meanstreak Posted January 20, 2020 Share Posted January 20, 2020 Anyone seen one in person yet? https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EMTFITAGH--epiphone-masterbilt-frontier-iced-tea-aged-gloss 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzariahJames Posted January 20, 2020 Share Posted January 20, 2020 Ship date looks like 1/28 on those. I am really thinking that I want one. I don’t have a maple back guitar and i like what they have done with that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AldoMcD1 Posted January 20, 2020 Share Posted January 20, 2020 I'm considering the Frontier and / or the Excellente, but going to wait until my local store gets them in stock and then I'll demo them in person. One thing I noticed in the Sweetwater video is that the truss rod cover has the 'E' logo, but this is not on the guitar in any of the stock photos or the NAMM videos I've watched on YouTube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted January 21, 2020 Share Posted January 21, 2020 I'm very interested in the Fontier. Actually, I would be just as excited if Epiphone re-released the Masterbilt DR or AJ 500P, which were maple-sided models from the first run of the series, in 2004 or so, as I'd prefer something a little more understated. Talk about bling! That aside, if the Frontier (and Excellente) are as good as previous Masterbilts, they'll probably find a home in my home. Red 333 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 I like the look of both this and the Excellente model. Can't wait to try them both out😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinder Posted January 23, 2020 Share Posted January 23, 2020 Very excited about this. If they sound as good as they seem to in the Sweetwater demo, that's my new guitar for gigs I have to fly to, right there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navigate40 Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 (edited) Seems a really nice selection of Masterbilt's by Epi. The AJ45ME, short scale, 'hog back and sides. Texan, 25.5" scale, 'hog back and sides. Frontier, maple back and sides. Excellente, ovangkol back and sides. A short scale dread such as the Hummingbird would be really interesting. Looking forward to playing and comparing them. I have a couple solid rosewood back and sides acoustics and mahogany. Would be very interesting to see what might fit into the collection. One thing about the video demo's....just a nit... I have yet to find one that I considered accurate or really informative. Every time I go to a store to play a model, it sounds a bit different...of course....solid wood acoustics can be very individual. Recording on my own, I see what different mics and post processing can do. Often, the demo will be finger style playing up the neck....which tells me very little about what flat picking of open chords sound like. Then, strings, string age, etc...I am sure all of you know what I am talking about. Some A/B demo's are useful. Oh well...just talking. It is rainy here in SE FL...so....an inside day. BTW...have been playing my Epi AJ45ME out more. Usually play a Breedlove concert or Martin dread. Really woke it up with a set of D'add nickle bronze strings! Amazing. I always liked the tone, mostly for it being mellow ….but this brought it to a whole new level. It really sings. And...as an aside...ever since I took the pickguard off, I have been getting A LOT of compliments from all kinds of people, about the look. Players and non-players. Not the most flattering pic below, but, should give you an idea. My best to all. Edited January 25, 2020 by navigate40 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgrasso Posted January 26, 2020 Share Posted January 26, 2020 I don’t think I’ll e able to play one before I buy, but as soon as the Frontier gets stocked at GC, one will be on its way to me. Based on that, the Excellente would follow. I was disappointed with the Century DeLuxe I bought and returned. Not as solid as the previous Masterbilts. These are all solid wood. Hoping for success. A lot of new product this year. The almost total lineup headstock change took me by surprise. the USA made Texan and Casino will be out of reach for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul14 Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 I like. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagull Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 I put my name on the list at Sweetwater for a Frontier when they get them in. They are sure to have them months before my GC even knows they exist... I have two Masterbilts, my AJ45ME goes everywhere with me. I play out several times a month and it is all I use at present. I would love to A/B a couple, but I'm sure it is not in the cards for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torca Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 Just picked up the new Frontier at Long and McQuade here in Halifax. I was looking for a good guitar that I could travel with if needed. Last year I had bought a Insp Texan and was pleased with the guitar on the whole. Soundwise it was good but you really had to bang on it to get through the poly finish,soundwise.I took the Texan in to the store and decided I would trade it in if I liked the Frontier. Which I did. The Frontier had a open, looser sound by far which was good but didn't compress and get overly jangly on hard strumming., which some maple guitars do. It certainly had the "woofiness" of a good dread to combine with high end sparkle(not just high string cut) so I am pleased. That "woof" sealed the deal as it sounded like it had the goods, though new and green, to age into a real, quality guitar of sonic substance.Build quality is excellent,though I'm going to change out the compensated saddle to bone, which the original is not from the looks, just seems like Tusq, especially as it's graduated. Neck is very comfortable D profile, near identical to a 61 Hummingbird. The 12" radius is a flatter, more comfortable strummer than the Texan(14) due to this radius change. The laurel neck and bridge is new to me, and I have no issues with the streaky look. It's real wood and not richlite or ply .The neck mimics a fuller feel, yet is quick and only very slightly thicker at the 12th fret light, so it plays as fast as needed very easily. Finish is nicely done, very thin and low gloss, not tacky in the least. Tuners are gold with the slightly swirly translucent knobs which are a classy original cop. Overall I'm very pleased and think this is a great step for Epiphone to draw on their past, and build a cost effective, keeper guitar. I have pics but the size is too big to post and unsure how to shrink them for the format. