So I have an opportunity to get one through some contacts at work and I wanted to get some opinions. (yes I have searched and read past threads on this matter but wanted fresh opinions)

I am really in need of a new acoustic guitar. Preferably acoustic electric. I've been looking at their line and it looks like there are some decent options but I'm curious of the quality of their acoustics. The reason is, I could also ask for one of their hollow body electrics that look pretty damn sweet (Casino, Broadway, Zephyr). There is also a newer Nick Valensi (Strokes guitarist) signature hollow body that looks pretty cool too with hotter pick ups.


This isn't a deal where I can just upgrade to a Gibson or get something else. It's something from the Epiphone line or nothing.

Anybody got any opinions or advice on this? Cap'n? PoD? Katie, are you enjoying the Casino?

Just curious about the little things on their guitars that can make one version better over another.

lemme go look at their current lineup. But my gut says "hollowbody electric or nothin."

Some of the Epiphones are equivalent in quality to Gibsons, but yeah, their low-end stuff can be iffy.

I've been playing an Epiphone acoustic for the last 15 years and completely love it. I also know several guitar players who have Epiphone hollowbody electrics and love THEM.

I'd say that if you're going the electric route... check the Sheriton first. It's pretty classic.

EDIT: for a pic of me with my Epiphone acoustic, "Barbara"

I'm currently playing a nice Sheraton, which I am really digging. It's a loaner from a friend, but I think i'm going to buy it.


[img][375:500]http://www.euphonic.us/images/Sheraton2.jpg[/img]

Ok, for acoustics (with electronics), I'd say the Masterbuilt AJ500ME:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Masterbilt-AJ500ME-Advanced-Jumbo-AcousticElectric-Guitar?sku=519029

It looks like that line (MB) has someone going over the guitars well, with better attention to detail. Epiphones now are all made in asia, with good machines, but quality control can be suspect. Also for acoustics by them, avoid anything with maple backs and sides. Maple is very, very bright, and you're going to want an acoustic to sound warm and full, not brittle and punchy. They do that so that it looks different, and so that it cuts through a mix. Solid mahogany back/sides and solid sitka spruce top is the way to go.

Just get the one with the highest resale value, and trade it in for something else.

Cap, I looked on Epiphones site for that guitar and it wasn't on there. There is a possibility that they no longer make it.

The only Masterbilt acoustic/electric they have up is this one:

http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?Pro ... ctionID=15

Not the jumbo body but do you think it's comparable? It actually looks similar to Todd's except in a natural finish. I suppose I could request the one you posted and put this one as a back up.

Also, I love this guitar. Their hollow body look pretty fucking good and it's so tempting to just get one of em even though I already have 2 electrics and rarely play them. My head says to get the acoustic which I"ll play much more but those things are just so damn.........pretty.

Yeah that's a nice one, but are you cool with the satin finish? It doesn't matter, but I was always a glossy sorta guy m'self. The imprtant thing is that the body is rosewood (also a great choice), the top is spruce, and both are solid, not bound. Solid wood vibrates, projects, and ages in ways that ply can't. The top piece makes the biggest difference - ply-topped guitars are especially mush-mouthed... like singing with a pillow in front of your face. Also Baggs makes good electronics.

Neuro has an Epi 335, solid black, with some dead frets in important places, and I still bust that thing out once a week or so. Even with the dead spots, it's still fun to strum on. And then plugged in, with boatloads of reverb and slapback, it's Brian Setzer.

I personally like epiphones, occasionally you might need to change the pots or the pickups to get exactly what you want. but they are solid guitars all around.

me...I love this one

John Lennon Epiphone

http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?Pro ... ctionID=10

That's what I have in tobacco. It sounds great when its dirtied up too.

My bro-inlaw has an old 70's epi acoustic. That thing sounds phenomenal. Its very heavy not sure of the woods used, but one of my favorite guitars I have ever played for action and tone.

Yeah I'm not crazy about the satin finish but if I can get everything else that I want in the guitar but have to get it in the satin then I'd concede that.

I'm assuming that mahogany would work over rosewood in a pinch?

Oh yes. They sound very similar - Both are rich, porous, relatively high natural oil content, and stable. Mahogany is a little more vanilla, but vanilla is good. Rosewood's got a tiny bit of kick to it, but still falls well into the target grouping you're looking for. Maple, Alder, Poplar, Nato, Basswood, Ash, no.

