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sbpark

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Posts posted by sbpark

  1. 1 minute ago, Sgt. Pepper said:

    Go read my post I said lap top speakers and the word crappy is not in my post. Don't put words in my mouth. You guys love to pick fights. I'm trying to be nice and you guys make it hard.

    Please. Pot calling the kettle black much?

  2. 3 minutes ago, Sgt. Pepper said:

    Nothing, just me doing me. I have played many a Taylor and they are damn nice no doubt, but not my cup of tea. Are we gonna do the Neil Young thing where if I don't align with what you veiw, I'm a d-ick?

    You should change your name from Sgt. Pepper to Straw Man. 

  3. 1 minute ago, Sgt. Pepper said:

    I got Let It Be on through my Polk Audio RTA-11T's on vinyl. Not harsh either.

    What does that have to do with the Taylor in question? Nothing. 

    You were moaning about "crappy laptop speakers" because two people said the all-maple Taylor sounded nice. 

    Maybe shut off the record and listen to the demos of the guitar. 

    • Haha 1
  4. 2 minutes ago, Sgt. Pepper said:

    I don't judge guitars by how they sound on lap top speakers on a video.

    You do you, but there's two of us now what have said it's not harsh and bright or snappy. But we're not stopping you from being stubborn. You are free to believe and think whatever you want!

    Oh, and I'm listening through a set of Kali monitors, not crappy laptop speakers. 

  5. 32 minutes ago, Sgt. Pepper said:

    I'll bet that thing will be snappier than a hooker taking a pee.

    To me Taylors are nice to look at. Every time I play one they are just to trebly for me. There is another acoustic describing word.

    You'd think so, but not necessarily. I remember watching a video of the all-maple Taylor in question (back, sides and top) from Alamo Music and it sounded really nice (for a Taylor). It was warm and defined. Snappy, strident or harsh it was not. 

  6. 1 hour ago, Hype said:

    I wish there was an unboxing video. Does it come with any case candy?

    Sorry, I’m not much of a video making guy. Also don’t have any type of social media. 
     

    As far as case candy, it came with a D’Addario Humidipack set (one for the headstock and a double pouch for the soundhole), the usual Gibson QC/warranty pamphlet, a polishing cloth,  Gibson keychain and a truss rod wrench. 

  7. 53 minutes ago, bobouz said:

    We can keep doing this dance for as long as you want to keep going down the same repetitive road.  Of course people come here to ask about Gibson QA stuff, just like they go to UMGF to ask about Martin QA stuff.  And guess what?  For anything similar to these assorted blemish issues, Martin guys typically give the exact same answers:  "Oh, it must be the dealer's fault.....  Decide if you really want to keep that guitar, and if so, try negotiating a discount you can live with.....  I wouldn't keep anything sold as new that isn't perfect - send it back.....  If you want to keep the guitar, it might be covered under warranty, contact Martin."

    For the umpteenth time, my point being that these two companies exist on the same playing field.  They both make good guitars, and they both have screw ups from time to time because they are significantly automated production line manufacturers with regular staff turnover.  That said, Martin's systemic & extended binding problem is the most severe example I can recall in recent decades, and their corporate leadership's silence on the matter is disappointing to say the least.  Hopefully their loyal customers will be better served in the future.

    And speaking of loyalty, it seems pretty obvious that if ever there was a Martin fanboy, you are it.  Nothing wrong with that at all.  But a Martin fanboy who continually feels the need to elevate Martins above Gibsons on a Gibson forum is rather sadly pathetic.  So why are you here?  Have you torched your bridges with every other forum via your typical calling card incivility?  No problem - you can tout your Martins here all day long, post pictures as you have, and enjoy sharing with everyone how much you like them.  Beyond that, I would refer you once again to Frank's sage advice.     

    I've had two (read that again as TWO) Martins I bought new that needed neck resets. One was 4 years after I bought it, the other was 6 MOTHS after I bought it. They refused to do the  neck reset under warranty for the first guitar and only allowed the authorized shop to shave or replace the bridge. Took the second Martin back to the same authorized repair shop and the shop said it would get turned down by corporate so I got a second and third opinion by other Martin authorized repair shops. The second shop (Gryphon Stringed Instruments) said they had stopped taking in these newer Martins that were needing neck resets so early on because it was just too overwhelming for their repair shop, and were only taking in said guitars if they were bought from them at Gryphon. Since I didn't buy the guitar from them I sought out a third shop an hour away from my. They called Martin and really pleaded my case and said this wasn't right and the only way to make it right was to authorize a neck reset, who corporate finally agreed to. Needless to say, I sold the first Martin (000-15M) after I got it back. The second guitar was a D-18 that has been rock solid since the rest and still have it to this day. I also swear the neck reset made that guitar sound better. 

