GSWJ - Super Rare! Epiphone Excellente Review

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Love to all.

[@paulgeorgia8013]

I bought one about six months ago, and it holds its own against my Gibson Dove, Martin D35, and Guild D55. Unbelievable guitar

[@stathkon]

i have the same opinion with my j 200. I mean i still love j 200, its a legend but excellente kiils for the money it costs!

[@shred5]

The US Epiphones are legit!

[@sergioasuncion9710]

I saw this video and got me the guitar 9 months ago. Mine buzzes on the 6th string between frets 6 to 12. I’m playing with the truss rod now. Other than that, it sounds gorgeous to me with the pick. For fingerpicking I like it less good than my Gibson J15.

[@dtf.down-to-fish6220]

I just bought one this weekend ……and I’m pretty Damn thrilled…..picked it over the Yamaha ll16 and the Martin D12 and I’ve owned both those guitars.When you buy this piece it will never leave your collection.

[@johnthemachine]

I bought this last year. Best guitar theyve made in years.

[@ronaldreagan5205]

I own it love it

[@andysfishingandflytyingcha2310]

My Excellente arrived yesterday all the way from the north of England down to the Wiltshire countryside. I believe it was the only one for sale in the UK. Now l would normaly never buy any guitar and especially an acoustic without playing it (20% rule) but after seeing your review and the one on RandysRythm youtube channel (great channel and Randys a lovely sweet Texan) and various others who were shouting BUY ONE! I pulled the trigger. My God, what a looker, it's really pimped up eh but in a good way? The materials, great woods, ebony and bone, great tuners but.......the tone. Just Wow! It's so sweet, it's beautifully balanced through the sonic range. I've found that unlike my recently purchased Epi IBG 1942 Banner VOS J45 which is a bit more rock 'n roll and can handle being played hard if you need that sound, the Excellente responds better to a more considered gentle approach. I'm so glad l found your channel John, love your honest no nonsense approach, coupled with your obvious knowledge and enthusiasm for all things guitar. Love your playing too. I'm an ex London UK pro, l worked in West End musicals, tours and session work. That is until a rear end car accident damaged my hands. I could still play but not to the standard required. Then in 2020 l was left paralysed from the neck down after COVID triggered Guillian Barre Syndrome in me. I was in hospital for 6 months, but I walked out using a stick. My hands only started working again in 2023, it was like starting to play from day one again and incredibly frustrating but now l'm good enough to play in local pubs which is such a joy for me. Thanks again John for switching me on to the Excellente. Can't t wait to see how she's gonna open out after being played for a few months. Cheers! NB My pickguard is fine and shows no sign of lifting.

[@roxyroxburgh9566]

I've watched your video many, many times and, yes , today I've ordered an Epiphone Excellente. Will arrive in early March. Cowabunga!!! Love your enthusiasm for geetahs, Cadillacs and hill billy music. Cheers.

[@kerbyfab]

Have you received this guitar? Thoughts?

[@niccollins6450]

There about $1900 now at Long and Mcquade. I picked it up just browsing and it was unlike anything I’ve ever touched before. It’s such a beautiful guitar.

[@lonestarpatriot876]

It is a good time for guitarists. The reality is that all of these companies are having to make great guitars at a lower price point to compete with each other. If you can get past your guitar being made overseas, you will be rewarded because there are many great instruments being made overseas now and the quality is stunning. For those who can't get past that, they will simply pay more for the same or even less quality.

[@michaelkaemusic]

Antiques road show energy from you my dude. The passion the excitement the attention to detail. Love everything about this review. Great job

[@daw162]

the finish on these is likely some kind of two part acrylic or poly with a flattener and if these are made by cort or someone using the same equipment cort has, there's a robotic sprayer probably in an electrostatic room that can lay the finish on like atom-thin feathers dropping on a bed. Polyurethanes get a bad rep because people think of home center finishes - industrial poly finishes are far harder and more like lacquer, just with a chemical cure and cross linking. the softer stuff sold in a minwax can that's only one part is more like an oil finish that has some crosslinking.

[@Edward1312]

Worth noting that Epiphone have previously reissued this guitar in the 1990s and that guitar was made in Korea rather than Indonesia. The Korean guitar had a more glossy finish, had Rosewood back and side rather than Ovenkall and had a small excellente text written on top of the mother of pearl slab on the headstock.

[@markhansen8078]

I think Epiphone is the most exciting guitar manufacturer out there right now. They are doing some really cool stuff. I love the Masterbilt line... tremendous value.

