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just strum
July 23rd, 2008, 05:15 PM
Wow, I haven't been in here in a while, I like what you've done with the place.

Anyway, any feedback on Epi acoustics. Looking at a couple. I'm looking the lower end, not expecting any Martin equivalent.

Someone recommended the AJ200-S and for $199, it doesn't seem like a bad deal

http://epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=68&CollectionID=9

Just looking for something that I can walk in the room and just start strumming. I don't need concert quality. Just a guitar that the action can be set playable, the sound is soothing and the price is cheap.

pes_laul
July 23rd, 2008, 05:29 PM
the best acoustic by them (and one of the best Ive played) is got to be theEpi dove (http://www.zzounds.com/item--EPIEADV)

just strum
July 23rd, 2008, 05:37 PM
Oh sure, looks nice, except for that sissy dove. Plus, young dude, you are increasing the cost on me.

However, it's in the "one to consider" folder.

Rocket
July 23rd, 2008, 05:40 PM
Don't buy an Epiphone acoustic without playing a couple of their Masterbilt's.
I am still impressed with everything about my wife's EF-500RA and a friend's DR-500R.
You'll eventually be sorry if you buy an Epiphone acoustic and didn't, at very least, try out a Masterbilt (http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=222&CollectionID=15).

pes_laul
July 23rd, 2008, 05:45 PM
Oh sure, looks nice, except for that sissy dove. Plus, young dude, you are increasing the cost on me.

However, it's in the "one to consider" folder.
oh man next time your at a music store you should play one.


[QUOTE=just strum]Oh sure, looks nice, Except for that sissy dove. Plus, young dude, you are increasing the cost on me.


I guess need something a little more Manly (http://www.venturesgear.com/product_image.php?imageid=79) :thwap: :rotflmao:

just strum
July 23rd, 2008, 05:57 PM
Don't buy an Epiphone acoustic without playing a couple of their Masterbilt's.
I am still impressed with everything about my wife's EF-500RA and a friend's DR-500R.
You'll eventually be sorry if you buy an Epiphone acoustic and didn't, at very least, try out a Masterbilt (http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=222&CollectionID=15).

I know about them - budget Rocket, budget. If I was going up in cost my PM tells you what I would be buying.

Got to keep it low this time. The right one for my needs will appear.

Maybe the one Pes linked to.

Hey Robert, if Pes keeps acting like ah, ah, well one of us adults, ban him until he's 18.

Rocket
July 23rd, 2008, 06:14 PM
I have a Epiphone EJ-200CE for you then: $200

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee248/RocketWorks/EJ-200CE/EJ-200CE_VS.jpg

stingx
July 23rd, 2008, 06:22 PM
I like the Masterbuilts, followed by the Yammy acoustics. I still think Yamaha makes the some of the best instruments in any price range. The QC is very meticulous with that company.

just strum
July 23rd, 2008, 06:32 PM
I have a Epiphone EJ-200CE for you then: $200


Don't really want to plug in, looking dread or smaller jumbo, don't like burst. I think it's a good deal, but maybe settling, rather than getting something I want.

just strum
July 23rd, 2008, 06:33 PM
I like the Masterbuilts, followed by the Yammy acoustics. I still think Yamaha makes the some of the best instruments in any price range. The QC is very meticulous with that company.

What about their low end - like this?

http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMFG700S

Rocket
July 23rd, 2008, 06:43 PM
Don't really want to plug in, looking dread or smaller jumbo, don't like burst. I think it's a good deal, but maybe settling, rather than getting something I want.
Don't really want to plug in - Don't plug it in then... you're just too cheap to buy a 9v battery for it!

looking dread or smaller jumbo - Smaller jumbo? Oxymoron... just because you spell Jumbo with a small "j" doesn't actually make it smaller.

don't like burst - Earl Scheib (http://www.earlscheib.com/)?

All kidding bud!

just strum
July 23rd, 2008, 06:54 PM
Don't really want to plug in - Don't plug it in then... you're just too cheap to buy a 9v battery for it!

looking dread or smaller jumbo - Smaller jumbo? Oxymoron... just because you spell Jumbo with a small "j" doesn't actually make it smaller.

don't like burst - Earl Scheib (http://www.earlscheib.com/)?

All kidding bud!

Damn, I completely forgot about the 9v.

I thought that's what the j versus J meant.

I didn't know Earl was still in business. I think when I was a kid they would do a car for $29.99

stingx
July 23rd, 2008, 07:52 PM
What about their low end - like this?

http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMFG700S

How coincidental - my colleague bought that model for his son. He brought it to work and asked me to look at it. I really liked it and was surprised how much he paid for it. The action was perfect and the tone was beautiful. I suspect there may be variance a bit but that's why I will never buy without playing first. I highly recommend that guitar Strum. In fact I am considering an FG acoustic myself to leave in the studio. Prolly the 730 cuz I like rosewood back and sides.

stingx
July 23rd, 2008, 07:58 PM
Check out popular consenus on UG reviews and Harm-Central reviews.