    I've only had to deal with Gibson warranty for relatively small issues, but they never gave any push back and were way easier to deal with than Martin. Had an 2013 SF Standard that had a cracked tenon cover and cracked pickup surround that they didn't even need pictures of and send the parts out to me ASAP. Next was a new J-45 Standard I bought that developed a crack along the grain on the end of the bridge. Took it to an authorized Gibson repair shop. Gibson corporate requested a copy of the receipt as proof of purchase which I had and it was immediately taken care of. 

    Not an apples to apples comparison, but I have bought more new Gibsons over the years than Martins but have had more serious warranty issues on the Martins, and Gibson customer service has been easier to deal with for me personally.

  8. 12 hours ago, 3mar67 said:

    I emailed the store about the missing warranty card/QC checklist, and was told Gibson does not include those with the acoustic guitars, just the electrics. 

    Anybody here buy a new Gibson acoustic (2021) and can verify this?

     

    I've bought new J-45's over the years and they all came with the checklist/warranty pamphlet. Never received a warranty card though. Even found the warranty card with the QC checklist in the case of several used Gibson acoustics. 

    Had a crack develop  in one of the J-45 bridges a couple years later. Took it to a Gibson authorized repair shop and had a copy of the receipt when I bought the guitar and it was repaired free of charge under warranty no questions asked. 

    Also got the checklist (Gibson checklist) and Gibson case candy with my new Epiphone USA Frontier acoustic. 

  9. 22 hours ago, E-minor7 said:

    Heps for getting one of these classic beauties home. Must be an adventure.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Here is Cooper & Chris demoing it. Sounds great - lots of raw power and finesse - a character of its own.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Let this guitar break in and you' ll probably have a dream. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Listening again, I really dig it ^

    I saw that one. I also really liked how they sound in this demo from Andertons.

     

  10. I will agree, the $4k price tag is ridiculous. I initially picked up one of the import Frontiers and was really disappointed with it and it immediately went back. But I’ve always liked maple and loved the sound of the Dove but couldn’t get along with the Dove aesthetics and wasn’t willing to shell out for a J-200. 
     

    I emailed a few reputable shops that had the Frontier in stock. One wrote me back with an offer I couldn’t refuse and had three left over from 2021 to choose from (2 burst, 1 natural). Their customer service was top notch and made a few videos with sound clips so I could compare and contrast. Luckily for me the best looking one also sounded the best. 

    I’ll just say that I paid less than what I’ve seen these current production Frontiers going for used. That made it worth taking the risk and buying the guitar without seeing it, feeling it and hearing it in person. 

    Although it’s only been a few days still, I’m VERY happy with the guitar and feel like I got a great deal for a phenomenal instrument. . I was deciding between one of these and finding a used J-200 and have no regrets going with the Frontier. Also cost me way less than a used J-200. 

    As I mentioned before, with my other acoustic being a D-18, the Frontier is the perfect compliment since they are both so different from each other sonically while still satisfying my preference for larger body guitars/dreads and longer scale necks.

  11.  

    Received this guitar today. Yes, it says Epiphone on the headstock, but all the paperwork, warranty card and care candy all say Gibson, so I figured it was appropriate to put it on this forum given the Epiphone forum doesn't seem to get much traffic. 

    Sold my J45 Standard (couldn't bond with it) recently along with an SG Classic (amazing guitar but never play it) and bought this new Frontier. 

    I have always preferred longer scale necks and bigger body guitars over smaller, and wanted something that complimented my D-18. I was very nervous buying one of these sight unseen (well, I did get to see pictures of it and hear sound clips of a few the shop had in stock), but feel like I made the right decision. 

    This guitar sounds huge and is very responsive and dynamic. I'm loving that it is both a great strummer and fantastic finger picker. It's on the brighter side compared to my D-18, but the furthest thing from being described as harsh, shrill, etc. The highs are nice and rich without being tinny and the low end is glorious without being muddy. It's just a very nice sounding, well balanced guitar that so far seems to handle anything you throw at it. Haven't tried any open tunings with it yet, but it's great with drop D tuning and capoed up the neck is fantastic.

    Neck is what I would describe as medium. It's not thin, but definitely wouldn't call it fat, either. I would have liked a little fatter neck, but really have no complaints about it and it's a little more meaty than the neck on the 2018 D-18, which I think is on the thinner side. 

