Epiphone AJ40TLC

Finish: Natural (Satin, transparent, quilted top, flamed top, etc...)
Body style: AJ = Acoustic Jumbo (ala Gibson); however this one sports a cutaway.
Tuners: Gold Gotoh tuners (covered)
Neck/Scale: don't know
Included Accessories: Hard-shell Case, strap, picks, cheap-ass 1/4" cable (ala Radioshack)
Year: 1998 - 125th Anniversary edition
Origin: don't know where it was made.
# Frets: 20.
Top: solid top.
Electronics/Pickups: built-in bridge piezo pickups w/ Shadow Elecktar preamp both 1/4" and XLR outputs.
Onboard EQ: adjustable low/mid/high EQ, EQ Presets (flat, rhythm, lead, bass), sub-bass filter, feedback suppression.
Wood type(s): spruce top, mahogany neck, sides & split bottom, rosewood fretboard
Has pearl inlay around top edge (surrounded by ivory binding), around sound-hole and around 14th fret (which is a 125th anniversary inlay on fretboard).

It was far ahead of any other model/brand at the shop. Crystalline mid-highs and pretty punchy mid. Can't complain about lacking in bass as it's a thin guitar depth-wise. I personally have a strong distaste for bridge pickups in general but this one surprised me! I usually use the "flat" preset or "lead" and have found the feedback kill switch a life saver on more than one occasion. This guitar has been used to play swing jazz, country, blues, rockabilly, and new-wave (believe it or not!).

The original set up was so good it brings tears just remembering it. The tears come because we had a lot of humidity change (I lived in a dorm) and with winter coming I learned right quick how to make use of the truss rod. Top, bridge, neck, all of it perfect when I bought it. I've played light and medium gauge strings on it, but I like medium the best...

This guitar as been in well over two dozen live gigs (outdoors, small venue, mid-size theaters). I've had no problem with rust on any of the metal components. The finish is remarkably shiny given the use it's had. I did drop it once when my shoulder strap came undone while playing on concrete, so the headstock bears a little gash near the top, but even there the gouge barely made it through the finish and only a little of the bare wood got exposed. After this I had another strap button drilled in so it wears more like an electric (as opposed to tying the strap under the nut and straining the neck). This is a dependable acoustic that can hold its own on stage. The only place I've had issues is around campfires when there's half a dozen other acoustics that aren't the shallow-body type that this is. Then it's hard to stand out, volume wise. I would use it and have used it without backup, but only because I'm poor and can't afford to buy backup anything. I think the only backup I own is a #2 pencil and that's for tests...

Got the 1/4" jack repaired after it came loose from overuse. Had the neck professionally adjusted (truss rod) a few times until I learned how to do it myself...by which time I didn't live in the dorms anyway. Had the nut replaced due to wear. That was all under warranty. Since then I've had Mark Erlewine put in the above-mentioned shoulder strap button, and sand down around the frets a little. The repairs were all local and I never had to call the company, so no basis for opinion, there.

I've been toying with guitars for 15+ years and have played several other acoustics (friends' guitars, you see). Even if I had the cash, I doubt I'd ever get rid of this guitar as it's got a really nice sound for recording and holds up well in concert. I do wish I'd done more price-comparisons, though, because at $489.00 this was probably marked-up. No, it was *definitely* marked-up. Since then, though, I've only purchased online so I guess I've saved...

If it were lost or stolen I'd hunt down the thief and challenge him or her to a jam-session. If the thief were good enough, then we'd start a band together and rule the world. Otherwise I'd scold the thief but compliment him/her on their taste.

I'm not one for looks but this guitar is beautiful. It's like Epiphone tried for one brief moment not to be a subsidiary of Gibson, stuck making the 'cheap version' of everything and remembered its golden era of craftsmanship. I wouldn't be surprised if these were custom/hand made, given the accuracy of the fittings and decorations.

I wish it had a fishman rare blend pickup instead, but only because my preference is against piezo sound. It's amazing that folks are selling theirs online for $200 or $300 because I'm certain if I hadn't dented my headstock it could easily pull $500 or $600 in another 5 - 10 years.

Cutaway body-natural finish spruce top- mahogany sides and split back- gold Gotoh tuners- ivory banding- mahogany neck with rosewood fretboard- abalony inlay around hole and body- Shadow Elecktar preamp with bridge piezo pickups- Commemorative 1998 model- 20 frets. Very nice looking guitar!

I think that the sound unamped is very rich, especially midrange. That is why I bought it. Nothing in the shop compared to the tone of this guitar. Amplified it is even better. The Shadow preamp has a setup for custom balances of bass-mid-treble and brightness or you can choose presets bass-lead-rhythm-flat. It even has a subbass control and antifeedback switch. I can't compare it to other preamps, but it works very nicely.

The action was a little too high. I tightened the truss rod and even shaved the plastic bridge, which you have to be careful of so that it still contacts the pickup properly. Now I love it! Everything else was perfect.

Can't comment on live performance durability and reliability, though I think it should hold up as well as any acoustic. It certainly stays in tune!

Never had to deal with them.

I am totally an amateur player, but have been playing for 20 years. I have owned Conn, Yamaha, Aria, and Alvarez guitars, classical and acoustic. I would certainly buy it again if it was stolen. The Jumbo Alvarez is the only guitar I have that gives it a run for its money in tonal richness. Alvarez wins on bass resonance, but then the AJ40TLC is a winner when amplified. I also love the cutaway and the slimness of the depth of the body for playing comfort.