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Post by dennisobell on Oct 6, 2004 17:28:15 GMT -5
Hey everyone,
I'm looking to get a fairly inexpensive (under 600 USD) accoustic/electric to add to my collection. Being a lefty, my choices are, of course, somewhat limited. After looking at both a Yamaha APX5A and an Ovation CC047 (both pretty darn nice, IIDSSM), I started thinking about the Epi PR5E.
I had a chance to play one (albeit right handed!) at my local store, and thought that it was pretty decent, certainly for the price (about $375). I also love the look of the Florentine-shape cutaway design, a not-too-common feature on A/E guitars. So... I have two questions for anyone out there:
1. Does anybody have any first-hand experience with this model? Your honest opinion would be greatly appreciated.
2. If I do decide to get the guitar, I would certainly want to upgrade/swap the tuners for chrome silver ones (gold tuners-yuck!-are standard). Having never done this before, I would ask "How easy is this?" Are mounting screws on tuners all different and would I therefore have to drill new holes for the aftermarket ones? Could I find good aftermarket tuners to match the O.E. mounting holes? Or, if it is just the finish that bothers me, should I just get the originals re-plated?
Sorry for being so long-winded...Thanks to all of you in advance...
Dennis
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Post by CAFeathers on Oct 6, 2004 20:09:00 GMT -5
Dennis Trust me here, as a fellow lefty. Go to rondomusic.net and look at the Agile HRB-200. I have one and for the price you can not go wrong. I put in a bone saddle which I modified to give me lower action and a set of Dean Markley Flatwound 11's. If you want a name brand I would say Ovation LCS247, or take a look at Takamine. |
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Post by JoMan on Oct 7, 2004 8:57:28 GMT -5
I dont know anything about the Epi PR5E, sorry. But you might also want to have a look at Garrison guitars. As far as I know they make left handed versions of all their models at the same price.
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Post by dennisobell on Oct 8, 2004 11:58:53 GMT -5
Dennis Trust me here, as a fellow lefty. Go to rondomusic.net and look at the Agile HRB-200. I have one and for the price you can not go wrong. I put in a bone saddle which I modified to give me lower action and a set of Dean Markley Flatwound 11's. If you want a name brand I would say Ovation LCS247, or take a look at Takamine. Thanks Chet, The Agile looks pretty interesting; I am definitely going to check it out. I don't know, as nice as the Ovations sound and play, I still cannot get over the design of the sound holes on those models-I must be too much of a traditionalist! I certainly like Takamines-I tried one out recently. Might be out of my price range though. Thanks for the help! Dennis |
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Post by CAFeathers on Oct 8, 2004 12:04:17 GMT -5
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Post by dennisobell on Oct 8, 2004 12:19:23 GMT -5
I dont know anything about the Epi PR5E, sorry. But you might also want to have a look at Garrison guitars. As far as I know they make left handed versions of all their models at the same price. Hey JoMan: I checked out Garrision on the web: All I can say is that if they play as well as they look then I might go for it! I really like how they organize their model choices by construction woods and features. It is also great that all of their models can be ordered either as cutaways, 12-strings and as lefties (too good to be true!). The hardest thing is going to able to find a local dealer to see one in person. Coincidental good news: Music 123 just started carrying them. Their rep said that he can get me a lefty pretty easily. Thanks for the help! Dennis |
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Post by dennisobell on Oct 8, 2004 12:27:51 GMT -5
Very sweet Chet! The top is ash, isn't it? I don't recall seeing that too much on an accoustic (a lot of spuce and cedar). Pretty darn nice. At that price maybe I can think about buying two! Dennis |
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Post by JoMan on Oct 8, 2004 18:00:21 GMT -5
Yes, finding local dealers for Garrisons is probably the most difficult part of it.
I've played three or four of their models, the G-20, (with and without cut and electronics), the G-30 (cut and elec) and the G-40 (cut and elec). All righties of course. And they all played nicely.
Remember, they're all solid wood. If you can live with their bracing system (and it really doesn't sound any worse, no compromise there), you can hardly go wrong.
Just a happier customer's take on it!
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Post by gearhead41 on Oct 20, 2004 21:32:22 GMT -5
I have to agree with Chet. The HRB Agiles will serve you wrll if you are looking for the Ovation sound... |
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Post by Steelpriest on Oct 21, 2004 0:18:40 GMT -5
Really a lovely guitar on that photograph, and again it seems to me that those Agiles are what we in Germany know as Stagg guitars. Our keyboardist who also plays acoustic guitar has such a guitar... By the way, what also caught my eye in that photograph was this nice little bush in the background... From that photograph it´s hard to tell... But, is this wacky tobacci? LOL! ;D |
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Post by CAFeathers on Oct 21, 2004 0:53:14 GMT -5
The little bush is actually what is left of either our peach or plum tree. I can't remember which it is.
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Post by mandough on Oct 21, 2004 8:54:11 GMT -5
;DLOL ;D
Yer tippin yer hand there, Steel ! ! ! Although, I must say, that was my first thought,too, but then I thought maybe ol Chet had some Maters (tomatos for you non-hillbilly types) in his lil patch. If you've never had a home-grown tomato (on white bread, with mayo and cheese--YUM) then you ain't lived yet.
Hey Dennis, check out the "cool tube" acoustics from Takamine. They have a tube in the preamp running around two degrees above the ambient temperature, and would let you warm up a cold amp, or A/B the guitar from an acoustic amp with the tube set low, to a good electric amp when the tube is hot letting you do a credible Jazz box tone.
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Post by CAFeathers on Oct 21, 2004 9:45:55 GMT -5
The Cool Tube Takamine's are quite expensive. I had my Music Store get me a quote and the cheapest one was well over $1,000.00 and quickly approaching $1,500.00
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Post by mandough on Oct 21, 2004 10:27:38 GMT -5
Woah! ! Now I know why they don't advertise the price in the publications. Not as many folks would take a look. The alternative is an acoustic from one of the other fine companies mentioned here, plus a tube preamp. Ibanez has a model with a chromatic tuner in the preamp ( what an innovation---it's about time someone came out with a feature like that. )
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Post by Steelpriest on Oct 21, 2004 16:49:48 GMT -5
If you've never had a home-grown tomato (on white bread, with mayo and cheese--YUM) then you ain't lived yet. Yumm, we have self grown tomatoes... and I add onion rings to this compilation of yours.  |
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