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1957 Gibson ES-175D

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Serial #: A-25070, orange oval label Factory order #: V7723-21

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 slab-cut figured maple top, sides and back; dual-parallelogram mother of pearl fingerboard inlay and thistle peghead inlay; triple bound top, bound back.

Hardware: Original hardware includes nickel 'zig-zag' trapeze tailpiece, beveled black 5-ply pickguard and bracket, compensated Brazilian rosewood adjustable bridge. Vintage correct Seymour Duncan Seth Lover PAF humbucking pickups, aged nickel Kluson Deluxe tuners, bumblebee caps, and gold bell knobs.

Notes: Since its introduction in 1949, the Gibson ES-175 has been the most popular jazz guitar in the world. The twin pickup ES-175D debuted in 1951, and the model became Gibson's first guitar to be fitted with the humbucking pickup in 1957. Since its inception over half a century ago, the classic ES-175 has remained in the Gibson catalog continuously to this day.

This gleaming guitar is one of just 271 made in its model year, with the factory order number showing it was begun in late 1956. The orange oval label with the serial number indicates the guitar was finally shipped in mid-'57, making it one of the very first to be equipped with the revolutionary humbucking pickups.

Maintained in superb condition, the instrument is remarkably free of pick or buckle wear, with a little bit of thumbwear near the first fret showing she was played mostly with cowboy chords. And very carefully. The deep Cremona sunburst finish is 100% original, and apart from a short resealed hairline crack in the cutaway, the guitar shows no other signs of repair. (Even the notoriously fragile jack area shows no stress cracks, a minor miracle on these older 175s.) The fingerboard is the full 1 11/16" width, with the full gently rounded neck profile so desired in instruments of the late 50's. The top and back show handsome slab cut figure in the arched maple, and with the original slim Gibson frets in fine shape, the fingerboard is utterly effortless to play.

At a mere 6lb. 6oz, the guitar is pounds lighter than recent 175s, and balances handily on the lap or the strap. A pair of Seymour Duncan Seth Lover humbucking pickups has been installed, quite possibly the most fanatically faithful PAF pickups ever made, along with vintage correct aged nickel Kluson Deluxe tuners, gold bell knobs, and true vintage style bumblebee capacitors. The voice is incomparably rich and warm, the 24 3/4" scale is fast and nimble, and the 16" body is easy to cradle and substantially resistant to feedback. With a full high-precision setup, and gorgeous original 'California Girl' hardshell case, the guitar is ready to plug and play.

A pioneering example of the guitar that defined jazz in the 1950's, 60's and beyond. One only: call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel roundwound strings (.012-.054). 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 Gibson brown arched deluxe hardshell case with pink plush lining.

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