milod Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 I think there are a number of factors involved that technical "quality" may or may not address. For example, nobody within functionally a day's drive from me sells Gibsons. I could make a phone call to see if they had several instances of the type of guitar I'm interested in, but I've gotta consider that even if they sold me a Gibson I reeeally liked at cost, it's gonna cost me a cupla hundred extra, at minimum, to travel to buy the thing. And I don't care to buy a $2,000+ guitar without playing it. Epis... I've had a mixed experience with both mail order and buying from a local store that's a 130 mile round trip. OTOH, I've not been disappointed in the Epi neck "feel," although I guess I'm in a minority in that I don't mind a more slick finished neck. Bottom line is that if I make a $500 mistake, it ain't the end of the world, but a $2,500 mistake is something else again when it comes to my available cash. I have one Dot and three Epi AE. One I've thoroughly bonded with is the smaller-size PR5e that's almost identical in size and shape to the 175, and therefor player geometry. Two, the cutaway aj220 and the Masterbilt aj500e, bring some mixed emotions, although quality of build for dollar is not one of them. I think given the geometry involved that I kinda wish they had a shorter scale - but the jury is still out. Bottom line is that I'll likely buy another Epi semi or full hollow before I even think about getting a Gibson, even if somebody dropped $3,000 US on me because of my location and that of an available supply of Gibson acoustics. OTOH, for a reeeally long day of travel - a minimum of three days total, if somebody in the Montana factor wanted to give me a guitar and tour, I'd likely tell the bosses that I'd be ready for my first "vacation" since 2003. It'd still cost about the same in travel as buying a mail order Masterbilt. Other than that... ain't likely. So the second choice for a number of reasons come down to Epi. Yet... Gibson currently doesn't have a similar shape to the Epi PR5e that for me is a marvelous little guitar for what it is and for what I expect of it. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayban Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 The guitar second from the left in the top row of the Epiphones pic is an AJ-500R with a burst, if that's any consolation. Red 333 I've been "learning to play" the guitar for just 3 months now, so as far as the sound, I wouldn't know the difference between a M or an R if it knocked me in the head...so yes, that's a great consolation. I just love that Burst! Are they still in production? Please excuse me if that's a silly question, but as I've said, I'm new to all this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarLight Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 For sure!! Almost as good as those 72 virgins we hear about in that one culture :-) Sure wish there was a Masterbilt AJ500M in Burst. Haha, I'd KILL for an AJ-500M BURST!!!!!!!! Come on Epi!!! Bring them on!!!!! We're waiting!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayban Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 I got all excited when I found this ad...but I called and was told the Burst is discontinued... http://www.samash.com/p/Epiphone_AJ500M%20Advanced%20Jumbo%20Acoustic%20Guitar_437085 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoneDigger Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 I have no real desire for a Gibson guitar. Banjo? YES! I have two Epiphone Masterbilts and I think they are a great playing and sounding guitar. Todd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meanstreak Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 you can still find an AJ-500M in sunburst on eBay every now and then. I love mine!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarLight Posted July 23, 2012 Share Posted July 23, 2012 you can still find an AJ-500M in sunburst on eBay every now and then. I love mine!! Those are really beautiful guitars, thanks for sharing. I LOVE that 500M burst. My 500M is natural, but I sure wish it were burst like yours! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisB643 Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 "Only a Gibson is Good Enough." But an Epiphone is mighty fine, too. I guess you could say that I like both. Red 333 THAT is impressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayban Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Those are really beautiful guitars, thanks for sharing. I LOVE that 500M burst. My 500M is natural, but I sure wish it were burst like yours! Hey Guitarlight, I found one!....as for the Epi/Gibson comparison, as I beginner, I doubt I could pass the blindfold test for sound. Part of me would love to have the J45 just because it's a GIBSON, but the other part can't justify spending that kind of $$, especially at my level of play......I'm very happy with the Masterbilt ...I can't imagine anything sounding any better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ne_buddy Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Funny, I just had to sell a git last month to make some quick cash. I don't have a big stable either, so this was a matter of some deliberation. Of the three electrics I own, though, the Gibson SG Classic was the one to go. Why? Because you can snag one of those (or its equivalent) just about anywhere. But which gits did I keep? The Epi's. Why? Because they are a rarer breed and simply sound better with my rig. Long story short: I don't miss the Gibby SG, because I still have the Elitist Riviera and the '61 Casino Reissue. In fact, the Casino has that P-90 sound in a way that the Gibby SG never did. Weird, eh? In any case, trust your ears and you'll be happy with your axes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarLight Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Hey Rayban, that's a great looking AJ-500M burst guitar! Lucky you finding a burst! I ended up buying a really nice Masterbilt burst DR-500MCE, and I am loving it! So now my AJ-500M and my AJ-500R have a new sibling! I'm good with these three now. Best sounding guitars I ever owned! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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