2015 Epiphone ES 175

**RationalAlan** · 04-09-2015, 06:16 PM

I'm thinking about buying one of these and have no idea how they compare to the entries by Eastman, Ibanez, and others in the jazz box $1000 game. Any experience will be very much appreciated. I'd buy a Gibson 175 or an L-5 but not likely soon! Thanks. Alan

**Archie** · 04-09-2015, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by RationalAlan

I'm thinking about buying one of these and have no idea how they compare to the entries by Eastman, Ibanez, and others in the jazz box $1000 game. Any experience will be very much appreciated. I'd buy a Gibson 175 or an L-5 but not likely soon! Thanks. Alan

Played one and really enjoyed it. Not played a box under £1000 that I enjoyed that much. It doesn't take itself seriously but sounds pretty serious plugged in.

I would have no problems playing one over anything else under $1000 and coming from a total snob like me, thats a good endorsement.

Shame I cant squeeze you in to my Ibanez SJ500. Thats one hell of a guitar for the price but its a little out of your budget.

Para has got more experience than me, I'm sure he would be able to offer you sound advice.

But yeh thumbs up from me

Good luck.

**rickshapiro** · 04-09-2015, 09:32 PM

I may be king of the sub $1,000 laminate archtops. The good news is there are some really great guitars out there. The best advice is to always try to get your hands on all the guitars you are interested in.

I own the following:

Epi: Joe Pass(90s)
Aria FA71
Samick JZ-3
Eastman 371
Gibson ES-175 (not under a $1000)
Comins CSG-1 (not under a $1000)

I can really recommend any of these, with a good setup they are all capable of producing pleasing sounds and are great players.

My experience with the Epi 175, Godin and Ibanez has not been that wonderful. I’ve played many in the stores and there was nothing compelling enough to have me bring one home. Here comes the generalizations; The Ibanez’s never felt solid to me. Godin sounded great but the necks felt like an acoustic guitar, not my type of thing. The three EPI 175’s I played at GC had major QC issues. I would think however any of these after a setup would be playable.

Best bang for the buck, by far is my Eastman 371, I cannot rave enough about it. Very lively top, light and responsive, great fast neck, looks great. Does not sound like an ES-175 as it has more of an acoustic quality. I would say it has its own sound.

I’ve also recently played a used Peerless Monarch and thought it was amazing.

In this price range, there are a lot of great options. Don’t go crazy, go out and play some and enjoy.

Regards,

Rick

**RationalAlan** · 04-09-2015, 11:14 PM

Those are some interesting guitars. Ibanez SJ500 looks great. Perhaps I can stretch the budget somewhat but I cannot find anything informative on youtube. If you can give me some info, that would be appreciated. I need to find a good shop and play some of these. Can't get myself to buy something online. Thanks. Alan

**RationalAlan** · 04-09-2015, 11:27 PM

Thanks Rick.

I have heard that the new (2015) Epi ES 175 is a real improvement over previous years. I'll have to take a look and play one. A few weeks ago, I drove 200 miles to check out a used Epiphone Emperor Regent which I believe is virtually identical to the Peerless Monarch. The setup was terrible, the tone pot was noisy and guitar was virtually unplayable. I was so disappointed because I had seen so many glowing reviews on this instrument.

Then I played a 46 year old Gibson L-5. It was like I died and went to heaven! It was offered to be by an 85 year old pro. But this is not a guitar you take to a jam and I'm really not a collector.

I read somewhere that the Eastman 371 and 372 are both excellent but that only the 372 sounds somewhat like an ES 175. So I need to find a dealer and play these two. Hard to find in Canada. I am now in the US for a couple of weeks and will seek these guitars out.

Having played the 175 from Epiphone and also the Gibson, can you tell me the key variables that account for the $4+ difference in price?

Thanks. Alan

**Longways to Go** · 04-10-2015, 12:15 AM

I offer a another opinion on these guitars. I love the epiphone es175 premium without reserve -- mine is just plain great! I also own an Eastman AR371 which seems dry in comparison. Beautifully built guitar but somehow not amazing to my ears-- hard to dial in. I also have a nice Ibanez AFJ85 which is a rock solid guitar -- but not the most inspiring tone to me.

If I could only keep one of these, it would be the Epiphone for sure. But would I rather have a Gibson 175? Hell Yeah!

Also, I had a nice emperor regent for a while -- but it was buzzy & dull -- now it is gone.

**Jabberwocky** · 04-10-2015, 01:03 AM

PSA:

Epiphone ES-175 Premium Natural 2nd | Rainbow Guitars

Epiphone ES-175 Premium Vintage Sunburst 2nd | Rainbow Guitars

PS. They're factory 2nds with the stamp to show for it.

