John Lennon Model

[brannon67]

How many of you guys have the John Lennon Model Epi? I just got one the other day, and Im finding I really like it. It plays great, and sounds great. Love the neck on it.I take it out mostly, and leave my more expensive Gibsons at home most of the time.

[diverden]

I'm going to assume your talking about the Lennon EJ-160, as you posted in the acoustic section.

I have one , and was pleasantly surprised when it arrived.

It is my "Go TO' acoustic when strumming Beatles tunes.

You won't find a better value.

[brannon67]

Yes, thats the one I got also. It is a pretty decent guitar for trhe price point.

[meanstreak]

I'd have to disagree, for the same price you can get the Masterbilt all-solid AJ-500ME. Much better choice IMHO. But if you're a Beatles fan there is no substitute for it that much is true!

[Dodgermod]

I have one and love it - only play it unplugged though

have been neglecting it a bit since someone found a Terada J200 copy in a dump and gave it to me - big sound from that

but i still love the darky woody sound of the EJ160 - sounds like a guitar many times the price

[brannon67]

Well, I like the Beatles, but not that much. I guess what Im trying to say, is that my reason for buying the Epi JL model, was not Beatle or JL inspired, but just the feel, sound and playability of the model , is the main thing that grabbed me. I could care less about John Lennon's signature being on it, one way or the other. I just like the guitar. Would love to get the Gibson model.

[diverden]

I'd have to disagree, for the same price you can get the Masterbilt all-solid AJ-500ME. Much better choice IMHO. But if you're a Beatles fan there is no substitute for it that much is true!

 

Two very different guitars.Both are a great deal. Not many here have just one guitar.

You will not get the same sound from the AJ500ME. (which I would only own with the Baggs Element pickup. The eSonic 2 sucks. IMHO)

[brannon67]

Well, I too have more guitars also. I have 3 other Gibson models. A J45, A hummingbird Pro, and just got a CF-100E to round out the collection. But I play the Epi J160 alot also.

[clarkuss]

I love playing mine unplugged but use a Piezo instead of the P-100 when using it live for a more acoustic sound. I also use acoustic strings. When I first got it I used the p100 with electric strings and I loved the sound of it but need the acoustic sound more now.

[bonzoboy]

When I bought my natural Casino,the dealer told me about the John Lennon model Casinos and the EJ-160-E so I ordered the Casino but while walking through the store saw the EJ-160-E and bought that on the spot also.3 Epis in one day-the Missus was not amused.

The 160-E is just about the best sounding acoustic made today and is certainly the best in its price range.I just love the sound of it both electrically-songs like I Feel Fine through my Vox amps are just like the records-and acoustically with songs like I'll Be Back-incredibly like the originals.

I love everything about my 160-E and it has become my favourite acoustic,it just feels so comfortable in the hands.

[Red 333]

How good it sounds just depends on your preference. I have an EJ-160E, and while it's a pleasant sounding acoustic, I much prefer the Masterbilt guitars I have (AJ-500M, AJ-500R, DR-500M, and AJ-500RC) to it. They are just livelier and richer sounding to me. And while I typically a prefer an acoustic with a somewhat wider and beefier neck, I do find the EJ-160E's slim neck very comfortable, and it does have terrific playability.

 

How much the EJ-160E sounds like the Beatle's J-160E's is also a matter of perspective, I guess. I have a 60's spec Gibson J-160E (laminated top and ladder bracing), a modern Gibson J-160E Standard (which, like the Epiphone, has a solid top and x bracing), and the Epi. Neither sounds like the other acoustically, and by a wide margin! You certainly shouldn't expect them to, either, especially given the radical difference in design and construction.

 

The 60's spec Gibson acoustically sounds JUST like the records. All my Beatley friends who hear it immediately go, "That's it!" (and they own Epiphone EJ-160E's and/or Gibson J-160E Standards, have tried every combination of string, etc.)

