Played An Ibanez AS200 (Prestige), Epiphone ES-175, and The Guild Range

**Archie** · 01-14-2015, 08:08 AM

Was in Anderton's music shop (A big retailer outside of London) yesterday and got the chance to play some archtops. They didn't have a huge selection, seems archtops in the UK are on the decline in retailers by all accounts.

Here are the models I played and my thoughts on them.

New Epiphone Es-175 (Sundburst + Blonde)

Actually apart from the weird satin finish and blacking out of the neck entirely (on the SB), this was the best archtop I played that day, by a long way. The neck was nice, the fretboard was nice. String tension was good, string balance, evenness and tonal response was excellent.
Guitar was light and acoustically loud enough and nicely mellow.
Sure it had that deadish kind of sound (not the type you get from a high end laminate) if that makes sense. A cheap kind of 'fake wood' dead sound.

Plugged in all those things came together to give a wonderful tone. If I had the need for a cheap archtop, I would be happy to buy it. I would also be happy to use it to record, amongst some far more expensive models too, including Japanese ones and US.

Very good little guitar.

Other down side is the bridge doesn't sit properly on the top but when you look under there are two pins?? kinda weird, not sure whats going on there. Was like that on both models. I'm sure theres a good enough reason.

Guild X-150 (Korean)(£950)

Just no. Feels vert plastic, very cheap, the sound is just nothing to my ears. The Rhythm chief does nothing to improve this. Just no. Neck feels like nothing, no real shape to it. Guitar looks alright but nothing more than that. I would never buy this guitar on purpose.

Ibanez Af (Forgot the model, the blue one, single pup).(£375)

Was expecting more form this but its ok. I can't say good because again, it feels fake. It sounds overly dull for being a single pup (the Es-175 sounded much better imo). The neck was ok but again it all just feels fake. Like they have got some wood mache to make it. The finish was a bit all over the place
and the whole thing just felt budget, real budget.
Playability was ok, better than the Guild but tonally not nearly as exciting or dynamic as the Epiphone. Top was a bit thick for my liking too. Thought they could have made it thinner and the neck was also a little thick.

Guild X175 (£850?)

Ok whats strange is that I actually like this one. It still has most of the draw back that the X150 does but it just seem to feel better, has a better tone (although both are far from the Es-175). Would I buy it? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm can't answer. If I had to chose out of the Guild X range, it would be this one. Pups are pretty bad though.

Ibanez As200 Prestige Japan (£1500)

Right umm wasn't really that impressed by it. Felt dull, kinda lifeless sound. Too clinical in its tone. Neck was a bit thin and freeboard even thinner. Binding on the side is very thin.
Just felt like a bottom end Japanese guitar. Perhaps would have been better as a top end Chinese one, if I'm honest. to sure what the Japanese association brings to the party at this point, apart from a higher price point. There was no real punch a clear dynamics from the pick-ups you would expect and playing it left me feeling uninspired. The woods looked chesty to me, with the off angled flaming. I would grab it for £700 but not £1500. If they had made it in China for £1500 then we'd probably have a serious guitar.

Gibson ES339 (£1800)
Interestingly this guitar was very light and resonant. The moment I picked it up I got kind of excited, until I sat down.
The neck was huge and without any character, it also felt like the 'wood mache' they stick on Chinese guitars these days.
Tonally it had no real character, the pick-ups were average at best. No punch, no real dynamics. The woods were dull without any real figuring and looked and felt kinda fake. They've been doing this on the Les Pauls now for some years, hence why they are now regularly going for under £1000, which is a new low, in the Les Paul second hand market.
I kept having to convince my self of things like, they use Nitro but the finishes looked almost as dull as the sating budget boxes. The action was appalling too, although that could have been
Anderton's fault.
Unfortunately they never have a guitar set up to anywhere near good. Although I think the Gibson was new, so should have been done in the factory. Perhaps neither party really care?

Verdict

The Epiphone Es-175 was hands down the best playing and sounding archtop of the day. Sure it's kinda ugly, the finish is weird and conspicuously black in places. Plus the headstock (well) but damn it played really well and with better pick-ups, that could hold the wrath in the trebles, it would sound awesome and give any Gibson VOS £4000 box a run for its money.

Yes it does have a slight cheap sound to the woods and that comes through a little in the overall tone, so perhaps a genuine 175 will sound better or more safisticated but £3500 worth? Hell no!

Sorry all views here are my opinion. Take them with a bit of salt and don't be offended if I didn't like your guitar. Hey I had a JP120 and no one likes them (the fools ;-)

1st Epiphone
2nd Guild X175
3rd Gibson 339/Ibanez As200
4th Ibanez AF (thingy)
5th Guild X-150

**husk** · 01-14-2015, 08:34 AM

I really like people sharing their thoughts on guitars tested. Very useful, thanks !

