Epiphone Broadway Coming, What Do You Think?

resonator · #1 04-29-2009, 08:44 AM

After looking for a good Jazz Style guitar, I bought a used Epiphone Broadway from a pro player in Nashville.
Epiphone Broadway w/Duncan, Gibson pickups
I had played a used Epiphone Broadway locally that I liked, but it had a twist in the neck

. No one carries new Broadway's around here so I went to ebay and craigslist. I was all set on replacing the pickups, pots and switch when I bought a Broadway. After talking to the owner of this guitar (real good guy), I'm thinking the Seth Lover in the neck and the Gibson (unknown by seller) in the Bridge, It may work out just fine as is. I'm not sure if the stock pot's are any good or not. The Seller is very sure I'll love the guitar. He's giving me a three day return if it's not what I want.

What did you install in your Epiphone Broadway? I've heard good things about Lollar Low-Wind Emperials. I've read where a few folks have installed Classinc 57's. I have a set of gold PRS SC245's that I could try. I'm not sure if that would work for good Jazz tone though. They're supposed to be very much like PAF's.

What I find funny is I was prepared to spend up to $2000 for a Jazz guitar. I'm surprised I like the less expensive Epiphone Broadway.

Res

marrzipan · #2 05-06-2009, 02:11 AM

The Broadway is a great jazz guitar even without any mods. I've had mine for over a year now although I'm not a jazz player (yet). I play a lot of early (50s) rock with it and it sounds just right for that vintage sound. But you can also get very decent jazz sounds with just the stock humbuckers. I would like to hear your impression on the guitar.

Bertrand tB · #3 05-06-2009, 03:10 AM

I would consider the Lollar p.u.'s or indeed the Gibson classic 57. A friend of mine has put this one in a cheapo 175 copy with great result. But there are more options. The Kent Armstrongs for instance are very popular jazz p.u.'s.

lpdeluxe · #4 05-06-2009, 01:06 PM

I'm visiting musician friends in St Louis MO -- leaving for KC this afternoon, then home tomorrow. I was just given a Samick arch top electric (looks like a decent ES-5 copy) with a case, and I can't wait to get it home. Even has a hard case. It has noisy pots, but I've rewired archtops before, so I'm not concerned.

My friend has had it hanging on the wall for 10 years or so and never played it, and I made the mistake of admiring it...guess I'll have to report back, but I was amazed at the playability. I'm **really** a 335 guy, but this one looks like fun.

lpdeluxe · #5 05-09-2009, 10:04 AM

Here it is after a bunch of setup (still needs a new set of speed knobs):

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p...g?t=1241876995

Brad · #6 05-13-2009, 04:17 PM

I bought an Epi BW about two years ago, 2005 model, I think. I love it. In the time I have had it, I have replaced both pick-ups with SD Jazz pickups and had a metal bridge put in. I don't think the wooden one helped with tone that much and the new metal one gives much better sustain and stays in tune very well. Love that box now.

lpdeluxe · #7 05-13-2009, 04:28 PM

Now that I've got a week or so with the Samick under my belt, I'm quite happy with it. I'd forgotten how live these beasts are! At the moment I'm satisfied with the pickups: nice jazzbo tone, good range of EQ in the tone knobs, and the pots are quiet (once they got a little use).

What particularly impressed me was that, as out of whack as everything on it was (it hung on a wall for ten years: the bridge had moved a couple of inches, the pickguard was crooked, action was high, tailpiece was loose which made the strings cross the pickups about half an inch from the pole pieces) it quickly came back to life with a few hand tools and my Peterson tuner. I didn't even adjust the truss rod.

In other words, it's a solid, robust instrument, never mind its "offshore" manufacture. Sure, I'd rather have a **real** L5CES, but I couldn't justify the cost when I have a very playable, free jazz box.