Epiphone Masterbilt Dr 500Mce Acoustic Electric Guitar For Sale (2024 Update)

I had two of these guitars one in vintage sunburst and the other in natural. I found their build quality to be very similar to each other. The natural one (bought second hand) didnt sound that great, it seemed to have a missing mid range and no bottom. The strings seemed to buzz also. I bought this one second hand so it may have been set up by one of these many "guru" luthiers out there that seem to think they know it all. The sunburst one sounded much better. The mid and lows were there and no buzz. This guitar was new, unlike the other so I'm confident it had a factory set up. Just be aware that when buying these guitars second hand, they could very well have fallen into the wrong hands that try to lower the action or whatever else. Probably best to try before you buy. The one I'm keeping really is a keeper of an acoustic guitar. Intonation is dead on. The neck is very very flat with little relief and all the while the string buzz is almost non existant, so the frets are quite level. Hardware is all pretty decent. Onboard electronics work well and sound good. Can't beat this guitar for the price. The neck feels very flat and fast.SuperLead

I researched and researched before plunking down cash on my very first guitar. All you have to do is a cursory google search to see the glowing recommendations for this guitar. I wanted something I wouldn't outgrow and this fits the bill perfectly as a lot of expert musicians, claim this rivals guitars costing $2,000-$3,000 range. All I know is it sounds amazing, looks fantastic and has so many features associated with the classic dreadnoughts of the past. I saw an ad on Reverb for one of these being sold through Sam Ash of Tampa and I called the store to make sure it was available. I spoke with George Savvas and after searching the web, he found the ad for the guitar, but informed me it was unfortunately no longer in the store. He asked for my number and said he would calm me back. Within 2 hours, George called me back, said he located another guitar that was exactly the same (model, finish, condition, etc…), and that he would honor the price advertised on Reverb. He shipped it out that day to my home in Las Vegas (free of charge) and it arrived a few days later packed well and in pristine condition. The guitar is everything I hoped for in my first guitar (wanted new not used). Thank you Sam Ash, and thank you Gorge Savvas for making a pleasurable shopping experience. D.Davis

I literally searched for almost 6 months before purchasing what is my first guitar (no wisecracks!). Guitars built with these standards do produce a quality of time that you just won't get with laminated woods, and cheaper components. Although I'm a new player, I know a lot of "veteran" players who until now have always fallen back on Martins, Gibson's, Taylors, etc…I say until now as 2 of my friends have purchased this same guitar after playing mine. One bought it for his son's first guitar, and another bought one because he wasn't crazy about dragging his $4,000 guitar around with him everywhere he went. It seems that it's maybe hit or miss on setup right out of the box, but mine was perfect. The sustain, the tone, the clarity…all superb. To get an all solid wood guitar built with hide glue, dovetail jointing, etc…is usually reserved for guitars costing for more than the DR500MCE. You will have to look at buying a used guitar to get these type of attributes for the money. Don't hesitate in buying this guitar, one generic google search will bring you all the info you need, and tons of happy consumers who have been surprised by, and converted to Epi"fans"Dave

I have the Vintage Sunburst model, its beautiful. Mine must be an early run since the fingerboard and bridge are rosewood rather than blackwood. It has a good, crisp mahogany/sitka sound. I changed the strings to D'addario exp 16s and added ebony bridge pins and this baby really came to life. The original set up was fine. The pickup really sounds good through my Loudbox Mini, not piezo-ee like some AE's. The fingerboard does not feel narrow to me; I can play finger style just fine on it. So yes, this is a really nice guitar, and it would still be at a higher price than what is sells for, too.Boomer

Bought this as stupid deal of the day. Just needed something to play acoustically besides my Fender 12 string and Martin 6 string and an older model acoustic given to me by my wife. I was surprised by how well this guitar was set up and I don't need to do anything. The only issue I had was a sharp corner on the pick guard which was easily remedied. The Stupid price made this a no brainer, but I would buy it again at regular price. Can't go wrong with this guitar.rickylee

