Epiphone EF-500RCCE Masterbilt Collection Acoustic-Electric Guitar, Fingerstyle Neck, Natural Satin Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As a lifelong finger-style guitarist it takes a lot to impress me. Looks, sound, intonation, action, string spacing, the works. I found a factory 2nd EF-500RCCE that had some visual blems, and a pickup only under the saddle (earlier model), but after playing it for 3 hours straight the day it arrived I knew that it was THE guitar I had been looking for.
I have relative pitch so I can really tell when an instrument sounds off-pitch or has audible issues. The intonation all the way up and down the fretboard of the EF-500RCCE is as good as I could ever hope for with ANY guitar. I rarely have to adjust the tuning because it stays in tune day after day after day. I keep it humidified while in its case, and always wipe it down after playing (body, neck, and fretboard/strings).
The EF-500RCCE sounds like a dream; beautiful rich tone, surprisingly decent bass, mids that just fill the air, and higher tones that ring like a bell. Great overall projection with wonderful overtones. Epiphone (Gibson) really nailed this design! On my particular guitar the action was just a little low and the outer ends of the frets needed some smoothing, but these were minor refinements. I can play so much better and faster on this guitar than any other acoustic I've ever played - even a $3500 Martin guitar for finger-style guitarists.
I play this guitar VERY often, and it just keeps sounding better and better. I'll be getting another EF-500RCCE eventually, one that has a nicer fit and finish - and with the E-Sonic2 preamp and pickups. That way I can keep one at home as my studio acoustic.
Note: The nut is advertised as 1.75" wide. It actually measures at 1.70" using a digital caliper.
Also, the wide string spacing at the compensated saddle measures 2.37" - for finger-style guitarists.
Further, the neck contour is not the advertised "V" shape. It's actually more of a "D" shape with a perfect rounded thickness. I find its design to be absolutely perfect for me.
The EF-500RCCE has a neck thickness of .953" on the 5th fret (including strings). For comparison, a Gibson Les Paul Special (circa 2001) measures .905" thick on the 5th fret (with strings). The EF-500RCCE neck, overall, is a little fatter than the Les Paul.
Even at $1000 (street), this guitar is a great value. At this price, though, it's a no-brainer!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Epiphone EF-500RCCE Masterbilt Collection Acoustic-Electric Guitar, Fingerstyle Neck, Natural Satin

Get 40% OFF

Click here for more information about Epiphone EF-500RCCE Masterbilt Collection Acoustic-Electric Guitar, Fingerstyle Neck, Natural Satin

Read More...

Yamaha SA2200 Semi Hollowbody Classic Double Cutaway Electric Guitar Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Background: I've been playing guitar for more than 30 years and have owned many during that time. I've also built 4 Strats and one Tele complete with special pickups and wiring mods. I'm very picky about my guitars. Fit, finish, sound, and even the case is important to me. On to my review.
What I like: It is a beauty. The feel of the neck is hard to explain. Similar to my 98 American Deluxe Strat, but wider and much flater radius. Not a 59 shape, but not thin or thick. Just about right. Its very comfortable. Ebony board is very smooth. Didn't notice any flaws in the workmanship at all. Its not heavy, but has a weight that indicates quality. You just have to hold it once to feel this. Pickups. The jury is still out here. My 98 Ibanez Rg550 has V7/V8 pickups that smoke these. Many have said these pickups grow on you. We'll see.
What I don't like: Mine did not come with a case. It was packed very well in the original box. Yes..its brand new. I can't believe a guitar this expensive didn't come with a case! At least a cheap gig bag? Nope! The frets are a bit sharp, but nothing like the EVH I saw at GC a few weeks ago with super sharp fret sprouts. Unplayable. Unless you want cutup hands! Action is a little high. I have not set this guitar up yet. Once thats done, it should really start to sing.
I've always wanted a 335, but hated every Gibson I played. Thought about the Ibanez AS200, but quality was spotty, and the body and headstock just didn't excite me.
Lastly, I've never read a bad review about this guitar. Everyone seems to love these(once their set-up right) and they are VERY hard to find at a good price and not made anymore. Yamaha said it cost too much to make the guitar. Sad.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha SA2200 Semi Hollowbody Classic Double Cutaway Electric Guitar

Get 33% OFF

Click here for more information about Yamaha SA2200 Semi Hollowbody Classic Double Cutaway Electric Guitar

Read More...

