AJ- 500MNS. Bought mine new from GC over 20 years ago. China is correct. They were using some laser cut precision method. I could not afford a 3-5K guitar. The same day Jean Larrivee sold me an OM in person. I could not afford a second Larrivee the same day. He asked what I could do. I told him. No go at $450 and laminate was not an option for me. I asked him in the wood sound room what the best quality was in the room that day for my budget. Will not quote him but let’s just say I came home with this guitar. The precision, materials, QC, and craftsmanship used to make this guitar are extraordinary. Gibson level or higher depending on which unit. I played it three hours a day for six years. I sound tested it against top notch mics and software in a controlled environment every year. The tone opened, opened, opened, and the results were amazing. I did take it to a luthier right after purchase for a $100 setup. It was the first one he had seen. He laser leveled the frets, crowned, finished, new strings, and dropped the price by $30 at pick up as there was little needed. The reason I only paid a $100 per guitar is I have taken him 30 guitars. It is now a unique recording instrument of mine. It’s my core tone above ALL brands. I tracked down a member of the luthier team who is Korean and now has his own small operation in China. His father was a 65 year luthier and he has been at it for 30 years. I asked for the same quality re: a J-200 copy. Same non laminate approach. Darn if he did not come through - without lasers. 98% tone match to G. Out of the box and ready to go. Still had a studio setup. There are several fails I have had out of China. About a 50% score rate. Surprisingly the fails have been mostly electrics. This guitar is worth every cent!!! A highly reputable insider told me that G was a bit concerned about the quality competing with theirs at such a low price point and backed off the Dove, J-200 copies, etc. It really messed their tone up. They self corrected back up to a degree. Get this guitar!!! If you do not play hours and hours a day then use a tone vibrator for three weeks straight and you will see. It gives you a $3,000 tone and big volume for a fraction of the cost. It’s a miracle guitar at the price point.
mns means, “mahogany natural satin”. I have an 05 aj500rens “rosewood electric natural satin”. These Guitars are amazing with or without the price tags. Cheers 🍻
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AJ- 500MNS. Bought mine new from GC over 20 years ago. China is correct. They were using some laser cut precision method. I could not afford a 3-5K guitar. The same day Jean Larrivee sold me an OM in person. I could not afford a second Larrivee the same day. He asked what I could do. I told him. No go at $450 and laminate was not an option for me. I asked him in the wood sound room what the best quality was in the room that day for my budget. Will not quote him but let’s just say I came home with this guitar. The precision, materials, QC, and craftsmanship used to make this guitar are extraordinary. Gibson level or higher depending on which unit. I played it three hours a day for six years. I sound tested it against top notch mics and software in a controlled environment every year. The tone opened, opened, opened, and the results were amazing. I did take it to a luthier right after purchase for a $100 setup. It was the first one he had seen. He laser leveled the frets, crowned, finished, new strings, and dropped the price by $30 at pick up as there was little needed. The reason I only paid a $100 per guitar is I have taken him 30 guitars. It is now a unique recording instrument of mine. It’s my core tone above ALL brands. I tracked down a member of the luthier team who is Korean and now has his own small operation in China. His father was a 65 year luthier and he has been at it for 30 years. I asked for the same quality re: a J-200 copy. Same non laminate approach. Darn if he did not come through - without lasers. 98% tone match to G. Out of the box and ready to go. Still had a studio setup. There are several fails I have had out of China. About a 50% score rate. Surprisingly the fails have been mostly electrics. This guitar is worth every cent!!! A highly reputable insider told me that G was a bit concerned about the quality competing with theirs at such a low price point and backed off the Dove, J-200 copies, etc. It really messed their tone up. They self corrected back up to a degree. Get this guitar!!! If you do not play hours and hours a day then use a tone vibrator for three weeks straight and you will see. It gives you a $3,000 tone and big volume for a fraction of the cost. It’s a miracle guitar at the price point.
Thanks for the information. How would I go about contacting the Korean gentleman? To possibly get a guitar from him?
I'm pretty sure that if it's an Aj 500mns, that means mahogany back and sides (m) and natural satin finish (ns).
What are you asking for this guitar? BTW the yellow on nut and bridge come off with light, very fine steel wool every time.
Sorry sold it a long time ago
Definitely rosewood, definitely 2 pieces back.
The country is most likely on the label inside, most likely China.
Thanks for the info! I sold it already
:) congrats. Let me know if you land another…
mns means, “mahogany natural satin”. I have an 05 aj500rens “rosewood electric natural satin”. These Guitars are amazing with or without the price tags. Cheers 🍻