This is an update to my earlier review. When I tried it out after I got it, I was blown away by the sound, playability and appearance. I still am…but, when I plugged it in and started to use it at church last weekend, the jack seemed loose and made a lot of cracklling noises then finally cut out. The plug literally fell out of the jack! Thankfully, MF refunded a portion of my purchase price when I called them and told them of the problem. So, I began some guitar surgery this afternoon, and finished about five hours later. The jack on the Shadow electronics is very flimsy, and the plastic shell, which held the plug contacts had broken. A bit of super glue and some nylon wire ties later and the jack still wouldn't hold the plug. Then I discovered that it was completely broken around the bottom. Thankfully all the pieces were still there and a bit of super glue now has it working as it should. However, I am still a bit leery of using it in public since super glue does not have a lot of mechanical strength and it may likely break again. Since the Shado jack is non-standard I cannot replace it with a Switchcraft or similar quality jack, so I may completely wind up replacing the electronics entirely. We will have to wait and see. Since I had the strings off so I could reach inside the body to access the electronics, I decided to replace the strings with Martin Phosphor Bronze 10's (yes, my 72 year old fingers are a bit on the wimpy side)..The tuner for the G string was a bit tight when I first tuned it, but it was really tight when I installed the new strings, until it got to the point that it would not turn at all! The string post had completely bound up inside the tuner's ferrule. I tried to take the tuner off but the string post would not move. I had to take the tuner completely apart and still could not get the post out of the ferrule without a lot of tugging and pulling and twisting with a pair of Vice Grips. Then I drilled out the ferrule to the pSunday Rocker

Great for the price. It is a good idea to change the strings right away though. The guitar is playable from the get go however I did some adjustment on the rod to make it perfect. Its design allow for easy reach of the highest notes close to the body and the tuners and the electronics are good enough for a beginner to intermediate player. It comes with an entry level amp that outputs strong and high volume it is small but powerful enough for practicing indoors. All in all a great package for the money. I got this jewel from SamAsh for my daughter and cannot be happier. Hope this comments help you on your decision to buy. Cheers, JB from Coconut Creek.JESUS

This is a great guitar! I would honestly recommend it to relatively anyone. It has a great feel to it that would be exceptional for young players, but also has a good sound that's great for those more experienced. Anytime I let someone play this guitar, they ask so many questions because they love it so much. They're always super surprised to learn the price. Definitely worth the purchase if you're thinking about it.Brittany Colvin

A bought the Epiphone PR-4E LE in vintage sunburst for a good price as the SDOTD. I have been playing for over 40 years semi professionally and I own a number of higher end acoustics but I wanted to purchase a "beater" that I could break out at a party and not have to worry about one of my intoxicated friends bumping or scratching it. This guitar seemed to fit the bill. The reason I gave it three stars is that although the fit and finish seemed very good, this is supposedly a student level/beginners guitar and the action that it arrived with would be difficult and frustrating for anyone to learn on. I do my own luthier work and I had to spend about two hours to cut the nut, take some relief off of the neck and shave the bridge down to get it to play well. I do not know if my experience with this acoustic is an exception but at this price point I doubt it. With that said it is a nice beginner guitar with a nice build quality, it sounds surprisingly full and rich and if yours arrive like mine I would strongly suggest taking it to your local trusted luthier and spend the extra cash to have it set up properly and have the action lowered. Now mine plays wonderfully and is fun to play. If I didn't have to do all the work to get it playing properly I would have easily given this guitar 4 stars but at this price point I kind of expected thatG-Man

My first excellente went back because of preamp problems. Second was a little different didn’t play well plus fretting out past the 12 th fret. Local shop stated the neck needed to be refitted. Guitar Center said bad frets needed to be sanded, bridge needed to be replaced and a normal setup done. Awesomeness!!! Picked it up and it plays “Rxcellente. e. Less than 75 bucks and I’m again in love with my Excllente, again!!!!!!!!! Love this guitar and it’s Excellent!!!!!Second review of the excellente

I primarily play Gibson guitars. Acoustic and electric. This thing holds its own against my hummingbird. Neck feels great. Fit and finish are spot on. High quality mother of pearl. Great guitar. Will be taking it to the gig tomorrow.Harrison

Overall: I purchased this guitar from zZounds on 2/22/20 and received it the very next day. The workmanship was perfect. This guitar is manufactured with solid ovangkol wood back and sides with a solid spruce top. It produces a powerful warm mellow tone. The playability action was just a little high but except able. . It came with Gibson light gage strings. Two thumbs up for this guitar.Maurice

On special offer, so a great deal, looks a million dollars. Very good player for the price range, like the movable bridge, easy to get near perfect intonation.Reviewed by guitarguitar custome