    Fit and finish are really nice. The flame on the back and sides is gorgeous! It's a bit over the top as far as my taste is concerned, but I kind of dig it and sure it will grow on me. I've owned a couple maple back and sides J200's in the past and would say that there are hints of similarities in tone, but the Frontier has a bigger, wider dynamic range, especially in the low end in comparison. You can hit this thing as hard as you want or lightly pick on it and fingerpick and it just sounds so good. 

    The guitar arrived set up really well. Only thing I will need to do is file the nut slots a bit, but the relief is perfect and the action is right where I like it. Just some attention paid the the nut slots and it will be perfect. 

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    • Like 3
  12. 14 minutes ago, pohatu771 said:

    I've played one a few times. I can't compare it directly to a Dove, but I liked it. Very resonant, but brighter than my J-45 or Texan and more defined. The specific notes seem to be clearer/

    The J-45's I've had were all over the place from thumpers to one having pretty tinny highs. I was looking for something that had a BIG sound that was clear but not tinny or harsh and was pretty dynamic and articulate, so I'm hoping I made a good choice with the Frontier. I've had  my D-18 now for about 3-4 years and think the Frontier would compliment that guitar quite well. I also never really got along with shorter scale guitars, and am pretty excited about the scale length of the Frontier. 

  13. I realize there is a separate Epiphone acoustic forum, but it's like crickets over there. Plus the new USA-made Epiphones are made in the Gibson custom shop in Bozeman. 

    I've always preferred longer-scale acoustics and with the Gibson lineup it's been AJ's and J200's. Always liked the sound of the Dove but aesthetically they just aren't my bag. Aside from the different shape bridge and some Doves that have the multi-ply maple/walnut necks while others have a mahogany neck, they're pretty similar. Body shape and bracing are the same. So I took a chance and ordered a Masterbilt Frontier, but was disappointed with it and sent it back. Ended up pulling the trigger on a new 2021 USA made Frontier that should be here Thursday. It has some crazy flame on the back and it's a beautiful guitar. The burst finish looks really nice on it from the photos I've seen.  Wasn't able to play it in person but had the shop send me some video and sound clips. 

    Anyone else own one or get the chance to play one of these?

     

  14. I ended up pulling the trigger on one of these. Will hopefully have it early next week. I really like longer scale guitars and have never got along with Gibon's short-scale offerings despite trying many times to bond with carious incarnations of J-45's. I've owned and loved AJ's and J200's in the past (that I foolishly sold over the years). I like the sound of the Dove but really can't get into the aesthetics of those, so the Frontier seems like a great option. Essentially a Dove in different clothes so to speak. 

    I tried one of the imported Frontiers but was pretty disappointed with it and sent it back the next day. Jsut wan't up to my expectations. It sounded ok, but was very heavy and had some issues with the neck. Buzzing all over, a hump around the 14th fret, etc. 

    Hopefully this Frontier works out because I'eve never been into buying guitars sight unseen, especially one this expensive. The place I bought ti from had a few ins tock and made me some videos of it being played that helped in the choice though. 

    • Like 1
  15. I received the Masterbilt Frontier that I ordered, but have already sent it back. It was a decent looking guitar, but the neck and some major issues. The D&G strings buzzed at nearly every fret and seemed to have a hump around the 14th fret where every string buzzed. Relief was spot on but the action was ridiculously low.  I checked the action and it was .060 on the Lowe E and .030 on the high E (no joking, it really was that low measured at the 12th fret!) So I pooped in a rosewood whim under the saddle (didn't glue it in or anything, jsut wanted to see what would happen if I raised the action). Buzzing improved in a lot of places but the G string still buzzed all over the the buzzing past the 14th fret was still there. Frets were a little sharp as well, but that would have been an easy fix with a file. 

    The guitar weighed about a pound more than my D-18 and seems to be about 3/4lb heavier than the USA made Frontiers. 

    Needless to say it went back. 

  16. Well, I ordered one sight unseen yesterday and it should behave tomorrow along with the Epi hardshell case. 

     

    The lifting pick guard thing is a well known issue not only with these Epiphones, but Gibsons as well. I've powered several new J45's that had this issue and a 2012 SJ200 that had the lifting pickguard. The only Gibson acoustics I've owned that didn't have the lifting pickguard were a 2012 AJ and a J45TV. 

    I think the maple was a good choice to compliment my D-18. That think rumbles and has super deep, rich lows. Hoping the Frontier will be a little crisper and clearer without being harsh or thin. I love the dread shape and stoked that it has a regular/longer-scale neck. 

  17. I have been tempted to pick up another acoustic. Currently all I have at the moment is a "Reimagined" D-18 that is a beast of a guitar. Big, rich sound that I just love. Great, defined low end that isnt mushy, very nice highs that aren't shrill or thin and the guitar is just incredibly responsive. It starts to resonate when it's sitting next to me and I'm jsut talking. It really is an awesome acoustic. I recently sold my J45 )I've tried to liek J45's over the last few years going through quite a few of them but just can't bond with them). 

