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Differences Between 2011 Epi ES-175 and 2015 Models?


RevDavidLee

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Hey folks - quick question for you Epiphone experts - I have a chance to buy a 2011 Epiphone ES-175 for under $400 and I'm wondering about the difference in pickups on these versus the newer reissues. I asked the guy selling it and he didn't know if there are 57 Classic humbuckers in the 2011 model he is selling or not. Reading an article in Vintage Guitar from back in 2011 it states the Epi ES-175 has the "Alnico V Classic pickups". I know the new ones now are equipped with the 57 Classics. Tell me the difference if you have any hands on experience please. Thanks!!!

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the 2011's should have the standard Alnico Epiphone pickups vs. the Premium 175's Gibson '57 Classics. the other big difference would be the finish (the 2015 Premium being "aged lacquer"). I think the size is the same. tuners are different. the bridge on the 2015 is pinned (pretty sure the older ones aren't). 2015 hardware is nickel and I believe the other was chrome. those are just the things that stuck out to me.

 

I should add...having played both; they have a different feel. I'm not discouraging you from a potential deal but the new Premium 175 feels like a more expensive guitar. I would compare it like a standard Casino vs. the Elitist Casino.

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the 2011's should have the standard Alnico Epiphone pickups vs. the Premium 175's Gibson '57 Classics. the other big difference would be the finish (the 2015 Premium being "aged lacquer"). I think the size is the same. tuners are different. the bridge on the 2015 is pinned (pretty sure the older ones aren't). 2015 hardware is nickel and I believe the other was chrome. those are just the things that stuck out to me.

 

I should add...having played both; they have a different feel. I'm not discouraging you from a potential deal but the new Premium 175 feels like a more expensive guitar. I would compare it like a standard Casino vs. the Elitist Casino.

 

THANK YOU! There had to be a reason the 2011 is so much cheaper. I should have known. Its at a dealer out of state so I have no opportunity to try it out. I believe I'm going to pass on this one. Thanks very much for the information!!!

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THANK YOU! There had to be a reason the 2011 is so much cheaper. I should have known. Its at a dealer out of state so I have no opportunity to try it out. I believe I'm going to pass on this one. Thanks very much for the information!!!

 

you bet! if you get a chance to check out the Premium, I think you'll dig it. there are some guys on the forum who have been pleased with theirs. I thought it was a great guitar it just wasn't for me (thin hollow body man)

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you bet! if you get a chance to check out the Premium, I think you'll dig it. there are some guys on the forum who have been pleased with theirs. I thought it was a great guitar it just wasn't for me (thin hollow body man)

 

I appreciate it! I can check out a premium locally and I'm going to do it. I just can't justify the cost of a Gibson ES-175 as I know I would not play it enough to merit putting out that kind of money. The wine red finishes are on sale for $749 right now (versus $899 for the other colors) and that's still a chunk of money. I'll have to stop be the local GC just to see how they feel & sound to me.

 

What really helped me here was not just the pickup debate but I do know the difference in cheap feeling Epiphones versus the more premium models and I never liked those cheaper made ones.

 

Thanks again!

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I appreciate it! I can check out a premium locally and I'm going to do it. I just can't justify the cost of a Gibson ES-175 as I know I would not play it enough to merit putting out that kind of money. The wine red finishes are on sale for $749 right now (versus $899 for the other colors) and that's still a chunk of money. I'll have to stop be the local GC just to see how they feel & sound to me.

 

What really helped me here was not just the pickup debate but I do know the difference in cheap feeling Epiphones versus the more premium models and I never liked those cheaper made ones.

 

Thanks again!

 

the wine red looks the coolest to me. happy hunting!

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I have both models . I like them both . They both have different tone values . I like my older es175 for its finish and wood . but that's me i like shinny guitars as for feel they both have a solid guitar feel . so enjoy which ever one you like .[thumbup]

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the wine red looks the coolest to me. happy hunting!

 

I agree and I just bought one this morning. I was on the Musicians Friend website looking at the Epi ES-175s and a wine red one popped up as an open box return in mint condition for $659.12 so I grabbed it - well bought it. It's already been shipped. Woot! [thumbup]

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I agree and I just bought one this morning. I was on the Musicians Friend website looking at the Epi ES-175s and a wine red one popped up as an open box return in mint condition for $659.12 so I grabbed it - well bought it. It's already been shipped. Woot! [thumbup]

Santa brought me an ES-175 Premium, in Sunburst. I love it! Enjoy your new guitar, and show us some eye candy when it gets there!

Play well,

Pete

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I agree and I just bought one this morning. I was on the Musicians Friend website looking at the Epi ES-175s and a wine red one popped up as an open box return in mint condition for $659.12 so I grabbed it - well bought it. It's already been shipped. Woot! [thumbup]

 

awesome!!

