Epiphone Masterbilt: Share the Love

[sublro]

IME the quality issues really showed up when they moved production of this line to Indonesia. Not that they’re all bad after that, but it signaled a downshift in what they intended to do from a quuality/price standpoint at that point - the first couple years of that line were great guitars, with every one I played / owned being very good to great in that ilk and price point. Occasional real keepers if you can find them. Only sold my last aj because the neck was quite slim and that doesn’t fly these days with aging hands

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by davidd

I own two, an AJ500M and EF500RANS. They are nice enough guitars but honestly nothing special IMO....

Well, they're great if you don't start comparing them to other medium- to high-end guitars. I've had an EF500MNS, a super rare maple-backed EF500PNS, an EF500RANS, an EF500RAVS, and an AJ500RC. All gone now. The RAVS was the last to go - funded other guitar purchases. Collections evolve!

[davidd]

Originally Posted by DCCougar

Well, they're great if you don't start comparing them to other medium- to high-end guitars. I've had an EF500MNS, a super rare maple-backed EF500PNS, an EF500RANS, an EF500RAVS, and an AJ500RC. All gone now. The RAVS was the last to go - funded other guitar purchases. Collections evolve!

True enough because I was playing a Martin OM-28 at Gryphon yesterday and my EF sounds congested and boxy by comparison. But at 4x the price that's as it should be. The wife bought the EF for me so it ain't going anywhere so I'll just have to enjoy the boxiness I suppose.

[guitararmy]

About 8 years ago I bought a pair of Masterbilt mahogany dreads off of eBay that were reconditioned. Boy did they sound good! I donated them to Guitars 4 Vets, since they didn't get played much.
I still own one of the elusive DR-500RA models with the D-45 style bling...

[ripdotcom]

they sound great for the money, I had a couple when they were introduced. The OM models were/are especially nice, semi lightweight, satin finish, minimal bling (at least in the entry level Hog or rosewood), nice compression and clarity, very traditional. Good low cost option if you dont want a Blueridge, eastman or recording king.

[Charmed Life Picks]

I just acquired a superb EF-500M, their OM model, for a ridiculous price. I'm becoming more and more of a fingerstyle/OM player the older I get.

Don't have any photos, sorry.

scott memmer

[TBman]

Originally Posted by Charmed Life Picks

I own four -- three AJ-500Ms and one EF-500rcce. Incredible bang for the buck if you can find a clean used one out there.

What's been your experience?

scott memmer

I had a DR-500R. Very nice guitar. I loved it, but grew out of it when I got my Martin.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Understood. However, I got into EPI MB's BECAUSE of my Martin. About five years ago I was at a party and a drunken coworker almost tripped and fell while walking with my Martin. A little light came on. So I began to buy cheaper guitars for what I call "uncontrolled" situations.

Anyway, that's the truth, and I'm sticking to it.

sm

[Charmed Life Picks]

I just had a JJB pickup installed in my new (clean, used) Epi MB EF-5OO mns and sounds sweet sweet sweet. I was able to snag one of these locally off CL where they sell for almost double that normally on eBay and Reverb. I'm becoming more and more a fingerstyle player the older I get.

Scott Memmer

[CosmicOsmo]

I was gifted an AJ500rc-sns (12 feet dread, cedar top rosewood b/s) by a student a few years back...what a great guitar! He even had a K&K installed in it. I didn’t know they were considered a rare/desirable Masterbilt model until I did some research later. It’s super loud, has a unique, round tone that’s surprisingly great for fingerstyle, but also has enough power for flatpicking.

[Brianl55]

Originally Posted by Charmed Life Picks

I just had a JJB pickup installed in my new (clean, used) Epi MB EF-5OO mns and sounds sweet sweet sweet. I was able to snag one of these locally off CL where they sell for almost double that normally on eBay and Reverb. I'm becoming more and more a fingerstyle player the older I get.

Scott Memmer

Hi Scott

You and I have corresponded on the Forum a bit about Masterbilts.
My AJ500 MNS has been making me very happy for a while. Last week I saw a Sunburst version at a very reasonable price listed on Craigslist and went to take a look. I told myself it could not be as nice as mine (2003) which has been set up exactly the way I like with spot on intonation. It is a 2008 model and I was amazed to find that someone must have spent some time working on this one because it sounds and feels as good as my natural one. I know there are inconsistencies with these guitars but I have certainly lucked out with the two I have found.

Having said all that and as much as I enjoy looking at the brother and sister side by side, I do have a strong hankering for a Fender Blues Junior amp for my Eastmans that I am fortunate to have so I have listed the Sunburst one for sale in the forum. Hope it ends up with someone who will get the same buzz I get from these models.

[L20A]

The Masterbilt guitars were some of the early "good" guitars to come from China. I was very impressed with the few that I played. At least the ones that were playable. Several needed a good set up before you could even strum a chord.
There are a lot of other guitar brands now that has surpassed the Masterbilt in my opinion.

Is the Masterbilt even in production any more?

[guitar george]

Here's two early "good" guitars (post #27) that were made in 2004 in Epiphone's factory, owned by Gibson, in Qingdao, China.

[cj59]

i've got two masterbilts a dr500r bought new in 2007 with the original case, and a dr 500mna with the gloss front both great guitars. The rosewood one needed a bridge reglue and setup after ten years play. the 500 m still perfect 10 years later

[TBman]

Originally Posted by Everton FC

Someday, I hope to own a DR-500. Always wanted one.

I had one, it was really nice.