[@furtherdefinitions1]

Finally, someone who knows how to play these guitars. Most other reviews show just the usual coffee shop troubador style strumming to accompany vocals. You are able to show what a guitar is capable of and how it should sound

[@crouch0746]

After watching your glowing review, I went right out, looking for one on my birthday (July 19). I found one at the best shop in Houston (Fullers), and boy did you nail this one! When I picked it up and strummed a few chords, I was amazed by the fullness and beauty of the tone--low, mid, and high. It was equally impressive finger picking, so I bought it right away. The first few weeks, I could hardly put it down. It sounds damn near as good overall as my treasured Martin HD-28 and Martin OMC-18 Laurence Juber, and in some ways it sounds better than both of them. It blows away my fairly expensive Maton Tommy Emmanuel, Zager 900ce, Taylor 326ce, and Martin OM Cherry. Four months down the line, I still play it just as much as my Martins that cost twice as much. Thanks so much for putting me onto this gem, J.P. This guitar's sound in the video only begins to hint at its high quality. For you skeptics, I challenge you to play one (if you can find one) and remain unimpressed.

[@austinbridge]

When you first played this guitar, it almost brought tears to my eyes 😅 What a beautiful work of art. Reminds me of when I play my vintage FG-300 (which is missing a pickguard of course!)

[@TheBergonzi237]

Following this video, I did my own research, and was determined to get one. Blow me! The day I decided to place an order, they went up in price by £100. Undeterred, I placed my order (now 8 weeks ago) at just over £800. The price has now rocketed and is currently standing at £1135!!! I guess people are beginning to realise just how good one of these is?!! Really looking forward to getting mine.............................hate being patient ;-) P.S.--You just can't get one second-hand................nobody, but nobody is selling theirs!!!!!!

[@taylors1stop]

I bought a used one with a TKL case at a great price. l last had a Gibson Heritage Deluxe with gold keys and real ivory. This guitar looks and sounds better! Thanks J.P. for your review. Your 73 year old Arkansas fan, Daniel

[@simonemillimaggi7611]

I love your channel, I bought this guitar here in Italy after watching this video and it is spectacular. Thank you very much for this video and greetings from Milan ! 😄

[@catojrgensen8912]

Hey J.P. Just got my Excellente a couple of days ago based on your recommendation. The first one was a dud. Marks on the bridge from pliers, off colored fretboard stains and just an all over bad job on the finish. But the new one I got the other day. Jesus! A dream guitar. Im not joking. I've got a fairly high end Furch as my main guitar, but this new Excellente just resonates with my soul, when I play it. It's so immediate and dare I say "communicative" when I strum it. This guitar deeply resonates with me. Thank you.

[@JohnnyArtPavlou]

Nice.🌞🌞🌞

[@tedbelmont]

Got one with 2 discoloured inlays. Debating returning it but might just have a little rub of them. Too much hassle to send back to Germany.

[@craigdouglasmartens7037]

I am a proud owner of an Epiphone Swingster and an Epiphone Masterbilt D500MCE sunburst. Both are utterly magnificent and rival my deceased Martin D15 in tone and playability. I am a diehard Epiphone fan, an Epiphany indeed! Love them!

[@154582jacob]

I work in a guitar store and I’ve heard and played MANY acoustics, and I must say when this guitar came into the store I was absolutely mind blown. I’ve played Martin D28’s, Gibson hummingbirds and J200’s. And this guitar hands down sits right up there with them in terms of balance, tone and clarity. It is a heavier guitar than its competitors, but overall being about half the price of those I would say it’s well worth the money… I’m getting one.

[@EJohnDanton]

That's funny- I had the same thoughts as you in 2020 about this guitar. I called L & McQ in Victoria BC and they had one. I talked with the manager and I told him I was a big Beatles fan and also a fan of a Gibson Hummingbird and I thought that this guitar could give me what I wanted. He said it would be perfect for that and more. He said he'd ship it and would guarantee I would fall in love with it, because he set it up himself and said it was worth the $1100. So L&McQ shipped it to my local branch and I haven't looked back. 2 years later, the tone has actually gotten better...deeper a little bit. And the top has darkened slightly. Before with mine you couldn't see the seam. My pickguard is just fine. Th4 only thing I noticed was that the "clouds" inlaid looked dull so 8 used a mild cleaner and a microfiber cloth to polish it. Wow...the thing now pops and the clouds are multi-toned. Enjoy! And...nice 1st name too 😁

[@user-cj7zl5jc6i]

"Epiphone has always made good instruments" -Paul McCartney He and John and George all played epiphone casinos. I saw an image of him playing an epiphone acoustic a couple years ago

[@charlie-obrien]

Paul wrote and recorded "Yesterday" on an Epiphone Texan. John also played and recorded with his own Epiphone EJ 160 e, on "If I fell". So they not only loved the Casinos but also the acoustic range.

[@soniah4821]

I recently bought a Tele that I’m restoring. Can’t buy another guitar. But I WANT THAT!!! Now I’m hurting 😫

[@frankpaulus7205]

I bought this after this great review and man you are right, i played a lot of american brand name and european guitars, but this really blown me away, i have this feeling that the journey to find the perfect singer/songwriter guitar has an end now. Thank you very much!

