Masterbilt vs Hummingbird
Does anyone have experience with both Epiphone Masterbilt and Epiphone Hummingbird? I have played a Hummingbird but have not been able to find a Masterbilt to play (live in the middle of nowhere) and I want to know if it is worth the extra few hundred to get a Masterbilt (EF or AJ probably).
I am looking for a new guitar and $500 (because Im a college student) is about as much as I am willing to spend on one at this time. I have searched through a lot of "Best guitar for $500" threads on this forum already, and my main ideas are these: Epiphone Masterbilt Taylor 110/114/Big Baby Martin DX1 Guild GAD 30 Seagull |
My two choices in that price range would be the Epiphone Masterbilt AJ500M if you like a loud bassy sound, or the Stanford PSD-21 if you like a sweet and shimmery sound.
Both guitars have an "expensive" sound that bely their price point. |
Personally, anything in the Masterbilt line would be preferable to the regular acoustic line. My experience with the Epi Hummingbird is that is a cheap imitation of a great Gibson older brother. The Epi simply has a cheap generic tone where the Masterbilt line is really quite special.
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I'd say the Masterbuilt definitely. That AJ500M is really nice.
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The Masterbuilt - its alot better guiter - the humingbird copy is OK -the GC in Buffalo had three of them -one was decent the other two were mediocre.
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Quite honestly, and coming from a guy who likes Gibsons quite a bit, I find the Masterbilts better in many cases than regular Gibsons, let alone Epi's.
I think they're really good guitars. Very different tone, but very good. |
Epi Hummingbird = all laminate guitar.
Epi Masterbilt = all solid wood guitar. Masterbilt beats the Hummingbird hands down in every aspect. |
I agree, the Masterbilt is much better. The bass notes on that guitar haunted me for days.
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Man, I wish they had a Masterbuilt Hummingbird.
That would be somethin' else. |
get a taylor 110 im telling you they sound amazing. try one before you by the gibson please!
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I have been very unimpressed with the Epiphone Hummingbirds.
Masterbilts, on the other hand are much better guitars but many of them need to have a set up before they are playable. There are many other choices out there, unless you are set on an Epiphone. |
hey busted:
well, i dont know much about the epi masterbuilts or the epi hbirds. all i know is that i had a gibson h-bird for a while, a great simple hog dread. but both the blueridge BR40(yes the lammy) and the BR140 put my gibby to shame. i know, absurd notion but i'd have not believed it till i heard it myself. so, if you are looking for a hog dread, and you like a slim neck, consider blueridge before epi....imho.:D |
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Go with the Masterbuilt. Great guitars for the money.
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Most of the Masterbilts that I have tried to play needed to have this done to them. When this is done, the guitar will play and sound it's best. A good Mom and Pop shop will include this in the sale. Guitar Center will not! |
Another vote for Masterbuilt.
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A Masterbilt AJ-500M will rival a Gibson hummingbird. And for thousands less. I own 3 Masterbilts. Love them all Keepers for life.:)
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But owning an Epiphone Masterbilt just gave me a hankering for the 'real thing' and when I got my Gibson it showed that the Epi was just a good guitar and not a great one. Don't get me wrong, it was a fabulous instrument for what I paid for it and, as I said in another thread, it's the only guitar I've owned that I truly regret selling. The Masterbilt's really are great sounding and could easily be used by a gigging pro (they are THAT GOOD!) but a Gibson they aren't and, as a Gibson owner, I can now see why a Gibson costs 4x as much as an Epiphone Masterbilt (which was something I found difficult to do when I just owned my AJ 500 RE). BTW, a Masterbilt AJ-500M WILL blow away an Epiphone Hummingbird! |
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I believe the epi hummingbird does have a solid top...Ive never played one though so I cant comment much more on it. The only masterbilt ive played is the dr500 which desperately needed a setup, but sounded great none the less. I also have to say the masterbilt had the most beautiful mahogany back and sides I've ever seen in person. Im a sucker for sunburst and it was a natural finish or i probably would have bought it on the spot... the sunburst ones seem to be hard to find in my area.
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I've played a few of the Epi Hummingbirds and they are OK. I actually own a DR-500R. Its no contest. I've not a played a buch of different Masterbilts (I've heard they can vary from just meh, to pretty amazing) Even then, I'd still lean towards a Masterbilt just from what I've seen/heard in my personal experience.
*oh geez* Didn't realize OP was 3 years ago....whats with all the Masterbilt threads being dug up? |
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I like the masterbilts. I almost bought one on Saturday - I walked out with a slightly cheaper epiphone inspired by 64 Texan...
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Masterbilts have a decent reputation for guitars in their price-point, if you found one you liked and are looking for that type of model, grab one....
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