Epiphone Broadway vs ES-175 Premium

**adames175** · 03-27-2015, 10:21 AM

Hey all,

So what is everyone's thoughts on the Broadway and the ES-175 Premium (both Epiphone)? I'm considering either one of these as my next purchase. Anyone have a preference?

**Archie** · 03-28-2015, 07:56 AM

I think the 175. More usable, comfortable and great tone.

**Max405** · 03-28-2015, 08:24 AM

That gigmaster Jazz in our sale section is an amazing guitar that whoops both of them. A real peerless. Tempting.

**barrymclark** · 03-28-2015, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by Joe DeNisco

That gigmaster Jazz in our sale section is an amazing guitar that whoops both of them. A real peerless. Tempting.

Yeah man. That is a very nice looking guitar. About the same price as a new Broadway or 175 Premium.

**ecj** · 03-28-2015, 09:24 AM

They're two very different instruments. Different scale length, different body size. You just have to decide if you're an L5 or ES175 kind of player. Wes versus Hall.

**Longways to Go** · 03-28-2015, 10:36 AM

The epi 175 plays & sounds a lot like a Gibson. Matte finish & 57's make the big difference.

The broadway plays & sounds like an Epiphone. I'm not knocking it -- I like them a lot actually. But if I owned one it would need new pickups right off. in the long run, I like the finish on the 175 over the heavier plastic finish on the broadway -- especially on the neck.

Obviously I'm a 175 fan -- I just love mine. But I think these are both great guitars -- I would happily play a broadway, but my Ibanez AFJ 85 is not too different so I have no need. You'll have a great time either way.

**Alder Statesman** · 03-28-2015, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by Longways to Go

The epi 175 plays & sounds a lot like a Gibson. Matte finish & 57's make the big difference.

The broadway plays & sounds like an Epiphone. I'm not knocking it -- I like them a lot actually. But if I owned one it would need new pickups right off. in the long run, I like the finish on the 175 over the heavier plastic finish on the broadway -- especially on the neck.

Obviously I'm a 175 fan -- I just love mine. But I think these are both great guitars -- I would happily play a broadway, but my Ibanez AFJ 85 is not too different so I have no need. You'll have a great time either way.

The Broadway with upgraded pickups really has a huge, full sound to go with its larger dimensions. At least with my playing style, I prefer the timbre I get out of my modded Broadway over a Gibson ES 175. I never played the Epi ES 175.

**adames175** · 03-30-2015, 11:13 AM

Wow, this is some great information! I just found an Eastman AR372CE and I think I'm going to go that route. It's in the same price range, but from what I hear, it's more of a guitar than both of these. Any thoughts on the Eastman?

**rsclosson** · 03-30-2015, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by adames175

Wow, this is some great information! I just found an Eastman AR372CE and I think I'm going to go that route. It's in the same price range, but from what I hear, it's more of a guitar than both of these. Any thoughts on the Eastman?

I ended up liking the 175 Premium better. Eastman was just a little too bright for my taste. Of course, YMMV.

**Jonah** · 04-23-2015, 03:49 PM

Hi,

I am thinking about Broadway... I saw already few people say about changing pickups.. are they that bad? And for which pickups do you change them ?

And it looks like 175 has better ones?

I just want to buy to play into it a bit to see if I like it or not... because I never own that type of guitar... but really not sure which one... I like big scales and big boxes so must be Broadway.. on the other hand - you never know...

By the way - what makes 175 more expensive?

thank you

**snoskier63** · 04-23-2015, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by adames175

Wow, this is some great information! I just found an Eastman AR372CE and I think I'm going to go that route. It's in the same price range, but from what I hear, it's more of a guitar than both of these. Any thoughts on the Eastman?

Eastman guitars are okay. Some people love them and some don't, just like any other guitar. They are not my preference, but you need to get out and play as many as you can to see what you like in terms of body size, scale length, nut width, and tone wood. Then you will be able to make a more educated choice, and will be more likely to be happy with that choice over time.

**Alder Statesman** · 04-23-2015, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by Jonah

Hi,

I am thinking about Broadway... I saw already few people say about changing pickups.. are they that bad? And for which pickups do you change them ?

And it looks like 175 has better ones?

I just want to buy to play into it a bit to see if I like it or not... because I never own that type of guitar... but really not sure which one... I like big scales and big boxes so must be Broadway.. on the other hand - you never know...

By the way - what makes 175 more expensive?

thank you

The stock pickups are not awful, but upgrading the pickups make the guitar sound SO much better. If, like me, cash flow is an issue, buy the Broadway now and have a decent guitar and when you can afford it, upgrade the pickups and have a great guitar.

**Jonah** · 05-20-2015, 09:15 AM

I recieved mine two weeks ago...

sorry pic is not the best quality

by serial number it was produced in Unsung, Korea in August 2014

Condition was perfect - both looks and electrics - no issues (i mean I was afraid through some reviews that there could be some defects and with international shipment it would have been a problem to return it).

As any factory guitar needs fret polishing but not to an extent that you cannot play it. An no more issues that do not allow you to play immediately

It comes with 0.10 strings which makes it a bit difficult for me to understand how it would sound with 0.13 I usually put.

As well the pickups - I need more time to get into it...

They had also reduced price for Gator case which fits perfectly.

