Epiphone Excellente - 10 Months Later 

I had one of these made special with Emmy Russell's (loretta lynn's granddaughter) which was 1 of 4 with these names down the fretboard (others had loretta lynn, sissy spacek and David russell (grandson)). great sound but unfortunately the 1.63 neck was too small for my left hand, so I sold it - a sad day, but right thing to do, since buyer had smaller hands. You are right that these are underpriced and have a great sound

These videos are so engaging because they are driven by genuine enthusiasm for good guitars. No showing off either. Thanks again.

Have one too based on your initial recommendation and love it. Yours is sounding better and better. Only thing I am not great on is the weight. This thing is a heavy beast!

Wow. I know its a subjective thing, but I absolutely adore the sound it has, when you're playing fingerstyle. The softness as you say really conveys an almost poetic and angelic vintage tone that just oozes of nostalgia and mojo. Like a big ol' warm blanket and a cup of coffee just watching the rain pour down. You really know how to make this guitar sing, Randy. Good job! Im so happy you got back to playing guitar again. I got my Excellente a year ago and hardly touch my Furch for twice the price, although it is an insanely good guitar in its own right. This guitar just resonates with me more for some reason. I guess the wand chooses its wizard as you might say. I actually recommended this guitar for a friend of mine who just started playing last year and bought this thing a month after me. She now has a true workhorse friend for life and even a good investment since we both bought it before the prices started skyrocketing. I couldn't be happier.

Thank you, Randy for the follow up review. I was sold on your first review and this one just confirms what a great guitar the Excellente truly is! Thanks man, much appreciated.

Hi Randy. Thanks so much for the review. The Excellentes are scarce, so I am happy when I have a chance to see another in action. I have owned an Excellente for several months, now and absolutely love it! Mine is certainly not subdued. I know that the Martin Retro strings are your go to, but from my experience with Retros, they really only suit certain guitars (such as my all mahogany 000-15m), but not others. So far, I have tried the original factory installed Gibsons (PB), Gibson Light 80/20s, Martin MA540 PB Lights, and finally DR Rare Lights. The DR Rare are the clear winner! They are really a nice tone, warm, loud, and easy on the fingers. In my humble opinion, they sound much nicer than the Retros on your guitar. But, I do know that sound preference is very subjective! 🙂I am interested in hearing about string choices from other Excellente owners. Thanks for all of the work you do putting together these very entertaining RU-vid videos. Take care! Rod

I was looking at the Texan and came across your initial review of the excellente. Went on reverb and got one with hard shell case for $1000. Perfect timing. Got it yesterday and it’s absolutely amazing.

I just ordered me an Epiphone Hummingbird after watching this. I've been back and forth trying to decide for quite a while. You sold me sir! Great videos by the way. Thanks!

I just bought it.... 2 days ago..... It's just amazing!!!! So Balanced...... it's a steal for the money!!!! (in Greece 1.160 euros) It's a treasure!!!! Thanks Randy for your review!!!

Once again, your reviews are down to earth and spot on. A great combination of banter and picking that gets the point across in an heart-felt, but honest way. I think the term you are looking for is "Inclusive resonance ". A sound that comes from everywhere. I know when I pick up a guitar, it has to inspire me, and when I can not only hear, but feel the sound vibrating into my chest, I have a winner. Always look forward to your videos. I come for the review, but stay for the picking. Take care.

Pickguards: my Frontier pickguard fell off as soon as I picked it up! Fortunately...it looks (and probably sounds) a lot better without it! Great review, Randy.

I’ve been using those humidipaks since 2019 and I have terrible insulation in my music room--best thing I ever did , my solid wood guitars stay safely humidified in their cases when I’m finished playing. Best investment for a guitar you can make !