[@jtarman70]

I'm sure it sounds great and is probably a big bang for your buck. I recently went off the rails and bought a barely used (like new) Gibson Montana Limited Edition 1960's J45 for $2,445 U.S. I have no regrets. I've played for 35 years and owned most of the mid range or mid level guitars through the years. My goal now at 52 years old is to own as many "Big Name" guitars that I could not afford to own while my wife and I were raising our 4 children who are all now grown. I think as a guitar player, at some point in your life you really need to start rewarding yourself with guitars you have earned for playing so long. And the J45 I bought really stands out, so balanced, has some really deep thump that is equal to my old 1974 Martin D35 and 1990 yairi Alavarez DY90. As you get older, if you can afford it, buy the Gibsons, Martins, Furch's, Huss&Dalton's, Lowden's, Collins, Boucher's and the list goes on. As a guitar player you most likely wont be disappointed. But hey, if you are, they hold their resale value pretty well and you can always sell it and buy this Epiphone Excellente.

[@eddyj3862]

JP is this the American made Excellente? You are one incredible, out of this world guitar player.......and a great human being!!!!!

[@DanJ6]

Specifications Body Body Shape: Excellente Body Material: Solid Ovangkol Top: Solid Sitka Spruce Back: Solid Ovangkol Side: Solid Ovangkol Binding: Ivory and Black 6-ply (top) and 4-ply (back) Finish: Aged Gloss Neck Material: Maple with 5 piece Walnut and Maple center stripe Profile: C Profile Scale Length: 25.31" / 643mm Fingerboard Material: Ebony Fingerboard Radius: 12.01" Number Of Frets: 20 Frets: Medium Jumbo Nut Material: Bone Nut Width: 1.69" / 43mm Inlays: Excellente Clouds, 15th fret Block Joint: Tapered Dovetail Hardware Finish: Gold Tuner Plating: Gold Bridge: Ebony; Excellente shape with pearl dot inlays Saddle Material: Bone Tuning Machines: Gold Vintage "Waffleback" tuners with metal buttons Pickguard: Historic Excellente TrussRod: Adjustable Bridge Pins: Ivory with black center dot Strap Buttons: 2 - bottom and side of heel Electronics Under Saddle Pickup: Fishman Sonicore Controls: Fishman Sonitone soundhole mounted Volume and Tone Output Jack: 1/4" Endpin Jack Preamp: Fishman Sonitone

[@DanJ6]

Model: # EMEXNAGH

[@steelerscountry4849]

Checks all the boxes. Except the pickup.

[@archlutesmith]

I've got a 1964 Epiphone Troubador built in Kalamazoo mich. Really great guitar.kind of beat up by somebody,but I fixed it up and I love it

[@e4tm333]

Friend of mine had an original vintage excellente, he looked for one for years finally found one, and it sounded terrible, had a horrible skinny neck and the whole thing was heavy as hell, But it looked absolutely amazing. Your reissue sounds great.

[@zacksovine6923]

The vintage ones had this adjustable bridge system that was really a great idea but not a very well thought out design. They put them on a few high end Gibsons as well and the best thing for the was to modify it, mainly because replacing it isn't a reasonable thing to do. They were basically tone killers. They are very heavy and the headstock, while it is beautiful is also so big it is like have a billboard at the end of the neck. It definitely helped with sustain coupled with the weight of best tuners GIbson or Epi made. You are right the neck is skinny and it makes it feel weird when you pick it up to play the first time especially if you have been on a standard width necknor a 12 string. The weight and size of the headstock coupled with such a skinny neck makes me feel like it will snap in two at any moment with slightest bump. I have a 65 Excellente and a 65 Gibson SJN country western. Odd size necks and that tone killing adjustable bridge must have been all the rage at the time because the SJN has a narrow yet different width neck and that bridge. I have modified the bridge in both for tone and because it is necessary if you want to install most modern pickup systems. I wonder of the reissue has the same neck profile as the original.

[@randysrhythm]

JP, Just discovered you via this vid. You convinced me on this Excellente. I just back ordered this one, since none are to be had anywhere. Great work sir and stay warm up there. We are supposed to get a bit of ice at the end of this week, which is a bit rare in Texas. You made a point in one of your earlier vids about finding the guitar you love. About 2 or so years ago I called Scott Baxendale to see if he had an old Silvertone 319 acoustic anywhere that he had worked his magic on. He pointed me to one for sale in Colorado. It was a 1969 and it’s my go to guitar. That man is a magician on rebuilding these older guitars. One other recent purchase for me was the Martin DSS-17. That thing is a cannon. I hope the Excellente falls into that same category, and from what you’ve shared, I think it will. Thanks brother man!

[@KellerFkinRyan]

you mentioned that you put the guitar on backorder, has it shipped yet or are you still waiting?

[@stevesigler5241]

I recently purchased this guitar from sweetwater based on this video. I originally wanted the hummingbird but saw this and was sold almost immediately even at the higher price tag. I should receive my new guitar next week! I can’t wait. Sweetwater even sent me pictures of my guitar serial number and all! I am glad I did more research before just getting the hummingbird. Thanks again John love your channel.