In the 70's I think they were still being made over here. Remember Epi was once an innovative independent company making really high-quality guitars, and then Gibson bought them and now uses them to offer an affordable version of its guitars, while still making some of the old models, all now overseas. Gibson has always been more expensive than the equivalent Fender bread and butter guitars, so this was a big deal for them. Your average high school kid who's looking at a Strat or a Les Paul sees $750 and $1400 and usually goes with the Fender.

I'm really digging the tone I get outta this. Although it still has the factory pickups (most guitar freaks recommend you replace em), I find them to be very responsive and with a nice amount of bottom end. The extra warmth and bottom may not be for everyone, but I find it suits what I am doing perfectly.

I use it with a nice amount of overdrive (Deville 4x10 stock) in Hospital Grade, and i'm getting a great dark, Fugazi / Constantines kind of tone.

I use it clean, on the neck pickup in PB. Again, a nice warm, full rhythm tone with just the right amount of brightness.

I think for the cost, Epi electrics can be pretty nice - I think they make a better electric hollowbody than an acoustic. Any chance you might fall into a band situation, I'd get the electric. But if you're just fooling around at home, get the one you'd actually play more.

Get the Casino, the p-90s will scream through a tube amp if you want to get your rock on, but turn the amp down to a clean sound, and it'll be rich. Roll of the tone and fuck around with some jazzy shit, or roll the tone up and treat it like an acoustic electric, you'll have a damn good time. Or sit with it on the couch unplugged, and you'll still have a damn good time.

With their acoustics you definitely cannot beat the Masterbuilt line. Better QC than what is coming out of Gibson at this time. As always the Cap'n is right when he refers to the different wood tones and solid versus ply tops, but I have an older EJ-200 (Epi version of the Gibson Jumbo) with a ply-top that is one of the best acoustics I've ever played. They have a newer version of mine called the EJ-300 which has electronics and a solid top now, which might be worth taking a look at if you want the rich full sound of a jumbo.

I picked up a Wildkat hollowbody off of craigslist a few months ago. They aren't making this model anymore, but it is a fun guitar to play and the dog ear P90's are a helluva set of pickups. If you go the electric route, I would also vote Casino because it is a classic, just realize you might have to fight feedback to a degree, which isn't always a bad thing. The Sheraton's I've looked at were ok, just a little too flashy for my tastes.

i have to give respect to the epis too. i have a masterbilt acoustic, and it sounds awesome, and plays lovely too.

also have a dot -- a low-rent casino, essentially -- and i completely insanely love it. will probably replace the pickups, but i like how it sounds now, and love how it plays.

also have a little epi SG and for the price it's a great thing too.

if i had to pick one, much as i think the masterbilt is a greatgreatgreat thing for the cash, i'd vote casino too. they're purdy and fun to play.

Damn you people. I was all ready to commit to one of Masterbilt EF series acoustic/electrics and now I'm doubting myself again.

Anyone have any opinion on the difference between "regular" acoustic necks and "fingerstyle" neck on those Masterbilts? I realize the fingerstyle has a wider neck but I'm curious if that has a reall effect on playing or strumability. How is the sound much different between a smaller body and a "jumbo" body?


I played a Broadway last night at Guitar Center and it was pretty sweet. If I go with a hollow body it'll probably be either that one or a Casino.

This is a tough decision.

He could fall into a band situation, but he's too afraid to come down to my house.

AS much as I love Epiphone semi-hollows, the one thing I hear you complain about more than anything Derris is that you don't have a decent acoustic guitar. Just keep that in mind, my friend.

Yail Bloor, wise beyond his years. I know dude. My head already knows the answer but I keep getting swayed by the pretty colors.

I mean look at this thing:

[img][650:530]http://www.jetmag.co.nz/Portals/4/Images/POD.jpg[/img]

"We love our Epiphones"

I personally wouldn't buy a newer epiphone except maybe a casino to beat around, but vintage epi gear is great, i've got my eye on a pacemaker or an electra amp to add to the recording arsenal.

If you're going to buy an acoustic, figure out what you want and just buy it outright. If you buy a great acoustic, you'll play it more often.

Pick a price range and go play some, but I wouldn't buy a newer epi acoustic.

An older one, maybe.