Epiphone Broadway

(Originally written by nado64/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
*** Where was it made? ***

made in Korea

*** How many frets, what kind of pickups and what is the pickup configuration? ***

20 frets, six over the body.

Two humbucker pickups.

*** What kind of bridge (Floyd Rose, Wilkinson....)? ***

Floating bridge with locking string system to reduce the vibrations.

*** What about controls (volume, tone, pickup selector...)? ***

Volume and tone controls for each pickup.

*** What kind of neck? ***

Standard Epiphone/Gibson neck. 2-color inlays.

*** Misc ***

Golden hardware. Natural finish. Maple body. Spruce top.

Nice-looking guitar, average finish and details, varnish is too thick at some edges. No noise.

Epiphone version of the Gibson L5.

UTILIZATION

*** Is the neck comfortable? ***

Yes the neck feels very pleasant, much more than its competitors.

*** Is the access to the upper frets easy? ***

No remarks.

*** Is the instrument ergonomic (body shape, weight...)? ***

Considering the size, it's a real jazz guitar. The body is very thick.

It's a great asset for the sound but it can be annoying if you have short arms.

Otherwise, no problems.

*** Is it easy to get the right sound? ***

This guitar was conceived for jazz and jazz only! You quickly get a good sound using the neck pickup and setting the tone control to 2-3.

SOUNDS

*** Does it fit your music style? ***

Yes, I play jazz and the guitar is wonderful for that sort of music.

*** Which amp(s) or effect(s) do you use it with? ***

Roland Jazz-Chorus 20 but a Fender also sounds very good.

*** What kind of sounds do you get and which settings do you use ("crystal-clear", "fat", ...)?

You get a super jazz sound even unplugged. It has simply a nice tone.

Settings: flat-wound Thomastik strings, Dunlop Jazz III pick, tone control at 2-3.

The sound is the main asset of this guitar. I guess you won't hear a huge difference if you compare it to an L-5.

OVERALL OPINION

*** How long have you been using it? ***

One year.

*** Which feature do you like the most / the least? ***

I like its jazz look and sound.

I don't like the average-quality finish.

*** Did you try any other models before buying it? ***

Yes. Peerless, Epiphone Joe Pass, Ibanez, etc.

*** How would you rate its value for money? ***

The guitar is worth its price.

*** Based on your experience, would you buy this product again? ***

Yes, I'm pretty satisfied with this guitar. I strongly recommend it to all jazz fans. I would definitely buy it again if I was looking for this type of guitar in this price range.

Guitar bought used in 1985 japan origin I think
very beautiful fine violin case with central beam while maple, ebony button set neck
two humbucker bridge epiphone gibson Type
near new condition despite its 22 years!

USE

The neck is fairly wide and flat rather comfortable even with small hands like a gibson, Access in acute is very easy
this is normal for this kind of guitar takes effort, it is not really mild and rather wide.
That said we easily get a very beautiful sound

SOUNDS

I play mostly blues (light and crunch sounds) this guitar sounds great (with a good amp and good fingers) above the neck pickup and selector are interesting middle position a little lack of bass and fishing but nothing embarrassing, I love it! by against the bridge pickup alone is rather disappointing

NOTICE GLOBAL

Since the time I use it, I've tried a lot of different guitar of the same kind (not of the same kind, I also have a telecaster) it's not a Gibson, but ....
I not trade against one another or against any sheraton epiphone half checkout! (Sorry guys)
I would do this choice recess even if the general quality of this guitar would deserve better microphones

In what country was she made? : Korea (among Unsung)
What type of bridge: Wooden originally (type archtop what) I think replacing the term by a special tunomatic archtop home Stewmac

USE

I love the handle, it is wide enough not too thick and not too embedded in the varnish as is the case with some Epiphone (they must have nail in Eiphone cheap, with some models we feel hold a piece of plastic).

Ergonomics is remarkable, it has the balance of a sound, perfect for playing asis (standing it must be a hair less convenient because of the size of the fund)
Access to acute is very honest (well it is not a solid body of metalheads, but it happens)
What interests me about this guitar is precisely ergonomics.

I play alone at home (not in group and also I'm learning guitar), The Broadway can play sitting comfortably (the solid body sitting is not great and semi-hollow type Dot is terrible seated) .dropoff window

SOUNDS

She has two humbucker supposed to give the vintage. The only comparison I are the Seymour Duncan SH1, the sound is similar but more rough on Broadway.
Let's say that if I had any ambitions, time and under, I would change the pickups for SH1. Anyway, in the state they are going rather well, just the definition is not fantastic, clear, given the level of guitar, this guitar deserves that over time it is above components team range.


Note that I do not play jazz (not level) I play blues and a bit of picking, it is perfect, we can consider it as an entry-acoustic (well it is not Martin, but home, it does not hurt)

NOTICE GLOBAL

I bought there is little I cracked suites.
My previous guitars they were guitars, this one's MY guitar, it makes all the difference
The price / quality ratio is outstanding, unless for Electronics Korean version is a bit feeble but it's upgrade, the violin is top
The feature I like most is its versatility (electric / acoustic) and its extreme comfort while playing seated
In addition it is beautiful (which does not hurt)

Korean manufacture of good quality.
Spruce top, maple else. Beautiful gloss on everything
Grover, a quality standard, 2 humbuckers Epiphone home a rosewood bridge and a "resonator" in tailpiece. The set is gold plated.
This guitar is seriously made. No apparent defects.
Only downside (nothing serious), it comes with strings not terrible, certainly these are taking a hard enough trying to "jazz", but an immediate change is the right solution to ring this jazz-mama . Nets dishes Addario ... the right choice.
Another little thing I dislike also a guitar of this type should be delivered in case. This is not the case. He may have to remember to split a ticket of 50 or 100 euros to acquire a box more or less beautiful finish. And quite frankly, kept in an archtop guitar cover with 2 bullets, I do not even imagine. It's still painful swell the absence of this case ... to consider at the time of purchase.

UTILIZATION

I will leave it here, the very good previous opinion describes things right.

SOUNDS

Jazz, blues, rock ... in fact it is quite versatile. The Epiphone humbuckers, but not the top of the genre are doing pretty good. They excel in any of the styles mentioned but amplified, we found the right sound to the inspiration of the moment. As noted in the previous opinion, an upgrade of micro would not be a bad thing under the provision of violin making. It deserves. But in the state, it makes the job properly.

OVERALL OPINION

Distant cousin of L5, the Broadway is very nice. She has the main characteristics, the presence, without of course, have and will finish. His big boils and her outfit make it an instrument you love shake-against itself, there égrainer few chords to Wes, then pick a very hard to blackmail her into an amp lamps with a hint of reverb ... it jazz. Good feeling ... As its price remains in the vicinity of 500/600 euros, this is a guitar that I advise all those who want to venture into the style blues / jazz.
A possible alternative in this range finish / price is in line with the Hofner HCT J17. Beautiful and good guitars too.
Archtop Ibanez offers a range of quality in these prices ... but now my home is psycho. I got two, I can not keep them. Yet they are extremely well finished, too, perhaps. Anyway ... y'en for all hands and all ears