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Serial #: 80401X68, Kalamazoo label

Body size at lower bout: 16". Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut Width: 1 11/16" Neck depth: .80-.96, 1st-10th fret

Materials: Solid 3 piece maple neck; solid rosewood fingerboard; arched slab-cut 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 'Charlie Christian' prewar style single coil blade pickup; trapeze tailpiece with raised-parallelogram crossbar; rosewood Tuneomatic bridge. Vintage correct hardware includes aged 5-ply pickguard, nickel Kluson Deluxe tuners, and black reflector cap knobs.

Notes: Announced late in 1936, Gibson's groundbreaking ES-150 ("Electric Spanish') model was Gibson's first 6 string guitar to be fitted with a magnetic pickup, and almost instantly became the world's first commercially successful electric guitar. Quickly championed by pioneering jazz guitarist Charlie Christian, the innovative blade type single coil pickup of the 150 became indelibly identified with the artist, who almost single-handedly invented modern solo jazz guitar. With its massive bar magnet and smooth hornlike tone, the "Charlie Christian" pickup captivated an entire generation of formative jazz plectrists, including Barney Kessel, Jimmy Raney and legions of others.

Though produced sporadically by special order for a handful of custom guitars over the years, this legendary pickup was never formally reissued until the advent of this guitar, the ES-175CC. Produced only between 1978 and '81, this rare retro model has become an instant collector's item for players looking for true prewar tone.

This example from the last year of production is great shape, free of cracks, pickwear, thumb or fingerboard wear, with original finish and plating both bright and shiny. The instrument shows handsome slab cut figure in the arched maple, and with fine original medium jumbo frets, and a fresh high-precision setup, the fingerboard is virtually effortless to play. A distinctive feature is the set of Gibson logo Kluson Deluxe tuners, a rare variant seen only in this era. The 24 3/4" scale is fast and nimble, and the 16" body is easy to cradle and substantially resistant to feedback.

The serial number is lightly stamped, leaving one digit essentially unreadable, which is perhaps why the peghead is stamped 'Second' for no other apparent reason. A modern classic, with the distinctive hornlike tone that made the electric guitar a solo instrument for the first time ever. 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 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.

Case: Arched black plush lined hardshell case.

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