I was on the fence for a while about this guitar. Wish I didn't wait so long to get it. This thing is every bit of quality you'd expect from the folks at the Bozeman Gibson facility. Sound is excellent and plays like butter. I prefer a long scale and slimmer neck profile and this guitar fit the bill there. I love how this thing projects sound. It's crisp clear and ready for any type of playing from heavy strumming to fingerstyle. Doesn't take much to drive the sound on this. Feels nice and tight with very responsive sound output. When unboxing you'll swear it's a Gibson till you get it opened lol.. I've never been more satisfied with an instrument purchase. I love this guitar and hope to pass it down when I'm gone. Thank you AMS!John

The new offering from Epiphone for the Masterbuilt Texan is amazing!It is very close in detail to the original, and is built beautifully. This guitar has a great aged finish, with a very nice feel from the first moment you get it in your hands. The electronics are true to the original sound of the acoustic guitar;very full and warm. Plays like a dream, immaculately built, and worth more than the great low price you'll pay for the amount of guitar and sound you'll get. Well done Epiphone!Dave Pal

Buying this Masterbilt Texan provided a happy ending to a very long but informative journey into the Epiphone Texan story. The Texan has been made for years and there are a few different variations circulating out there, some made overseas, some in the USA. For the price point I was aiming, the "Masterbilt" Series and the "Inspired by 1964" would fit my budget. The "Inspired by 1964" has been made since early 2000, is cheaper by a hundred dollars or so, but "looks" identical to the "Masterbilt". But in this case, looks are definitely deceiving. The "inspired by 1964" was made in China, and according to reviews dated as far back as the early 2000's, it was "rough" around the edges. All of them needed a major set up and substantial fretwork and neck adjustment. My research pointed to the "Masterbilt" so I ordered and received one, but not from Musiciansfriend, as it wasn't available yet. The Masterbilt is a finely crafted instrument. Right out of the box, it played effortlessly, and feels like a true vintage instrument. It has a super-fast neck which makes chordal or single noting a breeze. And one feature I was not expecting was the superior tone it produces. It is so rich, but crystal clear with a tint of the boxiness a parlor guitar would have. Although the guitar includes built-in electronics, it has substantial volume when unamplified. The result was a fine guitar,with superb craftsmanship, and at a reasonable price.JW

This guitar is the equal of many a more expensive guitar. The action is set nice and low, and it frets very easily. The onboard electronics and tuner work well. You will find the neck, particularly at the BONE nut, to be just ever so much wider than normal. This makes it easy to form precise chords. I have owned Gibsons and Taylors…While I won't go so far as to say it surpasses either, it certainly holds it own very well against those very expensive brands. If you want a relatively inexpensive workhorse with great sound, this is it. Buy one…You won't regret it 🙂usnavy

Such an amazing guitar looks and sounds incredible been looking for one of these for years and I'm so glad I'm finally able to enjoy one. I highly recommend this guitar 110 percent!!!alexange2626

Overall: I ordered this from Sweetwater back on May 4th and was supposed to get delivery mid-June to only find out (after trying to contact them for weeks) at best it may be August when I get this guitar. I cancel my order last night and reordered at 5 pm from zZounds and it was on my doorstep the next morning at 11am. Truly amazing. This this is an absolutely beautiful looking guitar with amazing tones with the maple construction. This is a steal at this price.John

So disappointed in this model. Having owned several "Masterbuilts", I was expecting the same level of craftsmanship that I've enjoyed from Epi over the years. I purchased 2 of these from MF and both were sent back. The first one had issues with the pick guard being loose and high frets. The second had terrible fret dressing and the nut and saddle were too high and the neck was warped. I really love the "rope n cactus" and hope that maybe I'll stumble across a good one someday.James

