Mo Says...

The original Excellente was made in very small numbers, yet somehow managed to be extravagantly decorated. A splendid disregard for economy. This modern incarnation preserves the grandeur, thankfully without requiring a collector's ransom.

Notable Particulars

• All-solid construction with a Sitka spruce top and ovangkol back and sides, delivering a rich, resonant acoustic sound with excellent projection.
• Classic square-shoulder dreadnought body inspired by the rare 1960s Epiphone Excellente, featuring its distinctive engraved eagle pickguard and ornate pearl cloud fingerboard inlays.
• Five-piece maple and walnut neck with a comfortable C-shaped profile, ebony fingerboard and 20 medium-jumbo frets for smooth, responsive playability.
• Fishman soundhole-mounted pickup and preamp system with volume and tone controls, providing convenient amplification for live performance and recording.
• Premium appointments include an ebony bridge, bone nut and saddle, multi-ply binding, gold vintage-style Waffleback tuners and an Antique Natural Aged gloss finish.

The Details

The Epiphone Masterbilt Excellente revives one of the most elaborate and unusual acoustic guitar designs of the 1960s. Originally introduced as the Epiphone FT-120 Excellente, the model was produced in remarkably small numbers and became particularly associated with country music legend Loretta Lynn. This modern Masterbilt interpretation captures the original's unmistakable character, from its square-shoulder dreadnought body and decorative eagle pickguard to the ornate mother-of-pearl cloud inlays and distinctive headstock. Finished in Antique Natural Aged gloss with gold hardware, it is an acoustic guitar with considerable visual presence.

Beneath the decoration lies an impressive all-solid construction. The solid Sitka spruce top provides clarity, responsiveness and strong projection, while the solid ovangkol back and sides contribute warmth, depth and a balanced harmonic character. The five-piece maple and walnut neck offers a comfortable C-shaped profile, complemented by an ebony fingerboard, medium-jumbo frets and a traditional dovetail neck joint. A bone nut and saddle, ebony bridge and vintage-style Waffleback tuning machines complete a carefully considered specification. The guitar's full-bodied acoustic voice is particularly well suited to strumming, flatpicking and singer-songwriter accompaniment.

For amplified playing, the built-in Fishman electronics provide straightforward volume and tone adjustment through discreet soundhole-mounted controls, retaining the guitar's traditional appearance. This Indonesian-made example presents attractively, with light signs of previous use and minor cosmetic marks consistent with careful handling. Its combination of distinctive styling, quality tonewoods and practical modern electronics makes it an appealing instrument for anyone seeking something beyond the conventional dreadnought.