Takamine Pro Series ETN10CTBS Dreadnought Acoustic Electric Guitar, Sunburst with Case Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was wanting to purchase a higher end guitar and after trying out several and listening to several on YouTube I decided to purchase this Takamine. I already own a Tak 12 string and thought the sound was incredible for the price. This one I didn't actually play until after it arrived but I watched Brad Davis try it out on YouTube as my guide. I have owned Ovation, Alvarez and Ibanez in the past and am more satisfied with Takamine. The guitar was set up perfect right out of the case. No blemishes or scratches anywhere and perfect action, very low set and a fast neck. The sound is incredible off amp as well as on. It has a very strong low end and mixes perfect with the the mids and highs. Great for strumming and picking. I couldn't believe how awesome this guitar sounds everytime I pick it up. I still play mostly without the amp and like classic rock, christian contemporary and ballads that use a classical style of play. This holds up with the best of them. It is a bit plain in appearance which is why I chose the Tobacco Burst; mine is a bit darker than the pic. The pic appears sort of orangey and mine is a bit more of a darker Tobacco Burst which I like. No pick guard and a satin finish not a gloss so the wood sounds are not impaired and will improve as the wood ages. These natural woods sound great. It has a solid cedar top and solid sapelli/mahogany back. I have alway had spruce or maple tops before and must admit the cedar sound is more to my preference for the lows. I paid $929 including the case through Amazon which is a deal since most everywhere else was $100 to $150 more. I got a better sounding guitar than Taylor or Martin puts out unless I wanted to go $1000 more and most all of their guitars in this price range were all laminates or occassionally a solid top but that was it. Very pleased with this purchase and is the best sounding acoustic I have owned yet....beats my former Ovation Legend and I loved that guitar.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Takamine Pro Series ETN10CTBS Dreadnought Acoustic Electric Guitar, Sunburst with Case

Get 30% OFF

Click here for more information about Takamine Pro Series ETN10CTBS Dreadnought Acoustic Electric Guitar, Sunburst with Case

Read More...

Yamaha FGX720SCA - Natural Finish 6-string Acoustic/Electric Cutaway Guitar Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Para aficionados y profesionales, una de las guitarras folk mas versatiles del mercado sobre todo en calidad/precio. No perderás el dinero.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha FGX720SCA - Natural Finish 6-string Acoustic/Electric Cutaway Guitar

Get 40% OFF

Click here for more information about Yamaha FGX720SCA - Natural Finish 6-string Acoustic/Electric Cutaway Guitar

Read More...

Guild GAD-30 - Natural Mahogany Orcehstra 6-String Acoustic w/ Deluxe Case Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have read many glowing reviews about the Guild GAD models, including this OM model.
1. The good: Beautiful exterior finish, light weight, wonderful tone response, fast neck, solid woods. I ordered the mahogany back and sides, and it was just what I wanted. (I am favoring mahogany over rosewood for my next steel stringed acoustic guitar).
2. The unusual: wide string spacing. (Great for finderpicking)
3. The Bad: The high E string (first string, thinnest string) would come off the fret when I did pulls from the third fret while fretting the 1st fret. This is a common technique, and my playing style is full of such ornaments. I first experienced this while noodling. So I played a baroque piece with a lot of ornamentation, and discovered the location, and that it was a consistent error. I could learn to play without having the string fret out like this, but only by avoiding what caused it in the first place, in other words, by compromising the music. When a string pulls out like this, what happens is the string snaps back against the outside of the fret, making a tinkly noise instead of the tone that you expected. The reason this happened seems to be that the neck was made too narrow at the lower frets in error. Rather than scrap the guitar, or changing the string spacing at the nut, Guild Asia decided to just ship it and hope for an undiscerning customer.

