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Epiphone EJ-160E Owners


RevDavidLee

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I've been eyeballing these because I'm a long time Beatles fan & these guitars are inexpensive which makes me wonder - how do they sound? How's the playability & feel? Any owners care to share your impressions? Thanks! :)

 

I've got the Lennon signature model. I love it because.... it's the Lennon signature model! The sound and playability are typical for a fairly inexpensive Epiphone -- not bad, but not like a much more expensive Gibson. I love the position of that mag pickup, but it's not tremendously powerful. You'll probably want to run it through a pre-amp or else crank up the volume. I think you ought to get one! msp_thumbup.gif

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Thank you Cougar! [drool] I'm looking for enablers. I read other reviews about that pickup that speak to the issue you addressed but I have a plethora of gear to pump up the volume on that little fellar [smile]

 

I have one of the original EJ160es with the signature too and it's a great guitar but the pickup apparently reacts better to electric strings. I have never tried this as I've only played it acoustically. Have tried it through a PA (straight into the mixer) and it sounded better through an electric amp because of the mag pickup. I find it sounds better (to my ear) with 11s although think it's set up for 12s.

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I have one of the original EJ160es with the signature too and it's a great guitar but the pickup apparently reacts better to electric strings. I have never tried this as I've only played it acoustically. Have tried it through a PA (straight into the mixer) and it sounded better through an electric amp because of the mag pickup. I find it sounds better (to my ear) with 11s although think it's set up for 12s.

 

Thank you Sir! I'll let you know when she gets here the results of my messing around with her :)

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  • 2 weeks later...

POP_EJ160VS.jpg

 

I've been eyeballing these because I'm a long time Beatles fan & these guitars are inexpensive which makes me wonder - how do they sound? How's the playability & feel? Any owners care to share your impressions? Thanks! :)

I have this guitar (not lennon signature) and it's okay. When plug the valume is really low (i had to buy a Behringer acustic modeler pedal to gain more sound. The real "issue" is the setup... frets are terrible! I had to sand some frets and change plastic pins for bone ones. now is a little bit better (not more buzz). okay,is not a really expensive guitar as the original gibson but ,epiphone set up sucks...

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FINALLY this girl will be arriving this week! I hate when I order something that says it's "In Stock & Ready to Ship" to being backordered & waiting weeks for them to get them in stock. Anyhow I got the "Your item has shipped" notice last night so will post up photos when she gets here :)

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It's here! And as others have noted - the "e" fell right off the pick guard right away. That's fine with me as it would most definitely got whacked off of there while playing it [biggrin]

 

The guitar is stunning. I expected a satin type finish & it's beautifully glossy and feels great to play. I haven't plugged it in yet - just enjoying it unplugged so far.

 

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22893962_1682102938506491_6244468981447217599_n.jpg?oh=16e7a6fc2fcbb1c78b5ffc8ab3bfda2e&oe=5A66C699

 

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Congratulations! Great looking guitar!

 

How does it sound Acoustic? Electric?

 

What shaped neck does it have?

 

QM aka Jazzman Jeff

 

The neck is a 1960's Slim Taper D profile and it feels perfect - very easy on the hands and playability is surprisingly good for such an inexpensive guitar. She sounds very good both plugged in & unplugged - spruce top with select mahongany back & sides are responsible for that. I've read a few negative comments about the pickup on these models being weak or lacking bass response - I don't hear that at all. I would gig with this with no concerns. I'm very happy with this purchase. For comparitive views I own Martins & Gibsons as well so it's not like this was my first purchase in this realm. Love it love it love it [thumbup]

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The neck is a 1960's Slim Taper D profile and it feels perfect - very easy on the hands and playability is surprisingly good for such an inexpensive guitar. She sounds very good both plugged in & unplugged - spruce top with select mahongany back & sides are responsible for that. I've read a few negative comments about the pickup on these models being weak or lacking bass response - I don't hear that at all. I would gig with this with no concerns. I'm very happy with this purchase. For comparitive views I own Martins & Gibsons as well so it's not like this was my first purchase in this realm. Love it love it love it [thumbup]

 

Hey Rev what are you plugging into?