Yes l played one of those models from Epiphone, it Really sounded nice, a real nice boom to it.The best sounding Epiphone Iv'e Ever Played, abn' Iv'e played a few, trust me 😮😮😊

Hey Randy . . . . please forgive me for my tardy replies of late, but time is so very precious. A poignant and well timed upload for me. Melbourne's humidity is pretty much consistent. Year round (bar a few weeks annually), the hygrometer rarely goes below 45 and above 55%, but here in Newcastle (690 miles north) humidity can get rather high . . . for example, as I type this, humidity is at 71%. . . . so my guitars are in their case at all times, except for when I am playing them, and even then, I have to re-tune considerably after removing them from their case. 🤷🏻‍♂ Timber is truly a case study in itself, if you know what I mean! Anywho . . . . that guitar you are playing sounds beautiful Mate . . . . love it! 🎸 👍🏻 Cheers Randy! ✌ 🎶

Hey Randy!! Have not seen ya around for about ten months l guess, l have to say.. the world is a better place knowing you are somewhere in it blessing it with your music! I'm about to retire and move out of Miami and go up around DeLand, l truly hope when l go that my new neighbor is like you, l said before l wished we were neighbors. I love you playing and your info is very entertaining.. l am still very in love with both my IBG Hummingbird and Excellente.. so much so l put both my Taylor GS mini-e AND my Taylor GA8e up for sale.. l have recently bought a Rainsong Jumbo which is quite a guitar, l do not care for the tone of the smaller carbon fiber guitars but the large body of the jumbo...it's pretty special. As well l bought a Martin D12-1 twelve string a it's also pretty amazing sounding.. l bought a Ovangkol Martin D16 which was my first Martin, the neck grabbed me and wouldn't let go! Amazing neck profile, sweet tone.. a finger pickers dream! I still think the thick, oversized, gummy tone killing pick gaurd on the Excellente has to go, l did put a rosewood gaurd on my Excellente, same shape and artwork done in aboloney, it's beautiful.. the guitar IS worthy! Wish l could post a pic for ya, l removed the thick gummy oversized tone killing gaurd from my Hummingbird and lm glad l did! Huge improvement! Resonance, volume..just so much better. What were they thinking? Martin, Gibson, Taylor or any other guitar maker of fine guitars would EVER put that rubber on the sound board of a guitar.. l am not one to scratch up the guitar with a pick, lm no Willie Nelson...and he doesn't use a pick gaurd! Irony?¿ If the look of the gaurd is that important to you l would suggest removing it.. you will be pleasantly surprised! I was using Elixers and switched to a high end D'Adario string and it is amazing! Just food for thought.. l felt the artwork on both gaurds looked like it was drawn by a 10 year old with a Lite -Brite!!😂 I may have a rosewood or ebony gaurd made for the Hummingbird, the wood gaurd seems to let it resonate better but it's not or will never be as nice as no-gaurd! If you would like to see them Randy.. text me at (617) 513-4410 and l will be more than happy to send you several pics of the guitars without gaurds, with new inlayed gaurd on the Excellente. I had a rosewood gaurd made without inlays Incase the inlays we're over the top and too much but l liked it Soo, l have the rosewood gaurd for the Excellente without inlays if you are interested in it, lm not going to be needing it. It's yours if you like it. I will take a picture of it laid on top so you will be able to see what it would look like on the guitar. Thanks a million for your videos!! I am a big fan!! Jim

Hey Randy....great vid! I have had my Excellente now for about 2 yrs now. Some of what you said in this vid is of the same impressions I have about the guitar. I bought the guitar a few months after it showed up in the shop here in Newfoundland (we don't get much stock to our little Island!) but anyway it hung on the wall for a while. Every time I went in, it caught my eye and I would pick it up and play it a little, until I pulled the trigger and bought it. This is a great instrument, and I do feel that it can keep up with pretty much anything I play it next to. I do find the neck a little chunky, and the guitar do feel bigger and heavier of course. However, it doesn't deter me! I love the range of instruments available today to guitar players....you don't have to buy a a big brand to get a good guitar, as a matter of fact I have found smaller brand instruments where the product is mind blowing. If you can hear the instrument with your ears and not your eyes, then man you can get some wicked guitars. I have the Masterbilt Frontier as well, and it is great (sounds similar to a Gibson J-200 only better! LOL). I can't seem to find a Masterbilt Texan that I like enough to buy yet, but I am always looking. With respect to the Inspired by Gibson, they are okay guitars for sure and when you compared them to Gibson, Martin and Taylor's lowered end instruments at their lower price point, well its hard to turn a blind eye to IBG's. With that said though, I wish Gibson didn't do that. I wish they would actually separate the two Brands so to speak....just build Epiphone Models, and make them killer like the Reissues. Give them the right price point, and let them be their own thing. I feel the IBG label continues to leave the long old impression of Epiphone being a cheaper Gibson. Gibson can produce lower priced instruments from overseas factories and achieve that, and they would still sell due to the name on the headstock. I love old Epiphone Models, and I wish they would let Epiphone just be Epiphone.

