Epiphone AJ-28S

Made in 1998 in Korea. 125th anniversary model, 20 frets, 14 to body. Sloped shoulder D-size, solid spruce top, scalloped and kerfed bracing, mahogany back, sides and neck, bound rosewood fretboard, dot inlays with rectangular inverted abalone "V" 1873-1998 inlay at 12th fret, rosewood upper belly bridge w/white plastic black dot pins, 60's style rosewood veneer headstock with vertical oval inlay, black pickguard with slashed C logo, chrome Gotoh tuners with slashed C logo, white body binding front and back, b-w-b-w-b-w-b top purfling, vintage sunburst finish, 1-11/16" nut width, ~25-1/2" scale, with flat lid wooden HSC with slashed C logo. Model AJ-28S VSB. Serial number RM98M0002. Factory neck block ink stamp 911258. Pretty much the same features as a Gibson Advanced Jumbo which is this guitar's namesake. Differences include mahogany back/sides with center seam marquetry where the Gibson gets rosewood with no marquetry and cheaper tuners on the Epiphone.

While not having the overall volume and note separation of my Gibson Advanced Jumbo this Epiphone AJ-28S does an admirable job in the volume and tone department. Especially at $200 with the case! It has projection and warmth with good harmonics and a nice full midrange that is not muddy or distorted. Middle strings have very round notes with no harsh treble, bass response is more than just adequate but it can't beat the Gibson AJ in this category, but it does keep up well. Treble response is likewise very good with distinct notes and a nice ringing sustain. This guitar is compatible with fingerstyle, strummed vocal accompaniment, bluegrass flatpicking, blues and folk styles; very versatile.

As received the AJ28S had a loose high E tuning peg, one misaligned back center seam cap and a misaligned bridge. Funny thing though is that the guitar has perfect intonation. I'm thinking that the skewed bridge placement may have been intentional. The action is very comfortable, a little low for flatpicking maybe but a good nut and string widths help surefootedness. The neck has a more of a boat shaped C shape and at 1 11/16" wide at the nut is fairly slim. The neck is a little less beefy than the Gibson AJ.
Fit and finish on the guitar were very impressive, it had never been played since it had been made seven years ago and the vintage sunburst was very well executed; the mahogany back and particularly the mahogany sides are just beautifully stained and finished. All the binding, seams and joints were/are tight and bright.

As stated above, the guitar is really 'built' and very sturdily constructed. This is definitely the guitar to take out on the road; it can take it rough and stay in tune although better tuners would be comforting. Because of it's good projection and low cost this AJ knockoff is a workhorse and definitely is up to the task.

No opinion here

Playing 45 years, have too many Gibson acoustics and electrics and am constantly expanding my understanding of what a good guitar consists of. This Epiphone almost goes toe-to-toe with my Gibson AJ and has more tonal warmth to boot. The Gibson cost over $1,800 and this one $202.50 with the case. I love the fact that it is well built has great harmonics, tone and action and the price point is simply amazing. I have tried to compare it honestly with the Gibson AJ and it compares favorably also to my Epi EF-500R and Gibson EC-30 BKE.