NGD (belated)... Epiphone ES-175 Reissue.

Retroman1969 · #1 09-11-2011, 06:29 PM

I've actually had this for weeks, but been so crazy with work I haven't had a chance to photograph it or post about it.
For what it cost it's a beauty with good quality construction, nice finish and wood figuring, smooth fretwork, Grover tuners, and extensive binding work...

Feels great in my hands and easy to play. I thought the pickups would be just like those on my Joe Pass, but they're much hotter and sound a bit muddy at higher volumes. I'm thinking of switching to a rosewood bridge and TI strings to mellow the tone a bit more.
As for the Joe Pass, I loved it, but I sold it in favor of this guitar after I realized that the reason it would never stay intonated was because the Bigsby had been mounted crooked and the odd angle of the strings was causing the bridge to slip as it was played.
I think this is a worthy replacement for it though!

rpguitar · #2 09-11-2011, 07:38 PM

Well I'll be the first to say congrats! Looks beautiful. Are there any significant differences between this and a Gibson, or is it an attempt at a genuine copy?

morroben · #3 09-11-2011, 09:05 PM

Is that the one that goes for around $500? Pretty impressive if it is! It looks great!

Retroman1969 · #4 09-11-2011, 09:41 PM

Thank you guys!
It is indeed the $500 one.

with the hard case and sales tax it was $604 out the door.
I haven't been able to compare it to the Gibson version because the 2 whole Gibson dealers in Oklahoma don't carry any actual Gibson guitars save a few Les Pauls. From the pictures and specs I've seen though, it's a very faithful copy. The electronics and quality of the woods/veneers being the only major differences that I've noticed without holding both in hand.
It did make me wonder, since Epiphone is a division of Gibson, if these would be called "copies" or just "stripped down versions", or etc...?

billkath · #5 09-12-2011, 03:25 AM

I have one too-and am equally happy. The big change I made to it was swapping the nut out for a graphtech. My nut was badly cut and badly finished-the graphtech made a big difference .

RoyaleT · #6 09-12-2011, 05:25 AM

Congratulations, I was looking at them, too, but found a great deal on a Godin Kingpin II. But I'd still like to pick one up someday.

rpguitar · #7 09-12-2011, 06:40 AM

That price is ridiculously good. If I didn't already have a 1957 blonde that I paid only $1500 for, I'd impulsively buy one!

Elias Graves · #8 09-12-2011, 10:03 AM

Very nice. I actually played that one at GC and will agree it's a sweet guitar.
Congrats!

EG

Retroman1969 · #9 09-12-2011, 02:05 PM

Thank you!
Wow, I'd love to find a '57 Gibson for $1,500!
Yes, in the GC world of small pointy guitars, this on it's stand in the middle of the room definitely stood out.

KevinV · #10 02-19-2012, 06:57 PM

Retroman...

Great pics, you do some fine camera work.

I was curious as to whether you still have this guitar and if you recommend it. I know you've picked up some Eastman's recently and wondered if you feel the Epi still has a place in the lineup. I've wanted one for quite a while and now that they're discontinued I'm debating on getting one while they're closing them out.

bob32069 · #11 02-19-2012, 07:31 PM

Just ordered mine today! Can't wait til she comes in. Beautiful pics!

Cheers

Retroman1969 · #12 02-19-2012, 07:51 PM

Thanks guys!
I actually ended up trading mine for the Eastman 341 (175-style) guitar, only because I don't like to accumulate a lot of gear and felt the Eastman was the next step up.
I still think these are great guitars, and for the money, well worth having. I had no real complaints, except that they are rather heavy.
Like to see pics of yours Bob, when you get it in. Congrats!

AlsoRan · #13 02-19-2012, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retroman1969

Thanks guys!
I actually ended up trading mine for the Eastman 341 (175-style) guitar, only because I don't like to accumulate a lot of gear and felt the Eastman was the next step up.
I still think these are great guitars, and for the money, well worth having. I had no real complaints, except that they are rather heavy.
Like to see pics of yours Bob, when you get it in. Congrats!

Would I be overly forward and nosy if I asked you about your trade? Were you able to do it without losing a whole lot of money?

The reason I ask is that I have a 2008 Fender Stratocaster Deluxe that I never play and will probably try to sell, along with other guitars and gear, to raise money for a serious guitar or amp. I would like to know if you were able to get some of your money back and how.

Also, another member of the forum reported that Epiphone was dropping the ES-175 from its line-up. Do you think that might increase the value of it? Thanks.

AlsoRan · #14 02-19-2012, 08:05 PM

P.S. - You are one hell of a photographer!!

Retroman1969 · #15 02-19-2012, 08:57 PM

Thank you AlsoRan.

As you might expect, I lost some on the deal.
With tax and case, I had close to $600 in it and got $400 in trade.
I had a second Epi-175 that I had bought used that I sold for what I had in it ($350) on Craigslist.
Between the two, that got me the Eastman with tax and all.
I've owned and sold several Strats before, and they're easier to unload as you might guess on CL or EBay. I usually at least broke even on those.
On something like a nice Strat, I'd try to sell it first. They'll always rip you on a trade at the stores.
Best of luck with it!

Retroman1969 · #16 02-19-2012, 09:01 PM

Oh, as for the value of the 175s, now that they're making the swan song, I would think they'd become more desirable eventually, if not now.