I bought one of these several months ago. Ok I'm not good guitarist so take that into into consideration but I have player series strat and have always played strat style guitars and I'm not saying i love this guitar more than the Fender I love them both but as far as the guitar is concerned she got so much potential tonally. I have no complaints about the ascetic she beautiful sexy gorgeous took a little getting used to the weight and contours compared to the strat there is adjustment period but she just rocks. I never played a Gibson but if this guitar had Gibson I guess it be a little better but also 2grand more. If I have any complaint is she is finger print magnet always wiping down get some dunlop 65 and microfiber cloth. The Glossy neck won't appeal to all but I can deal with it. Fret work perfect. I'm not a gigging musician but i have no doubt she gig worthy. Oh also, get the pro coverage cause I found out ALL Les Paul are extremely fragile at the neck,It has to do with the angle of the neck, Google it, do your research on owning a led Paul little different than strat anyway the guitar is 600-GREAT VALUE then with 2 years pro coverage plus tax it was under 900 or somewhere around there. And if you get a bad quality then ask for another cause it is coming from Asia so there is variability in workmanship but mine is PERFECT. If I ever get rich maybe ill buy a Gibson but for now this satisfy my Les Paul needs. I wanted an alternative to my strat to emulate Slash sound lol I need to work on my technique but this definitely rocks a Les Paul sound. I did see a review or 2 that liked the sound of the 1950 better but I played them both and liked the 60s better but check them both out the inspired by Gibson line is definitely worth the money if you want a Les Paul without breaking the bank. Just take your time do your homework if you can go to a GC and play it then do that In rarely write reviews especially this long but I love this guitarMichael L

This 79 buck guitar was the biggest surprise ever! I really didn't expect much, and was having second thoughts after I placed the order. I bought the sunburst version on a SDOTD as a total impulse buy. I have several expensive acoustics, and I don't need a cheap guitar. But I have to say, this is a really nice instrument. The fit and finish is above average, with relatively smooth fret ends and a huge sound. The tuners, however inexpensive, work as intended and stay in tune. The sunburst finish is lovely, with only one small thumbnail scratch. The neck joint is well done, and the neck has a comfortable full feeling. Epiphone has improved the "E" symbol on the pickguard, it is made into the plastic, and not glued on and wanting to fall off like on the older Epiphones. The rosette appears to be painted on, but it looks good regardless. The bridge (rosewood) is solidly attached to the top, with no lifting or gaps. The body has a white plastic binding front and back that is well executed. The rosewood fretboard is attractive with nice grain. And the sound! This guitar has a huge, loud sound for a laminate guitar. Tomorrow I plan to replace the original strings with some quality mediums, which can only make it sound even better. One odd feature is a false truss rod cover, held in place with three wood screws. There is nothing under it! The access to the truss rod is inside the sound hole. I did have to remove some glue from around the truss rod adjusting nut inside the guitar. Quite frankly, the quality and sound of the Epiphone just blows me away! If I had to sell all of my other acoustics and only keep this one, I would be content. It's that good!JimmyJ

Great sounding and playing guitar, I replaced the synthetic saddle for bone, original was to tapered on the high E new saddle took care of that. Buy the epiphone or roadrunner jumbo case, nothing else fits, make sure if the guitar comes straight from the factory you use a humidifier in your case for at least 6 months. Especially in colorado. Then if you leave it out without a humidifier that you dont have forcrd Heat or air conditioning vents close to the guitar. This guitar has great projection.Kenny

After purchasing this guitar from American Musical Supply, I was really nervous awaiting its arrival because this was actually my first time purchasing an instrument online. I’m used to going inside music shops and trying out different gear and playing guitars before I buy them so I know that what I’m taking home with me already feels comfortable and right in my hands. This guitar in particular, however, is not a style that is normally kept stocked in the stores for customers to test drive before they purchase. Similar models are available in stores near me but I think anyone who has ever wanted this particular model from Epiphone knows that they have heard and felt the beautiful sound that projects from this big guitar and I am here to tell you that my “leap of faith” online purchase was nothing more than a huge win in my book! This guitar looks, sounds and plays just as I expected it would with much more to offer once it’s actually in your hands! I’m personally a country/blues guy so this guitar definitely fits right up that alley in my opinion. It feels so solid in your hands and the tone is just plain awesome! The Jumbo body allows the sounds inside the guitar to reverberate through your body as it’s pressed against you before making its way through the sound hole where it flourishes into that awesome deep, thick sound. From the factory the guitar is set up beautifully and very playable right out of the box. Quality parts, quality wood and quality electronics as expected from Epiphone and very well executed in this model. Definitely worth every penny for the undecided guitarist but hey, don’t take just my word for it! Pick up this awesome guitar from Epiphone through these good folks here at American Musical and set yourself up with one of their payment plans if that interests you! It’s an awesome way to be able to get the gear you need and the gear you’ve been wanting without breaking the bank right on the spot! Excellent Job by Epiphone once again and an excellent job by American Musical for supplying it at an awesome price and providing sweet payment options for your customers and future consumers!Billy

