Epiphone Masterbilt AJ500RC 12-Fret Acoustic Guitar
No longer available at zZounds
Solid rosewood body and cedar top. Nickel hardware. Neck joined at 12th fret to body.
Overview
Epiphone Masterbilt guitars are built to such great specifications that they rival overly expensive "higher-end" guitars. The AJ500RC 12-Fret is crafted with a solid rosewood body and topped with solid cedar providing both warmth and character that only gets better with age. The neck itself as the name applies is joined at the 12th fret to the body for increased volume and punch. A rosewood fingerboard on a slim mahogany neck provide smooth and fast playability. Masterbilt guitars provide quality to last for years whenever, wherever, or however you use them.
Specs
Hardware: Nickel
Scale: 25.5 in.
Nut width: 1.75 in.
Neck: Set, 1930's V, Mahogany
Neck material: Mahogany
Fretboard/Inlay: Rosewood-Diamond
Binding: B
Body material: Solid Rosewood
Top: Solid Cedar
Scale: 25.5 in.
Nut width: 1.75 in.
Neck: Set, 1930's V, Mahogany
Neck material: Mahogany
Fretboard/Inlay: Rosewood-Diamond
Binding: B
Body material: Solid Rosewood
Top: Solid Cedar
Documents and Manuals
For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 800-4GIBSON
Web: https://www.epiphone.com/en-US/Support/Contact
Phone: 800-4GIBSON
Web: https://www.epiphone.com/en-US/Support/Contact
Reviews
Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
(4 ratings)
Submitted March 26, 2008 by a customer from insightbb.com
"Excellent 12 fret guitar that outperforms many higher priced guitars!....."
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I'm still looking for a 'high end' 12 fret guitar....but this is a great, fun instrument that I do not regret purchasing....
Sound
The sound is nice and punchy like a 12 fret should be. Really nice for chords or fingerpicking especially. Sort of a Rickenbacher jangle...chords sustain and ring! Loudest guitar I have...louder than my Taylor GS or Guild D-25C (1976).
Features
For $599.00 it's a GREAT value...sounds like a much more expensive guitar. No case included and none offered at Epiphone or Gibson website for a 12 fret. Would prefer a spruce top to cedar but it sounds very nice. Rosewood back and sides helps. A couple of minor finish blemishes...but as this is a tough guitar to find to buy...I'm keeping it! Mine is 'pre-pickguard' which I think looks better. Don't really like the matt finish...the neck becomes regular gloss in a day of playing....but the matt body will be difficult to maintain and will show 'shiney wear'...would prefer GLOSS. PERFECT set-up right out of the box!....I tuned up and haven't done anything except play. I wish it had an electric option installed.
Ease of Use
Chords ring and strumming becomes a cascade of overlapping sound with ease. Nut and saddle width makes fingerpicking styles very comfortable. Comfortable neck size!
Quality
Finish had a couple blemishes...one darker spot with hint of gloss where matt finish was a little… read more imperfect....near neck built up matt is a bit uneven....wood and assembly seem to be very, very accurate with great intonation up and down the neck! All joints and seems are extremely tight with matched top and back sides better than most expensive guitars. (I AM worried that many of the early models' bridge be came detached due to top being finished before gluing bridge in place...Don't know if my March 2008 is 'old' school or not. Sent in the warranty card on time!)
Value
A real bargain and a very very fun guitar to play!....
Manufacturer Support
Although I haven't dealt with Epiphone's CHINESE FACTORY....I have dealt with Gibson's customer service/warranty claims through the Nashville store. Gibson was very responsive and can recommend the NEW Gibson warranties as nothing to worry about...they will take care of it!...It may take a couple of months or so but they DO honor their warranty if there is a problem with the instrument. Beware of Gibson Authorized Repair locations...some of the local guys shouldn't be working on guitars...but Nasvhille's warranty service is very good.
The Wow Factor
Looks very nice and plays great! The new ones have a pickguard that looks cheap. I would like a pickguard but am glad I wasn't stuck with the cheesy ones they are 'sticking' on now. The matt finish is a disappointment. I would much prefer gloss. (The neck becomes glossy after a day of playing and looks very nice!)
Musical Background:
Active musician, hobbyist, every day player and home recorder usually in some sort of band.
Musical Style:
Americana - rocky - fingerpicking - flat picking variety - samba - etc read less
Sound
The sound is nice and punchy like a 12 fret should be. Really nice for chords or fingerpicking especially. Sort of a Rickenbacher jangle...chords sustain and ring! Loudest guitar I have...louder than my Taylor GS or Guild D-25C (1976).
Features
For $599.00 it's a GREAT value...sounds like a much more expensive guitar. No case included and none offered at Epiphone or Gibson website for a 12 fret. Would prefer a spruce top to cedar but it sounds very nice. Rosewood back and sides helps. A couple of minor finish blemishes...but as this is a tough guitar to find to buy...I'm keeping it! Mine is 'pre-pickguard' which I think looks better. Don't really like the matt finish...the neck becomes regular gloss in a day of playing....but the matt body will be difficult to maintain and will show 'shiney wear'...would prefer GLOSS. PERFECT set-up right out of the box!....I tuned up and haven't done anything except play. I wish it had an electric option installed.
Ease of Use
Chords ring and strumming becomes a cascade of overlapping sound with ease. Nut and saddle width makes fingerpicking styles very comfortable. Comfortable neck size!
Quality
Finish had a couple blemishes...one darker spot with hint of gloss where matt finish was a little… read more imperfect....near neck built up matt is a bit uneven....wood and assembly seem to be very, very accurate with great intonation up and down the neck! All joints and seems are extremely tight with matched top and back sides better than most expensive guitars. (I AM worried that many of the early models' bridge be came detached due to top being finished before gluing bridge in place...Don't know if my March 2008 is 'old' school or not. Sent in the warranty card on time!)
Value
A real bargain and a very very fun guitar to play!....
Manufacturer Support
Although I haven't dealt with Epiphone's CHINESE FACTORY....I have dealt with Gibson's customer service/warranty claims through the Nashville store. Gibson was very responsive and can recommend the NEW Gibson warranties as nothing to worry about...they will take care of it!...It may take a couple of months or so but they DO honor their warranty if there is a problem with the instrument. Beware of Gibson Authorized Repair locations...some of the local guys shouldn't be working on guitars...but Nasvhille's warranty service is very good.
The Wow Factor
Looks very nice and plays great! The new ones have a pickguard that looks cheap. I would like a pickguard but am glad I wasn't stuck with the cheesy ones they are 'sticking' on now. The matt finish is a disappointment. I would much prefer gloss. (The neck becomes glossy after a day of playing and looks very nice!)
Musical Background:
Active musician, hobbyist, every day player and home recorder usually in some sort of band.
Musical Style:
Americana - rocky - fingerpicking - flat picking variety - samba - etc read less
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