Im not a big Beatles/Lennon fan, but my choice of instruments always has their 'influence'.
And I have chosen just Epiphones, because what I have played of their instruments I have really liked.
But if there is something in the price range (till 600$) of the same quality/looks Ill happily check it out.
"These fine acoustics are carefully handcrafted overseas to our strict and exact specifications, but unlike similar instruments by other manufacturers, the Cobalt acoustics undergo a thorough quality check at our San Diego facility, and are set-up by our skilled luthiers prior to shipment."
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 6:58 pm
by paul_
honeyiscool wrote:"These fine acoustics are carefully handcrafted overseas to our strict and exact specifications, but unlike similar instruments by other manufacturers, the Cobalt acoustics undergo a thorough quality check at our San Diego facility, and are set-up by our skilled luthiers prior to shipment."
"Let's see if they put the strings on" (opens case) "Ah, they did."
(goes back to Angry Birds)
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 7:20 pm
by Sloan
Check out YAMAHA and ALVAREZ
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 7:44 pm
by Gabriel
The Epiphone Masterbuilts are lovely guitars, as are some Yamaha and Alvarez's. With acoustics though always play before you buy, they vary a lot more than electrics do.
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:01 pm
by paul_
mrperson wrote:With acoustics though always play before you buy, they vary a lot more than electrics do.
+1
It's just silly to mail-order an acoustic guitar that costs more than $100 IMO.
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:13 pm
by brandon.
When I was looking for an acoustic, I went to the guitar store and played the same chord on every acoustic that looked good to me. It was incredible to rapid fire through so many guitars, it really helped me trim down what I was looking for.
I eventually went with a Yamaha acoustic that was loud as hell and had a satin finish neck.
All of the Epiphons felt too "plasticky"/unlively to me. The Yamaha really resonated in a lively manner.
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:24 pm
by Billy3000
One of my students has an epiphone masterbilt. It is a nice guitar but for the price you can get a Yamaha or Alvarez that is worlds better IMO.
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:35 pm
by izodiak
So ordering from internet would be stupid..ok.
I thought nowadays everything made in some chinese factory would sound the same..
Hate the selection/price in our shops
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 4:15 am
by Billy3000
izodiak wrote:So ordering from internet would be stupid..ok.
I thought nowadays everything made in some chinese factory would sound the same..
Hate the selection/price in our shops
That's really more the case for electrics, and even then I still usually recommend playing before you buy.
With acoustics it can vary so much from instrument to instrument even on the same model built with the same type of materials used to build it, and built in the same factory. No two acoustics are the same. I've played a few epiphones that have been really nice, including the one that my student has, but a very large amount of them have a very dead feel and sound to them. That's why you need to play it before you buy. That shouldn't be a problem though because every guitar center has tons of epiphone acoustics in stock.
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:33 pm
by pumpkin
honeyiscool wrote:
pumpkin wrote:Made in the USA.
"These fine acoustics are carefully handcrafted overseas to our strict and exact specifications, but unlike similar instruments by other manufacturers, the Cobalt acoustics undergo a thorough quality check at our San Diego facility, and are set-up by our skilled luthiers prior to shipment."
Huh, the site says "hand crafted in the USA" Good find.
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:05 pm
by paul_
Billy3000 wrote:With acoustics it can vary so much from instrument to instrument even on the same model built with the same type of materials used to build it, and built in the same factory. No two acoustics are the same. I've played a few epiphones that have been really nice, including the one that my student has, but a very large amount of them have a very dead feel and sound to them. That's why you need to play it before you buy. That shouldn't be a problem though because every guitar center has tons of epiphone acoustics in stock.
A huge role in this is that acoustics/hollowbodies are way much more susceptible to weather/temperature fluctuations. Solidbody electrics are too, but they don't have as much "give".
Just having them mailed can drastically alter the way they left the factory. I'm weary of ANY acoustic guitar that is at the point of display for sale, because it had to have been shipped at some point... that's why I try to play every one they have in stock to gain some objectivity when trying out a new acoustic. It doesn't take much to warp a nice guitar into a cumbersome piece of junk, not much at all.
If it's definitely been stacked 100 boxes high to the ceiling in a catalogue warehouse somewhere and I'm not gonna get to play it until I already own it outright, then fuck it. Not worth the potential risks when I've already bought dud Fender electrics on occasion.
And yeah, a lot of the nice-looking Epis really suck. Same for their electrics these days though... the SC Special with P90s felt and sounded terrible.
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:44 pm
by westtexasred
paul_ wrote:
mrperson wrote:With acoustics though always play before you buy, they vary a lot more than electrics do.
+1
It's just silly to mail-order an acoustic guitar that costs more than $100 IMO.
Unless you live in Latvia
[youtube][/youtube]
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:55 pm
by izodiak
thanks for the nice replies.
Its just, for example the Epiphone MB series costs 500$ and here it costs 800-900$ the price doubles..
And even if I ship it through the customs etc.. it gets about 600-700$, thats about the price I can pay.
[ sad face ]
still going to check out the acoustics here, try to bargain with the sellers..
[youtube][/youtube]
the bands - Baložu Pilni paglami (the one in picture) and Bērnības Milicija (one in the video) are my favorite 'indie' bands we have
lyrics are about Evil colour, how the air is the same as evil spirit, the more you breathe the more You need.
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:42 pm
by desertan
The Texan and the Lennon by Epi are both disappointing. Dead-sounding and feeling.
I can't speak for the Masterbuilts. Try one out if you can...