I once owned a Gibson J15, that I bought from Guitar Center, and I loved it, but I always wanted a J200, I just could never afford one. Well, I ended up having to sell my J15 to pay rent one month, and I ended up having some extra money from it, and thought why not give the Epi a try? It's closer to the Guitar I always wanted anyways. I was blown away. It has all the high end stylings of a Gibson J200, maybe even more if you consider the built in tuner and cutaway features for about 3000$ less. Well, unfortunately I only owned it for about a week before my car broke down and I had to return my Epi to pay for the repairs. I've regretted it ever since. I would have rather donated blood 50 times than have returned that guitar. (Fortunately I just got my tax return and repurchased it, and it seems like it sounds even better than before). As I was saying, it stacks up against s Gibson guitar nicely, the shadow preamp isn't as nice as any LR Baggs system but it will certainly give you lots of usable sounds. I think this is the best guitar in the 500$ price range and I'm disappointed in Guitar Center for not carrying it in store. I'm a firm believer in the fact that having a guitar you like, you like the looks of, you like the feel of, will make you a better guitarist, and that's what this beautiful, fat boy jumbo acoustic has done for me. I actually like mine so much I decided to put some money into it for upgrades, and I haven't been disappointed. I stuck some Grover Keystone tuners on it in gold of course ( had them on my Epi Les Paul before and thought would look cool so I just swapped them), some Martin ebony bridge pins, and some D'Addario EXPs and this thing sounds unreal now. So, if you're reading this because you're unsure as to whether you should buy this guitar or not, yes, you should absolutely buy this guitar and never look back.Anonymous

Great Guitar, Jazz/Blues sound acoustic, vintage feel. Good action setup, very playable out off the box. Minor finish blemishes under the floating neck, definitely not a deal breaker. Ebony fingerboard and 5 ply neck are excellent. This machine fits my hand and is very, very hard to put down.David B.

Best acoustic archtop I have played for the money. Other guitars I have tried: Godin, The Loar, Eastman. This is the classic Eddie Lang, Alan Reuss sound, and the electronics just amplify the same sound. Not a piezo sound at all. Nice thicker neck, which is appropriate for a 1930s era instrument. At $600, which was the discounted price, the craftsmaship and sound beat anything I have seen.nmcdap.28owiuz

Great sounding and playing guitar, I replaced the synthetic saddle for bone, original was to tapered on the high E new saddle took care of that. Buy the epiphone or roadrunner jumbo case, nothing else fits, make sure if the guitar comes straight from the factory you use a humidifier in your case for at least 6 months. Especially in colorado. Then if you leave it out without a humidifier that you dont have forcrd Heat or air conditioning vents close to the guitar. This guitar has great projection.Kenny

After purchasing this guitar from American Musical Supply, I was really nervous awaiting its arrival because this was actually my first time purchasing an instrument online. I’m used to going inside music shops and trying out different gear and playing guitars before I buy them so I know that what I’m taking home with me already feels comfortable and right in my hands. This guitar in particular, however, is not a style that is normally kept stocked in the stores for customers to test drive before they purchase. Similar models are available in stores near me but I think anyone who has ever wanted this particular model from Epiphone knows that they have heard and felt the beautiful sound that projects from this big guitar and I am here to tell you that my “leap of faith” online purchase was nothing more than a huge win in my book! This guitar looks, sounds and plays just as I expected it would with much more to offer once it’s actually in your hands! I’m personally a country/blues guy so this guitar definitely fits right up that alley in my opinion. It feels so solid in your hands and the tone is just plain awesome! The Jumbo body allows the sounds inside the guitar to reverberate through your body as it’s pressed against you before making its way through the sound hole where it flourishes into that awesome deep, thick sound. From the factory the guitar is set up beautifully and very playable right out of the box. Quality parts, quality wood and quality electronics as expected from Epiphone and very well executed in this model. Definitely worth every penny for the undecided guitarist but hey, don’t take just my word for it! Pick up this awesome guitar from Epiphone through these good folks here at American Musical and set yourself up with one of their payment plans if that interests you! It’s an awesome way to be able to get the gear you need and the gear you’ve been wanting without breaking the bank right on the spot! Excellent Job by Epiphone once again and an excellent job by American Musical for supplying it at an awesome price and providing sweet payment options for your customers and future consumers!Billy

