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#1
10-16-2019, 07:31 PM
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2005 Epiphone Masterbilt returns to me!
I stopped by The String Shop, Columbus, OH, in 2005 (the store is long gone now) And they happened to have a couple of Epiphone Masterbilt AJ-500M guitars. Both were good, one was a bit better. They were kind of a new thing then and very well regarded. Long story short I bought it.
In 2011 I sold it to an older lady who played with just her fingers... no pick. I soon regretted the sale. 3 days ago, the same lady, now 82 yrs old, asked me if I wanted to buy it back. So I picked it up yesterday! A few extra bumps here and there. It still had the same strings on it when I sold it to her 8 yrs ago! A tweek of the truss rod, cleaning, new strings, and played for about 20 mins and this thing came alive (after light finger picking for 8 yrs). It is by far the least expensive acoustic I own, but these 12-15yr old Masterbilts are nice! Glad to have it back. I had a bone nut and saddle installed in '05, installed new tuners, and buffed the body out a bit. It came with a very rough surface. All updates happened in '05-'06. And as for the lady, at 82 she wants an all mahogany guitar with a pickup! Cool! We struck a deal. If I decide to sell, she gets first crack at it!  She regrets selling it already herself! 
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#2
10-16-2019, 07:33 PM
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What a cool story and still a great looking guitar too.
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Brucebubs 1972 - Takamine D-70 2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone 2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo 2012 - Dan Dubowski#61 2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo 2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird
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#4
10-17-2019, 01:03 AM
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Congrats. I own four. If you can find a clean used one out there, folks, there are almost all terrific. The AJ-500M is the star of the show.
sm
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#5
10-17-2019, 06:12 AM
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Quote:
EF500RAVS 
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2018 Guild F-512 Sunburst -- 2007 Guild F412 Ice Tea burst 2002 Guild JF30-12 Whiskeyburst -- 2011 Guild F-50R Sunburst 2011 Guild GAD D125-12 NT -- 1972 Epiphone FT-160 12-string 2012 Epiphone Dot CH -- 2010 Epiphone Les Paul Standard trans amber 2013 Yamaha Motif XS7 Cougar's Soundcloud page
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#6
10-17-2019, 07:26 AM
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I love mine too, a 2006 AJ-500RNS in near perfect condition, with sound for days! And the build quality was hands-down the cleanest in that price range! I may need to let it go someday because I have trouble switching back and forth between it and my Martins, with their wider nuts and larger neck profile. But the sound of that Epi.....better than any J-45 I've ever touched.
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#8
10-17-2019, 08:10 AM
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Last night I repaired the case. The humidity gauge over the headstock had pulled the lining off a bit from the case and the gauge was hanging very close to the headstock. I pulled the gauge off. Then I cut a 3/4" slot into the lining where the gauge was and squeezed a bit of tightbond inside and brushed it around. I pushed the lining back into place and this morning it looks great.
This morning I recalibrated the gauge that was 15-18% to high. I think I'll leave it in the case compartment rather than put it back in place and risk pulling it back off. But it can always go back on any time it needs to. Putting it back on would completely hide the repair! That being said, these cases are fantastic!! Can't believe these guitars came with a case so nice. I have to keep reminding myself that I had owned this guitar 6yrs and she had it for 8yrs! Things happen to guitars in that amount of time, so it's all cool. 
Last edited by dave42; 10-17-2019 at 08:24 AM.
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#9
10-17-2019, 09:44 AM
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Very nice. In another post I asked about that model and well I ordered it and should be getting it tomorrow. It is the Masterbilt with the natural satin finish and solid mahogany back and sides. I would have preferred the rosewood but I can't find any.
One question: You said you put in a bone nut and saddle. I thought I read online that the guitar came stock with a bone nut and saddle. Am I wrong or did you just put in better ones? I didn't get the serial number so I don't know what year it is. But I got it and the case for a net of about $335 (with shipping and handling, New York's state tax and then some money back from one of those online cash-back services.) I'm really excited as it will be the first all-solid wood acoustic I've had for the past 12 years.
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Martin X1-DE Epiphone AJ500MNS Alvarez AD30 Alvarez AD710 Alvarez RD20S Esteban American Legacy Rogue mandolin
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#10
10-17-2019, 10:25 AM
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Beautiful... my sons GF got him one a fews ago. Ive always been a big fan.
Getting harder and harder to find.
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A few 'horses from Montana...
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#11
10-17-2019, 01:12 PM
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I wonder how much someone can play over the course of 8 years without ever changing the strings? It must have sounded not great at that point.
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#12
10-17-2019, 01:19 PM
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Quote:
Yes, in 2005 they indeed have a bone saddle and nut when new. But although this one had a nice tall saddle when new, it was too low, even with the truss rod adjusted correctly. So I took mine to the folks I trust and had them make a new saddle and nut. I was just looking at Epi's website. They make a sunburst M with electrics. I noticed it has a short scale now (24.75"). Mine is 25.4(or.5) inch scale. I've played a few new ones at stores this past year. I don't know... they just aren't the same for what ever reason, but I'm sure they're fine. Thanks to all for the nice comments!
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#13
10-17-2019, 01:22 PM
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Quote:
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#14
10-18-2019, 08:25 AM
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Glad you got her back. I have the AJ-500RENS. Just got it set up and new Elixer polyweb 12's on it. I love mine!
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Epiphone Masterbilt Hummingbird Epiphone Masterbilt AJ-500RENS Teach us what ways have light, what gifts have worth. Edna St. Vincent Millay
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