70s Gibson ES-175 Value

[bobframe]

I am considering the sale of a Gibson ES-175, serial #600196. The headstock has "Made in U.S.A." stamped in it and the body cavity has a white/black/purple sticker showing the guitar was built in Kalamazoo.

I know that Gibson s/n's can be tricky, but I believe this is a mid 70's guitar.

Can anyone pinpoint this guitar's mfg date?

Anyone have any insight into this instrument's value?

Many thanks,

Bob
________

[oldane]

Between 1070 and 1975 according to this website:

http://www.gibson.com/Files/download...ialnumbers.pdf

[wintermoon]

condition is important.
post pics and we'll give you a range

[Jabberwocky]

Neck volute? Maple neck? Big headstock? Sunburst or Natural?

[bobframe]

Neck volute? Maple neck? Big headstock? Sunburst or Natural?

Has neck volute, maple neck, sunburst. As to headstock...it is 7"H x 3 3/8" wide at the widest point.

[Jabberwocky]

Pics will be very helpful. Assuming that it has had no repairs, nitro lacquer is mostly fine with minor checking, original hardware and stuff, the top is arched and kerfed braces are intact, neck does not require a reset, the market has been trading in the band between $1800 and $2200 since 2009.

You may get a little more for it if you find a motivated buyer. That's my guesstimate.

[wintermoon]

a check of the recent ebay completed's shows 2-2.5 K for a 70's model in the condition Jab points out
maybe around Jab's estimate for a private non ebay sale

[Jabberwocky]

Yes, my datapoints are old and reflect the ebay band during the great financial meltdown. Seems as if prices are recovering on ebay. ebay takes 10% of the closing price or $250 whichever is lower.

Dealers have been asking for about $2450 for mid-70s to mid-80s Hog ES-175s lately.

[Patrick2]

Is it a 175? Or a 175D? A 175 from that era is a pretty rare finding. People that have them don't often let them go.

Jabber's points of concern are quite astute and on the money . . . especially if it's a 175 (single pup) . . top sag is a concern. I'd just ask to confirm the maple neck.?.?

[bobframe]

Is it a 175? Or a 175D? A 175 from that era is a pretty rare finding. People that have them don't often let them go.

Jabber's points of concern are quite astute and on the money . . . especially if it's a 175 (single pup) . . top sag is a concern. I'd just ask to confirm the maple neck.?.?

Forgive my ignorance, but I do not know the difference between a 175 and 175D. FWIW, mine has dual humbucker pups if that helps. Does that make it a 175D?

Regarding neck...it appears to be maple.

[bobframe]

This is it.

[wintermoon]

how much for the scope?

;^)

[bluemusic4us]

I believe Gibson started stamping "Made in USA" on the headstock in 1970.

[Jabberwocky]

Looks great!

[Encinitastubes]

Beautiful guitar!!

[floatingpickup]

There is 1977 model that's nearly identical on Archtop.com right now for $2,695.

1977 Gibson ES-175D

Keith

[bobframe]

how much for the scope?

;^)

wintermoon,

thanks for your interest...for right now, I don't plan to sell the scope.

[bobframe]

There is 1977 model that's nearly identical on Archtop.com right now for $2,695.

1977 Gibson ES-175D

Keith

Thanks Keith. As I understand Archtop.com's consignment policy, the seller would net around $2200 (seller gets 80%). Sounds about where others suggested it would be.

Thanks!

[Jabberwocky]

Is that scope for birdwatching?

[Jabberwocky]

Thanks Keith. As I understand Archtop.com's consignment policy, the seller would net around $2200 (seller gets 80%). Sounds about where others suggested it would be.

Thanks!

Provided it does not require extra work on the frets and other stuff to make it, uh, saleable. "Nobody likes them witch hat knobs. That's $200."

[wintermoon]

Provided it does not require extra work on the frets and other stuff to make it, uh, saleable. "Nobody likes them witch hat knobs. That's $200."

not $200 just for the unnecessary 'hand antiqued' reflector knobs, but by the time you get nickel and dimed for all the other b.s. you're close.

only one. call now.

[Jabberwocky]

not $200 just for the unnecessary 'hand antiqued' reflector knobs, but by the time you get nickel and dimed for all the other b.s. you're close.

only one. call now.

I stand corrected.

[Patrick2]

Having a dealer "run you up" on what it takes to make your guitar saleable is very easy to avoid. Just make it perfectly clear what your absolute bottom line is for accepting the sale. If that bottom line is $2,200 . . make it perfectly clear, and have a paper trail of a consignment agreement with details clearly specified within it.

Some dealers will try the ploy; "I have a reputation of selling only guitars that are perfectly set up and playable from when the buyer first opens the box. Yours is not in that condition and needs the following attention . . . "

The response to such a claim shuold be; "well then, Mr. Dealer . . you need to determing if you can provide those corrections and sell the guitar at a price which will give me my $2,200 and you your desired mark up".

Dealer's response; "But, if I make the necessary corrections and the guitar still doesn't sell . . then you get your guitar back with a whole bunch of free work done to it."

Your response to dealer; "Yes, and I'll be forever grateful to you for that. So then, to avoid this, why not just have your tech put 15 or 20 minutes of time into the guitar . . if that's even necessary . . . and put the damned thing on your web site for sale? It's a 40+ year old guitar. Let's not try to make it brand new, just to sell it."

With this type of back-n-forth dialog, the dealer will immediately recognize that the seller is not naive. The dealer will either agree to sell the guitar without the "required" work . . or he'll pass on the consignment.

The other option here is, take the guitar to a credible local tech with a good reputation and pay him (her) 30 minutes labor time to go over the guitar with a fine tooth come and tell you want the guitar does . . and doesn't need. Then, tell the dealer you wish to consign the guitar to for selling it , that Mr. So & So from the highly respected ABC Guitar Shop just looked the guitar over and gave it "2 thumbs up".

[bobframe]

Lot's of good advice. Actually, I just had the guitar checked out by Maple Street Guitars in Atlanta (mostly high end acoustics). They installed a new bridge/saddle and "sanded" it into place. Guitar sounds amazing acoustically now. Original "tuna-matic" is in the case in case someone wants originality. I would be surprised if a dealer could suggest a lot of work to this guitar and even more surprised if they could convince me to spend a bunch of money on it.

BTW, the scope was originally purchased for general gazing at my farm and is an incredible hunk of glass. Swarovski tripod is very solid. This scope is desirable among birders.

[Jabberwocky]

...

BTW, the scope was originally purchased for general gazing at my farm and is an incredible hunk of glass. Swarovski tripod is very solid. This scope is desirable among birders.

Not ornithological birds but, ya know, anthropological BIRDS. I don't suppose you find many of those in a farm. Try Atlanta! Southern Birds and Southern Belles. And Coca Cola.

Yes, keep the original TOM in the case. Some fellas are nutters for original parts. Including hangtags!