Jump to content
Gibson Brands Forums

EL-00 Pro


aggiejason

Recommended Posts

I have the EL-00 standard model , it's a sweet little guitar. I bought it in 2012 , at the time , the pro model was either not available or had not been released yet or I would have bought that. I was in my favourite local music store yesterday , they had a used one hanging there , it was mint , I'm going back to trade in my standard EL -00 .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I got mine a cupla weeks ago and then work intervened into changing strings and wringing it out.

 

But I took about an hour in the store with the typically horrid and "not my style" strings.

 

As with any guitar, I think you have to match strings and setup, as well as body style, to one's style of playing. I use big boxes for strumming, usually a smaller one for fingerpicking.

 

I love the shorter scale compared to my current "take to cowboy music festival" fingerpicker PR5e. I love the PR because the natural hold is virtually identical to the ES175 and similar "short scale" 16-inch archtops - but the slightly longer scale compromises some fancier stuff unless capo a capo is used.

 

The PR actually has the shape and general geometry I tend to prefer, but... we'll see how this shorter scale box does for certain types of material I do.

 

The EL00 pro automatically seemed to play quite nicely even with heavier strings than I prefer, probably due mostly to the shorter scale, 24 3/4 compared to the 25 1/2 on most current Epi acoustics and AE.

 

Electrically, the volume knob works well; the tone knob didn't seem to do much. Haven't wring it out at all at home. There's no tuner in the electronics, so...

 

Let's put it this way. I tried it in a store and bought a hard case and unless there's something unseen in an hour's pickin', I think it's pretty much a nice little bargain guitar for what it is. It ain't a HB or J45, but I'll wager it's not significantly lesser than similar Gibson/Martin instruments - at a lot lower price tag.

 

m

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Really interested in trying out this guitar, not available in Memphis currently, unless :

 

1st plan: I buy it first without ever touching it, GC says they'll give me 30 days to make up my mind, might go that route if they throw in a HSC but doubt it

2nd plan: My daughter is coming from CA middle of this month to run a marathon in Nashville, she's crazy like that but she loves to run, the GC there has it in stock so if the GAS doesn't get to me I guess that's the route I'm taking

 

Also interested in how your wringing out went with yours Milod, hope all went good & nothing turned into firewood. All the videos & demos I checked sounded good, except the one where they miked the guitar instead of using an amp. really nice looking & sized right.

 

Thanks

 

 

LJ

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Longjohn...

 

Memphis? I lived there about eight years 25 years ago. <grin> Before Beale was rebuilt.

 

Anyway, I haven't had a chance to mess with the little guitar much for a cupla personal reasons - spelled w.o.r.k.

 

But if you have another Epi, the neck is about the same. The guitar size is where I find it a little unusual compared to other guitars. Figure that I played classicals for years, and the standard 16-inch lower bout archtop for even longer, and that's roughly the same "feel" as the classical. The PR5e ditto.

 

Thing is, for a $400 guitar with a hard case, I think it's well worth the money. Period. Then again, so is Epi's PR5e. Even the super-cheapie PR4e that is a "package" with a little amp for $200.

 

The playing geometry on the EL is a bit different because of the somewhat smaller upper bout.

 

Playing any smaller guitar like a dread is IMHO an error. My friend with the old Gibson cf100e - very similar in size and shape to the Epi PR5e but with mag pup - flatpicks, but quite gently so it sounds quite nice. But you can see that "pushing" it for volume could create difficulty either through the pup or straight acoustic.

 

I'd say there's more sound than on a parlor guitar played acoustic, but it's a total error to think of it as a heavy strummer.

 

The whole advantage of an AE is, to me, the ability to be heard without beating on the poor thing. Some purists think that's evil and that a guitar should be miked. I don't agree, but then different strokes for different folks.

 

Again, a potential weakness is that I didn't think the tone control was as emphatic as I'd prefer, but that was with one amp set one way. The important control anyway is the volume - and then amp or board settings.

 

I'm happy with mine. Oh - one of the two reasons I'm slow on getting it wrung out is work, one is that I also just picked up an AE 12-string that needed a little TLC before I wanted it home.

 

m

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Milod for the input, I can totally understand about the work & the new 12 string, enjoy sir, hopefully time will work itself in your favour

 

Not much of a banger on playing, kinda like the natural sounding tones from a clean strum on any guitar, same with picking

 

But what do I know, still just a nov working on the ice & having fun along the way

 

Thanks again

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Let's put it this way...

 

I don't know your level of playing, but the EL-00 Pro is a good value for the money by my standards.

