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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