EJ200 pre-amp/PU system question...

[DGrant]

 

Any thoughts or idea why the Shadow ESonic2 pre-amp/PU system on the EJ200SCE was replaced with the Fishman Presys?...  and/or when?...  The ESonic2 is depicted on the webpage pics, and even in an Epiphone demo video on the sellers site,  but...   I recently bought a new EJ200SCE(Vintage Sunburst).  What I wasn't aware of is they apparently did away with the ESonic2 pre-amp/PU system at some point, and replaced them with the Fishman Presys(standard OEM version).  I have to say I was a bit surprised and a tad disappointed,  as the big reason I wanted the large EJ was because of the Esonic pre-amp/PU system.  It looked and sounded like it was a step up in pre-amp/PU systems.   Oh well I guess...  everything happens for a reason.   

I have the option of sending the guitar back to where I purchased it,  but gosh dang it's such a beautiful instrument,  just a real work of art,  especially for the price range.   I hesitated to play it, as I was pretty sure once I played it I wouldn't want to send it back....  and well...  I lasted about an hour and I couldn't take it,  I played it,  and just like I thought,  I love this guitar.   It seems to be growing on me quite fast.    

I called the seller about the pre-amp issue,  as the demo video(Epi factory vid), and the pictures on the sellers site all show the ESonic2 pre-amp.  Nobody could give me answers as to why it's different then pictured.  In my research,  I've almost concluded the Shadow ESonic2 wasn't quite everything they expected,  at least for some of the owners.  Others are quite pleased though. as I found some great reviews and demos several places.   It's probably a very nice feature,  but I'm probably going to have to accept that they just aren't available any more, for whatever reason.  I can't even find them at the Shadow website.  

So....  Now I need to set about getting the action down a mm or two.. as it's quite high, and probably going to change some strings around a few times until I find my happy sound.  As it is right now though,  it's quite happy,  plugged or unplugged...  and it's nice to play, really right out of the box... but I think I can help it out a bit to get it to my liking.  I'm mostly a rhythm player, with some flat pickin here and there,  and the EJ Jumbo-6 really is a perfect mate for my 12-string Jumbo Tak...  and I'll be ready when I hopefully get a few calls to go jam.  I'm sure that won't be long. 

[Brucebubs]

I have one the last of the straight acoustic full body EJ-200's.

Mine really improved acoustically with a bone saddle and bone bridge pins - and then got even better with round-core DR Sunbeam lights.

[William Guzman]

I bought it a month ago and I also had the same disappointment. In my case I returned it thinking that I would find the same guitar but with the eSonic Preamp, but it is not. I also realized that before they were built in Indonesia and the one I received was made in China, the wood of the bridge and the fret board was very light color wood. Now I have an empty Epiphone hard shell case for jumbo guitar for nothing, and I am still very sad.