Epiphone Masterbilt Excellente Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Known as a trademark for country legend Loretta Lynn, the Epiphone Masterbilt Excellente features a large sound and now includes a Fishman Sonicore preamp.

$1,299.00

  • 18 x  
  • 12 x  
    $108.25
  • 8 x  
    $162.38

Epiphone AJ-45ME Masterbilt Acoustic-Electric Guitar

No longer available at zZounds
Crafted from mahogany and Sitka spruce with a Fishman Sonitone under-saddle pickup, the AJ-45ME carries the Masterbilt torch that's been passed since 1931.

What's special about this item?

Feature: What it does:
Solid mahogany back and sides Dry and airy tone; clear, present midrange
Solid Sitka spruce top Projects rich, crisp and responsive tone
Fishman Sonitone electronics Natural sounding and loud; great live projection
Pau Ferro fretboard Delivers strong midrange presence and punch

Since its debut back in 1931, the Epiphone Masterbilt series made a big impression on musicians during the first great era of acoustic guitars. Epiphone's AJ-45ME Masterbilt acoustic-electric guitar harnesses the features that made the original such a popular choice over the years. You get that warm J-45 resonance with a solid Sitka spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, and a sturdy mahogany neck spanning 20 frets long over a buttery pau ferro fingerboard. Thanks to its Advanced Jumbo shape, this guitar puts out serious decibels -- whether you're going through an amp or playing unplugged.

The "Workhorse" J-45

From John Lennon to Hank Williams, the J-45 has been a popular choice among many different songwriters and musicians over the decades. It had a limited release back in 1936, and quickly became a rare jewel preferred by bluegrass musicians during the '30s. Your Epiphone Advance Jumbo 45's sloped jumbo shape boasts a comfortable feel, a healthy bass and midrange punch, and an attractive look that's perfect for an intimate performance.

All Solid Wood: Mahogany and Sitka Spruce Body

Mahogany and spruce are a perfect tonewood pairing when it comes to resonating a warm and inviting acoustic tone. Mahogany will keep your lows and mids present and punchy. The Sitka spruce top features an attractive vintage sunburst satin finish and brings some sonic bite to the table to offset the deeper resonance of the mahogany back and sides.

Addicting Mahogany Neck

read more The Epiphone Masterbilt AJ-45ME comes with a '60s SlimTaper neck shape, a traditional neck with a slightly bulkier D profile. Mahogany necks offer a serious dose of sustain and low-end resonance. All 20 medium jumbo frets yield a comfortable action, and simple pearloid dot position inlays on a smooth pau ferro fretboard mark your fret positions.

Features:

- Solid wood J-45 acoustic-electric guitar
- Sitka spruce top
- Mahogany back and sides
- 5-ply body binding
- Tortoise style pickguard
- Mahogany neck
- SlimTaper D neck shape
- Scale length of 24.75"
- 20 medium jumbo frets
- Pau ferro fingerboard
- Pearloid dot position fingerboard inlays
- Fishman Sonitone
- Master volume control
- Two-band EQ control -- bass and treble
- Phase "Anti-feedback" switch
- Nickel hardware
- Grover Sta-Tite tuners with 18:1 ratio
- Bone saddle

In order to continually improve the design, quality, and performance of their products and instruments, Epiphone reserves the right to change specifications without notice.
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- Top Material: Solid Sitka Spruce
- Back Material: Solid Mahogany
- Side Material: Solid Mahogany
- Neck Material: Mahogany; 1-piece plus heel
- Neck Shape Options: SlimTaper; D profile
- Neck Joint: Glued-In; Dove-Tail with hide glue
- Truss Rod: Adjustable
- Scale Length: 24.75"
- Fingerboard Material: Pau ferro with Pearloid Dot inlays
- Electronics: Fishman Sonitone
- Controls: Master Volume, Treble EQ, Bass EQ, Phase "Anti-feedback" Switch and Low-Battery Indicator
- Power: Two #2032 Lithium Batteries (3V)
- Body Binding: 5-ply
- Fingerboard Radius: 14"
- Frets: 20; medium
- Saddle Material: Bone
- Nut Width: 1.69"
- Nut Material: Bone
- Hardware: Nickel
- Machine Heads: Grover Sta-Tite 18:1 ratio
- Extras: User's Manual, Truss Rod Wrench, Epiphone Poster and Epiphone Bumper Sticker
- Warranty: Epiphone Limited Lifetime

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 800-4GIBSON
Web: https://www.epiphone.com/en-US/Support/Contact

Epiphone AJ-45ME Masterbilt Guitar

Epiphone continues its historic Masterbilt series with the Epiphone Masterbilt AJ-45ME Acoustic/Electric. The legendary J-45 round shoulder dreadnought has been the driving power behind decades of classics in every genre -- rock, pop, and country.

