[boggle3]

I am seriously looking at this guitar. I was just wondering if anyone knows anything about them, do they usually have a nice, low action, are they very bassy from the size? good quality guitar??? unfortunatly for me, they have just gone up from £200 to £250 which is a shame. any input would be great

cheers

[monkeybutler]

I cant comment about that particular model, but the epi hummingbird i played was (to be frank) cr@p. It felt okay in the hands, but sounded like utter poop. And i MEAN utter poop. As such, i have no confidence in epi acoustics, though im a big fan of their (korean) electrics.

[ninjato]

It's a laminate back and sides....the only thing solid is the top. I find most laminate acoustics lack the bottom end and end up really midrangy sounding.

The fact that it is a jumbo may make up for some lack of projection and tone but a Taylor 514, which is a Ovangkol back and side w/ a spruce top being only a Grand Auditorium sized guitar will still sound better than a laminate Jumbo.

If you can just hold out and add another few hundred that you can spend, look into the Masterbuilt Series from Epiphone. They are probably the best bang for your buck for an all solid wood guitar.

Also check out Tacoma guitars. they have a laminate sides but the top and back are solid wood and gives a decent tone.

This post has been edited by ninjato: 25 November 2008 - 04:22 PM

[dadfad]

It's a laminate back and sides....the only thing solid is the top. I find most laminate acoustics lack the bottom end and end up really midrangy sounding.

The fact that it is a jumbo may make up for some lack of projection and tone but a Taylor 514, which is a Ovangkol back and side w/ a spruce top being only a Grand Auditorium sized guitar will still sound better than a laminate Jumbo.



[color=red]Also check out Tacoma guitars. they have a laminate sides but the top and back are solid wood and gives a decent tone.

I agree with both statements. Epi's Masterbilt series is far superior to the "regular" Epiphones. And also (for the money) I think Tacoma offers pretty decent guitars. Between the Epi Masterbilt and Tacoma I would however prefer the Masterbilt.

Most jumbos have a more powerful bass than smaller-bodies guitars. As far as the action, that all depends on how it is set up. (Most factory-setups aren't that great, if they even to bother setting it up at all.) The action can be set up as low as you like it, given the straightness of the neck, craftsmanship, etc. Most guitars bought right from the store (or wherever) can have their action improved quite a bit with a good set up.


(Also, for the money the Yamaha FG700-SB isn't a bad guitar. If you can find one. The Alvarez AJ60 (Advanced Jumbo 60) is also pretty decent (costs more than the FG-700). Still, the best of all the above is probably an Epi Masterbilt.)

[ninjato]

It's a laminate back and sides....the only thing solid is the top. I find most laminate acoustics lack the bottom end and end up really midrangy sounding.

The fact that it is a jumbo may make up for some lack of projection and tone but a Taylor 514, which is a Ovangkol back and side w/ a spruce top being only a Grand Auditorium sized guitar will still sound better than a laminate Jumbo.



[color=red]Also check out Tacoma guitars. they have a laminate sides but the top and back are solid wood and gives a decent tone.

I agree with both statements. Epi's Masterbilt series is far superior to the "regular" Epiphones. And also (for the money) I think Tacoma offers pretty decent guitars. Between the Epi Masterbilt and Tacoma I would however prefer the Masterbilt.

Most jumbos have a more powerful bass than smaller-bodies guitars. As far as the action, that all depends on how it is set up. (Most factory-setups aren't that great, if they even to bother setting it up at all.) The action can be set up as low as you like it, given the straightness of the neck, craftsmanship, etc. Most guitars bought right from the store (or wherever) can have their action improved quite a bit with a good set up.


(Also, for the money the Yamaha FG700-SB isn't a bad guitar. If you can find one. The Alvarez AJ60 (Advanced Jumbo 60) is also pretty decent (costs more than the FG-700). Still, the best of all the above is probably an Epi Masterbilt.)

Another thing people make a huge mistake is that although you may like Jumbo's, many get Jumbos and the wonder why it doesn't sound right to them. I've seen many players get a Jumbo, then immediately change the strings from the .12 or .13 and take it down to .10's..... .10s will not have the power to move the top of a Jumbo so consequently they get a thin sound. Jumbo's are exactly that...everything is jumbofied so it takes a little more effort to play them but for me, the tonal quality of a Jumbo is hwat my ears "lust" for.

[slash3000]

Guild GAD 30

IMO the best mid range solid woods guitar you can get, the one I played (and am currently saving for) is perfect to play and sounds amazing

[ninjato]

Guild GAD 30

IMO the best mid range solid woods guitar you can get, the one I played (and am currently saving for) is perfect to play and sounds amazing

That looks like a great price on a solid wood guitar.

[glide340]

Hi, I'm new here and I thought I'd add my thoughts on the EJ-200. I absolutely love mine. I am no stranger to fine guitars and own or have owned Martins, Taylors, Gibsons, etc. The EJ-200 is ALL laminates, but the sound is very nice. You might have to try a few to find a good one, but when you do, they are awsome guitars. True, I played some that didn't sound good at all, but I've played some nice ones. I actually played mine and a 5000. Gibson J-200 back and forth for awhile and My EJ held it's own quite nicely. Of course the Gibson was the better guitar, but not 4700. better IMHO. I and a few other players in the store at the time were quite impressed with the Epi also. Try to play a few and you might be surprised.

John.

[dadfad]

Welcome to GTU, Glide340. You're very right. One of the biggest problems with "budget" guitars is that they are very inconsistant in their quality, and most of them aren't that great. However if you can play enough of them sometimes you'll find a "gem." (To a lesser degree, that applies to more expensive guitars as well.)

[glide340]

Thanks Dadfad. I have to say that the "budget" guitars I've been playing lately have come a long way in quality of workmanship and tone and playability. I usually get out and play lots of guitars in the stores, and the Epiphones are impressive, and not just "for the money".At present I own about a dozen guitars and my favorites are 2 Masterbilts and the EJ-200.

JOHN.

[ninjato]

JMO.....it doesn't matter really what guitar you are playing....they all sound decent, until you put it up against one that sounds better. Without a point of reference, most guitars sound pretty good on their own.

Also keep in mind, what the player hears when they play is a lot different than what people sitting 10 feet away are hearing. This is where the more expensive/better made guitar will "outplay" the laminate.

If you plug in, all bets are off...it's no longer the guitar but the quality of the preamp for the most part and high end guitars tend to feedback easier than cheaper guitars when plugged in. Just my experience.

This post has been edited by ninjato: 12 December 2008 - 09:53 AM

[Silver68]

I have a 200CE. Its fantastic... Love it:)