I own acoustic Godin 5th ave with installed floating pickup KA single coil handmade and bridge replaced to rosewood.
Though in the same price range too different guitars to really compare...

What i can say Godin is lighter and has better feel for hands... and though laminated of course much better acoustic tone and volume... beside it was practically customized for myself so really hard to compare.

At the same time Broadway is not totally dead acoustically - and I even find pleasure to practice unplugged (or slightly amplified) in the night - it has its own touch - and not unpleasant

What i can say for sure the big scale and big box size is much more natural and comfortable for me to play, and i love it.
That's what was really the idea of getting this guiatr - to try and find comfortability in playing.

PS
Yeh.. emblem on the pickguard - the next day I found it on the inner side of case cover

and thanks for support Archtop Bill!)

**339 in june** · 05-20-2015, 09:42 AM

Congrats !
Very pleasant to read your post as it describes my feeling when I got mine 4 months ago.
A few tips :
New flatwound higher gauge strings !
Lower neck pick-up to sweeten the tone
Almost cut the mids on your amp
and you start to get a nice "jazz tone" !

Enjoy !

**Alder Statesman** · 05-20-2015, 11:40 PM

Nice looking Broadway!

**pubylakeg** · 05-21-2015, 05:29 AM

Congrats on a pretty guitar.

Do you happen to know the model number of your Gator case. It would be handy to have for reference, as the Broadway requires a non-standard size case.

Best Wishes.

**Jonah** · 05-21-2015, 05:56 AM

Hi,

thanks.

That's Gator case I got but at a bit lower price https://www.thomann.de/intl/gator_deluxe_case_jumbo.htm

Epi also offeres their own case you can check the template here, it tells which model fits Broadway Epiphone Cases but they were a bit more expensive than Gators

I should say all together it's pretty heavy.. I got it only becasue i suppose I will have to take it a lot in a car... but for carrying just in hand

**339 in june** · 05-21-2015, 11:18 AM

I have the "Jumbo" Epiphone case for my Broadway. It fits OK. I got a very nice price for guitar and case at the shop (eh, eh, no, I don't buy guitars online !!!). In fact, much better price than the best online dealers.
And yes, it's a bit heavy

!

**Jonah** · 05-21-2015, 01:21 PM

I wish I could buy this guitar off-line.. man)))

**339 in june** · 05-21-2015, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by Jonah

I wish I could buy this guitar off-line.. man)))

Maybe I have been lucky to find this at my door !
If I want to try an Eastman, I'll have to drive at least 4 hours, same for Peerless, or archtop Ibanez ...

**ruger9** · 05-21-2015, 04:36 PM

The Broadway is heavy. And it does have a very thick "voice", electrically..... I've been trying different pickups trying to find ones that will balance the super-warm electric tone of this guitar.... regular P90s didn't cut it- they were TOO fat. Right now I have Surf 90's in there, and they are a bit "mid scooped", which suits this guitar well... but I don't like the way they look... and I'd still rather have P90s, so I'm getting a set of Bare Knuckle Manhattans.

**Jonah** · 05-21-2015, 06:17 PM

Maybe I have been lucky to find this at my door !
If I want to try an Eastman, I'll have to drive at least 4 hours, same for Peerless, or archtop Ibanez ...

If I want to try Eastmann I am afraid I will have to take a plain)))

I live in a very big city (over 5 million people)...
all brands are formally presented....
but archtops are not popular in this part of the world(((
a few really big music stores...
and even dedicated Gibson shop all stuck with Gibsons and Epis - the only archtop they have is Epi Joe Pass...

Ibanez cheaper archtops are quite easy to find... and I saw cheap PM version too but they are popular not only for jazz...
I could touch also Guild Mahattan and Savoy once...

Godin Kingpin too...

Probably that's it... if we don't count some Aria, Burny or whatever else

They don't bring expensive guitars because nobody buys it.. That single Savoy had been hanging for more than a year I think
musicians come to these stores only try instruments

**Jonah** · 05-23-2015, 01:07 AM

Changed strings yesterday to 0.13...

It seems pretty long strings are needed with frequensator

**ruger9** · 05-23-2015, 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by Jonah

Changed strings yesterday to 0.13...

It seems pretty long strings are needed with frequensator

Yes. I always use TI Bebops on my Broadway, but not all string brands have a long enough... D?.... string with that frequensator. Even with the TIs, it's still not long enough to start winding on bare string... the string still has the cloth covering on it sitting in the tuning peg, but it seems to work fine.

I've toyed with the idea of swapping out the Frequensator, but it's part of what makes a Broadway, a Broadway, to me.... (aesthetically).

**Jonah** · 05-23-2015, 11:38 AM

Yes. I always use TI Bebops on my Broadway, but not all string brands have a long enough... D?.... string with that frequensator. Even with the TIs, it's still not long enough to start winding on bare string... the string still has the cloth covering on it sitting in the tuning peg, but it seems to work fine.

I've toyed with the idea of swapping out the Frequensator, but it's part of what makes a Broadway, a Broadway, to me.... (aesthetically).

I also use TI and sometimes La Bella ... actually I think I saw these cloth covering (blue ones) on lower strings on the pictures of Nick Colionne where he promotes Broadway...

I agree about frequensator.. let it be what it its... and besides it looks quite nice for me...