[@michaelheller8841]

I have the same exact guitar. I was looking to buy one last year and it was all sold out till Sweetwater had not only one in stock, 4 to choose from. I made my pick, purchased one and I have been playing it since. The Excelente says it all in the name. It is fantastic in all aspects. The build quality is superb. The bass you get is very clean and it rings and sings an outstanding tone. It feels like a $4000 acoustic, it really does. It is beautiful with the sound that matches. I'm so happy with mine, that I would recommend it to anyone. If this is a secret, it shouldn't be, it's that fantastic! A great acoustic makes you want to play more and it will inspire you. Best acoustic I own, hands down. Thanks for your video, you seem to feel the same way I do about The Excellente.

[@panayotiscanellopoulos8696]

Finally just before 3 hours ago I bought the Excellente.....(1158 euros, 1690 CAD, 1282 $) Worth any penny!!!!!...I also played the RD-328..... but the decision was easy..... THANKS JP!!! Thanks to your advice I have this beauty at home!!!!! Greetings from the country of the founder of Epiphone, Greece!!!!

[@lucillewest3489]

My uncle and Loretta were good friends and she was a friend to the family in general. I was saving for the J200 remake, but now I know what my next purchase will be. Strong work as always sir!!!!

[@Gmbalogh]

I have purchased several guitars you have recommended and found your reviews to be spot on (Yamaha LJ56, Alvarez Yairi HD, and even an Epiphone J-200, all fantastic instruments). The exception was the Epiphone Excellente. I was shocked at the lack of quality and poor assembly. It was impossible to tune due to the Fretboard being almost a half an inch above the Bridge! Then, I found the Frets to vary in height so bad, that even after raising the Saddle, it was impossible to play without fret buzz. Fortunately, my on-line store refunded it 100%. These were supposed to be Masterbuilt by Epiphone, but I don’t see how.

[@alanthomas8706]

J.P. zZounds lists the Nut as Bone and the Saddle as Bone. Solid wood all around. I think I just bought my birthday gift to me. USD $1100(1,099). On back order.

[@richfiryn]

I just ordered mine through Sweetwater, same deal on back order but I don't care.

[@TheDredog59]

I got this guitar because of your video . You ain’t kidding , that is one unbelievable guitar for the money. I played it next to a D 28 Martin and would not trade it . I feel the resonance of the guitar wherever I am in contact with the guitar

[@kidguzzi_chrisgalardi]

Thank you for this review J.P. Your review and that of Randy's Rhythms channel convinced me to start looking at the Excellente and very recently I found one and bought it. I Love it!

[@leascaart]

You're so excited about this guitar I'm thinking of buying one.

[@spiritualawakenings6251]

Mine was manufactured in 2022 and spent 7 days on a tonerite machine. I can say with all honesty it exceeds the old Gibson J200s of the 50s and 60s. I have always loved what I call the Gibson thud of their older guitars. At 62 years old it is the last guitar I want or need.

[@benallmark9671]

Great shirt JP , Kingston in the house !

[@HayesTech]

Looks like Epiphone has another winner on their hands. Another awesome video sir. And I have to say that I love Epiphone guitars. I have a 1965 FT79N Texan, and the Inspired By Gibson J200 and love both of them. I would love to try out that one. Keep up the awesome videos.

[@garynash7594]

Found a buddy of mine,( I'm a lefty player) a Right hand 70's Japan made Exellente Epiphone for 175 dollars in a pawn shop, Put it up against any martin.... Zero issues , total quality!

[@TelecasterLPGTop]

I saw your review on the Epiphone range and purchased a Hummingbird from Logans in Sydney Australia. for a mere $629 AUSD. Sounds cheap eh but it wasn't really? It arrived but it was desperately in need of a setup which cost me $380 AUSD bringing the price up to $1009.00 AUSD close to what you paid in Canada $954.45 CAD. Now Leo my local tech did the following: Levelled the frets which were all over the place, loosened and adjusted the sticky truss rod, shaved the bridge saddle, which considerably lowered the action, replaced the strings with a set of Elixir Nanoweb Custom lights. It is now a beautifully set up guitar which is how it should be when it was rolled out of the factory in Indonesia. I guess your supplier knows who you are and what you will tell us if they try to unload a badly set up guitar like the one I got. All this said I love it and would go through all this crap again.

[@sandeeputtamchandani6810]

Hey J.P. What would you suggest for buying between EXCELLENTE and FRONTIER as you have played and reviewed both of them. I have watched many review videos of both of them and sound wise i dont hear a great difference between them. EXCELLENTE wins over FRONTIER in terms of wood used but the sound is not much different with just a little more sustain. But is it worth paying $400 more for EXCELLENTE ??

[@EmptyMirrorMindful]

I bought a Master built Sheraton II Elite about 10 years ago. It remains the most perfectly built, smoothest playing (absolute butter but at the time wasn’t experienced enough to know better) and smoothest sounding I have ever known to date. I have spent thousands more for the best of all brands and makes and nothing has yet beat it. The mini hum buckers in that although a unique and nice sound just did not excite me unfortunately so sold it which was stupid but I was still learning. Anyway, for the same reason you love your Yamahas, these are an unbelievable value. I will need to chase one of these down, perhaps a full concert version if they make a master built in that. I have a great Yamaha, thanks to you, for this body shape and sound.