9.5-10 on the 730S
9-10 on the 700S

Other external reviews will concur.

just strum
July 23rd, 2008, 08:05 PM
How coincidental - my colleague bought that model for his son. He brought it to work and asked me to look at it. I really liked it and was surprised how much he paid for it. The action was perfect and the tone was beautiful. I suspect there may be variance a bit but that's why I will never buy without playing first. I highly recommend that guitar Strum. In fact I am considering an FG acoustic myself to leave in the studio. Prolly the 730 cuz I like rosewood back and sides.

This is my front runner right now. It says mahogany sides and back, but it's Rosewood (that's what the "R" stands for)

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-AJ200SR-Advanced-Jumbo-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=482837&src=3SOSWXXA

evenkeel
July 24th, 2008, 07:00 AM
Strummy,
$200 for a solid top dread seems a good deal. I've played a bunch of different acoustic Epi's. I like the masterbuilts a lot. The lower priced Epi's, were ok, nothing special. I think they were mostly all lam guitars. Don't remember the model #'s. I do remember paying a Epi version of the Lennon Gibson. The neck seemed a bit "clubby", but I have very small hands and Gibsons often feel that way to me. Action was also high, so that could have been a factor.

Here is another option if you can go over the $200 barrier a bit.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Silver-Creek-D160-Solid-SpruceMahogany-Dreadnought-Acoustic-Guitar-?sku=512725

just strum
July 24th, 2008, 10:57 AM
Strummy,
$200 for a solid top dread seems a good deal. I've played a bunch of different acoustic Epi's. I like the masterbuilts a lot. The lower priced Epi's, were ok, nothing special. I think they were mostly all lam guitars. Don't remember the model #'s. I do remember paying a Epi version of the Lennon Gibson. The neck seemed a bit "clubby", but I have very small hands and Gibsons often feel that way to me. Action was also high, so that could have been a factor.

Here is another option if you can go over the $200 barrier a bit.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Silver-Creek-D160-Solid-SpruceMahogany-Dreadnought-Acoustic-Guitar-?sku=512725


Keel, what do you know about these? Own one? Know someone that does? Hear good things?

just strum
July 24th, 2008, 11:01 AM
I just noticed the Silver Creek D-160 Mahogany Dreadnought is all solid. WTH - some sort of catch???

Tibernius
July 24th, 2008, 11:18 AM
Have you tried the Cort acoustics? Not sure if you can get them in the US, but they make a very nice J-200 copy, and quite a few Dreadnought copies. Pretty cheap too.

spt
July 24th, 2008, 11:31 AM
Hey Strum, check this thread...
http://www.thefret.net/showthread.php?t=6714

There are quite a few all-SW Chinese made guitars in the 200-250 range (new street prices). I'm not personally familiar with any of them but they get good reviews (FWIW...). You should expect to have some finishing/setup to do but, hey, at that price!

evenkeel
July 24th, 2008, 12:49 PM
I just noticed the Silver Creek D-160 Mahogany Dreadnought is all solid. WTH - some sort of catch???

Silver Creek is a private label, Musicians Friend exclusive. Like Parkwood is for Guitar Center. I've played the Parkwoods and thought they were pretty good guitars for the $$. Both are Chinese imports, I think.

Rocket
July 24th, 2008, 12:50 PM
"Silver Creek" is a store-brand name owned by Musician's Friend (Guitar Centers, Inc.)... like "Rogue", "Musician's Gear", and half-dozen others. Cheap generic crap is ordered from China and sold through the GC affiliate stores under their own brand names.

just strum
July 24th, 2008, 03:30 PM
I knew this would happen. Everyone had interesting suggestions, but it didn't resolve the issue of what to buy only added more thought on others.

All good intentions, but now my price range has expanded, but my budget has remained the same.

Rocket
July 24th, 2008, 03:36 PM
I knew this would happen. Everyone had interesting suggestions, but it didn't resolve the issue of what to buy only added more thought on others.

All good intentions, but now my price range has expanded, but my budget has remained the same.
Did you, at least, get up and go play some at a guitar store? That's a much better way than asking for a bunch of individual opinions on a forum.

just strum
July 24th, 2008, 03:53 PM
Did you, at least, get up and go play some at a guitar store? That's a much better way than asking for a bunch of individual opinions on a forum.

The two by work, normally are 15 minutes away, but construction puts them 45 minutes away.

The two on the way (GC and SA :puke: ) are on a road that is under construction. A 20 minute swing by would take an hour, plus an hour to get back to the freeway.