I have one - lovely guitar for the money - my pick guard is lifting though, a classic Gibson problem...I can live with it.

I love mine . It plays and sounds like a $5000 guitar . I slotted the pinholes on the high strings to get more of angle at the saddle , it made a big difference in sound quality , And I removed the fishman electronics and put in a K&K in , that was another upgrade !

just because i had the experience i wanted to share it with other viewers: i changed string gauge to 11s ( elixir in my case ) and the guitar exploded with sounds and overtones that were not there using 12s. it was an incredible transformation. ( i know you stated you set it up using 11s but i would never have thought that it made such a huge difference ). i watched a video of alamo musics chris kee and he mentioned that a guitar top can be under "too much" tension with thicker gauge strings. maybe that is what he spoke about. now it rings and rings and rings... will now try the martin 11 retros next

TY for another great review and tips. I have one of these guitars and it will remain with me until I depart this world. I am convinced the Excellente is going to be a significant guitar as it matures. It is a unique instrument. TY MY

Just got mine Randy and can't wait to take to the show on Saturday! Thanks for the reviews

Hey Randy, got my excellente. It's every bit of what you described. I'm going to use in my video tonight. Thank 😊 you for all your help 🙏.

Humidipaks get expensive when you have a lot of guitars. If you have more than like 6 I would just buy a humidifier. Keep all your guitars in one room and keep that room humidified. I live in Eureka,California. Humidity is always 60 or higher. I actually have to use a dehumidifier during the winter when it rains constantly. Nice guitar man. Peace.

Wonderful video, I ❤ it! The church hymn that you were referring to is: "Sweet Hour Of Prayer".

I am Loving all the Epiphones!! This one sounds beautiful!! I dont love a wide neck, but id still love to give that beauty a try!!! Thanks for your super detailed review!! I So love learning about guitars!!! Ps, the laugh track is awesome!! 😁

It sounded great in the intro. Thank you pal. Great video.

The fact you mentioned you didn't play finger style up until 5 years ago got my attention because I'm trying to learn now. You play beautifully.

Hey Brother Randy, I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed your re-review of this beauty. If I’m not mistaken, this was the guitar that brought us together, which makes mine extra special to me. I can tell you I’ve done so many gigs with Loretta (I named her that for obvious reasons) and she just seems to get better and better. She’s truly one of my favorites, and as you know, I have a few to choose from 😂 Great advice on the humidification. Always great to see you, my dear friend 🙏🎸

Hello Randy. I watched this a few hours ago but I didn't have a chance to comment. I remember the days of playing until my fingers bled. My first guitar was a Harmony H181. I recently changed the strings and I am amazed with the tone. It has high action and will be a slide guitar until I have it looked at.I have a guitar room and I monitor the humidity and keep it between 45 and 55 per cent through devices. My living room is 45% and guitar room is 51% at present. The guitar room is in the basement, which helps. I run a humidifier about 7 months each year and on rare occasions I use a dehumidifier a few days here and there in the summer. I have a couple of hydrometer/hygrometer I monitor several times daily. My guitars are uncased and readily available to be played often, which they are. This works for me. I am in Kansas City, Missouri and I also keep a large pot of water simmering in the kitchen when I have any guitars upstairs. Your Epiphone sounds Excelante! Thanks for the update.

Another great review Randy👏

Glad this guy is still performing well for you brother, neat to see a recap on it months down the line! Glad you threw your retro 12’s on it, I love those strings. I’ve also got the D’adarrio Nickel Bronze 12’s on an older j45 and love how they age on that guitar. As always man, beautiful playing and fantastic insight - thanks Randy!!

I've had my Excellente for over a year now and it just keeps getting better and better. Interesting to hear one of the other guys comments regarding the guitar volume as that hasn't been an issue at all with mine. The guitar is full of nuance that can be brought out at any time. I love mine and would never sell it.

