MichaelDH Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Thinking about getting an acoustic before the end of the year. I tried out recently at Sweetwater a Masterbilt for a few minutes, seemed like a pretty nice guitar. Just wondered who had one, and what your thoughts were on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Me for one - and a lotta others here. Some had some mixed luck with the dual pups on the AE versions - nobody that I recall had problems with the instrument itself if properly set up. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffmac Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Thinking about getting an acoustic before the end of the year. I tried out recently at Sweetwater a Masterbilt for a few minutes, seemed like a pretty nice guitar. Just wondered who had one, and what your thoughts were on it. Which one did you try I have the dr500mce and it is as solid a guitar as any out there at any price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Cliff... Mine is an Aj500me. As you noted, as good an instrument as any, better than most. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelDH Posted November 1, 2014 Author Share Posted November 1, 2014 Not sure what model it was. Sounded really good and played nice for the few minutes I played it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyghthawk Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Mine is a DR 500MCE. Chances are the one you played was either this model or the EF 500RCCE. The DR is a dred, the EF is OM size. Never played the EF. The DR is wonderful. Tone, sustain, look, ease of play. Just wow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffmac Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Was it a sunburst cut away? Doesn't really matter if you want one of the best acoustics made get it. you will not be sorry and when you get it post pictures please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Recently got this AJ500M: Played one at the local GC a couple of years ago, but wanted Rosewood. I was, however, impressed with the quality, etc. Well, then Epi dq'd the Masterbilt's. Just saw a couple of months ago where they were going to ship some Masterbilt AJ500M's through the GC, so I jumped. Glad I did. Love the guitar. It's a Martin/Taylor quality at a fraction of the cost. Can't speak for the electonics as mentioned previously. For A/E's I own Ovations. This is my one, true, "acoustic" and I couldn't be happier. As an aside, I always take new guitars to my luthier for a quick "warranty issue" going over, and a good setup of nothing shows up on the warranty front. His first comment was "Oh yeah, I love the Masterbilts." YMMV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarLight Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 I own two fine slope shoulders Masterbilts. Great guitars! Buy it without hesitation. Mine are outstanding....better than my previous Martins and Taylors...all of which were sold off when I got the Masterbilts. The lower priced Epiphone 220 series models are also excellent. (AJ220S, AJ220SCE, and even the Epiphone Hummingbird.) But the Masterbilts, for more money, are top of the Epiphone premium line. ..and they are well worth the money. The new Epiphone $599 Masterbilt DR500MCE will stand back to back with any Martin costing $2400 and up.... Um, but don't expect many Martin owners to fess up to that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Let's put it this way... Anybody who gets a Masterbuilt and doesn't get a case for it either isn't going to play it anywhere outside his or his neighbor's yard, or he doesn't value an instrument he or she has had set up for him or her. 'Cuz it's more than worth protecting. I'll also agree about the AJ220s... m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Just wondered who had one, and what your thoughts were on it. As everyone has said, they're excellent guitars. I've got three non-cutaways: a mahogany, a rosewood with abalone, and a maple, all with spruce top. <= these were only made from 2004-2010. All mine were purchased used, and they're in like-new condition. They're all EF-500's, with the 1.75" nut. I've heard nothing but good about the newer acoustic/electrics, but I'm not wild about the cutaway shape.... Actually, I just put the 2010 rosewood EF-500RA up for sale locally. I'll see if I get any bites before going national and dealing with shipping.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffmac Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 1 more comment here, I just bought a Dove Pro put the ernie ball aluminum/bronze 10-50's on it and wow for the price another winner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisB643 Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 I own three Masterbilts,the DR500MCE being my favorite. All have gotten rave reviews...for the money, they are a tremendous value, as well as being quality instruments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzariahJames Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 Really like my AJ-500RENS. Beautiful to look at, and the tone and resonance are outstanding. These are really well made guitars. Would not hesitate to pick up another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 Not sure what model it was. Sounded really good and played nice for the few minutes I played it. There's what appears to be a nice EF-500MNS at guitarcenter Tucson (in GC's 'used gear' section). $399 includes case is a darn good deal. I really like my EF-500MNS.