Jinny Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 A friend bought an AJ 500 a few years ago and never really learned to play because the action was set high and it was hard to fret. I liked the sound and took it in for a set up. MAN! what a difference a set-up made! I love this guitar and have been doing a little research on the Masterbilt line. I was thinking my next guitar would be a Martin 000-28, for fingerstyle and front porch playing, but then I came across the EF's. There seems to be a Mahogany, a Rosewood, and a Super inlayed Rosewood that also comes in sunburst (My preference). So, four questions, 1. Was there ever a EF 500R or M in sunburst? My thought is no, but I have to ask. I like the inlay, but maybe not in sunburst. 2. Has anyone played the EF 500 R and the RA, and what if any is the difference in sound? 3. How does if differ structure wise from the Martin 000-28? 4. There seem to be a ton of Masterbilt AJ's and D on ebay, but few if any EF's. Is this because the big chains like GC never ordered any EF's? I have looked around Atlanta, and no one stocks them. I'm thinking of (gasp) ordering the EF 500R or RA online, but that just seems too much like a blind date. Any advice on the difference in spec's and sound would be greatly appreciated.
PeteWilson Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 Jinny: First of all, welcome to the site! I have an EF-500R. I have had it for several years, have had zero issues with it, and love to play it. I bought mine while on a search for a Blues Master, on a whim, while in a music shop. The guy said, play this, I think you will like it. I bought it that day, and have played it daily since. I did finally get the Blues Master, also. I am no good at describing sound differences. I have never played a Martin that I liked. I prefer the EF-500 because it is rosewood sides and back and has a 1.75" width at the nut. As I primarily play fingerstyle, I require such width. I would suspect that there would be little difference between the R and the RA, the only difference being, as I understand it, the abalone trim. I also own guitars that are mahoghany sides and back, and they tend to be a bit brighter that the rosewood guitars I own. Hope this helps you. I would order one online in a heartbeat, but suggest that you only do so from a reputable dealer and that it has a return policy. Pete
YerDugliness Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 I'm thinking of (gasp) ordering the EF 500R or RA online' date=' but that just seems too much like a blind date.[/quote'] I haven't played an RA, but I have played an EF500R and can attest that it is a sweet play . The body is approximately OM sized (very similar to my Takamine 2005 Limited Edition) and the tonewoods do give a sweet sound. The primary differences you might see between this and a dreadnought size guitar would be diminished volume/projection and less emphasis on the bass. The action was just right straight out of the box and the Masterbilt EF case has a built in hygrometer and comes with a supplied soundhole humidifier. I'm GASing for this EF model--the sound difference gained from the cedar soundboard is well worth the extra $$ to me, and it's an A/E to boot: http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=268&CollectionID=15 Pricey, though....$700 including the case, whereas the EF500R could probably be sourced closer to $500 or $550. IMHO, the EF series is a very nice size for an average size lady. Dugly
geelinus Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 I never even seen an EF500-RA but own an EF500-R and really like it. The guitar has great tone --- not as complex or as much sustain as a Martin's but has more bass than most OM sized guitars. Buy one - you won't be sorry.
ajsc Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 There was a sunburst EF500R on ebay last week that went for 5something? Welcome to the forum.
Gio Posted February 18, 2009 Posted February 18, 2009 Hi Jinny, Like Pete, whose opinion I share, i own an EF-500RVS, which is the sunburst version. I also own a Martin OM-18V which is a fantastic guitar too. Although the EF seems to be similar to a Martin OM there are important differences. The main one is the depth of the body. I don't know exactly the size but the Epiphone's body is deeper than a Martin OM's. And the neck is "beefier": my Martin has also a V profile neck but it's slimmer; nevertheless the Masterbilt's neck feels comfortable even for my small hands. I can't say anything about the bracing but you can see the EF's bracing in the Masterbilt video you can download from the Epi site. I just know that where the X braces cross Epiphone has glued a piece of cloth with the same care I can spot inside my Martin. And the wood seems to be really, really good. The tone is also different: I think (though it would be great to have more input from other players) that the EF's tone resembles more a Gibson's than a Martin's. After almost 3 years the guitar's tone has grown incredibly. It's deep and sweet, rich. Quality: I have tried to found quality issues (both structurally and tonally) in my humble Chinese made guitar but wasn't able to! Really. I wonder if I will find out in time but I doubt it. If you can find one I think you will be satisfied but it would be great if ou could try a few...even though I know it's so difficult with Masterbilts!
