[Review: Gibson Advanced Jumbo vs Epiphone Masterbilt AJ-500RE]

I have tried out the Masterbilts as well to see how they stack up against a good Gibson and have been impressed to a point, but still don't see the comparison other than the look of the guitar. My 2005 AJ has volume with balance and tone that rivals that of a grand piano when strumming chords. For fingerstyle, it excells. Fingerstyle is my preference for playing so if a guitar doesn't handle that well, I keep looking and unfortunatly, I have not been able to hear the notes as distinctly on the Masterbilts I played vs. my AJ.

 

Then there is the fact that nobody, and I really mean NOBODY.... does a burst like Gibson! (Here is my AJ for proof.)

 

[i.d. your Epiphone here -- serial # key, guitardater link + factory codes... a worldwide guide >part 3]

I got my Epi Casino off Craigslist a week ago. It is a 1996 Peerless Korea made guitar with an original factory installed Epiphone Bigsby.

 

Serial number is R96M 0534

 

Is that May of 1996 then?