Sweet vintage sound sir .Have a great day. Greatings from Belgium .

Fantastic review Randy!! I really appreciate all of the information you packed into this one!! The guitar looks and sounds amazing and you play it beautifully as well! Have a wonderful day!! 👏👏✌️👍🎸🎶👍

Great review, Randy! I just ordered the Excellente, it is on back order from Sweetwater, so it may be a while. By the way, I've been using the Humidipaks for a number of years. I learned the hard way to keep the humidity right when I left a solid classical guitar hanging on my wall!

Great video Randy. I love that guitar. I think you get tired of me saying that some times...lol.. Keeping your guitar humidified is one of the most important things you can do for it, besides not letting it get too much forward bow in the neck (adjust when needed), besides keeping it in a case. We use those sound hole covers that tightly fit into the sound hole and have another humid pack in the area of the peghead, like you do. I've heard the difference of a dry guitar and a guitar that's been humidified. And it's crazy how different it sounds. Let alone your taking a chance of your expensive guitar's top cracking, sinking or bulging. Anyways.. loved the video and can't wait to see your next. Take care Randy. Oh, almost forgot, Noah's J45 started to deform, but very slightly, and I asked him if he was keeping an eye on his humidity. Well, he wasn't. At least we caught it quickly. Started humidifying it and within a day or two it was perfect again. You've got to keep your guitars humidified and in a case. Preferably a hard case. And some guitars you can actually feel the sound. And even the Texan is made in Bozeman Montana in the Gibson plant. And of course you can get the Masterbuilt series made in Indonesia. I would love to do a head-to-head to hear the difference between those two. I got my Recording King from Sweetwater Music. If memories serves. Lol... Of course my memory has it's own issues. Anyways.. thought I was done with my comment, but I should have waited till the end. I jumped the gun ..lol .. Can't wait to talk again. Take care.

That song u picked at about 36:00was beautiful.. sounded like a hymn..so beautiful

Randy, great job with these Inspired By Gibson reviews. I think I’ve watched every review available as I too happen to be a huge fan of the line. Hands down I enjoy your reviews the most. To date we agree on just about everything regarding these fine instruments. This would include the maintenance going forward such as keeping them cased and regulating the humidity. I gave up duck and deer hunting, quit fishing, I don’t have much interest in TV, my kids are all grown so for the first time in my life I’ve actually been able to devote a pretty serious amount of time to all things guitar. This includes not just playing, but getting into the background of each instrument and really enjoying the full experience of each piece. By investing so much time it’s given me this appreciation for everything that I did not have previously and it’s made for a real enjoyable experience. Currently I’ve got the 59’ Les Paul, The Epiphone Slash J45 is on its way and plan to grab the Hummingbird within the next week or so. Then I planned to move on to the Master Built side with the Excellente and either the Texan or the Frontier. I love Sweetwater, not a huge fan of this new Viper Blue color they’re going to be carrying here in a minute for the Master Builts and Inspired By line. Before it’s all over and they stop making the regular Inspired By J45 I think I’ll probably figure out a way to pick that one up, too. As you mentioned it’s not as fancy or flashy as some of the others, but it lives up to its nickname of “The Workhorse”. It’s just a real solid, sweet sounding guitar and I think I would regret it if I were to skip that one. Thank’s again for your reviews, they turned out great. Curious if you’ve had a chance to play with the Spark 40 or Spark Mini? If you haven’t you’ll be an instant fan. The most amazing little amp that has nothing little about it. The community has a lot of potential as well. If you haven’t, be sure to check it out. There’s nothing that comes close to it in my opinion.

Love your review Randy - love the WAY you do your review - real deal!

I just pulled the trigger and reserved this guitar. Everywhere is a back order and was told by GC that they expect to have this guitar around mid march-april 2024. Now me patiently waiting….

I don't know much about guitar construction or materials etc, but that is a beautiful looking and sounding guitar, it really sings with a wonderful sustain, great review and playing Randy well done my friend 🎸👏👏🙏🏻

Your reviews are the best I've ever seen, so much more tidbits of, I think 🤔, valuable information 😀. Thank you 😊 so much for sharing.

