Considering an Epiphone ES-175 - Got myself a Natural

[JoePassFan]

Decided on a Suburst.. tough decision between Sunburst and Natural. But being a Joe Pass fan.. I just had to.. didn't I? Many thanks..

[blille]

I got natural.

Because I like it.

Sorry, there are no logical explanations for this one. Happy to make one up if it helps you (e.g. the mids are better with natural).


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[Rob MacKillop]

You're asking for advice on which colour to get? Advice? How can anyone advise you on colour? I must be missing something.

[JoePassFan]

You're asking for advice on which colour to get? Advice? How can anyone advise you on colour? I must be missing something.

Well, I'm just curious what people on here prefer (if any).. which is more desirable.. which is most historically correct.. which is more common.. which is more associated with jazz culture in general (I think Vintage Sunburst.. but who am I to say, I'm predominantly a blues player).. potential resale value.. rarity.. many, many other facts. Aesthetics are actually a huge thing to some people.. I know there are some people out there who will play a guitar if it's shocking pink.. however, it's safe to say I'm not one of them..I think you maybe are missing my point! However, no offence.. I could have explained myself better. So I've only myself to blame. I could give you a list all day long why I want help deciding on the colour.. Horses for courses, I guess.

Thanks.

[Rob MacKillop]

Sorry, JPF, I realise now you are fairly new here, and not from a jazz background. I did not mean to be confrontational in any way. You raise a lot of new questions in your last statement, which were not articulated in your original post. My point is that, all else being equal (two of the same model of guitar) then the colour is purely a subjective matter (though I think we all would agree on the shocking pink!). So advice is not the word to use in that context. However, when it comes to your other questions, such as which is more associated with jazz culture, then there is something quantifiable to give advice upon. It does seem to be the case that sunburst has been more common, but natural and blonde guitars have been around for a long time, and many on this forum prefer them.

Anyway, good luck with your choice, and start playing jazz asap. There are many people here who come from a blues background, and some argue it is essential to have some element of blues in your playing - though jazz is a broad collective these days. Best wishes!

[rio]

It's all subjective. I always preferred natural but after getting my wine red one I am really into that too. I have not seen the Epiphone ones in person except for a sunburst one, though. The Gibsons that I have seen though I do like the naturals the best (and the wine red which I really had to see in person to appreciate...as much as I like natural I am glad I ended up with the wine red).


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[ruger9]

Personal taste.

New, I prefer burst. Natural is usually to "white" for me. But a VINTAGE natural, that has yellowed with age, that is a completely different story....

[blille]

On the Sunburst side:
John Frusciante, RHCP

Steve Howe, Yes

On the Natural side, Mr Metheny




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[Greentone]

I must say, I advise you to get the one that sounds the best. Color is always secondary in consideration to me to sound. When you get a guitar in your hands it just sounds right or wrong.

I always thought I wanted a vintage ES-175 in sunburst or natural. Then, after trying out many of them, it turned out that the best sounding one was an ebony black one. Bought it. If it had been wine red, same thing.

Buy the one that sounds right to your ears. So long as it's not a color that you cannot abide, the great sounding guitar will be the "one."

[ruger9]

I must say, I advise you to get the one that sounds the best. Color is always secondary in consideration to me to sound. When you get a guitar in your hands it just sounds right or wrong.

I always thought I wanted a vintage ES-175 in sunburst or natural. Then, after trying out many of them, it turned out that the best sounding one was an ebony black one. Bought it. If it had been wine red, same thing.

Buy the one that sounds right to your ears. So long as it's not a color that you cannot abide, the great sounding guitar will be the "one."

Truer words were never spoken! I was actually going to say that, but I kinda' thought it was a given... maybe just to us old guys who've been through way too many guitars...LOL

[neatomic]

traditionally, in luthiery, a natural finish was used only on the finest wood....since any blemishes or imperfections could be covered by colors...

in the case of the imported epi's, thats probably not a major consideration

but, just based on your forum name, i'd go with the sunburst..hah



cheers

[sgosnell]

I have a sunburst, because that's what my kids bought for me. If you're concerned with tradition, sunburst is probably a good choice, because it's by far the most common. Natural was never a big seller, for whatever reasons. But I second the above - get whatever sounds good, and plays well, in whatever color it might be. No one else can decide for you, it's too subjective.

[Longways to Go]

I bought a natural. I love the red and black options, the sunburst not so much, even though it is my favorite color scheme in general. But I also agree that the sound is more important than the color.

[rlrhett]

More than color is playability. Please remember that even though quality has improved a lot in Chinese made guitars, there is still quite a bit of variability. If you have a store with a good selection, play several. I've never even seen one of this specific model in stock, so consider yourself extremely lucky. You will be surprised to find out that one Epi 175 Premium isn't the same as the next. Find the one that feels best in your hands when you play. They are all I think equally attractive hanging on a wall.

[mr. beaumont]

Actually, I can offer advice on this, because it's the 175 premium.

The sunburst is really weird looking. Very funky shape to it.

Red or natural are great.