I once owned a Gibson J15, that I bought from Guitar Center, and I loved it, but I always wanted a J200, I just could never afford one. Well, I ended up having to sell my J15 to pay rent one month, and I ended up having some extra money from it, and thought why not give the Epi a try? It's closer to the Guitar I always wanted anyways. I was blown away. It has all the high end stylings of a Gibson J200, maybe even more if you consider the built in tuner and cutaway features for about 3000$ less. Well, unfortunately I only owned it for about a week before my car broke down and I had to return my Epi to pay for the repairs. I've regretted it ever since. I would have rather donated blood 50 times than have returned that guitar. (Fortunately I just got my tax return and repurchased it, and it seems like it sounds even better than before). As I was saying, it stacks up against s Gibson guitar nicely, the shadow preamp isn't as nice as any LR Baggs system but it will certainly give you lots of usable sounds. I think this is the best guitar in the 500$ price range and I'm disappointed in Guitar Center for not carrying it in store. I'm a firm believer in the fact that having a guitar you like, you like the looks of, you like the feel of, will make you a better guitarist, and that's what this beautiful, fat boy jumbo acoustic has done for me. I actually like mine so much I decided to put some money into it for upgrades, and I haven't been disappointed. I stuck some Grover Keystone tuners on it in gold of course ( had them on my Epi Les Paul before and thought would look cool so I just swapped them), some Martin ebony bridge pins, and some D'Addario EXPs and this thing sounds unreal now. So, if you're reading this because you're unsure as to whether you should buy this guitar or not, yes, you should absolutely buy this guitar and never look back.Anonymous

Great sounding and playing guitar, I replaced the synthetic saddle for bone, original was to tapered on the high E new saddle took care of that. Buy the epiphone or roadrunner jumbo case, nothing else fits, make sure if the guitar comes straight from the factory you use a humidifier in your case for at least 6 months. Especially in colorado. Then if you leave it out without a humidifier that you dont have forcrd Heat or air conditioning vents close to the guitar. This guitar has great projection.Kenny

After purchasing this guitar from American Musical Supply, I was really nervous awaiting its arrival because this was actually my first time purchasing an instrument online. I’m used to going inside music shops and trying out different gear and playing guitars before I buy them so I know that what I’m taking home with me already feels comfortable and right in my hands. This guitar in particular, however, is not a style that is normally kept stocked in the stores for customers to test drive before they purchase. Similar models are available in stores near me but I think anyone who has ever wanted this particular model from Epiphone knows that they have heard and felt the beautiful sound that projects from this big guitar and I am here to tell you that my “leap of faith” online purchase was nothing more than a huge win in my book! This guitar looks, sounds and plays just as I expected it would with much more to offer once it’s actually in your hands! I’m personally a country/blues guy so this guitar definitely fits right up that alley in my opinion. It feels so solid in your hands and the tone is just plain awesome! The Jumbo body allows the sounds inside the guitar to reverberate through your body as it’s pressed against you before making its way through the sound hole where it flourishes into that awesome deep, thick sound. From the factory the guitar is set up beautifully and very playable right out of the box. Quality parts, quality wood and quality electronics as expected from Epiphone and very well executed in this model. Definitely worth every penny for the undecided guitarist but hey, don’t take just my word for it! Pick up this awesome guitar from Epiphone through these good folks here at American Musical and set yourself up with one of their payment plans if that interests you! It’s an awesome way to be able to get the gear you need and the gear you’ve been wanting without breaking the bank right on the spot! Excellent Job by Epiphone once again and an excellent job by American Musical for supplying it at an awesome price and providing sweet payment options for your customers and future consumers!Billy