**RationalAlan** · 04-10-2015, 10:04 AM

Thanks to all. The comments were very helpful. It's great that there are so many options out there. It's also clear that sonic and playability tastes vary. I understand this because I can appreciate the floating pick-up solid top sound as well as the ES 175 configuration. Both beautiful when well put together but very different. Thanks for your help. Time to shop! Alan

**John A.** · 04-10-2015, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by RationalAlan

I'm thinking about buying one of these and have no idea how they compare to the entries by Eastman, Ibanez, and others in the jazz box $1000 game. Any experience will be very much appreciated. I'd buy a Gibson 175 or an L-5 but not likely soon! Thanks. Alan

I played one recently in a shop. It sounded great, and I thought really nailed the classic ES175 Joe Pass sort of tone. The fretwork seemed fine, and the build quality looked good (in photos, the satin finish doesn't look so hot, but in person,I liked it). The particular one I played, though, had problems: The bridge pickup was dead, and I couldn't get the guitar in tune (not open strings, harmonics, fretted notes, or chords). I couldn't tell whether it was a set-up problem or whether there was something off with the neck. In comparison, I've also played one of the current $1000-ish Guilds, an Eastman (AR810, I think), and a D'Angelico EXL-1. Assuming one could get an Epi 175 in proper working order and well set up, cosmetically, any of the above is a bit nicer, but the Epi 175 has a tone the others don't really get. Of all the less expensive archtops I've come across, it seems to be the closest thing to a true 175 on a budget. If that's what you want, it seems like a really good option, but play it first, because there are lemons out there.

John

**Archie** · 04-10-2015, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by John A.

I played one recently in a shop. It sounded great, and I thought really nailed the classic ES175 Joe Pass sort of tone. The fretwork seemed fine, and the build quality looked good (in photos, the satin finish doesn't look so hot, but in person,I liked it). The particular one I played, though, had problems: The bridge pickup was dead, and I couldn't get the guitar in tune (not open strings, harmonics, fretted notes, or chords). I couldn't tell whether it was a set-up problem or whether there was something off with the neck. In comparison, I've also played one of the current $1000-ish Guilds, an Eastman (AR810, I think), and a D'Angelico EXL-1. Assuming one could get an Epi 175 in proper working order and well set up, cosmetically, any of the above is a bit nicer, but the Epi 175 has a tone the others don't really get. Of all the less expensive archtops I've come across, it seems to be the closest thing to a true 175 on a budget. If that's what you want, it seems like a really good option, but play it first, because there are lemons out there.

John

Like with all these sub $1000 you're gonna get issues. BUT the main thing with the Epi is there. A nice feeling neck, nice freeboard feel. Good resonance for what it is. Sure it has some cheapness about it but change the tuners, and bridge and nut and you're probably good to go.

That goes with all of them

**John A.** · 04-10-2015, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by ArchtopHeaven

Like with all these sub $1000 you're gonna get issues. BUT the main thing with the Epi is there. A nice feeling neck, nice freeboard feel. Good resonance for what it is. Sure it has some cheapness about it but change the tuners, and bridge and nut and you're probably good to go.

That goes with all of them

In this particular instance (trying an Epi at Guitar Center), I think a better strategy is to make the salesperson go get you another one that isn't broken (as opposed to buying the broken one and fixing it yourself).

John

**RationalAlan** · 04-10-2015, 03:38 PM

Thanks for this. Yes. I'll have to play and select the instrument through the amp that I will be using, the Fender 65 reissue Delux Reverb.

**RationalAlan** · 04-10-2015, 03:41 PM

The dealership is probably the most important factor, especially if you want their tech to do a set up and possibly upgrade the tuners, bridge, nut etc.. I will definitely want flat wounds instead of the banjo strings sometimes provided.

**Longways to Go** · 04-10-2015, 05:18 PM

I run roundwound 12's on mine -- the guitar actually sounded good with the stock strings too. I did upgrade the tuners -- as one was not smooth at all. But that's all

**mad dog** · 04-10-2015, 05:53 PM

I've now picked up three of these Premium Epi ES-175s. Didn't have much time with any. One felt really nice. Great action, great neck feel. And looked great. The other two were pretty much nowhere. Looked cheap, felt not great. Only got a few minutes of low volume sound total, so I won't comment on the sound.

I'm not putting Epiphones down at all. That's a pretty standard ratio for trying out new stuff. Also picked up 3 Epi ES-339s (with P90s) today. One was a keeper. Just the way it goes.

In fact, one out of three is better than I've experienced with some guitar models.
MD

**RationalAlan** · 04-10-2015, 08:11 PM

Wow. What an education. I guess that is where the $5,000 models have value added. Quality components. This is going to be challenging. I'll let you know where and when I land on something. Thanks very much.

**RationalAlan** · 04-15-2015, 12:11 AM

Well, I found a guitar center that had one Epiphone ES 175 natural colored, clearly not set up, and strung with round-wound banjo strings. I played it through a Fender Delux Reverb. It had very little tone and it felt fragile. Then I realized also that the kid that was helping me had no idea about guitars so I put it down.

then I picked up an Ibanez Artstar SJ300 and was blown away! They had one of these and they seem hard to find. Are they discontinued? I need to find a dealer and take a look at some models. This one had a solid spruce top, good sounding pickups and a great neck. Action was higher than I like but that should be easy to adjust.

I'll also take a look at Eastman guitars if I can locate a dealer.

Thanks very much for your help. Alan

**ColMc** · 04-15-2015, 02:08 AM

I believe the SJ300 and the SS300 are the follow on from the SJ500.
AFAIK the SJ500 was a local market guitar for Japan.

They should be easier to get as they only went into production in Dec 2014
and are available worldwide.
Cheers.