Epiphone Masterbilt: Share the Love

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by guitar george

Depends on the model number. The earliest ones, starting in 2004, were made in the Qingdau factory in China. I think it's these Chinese made ones that you are referring to.

Lots of good information here: http://www.epiphonewiki.org/index/Masterbilt.php

George, I should go back and do some more research on my AJs. I'm pretty sure at least two of mine are early, like built in China. Anyway, I love 'em.

sm

[CoachD]

I've enjoyed reading through this thread.

From 2007-2019 I owned a 2005 AJ-500RENS. It was my first solid wood acoustic.It was all the guitar I would ever need, but I sold it last fall to help offset the cost of some other purchases.

I do want another slope shoulder though. I hope the new solid wood Masterbilt Texan model is comparable to what I had, but I'm yet to see one of those in real world.

Has anyone played one yet? I assume the materials and the finish will be an upgrade from the Inspired by '64 Texan model that is now discontinued.

[davenumber2]

Has anyone played a Masterbilt Texan? I can’t get a feel if this guitar is on par with the rest of the MB line or not. I wasn’t too impressed with the “inspired by” model and can’t afford the new Bozeman model or an original.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by davenumber2

Has anyone played a Masterbilt Texan? I can’t get a feel if this guitar is on par with the rest of the MB line or not. I wasn’t too impressed with the “inspired by” model and can’t afford the new Bozeman model or an original.

Me too, Dave. Maybe someone will come in on this.

I saw the new Epi MB models are January NAMM, Dave, and I was so pleased to see the new management at Gibson get behind this line again. It has really become an orphan child and gathered mold under the previous management team. I wish wish wish they would bring back the AJ-500M model, which was the cat's meow and the star of the lineup in the early 2000s. One can only hope.

But trust me, Dave, the line looks solid and I don't see any way the new models won't sound great. I was able to spend a few minutes in the booth the Epi staff, and there was a lot of excitement surrounding these new offereings.

scott memmer

[davenumber2]

Originally Posted by Charmed Life Picks

Me too, Dave. Maybe someone will come in on this.

I saw the new Epi MB models are January NAMM, Dave, and I was so pleased to see the new management at Gibson get behind this line again. It has really become an orphan child and gathered mold under the previous management team. I wish wish wish they would bring back the AJ-500M model, which was the cat's meow and the star of the lineup in the early 2000s. One can only hope.

But trust me, Dave, the line looks solid and I don't see any way the new models won't sound great. I was able to spend a few minutes in the booth the Epi staff, and there was a lot of excitement surrounding these new offereings.

scott memmer

I have to say the aged antique natural finish on the new MB looks fantastic. Hopefully the tone matches.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Yes, the finish is sweet.

I gotta say, though, I've always hated that squared-off pickguard. Ugh. And now it's even worse with the big Epiphone "E" on it. I'm guessing they must have gone back to the thirties and the original designs and copied the pickguard. I yanked that thing off and had Taylor Mullins of Holter Pickguards make me a custom batwing. Let me know if you'd like to see a pic or two.

This was on one of my three AJ-500Ms. These are getting rare out there, as people are hanging onto them, but you might scrounge around the Net and see if you can find a clean used one. A heckuva lot of guitar for not much coin.

sm

[davenumber2]

I don't mind the pickguard but I always like seeing pics. Feel free to post. I think it gives the guitar its own personality and differentiates it from the J-45/50 along with the other aesthetic appointments.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by davenumber2

I don't mind the pickguard but I always like seeing pics. Feel free to post. I think it gives the guitar its own personality and differentiates it from the J-45/50 along with the other aesthetic appointments.

Keep bugging me, Dave, and I'll try to post a few snaps by the weekend. Taylor (no vested interest) does wonderful work, and is a heckuva guy as well.

take care,
sm

[pagedr]

Do you guys think this one is worth the price?

https://reverb.com/item/34319491-epi...herry-sunburst

[guitararmy]

Wow. How did you find that listing??

The sales tax on that...

[62burst]

I was looking at this thread in hopes of seeing if a forum member might've purchased the AJ500RC I sold to a certain mid-western guitar buyer I foolishly sold the guitar to... practically "giving it away" as a deal sweetener when I sold him 2 Gibsons at the Philly Guitar Show (Grover Sta-tites 18:1 installed):

[pagedr]

Originally Posted by guitararmy

Wow. How did you find that listing??

The sales tax on that...

Ha, I found it a couple months ago and check in on it periodically. I certainly feel for the guy as he seems to be going through a tough time, but expecting someone to pay six figures for a ~$500 guitar is a bit out there.

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by Ralph124C41

If the production run started in 2004, when did production end for this series? I'd like to know because I like this series and not the current one.

Yeah, I think that was the best series - non-cutaways. It went through 2009 or maybe 2010. I had one from 2003 - an EF500PNS (maple b/s). Apparently a prototype since that model never went into production. The sweetest one I had though was an EF500RAVS - the only guitar I've kind of regretted selling, but not too much since it helped fund some other fantastic guitars....

EF500PNS


EF500RAVS

[Willie_D]

Originally Posted by pagedr

Ha, I found it a couple months ago and check in on it periodically. I certainly feel for the guy as he seems to be going through a tough time, but expecting someone to pay six figures for a ~$500 guitar is a bit out there.

That's one of those "I promised my spouse I'd put it up for sale" postings.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by Willie_D

That's one of those "I promised my spouse I'd put it up for sale" postings.

Key to a Happy Marriage: Never make ANY promises about guitars. Keep 'em guessing.

sm