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mik Neville Posted March 3, 2020 Share Posted March 3, 2020 Torca did they give you a good trade in price for your Texan. I wanted to trade a Masterbilt but they did offer me much for it and it is only two years old and in good shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Cash Posted March 4, 2020 Share Posted March 4, 2020 (edited) I live in the UK and I received this beautiful guitar yesterday. It looks stunning, plays smoothly and sounds fantastic both acoustically and plugged in. A top class solid wood guitar for under £700 ! Unbelievable. Edited March 4, 2020 by Pete Cash words omitted 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torca Posted March 4, 2020 Share Posted March 4, 2020 FYI, the guitar above is my new Frontier. Don't know who Pete Cash is? TB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Cash Posted March 4, 2020 Share Posted March 4, 2020 2 hours ago, torca said: FYI, the guitar above is my new Frontier. Don't know who Pete Cash is? TB I only put the words on, not the pictures . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagull Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 Well, whoever posted it, that's a nice looking guitar. I hope to try one soon. Got an E-mail yesterday that they expect to start seeing them in the warehouse in the next three weeks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinder Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 What a stunning guitar. I have always wanted a Frontier. I played a '60s example a couple of years ago that a dealer friend of mine had, and although it was way beyond what I could afford, it was astonishingly good. The reissue is 1/7th of the price and seems an absolute steal. When things return to normal after the virus crisis and I'm able to return to gigging, I'll be saving for one of these! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 (edited) 9 hours ago, Jinder said: What a stunning guitar. I have always wanted a Frontier. I played a '60s example a couple of years ago that a dealer friend of mine had, and although it was way beyond what I could afford, it was astonishingly good. The reissue is 1/7th of the price and seems an absolute steal. When things return to normal after the virus crisis and I'm able to return to gigging, I'll be saving for one of these! If you're on Facebook, search for Shery Crow. She has put up two or three videos playing her Frontier. https://www.facebook.com/sherylcrow/videos/347492332825538/ Edited March 27, 2020 by Red 333 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly campbell Posted April 10, 2020 Share Posted April 10, 2020 I just got one from Sweetwater yesterday, I usually will go up there but cant do that right now so I took a chance that I would like it well enough..I do I really like it and a great value. I didnt have a maple back and side solid wood so I am happy as hell for it for 700.00 great buy..now about that pickguard...jury is still out on that for me. may have to get a new one.. I like the guitar I would highly suggest you try one if you have an interest in maple.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted April 10, 2020 Share Posted April 10, 2020 Kelly, you don't like the design of the pickguard, or the quality of it? I'm a little worried it will be thin and flimsy looking like the ones on the Hummingbird. Is it better than this? 6 hours ago, kelly campbell said: I just got one from Sweetwater yesterday, I usually will go up there but cant do that right now so I took a chance that I would like it well enough..I do I really like it and a great value. I didnt have a maple back and side solid wood so I am happy as hell for it for 700.00 great buy..now about that pickguard...jury is still out on that for me. may have to get a new one.. I like the guitar I would highly suggest you try one if you have an interest in maple.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly campbell Posted April 10, 2020 Share Posted April 10, 2020 27 minutes ago, Red 333 said: Kelly, you don't like the design of the pickguard, or the quality of it? I'm a little worried it will be thin and flimsy looking like the ones on the Hummingbird. Is it better than this? I would say not quite as bad as the bird, but I just think the quality is fair at best edges look sloppy to me and the rope and cactus is just ok other than that I Like the guitar.. how quick are yu looking to get one RED? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted April 11, 2020 Share Posted April 11, 2020 I am just toying with it. I am intrigued by both this and the Excellente. I have too many guitars as it is, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly campbell Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 (edited) yes, i know the feeling I was wantinf a maple body and sides so I will make room for one more. I was going to suggest that if you want to see it i will mail the PG to you and you can have it when I remove it so you can get a really good look at it...Just an idea. Edited April 12, 2020 by kelly campbell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 4 minutes ago, kelly campbell said: yes, i know the feeling I was wantinf a maple body and sides so I will make room for one more. I was going to suggest that if you want to see it i will mail the PG to you and you can have it when I remove it so you can get a really good look at it...Just an idea. Wow, that's so nice! No, keep the pickguard. You might want to put it back on there someday, or need it if you ever resell it. I've got a couple of maple bodied acoustics--an Elitist J200, an Advanced Jumbo with maple back and sides (not many of those around), and a J185. I sort of want the Frontier BECAUSE if the pickguard, lol! Thanks for the very kind offer, though. You're the best. Red 333 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly campbell Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 I wont ever need it again..but if you change your mind.. I could never really afford the jumbo etc in solid maple so this is my maple ..I have several of Gibson's just never could pull the trigger on 5 grand for a guitar but yet I have 20 guitars and some that are nice..so in a different way I spent way more than what a 200 would costs..ha speaks to the madness of GAS etc... 1 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.