Elitist Broadway or Byrdland

[BBird]

Hi, all. I've lurked for a long time, but finally registered in order to ask a question. I am ready to purchase either a Elitist Broadway or Byrdland. I've done about as much research as possible on the internets and I'd like to hear from owners/former owners/etc. The consensus seems to be that these are excellent instruments.

 

I've never owned an Epi -- I've got a CIJ Fender Jazzmaster (one of the legendary one-of-500 2004 MF blowouts); Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul 1957 Goldtop; Fender American Vintage Reissue 52 Telecaster and my trusty Martin D-18. For amps, I've got an early 1970s silverface Fender Twin Reverb and a Pro Jr.

 

I need a hollowbody/semi-hollow to round out the collection -- would I be better off looking for an Elitist Sheraton for more versatility or paying whorehouse prices for a Gibson Custom ES-335?

 

Thanks -- I appreciate any comments!

[Ron G]

With the demise of the Elitist line (except for the Casino), you may have some difficulty getting what you want, especially as the remaining stock gets sold out. From what I've read here and at the other Epi forum (link below - check it out), the Elitist guitars offer a whole lot, without the "whorehouse" price. Of course, there are other fantastic guitars on the market that might give you what you want - for example, Stromberg. Unfortunately, discussions of other manufacturers' guitars is frowned on here (moderators, not members) but you can discuss them freely at the other forum.

 

BTW: Welcome!

[Red 333]

Hi' date=' all. I've lurked for a long time, but finally registered in order to ask a question. I am ready to purchase either a Elitist Broadway or Byrdland. I've done about as much research as possible on the internets and I'd like to hear from owners/former owners/etc. The consensus seems to be that these are excellent instruments.

 

I've never owned an Epi -- I've got a CIJ Fender Jazzmaster (one of the legendary one-of-500 2004 MF blowouts); Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul 1957 Goldtop; Fender American Vintage Reissue 52 Telecaster and my trusty Martin D-18. For amps, I've got an early 1970s silverface Fender Twin Reverb and a Pro Jr.

 

I need a hollowbody/semi-hollow to round out the collection -- would I be better off looking for an Elitist Sheraton for more versatility or paying whorehouse prices for a Gibson Custom ES-335?

 

Thanks -- I appreciate any comments!

 

 

 

[/quote']

 

While you can cover some of the same ground with a hollow body Broadway or Byrdland, the Sheraton is a thinline semi-hollow, so you can aslo get those rocky tones and sustaining, solid-body like tones a little easier and with less fear of unwanted feedback. The Sheraton has minihumbuckers, so they're less hot than the Dot, which has full sized hums. It just depends on what kind of music you play most. An Elitist Dot or Gibson 335 is one of the most versatile guitars you can play.

 

I don't have an Elitist Broadway (it's next on my list), but from what I've read, it's an excellent large-bodied L5 derivative very well suited for jazz or cleaner style playing. I have the regular Epiphone version, and it's a very nice guitar for the money. I can only imagine how much nicer the Elitist would be, as the Elitist series of guitars are truly very special.

 

I have an Elitist Byrdland, and its thinner body makes it a little more feedback resistant, though it still maintains some of that woody archtop type sound. The scale is short and the neck is very narrow by design, to allow you to play faster and finger jazz chords a little easier. The very short scale might be abit of an aquired taste, though, or else you'd see it more often.

 

I also have an Elitist Dot. It sounds and feels almost identical to modern day Gibson Dot reissues. I also have one of those, so I can play them side by side to compare. Gibson 335's come in a bunch of varieties, with options for plain or flamed tops, neck profiles, and fretboard ornamentation.

 

As as I mentioned, the more heavily ornimented Sheraton has mini-humbuckers. Due to their size, they recieve about 20% fewer winds of wire around the bobbins. Expect less output ulimately than an Elitist Dot or Gibson 335.

 

As I said above, the Elitists are exceptionally well made, and great materials are used, including Gibson pickups. I have 11 of them and am very pleased. I'll be looking for a Broadway to round out my collection, soon.

