Epiphone Masterbilt AJ-500M

This is a solid spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides for $499! I have a 1960s Martin and was looking for a beginner guitar for my son that sounded good. I tried many $300-600 guitars including the Taylor 100 and the Martin DX1 and both sounded pretty good but both have no bracing and only laminate backs and sides. The Epiphone Masterbilt has great volume and brightness and actually better bass than the Taylor. It sounds pretty comparable to my 1960s Martin! The workmanship on the Epi looks great and its all solid wood. Its available in either mahogany or rosewood ($100 more), and in Jumbo, Dreadnought, and a smaller size similar to Classic/Grand Auditorium. I really think that its one of the best buys in this price range.

$499 from Sam Ash. This was the only one in the store to try!

Solid wood for under $500! The volume brightness tone are great for the money. The action is good and no buzzing so the factory setup seems good.

I think they used to include a gig bag and no longer do. The Grover tuners are open, not sealed.

Solid wood construction with either mahogany or rosewood back and sides.

If you are looking for a $500 guitar, you must at least try an Epiphone Masterbilt!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Bought from Guitar Center, for around $550. I was looking for a ALL SOLID WOOD guitar for a good price, I found the Guild models ''for around $600'' first but did not like the sound nor the construction. Then I came across the AJ-500m.

This is the finest instrument I have played in a long time, the sound has a more mellow but not too dark sound, and has amazing tone, the bass strings are boomy and loud without any nasty sounds like some more expensive guitars ive played. The constructioon is flawless, I am picky, the slightest scratch or wood imperfection annoys me, I scanned this thing from top to bottom and it is Perfect.
The guitar actually has a classy look to it too, it has the sloped shoulders which makes it very attractive, and has a very cool looking pickguard as well that holds up.


Nothing, except maybe the lack of the top strap button, but thats about the smallest problem Ive ever had, im installing one for about $10 so NOT a big deal.

As I stated before, amazing construction, THE THING I LIKE MOST about the construction is it looks like it has ''soul'' guitars nowadays have layers of SHINY gloss on them which to me... makes them look fake, this has a protective coat of somthing, but has absolutely no glossy shine, you can actually feel the fine grains of the solid mohagony top.

This for the price should be the best guitars in the world, for $500, you get a solid top, back and sides - ALL SOLID WOODAlso amazing sounds and tone and looks

PLUS you get the best guitar case ever made, its a hardshell wrapped in a soft shell, thats the best I can describe it. Even has a moisture meter inside to measure the moisture in the case.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I purchased this guitar used through Ebay for $350. I've been playing for about 5 years and have played many different brands and styles of guitars. I myself had played and owned only 2 acoustics of my own. One being a beginner type Ibanez acoustic ( all laminate construction ) and a Intermediate level Takamine with a solid top and laminate back and sides. I wanted an all solid wood acoustic guitar of quality such as a Martin or Taylor. However, being just out of college with loans to pay back, I was lucky enough to find this steal on Ebay without breaking the bank.

This guitar is awesome! I especially like the lows and mids. It has a very rich tone with good sustain. The action is med-low, which can of course be changed, and produces a very crisp feel and sound. The construction and sytle of the guitar is also very nice.

There is nothing I DON'T like. The only thing I worry about are the tuners. The are of great quality ( Grover Tuners ) and have a really cool retro style, but they are open tuners. Maybe this isn't a problem at all as I've never had or played a guitar with open tuners. However, I could see the potential for them to corrode over time if you don't take good care of them. They are in great shape now and hold the tune very well, so as long as you take care of them they shouldn't present a major problem.

The guitar is from Epiphone's new Masterbilt line of guitars. Retail price on this guitar is around $1000 new. It is has a solid sitka spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides( could possibly be solid rosewood as there is also an AJ-500R ). Very nice satin finish on beautifully grained woods. Abalone inlays in the name and fret markers. Chrome Grover tuners and rosewood fingerboard and bridge.

Awesome guitar! Great sound and Good lookin'! Even at retail price, this guitar is well worth every penny!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

- Made in Japan, and examined RULES United States.
- 20 frets, no pickups.

UTILIZATION

- The handle is enjoyable trs.
- CHAC aus acute is not easy, there's no cutaway on this guitar.
- Good ergonomics, normal weight.
- Sound: powerful bass, treble and not too flashy. I love it! ... I have a Taylor 110 which also more flexible in terms of its flexibility. When is an Epiphone rgal, prcise, balance, finish treating. Comes with a beautiful hard case, and finally coating fabric but solid even when that includes a hygromtre (for the rate of moisture .... crazy !...).

SOUNDS

- I think she is destined to folk.
- I love his sound, until now I do not dtest (I have not yet ssay a Gibson Hummingbird, a must for a re).

OVERALL OPINION

- I did that for two weeks.
- The particular feature that j'apprcie, its richness in the bass, the omognit spectrum. I regret the pan once for Access in treble.
- I have a Gibson ssay lying in the corner, and I won t not, especially seeing the price!
- The ratio quality price is excellent, I went out to $ 549 (456) with Hard Case prvu for this guitar, especially compared to the silent Gibson 2 and a half times more expensive than it.
- No I hsiter remake that choice. I think Epiphone is back with the SERIES in which they have contributed much care, both in terms of finishing, that sound, but also for its final price.