Irish_Rover Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 I was just browsing around a Dutch auction site and came across an Epiphone PR-545MPL. From the photos it looks to be in reasonable condition and the guy is not expecting silly money for it so I'm half tempted to put in a bid. Thing is, I can't find any information on this model at all, it's a dreadnought and was made in Japan (the pics show the label in the sound hole). Could anybody here perhaps shed a little more light? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agradeleous Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 Interesting very rare so it seems maple back and sides I take it some pics I seen looks like it has a bolt on neck or it was a name plate could not zoom the pic for clearer detail . Cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 I was just browsing around a Dutch auction site and came across an Epiphone PR-545MPL. From the photos it looks to be in reasonable condition and the guy is not expecting silly money for it so I'm half tempted to put in a bid. It's not in epiwiki, but there is a PR-500 and 550 run in the 80s. The maple back and sides probably look nice, but I'm betting they're laminate. The spruce top might also be. Most of the PR's are all laminate, with a few exceptions with a solid spruce top. And the neck does look bolt-on, which is weird, but it's hard to see on the one photo of this model on the internet. Epiwiki says the 500 and 550 are set necks. The MPL is apparently fairly rare, but still not worth a lot, IMO. What few there were, apparently went to Europe, with some left in Japan. What's the serial no.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irish_Rover Posted May 4, 2015 Author Share Posted May 4, 2015 It's not in epiwiki, but there is a PR-500 and 550 run in the 80s. The maple back and sides probably look nice, but I'm betting they're laminate. The spruce top might also be. Most of the PR's are all laminate, with a few exceptions with a solid spruce top. And the neck does look bolt-on, which is weird, but it's hard to see on the one photo of this model on the internet. Epiwiki says the 500 and 550 are set necks. The MPL is apparently fairly rare, but still not worth a lot, IMO. What few there were, apparently went to Europe, with some left in Japan. What's the serial no.? The serial number is 07780467 and you can see the guitar here: http://www.marktplaats.nl/a/muziek-en-instrumenten/snaarinstrumenten-gitaren-akoestisch/m923767394-epiphone-by-gibson.html?c=be2da871b0d84f75c3056cc6db858f31&previousPage=lr# I'm not desperate to buy it, just had a mild case of GAS and this piqued my interest because it's something a bit different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 I'm not desperate to buy it, just had a mild case of GAS and this piqued my interest because it's something a bit different. Yeah, it is different and interesting, but I think overpriced for a 30+ year old Norlin era laminate Epiphone. You can get a pretty nice brand new Epiphone in that price range (Hummingbird Artist?). I haven't been following the currency market, but jeez, what happened to the euro? It has really dropped with respect to the dollar in the last year or so.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irish_Rover Posted May 4, 2015 Author Share Posted May 4, 2015 I haven't been following the currency market, but jeez, what happened to the euro? It has really dropped with respect to the dollar in the last year or so.... It's even worse against the pound, I have family in the UK and visiting them is very expensive. We can thank the Greeks for that. Yeah, it is different and interesting, but I think overpriced for a 30+ year old Norlin era laminate Epiphone. You can get a pretty nice brand new Epiphone in that price range (Hummingbird Artist? You're right, I'd pretty much decided to give it a miss. This all started with the hype over the new Masterbilt, which is no longer even an option, seeing as how not one single dealer in this country seems to be carrying it and Thomann have pulled it from their line. Apparently I haven't won one either. I have been looking at Dove Pros, Hummingbird Pros and Texans but I'm not sure what any of them will give that my DR500MCE doesn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agradeleous Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 Can't go wrong with the dr500mce 🎸😃 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffenstein Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 I have been looking at Dove Pros, Hummingbird Pros and Texans but I'm not sure what any of them will give that my DR500MCE doesn't. The only thing the Texan, Hummingbird or Dove will give you is a non-cutaway look. They won't perform better than what you already have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Undecided Posted March 10, 2020 Share Posted March 10, 2020 I have an Epiphone PR-545 MPL , Serial No. 07780177, which I bought in about 1976-78[?]. It has never had any maintenance, other than string-changing and wiping/dusting off, and still plays beautifully, with a good action, and a lovely tone. The back is, or looks to be solid bird's-eye maple, and looks great, but as for the sides and back, I couldn't be as sure. I was interested to read earlier on here, or on another page/forum, that the model was/may have been a prototype, and also that there may not be any othe examples of the guitar in existence. I just thought I would say that there is at least one other. I have no idea of its value, but in any case, it isn't for sale. I will try and add some pictures at a later date. Cheers, Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chessplayer Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 Hi folks! I just got an Epiphone PR-545MPL here in Italy! I was trying to find some more info but I'm having a really hard time. I tried contacting Gibson to learn something about this guitar but I didn't receive a reply yet. I found and old catalog on Epiwiki with all the PR series but the 545 model is missing (there is 500 and 550). Do you have any news? Thanx!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chessplayer Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 Here is the back. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chessplayer Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 On 3/10/2020 at 9:59 PM, Mike Undecided said: I have an Epiphone PR-545 MPL , Serial No. 07780177, which I bought in about 1976-78[?]. It has never had any maintenance, other than string-changing and wiping/dusting off, and still plays beautifully, with a good action, and a lovely tone. The back is, or looks to be solid bird's-eye maple, and looks great, but as for the sides and back, I couldn't be as sure. I was interested to read earlier on here, or on another page/forum, that the model was/may have been a prototype, and also that there may not be any othe examples of the guitar in existence. I just thought I would say that there is at least one other. I have no idea of its value, but in any case, it isn't for sale. I will try and add some pictures at a later date. Cheers, Mike Hi Mike, please see my reply below! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.