, and he was asking the luthier what he would recommend in the way of acoustics. Bear in mind, this is one of the best and busiest luthiers in L.A., in a town loaded with great luthiers, who has seen the insides and worked on thousands of guitars in his career. And at the time he didn't know I was a Epi MB. Without a beat, he said, "Find a used Epiphone Masterbilt. Those are great solid wood guitars." The truth, or I'll give away all my Boy Scout merit badges. There was a guy here on AGF (sorry, can't remember his name) who used to buy and flip these guitars. He did say there were some quality issues. Gibson has since gutted the line. I have no way of knowing whether this was partially driven by Bozeman feeling they were losing sales to Epiphone, but it wouldn't surprise me. I've bought five now, and in their own individual ways they are all gems, not a lemon in the the bunch. scott memmer
|
|
#36
10-07-2018, 03:17 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
I just realized I hadn't posted any audio samples. Here's me playing my AJ-500M in a live setting. It has a B-Band pickup blended with a Shure SM-58 out front.
For those searching for a good used all-wood guitar, this will give you an idea of what one sounds like. Enjoy, Scott Memmer
|
|
#37
10-07-2018, 09:47 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
|
|
#38
10-07-2018, 10:28 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
sm
|
|
#39
10-08-2018, 05:01 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
I meant to reply on this thread when it was first started...
Scott M and I exchanged texts about these when I started getting a hankering for an all-solid slope D... next thing you know, I found one on reverb... this past spring... love it. I have the AJ500M gloss top. It is a joy to sing with, which is exactly what I was looking for. I texted Scott that I found one... he called me and we shared a celebratory conversation... I take it to nursing facilities and play it in church, sometimes with a mic in front of it and sometimes not. Definitely one of the best bang-for-your-buck all-solid guitars I've ever played.
|
|
#40
10-08-2018, 08:15 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
I have a 2006 EF500 RANS and a 2010 AJ500M. I have breathed new life into both of them by replacing the factory bone saddles with new uncompensated bone saddles. Like night and day. Surprised the heck out of me. Both became much more articulate and defined. An improvement in every way. The original saddles were very uneven in density at least to the eye, you could see swirls when held up to the light. I also buffed out both of them to gloss which really is the way to go IMO, although the AJ was already a gloss top. The EF looked stunning after buffing out which I did many years ago, the rosewood grain and abalone just pops. Still not sure if they are in the league of Eastman or Blueridge though.
P.S Has anybody found any nice direct pick guard replacements for either model? I especially dislike the AJ guard.
__________________
1990 Martin D16-M Gibson J45 Eastman E8D-TC Pono 0000-30DC Yamaha FSX5, LS16, FG830, FSX700SC Epiphone EF500-RAN 2001 Gibson '58 Reissue LP 2005, 2007 Gibson '60 Reissue LP Special (Red&TV Yel) 1972 Yamaha SG1500, 1978 LP500 Tele's and Strats 1969,1978 Princeton Reverb 1972 Deluxe Reverb Epiphone Sheraton, Riviera DeArmond T400 Ibanez AS73 Quilter Superblock US[/I]
|
|
#41
10-08-2018, 09:59 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
A thought or two. It sounds like you go an AJ without a pickup. That's fine. I'm not overly crazy about the factory pickup in those models, although I've heard others say that they really sound great once you dial it in. Anyway, you might think down the road about adding an internal pickup for your gigs or for playing in church. For example, JJB makes some excellent pickups in the $50 range. Also, if you go the pickup route, you'll eventually want to get a smallish amp with two inputs -- one for the guitar and one for vocal. I realize this is making you spend more of your hard-earned cash, but what are we here for?! Anyway, thrilled that you found one. They are so so good. be well, scott
|
|
#42
10-08-2018, 10:06 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
First, no, I would not place these in the same league as Eastman, unless they might match up with the entry level Eastman models. All the Eastmans I've played are over $1000, so that's really kind of an unfair fight. But for a clean used guitar below $400, they're pretty hard to beat, no matter the brand. The Seagull S6 comes immediately to mind, but I can't stand that wimpy headstock. Someone in the design department really missed the boat on that one. And speaking of ugly, yes, a big UGH on the pickguard on the AJs. Again, someone missed the boat. I'm wondering if this was a copy of an original pickguard design of an Epi model from the '30s or '40s. Perhaps someone knows. I tried to replace it with a batwing, but mine was on there long enough to produce the dreaded tanline, and the batwing doesn't cover everything. I have been communicating with a guy name Taylor Mullins who does cool custom pickguards to possibly make a custom one to cover the tanline, but I've just been too busy. I'm actually going to mail him the pickguard, if I can every get around to it. Let's stay in touch. Would love to sold this. scott
|
|
#43
10-09-2018, 11:58 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
I have an AJ 45ME, I absolutely love the guitar. I see people that crap on this one alot, but man I love mine and the tone it has. I have some decent guitars and I rotate them but this one gets pulled out often. I have an EF 500N that my dad gave me. It's a pretty dead boxy sounding guitar honestly.
__________________
Yamaha FG830 Yamaha FG820 2016 Epiphone AJ-45ME 2015 Taylor 214 2010 Martin D18 Standard 2017 Taylor 410 Rosewood 2017 Taylor Mini GS -E Walnut Martin D12X1AE 12 String Bugera AC60 Amp Acoustic A20 Amp
|
|
#44
10-16-2018, 12:54 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
|
|
#45
10-16-2018, 07:29 PM
|
|||
|
|||
I have a DR-500ME and I've played it for over 10 years. It's been such a great guitar -- a few issues with the electronics over time, but I will always sing its praises!
|
