Epiphone ES-175 Premium questions

[Mr Christopher]

Hi guys, I have been reading up on the Epiphone Es 175 and 175 Premium. One concern I have about the Premium model is all the used examples I see for sale have finish peeling/flaking right off the wood. Does this happen to all of them?

And what would the wisdom be in buying the regular 175 and putting the 57 pickups in it? And how significant is the neck difference, from what I hear the Premium is slim, which appeals to me. How does the apparently beefier regular 175 feel in the hand?

For reference I mostly play Gretsch 5420 or 6120 (modern).

[StefanoGhirardo]

Not always true, not in my case: I have a 2014 Epiphone 175 Premium with Gibson 57 pickups, in perfect time-capsule condition. It has no hint of peeling/flaking right off the wood.

[jazzshrink]

Have you contacted the JGO member that is currently selling a premium?

[nyc chaz]

My premium has no flaking and is 10 years old.Many Gibson es 175 already come with classic 57's installed.I sold my Gibson after getting the Epi premium because they sounded the same but i preferred the thinner neck on the Epi.

[2bornot2bop]

Flaking? Nadda!

[sgosnell]

I have one of the early Premiums, received as a retirement gift more than 10 years ago. The only finish issues are some spots where the matte finish has become shiny from wear. No flaking, no wear through the finish, just a little gloss here and there. My sample size is one, and I have no knowledge about the plain 175.

[Mr Christopher]

Have you contacted the JGO member that is currently selling a premium?

I just saw his post. Dang if I had the cash I'd be ALL over that one. I have a few things to sell first. Thanks for the tip.

[Mr Christopher]

Guys thanks for all the replies and this has given me hope! I swear every Premium example on Reverb and other places right now show glaring examples of the finish peeling off the wood. I am so happy this doesn't happen to them all. I'll keep this model on my radar, and sell a thing or two more quickly to fund my future purchase.

[rasseyed]

Hi guys, I have been reading up on the Epiphone Es 175 and 175 Premium. One concern I have about the Premium model is all the used examples I see for sale have finish peeling/flaking right off the wood. Does this happen to all of them?

And what would the wisdom be in buying the regular 175 and putting the 57 pickups in it? And how significant is the neck difference, from what I hear the Premium is slim, which appeals to me. How does the apparently beefier regular 175 feel in the hand?

For reference I mostly play Gretsch 5420 or 6120 (modern).

I have both models, and I think they are both great! I have a 2014 Epihone premium, no finish issues. I have a 2006-7 Unsung Epiphone Es-175, solid guitar.

The non-premium Epi, has a thicker neck, that feels really good in your hands. I put a SD 59 in the neck, and it sounds great.

The premium is also great with the 57 classics. The neck is a little thinner, but also feels really good.

I do think the regular epi has a little more of an acoustic voice and the premium would be a more focused voice. This is just my opinion. I would be happy with either models.

[John A.]

Hi guys, I have been reading up on the Epiphone Es 175 and 175 Premium. One concern I have about the Premium model is all the used examples I see for sale have finish peeling/flaking right off the wood. Does this happen to all of them?

Sorry, no idea.

And what would the wisdom be in buying the regular 175 and putting the 57 pickups in it?

I've tried a couple of examples of both. I don't think the difference between the two is the pickups. I think it's the wood they're made from (and conceivably the difference in finish thickness, though I'm skeptical about that). Gibson laminated-maple-top archtops (175, 125, 350, TF, etc.) have a characteristic tone that's common in all of them to a degree, regardless of pickups, body dimensions, and scale length. I think the consensus explanation is that Gibson's "laminated maple" is actually laminated maple and poplar, whereas almost everyone else's is all maple. The Epi Premium (supposedly), is the same wood as the Gibson. It has that sound, but the non-Premium doesn't, at least not the ones I've tried. I don't think a pickup swap would get you there.

And how significant is the neck difference, from what I hear the Premium is slim, which appeals to me. How does the apparently beefier regular 175 feel in the hand?

It's purely subjective preference. Some people like thinner necks, some people like chunkier ones, some don't care. My preference has kind of evolved from not caring to somewhat preferring chunkier ones, but not to the point of being unable to play the thinner ones I have. That said, the Epi Premium struck me as really skinny (e.g., it felt skinnier to me than the Gibson "slim 60's taper" necks I've played), and it seemed to me that the string-to-string spacing was narrower than on other 1-11/16" nut guitars I've played. I thought the guitar sounded really good, but I passed because of the neck. But that shouldn't affect someone else's decision. You just have to try things and see how they work for you.

[Mr Christopher]

I have both models, and I think they are both great! I have a 2014 Epihone premium, no finish issues. I have a 2006-7 Unsung Epiphone Es-175, solid guitar.

The non-premium Epi, has a thicker neck, that feels really good in your hands. I put a SD Jazz in the neck, and it sounds great.

The premium is also great with the 57 classics. The neck is a little thinner, but also feels really good.

I do think the regular epi has a little more of an acoustic voice and the premium would be a more focused voice. This is just my opinion. I would be happy with either models.

Those are beauties for sure. I'll have my own in time!

[Jabberwocky]

I wish Gibson would do a proper Inspired By Gibson Epiphone ES-175 with the openbook headstock and Custombuckers. Enough of the IBG LPs and ES-es already.

[WillsJazz]

I used to have both models at one time, and they are both great guitars, yet slightly different. I sold my Premium a while back mostly because the neck was a bit slim for my taste. Also, I didn't dig the matte finish. All a matter of personal preference, nothing was wrong with the guitar. It sounded great. It had a few finish checks but nothing crazy. I still have the non-Premium and love it. It has a heftier neck with a glossy poly finish. The chances of that checking is slim to none. I had Gibson 57s put in it and it sounds incredible.

I wouldn't let the stock pickups be one of the deciding factors between the 2 since they're easily swapped. I would consider the neck size and finishes though since you can't change those.

Hope that helps.

[WillsJazz]

I wish Gibson would do a proper Inspired By Gibson Epiphone ES-175 with the openbook headstock and Custombuckers. Enough of the IBG LPs and ES-es already.

Fat chance. Gibson doesn't even make 175s anymore. I'd be all over that.

[andreshum]

No finish issues with my premium either. The thin neck not really my cup of tea though.

[medblues]

I have a Wine Red one with no issues whatsoever. A/B'ed with Gibson ES-175 two or three times in stores and with friends. Sounded exactly the same. I can adapt to neck differences very easily (even from classical 52mm to Soloway 46mm to Strat 42mm)