Gibson ES-175 (1956)

A beautiful sounding mid-century ES-175 that has a vintage patina only decades of play time can create

One look at this 1956 Gibson ES-175 and you know the kind of action this guitar has seen over the years. It's got the kind of patina that even Gibson itself is trying to approximate in their own Murphy Lab, yet we're reminded that sometimes the true effect time has on these old guitars cannot be fully replicated.

Single pickup ES-175s still remain a bit of gold standard when it comes to Jazz guitar. The original P90 pickup in this guitar sounds like old records, plain and simple. The acoustic "chirp" is undoubtedly pushing forth a level of clarity that makes notes pop right out of the guitar. Even light adjustments of the volume and tone controls can take this guitar from cutting and powerful to warm and smooth with little effort. The neck profile is quintessential 50s Gibson - nice and round with a moderate taper. Combined with being played steadily over the years, it's beautifully broken in.

We refretted the guitar with Jescar 45100 fretwire for a slightly more modern and smoother playing experience than the original smaller wire can allow. Beyond that, the guitar is as we received it, almost completely original with the exception of a replaced pickguard bracket screw. The original Kluson tuners (five of which are "no line" and one "single line") work nicely. The low E tuner is slightly bent but it's not so distorted that you can't get normal revolution out of it. The original bonnet knobs are in nice shape, and the Rosewood bridge and nickel plated "shield" tailpiece wear their age proudly while still doing their job as intended.

We love when a vintage guitar comes through our shop that intersects perfectly at vibe and originality. Honest wear and all there!

Priced with new Crossrock western tooled hardshell case.