Epiphone J-45 EC Studio Review

Arrived in tune

Plays and sounds good. Stays in tune even better. The binding looks nice. Very happy with this new tool for solo shows. I am more of an electric player when I play in bands but for the few solo shows I do every month this is a welcome replacement.

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Excellent Build Quality, Playability, and Value

I was fortunate enough to get one of the last remaining Mahogany Burst models and the "look" is one of the nicest I've seen at any price point. The dark brown body finish reveals just enough of the wood grain to please. It flows well to the top blending into a more transparent finish that shows off the top grain very nicely. The fit and finish are flawless. It's a shame Epiphone… read more is no longer offering it in this very beautiful unique finish. One thing that surprised me is that acoustically the guitar has less low end than I would have expected from a body style that is essentially a round shouldered Dreadnought. While this may disappoint some it actually helps a great deal when amplified. It lacks the "boominess" of many other large bodied models that needs to be dialed out when performing or recording. The low end is there when amplified but much cleaner, tighter, and more piano like. The Fishman pickup and Presys II preamp are a cut above what might typically be found in an acoustic in this price range and the overall tonality is nicely balanced across the board. Played through a quality acoustic amp or PA it's sounds great. I typically use a 7 band graphic EQ and a TC BodyRez effect with my acoustics to provide a bit more control over their voicing and the BodyRez provides a more natural close mic'd like body resonance. Any cons such as neck profile and scale length are minor niggles revolving primarily around personal preference and don't reduce the value of this model. But it would be nice if Epiphone saw fit to use a bone nut and bridge as and use the same Grover tuners used on the J-45 model even if it increased the price a bit. The stock 14:1 tuners are somewhat imprecise. Also, move the preamp to the top of bout so it can be seen more easily. As always Sweetwater's order processing and shipping were lightning fast. So a tip of the hat to those guys and to my rep Ian McGhee who has taken care of every order I've ever placed, even the smallest, in a very cordial and professional manner. This has resulted in my doing ever more business with Sweetwater because they're earned it.

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Beautiful tone.

Received this guitar a few days ago. This guitar has a beautiful tone. The Fishman electronics produce a large crisp sound which makes this guitar compatible to a way more expensive model. This is my second Epiphone guitar. Very happy with both guitars. I had the setup done by Sweetwater as well as the nut upgrade. Well worth it. The personal are easy to work with.

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For four times the money there's nothing better

Purchases guitar to go on vacation Charlotte have a guitar that could be shipped that I wouldn't worry about... What a deal!... I added a bone nut and a full setup from Sweetwater... This guitar please like and sounds like it's Gibson counterpart for much much less money! This is a great guitar even if the price was double! Stays in tune... Beautiful sound... Comfortable to play!...

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Great Deal, Great Value, Great All Around

Wonderful guitar, it really exceeded my expectations. Shipped in 2 days and was ready to play the moment I opened the box. GREAT DEAL... this guitar should easily be a 6 or 7 hundred dollar guitar... I recommend getting the hard case. It is an extra but one that is worth buying. All around wonderful product.

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Don't be on the Fence About This One!

I was looking for an inexpensive back up guitar. I was bouncing back and forth between the Epi AJ220SCE and the Yamaha FGX820C Dreadnought Cutaway and both had very similar spec's. What one me over was the price difference, but once it arrived it sounds every bit as good as a $1,500 acoustic I have and plays even nicer. I love the tone and this guitar particularity sounds great… read more when I play any of the Eagles songs. The finish on the guitar is excellent the only thing you need to be aware of is that the end pins are larger than standard. The neck end pin is 3/8" od and the tail pin is 7/16 so if you plan on buying a strap you will need to find one to fit the end pins or make larger holes.

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Beginner- Never Played Guitar

I've only been playing this for about a week and a half... don't have anything to compare to, but so far this is a great guitar! I do like how easy it is to tune. I'm learning something new every day! Sweetwater's customer service is outstanding!! Next time I need something for my guitar (or maybe an upgrade in the future)- Sweetwater is the first place I will look! :)

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Owner since early 2018

I've owned or played just about everything out there...except an epiphone acoustic. I contacted Mickey Cushing and ordered this guitar with the epi case {and paid the extra for their professional setup). What a bargain! First off, Mickey is a very knowledgeable AND personable guy. And the guitar...what a gem! These Indonesion guitars are simply unbelievable. Aesthetically they are… read more perfect, the necks are slim and fast, and the electronics are better than what are in my Taylor 414ce. Now the projection is a little weak...but for the money I can't say enough about these guitars. I've been playing well over fifty years and this guitar goes down as one of my favorites!

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Soooooo Sweet!!!

I pulled the guitar out of the boxes and packing material. There was not a fingerprint or smudge of any kind on it anywhere! The strings sounded incredibly fresh as they were brushed by the soft protective cover as I pulled that off of the guitar. I gave it a slow strum with my thumb ... it was not only in tune but intonated!! How's THAT for quality service?!?! Thank you David… read more Merkosky, my Sales Engineer, for your help with the process and being so patient with me and my indecisiveness. This is one of several Epiphones I purchased throughout the years and they still continue to impress me for the price and quality. Thank you again, David!! Much Peace to you and yours.

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Even better in person!

This is my 2nd sweetwater order. The service is amazing. The guitar arrives packed perfectly and in tune. The sales staff are great to deal with. The guitar has a rich and warm tone. The neck feels wondeful and the ivory trim reall offsets the black finish. If you are on the fence I would say " go for it." It is ready to play out of the box. I tried it though a marshall… read more amp quickly and it was great; the pre amp is easy to use. Why buy somewhere else and have to pay a set up fee. For the price I think it is a great deal and I have a feeling will be my new "go to" acoustic.

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Awesome guitar!

I just bought this guitar and is my best choice i was looking a mid budget guitar and did my search on every brand, i took my time reading the comments and also watch the videos of differents models at the and i ask the opinion to a sweetwater expert and his answer was totally nice so now i have this guitar with me. Totally happy with this guitar and with the sweetwater experience… read more this guys are awesome fast shipping and nice customer service.

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AJ-220sce What a guitar!

I was looking for a nice guitar and this Epi was exactly what I was looking for. What a real beauty! The sounds coming from this instrument is beyond words. Sweetwater service in the best anywhere. I will definitely be a repeat customer!

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Guitar

Guitar very nice plays very good love the on board tuner play on radio and church case was very nice also

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