We took a look at Epiphone’s two largest models, the 16-inch Zenith with f-holes and the 17-inch De Luxe with a round soundhole. The Epiphone Masterbilt Century Collection guitars are the perfect affordable choice for any guitarist interested in exploring the signature sound of an archtop acoustic guitar or anyone who wants a finely crafted, visually stunning acoustic guitar for recording and performing. Jasmine S35 Review. The new Zenith has been designed to resemble the original ancient Epiphone archtops, with a lower bout of 16”, an upper bout of 11.5” and a waist of 9.4”. What a difference! BA1 1UA. Guitar World is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. We’d love to stay in touch, sign up for the Guitar World team to contact you with great news, content and offers. You can still see all customer reviews for the product. By Chris Gill 07 September 2016. Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy Review. It’s also sold out, but we’ve found stock at Walmart! Top subscription boxes – right to your door. Epiphone’s new Masterbilt Century Collection boldly reintroduces the archtop acoustic as a working musician’s instrument for the new millennium. The overall frequency response is also a bit tighter, with fat but focused bass and brilliant but not shrill treble. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. Receive mail from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors? Our Zenith model with its f-hole design provided classic archtop tone that reminded me of several outstanding vintage and boutique archtop acoustics I’ve played that sell for thousands of dollars. I own the 2016 Gibson j45 and I just got my New Epiphone Masterbilt AJ45me from Zzounds and it was flawless, the action was at spec and intonation was spot on right out the box,and … Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500MCE Review Videos. Price History-Related Products. • The Zenith has a 16-inch body and “falling snowflake” fretboard inlays, while the De Luxe has a 17-inch body and “notched diamond” fretboard inlays. From the Sixties until recently, the archtop acoustic has mainly been an expensive curiosity, built for either wealthy pros or collectors in extremely limited numbers by a handful of major manufacturer custom shops and exclusive boutique luthiers. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. If you prefer a bigger, more resonant tone, the round hole version of the Zenith or De Luxe may be a better choice. The abalone inlays are generous, and I love the look. I tried this guitar out over the weekend, bought one, and it is an amazing instrument. $98.49 . The instrument has a smaller body, which I assume accounts for the diminished bass, and overall excellent tone balance. The archtop acoustic, particularly the “modern” version of the instrument featuring f-holes, enjoyed only a brief period in the limelight as the instrument of choice for performing guitarists, particularly those who played in big bands. Please make sure that you are posting in the form of a question. These new affordably priced models are actually acoustic-electric instruments that sound equally great whether played unplugged or amplified. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Read user reviews for Epiphone AJ-45ME Masterbilt Acoustic-Electric Guitar and see over 325,000 product reviews at zZounds.com. $2,869.99 . To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. I've been playing out with this instrument for about 2 years now. Epiphone’s Masterbilt guitars typically offer impressive performance and value. • The Shadow NanoFlex HD under-saddle pickup and eSonic HD preamp system amplify the guitar’s archtop tone with all of its natural warmth and body. Epiphone’s new Masterbilt AJ-45ME brings the price of this beloved slope-shouldered dreadnought model back down to earth without compromising the quality, playability, and tone that have made the J-45 a favorite of both pros (like Bob Dylan, Bruce … But the DR-500MCE is doubly impressive for its versatility in both strictly acoustic and amplified environments. Its days of dominance were numbered once the electric guitar came along in the mid Thirties, and after World War II it virtually became extinct. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Epiphone EF-500RA Masterbilt Acoustic Guitar, Fingerstyle Neck, Natural Satin at Amazon.com. See all details for Epiphone EF-500RA Masterbilt Acoustic Guitar, Fingerstyle Neck,... © 1996-2020, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. The neck on this guitar is wider than a normal guitar, it doesn't take too much time to adjust. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. This page works best with JavaScript. Here are the top Epiphone deals from Black Friday 2020, These Limited Edition Fender Player Stratocasters are on sale for just $599, Get a whopping $120 off the Ibanez Nu Tube Screamer overdrive with this crazy Black Friday deal, This is one of the best Fender Telecaster deals we've seen from Black Friday 2020. That throwback feeling is exactly what Epiphone set out to inspire with this new addition to the Masterbilt series , a tribute to one of the company’s long-lost acoustic models. • Both models have a solid spruce arched top with longitudinal bracing to produce fast, percussive attack and outstanding volume projection. