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1967 Gibson ES-175

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Serial #: 877322, orange oval "Union Made" label

Body size at lower bout: 16". Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut Width: 1 9/16"

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 Gibson Patent # humbucking pickup and cover; beveled 5-ply pickguard; compensated rosewood adjustable bridge, chrome wriggle trapeze tailpiece, twin gold reflector cap knobs. Vintage correct antiqued nickel Kluson double ring tuners.

Notes: One pickup. Six strings. The rest is up to you.

Since its introduction in 1949, the Gibson ES-175 has been the most popular jazz guitar in the world. The 175 was Gibson's first model to be fitted with the humbucking pickup in 1957, and this single pickup version, highly prized by jazzers, was withdrawn in 1971. Since its inception over half a century ago, the classic ES-175 has remained in the Gibson catalog continuously to this day.

This example has been maintained in stunning condition, free of pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and it's rich vintage sunburst finish shows some traces of scattered checking to vouch for its originality. The neck is notably fast, with that slim profile found only in these late '60's classics, and the action is low and smooth over immaculate medium jumbo frets. The top and back show fine slab cut figure in the arched maple, and this lightweight example weighs in at just 6 lb 8 oz, beautifully balanced in the lap or on the strap. The 24 3/4" scale is fast and nimble, the Pat # humbucker is fat and sweet, and the 16" body is easy to cradle and substantially resistant to feedback. (Interestingly, the neck serial number is an overstrike over a number from the previous year (also shown on the label) suggesting the guitar was started in 1966 but not finished until 1967.) The quintessential working jazz box, and a most welcome find indeed.

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: Black plushlined hardshell case.

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