Epiphone Broadway?

jason30 · #1 04-26-2010, 07:04 PM

Hi,

Im wondering if any of you guys have had any experiences with the Epiphone Broadway? Is this a better choice than the Ibanez hollowbody guitars? Im trying to stay under $800 if at all possible...Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

Thanks

mr. beaumont · #2 04-26-2010, 07:29 PM

i had a epiphone emperor regent (big body like the broadway, I floating pickup instead of 2 routed buckers) which served me fine for a while, but looking back on it, that guitar was probably $600 bucks that should still be in my "dream guitar fund."

The Epiphones and Ibanez's are fine to get the vibe, but in that price bracket, I'm a big champion of the Godin kingpins. I'm pretty sure you can get the double pickup cutaway version for right around $800, and I'm telling ya, it's three times the guitar the Epi's and Ibanez's are. Better in tone, fit and finish, playability, and looks (well, that last one is pretty subjective...)

I've also seen used asian d'angelico's go in that range occasionally, and again, much more guitar.

JMHO, YMMV.

Archtop Bill · #3 04-26-2010, 08:32 PM

I recently purchased my Broadway from a local shop here in Asheville. It was purchased as new (still had factory packaging), but the serial number revealed that it was made in Korea in 2006.

I have literally owned dozens of guitars over the past forty years including 2 Gibson LP's, a 1965 Gibson ES-335, Fender Strat, Erlewine Chiquita, A Rickenbacher 12 string, Ibanez 540S-FM, Gibson ES-120T, Epi AlleyKat, a Ramierez 1a, Ramierez 2a, (bother Ramierez's has 664mm scales),and numerous "concert" guitars.

Granted my "style" has been all over the board, but what it boils down to is ever since a kid I preferred to play fingerstyle anything like Chet Atkins. After having played so many guitars, the Epi Broadway has really clicked with me. There is something there just appeals to me and brings out better playing in me. I am old enough and certainly been around enough not to be taken in just because a guitar is new to me.

After all these years I have never been happier with guitar both as far as fit & finish, quality and variety of tone, appearance and playability. This is going to be the last guitar I own.

mongrel · #4 04-26-2010, 08:43 PM

I've played Broadways and like them alot. Would have bought one a couple of years ago but the stores near me had none in stock so I ended up with a Joe Pass which is sort of a junior Broadway. Couple of months after that, I was in another music store where there was on old guy who had brought in his own Broadway and was auditioning various amps from the classic Fender tube reissures to Peavey blasters, Mesas etc. The guy was a great player in the funk/r&b/bebop veins. Anyhow, the store salesman helping him brought out a new-old-stock Epiphone ES 135 that was a Korean custom shop limited edition only available, unfortunately, in a fugly blue burst. The guy put the Broadway in his case, plugged into the ES 135 and I sat on an amp for about an hour listening to some of the best clean tones I ever heard out of six strings. Blew the Broadway into the weeds.

randyc · #5 04-26-2010, 09:22 PM

Since forum members started mentioning Godin guitars with respect, I've been paying a lot more attention to them. They are unusual in several respects. For example, check out the top material and grain orientation - completely unlike ANY other archtops that I've ever seen ! Haven't heard a single complaint yet and the prices are definitely competitive. Wish I had the opportunity to check one out for a week or so ...

cheers,
randyc

jason30 · #6 04-26-2010, 10:15 PM

Thanks for the response guys. I think i better go check out the Godin guitars before maiking my decision. I had a thin body godin many years ago that was an acoustic/electri that really sounded great! Didnt really hear any good words concerning Ibanez guitars, which probably means that they are the least favored out of all the choices?

mr. beaumont · #7 04-26-2010, 10:43 PM

You know, there's nothing wrong with the ibanez's, but they have skinny necks and big frets, which always make me feel like they're meant for rock cats more than jazz players. Basically, my take is they're fine guitars, they just feature nothing i like.

Doctor Jeff · #8 04-27-2010, 11:08 AM

I tried an Epi Regent--same size, single floater--not too long ago and liked it--nice sound both acoustic and plugged in. Personally if you're going for the big-bodied jazz box, I don't see the need for dual humbuckers, but to each his own.

I will second what's been said about the Godin Kingpin. Very nice guitar that has a lot of unique characteristics. I have been playing it for about 3 months--kept the original roundwound strings on, adjusted the truss and lowered the action--it plays very nicely, but not quite as smooth as more typical jazzers. The combination of the size, strings and p90 gives it an interesting woodsy tone that's different from the typical dark jazz tone. I am still getting to know it but find it very interesting and fun to play. Great value for the money.

