Epiphone EL-00 (http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Acoustic-Instruments/Small-Body/Epiphone/EL-00.aspx#disqus_thread)
Has anybody tried one ?
I have GAS for a small bluesy guitar, but unfortunately no money for a Gibson Robert Johnson, nor for a Larrivee P.
I could have this Epi for 230€.
Of course I don't expect it can keep up with a Gibson, but I'd like to know how it is (no shop nearby has it for me to try).
I've been wondering about that one myself. I've tried most of the L-00 versions - cheap and high $ - including Gibson's own re-issue. None match the vintage originals, but I've been just as satisfied with the more modestly priced models. Can't help on the Epi, but if you can find one, Johnson made a 535 that was very inexpensive - got mine for $80 on eBay - and while it's not a jaw-dropping guitar, I'm every bit as satisfied with it as most of the other copies. Good luck!
I just bought a Recording King ROS-06 that has excellent tone and a very decent build for $250 U.S.
I am extremely happy with it for the price. This Epi looks to be a similar build as far as materials so I would give it a try.
I was able to play mine first. Which sold me on it immediately. I would not have blindly ordered one off the internet though.
One other note. Having owned Gibson's and played these Epi's I have found some of them to sound better than the Gibby's. I am not just saying that casually. I went and played the J-45's being produced a year or so ago and found them stifled. The Epi "Masterbilt series" in the same store, which cost a fraction of the J-45 were richer sounding by far to me.
That is not saying that Gibson isn't making some fine guitars, because they definitely are.
I played one a while back and was very favorably impressed. The trouble with the one I played was that it had been dropped and there was a hole punched in the bottom of it near the endpin. And I agree with Danny re Gibson vs Epiphone.
I thin it's a shame what has happened to Gibson over the past several years.
Thanks guys ! I should give it a try. I think you cannot go much wrong with 230€ :smile:
I even saw this one (http://cgi.ebay.it/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350409782521&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_5126wt_1109), very interesting at first, but looking on Washburn page, I understood it has a laminated top.