Epi Masterbilt AJ500RC 12 Fret vs EF500RCE

[Bernie P.]

Anybody have a chance to try both?I got my hands on the EF and loved it but cant find the other to try.Also what do they mean by 12 fret.Is that a shorter scale or something/lower string tension.Not much info at the Epi site.It looks like the AJ has a larger body style compared to the cutaway of the EF along with the 12th fret being closer to the sound hole.Any info appreciated.

[mildlysane]

I'm probably wrong, but I think "12 fret" or "14 fret" have to do with how many frets are outside of the body. 12 fret necks join the body at the 12th fret, 14 at the 14th fret. Maybe there is more to it than that, though.

[guitarcapo]

That 12 fret would be my choice, Sweet

[Bernie P.]

guitarcapo have you played both? Another thing I was wondering about was how having the neck mounted like that affects the sound/tuning.I've read some gits tend to lose their tuning when you go down the neck.Would this improve or worsen?

[guitarist21]

 

guitarcapo have you played both? Another thing I was wondering about was how having the neck mounted like that affects the sound/tuning.I've read some gits tend to lose their tuning when you go down the neck.Would this improve or worsen?

 

 

A well-made, well-set up, well-intonated guitar won't lose its tuning down the neck no matter how many frets are outside of the body. Epiphone Masterbilts are great guitars, especially for the price, and with a good set up, will have as good intonation as any other guitar.

 

The AJ and the EF series are very much apples and oranges. Great guitars both, but very different. What kind of guiar are you looking for? What style of music? Fingerpicking or flatpicking?

 

Ellen

[Bernie P.]

Ellen,I want this one mainly for finger-picking and also the rosewood/cedar combination offers a really nice timbre contrast to my spruce/maple Cumberland.Both are 1.75 at the nut which will work well for finger style but I'm not sure if they both have the same neck profile.The EF neck felt great.I wish Epi would provide more detailed specs at their site.

[guitarist21]

 

Ellen,I want this one mainly for finger-picking and also the rosewood/cedar combination offers a really nice timbre contrast to my spruce/maple Cumberland.Both are 1.75 at the nut which will work well for finger style but I'm not sure if they both have the same neck profile.The EF neck felt great.I wish Epi would provide more detailed specs at their site.

 

 

The EF's neck is a pretty huge V and I believe the AJ's neck is less severe. The EF, IMO, would be better for fingerpicking, providing a better string-to-string balance. The AJ could possibly get a little boomy in the low end.

 

I agree about the website. Its a real bummer.

 

Ellen

[DeepEnd]

There isn't more to it.

I owned an Alvarez 12-fret years ago and while I don't recall whether the scale was shorter or not wouldn't the bracing have to be "shifted" to allow for the repositioned bridgeplate? Or is the bridgeplate just wider to fill the greater space between the braces?