A less serious issue, which has been pointed out by several other users, is that the bracing that is out of sight is roughly finished, while that which is visible near the sound hole is
finished smoothly.
Now for the bad part (for me): Because I purchased this from an Amazon affiliate with completion by Amazon, I was forced to pay the full return shipping costs, plus insurance. Bad deal for me. I could have corrected the problem, or had it fixed by a luthier, by changing the string spacing at the nut with a nut replacement. But that enters into the error of me fixing someone else's problem. I don't feel that that is the customer's role. Also, when I saw how the error occurred--the fingerboard seemed to be over rounded at the top edge, and was actually thinner than the neck--well, then I couldn't be happy with the instrument. There simply wasn't enough real estate for the 1st string because they chose to accommodate the 6th string. Someone at Guild GAD should have made the call to take a loss on the instruments with the flaw. Instead, they chose to sell them to unsuspecting customers. No more Guild anything for me. You can buy $300 guitars from major manufacturers all day long without this kind fo error. It is inexcusable. I will never purchase another guitar from or through Amazon, and no Guilds for me either. Never. And in the future I will make sure that I have some confidence in the seller by phone at least before purchasing an instrument online. I had formerly placed this confidence in Amazon, but that is over. In the future, I will be using Amazon less.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Guild GAD-30 - Natural Mahogany Orcehstra 6-String Acoustic w/ Deluxe Case

Get 46% OFF

Click here for more information about Guild GAD-30 - Natural Mahogany Orcehstra 6-String Acoustic w/ Deluxe Case

Read More...

Aria AP-STD2 Parlour Acoustic Guitar Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this guitar online purely on the basis of the excellent reputation Aria company has built for themselves over the years in the guitar manufacturing industry.
I did feel unsure initially in deciding to buy this guitar without first playing it.
But my fears were removed when I took it out of the box and strumed the guitar. This little fella has great volumne, tone and fretboard playability that is second to maybe another Aria.
I use this guitar to play jazz and it has all the attributes that a jazz guitarist need to bring out some creativity. It is a very versatile guitar for folk , blues , jazz etc.
I highly recommend this parlor guitar for those who want a small bodied guitar with great tone and projection.Keep up your excellent work Aria.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Aria AP-STD2 Parlour Acoustic Guitar

Get 21% OFF

Click here for more information about Aria AP-STD2 Parlour Acoustic Guitar

Read More...

Taylor Guitars 655-CE Jumbo 12 String Acoustic Electric Guitar Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I wasn't even really looking for a new 12 string. My current one is 35 yrs old though it was always only just adequate. I first played a Taylor jumbo-style 12 (355) about 10 yrs ago and was taken aback by the huge quality of the sound so when I picked this one up I suspected that I would be pleased. What I did not expect was to be blown away. Maple guitars are typically bright but the pureness of the tone and the level of sustain of this guitar is unmatched by any I have ever played. A friend and fellow guitar player picked it up over the weekend and, without any prompting, said that this was the best 12 string guitar he had ever played and that I had hit a home run. I have to admit that this helped to assuage my guilt over spending the $3K and that my wife heard the comment also quieted the "why did you need another guitar...?" I played at least a other dozen 12 strings the day I bought this guitar (Martins, Guilds, other Taylors, new, used, etc.) but none could match this one for the tone that I love in a great 12. It also sounds pretty good plugged in (though you won't need to). Choosing a guitar is always a personal matter but you will be missing out on a very special instrument if you don't give this one a try. It will be the last one you'll ever need. ps. My other guitars are Martins and Gibsons so I do not have a Taylor bias.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Taylor Guitars 655-CE Jumbo 12 String Acoustic Electric Guitar

Get 25% OFF

Click here for more information about Taylor Guitars 655-CE Jumbo 12 String Acoustic Electric Guitar

Read More...

Traveler Pro Series Electric Acoustic Guitar with Gig Bag (Natural) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I highly recommend this little guitar for travel and practice. I own seven guitars and use this one for practice more than any other. It is quiet when it's not amplified and is very easy to play. I can bring it with me on any trip. It packs so small that it doesn't even count as luggage on plane. It is also a good quality guitar.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Traveler Pro Series Electric Acoustic Guitar with Gig Bag (Natural)

Get 30% OFF

Click here for more information about Traveler Pro Series Electric Acoustic Guitar with Gig Bag (Natural)

Read More...

