As a guitar tutor, I’ve seen tons of beginners struggle to find their first guitar. Finding an awesome instrument that doesn’t cost a fortune can feel like searching a needle in a haystack! That’s why I’m diving into this Epiphone PR 4E review to help fellow music lovers.
When students ask me about starter guitars, I always look for something that’s easy to play, sounds great, and won’t empty their piggy bank. The Epiphone PR 4E player package caught my eye because it promises everything a newbie needs – all within the budget.
I’ll break down everything you need to know to decide if this guitar is your perfect musical match.
- Constructed with Mahogany body and Select Spruce top
- Comfortable neck for easy fretting
- Passive Piezo pickups
- Inludes an Acoustic-15 amplifier with 15W of power
- Plus all necessary accessories
Epiphone PR 4E NA Guitar Review
Let’s dive into this beginner acoustic-electric guitar review that comes with basically everything you’d want when you’re just starting out.
Key Specifications at a Glance
- Body Style: Jumbo Cutaway
- Top Wood: Selected Spruce
- Body & Neck: Mahogany
- Fretboard: Rosewood
- Number of Frets: 20
- Scale Length: 25.5 inches
- Nut Width: 1.68 inches
- Electronics: Peizo Pickup
Build Quality and Durability
The Epiphone PR-4E feels solid for an affordable guitar. The top is solid Sitka spruce, which helps it sound bright and clear. The body and neck are mahogany, making it sturdy but still lightweight.
The rosewood fingerboard is smooth, and the cutaway design makes reaching higher frets easier.
The tuners hold tune well, but they look a little cheap. The bridge pins and nut are on the lower end, so they might need upgrading later.
Some people mention sharp frets or small finish flaws, but mine was fine. One person said they’ve had theirs for six years with no major issues. Overall, the materials used in this guitar give it a nice look and a solid feel.
Comfort And Playability
The Epiphone PR-4E playability is pretty solid, especially for a beginner guitarist. The neck has a comfortable C shape, which makes it easy to wrap my hand around.
The balanced guitar neck is not too thick or too thin – just the right size to feel natural when I’m playing chords or picking notes. The rosewood fretboard feels smooth, and sliding my fingers across it doesn’t feel rough or sticky.
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With 20 frets and a cut-out body, reaching the higher notes is easier than on a full-body acoustic. On my model, the action (string height) is acceptable to my liking, but others might need some minor setup, such as a truss rod adjustment.
The tuning keys also feel solid, so I don’t have to constantly re-tune. The body shape is a bit thinner than other acoustics, so playing both sitting and standing won’t be even remotely hard for you with this guitar!
Sound Quality
The guitar’s premium-quality body materials are the very base of its great sound. Mahogany attaches warmer and brighter tones to the guitar’s sound, while the spruce top makes it more resonant. That makes the guitar’s sound more balanced and calm.
Besides, this type of wood combination won’t get overloaded no matter how active your playing style is, so forget about constantly thinking of balancing your movements to not disturb the experience of your audience. Add to that the maturing of wood, so the sound will improve!
Don’t like too much bass in the sounding of the guitar? This instrument is an excellent choice for you as its cut-out body softens the sound of the instrument and makes it more balanced.
This guitar comes pre-strung with D’addario light gauge (.012 – .053) strings, which may not provide the desired sound in some cases. So changing those with better quality acoustic strings will improve the overall sound quality.
Electronics and Amplification
The Epiphone PR-4E (Natural) comes with onboard electronics that make it easy to plug into an amplifier or PA system. It has a piezo pickup under the saddle, which means it picks up string vibrations and turns them into sound when plugged in.
The preamp lets you shape your tone with bass, middle, and treble controls, plus a volume control to adjust the output level. There’s also a phase switch, which helps reduce feedback when playing through an amp.
Plugged in, the sound is clear and balanced, though it might not match expensive models. The included amp in the Player Pack sounds decent for practice, with a clean tone and even a chorus effect for extra depth.