[@rmzzz76]

The entire Inspired by Gibson line made in Indonesia is just so good... As I think I commented on another one of your post, I ended up with the J-45 from these series on a trade, figuring I'd just trade it for something else... But I'm playing the Epiphone J-45 daily... I go through the same ritual, where I'll spend 5-10 minutes with my Gibson J-45 (2001) and the guitar is in excellent shape, recent setup and all and I just like the way the Epiphone sounds... It's funny to me Taylor guitars sells their K24CE, which I think is the top model clocking in around $6000. Listen to sound clips of Taylor's best compared to this Indonesian built Epiphone Excellente. No it's not just the microphones...

[@pharmerdavid1432]

You struck a nerve with me, and a chord, because I love Epiphone guitars - most of mine are. My one "vintage" Epiphone is a 1961 Zephyr, similar to John Lee Hooker's "Blondie". When Gibson bought Epiphone, it included everything in the factory: tooling, wood, parts, partially made guitars, necks, etc. Apparently there were a huge amount of necks already made. The Epiphone neck design was two pieces of mahogany with a thin piece of maple between them, which creates a more stable neck than a one-piece. They have a distinct "V" shape, but not too hard - not too soft, not too big- not too small. I find it very comfortable, and other models of Epiphone guitars AFTER Gibson bought them also used a similar three-piece, medium sized "V" neck. Seth Lover, who worked for Gibson, made the mini-humbucker design, so really that pickup isn't an Epiphone creation, even though it was used exclusively on Epiphone-Gibson guitars in the early 1960's, and they are great pickups. In the later 1960's, Gibson used the mini-humbucking pickups on Les Paul Deluxe models, but those were sometimes not good sounding pickups, which gave them a bad name. Not all Gibson P-90 pickups sound good either, some modern versions overwound, and lacking the clarity of older so-called "vintage" versions. Getting back to whatever I was discussing...sorry I'm getting old...oh yeah - Epiphone guitars. I used to have two old Epiphone amps that were wonderful, but I digress... My Zephyr is an awesome guitar, huge body like an Emperor, but thin-line, which makes it easier to play, and it sounds better imho. Hollow-body thin-lines are my favorite sound. Newer Epiphone guitars include a 2014 Casino Coupe in natural. Original bridge was replaced with a Gotoh before I bought it, the original a rattle-trap. I'm going to replace the tailpiece, wiring-pots-switch, and pickups, but it's almost my favorite guitar the way it is. Then there is my 2012 50 year anniversary model Sorrento, which Epiphone made 1962 numbered versions of, USA Gibson made mini-humbuckers, and wiring (pots-caps-switch). Another 2012 50 year anniversary Sheraton, with Gibson USA mini-humbuckers, and wiring. A '66 reissue Century thin-line, modified before I bought it with a Gibson P-90 replacing the stock Epiphone pickup (never got to hear it), and a Graphtech bridge replacing the rosewood bridge (never got to hear original). I love my '66 reissue Century so much, I may buy a James Bay version, which is similar, but with a Kent Armstrong pickup, and Gibson USA pots-cap-switch. Maybe have flatwounds on one, round wounds on the other? I seriously love thin-line hollow-body guitars, which sound great un-amplified too. The thinner body tames the bass, which accentuating the mids and highs. What do you think.....?

[@Fahmbo]

Still waiting on mine. I come to this video whenever I wanna excite myself. You are awesome mr man. Just awesome. Wish I could learn music from you.

[@NytronX]

This guitar deserves to be built in Montana in the same factory as flagship Gibsons. This guitar cost more money than the most expensive Gibson at the time (the J200/SJ200).

[@ducdanjou7885]

Good lord, that sounds great. Don’t love the way the bridge looks, but that’s the most good-vintage-Gibson sounding new guitar I’ve ever heard.

[@Jacomacca]

I am very impressed with the sound of this guitar and very tempted to get one! But then again you are such a good player you could make any guitar sound good! Thanks for making this review.

[@HavendaleBlvd80]

It's up to 1900 at Long and McQuade. Beauty guitar. That's quite the jump in under a year.

[@moisttoast9834]

Ya and not even a gig bag that's a lot of money when you could be into a used Gibson or other USA brands for less or equivalent value. A Yamaha made in japan is only 2000.

[@joeybuckethead]

Thanks for the tip, JP. Just ordered one and they knocked another 15% off with a special offer they were having thru email...Awesome Deal!! Unfortunately they won't be coming in till Feb

[@stevebernard221]

I have a Frontier FT-110 ordered....this has been delayed significantly.....and they tell me late Feb now. I expect it to be delayed again, lol. Don't be surprised if it takes a while! I hope your guitar is a great one!

[@joeybuckethead]

@@stevebernard221 Thanks for the heads up!

