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1956 Gibson ES-175DN

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Serial #: A 22260, orange oval label.

Finish: original natural blonde finish, nitrocellulose type

Body size at lower bout: 16". Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut Width: 1 11/16"

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. Vintage correct aged nickel Kluson Deluxe single ring tuners.

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 pickup provides a bright, rich tone unduplicated before or since, but was available on this model only until 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, and the body of this guitar is graced with handsome flame maple figure, particularly on the back. Lightweight and resonant, the 16" body sits easily in the lap, and the 24 3/4" scale makes stretch chords and fast runs a pleasure.

Lovingly maintained in a private collection for some decades, 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 immaculate medium jumbo fretwork, and a vintage correct set of aged nickel Kluson Deluxe 'no-line' single ring tuners. The tone is as rich and warm as the butterscotch amber finish, and the entire package is nestled in its gorgeous original Lifton 'California Girl' case.

An outstanding example of the all-time classic jazz box, and we've never seen a prettier one. Call now.

Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, recrowned and polished; 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 (.013-.057). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 5/64" to 6/64" 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 Lifton brown arched hardshell case, with pink plush lining.