Table of contents

A few crucial specs that matter.

The first thing to say is this guitar is a quality build. The guitar is constructed using solid wood. In addition, Mahogany is used for the back and sides, along with a solid Sitka spruce top. Furthermore, the back incorporates a beautiful strip of center parquetry that divides the back of the guitar.

  • A Solid Sitka Spruce top with an elegant soundhole rosette.
  • A rosewood bridge
  • Bone nut
  • Machine Heads Grover Sta-Tites vintage style 18:1 ratio
  • Scale Length 25.5″
  • 20 medium frets
  • Two input jacks: Input one for a blend of both pickups. In addition, Input Two splits both pickups.
  • A tuner is built into the electronic control panel. Furthermore, the sound mutes when input is being used.

Epiphone Masterbilts beginnings.

The Epiphone Masterbilt series began with the De Luxe, debuting in 1931. As a matter of fact, the name Masterbilt was a take on Gibson’s Mastertone and Master Models. Another key point is that Epiphone was a significant competitor in the early 20th century. As noted, today’s Epiphone Masterbilts series reflects the instruments built in the 1930s. However, today’s Masterbilts use the time’s traditional construction techniques and instrument finishes.

As a consequence, a brand new Vintage instrument. Furthermore, it offers all the tonal and visual appointments used in the 1930s. Again, other guitars in the price range use artificial woods with pressed back and sides. The DR500MCE does not. 

Archtop Acoustic guitar

Epiphone Masterbilt Deluxe Acoustic Archtop 1931.

Epiphone-DR500MCE features

Tone Quality

Unplugged, the all-solid Mahogany back and sides combined with the Solid Sitka Spruce top produce shimmering highs and sweet trebles. Furthermore, it has beautiful rich deep lows and a well-balanced midrange. Plugged in, the Shadow’s NanoFlex NanoMag and under-saddle pickups allow for plenty of versatility.

In addition, the control panel allows any potential feedback to be nulled with the press of the phase switch. Furthermore, the control panel has controls for stereo blend for two pickups and tone controls. However, there are no individual controls for the treble, bass, and mids. Also, the two-pickup system offers plenty of versatility for playing in any acoustic environment or amplification system. 

The neck and body

The DR-500MCE is a dreadnought single-cutaway acoustic-electric with a scale length of 25.5″. Furthermore, the satin-finished mahogany neck is constructed using Epiphone’s “SlimTaper D profile.” Indeed, the neck is fast and very comfortable. In addition, the neck meets the body at the 14th fret. Equally important is a compound dovetail joint glued to the body.

Guitar Finish and appointments

Epiphone-DR500MCE acoustic guitar

Epiphone-DR500MCE acoustic guitar

Equally important, the guitar is adorned with subtle, minimalistic vintage-style appointments. In essence, they complement an overall stylish vintage look.

  • The choices are vintage sunburst or natural.
  • A rosewood fretboard
  • Fretboard markers are Pearloid split diamond inlays.
  • The pickguard is a classic imitation tortoiseshell.

Back and sides

Additionally, the guitar features all-solid back and sides construction. 

Machine heads

Machine Heads Grover Sta-Tites vintage style 18:1 ratio 

Playability

In short, the guitar lends itself to all popular playing styles. In particular, Flatpicking, fingerstyle, light, and aggressive strumming also.

Warranty

The verdict

Pros

The first thing to remember is this electric acoustic is a gig-ready instrument. Overall, the eSonic-2 Stereo preamp system delivers when plugged in. In addition, acoustically, the excellent tone is typical of the mahogany and spruce tonewood combination.

Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the vintage Masterbilt DR-500MCE is an incredibly versatile quality acoustic guitar. In addition, it lends itself to almost any playing situation. Furthermore, you can take it camping, on stage, and play it acoustically or plugged in. Overall, this is a guitar that lives up to all the hype. It does deliver and won’t empty the bank account. I love mine; it’s a keeper.

See our review of the Epiphone DR-100

References

1. Epiphone | History. Epiphone.com. https://www.epiphone.com/History. Published 2015. Accessed July 3, 2020.‌
1. Epiphone | Wikiwand. Wikiwand. https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Epiphone. Published 2020. Accessed July 3, 2020.