It's Great to see an up-date on the Epiphone Excellente. I Viewed Your first video several times. I've owned an Excellente, for 6 months now, and I'm very interested in other People's opinions on this Guitar. I agree with everything You said....... the Guitar is Gorgeous. It's Tone is Dark'n'Sweet. It's a 6.5 Lb Beast !! It's Unique, and I Love It. However, it does hurt My Fingers, and I think It needs a Pro-Setup, from an experienced Luthier. Cheers Randy.

wow this is so amazingly well done and beautiful my frend great job

Randy This Excellente has to be the BEST sounding Epi (IBG) ever produced period. ..It seems like its opened up already since your early video review. Yes it sounds Bigger than the Humming bird more mid to bottom.... . Love your vid, keep on trucking my friend...

Greetings from Bosnia my guitar brother. You helped me choose this beautiful guitar😃

Beautiful guitar!

Beautiful sharing and great reviews my dear friend Randy!! Love and respect Kyle!! 😊🥁🇵🇭

You hear it in your chest!!! I know and get it!

Got mine for 600€ (~600$) in mint used condition. wow, this thing is so beautiful... everything is well build. In my eyes it is a little bit more "stiffer and harder"to play as e.g. my Martin D-X2E or my Fender PD-220E. Maybe the reason could the weight. Thank you for your unbelievable good content. So much good information about guitars. God bless you. So long from Germany.

It sounds amazing. Every IBG Epiphone you've played sounds like a lot more $$$$ than the price. I totally agree about the action on an acoustic guitar. I still think the IBG Hummingbird has my heart though. The sustain on that Excellente sound really nice. About humidity....every winter I put a jar of water inside the bottom of my piano even.

I manged to get one about 5 months ago. Shortly after that, stocks in UK dried up and they haven't been available in UK since - they are 'Special Order' only. You can't buy them 2nd hand, as 'NO-ONE' wants to sell theirs! Truly, an exceptional instrument in the acoustic guitar range. For mine, I replaced the pick-up that came with it with the pickup they put on the Epiphone EJ-200SCE, the e-sonic2, which I love to bits.

Great review Randy, my dad also got it

Hi, Randy! I’ve been watching your down to earth reviews. Congratulations! What is it that you like best both in the IBG Hummingbird and the Excellente? From what I hear, the Excellente may sound more present in a mix. Don’t know if it would compete with the vocals or wrap them like a J-45, though. What are your thoughts? Regards, and keep going strong!

You are right about feeling bigger than other dreadnaughts... I think it's actually a bit bigger. Unfortunately it doesn't sound bigger 😅... It looks like they had too much laquer on it indeed, heavy also. But it's beautiful ( except the headstock in my opinion they would have done better with the other styles of the Masterbilt series)

hey randy, just bought one used, should arrive at the end of next week. i can not wait to hear it in person. jp cormier was over the moon for this one ( well, as he often is / was with the latest epiphone models ). i do hope the neck is not much bigger than the hummingbirds, i like the feel of the neck of the ibg hummingbird very much. edit: the lower volume of the excellente might make it easier to sing over it - the humminbird is hard to beat regarding volume. anyways, thanks and take care, armin

Now Randy , You really need to tell us how much you like this guitar LOL You can tell she is opening up good. If I can say one thing about Ovangkol ,,,, Taylor used this tonewood alot , If Taylor can use it that should tell you right there about it`s quality. Yes it does have some qualities as Rosewood ,,,, sweetness in the mids with a little bass. Yes I would put her up against any Taylor (they are about the only builder where you can get bling , Gibson would be the Doves In Flight) and she will hold her own. 12 to 15 hundred or 7-8 thousand ? Your choice. The marshmallow inlay on the headstock is kinda cool if you ask me ! Randy keep pick`in !!!!