 

Red 333

[JefferySmith]

The Byrdland is easy to play as it is very short scale, while the Broadway is longer than Gibson in scale. The Byrdland also has a spruce top and is thicker than a Sheraton though thinner than a Broadway. So all three guitars have different niches. I really like the Byrdland, and would go with it as they will soon be unavailable with no other similar guitar around except the Gibson Byrdland.

[dougg330]

Hi - I owned an Elitist Byrdland for several years. Fantastic quality, terrific guitar... but I never warmed up to it. Finally figured it out: I didn't like the feel of the ebony fingerboard. I sold it and got a Zephyr Blues Deluxe with rosewood 'board and P-90's (which I also prefer to humbuckers) and I'm a happy guy.

Gotta say you can't go wrong with quality or value with an Elitist... but see if you can play something that has an ebony board and make sure you're comfortable with it. Some prefer ebony to rosewood because of the snap it adds to your sound; I just couldn't dig it.

Good luck -

dougg330

[BBird]

Thanks very much for all of your input, observations and opinions. I'm still on the fence, but I'm now leaning toward the Elitist Byrdland principally because of the slightly thinner body/feedback control and the short-scale. I've never had a true short scale and believe that style should be represented.

 

I'd appreciate any further thoughts you Epi-Experts might offer. I look forward to checking in again soon!

[Svet]

Hi BBird, that is a tough question you are asking. I couldn’t decide for myself so I wound up buying all of em! The Sheraton or an ES 335 would be far more versatile than the B/B twins. The Semis can both do Jazz very well and still rock out and some decent volume levels. I should mention that while the semis do Jazz well they don't match the warm tone of a big bodied jazz specialists like the Broadway Byrdland. My advice to you is to buy one of each! :)

Svet

 

 

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[BBird]

Well, after much deliberation, I went with the Elitist Byrdland. Went through Musician's Friend, it was delivered on Friday.

 

I am simply floored by the quality of this guitar. In terms of appearance, although I would have preferred the sunburst finish, the natural is just beautiful. All of the outlets I checked had the sunburst on backorder. As the Elitist line seems to be headed into history, I interpret this as "we'll never see them again."

 

The sound is everything I had hoped for and more. Having never owned an Epi before, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. It absolutely stands up to every Gibson (Custom Shop or otherwise) that I've ever played. Now that I'm an Epiphone convert, I wish I had seen the light sooner! My wife has declared that it is her favorite of the collection. (Take that, Gibson/Fender!)

 

Thanks to everyone who responded to my post. I really appreciate it and look forward to participating in this forum.

 

The Elitist Broadway still haunts me . . . GAS truly is incurable.

[JefferySmith]

Well' date=' after much deliberation, I went with the Elitist Byrdland. Went through Musician's Friend, it was delivered on Friday.

 

I am simply floored by the quality of this guitar. In terms of appearance, although I would have preferred the sunburst finish, the natural is just beautiful. All of the outlets I checked had the sunburst on backorder. As the Elitist line seems to be headed into history, I interpret this as "we'll never see them again."

 

The sound is everything I had hoped for and more. Having never owned an Epi before, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. It absolutely stands up to every Gibson (Custom Shop or otherwise) that I've ever played. Now that I'm an Epiphone convert, I wish I had seen the light sooner! My wife has declared that it is her favorite of the collection. (Take that, Gibson/Fender!)

 

Thanks to everyone who responded to my post. I really appreciate it and look forward to participating in this forum.

 

The Elitist Broadway still haunts me . . . GAS truly is incurable.[/quote']

 

I felt the same way when I got my first Byrdland. The build quality and workmanship were better than any of the three Gibsons I have had in the past.

[charlie brown]

Although I don't (currently) own one, I have played several of both the Epiphone, and Gibson's version or equivalent, and I prefer the Byrdland, myself...

just because I like (on that guitar) the shorter scale, a bit thinner body...which to me, is more comfortable to play.

But, they're both nice guitars!! You made a great choice!!

 

CB

[snookelputz]

Wouldn't it be nice if you could get the big fat belly of the Broadway with the short scale Byrdland neck?