**Jabberwocky** · 01-14-2015, 09:09 AM

Thanks for the review, Archtopheaven. By the way, did you run into Cap'n Lee? I know what you mean by the "fake-wood" dead sound; it's called Formica or something close to that.

**jazzbow** · 01-14-2015, 10:38 AM

Very entertaining AT. Did you meet the Captain?

**Archie** · 01-14-2015, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by jazzbow

Very entertaining AT. Did you meet the Captain?

I'v know the Captain since I was about 13, so some 20 odd years

**jazzbow** · 01-14-2015, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by ArchtopHeaven

I'v know the Captain since I was about 13, so some 20 odd years

Get him to do some arch top videos but without the shredding Chappers

**Para** · 01-14-2015, 02:18 PM

Strange about the pickups in the Epi 175 the new ones have classic 57's in. Personally I like the Rhythm Chief in the Guild A-150 Savoy it sounds fine to me. ANDERTONS website must be way out of date Rich they don't have a single Guild guitar listed electric or acoustic they're not a Guild dealer. If you don't like the AS200 then I don't think you will like the AF200 I have.

**Jabberwocky** · 01-14-2015, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by ArchtopHeaven

I'v know the Captain since I was about 13, so some 20 odd years

After all these years he never gave you a buddy-sweetheart deal on Gibsons and strings?

Tell Cap'n Lee I want more archtop videos. And how about showing an English Rose or two rocking a guitar some day because, like you know, girls play guitars too, some of them play rather well for being girls.

I am late for my appointment at the Ministry of Silly Walks. Ta.

**Broyale** · 01-14-2015, 02:28 PM

Epiphone headstocks look better with binding anyways.

**Para** · 01-14-2015, 02:38 PM

"And how about showing an English Rose or two rocking a guitar some day because, like you know, girls play guitars too, some of them rather well for being girls."
That's a bit sexist Jabba.

**Archie** · 01-14-2015, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by jazzbow

Get him to do some arch top videos but without the shredding Chappers

I had though about offering my services ;-)

**pubylakeg** · 01-14-2015, 02:48 PM

So are these Newark Street Guild models staying in production under the new Cordoba Group ownership ?. I sort of expected, and hoped for a new model range to be announced at Namm this year. Perhaps not.

**jazzbow** · 01-14-2015, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by ArchtopHeaven

I had though about offering my services ;-)

Brilliant! Just remember to do the rock hand sign after you've done yer chops.

Oh, and don't say 'Sweeeet!' say 'Dextrose maan' while slightly nodding approval, that way you'll be well jazz mate!

**Archie** · 01-14-2015, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by Para

Strange about the pickups in the Epi 175 the new ones have classic 57's in. Personally I like the Rhythm Chief in the Guild A-150 Savoy it sounds fine to me. ANDERTONS website must be way out of date Rich they don't have a single Guild guitar listed electric or acoustic they're not a Guild dealer. If you don't like the AS200 then I don't think you will like the AF200 I have.

I don't know mate. Gibson Classic 57's to me have always been a little brittle in the trebs, although the bass was tight which is usually my other complaint. I was also splaying through a Messa so not a perfect set up. However it did sound punchy and dynamic with great warmth and roundness (again apart from when you started to punch the trebs).
I couldn't help play it and think, I know why Para likes this. I agree!

In regards to the Af200 totally different beast surely? and look forward to playing one. I've always liked that body size and shape.
I'm probably a little biased because I've never liked the AS100/200 anyway. I've always found it a bit cold and clinical, with little mojo. Tbf lots of Japanese guitars can be but I usually like that. I add the mojo, not the other way round.
The semis are my least fav guitar types period and Ibanez have never really done much too change my mind, with the AS range, since they were first released.
My Epiphone Chet Atkins though is a totally different beast. I think its just the AS I don't care for as a series.

Still looking forward to playing the AF, definitely!

Yes I looked on it to find prices to add here but couldn't even see Guild listed. They do sell them and have a wall essentially dedicated to them and Epiphone. They don't show the Ibanez either. They might need to refresh it.

**Archie** · 01-14-2015, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by pubylakeg

So are these Newark Street Guild models staying in production under the new Cordoba Group ownership ?. I sort of expected, and hoped for a new model range to be announced at Namm this year. Perhaps not.