Answer: No

just strum
July 24th, 2008, 03:54 PM
Did you, at least, get up and go play some at a guitar store? That's a much better way than asking for a bunch of individual opinions on a forum.

http://www.thefret.net/showthread.php?t=7816

Rocket
July 24th, 2008, 04:09 PM
??? Work ???

just strum
July 24th, 2008, 04:14 PM
??? Work ???

Unfortunately it's a bigger part of my life than I want it to be and it is expediting my trip the other side.

luvmyshiner
July 24th, 2008, 04:19 PM
Come back to the fold Strum, turn your back on the dark side, there is nothing but pain and suffering on the dark side.:D

just strum
July 24th, 2008, 04:20 PM
Come back to the fold Strum, turn your back on the dark side, there is nothing but pain and suffering on the dark side.:D

ahh, that's not the side I was referring to.

just strum
July 24th, 2008, 04:23 PM
I don't know if the AJ200SR can be obtained from anywhere else but the GC, MF, and who ever else is in that group. I do have Sweetwater looking into it, but it may not be available to them. They also said the Epi/Gibson folks tend to be sloooooooowwwwwww.

Kazz
July 24th, 2008, 04:39 PM
If you like the Cort models my Parkwood PW340FM is for sale....and it is a great guitar.

just strum
July 24th, 2008, 06:00 PM
If you like the Cort models my Parkwood PW340FM is for sale....and it is a great guitar.

What's the tie between Cort and Parkwood? If I like Cort, why would I like Parkwood?

spt
July 24th, 2008, 06:27 PM
Parkwood is the name of their SW line, more or less similar to Timbercraft for W

BluesHowler
July 26th, 2008, 12:11 PM
I have a Epiphone PR150 and I like it a lot. These can be found for around $100 to $125 and Musicians Friend has them on sale for $99.

I have a country picker friend that plays Taylors and he was impressed when he tried it. It has nice sound and stays in tune which is all I ask from an acoustic guitar.

F4DPhantomII
August 16th, 2008, 06:39 AM
They did sound good yesterday when friend M29 and I tried them out at GC.$129 but they were on sale in July for $99.Darn I did not get one then. Anyway that is what I am getting.

just strum
August 16th, 2008, 07:42 AM
They did sound good yesterday when friend M29 and I tried them out at GC.$129 but they were on sale in July for $99.Darn I did not get one then. Anyway that is what I am getting.

I would contact GC and tell them you want the $99 price that is being offered at MF or you'll just place your order with them. They should match it.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-PR150-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=512457&src=3SOSWXXA

Print it and take it with you.

Rocket
August 16th, 2008, 08:26 AM
GC owns MF.

just strum
August 16th, 2008, 08:39 AM
GC owns MF.

Even more reason to match, no?

Rocket
August 16th, 2008, 08:48 AM
Even more reason to match, no?
Who knows... just one more incestuous corporate circle-jerk!

just strum
August 16th, 2008, 08:55 AM
Who knows... just one more incestuous corporate circle-jerk!

True, but it never hurts to ask for the discount.

I have a feeling he can get it. Not a big fan of GC and the others, but if you can test drive the actual guitar you are buying, that takes the biggest concern out of the transaction.

M29
August 16th, 2008, 12:32 PM
That sounds like the way to go! I was under the impression MF owned GC too. Should be able to match it right on the spot. The guitar F4DPhantomII and I tried out had a decent neck and a very pleasant sound. Not boomy, muddy or thin, not bad at all especially for a lam top.

M29

Rocket
August 16th, 2008, 12:37 PM
I was under the impression MF owned GC too.
Other way around... Guitar Centers, Inc. owns all of the following:
Guitar Center (guitarcenter.com)
Musician's Friend (musiciansfriend.com)
Music 123 (music123.com)
Private Reserve Guitars (privatereserveguitars.com)
Woodwind & Brasswind (wwbw.com)
Giardinelli (giardinelli.com)

F4DPhantomII
August 16th, 2008, 05:25 PM
Sounds like they have cornered the market.
Just Strum Thanks.I'll try that it shouldn't be a stretch to price match since GC had the PR 150 Sunburst on sale in July for $99.00.I am going next payday(friday) and ask.:beer:

Panky O-Tay
June 19th, 2010, 08:32 AM
Cort's "Parkwood" line are some of the most impressive acoustics I've played for the price range ($300-$700 typically). But it seems they're prone to top & back cracks if not kept in proper humid conditions. Seems my local GC stores all have Parkwoods with cracked tonewoods. Guess the woods are quite thin, but they resonate beautifully. Out of price range new, but you might find a good used one that'll meet your budget. As far as Epi's Masterbilt line I have an EF500RA that I plan on taking to the grave with me it's so beautiful!! And I tend to really love the rosewood back & sides over mahogany these days. The first time I played one it was an instant hit with me & I never looked back.