Epiphone Masterbilt Excellente - Natural
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Free Setup Included
In addition to the benefits of the Performance Warranty, we offer one complimentary setup with the purchase of a new or used guitar, to be redeemed at any Long & McQuade location within the initial free-warranty period (1-year on new, 90-days on used).
This Includes:
- Restring (Strings not included).
- Tighten and lubricate all hardware.
- Clean and test electronics.
- Replace battery if needed (Battery not included).
- Adjust or rehang loose wiring.
- Clean and condition the fingerboard.
- Fret polish to remove minor scratches, pits and corrosion.
- Cleaning of the entire instrument.
- Adjust truss-rod to correct neck relief.
- Adjust saddle radius to match fingerboard.
- Adjust action at bridge.
- File nut slots for proper string movement.
- Adjust intonation.
- Adjust tremolo bridge setting to player's preference.
- Add/remove trem-springs as needed (Parts not included).
- Adjust pickup balance.
- Full inspection and play test.
Long & McQuade Performance Assurance
Buying a new instrument is an exciting event and we want to ensure that every instrument we sell comes exactly how the manufacturer intended it to be. That is why Long & McQuade performs a quality control check for every stringed, brass, and woodwind instrument over $99 ordered online at Long-McQuade.com.
Our team of experienced staff will unbox your instrument and perform a detailed inspection to ensure it leaves our warehouse looking and playing great with our QC card signed and dated for your peace of mind.
We work hard to source the best instruments from around the world from the finest brands. It is important to us that you are completely satisfied with your new instrument purchase from day one onwards.
Stringed Instrument Performance Assurance Checklist
Unlike our free set-up, which is included within the first year of purchase, this process is done to have the instrument set to the factory specs rather than to each player's feel or preferences.
We look after the following:
- Inspect finish and hardware.
- Check electronics to make sure everything is in working order. Check batteries on active pickups.
- Inspect strings.
- Inspect frets and fretboard.
- Check truss rod. Adjust for bow and relief.
- Tune instrument to manufacturer's specified tuning.
- Check/set action height.
- Stretch strings and re-tune instrument and ensure machine heads are working well.
- Check for fret buzz by playing every note.
- Check/set intonation.
- Check/set pickup height.
- Cleaning and professional repacking.
Specifications
Body
Body Shape: Excellente
Body Material: Solid Ovangkol
Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
Back: Solid Ovangkol
Side: Solid Ovangkol
Binding: Ivory and Black 6-ply (top) and 4-ply (back)
Finish: Aged Gloss
Neck
Material: Maple with 5 piece Walnut and Maple center stripe
Profile: C Profile
Scale Length: 25.31" / 643mm
Fingerboard Material: Ebony
Fingerboard Radius: 12.01"
Number Of Frets: 20
Frets: Medium Jumbo
Nut Material: Bone
Nut Width: 1.69" / 43mm
Inlays: Excellente Clouds, 15th fret Block
Joint: Tapered Dovetail
Hardware
Finish: Gold
Tuner Plating: Gold
Bridge: Ebony; Excellente shape with pearl dot inlays
Saddle Material: Bone
Tuning Machines: Gold Vintage "Waffleback" tuners with metal buttons
Pickguard: Historic Excellente
TrussRod: Adjustable
Bridge Pins: Ivory with black center dot
Strap Buttons: 2 - bottom and side of heel
Electronics
Under Saddle Pickup: Fishman Sonicore
Controls: Fishman Sonitone soundhole mounted Volume and Tone
Output Jack: 1/4" Endpin Jack
Preamp: Fishman Sonitone
Specifications
| Acoustic Pickup Type: | Undersaddle Pickup |
| Back & Sides: | Ovangkol |
| Back/Sides Finish: | Aged Gloss |
| Binding: | 6-ply top, 4-play back |
| Body Colour: | Antique Natural |
| Body Features: | None |
| Body Finish: | Aged Gloss |
| Body Shape: | Dreadnought - Square Shoulder |
| Bracing: | Info Unavailable |
| Bridge Material: | Ebony |
| Bridge Style: | Excellente w/Pearl Dots |
| Case/Gigbag: | Purchased Separately |
| Country of Origin: | China |
| Cutaway: | No |
| Features: | 2 Strap Buttons |
| Fingerboard: | Ebony |
| Fingerboard Inlay: | Excellente Clouds, 15th Fret Block |
| Fret Profile: | Medium Jumbo |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" / 305 mm |
| Included: | None |
| Instrument Size: | Full |
| Neck Body Join: | Tapered Dovetail |
| Neck Body Join-Fret: | 14th Fret |
| Neck Material: | Maple w/ 5-piece Walnut + Maple Centre Strip |
| Neck Shape: | C |
| Number of Frets: | 20 |
| Number of Strings: | 6 |
| Nut Material: | Bone |
| Nut Width: | 1.692" / 43.00 mm |
| Orientation: | Right |
| Pickguard: | Yes |
| Pickup/Preamp: | Fishman Sonitone |
| Preamp EQ: | Yes |
| Scale Length: | 25.314" / 643 mm |
| String Gauge: | 0.12-0.53 / 12's / Light |
| String Type: | Steel |
| Top Material: | Sitka Spruce |
| Tuner: | No |
| Tuning Machines: | Gold Vintage Waffleback w/metal Buttons |
Q & A
Reviews