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelDH Posted November 3, 2014 Author Share Posted November 3, 2014 Thanks for all the responses. Will probably go to either GC or Sweetwater and check into them a little more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucille64 Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 Just my two cents.... I have a DR500MNA a 2007 model and after owning so many "high End" acoustic guitars, too many to mention, my DR500 is hands down my favorite of all by far. What I really like about the mahogany body Masterbilts is there tonal balance from string to string. Not over bassy on the low end and not overly shrill on the high end. The mids are perfect. They are great solo artist guitars. Mine has such a perfect neck for me, better than any of my other acoustic guitars ever no matter how much they had cost me including my 11,000 dollar custom shop Martin 000-45. Masterbilt Epiphone's are in general without a doubt, in my humble opinion, the best guitars on the market dollar for dollar than any others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mik Neville Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 I have a 500MCE 2011 model bought new in 2012 one of the finest guitars I have ever had. Been playing guitars for 48 years and when I think of all the guitars I have had over that time that were to me the one just blows me away that this thing for 600.00 CDN can stand with them all. Still have a 1972 bird and this DR is on its way to being as good a sound as it is.Mik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 In fact, some Epi forum members have suggested that since the Masterbuilts are not apparently being made to meet demand, that Gibson is concerned about losing sales on Gibson-branded lower-price acoustics. Yeah, I think they're just about that good too, regardless that most ain't as shiny as a Gibson. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldblackdogs Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 Hello All, I'm pulling the trigger on a used EF-500 in rosewood, with a cutaway, this weekend, and I have two questions- 1, does anyone know what string gauge Epi ships these with, and 2- does anyone have a recommendation for a good solid case that will withstand some road abuse? Thank, d Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucille64 Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 there are many great options when it comes to cases. In my humble opinion.... Calton are the very best.... http://www.calton-cases.com/ , then Hiscox.... http://www.hiscoxcases.com/index.htm then Ameritage.... http://www.ameritagecases.com/customshop.php and then the next level... TKL, SKB, Gator, Silver Creek, Superior, CNB, and many many others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucille64 Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 Hello All, I'm pulling the trigger on a used EF-500 in rosewood, with a cutaway, this weekend, and I have two questions- 1, does anyone know what string gauge Epi ships these with, and 2- does anyone have a recommendation for a good solid case that will withstand some road abuse? Thank, d I believe they ship with 12-53 for the most part Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 I have a 500MCE 2011 model bought new in 2012 one of the finest guitars I have ever had. Been playing guitars for 48 years and when I think of all the guitars I have had over that time that were to me the one just blows me away that this thing for 600.00 CDN can stand with them all. Still have a 1972 bird and this DR is on its way to being as good a sound as it is.Mik Good to hear it, Mik, and welcome to the board. My EF500RA just sold, by the way. When I got it, it was to see which I would keep, that or the EF500MNS. I'm sticking with this mahogany guitar, and glad to get my money back out of the RA. Now I can pick up a nice little EL-00 Pro. Oh, here's my mahogany. Flawless. She's moved into the SKB case now. B) . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucille64 Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 Good to hear it, Mik, and welcome to the board. My EF500RA just sold, by the way. When I got it, it was to see which I would keep, that or the EF500MNS. I'm sticking with this mahogany guitar, and glad to get my money back out of the RA. Now I can pick up a nice little EL-00 Pro. Oh, here's my mahogany. Flawless. She's moved into the SKB case now. B) . Now that is a very sweet Masterbilt !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 Main thing I see "wrong" with my Masterbuilt - and most other Epi flattops - is the 25 1/2 scale. I'd much prefer the shorter scale. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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