I once owned a Gibson J15, that I bought from Guitar Center, and I loved it, but I always wanted a J200, I just could never afford one. Well, I ended up having to sell my J15 to pay rent one month, and I ended up having some extra money from it, and thought why not give the Epi a try? It's closer to the Guitar I always wanted anyways. I was blown away. It has all the high end stylings of a Gibson J200, maybe even more if you consider the built in tuner and cutaway features for about 3000$ less. Well, unfortunately I only owned it for about a week before my car broke down and I had to return my Epi to pay for the repairs. I've regretted it ever since. I would have rather donated blood 50 times than have returned that guitar. (Fortunately I just got my tax return and repurchased it, and it seems like it sounds even better than before). As I was saying, it stacks up against s Gibson guitar nicely, the shadow preamp isn't as nice as any LR Baggs system but it will certainly give you lots of usable sounds. I think this is the best guitar in the 500$ price range and I'm disappointed in Guitar Center for not carrying it in store. I'm a firm believer in the fact that having a guitar you like, you like the looks of, you like the feel of, will make you a better guitarist, and that's what this beautiful, fat boy jumbo acoustic has done for me. I actually like mine so much I decided to put some money into it for upgrades, and I haven't been disappointed. I stuck some Grover Keystone tuners on it in gold of course ( had them on my Epi Les Paul before and thought would look cool so I just swapped them), some Martin ebony bridge pins, and some D'Addario EXPs and this thing sounds unreal now. So, if you're reading this because you're unsure as to whether you should buy this guitar or not, yes, you should absolutely buy this guitar and never look back.Anonymous

Overall: So I know this isn’t zZounds fault, it’s epiphones. But I got the guitar originally, not setup had someHorrible buzz vibration that was not normal even for a non setup guitar. Cracking at the nut, micro dents in the body at the saddle. But it had the e sonic 2 shadow pickup system which was absolutely stellar. Sent it in for a return and received a much better condition guitar but with fishman pickup system. Epiphone is now outfitting these guitars with the bare bones basic ass fishing presys system. It’s not even the presys + which is 200 dollars. This pickup is like 60 bucks. I have previous recordings with my e sonic and have tried to emulate it with this presys and it just doesn’t compare. Great guitar but the downgrade in pickup grinds my gears. My advice is to buy the e sonic 2 system or presys + system and swap them out. You’ll then have a much better sound and recording quality when plugged in. zZounds was great on the return process however. Will continue to be a customer.Joshua

I've been looking for a particular sound from an acoustic to replace my Ibanez. I went into to the GC to get strings for my other axes and try out a white Tele they had. Tele wasn't quite what I was looking for so I went into the accoustic room and this just stood out and I had to tryit. I was sold after one strum of Dm-A-G. That was the sound I wanted. Mids somewhere between a J45 and a Taylor. Highs have just the right amount of brilliance without stealing the show. Exactly what I was looking for. It has a bone nut and saddle so this thing rings out so well. The only thing I can think of negative is the Epiphone Deluxe tuners feel cheap. I'm just going to order some Gibson Deluxe's, other than that this is a beaut!JR

This guitar is beautiful. I've played many guitars, but none are more pretty than this. I have the Cherry Burst, wow! The fretboard material is Laural Wood. It plays nicely with bended notes, nice and firm. This guitar has good "weight." It is one of the heavier acoustics I've played. I like that too, it feels like great quality. Mine is not made in China. It was manufactured in Indonesia. These Asian manufacturers are doing a great job and I like it that mine is from Indonesia, too. There is good balance in sound from string to string, too. It's nice that it came with a sound hole cover, but such a nice (and fairly pricey) guitar should come with a gig bag or case.Boomer

Overall: Ok let me first say that I have been playing guitar since 1964. I have so many guitars since then I can't even remember them.In my experience Epiphone guitars have always been a solid platform for someone who is first starting and novice and intermediate level players.After reading about these " Inspired By Gibson" series Masterbilt guitars I thought I'd give one a try to see how close to a real Hummingbird it is.It caught me off guard. The fit and finish is outstanding. The playability was absolutely perfect out of the box.The original 1960's Headstock makes it look really nice. Not that deeply scalloped extended swelled at the top one usually find on an Epiphone. Nice touch Epiphone !The tulip Keystone vintage tuners are excellent. Smooth and tight. Fret work was amazing for a guitar in this price point as well as getting a guitar with beautiful solid mahogany and Sitka spruce that is finished in an accurate vintage toner. The real Mother of Pearl inlays are a really nice touch.At this price point getting an instrument with a one piece mahogany neck with no seperate heel is almost unheard of. I am tempted to say this Epiphone is so close to the Gibson model it amazed me that Gibson would allow Epiphone to produce something this close to their high dollar Hummingbird.In conclusion…. BUY IT !! You will not be sorry. zZounds is the best out there for sales, service and amazing one day delivery.Ed

