Epiphone AJ-220S Solid Top Acoustic Guitar, Natural Finish, Mahogany back and Neck, Stitka Spruce Top, Rosewood Fretboard, 25.5 scale

Product Information

For the price, it's a great guitar for outings, you know: those parties where you might not be the only one playing it, picnics, the beach etc. Crave more '' oomph''? The J-45 Studio gives you exactly that. It features Epiphone's J-45 cutaway body with plenty of volume and charm. With such a big body, there's plenty of room to give you boom, depth, riveting resonance, and rumbles of richness. So if you're jamming with fellow musicians or practising acoustically, you've got plenty of head-turning tone with the J-45 Studio. Plus, this gorgeous Epiphone J-45 Studio Acoustic sports a classy vibe with its curvaceous shape and rounder shoulders, resulting in incredible balance and riveting richness, combined. It's time to unleash. Sleek slim taper - it's addictive

In 1936, Gibson introduced the 'Advanced Jumbo' (AJ) acoustic guitar. With it's one-inch wider 16 inch lower bout, rounded or sloped shoulder dreadnought shape and a 25.5 inch scale length, the AJ was a powerful flat-top referred to in later Gibson literature as an 'acoustic cannon'. Today, this legendary design is carried over with the Epiphone AJ-220S acoustic guitar. You can expect a full range of tone and projection, whether you are performing live or recording. It is impressive in a way that it gives you the lowest bass notes and the highest overtones. If you are using the Epiphone AJ-220S in an acoustic ensemble, it will not overshadow the other instruments.

For more seasoned professionals, it allows for brilliant playability and a full-range tone which makes it perfect for performing or recording in the studio. And it sounds even better with age. Featuring a solid mahogany top and a select mahogany body, the J-45 Studio allows you to reap the rewards of ever-growing tone. That's right. This affordable Epiphone Acoustic sounds even richer with age and the more you play. A solid-topped acoustic is also a fantastic platform for pushing your music to its best, it delivers an unmistakable tone that's worthy of pros on a budget. You'll also notice it produce an instantly recognisable old-school warmth that only develops more richness, resonance, and authentic sonic punch over its lifetime. Explore blues, roots music, country, folk, slide, and much, much more. Inspiration-sparking tone awaits... Bold Epiphone tone Looking at this full-sized acoustic guitar in real life will make you think it is built with premium materials. It will not be a surprise, though, as the Epiphone AJ-220S is made with advanced design and construction in mind. With it's bell-like shape featuring a larger lower bout and smaller, round upper bout, the AJ-220S has a very focused and balanced tone. The bass is deep, rich and loud while the highs have a crispness and brilliance that cuts through. Most noticeable however, is the clear mid-range that's never muddy like the typical square-shouldered dreadnought. The result is an acoustic guitar that's often been described as the perfect instrument for the soloist or singer/songwriter with a sound that blends with vocals.

With Epiphone choosing the solid Sitka spruce top, it doesn’t only look amazing but it also has a lovely, vibrant sound with amazing projection. It is made in China, and that should not be used as an excuse to discard it. The factory there is run by Epiphone with their quality control people overseeing everything. In any case, you would be surprised at just how many instruments are made there these days. It is not often we enclose testimonials, but we made an exception for this review. What’s great about the Epiphone AJ-220s is that it comes at a price that’s beginner-friendly and a great way to begin the love for music.

Warranty Info

The build not only makes the guitar incredibly durable and long lasting but as it’s on the larger scale of guitars it will create a broad dynamic range. Its Sitka spruce top will mature beautifully throughout the time that you have the guitar, warming in colour which will bring out the elegance of its craftsmanship. Regardless of how long your performance is or whether you are standing or sitting, you’ll have no discomfort strumming and holding the guitar. It will feel just right. The Sitka spruce top is something you would take delight in the Epiphone AJ-220S. Nothing beats a solid top wood when talking about durability in acoustic guitars. The Sitka spruce top makes the sound even more vibrant with impressive projection. And on top of that, it makes the guitar’s note more defined, which results in clear sound. Even if years will pass by, guitars with a solid wood top will always have a balanced sound. After aquiring a good collection of acoustics of different sizes and styles, I saw this Epiphone J45 Studio at an affordable price and decided to finally add a J45 looking guitar to my collection.

The nut is plastic, as is the saddle, which is a little disappointing given the quality of the rest of the materials used. It is not uncommon, of course, and can be found on a wide range of instruments. It does though, have a slight effect on the sound, tending to dampen the tone and sustain. Compared to the Gibson and the more expensive Epiphone models, the Studio has a 25.5" scale, not the 24.75" scale of the Gibson, so it feels a little different, but probably more like what you're used to. But, whatever you choose, you will need a set of the Best Acoustic Guitar Strings every now and then. What We ThinkThe shape of the guitar makes for a pretty mellow higher end and overall tone without sounding muted.

Said to resemble a bell with a large, lower bout and a narrower upper bout – this guitar is built with an ‘Advanced Jumbo’ body. The result is an overall balanced tone which rings crisp and sweet for the highs, with a rich and deep low-end. This guitar is incredibly versatile, as also assured by this body shape is a tight and clear mid-range, with an excellent amount of response and focus. The AJ-220S has a unique bell-like shape, a larger lower bout, and a small round upperbout which gives this new addition to our Advanced Jumbo family of guitars a unique voice. And the AJ-220S is made with Epiphone’s century’s worth of experience in crafting world-class guitars that are meant to be played. However, the Gear4music extended warranty scheme provides an enhanced service, and is designed to offer a higher level of protection than many 'free' warranties offered by some retailers and manufacturers. One thing you will appreciate about the Epiphone AJ-220s is the excellent solid Sitka spruce top. When you want quality, you have to look into its top wood. Acoustic guitar players know it’s difficult to find an instrument that has both a deep bass tone and crisp loud projection. On a small stage with an acoustic band and little amplification, a good acoustic guitar should be able be heard and anchor a band. The AJ220S’s strong and balanced tone will make other acoustic players who have spent much more on their guitars wish they had gone to Epiphone instead. Like all our Epiphone acoustics, the AJ220S is legendary for being easy to set up and for staying in tune so no matter how much playing time you have, it's ready to go. Specifications

Tech Specs

I've always liked the look of the slope shouldered Gibson J45, but TBH, my playing style and my ears have always pulled me toward...well, pretty much any other guitar.