While visiting the Folks and my Brother over this past Christmas season, I decided to purchase a kind of a back-up, regular-sized guitar that I could leave with my parents instead of bringing a travel guitar with me on the plane every time I visit. Of course, nothing’s wrong with the Baby Taylor (BT2) and / or Matin Backpacker travel guitars that I own; however, it’s just nice to know there’s a regular sized (41″ in length from the tip of the headstock to the base of the guitar) waiting for me when I arrive there…
And, no hassle on the plane (Not that it’s really ever been a problem, but…)…
Should I Buy an Acoustic or Electric Guitar
…That was the question….
In this case, I went ahead with an acoustic guitar, the Epiphone Pro-1, to be exact. And, it has NOT disappointed me in the least. For less than $200, this guitar would serve the needs of a variety of types of players, beginner to advanced.
For myself, I guess I would say I’m leaning towards an intermediate player, but not quite there yet. I’m certainly not an advanced player, but I’m sure I can speak for most players, even the advanced, when I say that this guitar is a GREAT guitar, especially for the price. Left me enough funds to purchase this case – RR BLVD II RR4TAG <<< Blog post.
Let me go over a few of my own personal PRO’s & CON’s…
What To Like About The PRO-1 Acoustic
- Doesn’t break the bank!… “Thank you, and good night.”…
- Very light weight
- Easy to hold
- Slightly shorter than most acoustics, but not a travel guitar
- Sound is “full enough”
- Comes equipped with extremely light gauge strings for ease of playing
- Very KOOL metal headstock plate that adds to the aesthetics
What Not To Like About The PRO-1 Acoustic
- Although it’s loud “enough,” there’s still a “little” to be desired when wanting some loud strumming, or finger picking.
- That metal plate mentioned above… It’s does look nice, but it’s kind of cheap metal…
- No case… As most won’t have one at this price (even at hundreds of dollars more sometimes)…
- Still might have to adjust your playing a little, if you’ve been playing for a bit on regular-sized acoustic guitars.
- No electronics – There are some, at this price range, that DO come equipped with the ability to plug into an amp, or PA. Not this one, but it tends to sing a little louder instead.
- Not much else to really “Not Like,” because it’s pretty nice (again, for the price)…
Some more PRO-1 Specifics:
As mentioned above, one of the the PRO-1’s standout features is its specially designed neck, which is slightly shorter and slimmer than traditional acoustic guitars with a scale length of 24.75 inches, making it easier for beginners to form chords and reach frets.
Other notable specifications include:
- Select spruce top with mahogany body and sides
- Body Type – Square Shoulder
- Granadillo fretboard with 20 medium jumbo frets
- Okoume Fretboard
- PRO-Prietary™ reduced scale neck
- JumboPRO™ frets for easier fingering
- Graph Tech NuBone Nut material
- Dual-action truss rod for neck adjustments
- Die-cast tuners for reliable tuning stability – 18:1 gear ratio.
- Equipped with Phosphorus Bronze Extra Light Gauge Strings
Price and Value Proposition
The Epiphone PRO-1 typically retails between $169 and $229 (Mine was the $169 price), supposedly positioning it in the “mid-range of beginner acoustic guitars.” I don’t know. I think you should be willing to spend, at least, this much on a guitar if you sincerely plan to play anything worthwhile… Besides, in my opinion, you definitely get your money’s worth.
The investment becomes more attractive when considering the instrument’s potential longevity and the money you save…. say for a case, or gigbag… or some other accessory. Many users report continuing to enjoy playing the PRO-1 even after advancing beyond beginner status, suggesting it offers lasting value beyond the initial learning phase.
Conclusion
The Epiphone PRO-1 acoustic guitar certainly helps to bridge that gap between entry-level pricing and professional-grade playability. While it may not satisfy some advanced players seeking traditional specifications and features, it serves quite well the intended purpose of being a learning instrument that removes common barriers to progress.
For beginners serious about learning guitar, the PRO-1 represents a thoughtful investment in their musical journey. The combination of comfort-focused features, decent sound quality, and reasonable pricing makes it a “no-brainer” for new players. While some may eventually want to transition to a traditional acoustic guitar, the PRO-1 provides an excellent foundation for developing proper technique and building confidence. And…. Not a bad looking one to have in your future guitar collection…
Until Next Time!
Would-Be Multi-Instrumentalist
Home Recording Enthusiast
…….. & Stuff …..
