Epiphone AJ-200E

This model was made in China. Who cares. It's still an Epiphone. Simply good business sense. This model has a sunburst finish. With a very high gloss shine to the finish. Just has a nice clean feel and look. All wood. Mahogany sides and back. Spruce top. Same as review above. Piezo pickup. no volume/eq controls.

Suits my style of music perfectly. Rock/pop, whatever the moods fits. Mainly purchase as an affordable kick around guitar(not literally), around the house, record with. Has a decent bright sound with enough lows. Some medium strings might put a little more umph in the lows.

The action was acceptable from the factory, however, with a proper set up at Guitar Center, and a set of D'Addario EXP16 strings... there was a substantial improvement in the overall action, sound, and playablitily of this guitar. I give it a 9 only after the set up, which added an additional $50 to the cost.

Seems sturdy enough right now. Stays in tune pretty well. Time will tell. I would use it for a gig. A great reasonably priced accoustic to tote around.

Just bought it. The warranty is for 1 year.

Been playing off and on for over 16 years. Was using a even cheaper classical guitar until now. I own several Gibson electrics. Before making this purchase I read a lot of reviews, as well as try every thing in a couple different stores, twice, before deciding on this Epiphone. Martins, and Taylors where nice, but couldn't validate paying 3 times the price for one that wasn't a laminate guitar. Wasn't impressed enought to buy their lower end models. I was simply drawn to the Epiphone. No regrets so far.

This is an update of my previous review of the AJ200E. I bought two more of these online for use with an overseas service project (we will take them with us, use them while there, and leave them). These two AJ200Es varied from the first one I bought (earlier review): the neck profile is more like a Casino, not quite a 60s Les Paul slim taper, but close. The neck on the first was quite a bit more rounded and more comfortable (for me). The neck is also a bit narrower than the 1-11/16" nut width of the first guitar reviewed. Confirming that it is indeed a different neck is the fact that the trussrod adjustment in the second two I ordered is via the soundhole, while the guitar reviewed earlier adjusts via the headstock. All three guitars have solid wood tops, sides, and back, and X-braced construction for the top, and are very toneful. There seems to be a bit of variance in how these are being put together, though, so take this in mind if you decide to order one.

2004 -- Made in China -- Standard round shoulder Gibson AJ Dreadnaught -- all solid woods (mahogany body & neck, spruce top on X-braced construction[?!]) -- double bound body and bound neck -- dot inlays -- nice multi-ringed rosette -- "marbled" brown toned pickguard -- passive but lively under-saddle pickup -- real Grover tuners -- medium width, medium height frets -- 25.5" scale neck w/rosewood fretboard & dot inlays... SUPER set of features for the price. Wow.

Really sort of surprising here -- nice, full, deep, resonant tones with very nice chimey sustain. Full chording, AND very nice string definition. Wow. I thought guitars made in China weren't allowed to sound like this. Geez.

Again, "was this guitar really made in China?" Everything is really good here. No obvious visible flaws whatsoever, and obviously good quality materials used in the construction of the guitar.

Have no clue as yet -- but have no reason to expect that there will be difficulties. I will use it (or someone in my band will use it) live from time to time. I always have a backup, even for my Rickenbackers.

Don't know. Gibson has always been responsive to my inquires, but I've never dealt with Epiphone on a customer service level (and I have owned several Epis -- that probably tells you something, eh?).

Geez, folks. This is unbelievable for $150. I own and regularly play a real deal J-45 (super guitar). I also own and play a Larrivee L-03E and have owned an L-09. Larrivees are outstanding guitars, no question. I have owned a couple of Taylors (not my bag, but nice guitars). I regularly play around on a Martin D-28 that a co-worker owns. In other words, I have some decent experience with nice acoustics. This AJ200E, made in China and bought "sight unseen" from MF, impresses me. Go figure. I guess this is proof positive that guitars are individuals and sometimes even a cheapie can be a gem. This guitar does have a list price of $500. If you're looking for a "knock-around" acoustic and don't want to spend much $$$, grab one of these before they run out.