[JoePassFan]

Some great answers.. thank you very much to all applicable, you know who you are.. Some humorous, but not nuch help to me.. genuinely didn't think I'd get any of that kind. Not the kind of thing a new jazz enthusiast needs.. not that it bothers me, just a little disappointing.. it could be somewhat disheartening to others.. and it only lets the poster's reputation down in my opinion.. I know these comments can be in jest but for new members they can be a little unwelcoming. I just wanted some assistance. I genuinely don't think there was any harm in asking about my delemma. Whilst I'm not stupid.. I understand colour is nothing more than subjective.. as this place is full of jazz men I just wanted to see if they had any input. Don't get me wrong.. I know it's funny in it's own way.. I think my problem is just try to be as helpful and welcoming as I can and stay on topic.. if I haven't got anything worth saying I don't say nothing. Thanks to all who added helpful responses. Some were great, special thanks to the gentleman who had seen both and said the Sunburst on this particular can be somewhat funky sometimes.. and the other kind man who furthered and confirmed this. This has led me to Natural.

Anyways, more to the point. I'm buying the ES-175 Premium as a beater.. something I'm not afraid to take out of the house.. I've decided.. with a little push from my girl who has always supported me in my journey, what the Hell.. I'm going to treat myself to a Gibson ES-175 Figured Sunburst also which looks absolutely beautiful and is at a discounted price on my go to music store.. I'm buying both blind.. if they aren't for me they'll go back for a return.. or I'll do some work on them and have them play how I want them. I'm also a fully qualified tech.. I learnt my trade in London. However, my store understands me. That's why I've repeatedly said I shop almost exclusively with them. I have some fantastic contacts in it who know exactly what I'm looking and I've rarely, if ever, been disappointed with anything they sent me (I think I've maybe had to return five guitars in total over the years). They basically do the testing for me, send me the best they have, and if it still doesn't meet my criteria.. it goes back. Anyways, it'll be a nice comparison to have both. I have decided to get the little Epiphone in Natural. I was leaning towards Natural for it and some of the comments above have swayed me towards it too.

I probably should have put this in my intro.. Whilst I am relatively new to jazz (in my well I've been listening to guys like Joe Pass and Wes Montgomery since I was in my teens) I've been playing guitar (properly) since I was 6-7. I'm now the ripe old age of 29. My Uncle was one of my greatest inspirations in life. If I had 1% of his talent I would be made up. He was a close friend of some very big names.. I'll not mention who, none in jazz, but lots of iconic English blues/rock guitarists. Sadly, he is no longer with us and he never recorded a single track. I believe through choice more than anything. Music was his passion, not his trade. And he passed with very little money due to some problems he struggled with, he was very much a troubled genius.. he ended up giving guitar lessons to make ends meet. I do not play professionally any more myself either, although I did. I've had well in excess of 200 guitars over the years. One night I counted them up (the ones I could remember) and I think I got to 219. That was a few years ago and I've bought a good 30-35 since. Ironically, I only keep around 15-25 guitars at any given time though. I've a 1992 Gibson Les Paul Standard (far from "Standard" now") I got when I was 9. I know it's nothing special but it truly is "my guitar".. It's been with me through everything. I see it as my version of Rory Gallagher's Strat.

Once again, thanks for the input. Some replies were exactly what I was looking for.

[jazzimprov]

remember you cannot polish or rub the finish or it will mess up the matting.

[GNAPPI]

I did not see anything but welcoming humor, it must have bothered you or you would not have gone on about it at length. I can say this about this forum, there are a lot of quips made here that can be (and sometimes are) perceived the wrong way.

If I can give you and other newbies any advice it's this: Assume that the comment is not mean, and take it from there. If not I said it in another thread, "Grow some skin" :-)

Hint... the :-) means it's just funnin' and the old adage "True words are often spoken in jest" is not ALWAYS true. YMMV

Oh, PS. Welcome to the forum!

[Jabberwocky]

Go Natch! And Argyle socks!

[lammie200]

Actually, I can offer advice on this, because it's the 175 premium.

The sunburst is really weird looking. Very funky shape to it.

Red or natural are great.

Wasn't there another thread that had pics of a SB that showed a very weird looking pattern on the back? Supposedly there are others in the Epi and Gibson lineups that have the same kind of pattern. Sort of severely squared off at the top? The images below aren't even as bad as the ones that were posted on this forum, but odd looking still IMHO. Edit: I just found the one that was posted on the forum. It may even be from Epi's website. I would go natural, BTW.

[Burrellesque]

Natural or sunburst..... it's the same old dilemma facing poor ES-175 buyers since the 50's.

[rio]

Congrats on your decision. I don't think anyone meant to be mean spirited here fwiw. But if you really want to see some vitriol, post a gibson thread! Half joking..but half serious because for whatever reasons some Gibson threads really bring out the worst in people. But overall this is a very friendly forum, particularly compared to other guitar forums. Welcome aboard and please post a ngd thread when your guitars come!


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[Marty Grass]

Naturals show the details of the wood. That's best with highly figured wood.

Bursts cover some of the wood detail. Manufacturers often use less figured wood for their bursts and solid colored finishes.

Colors evoke emotions, sometimes powerfully.

So the choice of a finish doesn't matter in the sound output, it can matter a lot to the player, who will share a room with it for countless hours.

[Woody Sound]

Well for archtops, I'm more of a sunburst guy, but that's just me. Funny, for electrics I prefer 'natch.

[omphalopsychos]

You should get the 295 so you can have gold and a bigsby. That's my strong opinion.