Epiphone ES-175 Premium

**edteaches** · 10-27-2014, 01:41 PM

I had the chance to play one at a Guitar Center and it was great! The feel was amazing and the sound was way better than the previous rendition of the ES 175. Is $899 too much? You get what you pay for. There are many other jazz boxes that cost way more and don't deliver the right sound. This guitar sounds great and plays great.

I have been wanting to try out one of the new D'Angelicos, namely the EXL-1. It looks great but I wish I could get my hands on one to see if it sounds as great as it looks.

Ed

**piousdragoon** · 10-31-2014, 11:53 AM

hey people,
what is your opinion on the guild x-175b?
I am currently between this and the epi
will the guild be better quality? its a bit more expensive but they're both made in korea..

Thanks, Jim

**Para** · 10-31-2014, 04:20 PM

Korean custom built in 2000 it has classic 57 pickups and the lacquer is very thin, the tone is great and it has the best neck I've ever played, better than my Gibsons.

**Longways to Go** · 11-15-2014, 07:53 PM

Hey ES 175 premium owners, I did a tuner upgrade this morning -- thought you all might be interested in the results. The stock tuners were a weak link IMO . . . a couple of them were loose & sticky -- workable, but far from ideal. So I went with Gotoh vintage style with oval knobs from Stew-Mac. Great improvement -- I only did it this morning, but the results feel very promising -- noticeable improvement. This is really the only fault I have found with my guitar.

I was stressed about installation & almost farmed it out to a local tech, but I decided to try it myself & everything worked out just fine. I didn't have to drill any holes & everything fit great. I was hoping to leave in the stock bushings, but they didn't work. Fortunately, the Gotoh bushings fit perfect -- not as big a deal as I feared. Had the whole replacement done in less than an hour, and I'm no tech!

Anyway, that's my story. With the new tuners & Elixir 12's, my ES 175 feels pretty well sorted out at this point.

**newsense** · 11-16-2014, 07:41 AM

Thanks for revivng this thread. I was trying one of these at a local shop only last week and I'm now suffering bad GAS. Although it was very comfortable to play, as usual, I couldn't judge the tone very well due to the stock strings and clapped out shop amp. So come on guys, it's time to post some clips !

I'd also be interested to hear whether rsclosson regrets flipping his AFJ91 in favour of the Epi, as it will be the same for me - if I push the button on the 175 Premium, my Ibanez AFJ will probably have to go.

The 175 Premium is priced at £699 in the UK, with a couple of local shops stocking my favoured natural finish. However, I have found an on-line shop in Germany (Music Productiv) with a UK price of £540 and free delivery. Any comments on the risk here ? I have previously bought two Ibanez guitars online from different retailers. Both arrived in perfect condition with near ideal setups, however, I think because of the natural finish, I am hesitating more this time even though the difference in price would pay for a good pro setup !

**newsense** · 11-16-2014, 07:46 AM

Not sure which of my heroes is influencing me more towards the 175;

Joe

or Steve !

**Keira Witherkay** · 11-16-2014, 08:42 AM

i have played the Epi 175 premium at my local Gibson dealer and was more impressed than i thought i'd be.......... the USA Gibson classic 57 pickups are as we know iconic and do make a big difference between the regular epi models....the day i test drove the epi 175 premium in a lovely maroon .... i compared it to a few of the standard epi casino's/335's and a few others and each time i found the tone/pickups were a definite plus on the premium....a really noticable improvement .... i like the neck or feel but plugged in those classic 57's just gave the sound i'd want without need to tweak .

however here in sunny south africa the epi 175 premium is quite expensive coming in at about $1000 to $1100 US dollars ... but then a new Gibson 175 is really costly here

so this offers a guitar that is kinda a epi thats modded /upgraded so you get it sounding good outa the box

but build and tone are great ......and if i was in the market for a guitar like that i would snap one up.....

**Drifter** · 11-16-2014, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by newsense

I have found an on-line shop in Germany (Music Productiv) with a UK price of £540 and free delivery. Any comments on the risk here ?

