Factory-second Epiphone

[Cary Fagan]

I've noticed factory second Epiphone MM-50s for sale on Ebay for about 350. I'm thinking of getting one for my second mandolin, as I've played one and thought it sounded and felt pretty decent for the price. The ads always say it's just a cosmetic imperfection. Anybody know about these seconds? Any opinions of the instrument would also be appreciated.

[Lane Pryce]

The seconds usually have cosmetic issues. I purchased one and no problems with tone or playability. Wish I still had it. Lp

[odeman]

I have one that I bought at Musicians Friend factory outlet in Kansas City a couple years ago - 'the best money I ever spent. I bought it after hanging out at Gruhen's Guitar Shop in Nashville. All of those Gibson F5's there didn't sound or play TEN times better than that Epi. I'm still looking for the "flaw" and I don't care what anyone says - it does have a solid top and back. I take it to almost all of my jam sessions without worrying about it getting scratched or stolen. I paid just under $300 for mine, and it plays and sounds GREAT but doesn't quite have the "chop" of a $3,000 instriment. I can live with that.

[lindensensei]

I've owned an MM70 for about 25 years. It is better than it was, but it has never really opened up as I had hoped. Still, it is a surprising good ax - quite beautiful and pleasing to hear. Not a blue grass instrument, as it really has very little bark. The reason I've kept it is that it is the finest playing neck I've ever touched. And it really is beautifully made.

[Cary Fagan]

Belated thanks for the replies. Well, I took the plunge and bought a factory second MM-50 which I've just picked up. It is a very handsome instrument and quite playable. The sound is decent--better than what I'd expect for spending 350 bucks for an F! It isn't terribly loud and, although some people on the cafe has speculated that it's an all solid instrument, to my ears it clearly isn't an all solid. The tone isn't there. The chop is acceptable, better than I'd expected. It's really fun to play and I'll be taking it on trips and the occasional jam.

As for being a factory second, It is impossible to tell why. This one is made and China so I wonder if, in switching to the new plant (from Korea), the company just branded the first batch as seconds while getting the operation going. There is a "2nd" stamped in the back of the headstock but so faintly that it can hardly be seen. I did notice that the name "The Epiphone" on the headstock is placed differently from the Korean made ones, which are slanted more like Gibson does it.

It might be of interest to know that I bought if from a dealer called "First Bass Music." It was on ebay but didn't sell so I emailed them and they sold it to me directly at a slightly better price. Very straightforward sale.