I have one of the older John Lennon signature models and the pickup doesn't sound very good - weak and not very loud - considering either installing a new pickup or a Behringer AD121 pedal between the guitar and mixer.

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Hey Rev what are you plugging into?

I have one of the older John Lennon signature models and the pickup doesn't sound very good - weak and not very loud - considering either installing a new pickup or a Behringer AD121 pedal between the guitar and mixer.

 

The first amp I plugged into was this one:

 

jc-22_F_gal.jpg

 

But then I ran her through my usual acoustic amps (SWR)

 

swr-california-blonde-ii-566161.jpg

 

000000113100613-00-500x500.jpg

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The first amp I plugged into was this one:

 

jc-22_F_gal.jpg

 

But then I ran her through my usual acoustic amps (SWR)

 

swr-california-blonde-ii-566161.jpg

 

000000113100613-00-500x500.jpg

 

Nice amps - I found mine was fine through an electric practice amp (probably because it's a passive pickup) but not so great through a mixer and active speaker setup. Is your strung with electric or acoustic strings? Mine has pure acoustic which is probably another factor.

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One of the charms of a magnetic pickup is you can plug into any amp you want. I do not own a J-160E in any of its variations but do use Dearmond 210 pickups and have a 1950s Gibson CF-100E (Gibson's first attempt at a cutaway flattop and an onboard P-90 pickup). My favorite amp remains an old Standel tube amp. It is a freaky clean amp.

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Nice amps - I found mine was fine through an electric practice amp (probably because it's a passive pickup) but not so great through a mixer and active speaker setup. Is your strung with electric or acoustic strings? Mine has pure acoustic which is probably another factor.

 

It's strung with the strings that came with it - acoustic. No plans to change them. Just enjoying the new git :)

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  • 3 weeks later...

I’ve owned the John Lennon Signature model for 6+ years. The stacked P90 pickup sounds great. Especially when playing it through a Vox AC30. Someone mentioned guitar strings. If you want to play it strictly acoustic without Amplifier then use a nice brass/bronze wound string. However, the pickup is magnetic. You’ll have to use a steel or nickle type string that is magnetic too. Pyramid makes a great set of Nickle guitar strings in either Flat wound or Round wound (smooth). Strings by mail dot com has the best selection (MHO).

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  • 4 months later...

It's strung with the strings that came with it - acoustic. No plans to change them. Just enjoying the new git :)

 

 

I was told to try an 'electric set of strings' for my Lennon EJ-160E.....bought a set Pyramid Gold 10's...flatwounds.....haven't changed them yet but I've heard it gives the guitar a more 'jangly' sound......

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hey Rev what are you plugging into?

I have one of the older John Lennon signature models and the pickup doesn't sound very good - weak and not very loud - considering either installing a new pickup or a Behringer AD121 pedal between the guitar and mixer.

I have one of the Lennon signature models and would like to replace the pickup. Did you replace yours? Thanks...

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I have one of the Lennon signature models and would like to replace the pickup. Did you replace yours? Thanks...

 

I bought the Behringer pedal and it improves the volume a lot but it still sounds a bit like a semi acoustic electric guitar - like a Casino maybe.

I have a fishman sonitone pickup that a fine Epi forum member very kindly sent me; still considering having that installed. It has the 2 dials in the soundhole and goes through the end strap pin hole so pretty non-evasive and I can keep the old pickup installed too.

Edited by Dodger11
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I bought the Behringer pedal and it improves the volume a lot but it still sounds a bit like a semi acoustic electric guitar - like a Casino maybe.

I have a fishman sonitone pickup that a fine Epi forum member very kindly sent me; still considering having that installed. It has the 2 dials in the soundhole and goes through the end strap pin hole so pretty non-evasive and I can keep the old pickup installed too.

Thanks! I'd like to replace the pickup because I'd like to stay with electric guitar strings and with running it through an amp, like an electric guitar. A real P-90 will not fit. I guess the only option would be to have a pickup built?

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