Archtop Bill · #9 04-27-2010, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

You know, there's nothing wrong with the ibanez's, but they have skinny necks and big frets, which always make me feel like they're meant for rock cats more than jazz players. Basically, my take is they're fine guitars, they just feature nothing i like.

You hit the nail on the head. The neck of the Ibanez, IMHO, feels wimpy. Part of what I like about the Broadway is the relative heft to the neck.

SamBooka · #10 04-27-2010, 07:53 PM

I think this underlines an important point. If possible go PLAY the guitars. I know it isnt easy on the web.

I have an EmpReg and I consider the neck average. Nice fit and finish and feel. Good guitars USED . Since I got a gibson the neck (at least to me anyway FEELS like a baseball bat but that is nothign compared to my early 50 H51)

Forums are nice.. these things look good on paper.. but the litmus test is when you get your fingers around them.

nado64 · #11 04-28-2010, 03:16 AM

I've tried a lot of guitars, and now, I've a Broadway.
I'm very happy with it.
I love the sound with its new humbucker CC.

But be careful about the size, it's a very big jazz box.

Doctor Jeff · #12 04-28-2010, 09:07 AM

BTW, I think the Epiphone Tree of Life headstock is the coolest one out there. Yes, even cooler than that the mother company.

Gediminas · #13 11-22-2011, 03:14 PM

Bringing this thread up, because I've got sort of a decition to make, and hopefully can get some more input from you guys

there's someone in my area selling am Epiphone Broadway for a reasonable price, almost new, only half a year spent at someones home. Thing is, I had my mind set for an Ibanez Artcore Custom series archtop, but now I read some good reviews about this guitar, some not so good about the Ibanez's neck, and start to seriously consider this offer - esspecially, since getting an Ibanez would involve ordering through Ebay and all the risks that come along with it, while here I could go somewhere in my home town, sit down with the guitar, check it out, how it feels and then, if it's good, take it home the same day

I just need your opinions - will I be missing out, if I choose this one over the Ibanez I mentioned?

I know this is an area where taste plays a vital role, but still, from a point of an experienced jazz guitar player, perhaps there is a way to weigh the pros and cons in a somewhat general manner.

Hopefully, there are people here, who have been around both of these. It should be said, that for the Ibanez I'd be spending at least a couple hundred extra bucks.

jmstritt · #14 11-22-2011, 04:19 PM

I think the Broadway is your best bet. IMO it is a great value. I too am not a huge fan of the Ibanez jazz guitars. I do like the George Benson model, but the artcore guitars just feel akward to me. The Godin's are good guitars. I owned one of their synth guitars and it was great. The Kingpins that I have played I fealt were OK. Some people love them, it just wasn't really my thing. Didn't feel like home when I picked it up. Granted, that is TOTALLY SUBJECTIVE. The Broadway gives you a good jazz box for the money, I would also check out the Epiphone Joe Pass if you can get past the ugly pickguard and tailpiece. It all comes down to what do YOU like. I can tell you what I like, but you are the one who is going to be playing this guitar, not me! ;-)

bfloyd6969 · #15 11-22-2011, 05:05 PM

Not to get too off track of this thread but perhaps the OP could find some use of this - it has been mentioned here about the Ibanez' necks being on the thinner side, and I agree with this as the ones I have tried are surely thinner necks, but is the Godin Kingpin's a beefier neck? I have several of the Godin acoustics (Seagull and Art and Lutheries), and they all have what I consider thinner necks. Are the Kingpins different?

kid deluxe · #16 11-22-2011, 07:12 PM

I would not buy the Broadway again. Maybe the old ones are better...

khingdheano · #17 11-23-2011, 10:02 AM

I have a 2010 Broadway and a 2008 Ibanez Af75TDG, the white one. For jazz, it's the Broadway all the way. The Ibanez is good for blues and rockabilly, but if I had to go with just one of these choices, the Broadway stays. Like others have noted, the neck feels so superior to the Ibanez. And I've had intonation issues with the Ibanez, as well. The Broadway is perfect for me. I also have an Emperor Regent, a D'Angelico EXL-1, and a Gibson ES-150, and the Broadway is the one I play the most.

valriver40 · #18 11-23-2011, 10:08 AM

my sunburst broadway looks,sounds, and plays great and it is my #1 go to guitar!

valriver40 · #19 11-23-2011, 10:10 AM

my guitar is from the mid 90's and still in mint con.

Chip · #20 11-23-2011, 11:51 AM

Hi Guys,

I have small hands - LH pinky is 2 1/8'' from 3rd knuckle to tip,LH index is 3 1/8" - all I can say is "Thanks Ibanez !". I played an L-5 for 35 years
because that's what I wanted.....little did I realize what a difference the
shorter scale (and whimpyneck would make) until I retired and bought an AF105F just for the heck of it.