[@rayboyle1511]

I hate to tell you this but I got mine for $799 brand new 😮😊- just before they started raising the price 🤙

[@panayotiscanellopoulos8696]

Lucky and... Excellente choice!!!! 🙂

[@beasheerhan4482]

This guitar is so insanely good. That B minor 6 chord, over the bass E, was so dang scrumptious you, Mr. Cormier, ought be brought up on charges for having played it!

[@lapidarydave]

there were two epiphone exellentes owned by Junior Brown for sale at my local music shop called Strings and Things here in Santa Fe

[@breakandrun70]

Hey J. P: Great review on the Epi, it is a really good sounding guitar, the old ones do sound good. I'm glad to hear that your going out to see my buddies at Acoustic Guitar, talk to them two and three times a day. Told them about you and presto, your on your way. Thanks for the review!!

[@jakepfeiffer8396]

Great review. You were the tipping point for me to pull the trigger. I just very happily ordered this beauty. I wanted to get it from Sweetwater, but unfortunately they weren’t available. Also back ordered on musicians friend, guitar center, American music supply… anywhere I went in the States. Luckily, zZounds had them. I was nervous thinking I’d get an email explaining their lag of details on it not being available. However, the shipping tracking came through instead. 🙏 Get one before they’re gone!! John speaks the truth!!!

[@michaelweinman9051]

JPC : love the channel! Big fans here. While I am a big fan of Epiphones, seems to me the Gibsons still sound a little bit clearer. Both electrics AND acoustics. Funny thing is I don't own any Gibsons. Never have. Never could afford it, really. Played Fender, Takamine, etc. Never a Gibson. Have a cheapo Rogue D-1`8 -ish dreadnaught triple black we got on sale. Took it to NAMM. It's an ok throw around guitar. We mostly play electrics anyway. Cheers JPC. See you at NAMM?

[@jamesdeagle]

You know how to present with style J. P. !! Thank you. James

[@abeellis4470]

What an amazing review Sir. I want one now. I have been looking for an Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500 MCE but I now know to change my search. Thanks for your amazing reviews!

[@andysfishingandflytyingcha2310]

I've just got myself the Epiphone 1942 vintage VOS Banner J45 and it's amazing. I played it and the Gibson J45 which l was prepared to buy. But l walked out with the Epi. On the look out for the Excellente now but they're as rare as hens teeth in the UK. I've found one that l've expressed interest in.

[@guitarhero7518]

I've played it against my Guild d55 and I can say it's at least as good if not a tad better. Greetings from Germany

[@stathkon]

i was waiting long for you to review it. i love my excellente too. i think that generally sounds better than my j 200 gibson. I mean more balanced though its price!

[@stephenbernard1828]

I have been waiting for this vid since I asked you during a string theory episode if you were going to do a review of it. I'm in Newfoundland, I don't know of anyone else here that has one of these. The guitar hung on the wall in the store here for a couple of months....it didn't sell. It didn't sell because of the name on the headstock! When I had enough to buy it, I went to the stop and got it....This guitar is a good guitar.....I have played Gibson's that don't have what this has....and you are right, it is ridiculous. I will also be putting the K&K in and pulling the piezo (I hate piezo). Anyway, thanks for demonstrating this hoss of an instrument. Oh....the pickguard issue....a Gibson rep indicated that they do not apply glue on the pickguard going out the edges of it so that it doesn't squeeze out past the guard when applied.....this is why the edges on most of their guitars are lifted. I don't know if that is the case, but almost every Gibson I have seen with a decent sized pickguard on it, is lifting at the edges!

[@Gratefulman1965]

J.P. I just bought the Masterbilt Frontier, I chose it first due to scarcity but the excellente is next on my list. The excellente even has the waffle back tuners! A very nice vintage touch. Masterbilt Epiphones are incredible guitars. Thanks for this review.

[@stevebernard221]

Hi, what are your impressions of the Masterbilt Frontier?

[@Gratefulman1965]

@@stevebernard221 For the money you cannot go wrong. Guitar has a confident low end and the mid and treble come across very evenly. Fit and finish is top shelf. The only thing I found problematic was one needs to purchase a case separately. As for quality, buying this or any Masterbilt is money well spent, especially when you look at the new Epiphone Montana series USA built that are selling at 3k to 4K new. This particular release of Epiphone Masterbilt all solid wood instruments will become coveted in the near future. Built overseas or not, They are nice.

[@stevebernard221]

@@Gratefulman1965 thanks for getting back to me. I have had one ordered now for some time, hoping it arrives soon. I have the Excellente, and it's one of the best guitars I have ever played. Just put a K&K in it and my god, it's great. I like the Masterbilt series, but especially love the reissues/tributes. Built overseas means nothing to me. Some of the best guitars ever made came from across the pond. You just can't deny their are great builders around the world (not just the USA, lol). I can't wait to get the Frontier.

[@Gratefulman1965]

@@stevebernard221 Many great instruments made overseas for sure! Enjoy that Excellente.

[@rodmackinnon8497]

Great review . . . you know how to sell a guitar . . . certainly seems to have volume and clarity. Cheers.