They have a hassle-free return policy although I am not sure if they would pay for the return shipping from the UK. Unfortunately, they will _not_ test, check or setup your guitar before they ship it so you will get exactly what has been packed by Epiphone in China. Like Thomann, they are box shifters, nothing more.

**rsclosson** · 11-16-2014, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by newsense

I'd also be interested to hear whether rsclosson regrets flipping his AFJ91 in favour of the Epi, as it will be the same for me - if I push the button on the 175 Premium, my Ibanez AFJ will probably have to go.

I was able to play test the 175 and the AFJ91 side by side before I made the decision. The Ibanez sounded fine at first until I plugged in the Epi. It sounded like a pillow was removed from the front of the amplifier. No brainer for me. If you can do a side by side comparison, that would be best. I hope this helps.

Oh and I am not sure why, but thus far I have had no issue with the tuners on mine.

**StanG** · 11-16-2014, 12:58 PM

I've had my 175 premium for a couple months now, and really like it. I put some round wounds on it, and while it sounded good and played well with the stock strings, it is better now.

In my opinion, the Gibson pickups really put this guitar ahead of the other imports in the price range.

**rsclosson** · 11-16-2014, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by StanG

I've had my 175 premium for a couple months now, and really like it. I put some round wounds on it, and while it sounded good and played well with the stock strings, it is better now.

In my opinion, the Gibson pickups really put this guitar ahead of the other imports in the price range.

I have often wondered why Epiphone and other companies put light strings on archtops. The first thing I did with mine was replace the 10s with some flat wound 12s. I am considering trying some 13s next.

**StanG** · 11-16-2014, 02:31 PM

I don't know if the strings that came on mine were stock or not, though I bought it new from GC, they were thicker than the flatwounds I put on.

I liked the "pop" from the thicker strings, but my hands didn't.

**Falling_leaves** · 11-16-2014, 06:08 PM

I wish to see a comparison between Ibanez LGB30 and New Es-175 premium.

**newsense** · 11-17-2014, 04:20 AM

Originally Posted by rsclosson

I was able to play test the 175 and the AFJ91 side by side before I made the decision. The Ibanez sounded fine at first until I plugged in the Epi. It sounded like a pillow was removed from the front of the amplifier. No brainer for me. If you can do a side by side comparison, that would be best. I hope this helps.

Oh and I am not sure why, but thus far I have had no issue with the tuners on mine.

This is probably an unfair question - but do you think the "pillow" was mainly pickup or build related ? I say this as I already have a Classic 57 in my Ibanez.

**Barcia** · 11-17-2014, 04:55 AM

I love my Epi Sheraton, but I'm going to buy a full hollow next month. I was decided to get an AKJ-95 but I saw this thread... worried about the "pillow".

**newsense** · 11-17-2014, 05:37 AM

Originally Posted by Barcia

I love my Epi Sheraton, but I'm going to buy a full hollow next month. I was decided to get an AKJ-95 but I saw this thread... worried about the "pillow".

I'm certainly not aware of the "pillow" with my AFJ91. As said above, as an experiment I swapped the stock Ibanez Super 58 Custom for a Gibson Classic 57. However, after the swap, I really could not tell the difference between the two, which confirmed my impressions that the standard Super 58 Custom is a very nice pickup. Of course there could be other influences responsible for the differences that rsclosson reported.

**Para** · 11-17-2014, 05:55 AM

I have an AFJ95 with classic 57's in, the sound is fine, clear and defined certainly no "pillow" effect.

**rsclosson** · 11-17-2014, 07:26 AM

I had no intention of starting a "firestorm" with my pillow comment. it was what I experienced with the Ibanez that I had played side by side with the 175 and I stand by it. Maybe my ibanez was a dog and was built badly or had a bad pickup. I don't know. All I know is what worked for me.

Try them out and compare is always the best policy. If I forget to add "YMMV" in future posts, you may assume it is there.

**newsense** · 11-17-2014, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by rsclosson

I had no intention of starting a "firestorm" with my pillow comment.

