Amazing Guitar

I am not a professional musician and was looking to buy a guitar in a middle range, but what I got with this piece is something that can compete with the very best in the guitar world. The sound is amazing, as well as the make, you can feel from the first touch that this is one of the best guitars out there. Sure, there are Martins, Gibsons, and Taylors that would be slightly better, but I gave it a five star just because of the value you're getting for the money. If (non-laminated) Martin is say 2000, this guitar value could easily be 1400. It's obvious why it is in high demand, and thus you have to wait to get in stock, but the Sweetwater guys managed to get one for me in just couple of days. So even if they say you'll have to wait for few weeks, you might easily get lucky and get in in few days.

Worth far more than the cost

After much research and play testing, I decided on the DR-500ME. This guitar has much more personality and presence than the lower priced Taylors or Martins, and for less money. It also features solid wood instead of laminates. Playability and intonation were good as delivered, but are superb after setup by a lutherier. One minor issue: the end-pin jack was not working correctly when I got it- it only needed tightening to correct, but this was overlooked somewhere in the initial inspection (I deducted 1/2 star for this). Overall quality and detail are excellent. I get comments from everyone who has heard or played this guitar about the good looks and rich tone. Andy at Sweetwater was a big help, especially in finding a case that fit properly (SKB-18) since Epiphone seems to have discontinued it's own case. Oh, the electronics sound quite good also. I could not be happier and highly recommend this model.

Best-sounding pick-up system ever

The eSonics2 system is by far the best-sounding pickup system I've ever heard. It combines a barely-visible magnetic sound-hole pickup with an under-saddle transducer to create a warm, natural sound that still cuts through the clubs. A perfect guitar for performing songwriters, when you hear this at writer's rounds side-by-side with other acoustic-electrics...yes, even the awesome Takamine guitars...it is head-and-shoulders above everything else. It even has a stereo-out option, which is awesome for recording.

My guitar arrived in good condition, but with a couple of nasty fret buzzes that required fret re-leveling and dressing. Sounds great now, though, and it will probably replace my Takamine EN10 as my gigging guitar. Get the case too...great value for $60.

Just Amazing!

I own and play several acoustic guitars. I have the luxury of buying a guitar when I feel like it. I was told that I needed to check out the Epiphone Masterbuilt series guitars. I was very skeptical about Epiphone but what the heck. I played the AJ500 and the DR500ME. I was shocked at the playability and the sound! The attention to detail is comparable to other high end guitars. When plugged in the bases are are low and the highs are not too brassy. I bought the DR500ME and my Martin D-18 is an awsome guitar in it's own right, but the Masterbuilt is my go to guitar. I love it.