Post by seagullplayer on Sept 26, 2018 6:04:48 GMT -5
Picked this up on the way home last night. It's a refurbished model, so as far as I can tell there is no way to tell the year it was made. But they no longer offer this model without a cutaway. I am not a fan of a cut-away, just personal preference.
I have been on the look out for one of these for a few weeks now. Thought I had one bought last week, but the guy backed out at the last minute. Spoke with another guy on the phone, but he was about a six hour trip away and it didn't have a pick-up.
I'm not sure this one was ever played more than a few minutes. Store owner said the same thing, he bought it from some girl that never played it. She told him she got it from an old boy friend that took it to some concert and had it signed by the artist. But she could not remember who the artist was that signed it, and we can't make out what the name is either.
It had never had a front strap knob installed. I put one on when I got home with it.
I have yet to try out the pick-up system, but it is a blended system that I have never missed with before. I will update on it later after I have played with it a bit. It does have a built in tuner.
The shop owner had replaced the strings and adjusted the neck a little. It plays great and sounds really good. These are all solid wood guitars. I couldn't find any flaws in the finish as long as you don't count the signature on the front.
I couldn't see any reason why it was a refurbished model while at the store. After I got it home I found some imperfection in the lower back. You can't see it, but you can feel a depression. This doesn't effect the guitar in any way that I can see. I bought the guitar as a player and not an investment, and it seems it will fit that bill just fine.
With the combination of the unknown signature and it being refurbished, I feel I got it for a song.
I'll update after I get some time with it, but right now I am real happy with it.
Specs found here: www.epiphone.com/Products/Acoustic/Masterbilt-AJ-500M.aspx