Jinny Posted February 18, 2009 Author Posted February 18, 2009 Thanks for all the great info. I'm gonna try to find some to compare, but will probably go with the Ef 500R since I like the AJ model so much. I'll let you know what I find.
mrbee Posted February 19, 2009 Posted February 19, 2009 I picked up a new EF-500 RCCE almost two years ago and I absolutely adore it. The cedar and the rosewood give it a really distinct sound and help to boost the bass that's normally missing from OM size guitars. It doesn't have the bright sparkly highs as much as the Martins I've played; the tone here is rounder. Of course, a lot of that is based on strings and playing style, but if you're looking for a guitar with a very mellow mood and a full voice, the cedar-rosewood is a great choice. I really like the full, even sound and I get way more overtones in the mid-range than I have with other guitars. I haven't played the mahogany model, but I'm sure you'll be happy with it too.
Svet Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 A friend bought an AJ 500 a few years ago and never really learned to play because the action was set high and it was hard to fret. I liked the sound and took it in for a set up. MAN! what a difference a set-up made! I love this guitar and have been doing a little research on the Masterbilt line. I was thinking my next guitar would be a Martin 000-28' date=' for fingerstyle and front porch playing, but then I came across the EF's. There seems to be a Mahogany, a Rosewood, and a Super inlayed Rosewood that also comes in sunburst (My preference). So, four questions, 1. Was there ever a EF 500R or M in sunburst? My thought is no, but I have to ask. I like the inlay, but maybe not in sunburst. 2. Has anyone played the EF 500 R and the RA, and what if any is the difference in sound? 3. How does if differ structure wise from the Martin 000-28? 4. There seem to be a ton of Masterbilt AJ's and D on ebay, but few if any EF's. Is this because the big chains like GC never ordered any EF's? I have looked around Atlanta, and no one stocks them. I'm thinking of (gasp) ordering the EF 500R or RA online, but that just seems too much like a blind date. Any advice on the difference in spec's and sound would be greatly appreciated.[/quote'] Hi Jinny how are you? The Masterbilt instruments are wonderful guitars and for the price you cannot go wrong! That being said I feel that if you have the money for the Martin then by all means compare the two. Even if you don't have the scratch it doesn't hurt to try more expensive guitars in order to formulate your opinion. I own five acoustic guitars at this time; Three are Martins and two are Masterbilt Epiphones. The Martins are a step above the Epis in all areas and for the price difference they ought to be! One of the Martins I own is the 000-28 that you are interested in. This guitar is phenomenal and an absolute pleasure to play. The short scale neck makes it very easy to articulate cord patterns and progressions. It's small body is very comfortable and the sound is spectacular. I believe that all of the Masterbilts were offered in the burst finish at one time. If you go to Epiphones home page and click the d-load button you will find links to the 2006 catalog and a link to a Masterbilt video. On said links there are images of the EF 500ra with a sunburst finish. I'm not sure if the ef500r(m) were available in the SB though. There are no structural differences between the r models and RA models save for the abalone inlays therefore tonal differences shouldn't be any different than between two guitars of same make, model and finish. Ordering guitars online is always risky but some of the vendors offer trial periods should you not be satisfied. I've never played the EF version of guitars so I really cannot help you with a comparison to the 000-28.
Svet Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 I have never played a Martin that I liked. Wow Pete, that's just amazing for me to read! May I ask which models you've tried and what you didn't like about them? I understand this stuff is all completely subjective but I own Masterbilts and Martins and I feel that standard Martins (such as the 000-28) are definitely a cut above the Masterbilts.
PeteWilson Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 Svet: It has been decades since I have put my hands on a Martin. The times I played a Martin, I was just not comfortable with the tone and the necks of those I played. I understand that saying I do not like Martins is guitar heresy, but so be it. I own a Masterbilt EF-500R, in sunburst which I love. I also own a Blues Master, Washburn, Taylor, Framus and Guild acoustics. I have a 1955 Gibson ES-125, a couple Epiphone electrics, a Gretsch Tennessee Rose, and a Strat. I like all those guitars. I just don't care for Martins. Dunno. Maybe I should play one again. Maybe Martins are a cut above Masterbilts, as you say. I do not play for a living, just for me. I do not need a guitar which may be "a cut above" what I have. No disrespect intended.
