2016 Epiphone Masterbilt De Luxe Roundhole Archtop Guitar

October 20, 2026

2016 Epiphone Masterbilt De Luxe Roundhole Archtop Guitar

Overview: Friends, it is very hard to argue against this guitar. I've played only two round-hole Epiphone archtops from the '30s in my time and this one sounds very much like one of them. This modern-day interpretation of a '30s, roundhole Epi is both gorgeous, well-made, has a pickup installed, and acoustically sounds the biz. It's got good snap and cut and has more warmth and width to the sound than your average F-hole model.

For a modern player looking for something practical and pretty with not a ton of bucks to get the job done -- holy heck is this a good platform! I was ready to be nonplussed when I gave it a first few chords but I was very surprised. It does "the thing" and the details are nailed, too -- with a repro-style '30s tailpiece design, repro tuners, and bound, repro pickguard adding to the flavor. They thought about this a bit.

Curiously, the necek is also quite similar in heft and feel to the old Epi necks, though the board is not quite so curvy as the old guys.

Repairs included: I just gave it a quick setup and dusting-off. It's playing spot-on and ready to g.