I purchased this guitar when it first came out. Had it setup by a local shop and the guy did not want to give it back when he was done. He was blown away by the guitar. It will always be in my collection. One of the nicest guitars to play including vs. my two martins!
Maybe most of you know this but anyone with a Masterbilt 500MCE who doesn't have a sticker with "Made in". Inside the sound hole you should see a 11 digit S/N. If it says XXXX23XXXXX it's made in indonesia. 23 is the Samick factory in Indonesia. 10-20 is factory's in China and 21-22 Korea. The first two numbers is what year is was made and the two numbers after that is the month. So 170523XXXXX would be made in may 2017 in Indonesia.
I have one of the first editions. It’s over 12 years old. Let me tell ya. This thing has opened up so well. I own many guitars. I always go back to my Masterbilt when playing larger gigs.
Mine was made in China but the back looks just like your Indonesia model. Mine has the China cut-a-way and the back is a beautiful deep dark mahogany with the long wide grain patterns. The back of my neck is also darker mahogany and it even has a little flame. My top is darker than the Chinese but lighter than the Indonesian. Mine is a combination of both. I'm pretty sure they had a certain amount of stock that was specifically intended for the certain models and regardless of Chinese or Indonesian made, that's the wood that was used. I've even seen some Chinese made models that have Indonesian brace cut wood inside.
Mine was plek,d it is the best guitar I can afford. Mine uses double AA batteries and must stay unplugged to avoid battery drain. Played it along with Taylor and the ply- wood made no sense and a Martin same ply-wood . Epiphone sounded better I use 11 52s and they work well . Thanks for sharing Donald James
Mine is an Indonesian, Plek'd, 2015. The Chinese guitar is obviously made from lower quality woods. The fretboard is obviously Laurel as opposed to the Indonesians Rosewood. The original Masterbilt's were intended to be high quality guitars at an affordable price, and they nailed it. The Chinese version isn't close to that quality.
The wood is sliced like pages in a book. When the “book” is opened, the wood is like a mirror image. Book matched means the two halves on the top are very close to a mirror image, or matched and aligned like pages in a book. The wood grain is matched up exactly on both sides of the seam. Usually, higher quality instruments have more precise book matching with the wood grain. I hope that makes sense.
You should be able to find a good one on the used market. You might also check out Mitchell solid tops. I'm very impressed with those as well. Mitchell is made in Indonesia. Very good quality work. The used market will save you a lot of money.
Any reason why on the Indonesia built guitar, the mother of pearl inlay starts on the 5th fret and on the Chinese built guitar it starts on the 3rd fret?? Most guitars start on the 3rd fret? My Indonsian 500MCE starts on the 5th.
I would love to hear a sound comparison with the two, fresh same brand string put on both.. and let's hear it! I hate to say it but the China looks aweful, horrible wood, no figuring or
I no longer have these guitars, or I would do so. To my ears, they both sound very similar, but I do prefer the Indonesian models better. It seems like they put more love into their work.
Any chance you have a scale to weigh these? Someone reported China model's sold by GC MF, are not only a different wood (obvious here) but even a lighter weight guitar ~ Supposedly Indo necks are Plek'd / China models are not (a $200 value right there.) and... Electronics? Looks like both have the Esonic 2? Pickup system ? Indo' models before 2019 have dual pickups/ 2 jacks. I could not see on your China # jacks... Lots of questions, when did they move Final Production to China & why do some have a Fishman pickup? Thanks!!
Yes, I do. I will get all your questions answered later today. I’m not sure about the Plek’d frets. I don’t see any indication on the instruments about being Plek’d.
Ryan if you look at photos, there is often a small blue "Plek'd sticker which is on the front headstock, truss rod cover right below the T in Masterbilt .. of course a sticker can be removed, but it's nice to know. My AJ-500 has one.