[@infinitigjj6779]

I just bought one from Guitar Center. It was a back order everywhere and expected arrival is early next year. I am waiting patiently.

[@TommySG1]

Me and two buddies of mine took a trip to Nashville about two weeks ago and checked out all the famous guitar geek spots, one being the Gibson Garage of course too. Anyhow we were missing around with a bunch of guitars and I decided to pick up an Epiphone 12 string in there and this exact thing happened to me ( and all 3 of us! ) the guitar was only $289.00!!!! It’s home with me now and after just a simple string change it’s a canon and a half 😂

[@TommySG1]

PS - The instrument is a Songmaker DR-212. If you haven’t yet….. try one out.

[@AljonGo]

Thank you for another great review. Enjoy your new Epiphones!!! The Excellente is one of my all-time favorites.

[@jeffjohnson2938]

Hey John great review definitely learn a lot from your show .I did order a epiphone inspired by Gibson hummingbird in November and I still waiting for it but the review you did on the inspired line helped me make the decision to buy the hummingbird hope it’s worth the wait

[@stuarthoopfer963]

I am a regular gigging musician and currently playing a Martin DRS-1. Started to look at the Epiphone masterbilts. From your review, this might be it! Thanks for the great review, liked and followed!

[@johntremblay6552]

Mastbilt Frontier for US$800 is amazing. They realized it was worthy of prettier version marketed as IBG for $4k, but sound almost the same. Frontier and Excellante are cousins with different solid woods.

[@kennikuhlmann-clark9860]

I thought 'inspired by Gibson' was only for models that were/are made under the Gibson name... Frontier and Excellent are Epiphone models from the beginning, and never Gibson models..... Excellente, however could be a good candidate for a made in USA model (Sheraton should have a USA model too).

[@johntremblay6552]

@@kennikuhlmann-clark9860 Gibson marketing is really very screwed up and making a mess of the positioning of Epiphone models they own. IBG does indeed seem to be a mid-tier level of certain Gibson guitars, but everything about them including construction/quality seems to be the same as their Masterbilt line that are amazing guitars for the money. The IBS Hummingbird has had amazing reviews similar to all the 3-4 Masterbilt line at the same price/quality point. They have cheaper similar models at a lower price point and then Made in the USA models that are 4-5x the cost of the Masterbilt/IBS line positioned at the high end like many Gibsons.

[@bronzesnake7004]

After I watched this video, a few months back, I called the local music shop in my small lake side town and asked if they could find me one. They had never heard of the either! A few days later I got a call and John from "Connors" told me he managed to order me one, and because I enquired when I did, he was told Epiphone was about to release just 40 Excellentes in all Canada! So, because he called them before they put out the word, it turned out Connors is the ONLY guitar store/shop that's getting one in all Canada!! I assume that means the remaining 39 were bought the day they were announced by private players!! I traded an 2017 Epiphone Casino - a Seagull Maritime and an Epiphone AJ 100 VS for a brand spanking new Excellente which will be here in October!! This guitar is $1.700 plus tax! The second I walked out the door, that guitar will start going up in value because A) Nobody has even heard about them B) Because of folks such as JP freaking Cormier, they're starting to learn about them! C) The fact that Epiphone/Gibson aren't flooding the market with them. Finally) When people find out what this guitar is they will be begging for them!! THANK YOU JPC MY BROTHER!! Jack ~'()'~

[@earlebubar1805]

The review is excellent! One note that was not mentioned is they are using a fully dovetailed join on the neck to body join, again something more common on much higher prices guitars. These are drying up and getting very hard to find. If you can find one buy it.

[@daw162]

they sound superb. They look like they're made by cort. I think I may have replied the same thing on another video that I had a cort D8 gold or whatever they call them. It was an absolute knockout of a guitar that was far stronger than my original dream guitar - a drop shipped D28 basic model. the feel, the neck, the nutwork, even the fretwork was decent - but the volume on my D8 seems to have come from fairly radical reduction in bracing mass and a year later, it had already consumed its bridge height in belly and neck movement. When the D28 didn't satisfy (long before the cort), I'd bought a bourgeois guitar instead - new - it was unbelievable and perfect, but same thing as the cort but over a much longer time period. it would need an adjustment every 5-10 years or so and as a solid body player, I decided not to keep anything on hand until I build my own acoustics. this isn't a diss on these guitars - just something to expect. Once you have a guitar that's open when it's new, if playing a lot, the trade off to get adjustments often is not a big deal. I wouldn't want a more dead version of the bourgeois that had stability at the cost of it's "bigness".

[@daw162]

My point with these is more or less I'll be sitting on the sideline to see how these fare over a year or two, and given how little I play acoustic, if they have this sound and can come closer to the bourgeois stability than what I found with the D8 cort, I'll have to get one sooner or later. there was nothing at all that I could fault cort for on the workmanship on the D8, just the sacrifice of stability for sonic strength. At the time, you could wait for a dealer to clear out a D8 cort with semi-soft case for $500 new. covid has probably changed that.