I found myself searching for something in the 1000 dollar range that wasnt too exclusive. That's when I bumped into the Epiphone Excellente at my Local L&M Store in Bedford NS. At first I was stunned by it's looks, it drew me across the room. I'd already played the masterbuilt Frontier and almost pulled the trigger on it as I love Sunbursted acoustics, but for some reason left it to be sold to someone else. I've always considered Epi's to be the cheaper knockoffs of Gibson models and never paid much attention to them as most guitar snobs tend to do. Anyway, I picked this guitar off the wall and I couldnt beleive how heavy it was! It weighed almost as much as a Les Paul! But then I strummed it and instantly I knew this was no cheap guitar. It wouldnt be fair to compare it to a Gibson or Martin as it has its own voice. It's not a rich, lush or deep sounding acoustic guitar and at first sounded a bit tight and subdued. But after a moment I realized it was one of the most awesome guitars I've ever played. It's midrange and sustain is like no other guitar I'd ever heard. Reminiscent of a nice D28 but not the same.
I left the store dreaming about the guitar and started watching other reviews on YouTube, and reading up on the history of the guitar. Local Legend, JP Cormier was gushing about the guitar on one of his YouTube videos and I became facinated with it. I strolled into another L&M in Halifax and there was another one. But just like Gibsons or likely any handbuilt guitar, It didnt seem to have the mojo and I somehow didn't feel the same connection to it.
Then that night, I heard about the passing of our beloved Loretta Lynn and the next day I went back to Bedford to the first one and bought it feeling even more of a connection to the guitar.
This guitar is not cheap. It is $2000 taxes in in Canada and I am dissapointed that they dont ship with a nice custom case. Thats one reason why I only gave it a (4) for value. The other reason is that it comes equipped with a fishman pickup that doesnt do the guitar any favours plugged in. I L&M's whiz guitar tech, Doug Sampson, install my go to system, an LRBaggs Element pickup at my expense. This put my guitar well in excess of $2500.00 with a case.
I love, love, love this guitar and where it sounds better than almost everything I own is in front of my studio mic. I use a few decent quality mics, including a Neumann TLM 103. No excess lows or 'wool' to pull out of the eq. The highs are right where they need to be but whats most special is the midrange balance, sustain and projection a couple feet away. A flatpickers dream! I am only a strummer myself and this guitar begs for a light touch. the guitar does all the work. I play Elixer 12s and tend to tune down a half step. This guitar will never replace my Custom Songwriter as my #1 or my prized Gibson Custom Shop Hummingbird 12 string. In fact it doesnt replace any of my guitars. It does, however, stand proud on it's own and since I bought it 4 months ago, its all I play at home and in my studio. Once I get a practical case for it may become my number one gig guitar.
.......I never put this guitar down
She was worth the wait, a great value in a rare, hard to acquire guitar, which I am confident with become a collectors item in the future. The tone is impeccable and this Masterbuilt Epiphone is worth every dime.
The only downside is she does not come with a Epiphone Edread hard case. I ended up ordering the case from the U.S,,
Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty
A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.
Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.
How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
- Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
- Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
- No Lemon Policy: Your product will be replaced should the same problem occur multiple times.
- Convenient: Easy drop off and pick up of the product at any Long & McQuade location.
- Guitar Setup: Guitars purchased at Long & McQuade come with 1 free setup, to be redeemed within 1 year for new guitars and 90 days for used guitars.
- Loaners Available: A loaner product may be given while the product is being repaired.
- Power Surge Protection: Your product is covered even if damaged from a power surge.
- Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.
- Commercial Use Coverage: Music and recording professionals who purchase gear for “heavy-use” commercial purposes will still be covered.
Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.
Purchasing additional years of coverage
Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.
If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:
- NEW products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- USED products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to increase the warranty from 3 months to 1 year. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- GUITARS: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year. $45 maximum. An additional free setup is not included with additional purchased years of Performance Warranty.
- BAND and ORCHESTRAL instruments: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
Great Additions
Reserve in Store
| Product | SKU | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Masterbilt Excellente - Natural | 725733 |