    I've come to the realization that I jsut like longer scale guitars. Used to have a wonderful Gibson SJ200 that I foolishly sold, along with a 2012 Advanced Jumbo. The longer scale Gibsons seem to be where it's at for me and longer scale acoustics in general. Went through a phase or owning a few small body Martins and Waterloos, and always went back to my dreads. 

    The Epiphone Masterbilt Frontier has caught my eye and ear recently. Unfortunately they aren't around in the stores near me, but was hoping to hear from those that have one of have played one. The sound samples on YouTube are promising, but there are obviously many other factors influencing those sound clips. I always liked the sound of the SJ200 with the maple back and sides and that guitar always sounded great recorded. Wondering how these much less expensive Masterbilt Frontiers are working out for those that have one?

     

  18. A little update...really was enjoying the sound of the Monel 13's on the J45 but really wasn't digging the feel of the 13's. I know I may be in the minority here, but Ive always found that the J45 Standard I've owned preferred slightly higher action and just a touch more neck relief compared to longer-scale guitars. I've had the frets leveled, crowned and polished, so I can have the action lower and less relief, but it does seem to rob the J45 of a lot of it's tone when I take the action down (and I'm not talking crazy low). 

    So I popped on a set of Monel 12's and the guitar still sounds fantastic and plays much easier. I guess this particular J45 just did not like D'Addario EJ16's, which have been my goto for years. Just waiting for the initial "zing" to fade on the Monel and think they'll be perfect. 

  19. I've always put 12's on all the J45's I've owned (J45V, TV & Standards). I have a 2016 J45 Standard that was gifted to me. It never sounded that great to my ear, always a bit thin and tinny. I did make some changes to this guitars aesthetically (Kluson 3 on a plate tuners, bone nut, saddle and bridge pins, batwing pick guard, black truss rod cover and removed the pickup system. Took quite a bit of weight off the guitar and it looks so much nicer to my eyes. However, it still sounded thin and tinny. 

     

    I've kept the guitar out on a stand or on a wall hanger so I'd be more inclined to pick ip up and play it, but every time I have I've been disappointed. My go-to acoustic strings have been D'Addario EJ16 and EJ17. They sound good on pretty much any guitar I've owned, be it the small body Waterloos, J200 I used to own (really miss that one), and my D18 (which has been my #1 for a few years now). Frustrated, I decided to order some new strings and also found a set of Martin Retro 13's in the back of my desk drawer. Figured, what the heck, right?

     

    Well, they sound pretty amazing on this J45. I've always preferred 12's on my J45's, but this guitar seems to really like 13's. Richer, fuller bass, and a warmer overall sound. The other thing that surprised me was the sustain. In the past when I've put 13's on a J45 it seemed to kill the sustain and the guitar sounded tight. Just the opposite with this guitar and the Retros. I'm hoping once these Retros are on the guitar for a few days they'll warm up even more. 

  20. No sense in trying to reinvent the wheel here. If you dont liek the sound of the guitar, then you don't like the sound of the guitar. 

    This is Gibson message board, so everyone here likes Gibsons, so they will be inclined to offer "remedies" to solve your problem, but the truth is not all guitars sound the same, and not everyone will agree on whether or not a guitar sounds "good" to them. A great sounding guitar could sound like nails in a chalkboard to someone else. 

    With all that said I may actually understand what the OP is taking about. I've owned several J45 Standards and they do seem to have some sort of tinny or nigh end zing to them that other models I've owned when compared to a J45TV, J45V and Advanced Jumbo. And J45 Standards jsut seem to be "brighter" than the other incarnations of J45. It's either something you like or don't, and if you don't there's no sense trying to convince yourself that you'll end up liking it down the line or you can "fix" the problem. 

    Life's too short to try and turn a guitar into something it's not. I find too many People will buy a certain model of guitar simply because it's touted on the internet as something great, or it's wha they are told to buy, etc. I personally have a J45 Standard and a Reinagined D18. Both of those guitars sound amazing, though they sound nothing like each other, and I like that. 

     

  21. Replacing the tuner buttons and leaving the rest of the Rotomatic tuner on there really isn't going to give you much benefit. If you really want to do it for weight savings just ditch them altogether and install a set of 3 0n a plate Kluson Deluxes. It's not a tough job to swap them out, the original screw holes are completely covered and you wont ever know that the Rotomatics were ever on there. Next, pull out the stock LR Bags UST pickup and battery and with both of those changes you'll have shaved off a little over 1/2 pound. 

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