[@cmroutlaw]

Amazing Video! I went to my local long and mcquade and tried one out, guitar was Fantastic, I'm a big Ernest Tubb fan and he played an original one, but the ONLY thing was disappointing is they jacked the price from $1300 to $1899! For that price I can get a used USA J15 or J35... But at the $1300 was spot on.

[@USNAVDC]

When you just tapped the top of that guitar at about 15:19 you can tell that guitar has some sound from the tap! Just listen to the resonance when you tap that! Awesome!

[@JTWilde]

I just bought the slash J-45 and it's unbelievable!! I'm going to buy the a few of these

[@briwood6328]

It would be cool to see you do an in depth review of the more affordable Yamaha FS 830 and FG 830 👍✌

[@megablazeikenTCG122]

Have you ever hear of the frontier model they make. Same specs as a Gibson dove I believe, except a nice ice tea or natural finish with a ropes and cactus pickguard

[@fazeka]

FYI/FWIW: the 3 piece headstock inlays on these Masterbilts are done EXACLTY how Gibson did the original Excellente's! See the March 2007 issue of Vintage Guitar magazine for more info.

[@PageCrowes]

Im blessed to own the original epiphone excellente my friends from my grandfather who was the original owner. Have the case and all with a pack of old strings in case with strap. Thinks its a 63 or 64. really good shape just a couple cracks with some minor checking man the rosewood looks beautiful all around. Theres an old video on my channel of me showing it and another of me playing it be warned im not that good like this guy and shes not holding tune. I need to make some new videos.

[@donenzoworld-canada9460]

😢JP, after watching this whole video, it made me crave for this..now i have to jeeo looking for this then..it's your fault now..good review from a fellow Canadian eh..cheers and take care

[@paulwidener5691]

great review i have one of these love it. glad you loved it too.

[@Mskenergy]

This one has a bone but and saddle and that’s one of the biggest reasons it sounds so great

[@robertmartin4456]

I remember trading a Gibson dove that sounded pretty good for an old J -45.the new owner reasoned that the tremendously thick pickguard was holding that dove back from it's true potential. It was THICK!!! He was a working guitar repair guy so he carefully removed the pickguard and tastefully replaced it with a thin simulated tortoise facsimile and guess what,the result was a guitar which sounded crappy! After all my years of scoffing at the absurdly heavy Gibson pickguards I had to admit that they must know something that nobody else does.

[@johnthemachine]

Sounds like the dude did more than change a pickguard there.

[@bbbbojangles2737]

Ive never heard of this guitar and I was reserching epiphone SG's. Gorgeous guitar, I can tell the quality is high by the way it rings out in the video. Cheers!

[@borowland5744]

Dang it! your gonna make me buy this thing! I sure do like it.

[@williamstribe4539]

Loretta Lynn is my Hero, I cannot wait to own one of these.

[@thomasmorris2245]

JP - I think that they put thicker pick guards on them so they don’t kill the top line Gibson sales - ( think about it) You could take it off - I bought the J- 45 IBG and the. IBG Hummingbird- ( now maybe this one in the near future- if the Guitar is not stamped. USA - it may have a China sticker on it )

[@jefferyclark351]

Have one ordered but the Eastman e3de has same material and specks you can buy for about 650 . It’s sounds great . Love the bling and history on this one. Mr JP you need to check out Eastman acoustic guitars.

[@oprymusicstore4851]

Awesome john. Waking up the masses bro! Love and respect.

[@daniellichongjing1533]

So glad you reviewed this guitar, great playing sir, if I may ask how does the neck feel compared with other epiphone acoustics?

[@BenPerfetto]

$1300.00. It sells for $1859.00 in Toronto. Went up $559.00, in less than a year. What a big price hike.

[@Ogsonofgroo]

What a beautiful guitar, and some good playing made it better. I think they said that was walnut in the neck,, regardless I am in awe of the build as much as its sound. Good review matey, one day I'd love to upgrade to something similar from my old DR-100 (gotta learn to play it better first), they're about 1900CDN here at the moment, I wonder how long they'll continue these and keep the wood quality up, that ovenkall is absolutely stunning. You have some new subs from BC Canada, cheers!

[@iscovidoveryet7828]

Just curious JP, are you the same Jean Paul Cormier who used to be a guitar teacher in Welland? If so, thanks for being my first "formal" teacher for those few weeks in the winter of the earliest '80's. I've come a long way since.

[@stefanhoock1917]

I bought an Epiphone Excellente from a Dutch guitar shop a year ago for *EUR 998,00* including shipping (= CAD 1488,-), and it's easily THE best-playing & best-sounding and most attractive acoustic guitar that I have ever owned & played in this price range. 🙂 PS - the Epiphone Excellente was designed by Gibson salesman and product demonstrator Andy Nelson in 1963, but it was NOT designed for Loretta Lynn (although she was probably this model's most famous user), as Mr. Cormier claims here... ;-)

[@ronhurt9482]

Love your videos. About the epiphones You are so spot on I have two j45. Slash, I have the hummingbird, master built frontier. I am getting this one tomorrow. I am so excited.