Gibson ES-175 1959 Reissue

[GoergeBenson]

The wood on the 175 looks better than that on the 165. Am I the only one who prefers the older style to the 90s and later exaggerated flame woods? Does EVERY guitar have to be a Les Paul Standard?

Gibson only used the 'exaggerated' woods on the ES-175 from the 90's because how else would they justify asking you thousands for a guitar that should be about $999.00

I see now they have gone back to the older styling, lesser woods and finish, plus less over all wood, I'm sure they will find a way to make you pay either more, or the same.

Anyway hope the OP enjoys it.

[Patrick2]

The wood on the 175 looks better than that on the 165. Am I the only one who prefers the older style to the 90s and later exaggerated flame woods? Does EVERY guitar have to be a Les Paul Standard?

No, sir. You are not. The photo of that ES175 . . . . sitting in that well padded pink lined brown case, looks like a photo taken in 1959. Talk about Gibson nailing it.?.? That's got to be one of the best reissues ever to come out of Nashville or Memphis. Kudos to the wonderful craftspeople working in Gibson's custom shops.

I've owned and sold a few really nice 16" arch tops. Bought them because they were beautiful. Sold them because I just can't seem to get too friendly with any arch top smaller that 17" . . . (give or take a 1/4" or so). But, everytime I see one of these Memphis ES175 reissues . . I want really want one. I think it's my subconscious and former vintage guitar collector's mentality playing on my thoughts.

[Beanctr]

I bought the 165 in 1997 and really liked the flame at the time. I still like it but also have grown to like the plain wood. I wanted an old 175 without the old guitar headaches and issues, I think the 1959 fits the bill.

By the way I think the 165 is the best deal going on a good Gibson jazz guitar. Rick

[GoergeBenson]

The wood on the 175 looks better than that on the 165. Am I the only one who prefers the older style to the 90s and later exaggerated flame woods? Does EVERY guitar have to be a Les Paul Standard?

Yeh!




Nahh! :-))

[pubylakeg]

+1 on the dislike of flame maple, though it does have it's place, (on the back and sides of a spruce top guitar.)
+1 on the dislike of "Gibson USA" stamped on the case. (For obvious reasons.)
Congrats on the guitar. It's a beauty.

[vinlander]

+1 on the dislike of "Gibson USA" stamped on the case. (For obvious reasons.)
Congrats on the guitar. It's a beauty.

It is something that never bothered me, I mean the Guitar is made in USA...but I always found a bit ironic that my case was made in Canada by Yorkville though

[Greentone]

+1 on the ES165 being the bargain of the Gibson jazz line. (Old ES125 guitars are great, too.)

[Jabberwocky]

Nice Pair! Is it my eyes or is the 59 ES-175 VOS RI a little less nipped in the waist? Is there a change in the shape of the body?

[Beanctr]

Nice Pair! Is it my eyes or is the 59 ES-175 VOS RI a little less nipped in the waist? Is there a change in the shape of the body?

Good eyes! Yes the body shape or plantella of the 59' appears different from the modern guitars, not quite as tucked in at the waist. My 165 does not fit easily in the 59' case, which by the way does not have any writing in the outside.

As a side note I noticed the 59' has Phillips head screws on the pickup ring and the truss rod cover. Were any US companies using Phillips heads in the 50's? That's the only non 59' thing I noticed. I stand corrected the Phillips are right.

Rick

[wintermoon]

I have Phillips head screws on some of my guitars from the late 30s and 40s

[markseale]

I've played a couple of the recent re-issues. I love the neck shape and they compare very favorably to their historic counterparts. Enjoy!!!!

[Encinitastubes]

Nice Pair! Is it my eyes or is the 59 ES-175 VOS RI a little less nipped in the waist? Is there a change in the shape of the body?

I have a '59 RI and a 2006 with P-90s. You are correct in that they have a different body shape. The posters are also correct in that that case weights about 2 tons. They are really beautiful guitars and both are very well-built and sound wonderful. One thing that surprised me was how much softer the humbucking pickups are than the P-90s. Those must be some seriously underwound pickups.