I had my eye on this since I got my first Epi, a Les Paul, a year ago. Just came today, apparently mine was mfg'd in Indonesia (some of the reviews mentioned made in China). The setup is great, nice low action but no buzzing on the fretboard anywhere. Stays nicely in tune (again it came earlier today but no issues so far!), and sounds great both unplugged and plugged into my Fender Acoustisonic amp. The fit and finish is quite remarkable for an instrument at this price point. The guitar is so much prettier in "person" than in the picture on the website or in the magazine. It's just….so nice and the wood is warm and rich looking, with nice tight grainy details as well. I am very happy with this purchase, only regret is having waited to do so! Been playing since 1973, so I guess that's 47 years if that helps 😉Rick

Beautiful guitar, plays great, and sounds perfect. The electronics are good. The finish is flawless, but mine isn't much of a burst, more of a solid tabacco. The frets are a gold color, not silver like the rest. I just love it. New strings and it was ready to go.Bill

Epiphone really built a solid performer, especially for a workhorse studio guitar. It is also performs very well unplugged or plugged in for those small to medium gigs. Should be a staple for any song writing guitar player. Unbelievable value for a guitar of this quality. This is my third one (gave first two over time as gifts to my son and a good guitar playing friend).koby1947

This is a wonderful guitar, especially at this price point! I got a really good deal from Musician's Friend. I expected a great guitar (I have several Epiphone acoustics and electrics, and am very happy with the quality of the Epiphone brand) and I was not disappointed. Great finish, great sound, especially through an amp. I especially love the on-board pickup/electronics- what a great sound! After changing strings to Earthwood .10s, the string height and action were just great- no adjustments needed. The workmanship was flawless, and the finish was beautiful. I already had a case that I had purchased for a PR4e, but a quality hardshell case is still available for a remarkably cheap price.. All in all, a quality guitar at a great price.huston

I've been looking for a particular sound from an acoustic to replace my Ibanez. I went into to the GC to get strings for my other axes and try out a white Tele they had. Tele wasn't quite what I was looking for so I went into the accoustic room and this just stood out and I had to tryit. I was sold after one strum of Dm-A-G. That was the sound I wanted. Mids somewhere between a J45 and a Taylor. Highs have just the right amount of brilliance without stealing the show. Exactly what I was looking for. It has a bone nut and saddle so this thing rings out so well. The only thing I can think of negative is the Epiphone Deluxe tuners feel cheap. I'm just going to order some Gibson Deluxe's, other than that this is a beaut!JR

This guitar is beautiful. I've played many guitars, but none are more pretty than this. I have the Cherry Burst, wow! The fretboard material is Laural Wood. It plays nicely with bended notes, nice and firm. This guitar has good "weight." It is one of the heavier acoustics I've played. I like that too, it feels like great quality. Mine is not made in China. It was manufactured in Indonesia. These Asian manufacturers are doing a great job and I like it that mine is from Indonesia, too. There is good balance in sound from string to string, too. It's nice that it came with a sound hole cover, but such a nice (and fairly pricey) guitar should come with a gig bag or case.Boomer

Overall: Ok let me first say that I have been playing guitar since 1964. I have so many guitars since then I can't even remember them.In my experience Epiphone guitars have always been a solid platform for someone who is first starting and novice and intermediate level players.After reading about these " Inspired By Gibson" series Masterbilt guitars I thought I'd give one a try to see how close to a real Hummingbird it is.It caught me off guard. The fit and finish is outstanding. The playability was absolutely perfect out of the box.The original 1960's Headstock makes it look really nice. Not that deeply scalloped extended swelled at the top one usually find on an Epiphone. Nice touch Epiphone !The tulip Keystone vintage tuners are excellent. Smooth and tight. Fret work was amazing for a guitar in this price point as well as getting a guitar with beautiful solid mahogany and Sitka spruce that is finished in an accurate vintage toner. The real Mother of Pearl inlays are a really nice touch.At this price point getting an instrument with a one piece mahogany neck with no seperate heel is almost unheard of. I am tempted to say this Epiphone is so close to the Gibson model it amazed me that Gibson would allow Epiphone to produce something this close to their high dollar Hummingbird.In conclusion…. BUY IT !! You will not be sorry. zZounds is the best out there for sales, service and amazing one day delivery.Ed

I lost my finger a few years back in an accident at work and hadn't played since then so decided to get back into it and try again a friend recommended this guitar as he plays professionally this I an excellent guitar and excellent quality Highly recommendjamie b.