Epiphone ES175 - Page 2

Retroman1969 · #31 07-26-2011, 06:46 PM

PS, BMW2002...
Wow, 4 grand for that Gibson 175? A little more than I thought.
Now I'd like to check one out to see if I notice $3500 worth of difference between it and the Epiphone.

woyvel · #32 07-26-2011, 06:49 PM

I went shopping yesterday and didn't find any Epi ES175's (darn!). I played a couple Joe Pass's, a Regent, a Sheridan and a Riviera. I had a trade to make, so that had some bearing on my purchase.

Hated the Sheridan. Wouldn't tune correctly, out of whack. Couldn't get a great sound. Regent quite nice, but also a bit out of intonation. Joe Pass #1 was nice. Joe Pass #2 sounded sooo beautiful. Riviera was really a nice surprise, lots of tone versatility.

So I went home with:

PRS SE Custom semi-hollow. Plays like a dream! Very light weight, nice tones, but not real jazzy, so I'll still be in the market for that jazz box (Broadway?).

Retroman1969 · #33 07-26-2011, 07:00 PM

I'm playing my Joe Pass right now. I've always loved the tone from this thing! The ES 175 sounded very similar to the JP, but cleaner, and with a noticeably bigger overall acoustic sound (not sure why, unless it's because the body is 1/4" thicker).

barrymclark · #34 07-28-2011, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retroman1969

PS, BMW2002...
Wow, 4 grand for that Gibson 175? A little more than I thought.
Now I'd like to check one out to see if I notice $3500 worth of difference between it and the Epiphone.

I think the major difference you'll find is that the Gibby will sing more than the Epi... but yeah, that is quite a price hike and you gotta decide if that hike is justified by the difference in the way an Epi and a Gibby sounds. Me? I got a Heritage H575 (VERY similar to the 175 but with a slight lean to the L4 with the carved wood as opposed to the pressed laminate.

barrymclark · #35 07-28-2011, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retroman1969

I'm playing my Joe Pass right now. I've always loved the tone from this thing! The ES 175 sounded very similar to the JP, but cleaner, and with a noticeably bigger overall acoustic sound (not sure why, unless it's because the body is 1/4" thicker).

I like the JP Emperor. Just something about it, to me, was uncomfortable. The neck shape just wasn't for me.

bigdaddyguitar · #36 07-28-2011, 01:52 PM

Did some checking around . That PU ring is normal on big body Epis. Not normal on big Gibsons . Broadways , Joe Pass , etc.. neck PU ring is reversed . Maybe has to do with top arch . Don't know . Super 400 , L5 , ES175, etc... PU ring has smaller side towards neck . Go figure .

Retroman1969 · #37 07-28-2011, 06:53 PM

Okay, thanks for the extra info. I'm sure the Gibson sounds better and would be worth the purchase but unless I was a working musician or had more money than I knew what to do with...

Interesting that the PU rings on the JP are different and sit level. Since they do fit well, you think they'd use them on the 175 and other Epis. Doesn't look like the tops are cut or contoured any differently.

SamBooka · #38 07-28-2011, 09:49 PM

two years ago when I was looking for an archtop I a/b'd an epiphone 175 with a gibson 175. I dont know how to explain it but the epiphone FELT cheaper. Something about the finish or the binding.

There were more defects on the Gibson (rough frets, blems) and it was set up horribly (the strings would hit the bridge pickup if you played abover the 15th fret).Sound wise the epi sounded better but both had garbage strings ..

The guitar that really.. I mean REALLY stood out was the Zephyr Regent. Sooo dark and warm.. but in a good way. I would have grabbed it but a) I really wanted at 17in 25.5 scale guitar and b) I was affraid it would be too dark . But oh... find another ZephReg owner 9 out of 10 dentists will agree with them.

Retroman1969 · #39 07-29-2011, 11:10 AM

Yes, I was happy with the sound of the Epi, but it didn't surprise ne really.
The ZR, basically a one pickup 175? I like it and it gets great reviews. Hard to find though.
Glowing review of it here: Epiphone Musical Instruments - Reviews

SamBooka · #40 07-29-2011, 11:28 AM

yeah.. one pickup es175 but laminate mahogany back and sides instead of maple.. maybe there are other factors but I was amazed at the difference it made in tone..

I thought it was discontinued but I think I saw it recently on one of the US sites (GC or musiciansfriend or something)

Retroman1969 · #41 07-29-2011, 06:14 PM

It comes up on the MF site, but it's listed as unavailable.