Epiphone PR-350S

I bought this guitar in brand new condition at a pawn shop. Glossy spruce top, mahogany back and sides, black binding, nice rosette around the soundhole, rosewood fretboard, diamond fret markers. Jumbo style acoustic. Grover kidney-bean shape tuners. Thin neck with a V back contour. Came with a hardshell case. Made in the same factory the Epiphone Masterbilt series is made in (USA), year model 2002.

Could have used onboard electronics, but for the price it was a steal.

For my acoustic stuff, I like something that is full, but still has some top end to cut through, since I use a lot of electric guitars in my recordings as well. This guitar fit the task. I had to mic it with two mics, one at the soundhole and one near the nut.

The sound is brighter than I've come to expect from jumbos, perhaps owing to the fact that I am used to playing acoustics with satin finishes that tend to let some of the warmer vibrations come through. Overall, however, the sound is very good.

This guitar was set up and inspected at the Epiphone factory, as indicated by the sticker on the back. The action is lower than I am used to on acoustics, yet even with extra light phosphor bronze strings, there is little fret buzz. Intonation is excellent; diminished and suspended chords up to the 12th fret are spot on. One tuner was loose when I strung it, but was easily fixed with a screwdriver. The strings on it were old, but replacing them made a world of difference.

I can't speak to the durability of the guitar, as I only purchased it a week ago. I have owned several Epiphones in the past, however, and have never been let down.

I have not had to deal with Epi directly about this guitar.

I've been playing guitar for 23 years, mostly doing my own recordings, but I've been in seven bands and have used acoustics on many gigs before. Other acoustics I have owned have been similarly priced, or higher. My most recent acoustic was an Alvarez and this guitar sounds much better. I would definitely purchase this guitar again. I especially like that it came with Grover tuners, because this means I don't have to install them (I have them on all my guitars). This guitar could use some active electronics, but I have mics so it's not a major issue.

Solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard and bridge, slotted diamond inlays, black body binding, tortoise plastic pickguard, chrome Gotoh tuners,natural gloss finish.
Not sure of the year made.

I gave it an 8 only because I'm looking for a particular sound. It has nice sound but just not the one I'm looking for. I put Elixir strings because I prefer their sound to any other which helped. I then replaced the butcher job someone did on the saddle. It was originally plastic, that someone "cut" down to lower the action, basically breaking it in halt both ways. I replace it with a "TusQ" tm and it sounds much better.

Lowered the action with "Tusq", helped a lot.

I play it "open mike" nites. Does OK. Seems like a sturdy guitar.

Been playing 25+ years. I have:
- 1987ish Alvarez 12-string model 51?? - excellent sound
- 2003 Alvarez RD20 - excellent sound
- 1980ish Conn C-10 Classical guitar - "real workhorse"
- Resonator guitar - just plain fun to play
- 1934ish Weymann & Sons Keystone "Banjolin"
- 1980ish American 5-string Banjo
- 1930s Hawaiian Ukulele
- 1967 Silvertone Archtop Guitar - family heirloom
The PR350S is a great guitar, I just might end up keeping it for a while. A friend has an newer Epiphone Hummingbird and prefers my PR350S over his. I am still looking for that particular sound I hear in my head, I haven't tried Martin or Taylor maybe they are next.$$$