Now I'm playing chords I couldn't, chord melodies with better precision,
and overall, I'm just more comfortable playing, whether sitting or standing.
Meanwhile, the L-5 is retired !!!! IMHO, try to get your hands on one to play first - it really does make a difference!

Chip

bigdaddyguitar · #21 11-23-2011, 07:43 PM

Got a blonde Broadway that I bought new in ' 98 . Love it . Great jazz vibe . Been my main guitar for some time now . Also have a blonde Emperor Regent that I bought new in ' 96 . It's my backup axe . Nothing like a couple big blondes .

Archtop Bill · #22 11-23-2011, 08:24 PM

My comments regarding the Epi Broadway remain the same all these months later. It is the best guitar I have ever owned. The Ibanez does not compare.

guitar1303 · #23 11-23-2011, 08:26 PM

As noted in prior posts, I'm a major fan of Epiphone jazz boxes -- fine guitars for a modest cash outlay. In addition to a Broadway, I have a Joe Pass and ES-175 reissue. The Broadway's a delight! Highly recommended!

FrankLearns · #24 11-24-2011, 01:19 AM

If you are looking for that fat, warm, dark, big jazz sound i think that the Epiphones are a nice place to start. I would immediately switch the pickups (to classic 57 or Duncan Jazz or Fralin or ... There are many good options) and perhaps the nut and bridge (less important though) but then they are great value for the money. They look nice, play nice, sound nice. You can of course not expect the same as you would get from a 5K boutique archtop. My personal favorite is the Joe Pass model that is a bit smaller and thinner than the Broadway or the Regent. To me it plays and feels just beautifully.

I could never get excited about the Ibaneze Artcore series (would enjoy the Benson model though). I don't know why. Maybe it is what Mr Beaumont said - skinny neck, big frets. They somehow feel cheaper than the Epiphones even if that is probably unfair to the hardware they use. It is a matter of taste obviously. It is best to play one. They are everywhere. And the stock pickups are better than on the Epiphones i think.

I general i love Godin guitars. The Kingpin, IMHO is a bit special. It does not have *that* jazz tone. It sounds more like a vintage accoustic archtop. It is a fine guitar and after lowering the action considerably it also plays nice. It is very lightweight. The p90s on it sound nice. It took me a while to experiment with strings and IMHO it sounds best with bronze strings. However, you can't amplify it then (laws of physics :-)). The best compromise to me turned out to be white bronze strings from GHS. It sounds very clear, a bit woody yet very different from that Gibsone'sque tone that the Epis have. Very intersting if you are looking for something in between an accoustic and an electric sound.

khingdheano · #25 11-24-2011, 02:31 AM

Those Godin archtops, beautiful to look at, nice electronics, but there is no "there" there. I've tried to buy one more than once, and take it from my wife, nobody has to bend my arm to make me buy an archtop... on the other hand, (or arm), no one can stop me from buying one, either. Here is my 2c review of the Godin archtops I've played:
"Too light"
"Doesn't come close to what I already have"

Notice, recommendations here pretty much go with Epis that are NOT GIBSON COPIES. Gibson doesn't make a Broadway, nor an Emperor Regent, nor Joe Pass... the jazz boxes that are unique to the Epiphone line are great sounding axes, well worth the money. Wouldn't pay 2 grand for one, but I feel like both of mine were well worth the $500 each I've laid out for them.

Eunice824 · #26 11-24-2011, 03:28 AM

Since forum members started mentioning Godin guitars with respect, I've been paying a lot more attention to them. They are unusual in several respects. For example, check out the top material and grain orientation - completely unlike ANY other archtops that I've ever seen ! Haven't heard a single complaint yet and the prices are definitely competitive. Wish I had the opportunity to check one out for a week or so ...

FrankLearns · #27 11-24-2011, 04:02 PM

[quote=Eunice824;183348]Since forum members started mentioning Godin guitars with respect, I've been paying a lot more attention to them. They are unusual in several respects. For example, check out the top material and grain orientation - completely unlike ANY other archtops that I've ever seen ! Haven't heard a single complaint yet and the prices are definitely competitive. Wish I had the opportunity to check one out for a week or so ...

.... Yes, in particular check out the Montreal and multiacc Jazz. The latter (in blonde) has a solid spruce top and an incredible nice, fat, warm, articulate Jazz tone through its minihumbucker. It also has a piezo on board and synth access (if you like that). The Montreal is semi hollow but with some jazzy strings (i *love* thomastik Bebop strings on that instrument - it is magic) it also has a nice dark jazz tone and yet can do so much more. It also has a piezo.