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1956 Gibson ES-175DN
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Serial #: A-23665, orange oval label. FON#: V5311-8
Finish: original natural blonde finish, nitrocellulose type
Body size at lower bout: 16" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 1 11/16" Neck depth: .87/.94, 1st/10th frets
Materials: Solid mahogany neck; solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard; arched maple top and back; dual-parallelogram mother of pearl fingerboard inlay and crown peghead inlay; triple bound top, bound back.
Hardware: Original hardware includes nickel trapeze tailpiece with raised-parallelogram crossbar; twin P-90 pickups and electronics; amber bonnet knobs; beveled 5 ply pickguard; compensated Brazilian rosewood bridge, nickel Kluson Deluxe single ring tuners. Vintage correct aged 5-ply pickguard (original pickguard included.)
Notes: Introduced in 1949, the Gibson ES-175 quickly became the most popular jazz guitar ever made. Fast, clean and road-ready, the 175 has been the workhorse of the touring player and studio from Joe Pass to Pat Metheny. The legendary P-90 pickups provide a faithful, detailed tone unduplicated before or since, but was available on this model only until mid-1957.
This stunning example is the most sought-after of all P-90 versions, with a glowing amber blonde finish and twin original pickups. (Natural finish examples are scarce and highly desirable, constituting less than one in five guitars in some years.) At just 6lb 10oz, the guitar is substantially lighter than later versions, and the 16" body sits easily in the lap, with the 24 3/4" scale making stretch chords and fast runs a pleasure.
A lovingly maintained California guitar, this instrument is in phenomenal condition, with 100% original blonde finish free of pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. With smooth low action over a gentle C profile neck, the Brazilian rosewood fingerboard is fitted with original fretwork in excellent condition. A true closet queen, this gleaming guitar is even free of the typical stress cracks around the output jack almost universal in examples from this era. The tone is as rich and warm as the butterscotch amber finish, and the entire package is nestled in its fine original brown Lifton hardshell case.
An outstanding example of the all-time classic jazz box, you'd be hard pressed to find a prettier one. 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 wound strings (.012-.052). 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.
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