1954 Gibson ES-175

[trailmixer]

Hello friends. I started studying jazz guitar about a year ago, mostly with a 1957 spec Telecaster (permanently in the 'dark' circuit). The Telecaster is great but I really wanted a hollow-body guitar for the thunk. I obsessed over the purchase for a long time, considering all sorts of options like Benedetto's, Sadowsky's, Westville guitars, and many a boutique luthier. Despite being an advanced beginner I have specific taste and if the instrument doesn't sound or feel right I end up getting bored or frustrated and putting it down. I was really looking for a guitar that ticked all the boxes so I could get into and stay in the 'student mindset' where I focus on playing and learning and not gear. That was really easier said than done.

After a few disappointing purchases I kept coming back to the idea of a Gibson. I really appreciate the 'sound of tradition'.

This ES-175 came up locally and I drove 5 hours to get it. It was sold by a player and teacher who got it from the estate of Hugh Ashley. You can read an interesting article about him here: In Memoriam: Hugh Ashley, 1915-2008 - Arkansas Times

The guitar has a ton of play wear, checking and character. The neck is a full 'C'. It sounds good unplugged, which was an important consideration for me. It has new frets and may be the only guitar I've ever purchased without setup issues and with flawless playability. That was a big concern for me buying vintage.

It's missing the pickguard but is mostly original otherwise. The single P90 is warm and clear, and very quiet. I'm playing through a Bud 10 in Florida but look forward to trying it with my 1964 Vibrolux when I head north this summer.

Any recommendations for a good form-fitting case?

Also, I typically play my Telecaster over the knee with a foot stool or Performaxe to raise the neck and keep my back straight. I can't really do that with this guitar, and there's no strap button on the heel. Any recommendations?

[Stringswinger]

Congrats and may that fine guitar inspire your playing for many years to come.

Put a strap button on the heel and use a strap. Joe Pass did that and he is (IMO) the capo di tutti capos of jazz guitar.

As for a case, there are plenty of 16 in lower bout cases that will fit that guitar well from Gibson, Epiphone, Guild and D'Angelico (plus many others) Here is one: Fiberglass ES-175 Style Jazz Guitar Case for 16" Archtop | Crossrock

[SOLR]

the capo di tutti capos of jazz guitar.

Plural of Capo is Capi !!!!

S

[Jimmy Mack]

Quote: "I was really looking for a guitar that ticked all the boxes so I could get into and stay in the 'student mindset' where I focus on playing and learning and not gear. That was really easier said than done."

What a great piece of logic! Congrats on finding a guitar like that. That guitar would definitely keep me in the practice/playing mode.
Best of luck in setting up the strap situation.

[garybaldy]

I thought I was done with my '63 but maybe I do need a 50s model.

[omphalopsychos]

Congratulations. I believe the guitar I currently have that I have owned the longest is my 1953 175 with a single p90. They’re truly remarkable guitars.

[nyc chaz]

Congrats on your new beauty.That guitar has real mojo unlike the phony relics that so many buy today.It's hard to beat a good 175.

[wfarr]

I recently had the same thought about a lack of a strap button on a modern made 59 reissue 175.

I ended up looking at folks like Joe Pass to determine where they’d added their strap buttons, and got a local luthier to add it, as I really do prefer playing with a strap even when seated.

Takes almost no time at all and should be very cheap (mine was $15). Very happy with it and the placement I went with (based on some photos from JP’s) doesn’t interfere with upper fret access.

[Rickco]

I found these to be a great find, as good as my TKL etc plywood you can get extra inside pads. Really great prices now, good fit.
Nice guitar!!! congrats

[John Owen]

Well done! Congratulations on what looks to be the perfect guitar for you. May you play it in good health for years to come!

[arnie65]

This is my favorite ES175, I love the sound of the P90 on this model, enjoy it in good health. As far as a case for it,
in my opinion, you don't need to spend a lot of money on a case, there are some very good used and new cases for this model on Reverb. Here are some examples:


Just a moment...

But if you want to buy an original 50's case, here's one:

Just a moment...



Cheers,
Arnie...

[Cunamara]

Congratulations! For what it's worth, the ES-175 played by Howard Roberts and later by Jim Hall for about half or more of the latter's career was a 1954 (Jim traded a Les Paul Custom to Howard for it). It is a beauty, it is very cool to have some backstory about the original owner, and I hope you enjoy the heck out of it for years to come.