[JefferySmith]

Wouldn't it be nice if you could get the big fat belly of the Broadway with the short scale Byrdland neck?

I would like to get just about anything with the short scale of the Byrdland neck.

[Svet]

Unfortunately the Elitists are done so you will never see a new VS Byrdland or Broadway. As a matter of fact the VS finish has been out of production for a couple of years on both of the aforementioned. I lucked out with my Byrdland in the VS thanks to a tip from one of the members on this forum. I had scoured daily over Ebay and the stores for either a Broadway or Byrdland in VS and it took a couple of years to find one.

[NTprof]

With the demise of the Elitist line (except for the Casino)' date=' you may have some difficulty getting what you want, especially as the remaining stock gets sold out. From what I've read here and at the other Epi forum (link below - check it out), the Elitist guitars offer a whole lot, without the "whorehouse" price. Of course, there are other fantastic guitars on the market that might give you what you want - for example, Stromberg. Unfortunately, discussions of other manufacturers' guitars is frowned on here (moderators, not members) but you can discuss them freely at the other forum.

 

BTW: Welcome![/quote']

 

Hi--I'm new to the forum. I just purchased an Elitist Byrdland, and am extremely happy with it. I was surprised to read in this post that the Elitist series has been discontiued. Does anyone know why?

[snookelputz]

Yes, but they aren't telling.

 

Gibson's (and therefor Epiphone's) policy is to not discuss Gibson's (and therefor Epiphone's) policy. There is much speculation, and probably somebody has the right of it; but, we'll never know until the memoirs are published.

[JefferySmith]

 

Hi--I'm new to the forum. I just purchased an Elitist Byrdland' date=' and am extremely happy with it. I was surprised to read in this post that the Elitist series has been discontiued. Does anyone know why?[/quote']

With the economy tanking, Gibson needs to sell Gibsons to pros. Their regular Epi line will suffice for guys like us, but when pros start buying Elitists instead of Gibbys, well, you know the answer.

 

You have a Byrdland. It is certainly worthy of the Gibson name.

[charlie brown]

I've been wondering about the "Elitist" disappearance....and think (maybe) the building of, and dedication to Epi only, factory in China might well

raise the overall level of quality of the "regular line," of Epi's enough...eventually, that there won't be a need/desire for an "Elitist" line. We've seen

a bit of that, already...in much better quality, and attention to detail, than at first (growing pains, more than likely), and though they are not to

"Elitist" quality, yet...it may be just a matter of time? It would be great, especially if they'd bring back all the wonderful Epi Hollow and Semi-hollow

bodied guitars, that are currently discontinued, or at least, in limbo. The woods available for "Elitist" should certainly still be available, to the Quingdao

factory. And, we've seen some really decent construction, and finishing, already. A little "tweaking" here and there, and they'd be there... Don't you

think? Anyway...it's just a though/idea...

 

CB

[JefferySmith]

The Eastmans show that the Chinese can certainly produce a high quality guitar. I think that the more $ that is invested in making the guitar, the better the outcome. Computerized machinery has taken many of the man hours out of carving the wood, as does the use of polyurethane. Epiphone would be prudent to send USA electronics to China for installation into the guitars.

[charlie brown]

Yeah, and make the Casino with the correct neck/body joint connection (16th fret, instead of 17th). Seems like the body shape is closer now, to correct,

than previously. I'd like to see the correct inlay (in the headstock) on the Riviera, too...Like the "Elitist" version had. The Gibson "Crown" is nice...but it's

not really correct, to the original. I know..."Picky, picky, picky!" LOL! Anyway...just some more things, on my "wish list." The Poly finish is a LOT better,

than it used to be...much thinner and not so "plastic" looking. So, "way to go, Epi!"

 

CB

[highxj]

Question for you Byrdland owners, how large is the body compared to say, a Casino? Also wondering about the neck width, my MIK Casino has a really narrow neck which is at times a little problematic for me. Does the Byrdland have a really narrow neck as well? Thanks for any input....I am seriously thinking about snagging an Epi Byrdland.