I wouldn’t use it for a big show, but for learning and home practice, it works great!
Package Content
The Epiphone PR-4E package comes with everything a beginner guitar player needs. Besides the affordable acoustic electric guitar, you get an Epiphone Studio Acoustic-15C amplifier, which is great for home practice.
There’s also a gig bag, but it’s not very padded, so upgrades might be needed for better protection. The set includes a clip-on electronic tuner, a guitar cable, a strap, an allen wrench, and some picks (which might feel a little thick for some players).
Some packages also have downloadable lessons to help with setup and learning. Just a heads up – the stuff in the package might be a little different depending on where you buy it.
It’s a solid starter kit for the price, but if you plan to perform or travel, you might want better accessories later. Still, for someone just starting, this player pack avoids a lot of problems by giving you the essentials!
Cost And Value
For the price, the Epiphone PR-4E is a pretty good deal, especially if you get the whole package. If you’re looking for the best acoustic electric guitar under 300, this one checks a lot of boxes.
The guitar itself plays well, sounds nice, and has a Florentine cutaway for easy access to higher frets. Besides this solid beginner guitar, you will get an amp, a gig bag, a tuner, and more – all in one package.
If you’re a beginner, this package gives you everything needed for a solid start without spending a fortune. Even if you decide to upgrade later, you can always sell the used Epiphone for a decent resale value. It’s not perfect, but for what you pay, it’s one of the better beginner-friendly options out there.
Pros And Cons
Things I like:
- Excellent value for money
- Versatile acoustic-electric functionality
- Easy to play due to its comfortable body design
- Comes with all the necessary accessories
Things I don’t like:
- Potential need for initial setup and upgrades
- Sound lack the depth and bass response of higher-end or larger-bodied acoustic guitars
- Included accessories are basic or of low quality
Epiphone PR 4E Demo (Review Video)
Alternatives of Epiphone PR-4E
If the Epiphone PR-4E isn’t quite your thing, there are other acoustic-electric guitars in the same price range worth checking out.
The Fender FA-125CE is another acoustic-electric with a cutaway design, making it easy to reach higher frets. It has a laminate spruce top and basswood back and sides, which means it might not sound as warm as the PR-4E.
But it does have Fishman electronics, which some players prefer for better amplified sound. The good news is that this model is available with and without bundle pack. And the bundle pack cost is almost same as the Epiphone one.
Another option is the Ibanez Talman TCY10E. It has a thin, double-cutaway body, which makes it feel more like an electric guitar. That’s great if you’re used to electrics, but it might not have the deep, full sound some people want from an acoustic.
This guitar has an Ibanez AEQ-2T preamp and a built-in tuner, so it’s super easy to plug in and play. However, compared to the other two models, some units may have higher string action and sharp fret ends, which might be tough for beginners to handle. Also, it doesn’t come with a bundle pack, so you’ll need to buy accessories separately.
So, if you want an all-in-one package, the PR-4E is a solid pick. If you like stronger electronics, the Fender FA-125CE is worth a look. And if you want a slim, electric-like feel, the Ibanez Talman TCY10E could be your match.
Final Verdict
After checking out the Epiphone PR-4E, I can recommend it as a solid choice if you’re looking for a beginner-friendly acoustic-electric guitar with a bundle pack that gets you playing right away.
The Epiphone PR 4E specs make it a decent pick for practice and small performances. Sure, it might need some small upgrades later, but for learning and practicing at home, it’s perfect.
If you’re just starting and want an affordable, all-in-one option, this is definitely a smart choice.
Gustavo is a music teacher and classical guitar player from Brazil, currently residing in Dublin, Ireland. He holds a graduate degree in Classical Guitar Performance from the Federal University of Pelotas. In 2020, Gustavo successfully completed a Master's degree in Sound Engineering from the Academy of Sound in Ireland.