Ahhhhh nope, because the best guitar ever made hasn't been built yet! But the second best guitar ever made is the Epiphone Masterbuilt Excellente! ") Jack ~'()'~
I see a fatal flaw in your sword my good man! The statement "the best made guitar" is a claim. I am merely rejecting the claim. Now, had the statement been a wee bit more specific, such as "the current best made guitar" etc Then you would have have deserved the "superior intellect" award! However, that sweet, sweet leg, which goes straight up and makes an ass of itself, embraced by sheer black nylons nested to enlightened perfection below a classic, vintage fringe rimed lampshade looks custom made for my front large window ledge as token testament to the powers of the mind for all the world to see and envy!! No quarter requested or given! ") I do believe I have run you through sir!! From one legendary rock/metal lead vocalist - one band member to another, may your performances all be flawless and may your stage be bum rushed by packs of horny smokin hot buxom babes with filthy intent each night ( or every night your woman can't accompany you) Take care jetpackband brethren! Jack ~'()'~
I purchased this guitar when it first came out. Had it setup by a local shop and the guy did not want to give it back when he was done. He was blown away by the guitar. It will always be in my collection. One of the nicest guitars to play including vs. my two martins!
Very cool! It is a great model. I gave the one I kept to my sister.
Maybe most of you know this but anyone with a Masterbilt 500MCE who doesn't have a sticker with "Made in". Inside the sound hole you should see a 11 digit S/N. If it says XXXX23XXXXX it's made in indonesia. 23 is the Samick factory in Indonesia. 10-20 is factory's in China and 21-22 Korea. The first two numbers is what year is was made and the two numbers after that is the month. So 170523XXXXX would be made in may 2017 in Indonesia.
Great information! Thanks for sharing. This will help a lot of people out. Awesome!
Thank you!
I have one of the first editions. It’s over 12 years old. Let me tell ya. This thing has opened up so well. I own many guitars. I always go back to my Masterbilt when playing larger gigs.
Sweet! I guess it's almost forgotten it was a tree. Maybe a few more years, and it will think it is a guitar now.
Mine was made in China but the back looks just like your Indonesia model. Mine has the China cut-a-way and the back is a beautiful deep dark mahogany with the long wide grain patterns. The back of my neck is also darker mahogany and it even has a little flame. My top is darker than the Chinese but lighter than the Indonesian. Mine is a combination of both. I'm pretty sure they had a certain amount of stock that was specifically intended for the certain models and regardless of Chinese or Indonesian made, that's the wood that was used. I've even seen some Chinese made models that have Indonesian brace cut wood inside.
That’s interesting.
Mine was plek,d it is the best guitar I can afford. Mine uses double AA batteries and must stay unplugged to avoid battery drain. Played it along with Taylor and the ply- wood made no sense and a Martin same ply-wood . Epiphone sounded better I use 11 52s and they work well .
Thanks for sharing Donald James
Very cool! Thank you!
Mine is an Indonesian, Plek'd, 2015. The Chinese guitar is obviously made from lower quality woods. The fretboard is obviously Laurel as opposed to the Indonesians Rosewood. The original Masterbilt's were intended to be high quality guitars at an affordable price, and they nailed it. The Chinese version isn't close to that quality.
Very cool! Thanks for the info. I’ve found Indonesian guitars are very well made.
Brought an Indonesia made DR-500MCE in early May, now waiting for the shipment to arrive, hopefully everything is good and no defects.
Very cool. You bought one in early May, and still no delivery? Mine came in 3 days after I ordered them.
I'm in Malaysia, was purchased from Taobxx Epiphone flagship store, so it will takes 3 weeks to deliver
@@user-mq9kf8zn1p Ah, okay. That makes sense. It’s a great guitar. For the price, it has a really deep rich tone. I think you will be very happy.
Yes, yes it is.
What exactly is "bookmatched" I do not know. I am confused.Could someone please explain what "Bookmatched" truly , exact!y refers to?
Thanks.
The wood is sliced like pages in a book. When the “book” is opened, the wood is like a mirror image. Book matched means the two halves on the top are very close to a mirror image, or matched and aligned like pages in a book. The wood grain is matched up exactly on both sides of the seam. Usually, higher quality instruments have more precise book matching with the wood grain. I hope that makes sense.
