While visiting my parents and my Brother over this past Christmas season, I decided to purchase a backup, regular-sized guitar to 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 Martin 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… Not to mention, no more of the issues that can potentially arise when attempting to carry a guitar on the plane (not that it’s ever really been an issue).
My Epiphone PRO-1 Demo on YouTube.
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 players, from beginner to advanced.
For myself, I guess 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 ones, when I say this guitar is a GREAT guitar, especially for the price.
Let me go over a few of my own personal PRO’s & CON’s…
What To Like About The PRO-1 Acoustic
- The PRO-1 is very affordable, making it accessible for most budgets.
- Very lightweight
- 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 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)…
- You might still 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 in this price range that DO come equipped 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 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 you consider the instrument’s potential longevity and the money that you can save… say, for a case, a gigbag, or another accessory. Some players have reported continuing to enjoy playing the PRO-1 even after advancing beyond the beginner level, suggesting it offers lasting value regardless ofess of your level of playing.
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 its intended purpose well as a more-than-reasonable option for beginners on their journey.
For beginners serious about learning guitar, the PRO-1 certainly stands out as a thoughtful investment in their musical journey. The combination of “good enough” features, decent sound quality, and reasonable pricing makes it a top contender 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,
Featured Image: My Epiphone PRO-1 from the Guitar Center in Spartanburg, SC. View on Flikr.
