Gibson ES-175 or Not?

**jazzrat** · 04-04-2014, 07:02 PM

I just traded for a 175 so I will be selling my Eastman AR403CE with Gibson Classic 57 pickup and upgrade electronics.
The Eastmans are very nice and a good value. I've just always wanted to try a 175.

**TomP** · 11-05-2017, 07:33 AM

But in answer to your question -YES get a ES 175.

I own a 335, SG, Les Paul & a 175.

At first, I was a little underwhelmed by the 175 (when I first got it).

Now 4 years on, I couldn't be without it. It's just beautiful and profound. And it is ageing beautifully as well. It gets acoustically better and better each year. The tone gets more complex and deeper.

I'm not crazy about the plugged in sound personally. I love the acoustic sound. It's good to get a bit of both on a gig. It is complex and hard to describe. But I just love it.

The 335 is beautiful its own right (acoustically and plugged in) - but they are not the same, and they do not do each others job imho.

Have fun.

**Easy2grasp** · 11-05-2017, 06:44 PM

I can't say enough about vintage Gibson ES 175's. I first got a 1966 single PU with a faded cherry burst. It was beautiful, sounded awesome, but the 1 and 9/16inch nut of the early 60's 175's didn't agree with my thick fingers. Then I came across a blonde 1957 with a single PU and sold the 1966. It blew me away how great it made me sound. My chops jumped up to the next plateau. I still think there is a genie that lives inside it. Then another 1957 single PU popped up at a price I couldn't resist, this one sunburst. I couldn't stop myself from buying it. I felt a little out of control. It was like the Lay's potato chip commercial, "Bet you can't eat just one." It became just as treasured, although I don't think it has a genie inside like the blonde. It has its own personality but that great vintage tonality. So then what happens but a 1956 ES 175 single PU shows up on the local Craig's List for $2500. I begged folks on the forum to buy it so I could control my compulsion and not pursue it. Instead everyone told me to go for it - that I knew I wanted it and needed it. So I did. I am so grateful to have it, and just got it back from a refret job. It is another dream guitar with it's own special P90 sound. All three are keepers and all three are unique. If someone said I could only keep 3 of my collection of 9 guitars. I would keep these three guys and sell the Gibson flat top, SG, Super 400, the Mark Lacey, the Gibson ES 165, and even George Benson's Mortoro. Okay I was lying about the Mortoro. I guess I would sell the sunburst 1957 and keep the Mortoro, the blonde 1957, and the 1956. But if you can save up for and be patient enough for the right vintage ES 175, you will never regret it! I like the single PU models best as I have no need for a bridge PU. I don't like the sound of them and don't need one for playing straight ahead jazz. I can't say enough about vintage Gibson ES 175's, but I think i have now. Ted