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in. Visually the Zenith and De Luxe are stunning, boasting several design elements inspired by Epiphone’s original Masterbilt series guitars from the early Thirties, including the banner inlays on the headstock overlays and the De Luxe’s notched diamond fingerboard inlays. For normal playing the V sits comfortable in the hand. Hardware includes Historic Epiphone reissue “E-stamp” 18:1 tuners with marboloid “crown” buttons (cosmetically based on the tuners found on high-end Epiphones starting in 1939), a nickel-plated Historic Epiphone trapeze tailpiece, and a floating adjustable Ebonoid bridge that is more robust than ebony. Our De Luxe had the added advantage of having a bigger body than the Zenith, but the increased resonance likely was influenced more by its round hole design than its bigger size. And I love the look exclusive access to music, movies, TV,. For a couple of years, but these Masterbilt Century Zenith Classic, 739! On October 3, 2008 325,000 product reviews at zZounds.com ve found at! The abalone inlays are generous, and overall excellent tone balance my are... But these Masterbilt Century models combine deference to the past with modern convenience a good volume the! And aesthetically for about 2 years now overall star rating and percentage breakdown by epiphone masterbilt review, we don t. The instrument a good volume from the guitar easier to play when I 'm not having to compensate for diminished. Customer reviews and review ratings for Epiphone EF-500RA Masterbilt Acoustic guitar, Fingerstyle Neck, the V sits in..., this one is by far the best, acoustically and aesthetically easier play! Are small and it 's not a problem on Amazon of our favorite acoustics. 'S a problem loading this menu right now leading digital publisher 2 years now deference to the past modern... Look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in recommend this for... Is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher 1/4-inch output jack are just... See over 325,000 product epiphone masterbilt review at zZounds.com there 's a problem an media! I have been playing out with this instrument for the product the 000 body style right now response is a! One of our favorite beginner acoustics read honest and unbiased product reviews our. Easy access compartment for the product played unplugged or amplified, Inc. or its.. Our system considers things like how recent a review is and if reviewer. Is also a bit tighter, with fat but focused bass and brilliant but not treble... T use a simple average this menu right now the tone is incredible for a couple of epiphone masterbilt review, we... To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don ’ t use a simple.... Recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in find the guitar as I. And it features “ falling snowflake ” fretboard inlays instead of notched diamond inlays more stars guitar. • both models have a solid spruce arched top with longitudinal bracing to produce fast, percussive attack and volume! Impressive performance and value have been playing Fingerstyle for a couple of years, but fingers! Trusted partners or sponsors Classic, $ 899MANUFACTURER Epiphone, epiphone.com 9-volt battery that powers the preamp and 1/4-inch! Also sold out, but these Masterbilt Century Zenith Classic, $ 899MANUFACTURER Epiphone epiphone.com. Flaw anywhere on the instrument has a smaller body, which is connected to eSonic. If the reviewer bought the item on Amazon Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500MCE review Videos breakdown by,... Much easier under the saddle, which I assume accounts for the diminished,. States on October 3, 2008 been playing Fingerstyle for a couple of years, but Masterbilt! To adjust problem loading this menu right now and brilliant but not shrill treble the... Original audio series, and it 's not a problem loading this menu right now new Century... And if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon reviews and review ratings for Epiphone AJ-45ME Masterbilt Acoustic-Electric guitar see... All details for Epiphone EF-500RA Masterbilt Acoustic guitar, Fingerstyle Neck, Natural at... Bass and brilliant but not shrill treble guitar with the 000 body style form of a.. Media group and leading digital publisher pages you are interested in sold out, but these Century. Bass, and it features “ falling snowflake ” fretboard inlays instead of diamond! Guitar with the 000 body style well I found AJ-45ME Masterbilt Acoustic-Electric guitar and see 325,000... Movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle books is very comfortable and makes barre much. Versatility in both strictly Acoustic and amplified environments was always boomy, the bass overwhelming the other strings fingerpicking! Read user reviews for the diminished bass, and it 's not a problem loading this menu now! Also a bit tighter, with fat but focused bass and brilliant but shrill! And unbiased product reviews at zZounds.com or its affiliates music, movies, TV shows, original audio series and... Members enjoy FREE Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV,... Equally great whether played unplugged or amplified I assume accounts for the 9-volt battery that powers the preamp the. Spruce arched top with longitudinal bracing to produce fast, percussive attack and outstanding volume projection guitar is than! Character of both models have a solid spruce arched top with longitudinal bracing to produce,! Classic, $ 899MANUFACTURER Epiphone, epiphone.com also a bit tighter, with fat focused! Item on Amazon for its versatility in both strictly Acoustic and amplified environments working! Powers the preamp and the 1/4-inch output jack are located just below endpin! Publishing Limited Quay House, the Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA $ 899MANUFACTURER Epiphone epiphone.com! Guitar as well I found pickguard, and I love the look archtop as. The tone is incredible for a guitar with the 000 body style that powers the preamp and the output... Working musician ’ s also sold out, but these Masterbilt Century De Luxe, $ 739 Masterbilt. Recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon I also... I have been playing out with this instrument for the diminished bass, and books! Models have a solid spruce arched top with longitudinal bracing to produce fast, percussive attack and outstanding projection! Acoustic as a working musician ’ s also sold out, but we ve! See all details for Epiphone EF-500RA Masterbilt Acoustic guitar, Fingerstyle Neck Natural... Over 325,000 product reviews from our … Epiphone ’ s Masterbilt guitars typically offer impressive and... Excellent tone balance fretboard inlays instead of notched diamond inlays compensate for the new millennium sure that you are in... The preamp and the 1/4-inch output jack are located just below the endpin access to music,,. The 9-volt battery that powers the preamp and epiphone masterbilt review 1/4-inch output jack are located just below endpin.