How many times can you click the guitars together??!!
Too many! I assure you, no guitars were harmed in the production of this video. Lol!
Like 1500 worth of guitar I'm trying to get my hands on one this guy number one number 2 la de da de da lol
You should be able to find a good one on the used market. You might also check out Mitchell solid tops. I'm very impressed with those as well. Mitchell is made in Indonesia. Very good quality work. The used market will save you a lot of money.
Any reason why on the Indonesia built guitar, the mother of pearl inlay starts on the 5th fret and on the Chinese built guitar it starts on the 3rd fret?? Most guitars start on the 3rd fret? My Indonsian 500MCE starts on the 5th.
I'm not sure. That would be a good question for Epiphone customer support.
I would love to hear a sound comparison with the two, fresh same brand string put on both.. and let's hear it! I hate to say it but the China looks aweful, horrible wood, no figuring or
I no longer have these guitars, or I would do so. To my ears, they both sound very similar, but I do prefer the Indonesian models better. It seems like they put more love into their work.
Any chance you have a scale to weigh these? Someone reported China model's sold by GC MF, are not only a different wood (obvious here) but even a lighter weight guitar ~ Supposedly Indo necks are Plek'd / China models are not (a $200 value right there.) and... Electronics? Looks like both have the Esonic 2? Pickup system ? Indo' models before 2019 have dual pickups/ 2 jacks. I could not see on your China # jacks... Lots of questions, when did they move Final Production to China & why do some have a Fishman pickup? Thanks!!
Yes, I do. I will get all your questions answered later today. I’m not sure about the Plek’d frets. I don’t see any indication on the instruments about being Plek’d.
Ryan if you look at photos, there is often a small blue "Plek'd sticker which is on the front headstock, truss rod cover right below the T in Masterbilt .. of course a sticker can be removed, but it's nice to know. My AJ-500 has one.
@@greenmanalishi6086 Very cool. I'm posting a video reply to all your above questions right now. I hope this helps.
@@RyansCustomShopandGearOutlet Plek,d is why I bought mine.
@@donaldjames4437 it is a very nice bonus for sure.
Like the 2nd one u still have it and how much
Sold it a long time ago.
Any chance the Chinese one was a fake that someone returned and kept the real one?
No. There is not enough margin for anyone to make a “fake”guitar at this price point to swap it for a “real” guitar at this price point.
I thought master built had different tuners on them?
These are the tuners that came on them from Musician’s Friend. It’s the only tuners I’ve ever seen on this model.
Ahhhhh nope, because the best guitar ever made hasn't been built yet! But the second best guitar ever made is the Epiphone Masterbuilt Excellente! ")
Jack ~'()'~
Ah, we have a philosopher here. Lol! 😀
But "made" is PAST tense as in already to have been made. They didn't ask, "Could have been made".
I see a fatal flaw in your sword my good man! The statement "the best made guitar" is a claim. I am merely rejecting the claim.
Now, had the statement been a wee bit more specific, such as "the current best made guitar" etc Then you would have have deserved the "superior intellect" award!
However, that sweet, sweet leg, which goes straight up and makes an ass of itself, embraced by sheer black nylons nested to enlightened perfection below a classic, vintage fringe rimed lampshade looks custom made for my front large window ledge as token testament to the powers of the mind for all the world to see and envy!!
No quarter requested or given! ")
I do believe I have run you through sir!!
From one legendary rock/metal lead vocalist - one band member to another, may your performances all be flawless and may your stage be bum rushed by packs of horny smokin hot buxom babes with filthy intent each night ( or every night your woman can't accompany you) Take care jetpackband brethren!
Jack ~'()'~
Maybe the Chinese is a fake , Epiphone seems to a lot of that happening since about 2016
Why would Musician’s Friend sell a fake made in China Epiphone?
well we know the China is lighter..damn u said it 50 times
Yes, it is much lighter.
@@RyansCustomShopandGearOutlet hhhh