Sorry if I appeared to be calling your judgement into question. On the contrary, I was quite happy with your response to the question I asked and have no reason to doubt your opinions. When I said I wasn't aware of the "pillow", I meant that it is a probably relative thing which is only noticeable during a direct comparison, such as the one you made. Although I have played the Epi 175 in a shop, I am still quite happy with the sound of my Ibanez. Things might be different if I played them side-by-side.

**Longways to Go** · 11-17-2014, 10:25 AM

I have an Ibanez AFJ85 and an Epiphone ES 175 premium. Both are perfectly fine guitars, but I vastly prefer the tone of the 175. I've been through a couple of different pickups and a bunch of different strings on the Ibanez trying to tweak the tone. Don't get me wrong, it's not bad at all -- but I don't get excited by it. The 175 has the missing tone ingredient. I have no idea what it is, but it's there for me!

**rsclosson** · 11-17-2014, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by newsense

Sorry if I appeared to be calling your judgement into question. On the contrary, I was quite happy with your response to the question I asked and have no reason to doubt your opinions. When I said I wasn't aware of the "pillow", I meant that it is a probably relative thing which is only noticeable during a direct comparison, such as the one you made. Although I have played the Epi 175 in a shop, I am still quite happy with the sound of my Ibanez. Things might be different if I played them side-by-side.

No, I did not really see any negative comments at all. I just wanted to make sure that anybody who read my comments do not take them as "gospel." I had my experiences, but I also know that guitars are not always consistant and that everybody's tastes are different. Those two factors contribute to a lot of different experiences among guitars and guitar buyers. I always suggest "try before you buy" or at least have a great return policy.

**newsense** · 11-17-2014, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by Longways to Go

I have an Ibanez AFJ85 and an Epiphone ES 175 premium. Both are perfectly fine guitars, but I vastly prefer the tone of the 175. I've been through a couple of different pickups and a bunch of different strings on the Ibanez trying to tweak the tone. Don't get me wrong, it's not bad at all -- but I don't get excited by it. The 175 has the missing tone ingredient. I have no idea what it is, but it's there for me!

Aaaaah..... I thought I had just about conquered my Epi175 GAS and persuaded myself that I was perfectly happy with my AFJ ..... then you go and write a thing like that. My "pay by PayPal" finger is beginning to itch badly again. Can I last the evening without placing an order ?

**Treading Water** · 11-17-2014, 04:38 PM

I'm still pleased with my purchase of the Epiphone 175 Premium.
Mine came with a wound 3rd string, so i replaced the first set of strings with a set of 12's with a wound third.
I'm not sure, but mine may have had 13's on it origonally.
I noticed alot of buzzing caused by the pickguard so i removed it until i want to modify it.
I think my keys are o.k. (Thanks Longways To Go for your recommendation), but I am holding off final judgement on the tuning pegs and nut until i settle on string gauge.
The nut encloses the strings, the top of the nut is even with the top of the low E string.
I don't understand if this causes more friction than what i previously considered correct, (with the top of the nut coming up to half the diameter of the low E), but when i tune up with a Peterson tuner it seems the strings ring better than when i equalize tension on either side of the nut, leading me to believe that the string may not be resting on the leading edge of the nut.
This is a minor quibble and something i hope to overcome with experience.

**jazzbow** · 11-17-2014, 04:43 PM

Y'know, I played a nice cherry red one on Saturday. Unfortunately in a large music shop with a loud guitar playing 20 year old fella trying to impress his 20 year old girlfriend.

The pickups on the ES 175 sounded ok from what I could hear but as we all know they can be changed, Gibson made or not.

But the neck! Blimey! The hang tag said 60's slim taper! B7 in the 2nd fret was a real struggle for Jazzbows fretting hand. In fact Jazzbow has had ice lollies with bigger lolly sticks!

For my needs and limitations (ulnar nerve damage) this slim neck @ the 1st position was a no go. Shame really as it looked good and played well.

I could change the nut and widen the string spacing but £700 without a case it's a deal breaker for me.

I wonder if Epiphone has pitched this slimness of nut for the shredding 20 year old playing ALL the crusty old rock tunes of the last 45 years? ( it wouldn't have been that bad if he'd tuned up and turned off the fecking distortion!)