EPIPHONE AJ 500R

I PLAYED AND AJ 500R AT THE MUSIC STORE,BUT GOT A BETTER PRICE FROM SWEET WATER.I SOLD A GUILD D 50 TO BUY THIS GUITAR,IT SOUNDS ,BETTER THAN MY TAYLOR 810.THIS GUITAR HAS THE BEST SOUND ON BLUEGRASS OR COUNTRY.

Great sounding acoustic guitar.

I was able to find a new AJ-500R in sunburst color finish, a few months ago. Not many of these in sunburst were made by Epiphone.
The fit, finish and workmanship was very well done. The factory setup was ok, but I had it done right for my playing style, lowering the strings, and having a more expensive bone nut and saddle installed.
I also installed quality bone bridge pins. The guitar really came alive doing all this too.
For the price of my AJ-500R I have to say, this is one of the best of the five acoustic guitars I own.

A real sleeper!

I've played acoustic guitar for 30 years. I had been searching for a new 6 string. I played various Martins, Taylors, Blueridge over a year. I finally found my sound with the EPI AJ 500r. I bought mine in May 2006. I play with a friend who uses a Martin HD 28. Honestly, my guitar is right up there sound-wise with his. This Epi has great bass, mid and treble. The action is a bit high, though. But that can be remedied. My friend is impressed with my guitar, although he is partial to American made. Mine was made in China. The quality seems exceptional, much as you would find on a $2000+ American Made. This Epi had a louder, richer sound than any Blueridge and some Taylors I played. My friend says this Epi is 'punchier' than his Martin. He's correct. This guitar has a bone nut and saddle, dovetail neck joint and has lo-ng sustain like a plugged-in electric guitar. The only thing I would have done differently would be to get the electric version. The store I bought from didn't have one in stock. I'll probably get a Baggs I Beam. If you want a great, pro sounding guitar for an unbeatable price, buy this guitar!

Tops for the Price

I've had an AJ-500R acoustic-electric for three years and have played it a lot. I also have a Taylor 214e and a Martin D28 with a Baggs I-Beam and a Spanish made Pavan TP-30 classical, among others. Now, to be honest the AJ-500R doesn't quite stand-up to its higher priced companions, but it is remarkably close, and has its own charms. It's especially good for hard strumming of big open chords. Its okay for fingerstyle, but a bit hard to play clean and the fretboard is less than perfect. It has a warm sound, and works great live but when recording mostly I opt for a pricier instrument. It's getting better sounding as it ages, and I'll probably keep it because it's just perfect as a 'campfire' guitar' or for other situations where it's a bit too rough to take an expensive instrument. Bottom line, this is the cheapest guitar I play regularly, and if you're looking to move up from a beginner box to real solid wood guitar for well under $1k, you should try one of these before buying anything else.

Very Good Sounding Guitar

The Chinese made AJ-500R as well as the other Masterbilt series from Epiphones, are very well made. I own a DR-500R and a DR-500P.
Generally, these guitars have a fair factory set up with the strings set at medium high. But I had to have a luthier do a proper set up on my Masterbilts, and had to have the saddle and nut replaced to do that.
If anyone buys the AJ-500 and it suits them mright out of the box, that's great.
But the added touch of having a proper set up, and installing a better quaility bone saddle, and a bone nut, will definately add to the tone and sustain of these guitars. I did that to my other two Masterbilts. Just make sure a good luthier does the job for you.
I play Country, Bluegrass, and Folk music with local bands in my area. I own and play a Martin HD-28, an HD-35, and a rosewood Gibson J-45.
The Epiphone AJ-500R doesn't reach the tone of my J-45 rosewood Gibson, but is very good in it's own right.