From Hank Williams to John Lennon the "J-45" has been the go-to guitar for songwriters and rhythm guitarists. Epiphone's first Ltd. Ed. reissue of the "The Workhorse" J-45 earned it a "Mark of Excellence Award" from Guitar One magazine and now the Masterbilt 2015 AJ-45ME Acoustic/Electric brings two legends together for the first time!

First released in June 1931, the original line of Epiphone Masterbilt guitars made a big impression on musicians and heralded the first great era of acoustic guitars. Today, the line of Epiphone Masterbilt instruments continues that reputation around the world. As with all Masterbilts, the Masterbilt AJ-45ME Acoustic/Electric is an ALL SOLID WOOD instrument featuring a solid Sitka Spruce top finished in a Vintage Sunburst Satin finish. The top is supported by hand-scalloped Sitka Spruce braces and is set off by Mahogany kerfing along with a bone saddle. One of the great attributes of a Sitka Spruce top is that it gets better with age--and playing time--so play your AJ-45ME a lot! The AJ-45ME's historic sloped jumbo shape contributes to the guitar's mighty tone, booming bass, and mid-range projection. The bridge features a vintage classic 1.69" bone nut and the top has 5-ply binding and a tortoise style pickguard.

The Masterbilt 2015 AJ-45ME has solid Mahogany back and sides, just like revered vintage models. The hand-shaped neck is also made from solid mahogany with a 1-piece heel. The neck is attached to the body with a dovetail joint and hide glue, and the neck has a standard 24.75" scale. Like all Masterbilts, the neck has a classic SlimTaper D profile. The pau ferro fingerboard features pearloid dot inlays, a 14" radius, and 20 medium jumbo frets.

Discretely mounted inside the sound hole, the Sonic preamp features an easy-access volume control with Treble and Bass EQ controls. There's also a "phase" switch that instantly cuts feedback without affecting tone. The NanoFlex pickup is the only pickup that senses both the vibrations of the strings and the movements of the soundboard simultaneously. So, the sound is truly "acoustic," combining accurate body and string tone with percussive attack. It's like having a microphone mixed with an under-saddle pickup!

Features:

- Solid Sitka Spruce top
- Solid Mahogany back
- Solid Mahogany side
- Mahogany neck
- Epiphone Limited Lifetime warranty

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (13 ratings)
Submitted October 27, 2015 by Dave M in Pittsboro, IN

"Great guitar buy!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I have twenty solid body flat tops, some imports and some domestic built. I have four J-45's and love all of them. They all have their voices. When I saw the add for the AJ 45 ME, it looked great and sounded great in the add so, I took a chance on it. I am certainly glad that I did. This guitar is amazing, in particularly for $599.00. I have had it for a week and it is finally beginning to settle down a bit. All new guitars have a break in period where they are hard to keep in tune until all of the joints get used to being played under standard tuning stress. The only changes that I made to the instrument was to: Polish the frets with 0000 steel wool and I applied three coats of Maguiar's Number 2.0 swirl remover to the finish and then applied Maguiar's cleaner wax. It added a bit of shine and deepened the finish considerably. The finish was a bit too flat for me, almost smoky. I had read that some players were not happy with the flatness of the satin finish. I also restrung it with DR Dragon Skins 12-54. After about a week, the guitar and strings settled down and an amazing instrument appeared. I can find no flaws in the finish nor, build. The tone is big, balanced, warm and wide. I am a long time finger style player, teacher and performer and I have found this to be the best guitar deal that I have ever made. The set-up on the guitar was perfect when it arrived. That has never happened to me before this guitar. I called a friend of mine two days ago and read more gave him my report and he purchased one that day. If you are sitting on the fence with this instrument don't--it is a wonderful guitar. It does not sound like the new J-45's, if that is what you want, I have one; it sounds like my old ones, from the 1950's and I love that quality about it. The pick-up is great and very easy to balance. Given the all solid wood construction, dove tail neck joint and hyde glue joints, this guitar will only continue to get better in time. I will be purchasing another one for open tunings and slide. I hope that this helps interested buyers out. As usual, the service at zZounds, was first rate. I received the guitar in three days, from purchase date. Congratulations to Epiphone, for building a great guitar, at an amazing price! Capitalism, is a wonderful thing is it not!

Musical Background:
Taught at I.U. School Of Music and toured extensively.

Musical Style:
Blues, jazz, ragtime, old country, swing, gypsy
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