1951 Gibson ES-175

**spencer096** · 02-28-2025, 04:30 PM

bought this wonderful example off my teacher a couple days ago...ive heard it played acoustically in lessons a bunch, and for a laminate guitar with a built-in pickup and controls, it has a remarkably good acoustic tone...plugged in is velvety sweetness, though i have to cut my bass a good bit with this thing to get it in the sweet spot. all original except for a refret...have the original case and a calton for everyday use. one of the most comfortable necks ive played.

**Stringswinger** · 02-28-2025, 04:32 PM

Congrats! That is a classic (about as classic as it gets for jazz guitar IMO)

May she inspire your playing for many years to come.

**olejason** · 02-28-2025, 05:43 PM

Those single pickup 175's are something special, looks great

**Midnight Blues** · 03-01-2025, 12:29 PM

Nice! Congrats, HNGD

and play her in good health!

**skykomishone** · 03-01-2025, 04:14 PM

Very special!
Congrats!
Better without the ?original bad frets.
I bought a '55 and had new frets put on it because it was needed.
Definitely want good frets.
Enjoy!

**Rickco** · 03-03-2025, 08:24 PM

Great video, very enjoyable. You mention the neck, can you describe it a little (I know thats tough just in general) I have a '74 with 3pc Mahogany neck I really like it but more likely because Ive been playing it for 50yrs. The early '50s with p90 sound killer and from watching you quite playable. Just wondering about shape, thickness as in really friggin chunky or pleasantly plump so to speak or in my case D shape medium thick.
Thanks

**Cunamara** · 03-04-2025, 01:06 AM

You seem very at ease with this guitar! Congratulations!

**spencer096** · 03-04-2025, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by Rickco

Great video, very enjoyable. You mention the neck, can you describe it a little (I know thats tough just in general) I have a '74 with 3pc Mahogany neck I really like it but more likely because Ive been playing it for 50yrs. The early '50s with p90 sound killer and from watching you quite playable. Just wondering about shape, thickness as in really friggin chunky or pleasantly plump so to speak or in my case D shape medium thick.
Thanks

Much appreciated.

It’s a fatty for sure. I had a tele w a 1” neck at the nut, and this isn’t that wide…but while in haven’t measured, it’s definitely the chunkiest I own. I built a gretsch jet style w a one piece neck that’s .87” at the nut, and the 175 is noticeably thicker. It’s a few biscuits away from being a baseball bat neck.

its a one piece mahogany neck, C shape w no flatness on the back. The frets have been replaced once and im willing to bet they replaned it because the fretboard feels as flat as my classical. Its a great combination for big hands and chord stuff.