 

It's just that, as any other guitar, it requires an appropriate technique/strings to bring out its best and that of the player - and that means a bit different playing geometry than some guitars.

 

But then, the same may be said of a $7,000 jazzer or custom dreadnaught flattop or...

 

m

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks again milod, I appreciate any & all comments I've gotten & read at this forum, been lurking awhile, trying to absorb some of the vast knowledge cast about here

As for me I'd say beginner intermediate player would fit, not putting on a show anytime soon, I find the guitar as much therapeutic as it is enjoyment

 

LJ

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bender...

 

<grin>

 

I've been messing with a bit of a repair to the "new' 12-string.

 

I had a $50 gift certificate to MF and they had a Fender CD-160SE 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar, "natural," that had a small bash on the top. List at $630, MF price $430, "bashed" price $180 not counting my certificate.

 

Other than what's mostly cosmetic, the guitar is fine and apparently brand new except for that little bash; still plastic on the pickguard - but I wanted to ensure it was entirely stable.

 

So... in a month two new guitars, both totally different - and my heavy work time of year at hand. Sheesh, how dumb can you get.

 

Anyway, The little EL is a nice piece. There's a Gibbie version that's a lot more expensive that's built what appears to be to doggone nearly the same sort of shape specs. The Epi has a solid top and the AE stuff ain't in a hole cut into the side - neither does the Gibbie version.

 

I think for parlor guitar pickin', it's about ideal, although it's a tad bigger than a true parlor guitar. It also has the shorter scale, 24 3/4, than most Epi flattops.

 

The heavier strings that come on it - 11s I think - are for light strumming IMHO better than my Zebra 9-42. Then again, I like very light strings for fingerpickin'.

 

Bottom line is that it sounds nice, has a solid top, and with another $100+- for a case, it's still pretty much a bargain.

 

The size is perfect to leave around the living room. <grin>

 

Funny thing, too, is how many acoustic addicts with a Gibbie or Martin will tend to poo-poo an Epi - but oddly other folks tend to see the better Epis like this as a major "good" brand.

 

The weakness I keep seeing here to all my "new" guitars is how the weather/climate is so dry compared to a lotta other places that inevitably after six months to a year of acquiring any guitar, there will be a bit of "fret filing" needed from a bit of fingerboard shrinkage at the sides. Nothing horrid, but... Bender, not a problem you'd likely have.

 

m

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Back to plan 1, thought I'd check with the Nashville store to double check the computer inventory & they do have one EL 00 ... but not the Pro,

 

checked with the rest of the Music/Guitar stores, both of them & they acted insulted when I sked about an Epiphone, oh well I haven't seen Buddy

 

at the GC in awhile so next time I'm in the area, not really far from the homestead, I'll order me one & do the 30 day trial, LOL, already set

 

aside a spot in the music room, just hope the new refrigerator gets here first ... but then again sleeping in the music room does give me more

 

time to practice

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bender...

 

<grin>

 

I've been messing with a bit of a repair to the "new' 12-string.

 

I had a $50 gift certificate to MF and they had a Fender CD-160SE 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar, "natural," that had a small bash on the top. List at $630, MF price $430, "bashed" price $180 not counting my certificate.

 

Other than what's mostly cosmetic, the guitar is fine and apparently brand new except for that little bash; still plastic on the pickguard - but I wanted to ensure it was entirely stable.

 

So... in a month two new guitars, both totally different - and my heavy work time of year at hand. Sheesh, how dumb can you get.

 

Anyway, The little EL is a nice piece. There's a Gibbie version that's a lot more expensive that's built what appears to be to doggone nearly the same sort of shape specs. The Epi has a solid top and the AE stuff ain't in a hole cut into the side - neither does the Gibbie version.

 

I think for parlor guitar pickin', it's about ideal, although it's a tad bigger than a true parlor guitar. It also has the shorter scale, 24 3/4, than most Epi flattops.

 

The heavier strings that come on it - 11s I think - are for light strumming IMHO better than my Zebra 9-42. Then again, I like very light strings for fingerpickin'.

 

Bottom line is that it sounds nice, has a solid top, and with another $100+- for a case, it's still pretty much a bargain.

 

The size is perfect to leave around the living room. <grin>

 

Funny thing, too, is how many acoustic addicts with a Gibbie or Martin will tend to poo-poo an Epi - but oddly other folks tend to see the better Epis like this as a major "good" brand.

 

The weakness I keep seeing here to all my "new" guitars is how the weather/climate is so dry compared to a lotta other places that inevitably after six months to a year of acquiring any guitar, there will be a bit of "fret filing" needed from a bit of fingerboard shrinkage at the sides. Nothing horrid, but... Bender, not a problem you'd likely have.

