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-   -   Masterbilt vs Hummingbird (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145622)

BustedLimb 02-01-2009 12:28 PM

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

Roger65 02-01-2009 12:46 PM

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.

stratokatsu 02-01-2009 01:15 PM

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.

mellowman 02-01-2009 02:34 PM

I'd say the Masterbuilt definitely. That AJ500M is really nice.

Tony Burns 02-01-2009 02:49 PM

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.

surfoxy 02-01-2009 02:53 PM

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.

edman 02-01-2009 03:10 PM

Epi Hummingbird = all laminate guitar.

Epi Masterbilt = all solid wood guitar.

Masterbilt beats the Hummingbird hands down in every aspect.

JustPlayIt 02-01-2009 03:17 PM

I agree, the Masterbilt is much better. The bass notes on that guitar haunted me for days.

NateDog16 02-01-2009 03:19 PM

Man, I wish they had a Masterbuilt Hummingbird.

That would be somethin' else.

yanks4life 02-01-2009 03:22 PM

get a taylor 110 im telling you they sound amazing. try one before you by the gibson please!

L20A 02-01-2009 03:33 PM

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.

woodruff 02-01-2009 04:14 PM

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

BustedLimb 02-01-2009 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L20A (Post 1734835)
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.

What do you mean by "a set up"? Action changes or something?

Quote:

Originally Posted by edman (Post 1734808)
Epi Hummingbird = all laminate guitar.

Epi Masterbilt = all solid wood guitar.

Masterbilt beats the Hummingbird hands down in every aspect.

I have been playing a solid top hummingbird. I duno about the sides and back though.

TwoMartinMan 02-01-2009 07:59 PM

Go with the Masterbuilt. Great guitars for the money.

L20A 02-01-2009 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BustedLimb (Post 1734923)
What do you mean by "a set up"? Action changes or something?



I have been playing a solid top hummingbird. I duno about the sides and back though.

A set up will check and adjust for intonation, string height [action] and neck relief.

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!


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