Fantastic review my friend the guitar sounds great 👍

Nice manner of presentation. Interesting that you find that the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Hummingbird is your best sounding guitar! Also, I did not know that the back of J-45 can swell if left uncased!? James

Thanks for a great review. Can I ask - in a nutshell, what is difference between the sound of this and the hummingbird? Thank you!

fantastic play ! well done

Hi Randy! Thank you as always for your smooth reviews! There is some confusion with the Excellente. The other day, I played an Epiphone Excellente and it was not what I expected? BUT, is there an Epiphone Inspired by Gibson (Masterbilt) Exellente? That is, are there 2 'levels' of Excellente? James

Thank you for your review. It is very interesting and it is convincing me to bought this fantastic guitar. I have two questions about his neck: 1) Is the neck finish polished or opaque? 2) if you have had the chance to play a "MARTIN STANDARD SERIES REIMAGINED HD 28" (my dream), does the shape of the neck look like it? Thanks a lot.

Hello brother Randy!!! Hope you are well! I hope to be putting out some new tracks and hope you’ll visit when they are produced! Stay safe and take care, keep us in your prayers on the 23rd of this month, as it is the day of our youngest son’s passing. Love ya man! PeAce ✌🏻 Dana E💫🙏🏻☮️👍🏻

Hi sir I’m after some advice I’m about to pull the plug on one of these but some are saying the volume of it isn’t good at all could you please let me know your thoughts thank you

How was the action on the Hummingbird when you got it?

Bought an Excellent yesterday!

Hey Randy! Saw this video of yours and got myself an excellente right away. I got it last month and it's awesome. May I know how high your strings action is? Thank you so much, appreciate it.

Which Martin retro 12’s do you recommend for this guitar?

@Randy’s Rhythm- Hey, Man - wondering where in E Texas you’re located. I’m in Baytown which, I guess, some would argue is considered E Texas. Anyway, thanks for all you do for the guitar buying/playing public.

hi randy. Hope u r doing good. Which one guitar would you suggest buying from 1) HUMMINGBIRD. 2) FRONTIER 3) EXCELLANTE. As you have played and owned all of them for quite sometime now i am sure you are the best person to ask this. I am okay with the prices of any of them. What matters is the build quality and tone. Thank you.

Where can I get a excellante at I really want one I really like your review

Nice sounding Guitar, although not as nice as the Hummingbird Inspired by Gibson! Now that was one great looking and Great sounding Guitar! 😉💘

Hello Randy Could you give me the 2 measurements of the width of the shoulders and the bottom of the guitar? Kind regards Anna

I can't find that guitar for 849.00. I found "epiphone masterbilt excellente" for 1249.00. It looks exactly like yours, but I don't think yours is a masterbilt at Sweetwater. Is it 🤔? Maybe they've raised the price. Any suggestions?

Man...I know most people like the eagle but I would prefer something else...possible? Its just so standard...how hard to change the pick guard...actually I like the Frontier a bit more ....I have a rosewood Alvarez anyway I really like.

Sounds good finger picking

Tell us about that les paul thing behind you, next. . please. 😃

I wonder if the Excellente has been discontinued. They appear to be gone in most retailers, and Thomann (one of the major retailers in Europe) even took it off their catalog. Still divided between the Excellente and the Hummingbird IBG. I love the Excellente’s tone balance, but it’s volume is rather low…

Hey Randy, have you ever tried the Masterbuild Frontier? Im thinkin about gettin one but im not sure between the Hummingbird ibg or the Frontier..

I'm caught somewhere in the middle; I do not own an Excellente; however, I do own an Inspired by Gibson Hummingbird, and I feel the Hummingbird may slightly edge the Excellente in tone (I've only heard Excellente on videos tho). That is just me tho. Still, I would like to obtain an Excellente one day.

Hoi Randy , what strings you put on the excellente Gr Peter

Sounds great Randy!

Feels bigger because of the scale of 25.51, the hummingbird is 24 and 3/4

Im gettin one

When this guitar came out a few years ago, it was $899. Now it's $1299. That's Martin 00-15 money

No need for humidifier in pacific north west. If I had to worry about that stuff my guitars would be broken. I'd be a drummer or sax player. haha.

That thing is a canon!

Btw - my request to gibson to consider having their ozark usa make an epiphone 12 string usa frontier got forwarded to epiphone by jason. If u have any contacts with them, this wishful thinking might become a reality. Thanks

RESONANCE

I ruined a 76 Guild D35 by not knowing about humidifying. I moved from Ohio to Colorado...

I just got one. It is awsome.