 

m

 

yeah.....I have a few dozen (no exaggeration)each files/stones/polishers laying around from my gunsmithing days, so sharp fret ends don't exist in this house. our yearly average 60+% humidity helps too.

my old dreaddie is about played out fretwise, i'm not inclined to refret a $200 guitar, and my parlor (Fender Malibu A/E,) guitar is now our neices beater.

it's killing my shoulder to play the EJ 200 for any time, so it's about time to look at a decent p/g again.

as far as "poo-poo'ing Epis" lots of folks just aren't willing to invest a minutes labor into making a decent guitar very good to great.....i'm not one of those folks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So a few weeks ago I had mentioned trading in my EL-00 on a pro model EL-00 , they offered me almost nothing for my trade which is in mint condition and sounds really nice after 2 1/2 years of ownership . We did not make a deal that day . I kept my guitar , they kept theirs , these people know me well , I've spent lots of money in that store. While there , I played nearly a dozen guitars , three or four Gibsons , three Martins , a couple of Taylors , a Gretsch resonator , an Epiphone Masterbuilt and the EL - Pro I was interested in. Very few of any of those guitars sounded as good as my EL-00 , it's a keeper. The salesman I was dealing with knows what I like and is aware that I intend to buy a few guitars this year , that day just wasn't the day. I went back this week to try a few more newly arrived guitars and tried a couple of Gibson J-45's that had just been received and hung on the wall . I've played several of them over a period of time and I've gotta say , you do need to play several before you find the one that sounds right , I found it , put down a deposit and will be bringing it home soon . I did tell them at the store I was going to buy a good acoustic this year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just a quick comment...

 

The EL-00 acoustic or ae versions, is to me a bit of an odd size since it has about a 16-inch lower bout but a smaller than would seem "average" upper bout.

 

It's not really a classic "parlor guitar," but rather a "small" guitar. <grin>

 

Then again, it's more or less filling a hole in my "collection."

 

I won't disagree entirely about different guitars of the same construction sounding somewhat differently, but I don't "blame" it entirely on the instrument itself. Instead, I tend to point to a combination of the instrument and the player. That's even beyond specific technique used in playing, string choice and such. It even includes specifics of how an instrument might be held by the player which is quite likely to affect how the sound emerges from the air inside and on the outside of the instrument.

 

While some woods and such may seem simply to result in a "better" guitar, I think too often "we" don't do enough on our own part to bring out the best from a good instrument. I guarantee there are artists who can bring out far more from a Strad than the average old time fiddler could hope for - and ditto a "cheapie" sold as a beginner violin.

 

m

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Went ahead & ordered one on the 5th . . it arrived April 7th . . really glad I did, nice - nice little guitar, been having a lot of fun with it. The action right out of the box was unbelievably low & perfect, intonation was spot on. I did expect the sound to be a little light right off but I'm sure it will only improve, I has a nice resonance from all the strings. M is right about the tone wheel not doing much, at least it seems on his & mine anyway & the E emblem on the pick guard came off when I removed the plastic film, I was expecting this & rather like it without it. I can see replacing the nut & bridge will be a improvement later, replaced the strings with Elixir light 11 - 59's definitely brightened it up. Plugged in it sounds great also, really haven't experimented to much that way, really just been enjoying having a acoustic again to finger pluck, when I'm better it'll be picking not plucking. No I don't think you can go wrong on this deal . . believe I'll be enjoying this into my 3rd lifetime < grin. Included a picture, not sure if I did it right.

 

 

post-61620-029579000 1397528617_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey, your first "guitar porn" looked fine from here.

 

I'll freely admit I prefer lighter strings, though.

 

But now through rodeo season - comin' up too soon, I think - ain't gonna have much time for pickin'. I could feature a bone nut and redoing stuff for my light strings. But... really, I'm not sure it's necessary. I think in this climate I'll have to diddle with the torsion rod regardless.

 

Oh - the three lives?

 

One went pretty much, but not entirely standard, through a bit of a little oddness, lifestyle up to late '79. Day job, wife, weekend bar gigs, six-eight years of heavy PT stuff. Even got into a little sailing; and living in a little old house with a fireplace and picket fence like the 1940s ideal.

 

Second was decidedly nonstandard. Had some business ventures, traveled more than I'd ever imagine I would; doggone nearly no pickin' 'cuz I was running the country and elsewhere with a lotta camera gear. Teaching some entirely different stuff and writing even more.

