musical instruments image

Epiphone Elitist Broadway Electric Guitar Review :: Electric Guitars Reviews

classic big-box jazz guitar with incredibly luxurious appointments.

The Epiphone Elitist Broadway Electric Guitar is a high-quality, fully professional-grade jazz guitar that is surprisingly affordable for non-professionals. This guitar is crafted using the finest materials, combining over 125 years of instrument building experience and expertise. It features a solid-spruce carved top on AAA flamed maple back and sides, which provides both high-end tone and a stunning appearance. The guitar is equipped with 24K gold-plated hardware, precision binding all around, an ebony fretboard, an inlaid bridge, and abalone/mother-of-pearl fretboard inlays.

In terms of electronics, the Elitist Broadway comes with Gibson-made USA humbuckers and independent volume and tone controls, giving players the ability to fine-tune their sound to their exact specifications. This guitar also features the Epiphone Limited Lifetime Warranty, which is backed by over 100 years of uncompromising customer service from Epiphone and Gibson Musical Instruments.

Sound of Epiphone Elitist Broadway Electric Guitar

  • smooth, full bodied sound;
  • immaculate in both sound and appearance;
  • it offers all of the warm tone and impeccable craftsmanship of an L5 Gibson (almost $ 8000) but at a much more reasonable price;
  • great for jazz;
  • the tone is fat and mellow;
  • the acoustic sound is not close to the carved tops;
  • unbelievable full spectrum of sound, really fills the room;
  • big, fat, warm jazz tone with lots of punch when you need it (Kenny Burrell and Wes stuff from the 60’s and 70’s; Johnny Smith “Moonlight in Vermont” tone);
  • ok for R’n’b, Atkins/Travis type things and for electric slack-key;
  • the sound through the AC30 (normal channel, cut knob wound three-quarters on) is classic jazz of the early 60s ;
  • you can run the guitar with the volume knobs over halfway off and the sound doesn’t whimp out, which means you can open up the amp more;
  • not at all bass heavy like some true hollowbody electrics.

Pros of Epiphone Elitist Broadway Electric Guitar

  • a fine affordable instrument, recommend to all the professional players;
  • immaculate in both sound and appearance;
  • it offers all of the warm tone and impeccable craftsmanship of an L5 Gibson (almost $ 8000) but at a much more reasonable price;
  • comes close to the Gibson arch-tops;
  • beautiful woods, nice inlays, and great fret job ;
  • feels solid ;
  • big, fat, warm jazz tone with lots of punch when you need it;
  • you can adjust the neck down very low and still not worry about rattles;
  • the solid spruce top makes a big difference in tone.

Cons of Epiphone Elitist Broadway Electric Guitar

  • the L-5 is a little more responsive to right hand dynamics;
  • the front pickup is very fat.

Overall, the Epiphone Elitist Broadway Electric Guitar is an exceptional instrument that combines beauty, quality, and versatility. Whether you’re a seasoned jazz musician or just starting out, this guitar is sure to impress with its luxurious appointments and impeccable sound quality.

Suggestions for this Epiphone Guitar

  • Thomastik-Infeld flatwounds and a little intonation adjustment;
  • the neck is of the best you will find anywhere – you can adjust it down very low and still not worry about rattles;
  • use no stomp boxes with this guitar;
  • adjusting the pole pieces makes a big difference in tonal response ;
  • you can shape your sound pretty easily by adjusting polepieces to mess with the magnetic field.

Amps & Effects used by users – Fender tube amp, Acoustic Image Clarus 1R, Raezer’s Edge, Yamaha G-50/112, Mesa Boogie 50 caliber+, Fender Vibrosonic, Bassman 70, mid 60’s Vox AC30, Soane-Tone valve reverb unit, Fender tube amps (Super Reverb reissue, Blues Deluxe, Deluxe Reverb)

Features + Technical Specs
TunersGrover with Imperial Buttons
FingerboardEbony
Neck5-Piece Maple/Rosewood/Maple/Rosewood/Maple
Neck JointSet, 14th fret
Nut1-11/16″, Bone
BridgeEbony
Scale25-1/2″
TopSolid Spruce
BackAAA Flame Maple
SidesAAA Flame Maple
Rhythm PU50SR (Gibson USA Humbucker)
Treble PU50ST (Gibson USA Humbucker)
Controls2-V, 2-T; 3-Way Pickup Selector
Machine headsGrover
StringsGibson USA
Hardware24K Gold
FinishesNatural, Vintage Sunburst
These musical instruments offer includes: hardshell case

Click below on page 2 for more photos

Disclosure: we may be compensated for our reviews. Click here for details.