| Epiphone Broadway |
| The Specs |
Year: 2023
Builder: Epiphone
Series: Archtop
Model: Broadway
Color: Wine Red
Hardware Finish: Gold
Serial Number: 23021511775
Top: Spruce
Body: Laminated Maple
Body Type: Hollowbody
Body Finish: Gloss
Body Binding: 5-Ply Cream
Cutaway: Single
Pickguard: 5-Ply Tortoiseshell
Bridge: Pau Ferro Floating
Tailpiece: Frequensator Trapeze
Fretboard: Laurel
Fretboard Binding: 5-Ply Cream
Fretboard Inlay: MOP Block/Abalone Triangle
Neck: Maple
Neck Profile: SlimTaper 60s C
Neck Finish: Gloss
Nut: Graph Tech
Headstock: Epiphone Vine of Life
Headstock Binding: 5-ply Cream
Headstock Logo: Pearl Epiphone Logo
Headstock Inlay: Pearl Vine of Life
Tuners: Grover
Neck Pickup: Alnico Classic Pro HB
Bridge Pickup: Alnico Classic Pro HB
Pickup Switching: 3-Way
Control Knobs: Black Top Hat
Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone
Case: Epiphone hardshell case
Body Size/Shape: Broadway
Frets: 20 Medium Jumbo
Frets to Body: 14/17
Fretboard Radius: 12"
Scale Length: 25.5"
Nut Width: 1.692"
Body Width: 17"
Body Depth: 3.25"
Strings: D'Addario Chromes ECG25 (.012-.052)
There's nothing quite like the sound of a big hollowbody jazz guitar, so when Epiphone released their new version of the Broadway I was immediately intrigued. When I discovered that one of the finish options offered was Wine Red, I knew it was only a matter of time before I'd add one to my collection.
I've been a long-time fan of Epiphone's hollowbody and semi-hollow guitars, having previously owned a couple of Broadways (in blonde and sunburst finishes), a few Joe Pass Emperors, and several Sheratons and ES335s/Dots. Their f-hole guitars have always been a great value... they're well made and sound surprisingly good.
The Broadway features traditional jazz box styling, with a 17" hollow body, two humbucking pickups, a wooden floating bridge, and a really cool frequensator tailpiece. It also delivers those classic jazz tones—the warmth of the humbuckers pairs really well with the acoustic properties of the large hollowbody, providing rich chords and really round, airy single-note lines.
The Broadway is a departure from the 16" thinline bodies on most of my other guitars, and also has a longer scale length. It offers a different sound that makes it the perfect choice when I just want to spend time getting lost in a jazzy mood.
