Weight of a Gibson ES-175

**kelpman** · 03-11-2017, 02:22 AM

I recently bought a 1961 Gibson 175. Today I lifted a new one off a store wall and was surprised at how much heavier it was than my 1961. Huge weigh difference between the two.

**Little Jay** · 03-11-2017, 06:05 AM

My 1950 ES125 is just as light as another guys early fifties ES-175 (we don't feel any difference). I love it!

But it does sound different than a heavier built guitar, or even the same guitar with heavier woods, as in the case of the modern 175. It's a matter of taste. I have an ES-333 for the more solid tones. Heavier guitars somehow sound a little sweeter too. But I love the airy and slightly rawer tone of my ES-125 as well (the 125 is being taken to gigs a little more often nowadays).

I do think though that the lighter guitars benefit from a sound post; it just extends their use to higher volume gigs and firms up the basses a little bit. I tried it (out of necessity actually, since my 125 is missing it's bracing) and don't want to play without it anymore.

**lawson-stone** · 03-11-2017, 09:18 AM

I have a VOS1959 ES175 and a 90's era ES165 Herb Ellis. The Herb Ellis is notably heavier than the re-issue 175. But fact is, I love them both. The mass of a 175, an L5ces, are for many of us part of what gives it the Gibson vibe. My Herb Ellis is, in the eyes of some, I guess, "over-built" but it's overbuilt the way a Mercedes Benz is. Everywhere I look on this guitar it's just classy, solid. Plays wonderfully. I can't get bad tone from it, however hard I try.

The VOS ES175 is also a jewel. It's a little brighter, but still has the thunk factor for me. Also has that meticulous attention to detail that I associate with Gibson.

And while we're at it, my Aria Pro II PE180, a L5ces copy, has 92.73% of the Gibson feel. Well made, sure, over-built in some ways. But it has the feel and sound that I associate with the L5ces.

My Peerless Monarch with floater, and my Loar LH650 (also with floater) are much lighter guitars and I love them too! But they're different, and that's why I like owning and playing a variety of guitars.

**hotpepper01** · 03-11-2017, 11:41 AM

I do not think that individual weight of guitars of the same type is much of an influence in the sound of a guitar.
My 1978 ES175D weight is 3,3 kilo which is the same as my 2002 L5CT. The 1977 Ibanez JS 2461 comes in at 3,8 kilo and the 2002 Gretsch G400 is about 3,1 kilo. Lightweight is my 1951 L4 with a DeArmond Rythm Chief with 2,2 kilo.
Heavyweight was my 1980 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty 3 Pickup with 5,2 kilo. Standing on stage with that one for 3 hrs playing was tough on the shoulder.