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Yesterday I purchased a 2004 Gibson ES-175 Steve Howe Signature Model. The guitar is in very good condition and plays like a dream. I am not a Steve Howe/Yes fan, but I appreciate that this model has a thicker top, L5 bridge base and the 1960s tailpiece, and it seems very well put together. I also like the vintage sunburst colour. The guitar is in original state except for the Grover Rotomatics that have been replaced with Grover Deluxe tuners. The guitar weighs roughly 3,3kg (7,275 lbs), which incidentally is identical to the weight of my other jazz guitar, an Ibanez Howard Roberts (2453). I am glad I was able to find a good ES-175.
Last edited by Djangology; 12-22-2025 at 05:16 AM.
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12-17-2025 11:50 AM
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May she inspire your playing for many years to come. Congrats and welcome to the world of Gibson 175 ownership! IMO, a good 175 is the only guitar that a jazz guitarist needs. Of course, "need" and "want" are two very different things.
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Congrats! I have always admired the 3-colour sunburst of the Howe model.
(And of course I admire ES-175 in general, I have two of them.)
Play it in good health!
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Thank you very much!
Originally Posted by Stringswinger
May she inspire your playing for many years to come. Congrats and welcome to the world of Gibson 175 ownership! IMO, a good 175 is the only guitar that a jazz guitarist needs. Of course, "need" and "want" are two very different things.
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Thank you! Yes, the 3-colour sunburst is beautiful. Originally Posted by Herbie
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That's beautiful, congradulations.
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Would anyone care to opine on how an archtop with a "thicker top" -- on a model that already is (re)known for having a laminated top -- would differ sonically from the non-Steve Howe versions? Originally Posted by Djangology
Thanks.
Oh, and yeah, gorgeous guitar, congrats OP!
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I don't understand the weight. Did you mean to type 7.275 lbs?
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While the Steve Howe model is ostensibly a reissue of Steve Howe's early 60's 175, these modern guitars were made with thicker plates than the guitar they are based on. Originally Posted by Bob_Ross
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Congratulations! That is just lovely. Looking at the picture, I think I prefer the aesthetics of the current tuners than the Grovers that Steve Howe put on his guitar. I like the ivory plastic tuner buttons and I think that makes it look better than the stock Steve Howe model.
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Lovely!
I wish my 175 had the zig-zag tailpiece and that kind of pickup switch. I suppose I could go looking for them...
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Thank you! Originally Posted by KRosser
I presume you are aware that the Steve Howe Signature Model is a replica of Howe’s 1964 ES175. There are a handful of features that distinguishes the Howe model from standard ES175s from the same years of production (2001-2007). The keystone tuner button PU switch is obviously mostly gimmick. Before I purchased the guitar I was determined that I would replace the Howe PU switch with a standard Gibson PU switch, but after having played the guitar every day since purchase, I realise that the large PU switch doesn’t bother me at all. In fact, I am starting to like it Other distinguishing features are the zig-zag tailpiece, 3-colour sunburst, vintage yellow binding and the Grover Rotomatics (that the previous owner replaced on my guitar). The most interesting feature/modification for me is the L5 full contact bridge base, because it alters the response compared to the bridge on standard ES175s. Currently I only own one ES175, consequently I cannot compare the Howe with a standard ES175, but I have read that the L5 full contact bridge base gives the guitar more brilliance, a brighter sound.
Any-Howe, I purchased the guitar because it was a very good instrument, not because it was a Howe.
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Lovely! Congrats, HNGD
and play her in good health!
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Thank you! Originally Posted by Midnight Blues
Lovely! Congrats, HNGD and play her in good health!
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BTW: It seems as if Steve Howe has abandoned the "trademark" Grover Rotomatics on his ES175. On recent photos his guitar has Kluson type tuners installed. Coincidentally this is identical to Howe (sorry) my guitar is set up
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Originally Posted by Djangology
Was that really necessary?
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Steve Howe looks like he hasn't gained a pound since the heyday of Yes in the 70s. Originally Posted by Djangology
BTW: It seems as if Steve Howe has abandoned the "trademark" Grover Rotomatics on his ES175. On recent photos his guitar has Kluson type tuners installed. Coincidentally this is identical to Howe (sorry) my guitar is set up
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I was just trying to be humorous, but I understand this was unnecessary. Sorry! Originally Posted by Cunamara
Was that really necessary?
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Or changed his wardrobe since then.... Originally Posted by Cunamara
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That is a beautiful guitar. Not a whole lot more can be said about it.
I wish Gibson brings back the 175 in a couple of variants. One of which I dream would be the one that was custom made for Joe Pass at the tail end of his time with us.
And another variant should be another signature model that Gibson puts in the hands of a yet to be determined, current, great player. Matteo Mancuso comes to mind.
In any event, I wholeheartedly agree with our Stringswinger when he says, if you have a great 175, you don’t need another Jazz guitar..
Enjoy your beautiful new guitar. I’m happy for you. You could not have done better!
Joe D
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Well, my wardrobe is basically the same as 45 years ago too. Originally Posted by Mick-7
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Thank you Joe! I enjoy my new ES175 very much. Originally Posted by Max405
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Stick around long enough and what was hip then will be hip once again.... are we there yet? Originally Posted by Cunamara
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Not according to the missus...
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Fantastic guitar!!
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