Epiphone AJ-18S

My AJ-18S was the EB model, which I assume stands for ebony since it's black. I don't know the country of manufacture, but Epiphone put a sticker on the back of the headstock that says Inspected and Set Up in the US. As previously noted, AJ-18S is a pretty standard lower priced dreadnought. A few of the nicer upgrades are a bound body and neck, six inlays on the fretboard, and relatively effective no-name tuners: not the best, but they keep the guitar in pretty good tune. I would say the action is medium on mine. I use at least 10 or 11-gauge strings to get a little more volume and tone. I added a Martin piezo-type passive pickup which works well. (I've used some Seymour Duncan Sadducers on other acoustics ... like SD a bit better). I've always wondered why acoustics almost come with a strap nut on the neck. Do manufacturers think we're always sitting when we play an acoustic??? I always have to add one, a minor expense but an annoyance.

I bought the AJ-18S (barely) used and have owned it for about a year and a half. I consider the all around tone to be full and balanced. Not bright - not muddy. New strings, especially medium gauge, will produce a bit more volume and tone. Since I added the passive pickup, the variety of sounds available thru my Fender Acoustasonic make this guitar a lot more versatile. I did not ask my luthier to make a compensating adjustment in the saddle, so the piezo did have the effect of raising the action slightly. Finally, I detect a gradual improvement in the tone of the guitar as it ages. 18 months isn't very long, but I leave it hanging on a wall hook so the wood ages a little faster than staying in a case.

Overall fit and finish is quite good for a guitar in this price point: medium action, good fit and finish on the hardware, nut and bridge. Not quite as much lacquer as you often see on Asian made product (IMO that's a good thing in an acoustic). I think the Asian factories are catching on quickly to what pickers expect to see, even in a less expensive guitar. No, you won't see bone nuts and saddles, ebony fretboards, or fancy abalone inlays at this price, but it is amazing just how much you can get for your money when the labor going into it probably is only paid a couple of dollars a day.

I'm not a pro, but I doubt if many performers would be satisfied with the AJ-18S as a stage instrument. It's a good beginner-intermediate practice level guitar that feels built to last a long time. It could serve as a decent backup axe for the budget-minded.

Purchased used (stamped "Used" on back of headstock)...so no warranty.

I'm a 40+ years guitar "hobbyist" with 30 guitars ranging from a J-200 to some no-name electrics, a banjo, uke, and mandolin. I just love looking at guitars all over my house and playing each one occasionally. Have about 10 acoustics which either came with pickups or I've installed piezo's (except the Gibson). For some reason my wife hasn't put out a contract on me yet, although I may be approaching the maximum axes she can stand. The AJ-18S is a really nice looking, good-sounding instrument that I would not hesitate to recommend to any beginner or intermediate player. I do think a piezo pup gives the guitar a far wider variety of sound capability and is well worth the modest investment. The AJ-18S is definitely a good value for the money.

This one was born in 98. It has 20 medium sized frets that are smooth and nicely polished. The top is spruce in a natural finish and the fretboard is rosewood.

This guitar has a very even and slightly loud presence. Unlike the other reviewer I was able to play mine before I purchased it. It was the best sounding and easiest playing of the lot. By that I mean this was not the only AJ-18s the dealer was selling. I think it has a great sound and is extremely versatile.

Great setup. Good fit and finish.

I've taken it all across the nation in all different types of weather and it's been a "road warrior".

I've been playing for 25 years and have 4 Les Pauls a G&L Legacy and an Epiphone G-1275 double neck.

If it were stolen or lost I would buy another one only if I had the chance to play it first. As I mentioned above the tones and playablity was different even between the same model numbers.

I have loved playing it over the past years and am a little surprised I have grown tired of it. At the price I paid I could not be happier.

Okay, This is a nice looking guitar and for $229 at musiciansfriends you get more than what you pay for- I guess. Solid top spruce, sloped shoulders,gold grovers tuners, A really high setup. Could hardly play bar chords, Inlays on the neck

Very lightweight, thick finish on the natural

Sound is good throughout all registers, Although the fret buzz and the high action was pissing me off. I think if you buy this guitar, you will have to get it setup. Reading most of the reviews, there are problems in buzz and action. I ended up taking mine back.

thick sturdy finish deadens sound, It's also a way to hide imperfections in the wood..what did you expect from a $200 guitar

mine had scratches in the wood underneath the finish...Damn you Epiphone!

Action was way too high for me. Number 26 at factory must have been a wrestler.

Fit is nice and big, Advanced Jumbo ,

My rating is very poor

Its Durable, I can't say its reliability because I took it back.

Musicansfriend are great people, took it back, paid for return shipping, FedEx picked it up at my door.

Thanks
musicianfriends

Do yourself a favor and save headaches by checking out the Godin line of Canadian Guitars, Seagull,Norman,Simon and Patrick. For a little more, you get high quality handmade stuff
and not a garbage Korean guitar made by an underpaid worker. By the way Epiphones are really made by Samick not Gibson.

I took my AJ18s back and now getting a Martin for a few hundred more
Beginner Bullsh#t -get a good guitar that makes you want to pick it up, it will love you back. Martins Seagull Talors hold thier value and increase over the years.

thanks for listening