[floatingpickup]

Hello friends. I started studying jazz guitar about a year ago, mostly with a 1957 spec Telecaster (permanently in the 'dark' circuit). The Telecaster is great but I really wanted a hollow-body guitar for the thunk. I obsessed over the purchase for a long time, considering all sorts of options like Benedetto's, Sadowsky's, Westville guitars, and many a boutique luthier. Despite being an advanced beginner I have specific taste and if the instrument doesn't sound or feel right I end up getting bored or frustrated and putting it down. I was really looking for a guitar that ticked all the boxes so I could get into and stay in the 'student mindset' where I focus on playing and learning and not gear. That was really easier said than done.

After a few disappointing purchases I kept coming back to the idea of a Gibson. I really appreciate the 'sound of tradition'.

This ES-175 came up locally and I drove 5 hours to get it. It was sold by a player and teacher who got it from the estate of Hugh Ashley. You can read an interesting article about him here: In Memoriam: Hugh Ashley, 1915-2008 - Arkansas Times

The guitar has a ton of play wear, checking and character. The neck is a full 'C'. It sounds good unplugged, which was an important consideration for me. It has new frets and may be the only guitar I've ever purchased without setup issues and with flawless playability. That was a big concern for me buying vintage.

It's missing the pickguard but is mostly original otherwise. The single P90 is warm and clear, and very quiet. I'm playing through a Bud 10 in Florida but look forward to trying it with my 1964 Vibrolux when I head north this summer.

Any recommendations for a good form-fitting case?

Also, I typically play my Telecaster over the knee with a foot stool or Performaxe to raise the neck and keep my back straight. I can't really do that with this guitar, and there's no strap button on the heel. Any recommendations?

Lovely guitar. Congratulations. If you are flying back home with the guitar, I thought it would be worth mentioning that the Gator Dreadnaught molded flight case fits a 175 very well. I have carried my ‘59 in one and its a fine case. I am not sure how it would stand up to bagage handlers, because I have been able to gate-check my guitars every time so far.
Keith

[jads57]

Just another option to consider. I use heavy duty gig bags like Mono,amd Reunion Blues Continental for my Archtops.
Easier to travel and just as safe,especially with the neck support brace.

[trailmixer]

Thanks all for the kind replies. I will add a strap button to the heel.

Just another option to consider. I use heavy duty gig bags like Mono,amd Reunion Blues Continental for my Archtops.
Easier to travel and just as safe,especially with the neck support brace.

I really like Mono gig bags but I can't find any on their site designed for ES-175 or other archtops? They all seem skinny.

Congratulations. I believe the guitar I currently have that I have owned the longest is my 1953 175 with a single p90. They’re truly remarkable guitars.

Thanks! I like your playing and your posts convinced me to get my pre-CBS Vibrolux. I still play around with pre-war amplifiers with field coils and single-ended topologies for fun, but the Vibrolux and Henriksen are the last two amps I will ever need for cleans.

[jazzshrink]

...I really like Mono gig bags but I can't find any on their site designed for ES-175 or other archtops?...

GIG BAG FOR A GIBSON ES-175

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

I really like Mono gig bags but I can't find any on their site designed for ES-175 or other archtops? They all seem skinny.

The Mono M80 Classic Acoustic / Dreadnought is 5” deep, and the M80 Vertigo Acoustic bag is 4 1/2” deep. Both are for 16” bodies. The Classic opens with a traditional side zipper. The Vertigo opens around the top, so you lift it straight out with the bag standing on its heel. The Vertigo opens like a banana. Open the zipper all the way, and fold down both sides - the guitar will lift straight up and out. It’s really great on crowded stages.

I have the Classic for my flat top and the Vertigo for my 16” archtops (which are about 3/4” thinner than your 175). I think the 175 will be fine in either one. But I’m not 100% positive that the Vertigo won’t put too much pressure on the bridge. Call or email Mono to check - they know which guitars will fit in their cases.

I have 4 Mono bags (14”, 16” x 2, and 17”). I love them all.

[jads57]

Try Reunion Blues Continental Bags.

[Cunamara]

RB recommended their dreadnought gig bag for my ES-175. They thought the next size down would be too tight on the bridge. My 17" archtop will not fit in the dreadnought bag but the 175 fits fine.