 

Third life - who knows, maybe I'll get a fourth too - starting '95 is back to standard. Except day jobs take close to double the time commitment compared to life #1 in the same line, lots of history research and doing living history stuff and working with museums... and smoothing out pickin' and doing mostly benefit stuff with the guitar. Very little time for PT and I'm feelin' it. Age is a thief, sometimes.

 

Hmmmmm. Maybe 'stedda thinking about a possible fourth life I should just be happy I have a buncha guitars and ain't dead - regardless that I probably look like I am on occasions. <grin>

 

The EL works awfully nicely for fingerpickin stuff. Haven't quite figured the hold. Detuned the factory strings half a pitch. Neck's not liking low humidity, I think, so may need to adjust it a bit. Works nicely for stuff like "Last Steam Engine Train" and bluesy kinda '30ish material.

 

Fun.

 

m

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks M, I'll give the lighter strings a go 'round next restringing. I used the 11's on my old acoustic's, mainly by recommendation but I'm interested in trying the 9's out, always fun trying new things out.

 

The humidity around here usually runs 60 - 90 percent, mostly the higher end, don't plan on leaving the guitar in the truck or out sunbathing. I've been leaving the little dry packs it shipped with in the case, mainly 'cause their there I guess.

 

Ahh, I understand the 3 lives (not the sharpest tack in the box . . . but I'm in the box!) I can relate pretty closely, not caring to start a 4th life, this one's pretty good, just add some more pages to it.

 

As a newbie here I want to thank all for their info/suggestions, right nice group of folks here.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

LJ...

 

Yeah, I know about Memphis. Lived there eight years in the '80s in Life #2. Got to know the airport really well. Dixon Gardens. Peabody's coffee shop - it had marvelous pastries back then, anyway.

 

Beale Street functionally wasn't, except for the "surplus" store as I recall.

 

Blues Alley was. Neat joint.

 

Never cared for Charlie Vergo's ribs, though. Never got into the dry variety.

 

A cupla decent Japanese restaurants though.

 

I've a hunch it's changed more than a little since then.

 

Strings:

 

Most straight acoustic players prefer the heavier strings 'cuz they're louder and can be played harder. I'm a lot more gentle than most even fingerpickin'. Probably 'cuz I started on a classical. Then again, playing out I'm always playing AE so "noise" is pretty much irrelevant - although I have a cupla big boxes with 10s. I'm even gentler with a flatpick.

 

But each to his own, and definitely it's different strokes for different folks.

 

m

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Just bought an EL-00 Pro this past weekend, after having an opportunity to sample three side by side. Two sounded somewhat boxy, but the third had a lovely sound and excellent playability - so it followed me home.

 

Overall, a lot of guitar at a seriously low price point!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kinda funny even on "boxy" sounds.

 

I had a cheapie PR4e Epi that I "stole" 'cuz the package amp was dead.

 

Sounded a bit boxy acoustic, fine electrified.

 

I don't know how to explain why one guitar will appeal to one player and not another from among a batch of the "same" instruments. But it happens, and frankly I'm glad.

 

Dunno if it's still somewhere on the site, but Sherry Brener's classical guitar web site had at one time a tale of a fine classical guitarist working to pick one instrument from a batch of 5-figure masterpieces. Sheesh. And I think I'm picky?

 

m

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't know how to explain why one guitar will appeal to one player and not another from among a batch of the "same" instruments. But it happens, and frankly I'm glad.

Regardless of the extent to which manufacturers strive for consistency,

thankfully one piece of wood will always differ from the next!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Glad it followed you home & hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine.

 

I didn't have the chance to try it at the store & my G A S attack wouldn't allow me to wait until they reordered, I'm not dissappointed in the

course I took.

 

When I received the guitar & inspected it I noticed a tiny flaw on the upper back of the foward bout, everything else was great, low action,

intonation spot on, first ever for me on an acoustic. I just mentioned it to the rep at GC and out came a new one to replace my flawed. It was

getting close to closing so in the case it went, didn't pick up until the next day . . . it was like two totally different guitars, action high

enough your fingers would slide under anything down past the 12th fret, and it got worse after that.

 

Called the rep & asked if my original was there, he said still in the box, so I am satisfied with my slight blemish, and 3 sets of strings, and

I'm not showing anyone where the spot is.

 

Really just a fun little guitar any which way you tune/play, acoustic or electric.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Called the rep & asked if my original was there, he said still in the box, so I am satisfied with my slight blemish

I hear you on that! In the long run, playability and tone will far outweigh looks, in terms of personal satisfaction with the instrument. Of the three I played, the spruce top on one was more appealing visually, but the tone was lacking. It was a no-brainer decision to take home the one who's tone made me want to pick it up over & over again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...