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2011 Gibson ES-165 Herb Ellis
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Serial #: 12841732, orange oval label
Body size at lower bout: 16" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut Width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .82/.96
Materials: Solid mahogany neck with solid rosewood fingerboard; arched figured maple laminate top, sides and back; dual-parallelogram mother of pearl fingerboard inlay and thistle peghead inlay; triple bound top, bound back.
Hardware: 100% original gold hardware, including Grover Super Rotomatic tuners: 60's style wriggle trapeze tailpiece; Gibson BJB floating humbucking pickup and electronics; beveled 5-ply pickguard; gold reflector cap volume knob. Original ABR-1 Tuneomatic bridge included, with additional compensated rosewood bridge saddle installed.
Notes: How many guitar players have gone from Glen Gray and His Casa Loma Orchestra to the Joe Pass Quartet? Texas jazz guitar legend Herb Ellis has, achieving international renown with his bluesy, soulful sound. A disciple of the great Charlie Christian, Ellis is perhaps best known for his tenure with the Oscar Peterson Trio, a hair-raising job for any sideman.
The Gibson Herb Ellis model was introduced in 1991 as a tribute to the celebrated performer. The design harks back to the original 1949 ES-175, which was fitted with a single pickup until 1951. By 1971 the single pickup 175 was discontinued altogether, making the originals highly prized by jazz purists.
The 16" body is easy to handle on the lap or the strap, and the solid mahogany neck produces an instrument that is notably well balanced. The handsome curly maple laminate body helps suppress feedback, and offers superior resistance to fluctuations in temperature and humidity. With fine medium jumbo frets, the fingerboard is utterly effortless to play, with smooth low action over a fresh high-precision setup.
The 24 3/4" scale is fast and nimble, and the guitar is factory fitted with a genuine Gibson BJB floating humbucker, as used on the Citation and other top-line models, and not available as an aftermarket part. A special plus is the compensated rosewood saddle fitted to the bridge, in addition to the original gold Tuneomatic bridge included in the case.
The guitar has all-gold hardware, and is in virtually unplayed condition, free of pickwear, bucklewear, thumbwear or finish checking. Now sadly discontinued from production, the ES-165 Herb Ellis is rarely seen on the vintage market, and a true best buy in a top flight Gibson jazzer. An elegant addition to a distinguished lineage of classic archtop guitars, and a fitting tribute to a true jazz legend. One only: call now.
Setup: Trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; string slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut as necessary; bridge foot contour inspected and fit to top as necessary; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.
This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel roundwound strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.
Case: Original Gibson deluxe arched black alligator plush lined hardshell case.
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