Guild GAD-M20 Acoustic Guitar Natural w/ Deluxe Case Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is really a great guitar for someone who wants to check out a small bodied guitar or for someone looking to get into acoustic and being used to electric instruments. This guitar is all real wood. No particle board or laminates. Great for finger style guitar. It has a very balanced sound as is typical of instruments this size. This is not really a guitar for bluegrass flatpickers as they usually go for dreadnaughts. Personally, those guitars are too big for me and very "boomy."
I got mine new for 499.99 Great deal !!
I play this guitar daily and I have had it for over a year now. Other acoustics I have had were sold on ebay.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Guild GAD-M20 Acoustic Guitar Natural w/ Deluxe Case

Get 33% OFF

Click here for more information about Guild GAD-M20 Acoustic Guitar Natural w/ Deluxe Case

Read More...

Martin D-35 Dreadnought Guitar Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)again played by the greats
johnny cash and elvis
list goes on
everything about this guitar is perfect
i consider this the mercedes of all guitars


Click Here to see more reviews about: Martin D-35 Dreadnought Guitar

Click here for more information about Martin D-35 Dreadnought Guitar

Read More...

Breedlove Passport C250/CM, T Guitar Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)i bought this for my hubby and he enjoys it every day!
Sounds great and very portable.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Breedlove Passport C250/CM, T Guitar

Get 25% OFF

Click here for more information about Breedlove Passport C250/CM, T Guitar

Read More...

Taylor Guitars GC4 Grand Concert Acoustic Guitar Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Just got mine a couple of days ago from Amazon. Sounds just like I expected - full and lively without being brash. Lots of treble zing and smooth responsive bass and midrange. Some of the great sound is the ovankol wood coupled with the great taylor shape and very straight neck. The taylor workmanship is evident everywhere, even the small details. One of, if not, the best american made guitars today. I only expect it to sound better as it ages.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Taylor Guitars GC4 Grand Concert Acoustic Guitar

Get 24% OFF

Click here for more information about Taylor Guitars GC4 Grand Concert Acoustic Guitar

Read More...

RainSong Guitars Studio Series S-OM1000N2 Acoustic-Electric Guitar Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've owned a RainSong H-DR1100N2 since April 2010, and purchased an S-OM1000N2 in March 2011. The H-DR is a loud dreadnought voiced similarly to a Martin. The S-OM compared to my son's Martin 000-16RGT has a more even less miss range dominant tone and sounds great too. With your eyes closed, nothing about the tone of the S-OM would make you think anything other than high quality, solid wood. The Studio series RainSong guitars have a textured finish (rougher than a typical satin) that is buffed out to a smooth satin on the neck. If you are prone to hitting the top of your guitar with a pick when you play, the full gloss Hybrid series might be a better choice to reduce pick noise. On the plus side, the textured finish makes the guitar easily positioned and stable, seated or standing. The Fishman Prefix-T sounds very good (huge strides ahead of earlier Fishman under saddle systems) and has a tuner which smoothly tracks even an open low-E. The fret job is absolutely perfect and the action is spot on (3 and 2/32nds, low/high E, 12th fret, Elixir Nanoweb lights). The build quality is clean inside and out.
You can now choose between wood or composite guitars; trading off the aesthetics of wood against the durability and convenience of composite (no humidification, no case storage as recommended by Taylor, leave it in the trunk of your car -- well maybe not in an equatorial desert), without concern for volume, tone, or playability.

Click Here to see more reviews about: RainSong Guitars Studio Series S-OM1000N2 Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Get 25% OFF

Click here for more information about RainSong Guitars Studio Series S-OM1000N2 Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Read More...

Cort Earth MINI 3/4 Size Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar, Natural Satin with Gig Bag Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am in love with my Cort Earth Mini while my Martin sleeps safely in it's case. When I get home from work and don't want to drag out the big dread, or if traveling, this is the perfect little guitar. It required a setup, but the rewards were great. Nice fast little neck, great crisp sound that is bigger than you would expect. Gig bag is a gig bag - nothing special. Finish is minimal... hardly any lacquer on this one at all, allowing the tone to shine through supposedly. Frets required a little bit of finishing on the side to reduce the sharpness, but if what you care about is tone/playability - this one is a keeper. VERY nice sounding little guitar. Highly recommended.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cort Earth MINI 3/4 Size Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar, Natural Satin with Gig Bag

Get 33% OFF

Click here for more information about Cort Earth MINI 3/4 Size Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar, Natural Satin with Gig Bag

Read More...