Yes apparently so. A shop near me has also had a fresh batch in. I got the Guild boxes downstairs as spare packaging ;-)

**Jabberwocky** · 01-14-2015, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by Para

"And how about showing an English Rose or two rocking a guitar some day because, like you know, girls play guitars too, some of them rather well for being girls."
That's a bit sexist Jabba.

It is sexist if one thinks that it is true...

**Para** · 01-14-2015, 03:58 PM

I'm surprised Andertons are doing the A-150 for £550 that's £450 of the list price, they're £808 discounted at Thomanns, some places are asking the full price £1003.

**Archie** · 01-14-2015, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by Para

I'm surprised Andertons are doing the A-150 for £550 that's £450 of the list price, they're £808 discounted at Thomanns, some places are asking the full price £1003.

I think they have two, 1 is second hand or marked second, because it has a big gash near the bridge. The neck is also seriously warped. In fact all the necks I played had far too much relief (some worryingly so), except the Epiphone.

**Jabberwocky** · 01-14-2015, 04:35 PM

Ouch! I hope that Anderton's stated that boldly. No hidden in the fine print stuff.

**Para** · 01-14-2015, 04:49 PM

Guitarsound in Chichester want £999 for the blonde A-150 Rich. I used to deal with Andertons years ago bought quite a few guitars from them but I stopped because they became box shifters in my opinion.

**Doctor Jeff** · 01-14-2015, 05:17 PM

I believe the prior Epi ES-175 production had the satin finish and (probably) Epi Classics in it. Those are not bad pickups, at least in recent years. In fact I have 2 in my Peerless, and if set up properly they sound fine. The satin finish is an up to the individual--you either like it or you don't.

The current Epi ES-175's have a "vintage laqueur" finish and Gibson Classic 57's. I think the list price is a few hundred more dollars than the prior model. Looks nice especially blonde and black--the pic on their website of the burst model is really one of the weirdest bursts I've seen--not attractive.

Either one sound like a great deal for what you get.

**Archie** · 01-14-2015, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by Para

Guitarsound in Chichester want £999 for the blonde A-150 Rich. I used to deal with Andertons years ago bought quite a few guitars from them but I stopped because they became box shifters in my opinion.

I was having a long chat to him the other day too. I gets around ;-)

Hes a funny one down there. Found an old Japanese Es335 called Argos (I know unfortunate right) but its actually top draw. Proper copy of a 50's Gibo with lovely nitro patina on the top. Sound is great construction great with the gibo open book headstock.

He didn't know anything about it but surprisingly knew how to charge and arm and a leg.

I asked him how much he wanted but he wouldn't tell me. I asked again, he hummed and harr'd then said

£1,200!! I thought odd he had it hanging on the wall but probably just plucked a number you of thin air.

I said "oh, I was expecting you to say around £700-800 lol"

I then promptly contacted a dealer I know who specialise in them and he said no way.

People are funny like that when they come out with arbitrary figures that are based solely on greed fuelled ignorance.
His reasoning was that it was as good as a Gibson.

Good luck to him I say. I've got bets he wont last the year. Every time I go in there, not a single person in sight. Why have a shop at all? just go online.

P.s Yes I totally agree about Anderton's. They're only useful for tire kicking, which in this day in age is pretty damn useful. Guitar Village is the truly last great guitar shop. Unfortunately they are also a bunch of carless people (imo) they also know how to charge lol. Not one guitar will be in tune, not one set up properly, yet they will stand around hovering over you like hawks, as if they've got nothing better to do, you know, like tune the guitars?

:-)

**jazzbow** · 01-14-2015, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by ArchtopHeaven

Not one guitar will be in tune, not one set up properly, yet they will stand around hovering over you like hawks, as if they've got nothing better to do, you know, like tune the guitars?

:-)

There's a few chain stores in Scotland, North and North West England that are in that same vein.

The one that really annoys me is Guitar Guitar. I have so many bad gripes and experiences with this one. The Glasgow shop has a gaggle of A***holes and are all money grabbers.

Dawsons are ok, they'll try to get you something if you need it.

The older guys are on commission and have families so I will entertain them but those sleek know it all youngster make me writhe.

But in store purchases are down 30 percent whereas online purchases are up 30 percent!

What this means is these stores that also have an online presence still make their margins, but as the shop loses trade the more experienced shop staff leave for better wages and those sleek b**tards take their places.

There was this music shop in Ayr, a real Ma and Pa set up. Loads of sheet music, all types of student level musical instruments and lessons too. I would always stop there for music books and strings. Turned up one day and there was a hairdressers in its place. I thought I'd missed a turning, went to the top of the street to check but I was in the right place and the shop had simply gone. Shame.

So ATH, get yerself on the Chappers/Captain internet show and play some funky mess