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Epiphone Banjo Pickers

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Where Epiphone players can come and talk about strings, setup and other tweaks to get the best tone/sound from their banjo

72 Members, Created 11/26/2011 -

Administrators: MightyMOBanjo (owner)

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From Jane C on 4/20/2012 5:53:44 AM

Hi I'm new to this group, I bought myself an Epiphone MB250 almost a year ago for my birthday, upgrading from a Fender FB54. Mine is not a 'masterbuilt' it's just Epiphone, with the Epsilon symbol on the peghead plate. I think it means it wasn't built in the US? Is there supposed to be a quality difference?

Good to meet you all.

8 Comments
	RB4picker says: 4/20/2012 6:32:23 AM I think all the Epiphones are Asian. Gibsons competitive brand. David
	RB4picker says: 4/20/2012 6:32:30 AM I think all the Epiphones are Asian. Gibsons competitive brand. David
	MightyMOBanjo says: 4/20/2012 8:40:00 AM I thought that all MB250 are Master Built. That is what the MB stands for. My MB 250 is like everything else is made in China.
	Klondike Waldo says: 4/20/2012 9:57:32 AM Epiphones have not been built in the USA for decades. My MB 200 bottlecap is Chinese as well and has the epsilon on the truss rod cover. It's a lot like a Fender FB 54 but with better hardware and lower price. My wife likes the sound of it aot better than other more expensive banjos, but then I've tweaked it a lot- Renaissance head, bridge, new J hooks and a wooden "Tone ring" inside the aluminum pot.
	Jane C says: 4/20/2012 11:00:37 AM I guess a rose by any other name . . . It still sounds sweet, and a helluva lot better than the Fender.
	Vapor says: 4/23/2012 8:33:33 PM I really like my MB-250.
	Jane C says: 4/24/2012 4:06:45 AM I like mine better now the head has been tightened, and I bought a really tight, sharp thumb pick. You wouldn't think it could make much difference but it does.
	TheGil says: 4/29/2012 3:57:41 AM Jane, Don't know if the "Masterbuilt" moniker resides under your 22nd or so fret but there are probably many different incarnations of the Asian Epiphones. Mine is "Made in China"'as the sticker on the back of the headstock states. I have had some work done on it (raising the bridge and a tweak to the 5th string nut) but I am beginning to fall in love with the tone of this banjo. It is not pretententious or too brassy but seems to just grab into this beautiful, solid sound on the rolls. When I grab the the strings with the fingerpicks she is responsive. Up the neck sounds really good and retains volume. I have read several reviews that compare the MB250 to higher priced banjos and I am starting to be sold. It has a soft side but a real "growl" as well. Your instrument might need some tweaks but if it is an Epiphone you might become pleasantly surprised. Mike
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