Daisy Rock Rock Candy Special Honey Velvet Electric Guitar Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I luv my Rock Candy Special. The guys like it too but no dice boys!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Daisy Rock Rock Candy Special Honey Velvet Electric Guitar

Get 30% OFF

Click here for more information about Daisy Rock Rock Candy Special Honey Velvet Electric Guitar

Read More...

Traveler Guitar Escape EG2 WHT HSC-TWD Electric Guitar, White with Tortoise Shell Pick Guard and Tweed Case Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This guitar sure is a beauty and the size is just right. It gives you the "feel" you would want from a normal sized guitar. The intonation on these are also superb. The action however is where this guitar runs into trouble. I have gone through 4 returns trying to get the right one. The first guitar I received had substantial fret buzz on the 6th string even though the strings were still quite high for an electric guitar. The buzz was substantial enough that a couple of the frets would not even play a note. Since this isn't a cheap guitar I didn't spend much time adjusting it. I figured I'd return it and try again. The second one I received had a little fret buzz but it was acceptable. Unfortunately it was obviously used and had dirt and black smudges all over it. Again, I didn't pay this kind of money for a used guitar so I returned it. The 3rd one I received actually had headphones in the case where the first 2 did not. I'm guessing that this is supposed to come with headphones and they are being lifted from some of the cases prior to shipping. This guitar had no buzzing on any of the frets and though it appeared to have been handled, was playing well. I then turned the guitar over and noticed that even though this had the body of the EG-2, the neck and bolted plate on the back had a serial number for the older Traveler EG-1. The guitar had clearly been tampered with and had mixed matched parts on it. I am currently awaiting guitar number 4 hoping that everything is finally new, untouched, not tampered with, playable, and that there are no missing items.
Even though I think this guitar is overpriced by about one hundred seventy bucks, I still really want to love the guitar. It looks great, feels right, plays decent and will be a great practice tool for when I have some down time, on vacation, or just watching tv.
The deal with the case is good since the case alone sells for one hundred dollars, but be warned. I'm suspect to believe that when you buy this bundle, the guitar gets handled a lot more and you may be getting a referb or second hand item from the manufacture. You might be better off buying just the guitar with its carrying bag. This has been an annoyance but amazon has great customer service and have been over nighting the guitars to me. Even with all the problems, I can't help but smile when I'm playing the guitar. Very cool concept.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Traveler Guitar Escape EG2 WHT HSC-TWD Electric Guitar, White with Tortoise Shell Pick Guard and Tweed Case

Get 30% OFF

Click here for more information about Traveler Guitar Escape EG2 WHT HSC-TWD Electric Guitar, White with Tortoise Shell Pick Guard and Tweed Case

Read More...

Taylor Guitars 200 Series 214-G Grand Auditorium Acoustic-Electric Guitar - Natural Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The craftmenship on the 214g is superb, thats what you have to expect for Taylor guitars. Nice light-round body, easy to handle, and plays wonderful. The gloss finsish in the front of the guiatr makes it seem
fun and social, while the dark wood on the back and sides allows it to become more proper, and respectful. The 214g is a fragile one, so I wouldn't, or be cautious, make this a travlers guiatr. I found myself esaily sliding from fret to fret, and holding the strings in place was effortless. For fingerpicking the 214g lives up to its name, but when strumming hard, and rapidly (with a pick) the sound seems to fall apart or lose its place. The sound the 214g makes is distinctive, a deep-low, but vibrant vibe is how I would describe it. If your looking for a quality guiatr, but not to bad on the wallet, then the Taylor 214g is great fit. Looks beautiful, plays like an acoustic should, and is defintily competitive to the other more expensive brands. Overall for the price range, you can expect this to be a great guiatar.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Taylor Guitars 200 Series 214-G Grand Auditorium Acoustic-Electric Guitar - Natural

Get 27% OFF

Click here for more information about Taylor Guitars 200 Series 214-G Grand Auditorium Acoustic-Electric Guitar - Natural

Read More...