bloozeguy Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 I agree to some extent with Pete about Martins, but I'm going to qualify that. I did, at one point, have an 0-16NY, that is, a parlor-sized 12-fretter, slot-head job, stock-strung with silk-and-steels, that I put bronze extra-lights (.10-.50) on. It got stolen from a gig in Cincinnati back in '78. To me, a guitar like that was an exception to the Martin rule. Seemed to me like they were mostly interested in making D's with tight, skinny necks, boomy bass and very little high-end cutting power. In my search, though, that got me my Masterbilt back in '07, I was very tempted to (at more than double the cost) get an OM21. I liked the smaller body, wider nut, balanced sound. I've since seen other Martin models that are OK, but some of the recent non-solid wood models strike me as trashy. If I ever decide to get a 12-string, though, it'll probably be the J15/12. Great sound and playability for the money. Unfortunately, like my AJ500RC12, discontinued just this year. Heavy sigh! All of this, though, is extremely subjective, as Pete points out. Except, of course, the guitar theft back in '78.
Red 333 Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Wow Pete' date=' that's just amazing for me to read! May I ask which models you've tried and what you didn't like about them? I understand this stuff is all completely subjective but I own Masterbilts and Martins and I feel that standard Martins (such as the 000-28) are definitely a cut above the Masterbilts.[/quote'] I don't have anything to add to this Masterbilt vs. Martin discussion, except to compliment everyone on how it's being held. If this were a Gibson vs. Epiphone type thread in the Electric forum, there'd be a lot of name calling and drama, LOL. Hats off to you, especially, Svet, for projecting a true sense of wonderment and interest in the way you phrased your post, and for not asking in a way that seems like you won't tolerate an opinion that differs from your own. Red 333
bloozeguy Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 I don't have anything to add to this Masterbilt vs. Martin discussion' date=' except to compliment everyone on how it's being held. If this were a Gibson vs. Epiphone type thread in the Electric forum, there'd be a lot of name calling and drama. Hats off to you, especially, Svet, for projecting a true sense of wonderment and interest in the way you phrased your post, and for not asking in a way that seems like you won't tolerate an opinion that differs from your own. Red 333 [/quote'] Y'know, I've been having this same thought about the civility on this forum. Yeah, there's certainly the contrast with the electric forum--and on more than one topic there, too--but there's been a lot of informative stuff going on here, too. Really enjoy this thread, and the acoustic pickup topic, too (wherever they decided to move it!). Anyhoo, nice job, everyone!
Svet Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Argh, you guys spoke too soon! Now I'm really going to unload on Pete!! All kidding aside I understand that this stuff is all completely subjective. Pete only said he never played a Martin that he liked. I can't argue with that! Now had he said Martins are junk or Martins are (insert your own bashing) then perhaps I would have debated him. My perspective is vastly different from Pete's. Everything about the Martins I own is like a magical moment. The second I unlock the final latch the aromas caress my olfactory’s. The finish glistens a welcoming shine and I just want to pluck her strings so gently. The sounds are magnificent, like angels on an Autumn day. Geez, I'm getting carried away. That's what a Martin does to me..... The Masterbilts are fine too so Pete, give another Martin a chance! You have some fine guitars there and they could use another friend in the stable.
PeteWilson Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 I agree completely with Red, Svet, and Bloozeguy about the civility on this board. I truly believe that people can discuss nearly anything in a civil manner, even though they may disagree. The secret, of course, is to disagree without being disagreeable! That is certainly present on this board and in this thread. I mentioned that perhaps I should play some Martins again, and I probably will. However, whether or not one will be added to the stable, is another matter entirely. She who must be obeyed has kept an eye on how many guitars are already in that stable (14 at last count). She may or may not agree to another! Here's wishing a Happy Mardi Gras to everyone! Pete
Red 333 Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Svet, I played one of the Eastman archtops today, a D'Ambrosio thinline with an oval soundhole. It was very well made and sounded great. Like you, I'm not in buying any guitars right now, but if I were, I'd think about this one. Red 333
ajsc Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 As a "former" Martin fan, I still find myself wanting an 000-15S. Something about the 15 series that really floats my boat. I sold an 00-15 & have regretted it ever since. I really really want one of these. http://www.mguitar.com/guitars/choosing/guitars.php?p=s&g=5&m=000-15S
PeteWilson Posted February 24, 2009 Posted February 24, 2009 Paul: That looks to be a very nice guitar! I may have to try one of those. I require 1.75 nut width and love 000 size. Thanks for the heads up on that one! Pete
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