 

Dan

[Sleeko]

Got one of each and also a recent Emperor Regent. The quality of the regular is approaching the Elitist. The inlays and binding are beautiful and set dead on, the quality of wood is a bit plainer but the finsih is excellent. It is much thinner than the older products and lacks the poured-on look. The gold doesn't wear off like it used to either.

The neck width on my Byrdland is the same as my Broadway and Emperor, just a shorter length.

Keep your eye on ebay for elitist - just watch the sellers rep. I've even seen the occasional sunburst Byrdland but you gotta be quick and be willing to spend a few. Best of luck - Steve

 

[JefferySmith]

Got one of each and also a recent Emperor Regent. The quality of the regular is approaching the Elitist. The inlays and binding are beautiful and set dead on' date=' the quality of wood is a bit plainer but the finsih is excellent. It is much thinner than the older products and lacks the poured-on look. The gold doesn't wear off like it used to either.

The neck width on my Byrdland is the same as my Broadway and Emperor, just a shorter length.

Keep your eye on ebay for elitist - just watch the sellers rep. I've even seen the occasional sunburst Byrdland but you gotta be quick and be willing to spend a few. Best of luck - Steve

 

[img']http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v302/L4sleeko/DSCN0105.jpg[/img]

There's a jazz player's dream walk of fame. Who can't love Epiphone when they produce instruments like that. I'd like to be able to put my two Byrdlands out like that, but my black lab would have them converted to toothpicks in 15 minutes.

[Sleeko]

Two Byrdlands? How 'bout some pics?

 

T'ee he he he, this is for display / picture purposes only. Then back in the cases and into the closet they go. Until practice time that is . . . Thanks btw. Here's the whole ShaBANG:

 

[Red 333]

Got one of each and also a recent Emperor Regent. The quality of the regular is approaching the Elitist. The inlays and binding are beautiful and set dead on' date=' the quality of wood is a bit plainer but the finsih is excellent. It is much thinner than the older products and lacks the poured-on look. The gold doesn't wear off like it used to either.

The neck width on my Byrdland is the same as my Broadway and Emperor, just a shorter length.

Keep your eye on ebay for elitist - just watch the sellers rep. I've even seen the occasional sunburst Byrdland but you gotta be quick and be willing to spend a few. Best of luck - Steve

 

[img']http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v302/L4sleeko/DSCN0105.jpg[/img]

 

I've got an Elitist Byrd and Broadway, too, and a regular Broadway. I agree with you (and have posted this before), that the workmanship on the regular Broadway certainly aproaches, and may even be on par with Elitist level. As you say, plainer wood (and less articulate PUPs) were chosen to keep costs down, but build quality is comparable.

 

I've also got a Zephyr Blues Deluxe (same body as the Broadway) that was built in a different factory. That particular example is not quite as good, finish wise, but is still very good for the money. I have an Epi ES295, too, and it's very good, as well, but again, not quite as clean as Broadway (there's a LOT of gold paint, so you can imagine a finsh defect or two might manifest itself).

 

Overall, the quality of the big Epiphone hollow bodies is quite good to excellent (to exceptional, with the Elitists). I know a lot of the forum members like the Gretsch 5120 series, and they do look good, but I haven't seen one built as nice as the regular Broadway I have (which happens, by the way, to sound good, too!).

 

Red 333

[NTprof]

With the economy tanking' date=' Gibson needs to sell Gibsons to pros. Their regular Epi line will suffice for guys like us, but when pros start buying Elitists instead of Gibbys, well, you know the answer.

 

You have a Byrdland. It is certainly worthy of the Gibson name. [/quote']

 

 

Thanks for all the input re. the unfortunate demise of the Elitists. It does make sense that the Elitist series may be siphoning money from Gibson. While researching the Byrdland I came accross several professional musicians who raved about the Byrdland and recommended it highly. I'm guessing the profit margin for an ES 175 is much higher than for a Byrdland or Broadway.

 

On the other hand, with the economy tanking, it also makes sense to offer an affordable professional guitar, doesn't it?