I need an electric/acoustic guitar-DONE!

I currently own a Yamaha APX electric/acoustic guitar that is very slim.  It plays very well but there is not enough body to it to create a deep tone.  Here is what I have:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/yamaha-apx500ii-thinline-cutaway-acoustic-electric-guitar/h75594
 
 
I am treating myself to an newer acoustic.  I play at church and will be doing more casuals.  I need an electric/acoustic and have a limited budget of around $300.00.
 
So, I have seen the following John Lennon model by Epiphone:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/epiphone-ej-160e-john-lennon-acoustic-electric
 
It sounded good on a YouTube video I saw where it was compared with a John Lennon Gibson version (that would be nice).
 
Have any of you any knowledge of the Epiphone model?  I want good tone with great action.  My Yamaha is really good with action.  The strings are not high off the neck and overall, I can play just about any chord very easily.
 
Is there another model in this price range I should consider?  
 
All input is greatly appreciated.  Thanks much!
 
Jimmy

If you do end up getting the Lennon, keep us informed. It's one of the few acoustic I'd be interested in.
 
Though I totally get OlPal's point, I don't see myself putting that much money on an acoustic - especially not if it's to record it DI and/or if I don't have an awesome room + awesome pre + awesome mic to record it. The guitar would still be awesome, but there's no way I could tap into its potential.

I gotta agree with Mr. Doghouse on this on. 
do yourself a lifelong favor and buy a better acoustic/electric guitar...even if you have to stretch out the payments
You won't be sorry. 

Rimshot
I hear what you all are saying.  I am shopping.  
This Epiphone EJ-200CE is also is very interesting and I have watched some good videos on it:
 
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EEJ2VSGH?gclid=CLyep8mJ5cACFchgfgodrDQASg
 
My budget won't go much higher than this.  

I'd spotted that one too! :)

rsp@odyssey.net

Rimshot
I hear what you all are saying.  I am shopping.  
This Epiphone EJ-200CE is also is very interesting and I have watched some good videos on it:
 
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EEJ2VSGH?gclid=CLyep8mJ5cACFchgfgodrDQASg
 
My budget won't go much higher than this.  

 
I just got one of these. For the money, this is a very nice acoustic, with decent electronics. The action was sweet right from the factory. The stock strings suck, so I changed those right away. Nice full jumbo sound and easy to play. Nice projection without being to heavy on the bass. It's also a beautiful guitar. I'd recommend it for what you are looking for. I have a Martin 000-28 Ambertone on order, but that one will never leave the studio.
 
Randy

Thanks Randy.  Have you had any issues with intonation on the EJ-200CE?  Have not heard about any but thought I would ask.  
 
Jimmy

RobertB
 
Somehow, Rain, I can picture you with one of these, black of course:
http://godinguitars.com/godin5thavenuekingpincwp.htm
A little spendy perhaps, but it's not your run of the mill guitar.
I'm a big fan of Godin, and I can see one of these potentially in my future.
 

Wow! These are awesome! :)
 
It had been years since I checked Godin out - I used to play my bandmate's precious Godin for a Led Zeppelin cover way back in 92-93. I didn't really liked it as much as he did, but in terms of playability it was incredible.
 
But they sure have changed and diversified a lot.
 
If I'm not mistaken, a friend of ours in Montreal has some kind of endorsement/deal with them - I'll have to get in touch w/ him...
;)
 
Oh, and I too can vouch for Epiphone and the Riviera - as you can see by my avatar. ;)

Rimshot

rsp@odyssey.net

Rimshot
I hear what you all are saying.  I am shopping.  
This Epiphone EJ-200CE is also is very interesting and I have watched some good videos on it:
 
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EEJ2VSGH?gclid=CLyep8mJ5cACFchgfgodrDQASg
 
My budget won't go much higher than this.  

 
I just got one of these. For the money, this is a very nice acoustic, with decent electronics. The action was sweet right from the factory. The stock strings suck, so I changed those right away. Nice full jumbo sound and easy to play. Nice projection without being to heavy on the bass. It's also a beautiful guitar. I'd recommend it for what you are looking for. I have a Martin 000-28 Ambertone on order, but that one will never leave the studio.
 
Randy

Thanks Randy.  Have you had any issues with intonation on the EJ-200CE?  Have not heard about any but thought I would ask.  
 
Jimmy

 
Jimmy, no intonation issues at all. Setup was quite nice right out of the box. The strings that it came with, while new, are total crap. I knew that going in, so I put a fresh set on first thing. Smiling ensued. I will give you a heads up on the issue of a case. It doesn't come with one, and due to the size of the guitar, especially the headstock, it requires a certain case. A simple google search will lead you to several options though.
 
Randy

Another nice thing about the one I got is that it has the electronics that have an anti-feedback feature for live playing. Might be nice for your application.
 
Randy

Another...less expensive...suggestion I have is to look on eBay and see if any Wechters with electronics are available. They went out of business last year and I picked up a non electronic single cutaway from Sweetwater when they were clearing out their existing stock. Abe Wechter made great guitars that were reasonably priced and now you can probably find some on eBay even cheaper. These are beautiful solid top back and side guitars that play and sound great...plus they've all been Plecked. Check em out.



PS...just checked around and there seems to be none available. This is a testimony to how great they are. Keep your eye out.

Jimmy, you mentioned a "deeper" tone. I'm not entirely sure what you are after there, but you might consider a cedar top guitar.
Not many companies offer it, but it has a warm, mellow sound, not as bright as spruce.
I lucked into this one, as my local store in Denver had one, and I fell in love with it:
http://www.simonandpatrick.com/woodlandcedar.htm
This is a Godin family guitar. I'm not suggesting it's better, but it is different, and may be worth looking into if you can get your hands on one.

Hi to all, 
I ordered the Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500MCE from Sweetwater today.  It comes next Wednesday. 
I decided I wanted a solid wood guitar, dreadnought style, with pickups.  This guitar should be just what I wanted even though I went over my original budget.
Sweetwater let me pick the exact guitar I wanted by showing me detailed pictures of it online.  
They also put the guitar through  a fair amount of tests to make sure it is ready to ship.
Here's a pic they sent of it before they boxed it up:
http://screencast.com/t/RyZiaUfwb
 
Thanks again for everyone's input - it helped a lot.
 
Jimmy
 
 
 
 

Very cool. Your original budget was a little cozy for something you would truly be happy with. I think you will be glad you made the push.
Sweetwater is a great outfit to deal with. Their best advertising is us, the legion of satisfied customers.
Looking forward to hearing it in action.

Mike, Robert, and Kenny - thanks much.  I too am glad I stretched out to get this instrument and it makes me feel good that you all think it a good choice as well. 
 
Jimmy