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2016 Gibson ES-275

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Serial #: 13346715, orange oval Memphis label

Body size at lower bout: 15". Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut Width: 1 11/16" Body Depth: 2 1/4" Neck Depth: .84/.95, 1st/12th fret

Materials: Solid Honduras mahogany neck; arched tiger maple laminate body; split-block pearloid fingerboard inlay, solid bone nut.

Hardware: All original gold hardware includes twin Gibson MHS pickups and electronics, Grover Rotomatic tuners, T-bar tailpiece, ABR-1 Tuneomatic bridge; gold bell volume and tone knobs; bound tortoise pickguard.

Notes: Steeped in tradition, the Gibson Co. often tinkers with established models, but only rarely issues guitars of entirely new design, especially in its venerable archtop line. Which is why we were intrigued when the firm released this innovative guitar, a unique blend of classic features in a striking new package.

The single cutaway thinline design is reminiscent of the legendary ES-350, but trimmed to a compact 15" width for greater comfort on the bandstand. Crafted of stunning tiger flamed maple, this rare blonde example is graced with a warmly ambered natural finish, and is unquestionably the handsomest version of this rare model we've ever laid eyes on.

The classic C profile neck with the full 22 frets is a tribute to the 50's Les Paul, with its fingerboard trimmed in rolled binding for superlative comfort. The unpotted Alnico II and III MHS humbuckers, designed for maximum clarity and detail, are scrupulously faithful to Gibson's very earliest PAF pickups. The fully hollow soundchamber affords more body resonance than a centerblock thinline, and at a comfy 6lb 8oz. this guitar balances handily on the lap or the strap.

While specs varied considerably with later models, this early example is clearly the most upscale version, with an ES-175 style tailpiece rather than a stop tail, all gold hardware instead of chrome, a Super 400 multi-bound headstock in favor of the plain 'thistle' headplate, and an L-5 style bound tortoise pickguard in lieu of the plain black 5-ply guard seen later.

With smooth low action over a fresh high-precision setup, this guitar offers a solid traditional neck feel, and greater access to the upper fingerboard than traditional Gibson archtops. A versatile player, equally at home with jazz, blues or roots rock, this workhorse guitar can hold its own against the most raucous rhythm section. This rare blonde beauty is, we believe, from the first year of production for this elusive model, which does not seem to have survived Gibson's Memphis plant closure in 2019.

In gleaming all-original condition, complete with its original black Gibson-logo arched plush lined hardshell case, this striking and thoughtfully designed instrument was a fleeting gift to the performing guitarist. As they say, go find another one: call now.

Setup: Trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished. The instrument is strung with light gauge nickel roundwound strings (.011) and may be strung with lighter or heavier strings as desired.

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