Vintage Gibson ES-175 - USA 1986

The ES-175 is a dual-pickup archtop electric guitar made by Gibson. The ES-175 has a rosewood fingerboard with parallelogram inlays, a 3" deep body, a floating bridge, two humbuckers, 20 frets and independent volume and tone controls for each pickup. The guitar has the standard Gibson scale length of 24.75"

The ES-175 debuted in 1949 , as Gibson's mid-level laminate top alternative to the L-5 and as an electric version of the L-4. It was also the first Gibson electric to feature a stylish Florentine cutaway. Its first incarnation had one single-coil pickup (a P-90) in the neck position, and a carved rosewood bridge. The model's name is derived from its original price of US$175. In 1953, the ES-175D, a two-pickup model, was introduced. 

Beginning in February 1957, ES-175s came equipped with humbuckers. Many new jazz guitarists such as Pat Metheny used these to emulate the sound of Joe Pass and Wes Montgomery's L5. The ES-175 with humbuckers is prized for its full, rich tone.

With a fully hollow body and sharp Florentine cutaway, the Gibson ES-175 stands out as an all-time iconic jazz guitar. The ES-175 has seen some variation over the years, with different pickup and hardware configurations coming in and out of the Gibson lineup. Although the ES-175 is noted as a jazz guitar, it has also been embraced by rock players like Yes' Steve Howe who has a signature model.

This ES-175 is pretty much as it was when built in Gibson’s Nashville facility on the 26th March, 1986. It is in a remarkable state for its age - showing very few marks or blemishes in the top, back, sides and neck. 

It is in excellent playing condition. The frets are fine with lots of life left, the tuners and truss rod are working well, the original Tim Shaw humbucker pickups and electronics are intact and the instrument has a big, full sound. The guitar is currently set up with flatwounds.

The Gibson ES-175 is a highly sought-after guitar, prized for its rich, resonant tone and excellent playability. This fine example is a nice opportunity to own a vintage instrument that stands out for jazz and blues players alike.

Comes in a non-original Hiscox hard case in excellent condition.

Specs:

Action at 1st fret: 0.5mm

Action at 12th fret: 2.5mm

Neck depth at 1st fret: 20.75mm

Nut Width: 42.6mm

12 fret width: 51.64mm

Weight: 3.25kg / 7.17lb

Body type: Hollow body, single florentine cutaway

Body material: Laminated maple (top, back, and sides)

Neck material: Mahogany

Neck profile: Medium C shape

Scale length: 24.75 inches

Fingerboard material: Rosewood

Fingerboard radius: 12 inches

Frets: 20, medium jumbo

Inlays: Pearloid parallelogram inlays

Bridge: Adjustable Tune-O-Matic with rosewood base

Tailpiece: Trapeze tailpiece

Pickups: Dual Tim Shaw humbuckers

Controls: 2 volume, 2 tone, 3-way toggle switch

Hardware: Nickel

Tuners: Kluson-style tuners

Finish: Gloss nitrocellulose lacquer

Pickguard: Black

Binding: Multi-ply on top, single-ply on back and neck