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IT'S HERE! It arrived at the same time the case did so this is awesome. Pictures soon - gotta tune her up & play her first. Right out of the box she's gorgeous, feels wonderful and sounds good unplugged which usually indicates it's going to ring out nicely. Back later with my observations and pictures. This is a beautiful guitar! [thumbup]

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In my couple of hours with my new arrival I ran it through an Ampeg Reverbrocket 2x12 for some jazz & light blues playing and the guitar proved to be very resonant & articulate - I really enjoyed the voicings coming out of those 57 Classics - Epiphone really did a nice job with this one & I now understand the love affair with this model that you guys that have owned yours longer than I have are talking about. I also ran it through my Fender Tweed 57 Reissue amp & got some great crunchy blues riffs and rhythm out of it - which I was extremely happy to hear. Very sweet sounds in this girl. The action on this guitar was perfect out of the box. Not sure if that's how they're shipping or if the guy that owned it before me did the setup but it's dead on perfect and you can finger her as fast as you want to.

 

Lastly I ran it through my Mesa Boogie Heartbreaker and my Marshall Bluesbreaker and I was able to pull off some very nice classic rock tones although with both of those amps I had to angle the guitar appropriately so as to not feedback constantly (please note I had those amps cranked up a bit more than was necessary..lol). Once I located the sweet spots however on where to stand with this guitar in hand - I found that the feedback wail was easily controllable and used it appropriately to pull out some sweet sustaining riffs. There's nothing at all negative about this guitar that I can point to. Yes it's a honeymoon review so if anything comes up I'll point it out.

 

Well got steaks on the grill & then I'm going to play her some more after supper. Thanks for reading - carry on! :-({|=

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And here's 4 more for your enjoyment. The guitar has some very nice grain - I wasn't expecting that [love]

 

Epi5_zpssb1ugb7o.jpg

 

Epi6_zpsexjxotzb.jpg

 

Epi7_zpsvqtqognh.jpg

 

Epi8_zpsjll7nzpq.jpg

WOW! All I can say is Wow! I thought my sunburst was pretty, but yours is drop dead gorgeous, and sounds great too! Manna from Heaven!

Play well, Sir, and enjoy!

Pete

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Lastly I ran it through my Mesa Boogie Heartbreaker and my Marshall Bluesbreaker and I was able to pull off some very nice classic rock tones although with both of those amps I had to angle the guitar appropriately so as to not feedback constantly (please note I had those amps cranked up a bit more than was necessary..lol). Once I located the sweet spots however on where to stand with this guitar in hand - I found that the feedback wail was easily controllable and used it appropriately to pull out some sweet sustaining riffs.

 

heh. heh heh heh. mwuhahahah. zactly what I do with mine, straight into a fairly cranked Princeton Recording into a 2x12 cab. Some overdrive and compression and I'm in Foghat for an hour or so, feeding them back exactly as I want them, put some wiggle on them and they just hang all the way to the other end of the arena(basement) and back. It is a great guitar to add to the bunch, enjoy!

 

That red is hawt!

 

rct

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In my couple of hours with my new arrival I ran it through an Ampeg Reverbrocket 2x12 for some jazz & light blues playing and the guitar proved to be very resonant & articulate - I really enjoyed the voicings coming out of those 57 Classics - Epiphone really did a nice job with this one & I now understand the love affair with this model that you guys that have owned yours longer than I have are talking about. I also ran it through my Fender Tweed 57 Reissue amp & got some great crunchy blues riffs and rhythm out of it - which I was extremely happy to hear. Very sweet sounds in this girl. The action on this guitar was perfect out of the box. Not sure if that's how they're shipping or if the guy that owned it before me did the setup but it's dead on perfect and you can finger her as fast as you want to.

 

Lastly I ran it through my Mesa Boogie Heartbreaker and my Marshall Bluesbreaker and I was able to pull off some very nice classic rock tones although with both of those amps I had to angle the guitar appropriately so as to not feedback constantly (please note I had those amps cranked up a bit more than was necessary..lol). Once I located the sweet spots however on where to stand with this guitar in hand - I found that the feedback wail was easily controllable and used it appropriately to pull out some sweet sustaining riffs. There's nothing at all negative about this guitar that I can point to. Yes it's a honeymoon review so if anything comes up I'll point it out.

 

Well got steaks on the grill & then I'm going to play her some more after supper. Thanks for reading - carry on! :-({|=

Hey Rev that is a hole lot of guitar for the money . She is beautiful . The wood grain is some of the best i have seen . My 2010 has some great wood grain . But yours is nice wish they came in gloss . That is a nice one to add to you collection. enjoy [thumbup]
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Hey Rev that is a hole lot of guitar for the money . She is beautiful . The wood grain is some of the best i have seen . My 2010 has some great wood grain . But yours is nice wish they came in gloss . That is a nice one to add to you collection. enjoy [thumbup]

 

They do come in gloss brother - they're called Gibson's tho & they cost a hell of a lot more [smile]

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