olie 8 Posted October 29, 2016 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 Don't know that I've seen it done on this forum but thought it'd be interesting to see how different Epiphones rank with the membership.Could the Forum keep a running tally?Just an October idea from the soon-to-be-frozen north. I've only played a few models but I'll vote for the Masterbilt DR-500MCE. Let's have some fun! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Leonard McCoy 121 Posted October 29, 2016 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 This'll be an interesting one since there are so many Epiphone acoustic models now out of production. I'll give my vote to both the rather obscure Epiphone SQ-180 Neil Diamond from the 2000s and the legendary long-scale Hummbingbird predecessor FT-90 El Dorado from the 1960s. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mickthemiller 5 Posted October 29, 2016 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 I have shouted from the roof tops about the AJ45me Masterbilt since it was first announced, so it would have to be that. I would give a shout to the AJ220s (fine guitars) and the Texan. Incidentally, both these are the cheapest by far on the net at the moment at Thomann. Hi Irish.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sparquelito 964 Posted October 29, 2016 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 I covet a 1960's vintage Epiphone Texan, but I haven't found one for sale that I can afford. :( Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Irish_Rover 10 Posted October 29, 2016 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 Hello Mick. Wow, tough question (especially as I've only really played three models). I think I would probably go along with the DR500-MCE just because it's the most versatile and the one I happened to be playing today, although I do understand that a lot of people don't like cutaways. I do have a soft spot for the AJ-220S and happily recommend it to anyone who asks about budget/starter guitars. None of which is meant to denigrate the AJ45-ME in any way as it is a great guitar in its own right, so good in fact, I think I'll go and play it now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hu3436 0 Posted October 29, 2016 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 I tried a few guitars in a main store a couple of months back and found I preferred the epiphone dr500 Mce to the more expensive Gibson songwriter cutaway model as the action felt too high and was clunky to play plus it didn't sound any better only marginal. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobouz 258 Posted October 29, 2016 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 I covet a 1960's vintage Epiphone Texan That would be my first choice as well. But right behind it would be the following: > McCartney '64 Texan Elitist, 1,964 made by Terada in Japan. I happen to be fortunate enough to own one, and it is a very faithful reproduction of a '60s Texan, right down to the nitro finish & adjustable bridge. Limited run for Adopt-A-Minefield fundraiser. > McCartney '64 Texan made by Gibson in Bozeman. Limited run for Adopt-A-Minefield fundraiser. > Elitist Texan, made by Terada in Japan. All of the above had rather short production runs in the last decade. A new Elitist Texan was released more recently, but to my knowledge was only available for purchase in Japan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cougar 210 Posted October 29, 2016 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 I'll give my vote to both the rather obscure Epiphone SQ-180 Neil Diamond from the 2000s and the legendary long-scale Hummbingbird predecessor FT-90 El Dorado from the 1960s. Wow, those are impressive. I've got to go with my 2008 EF-500 RAVS, which never ceases to amaze me how good it sounds. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OldCowboy 124 Posted October 30, 2016 Report Share Posted October 30, 2016 Would love to own a Texan with an original Epi neck as opposed to the narrow fretboard style that Gibson used after the originals ran out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mooseguy 2 Posted October 30, 2016 Report Share Posted October 30, 2016 Would love to own a Texan with an original Epi neck as opposed to the narrow fretboard style that Gibson used after the originals ran out. Hi Cowboy and other interested readers: If any of you would be lucky enough to find any one of the 23 94 Bozeman made Excllente reissues, they leave the rest of the Epiphones in the dust. Moose Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dodger11 1 Posted October 30, 2016 Report Share Posted October 30, 2016 I have had an AJ100 an AJ200 and now have an EJ160E - all great budget guitars. I loved my AJ200 the best (but don't tell my EJ160E!) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Leonard McCoy 121 Posted October 30, 2016 Report Share Posted October 30, 2016 I've got to go with my 2008 EF-500 RAVS, which never ceases to amaze me how good it sounds. What a stunning guitar! Never seen one of those in person though. Nice find! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobouz 258 Posted October 30, 2016 Report Share Posted October 30, 2016 Have to mention one other favorite: The Kalamazoo-made FT-45 Cortez, which is a clone to the Gibson B-25 (and earlier LG-2). Some of these can sound incredibly sweet! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mel-odious 0 Posted October 30, 2016 Report Share Posted October 30, 2016 Having owned several Epiphones, I am quite satisfied with my AJ-300S. I've had the IB Texan, EL-00, AJ-220S,Bluesmaster, and one that I can't recall the model. Mel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YerDugliness 0 Posted November 8, 2016 Report Share Posted November 8, 2016 Don't know that I've seen it done on this forum but thought it'd be interesting to see how different Epiphones rank with the membership. I am fortunate to have one of the Masterbilt AJ500RC's. This guitar puts my expensive, custom made Breedlove and all my other steel-string guitars to shame, it's not only the best (IMHO, of course) tonewood combination (cedar soundboard/rosewood sides and back) and is of all solid wood construction, but the width of the fretboard and the scale are absolutely perfect for me. The sound is very well defined and it plays much louder than would be expected; the only problem it has (and all cedar topped guitars have this problem) is that when driven hard the sound tends to get a bit "muddy"...thank goodness it is such a cannon, it doesn't need to have the dogshirt played out of it just to get volume. It's an out-of-production model, so I don't expect it to win any popularity contests, but I don't think I've ever seen anyone who owned one have anything but praise for this model. If you find one at a reasonable price (my "new" price from Sweetwater was under $600) by all means take the chance and get it...if you don't like it and it's intact, I'll certainly buy it from you...they are THAT good! If I can manage to bring Photobucket to it's knees, perhaps I can post some photos of this oldie-but-goodie! Cheers! Dugly B) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
olie 8 Posted November 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 I am fortunate to have one of the Masterbilt AJ500RC's. This guitar puts my expensive, custom made Breedlove and all my other steel-string guitars to shame, it's not only the best (IMHO, of course) tonewood combination (cedar soundboard/rosewood sides and back) and is of all solid wood construction, but the width of the fretboard and the scale are absolutely perfect for me. The sound is very well defined and it plays much louder than would be expected; the only problem it has (and all cedar topped guitars have this problem) is that when driven hard the sound tends to get a bit "muddy"...thank goodness it is such a cannon, it doesn't need to have the dogshirt played out of it just to get volume. It's an out-of-production model, so I don't expect it to win any popularity contests, but I don't think I've ever seen anyone who owned one have anything but praise for this model. If you find one at a reasonable price (my "new" price from Sweetwater was under $600) by all means take the chance and get it...if you don't like it and it's intact, I'll certainly buy it from you...they are THAT good! If I can manage to bring Photobucket to it's knees, perhaps I can post some photos of this oldie-but-goodie! Cheers! Dugly B) Hey Dug-there's one on Reverb for $599 +$88 for shipping.(In case you need a backup)! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
olie 8 Posted November 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 Further to our posts-I think the top is spruce, not cedar. The C in RC is "cut-away" isn't it? That should make it a bit more sturdy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Irish_Rover 10 Posted November 9, 2016 Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 Further to our posts-I think the top is spruce, not cedar. The C in RC is "cut-away" isn't it? That should make it a bit more sturdy. I know nothing about the guitar (except I'd like to try one) but it is definitely cedar http://epiphonewiki.com/index.php/AJ-Series#Masterbilt_AJ-500RC and has no cutaway. My guess would be that RC= Rosewood/Cedar. Generally speaking CE (cutaway electric) denotes a cutaway. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cougar 210 Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 ...I don't think I've ever seen anyone who owned one have anything but praise for this model. I owned one. It was indeed praiseworthy. Out of the Grand Rewards factory. Remarkable tone and volume. It's a 12-fret slot-head with, yes, solid cedar over rosewood. I think it's the 12-fret-ness (bridge positioning) that gives it that sound. Indeed a great guitar, but I guess I just didn't bond with it. Sold it on reverb - here's the completed listing(with photos) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cougar 210 Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 I loved my AJ200 the best (but don't tell my EJ160E!) I know. Isn't the EJ160E the coolest! Does yours have the Lennon autograph? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dodger11 1 Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 Yes Cougar mine is from 2007 I think Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DrRogerFisher 9 Posted November 22, 2016 Report Share Posted November 22, 2016 Have to mention one other favorite: The Kalamazoo-made FT-45 Cortez, which is a clone to the Gibson B-25 (and earlier LG-2). Some of these can sound incredibly sweet! My first and favourite guitar of all time. I'm now the proud owner of 3 early '60s Kalamazoo FT Cortez. I always get compliments on their beautiful sweet mellow tone. And I think they're beautiful. For those who haven't seen this pic, here's my little collection: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Br1ck 0 Posted November 23, 2016 Report Share Posted November 23, 2016 I covet a 1960's vintage Epiphone Texan, but I haven't found one for sale that I can afford. :( The deal is, my 65 Texan was an inexpensive alternative to the banner J 45 I really wanted. Fantastic guitars. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
olie 8 Posted November 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2016 Hey Doc-lovely collection. Is there any way you could mic them and share their sounds with the rest of us? It would be very interesting . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DennisB643 0 Posted November 24, 2016 Report Share Posted November 24, 2016 The information that I have is from 60-70' the Epiphone were made on the same line as the Gibson. Only after 1970 did they go to Japan. Yes, a Fronteer from that Era is highly desirable but they are pricey. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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