 

The Gibson J-160E Standard is a much better (i.e. more traditional) sounding acoustic guitar than the 60's-spec, but sounds very different from the Epi. Like I said, the Epiphone is NOT a bad sounding acoustic in my estimation, but it has its own unique sound, different from the Gibson Standard (which by turn is FAR different from the 60's spec Gibson).

 

Plugged in, the three sound somewhat closer to one another, especially when set up with electric strings. Acoustically, no.

 

Of course, strings do make a big difference, and my comments are focused on the acoustic performance of the instrument with phosphor/bronze or similar strings. For the record, I try to maximize the individual characteristics of each particular 160E by keeping the Gibson 60's-spec strung with Gibson L-5 pure nickel strings, and the Gibson J-160E Standard and Epiphone EJ-160E string with Gibson Masterbuilt Phosphor Bronze 12's.

 

If you want a recommendation, the L-5 strings get the Epiphone into Beatle territory acoustically and especially electrically (as will the Pyramids, etc.), though you sacrifice some of the guitar's usefulness as an all-around acoustic that way.

 

Red 333

[meanstreak]

Well, I like the Beatles, but not that much. I guess what Im trying to say, is that my reason for buying the Epi JL model, was not Beatle or JL inspired, but just the feel, sound and playability of the model , is the main thing that grabbed me. I could care less about John Lennon's signature being on it, one way or the other. I just like the guitar. Would love to get the Gibson model.

 

In that case don't buy that guitar before trying either the AJ-500M or the DR-500M in the Masterbilt line.

[diverden]

How good it sounds just depends on your preference. I have an EJ-160E, and while it's a pleasant sounding acoustic, I much prefer the Masterbilt guitars I have (AJ-500M, AJ-500R, DR-500M, and AJ-500RC) to it. They are just livelier and richer sounding to me. And while I typically a prefer an acoustic with a somewhat wider and beefier neck, I do find the EJ-160E's slim neck very comfortable, and it does have terrific playability.

 

How much the EJ-160E sounds like the Beatle's J-160E's is also a matter of perspective, I guess. I have a 60's spec Gibson J-160E (laminated top and ladder bracing), a modern Gibson J-160E Standard (which, like the Epiphone, has a solid top and x bracing), and the Epi. Neither sounds like the other acoustically, and by a wide margin! You certainly shouldn't expect them to, either, especially given the radical difference in design and construction.

 

The 60's spec Gibson acoustically sounds JUST like the records. All my Beatley friends who hear it immediately go, "That's it!" (and they own Epiphone EJ-160E's and/or Gibson J-160E Standards, have tried every combination of string, etc.)

 

The Gibson J-160E Standard is a much better (i.e. more traditional) sounding acoustic guitar than the 60's-spec, but sounds very different from the Epi. Like I said, the Epiphone is NOT a bad sounding acoustic in my estimation, but it has its own unique sound, different from the Gibson Standard (which by turn is FAR different from the 60's spec Gibson).

 

Plugged in, the three sound somewhat closer to one another, especially when set up with electric strings. Acoustically, no.

 

Of course, strings do make a big difference, and my comments are focused on the acoustic performance of the instrument with phosphor/bronze or similar strings. For the record, I try to maximize the individual characteristics of each particular 160E by keeping the Gibson 60's-spec strung with Gibson L-5 pure nickel strings, and the Gibson J-160E Standard and Epiphone EJ-160E string with Gibson Masterbuilt Phosphor Bronze 12's.

 

If you want a recommendation, the L-5 strings get the Epiphone into Beatle territory acoustically and especially electrically (as will the Pyramids, etc.), though you sacrifice some of the guitar's usefulness as an all-around acoustic that way.

 

Red 333

 

Explanations just don't get any better than that.

I had my AJ500ME long before I got the Ej-160.

I purchased the EJ-160 for a specific purpose, Beatle songs, and I only play it with

electric strings,and amped. I started with the Gibson L-5's and have now settled on Elixiir electrics of the same gauge.

For quality sound the Masterbilts can't be beat in my book. If you want a Beatle tone, the EJ-160 will get you close on a budget.