1963 Gibson ES-175

[ESCC]

That sounds distinctly uncouth, Rob. But I'd probably let you do it anyway.

i realize that a 175 isn't too exotic, but there is something so nice about the old ones. I mean 5 lbs 12 oz... I can't get over that. It took Gibson til ~2013 to figure out how to build them like that again. Bizarre.

Agreed, a 175 is not exotic, but it is iconic, the embodiment of jazz, imo.

[LyleGorch]

Thanks, it's the 59 Memphis single pickup and weighs 6.2 pounds.

[rpguitar]

6.2 lbs is really light for a new Gibson "anything." It can't really be the wood itself; it must be refinement of the construction method. Or maybe it is the wood - the species used for the individual laminate layers. Dimensions are more or less the same throughout the years, neck profiles notwithstanding.

Who knows?

Where do I find them? I'm not that lucky usually. It was a moderate score. Price was very good or I wouldn't have snapped. The guitar is not that unique or hard to find, but they are usually more costly. It does kinda need new frets to be at its best. They will be forthcoming in the next few weeks, adding about $300-400 to the cost (new nut too probably). But at the end of the day, this guitar will not be sold unless I need college tuition money one day in the not-too distant future.

Then again, I also have those mundane L-5s to consider for that.

[LyleGorch]

The L5's are like your true love, whereas the 175 is something to have a little fun with

[rpguitar]

Could be a fling that turns into the real thing.

[Greentone]

Check out the playing and tone of Kanno and his 50s ES-175:

Those old, light ones really sound alive.

[wintermoon]

Check out the playing and tone of Kanno and his 50s ES-175:

Those old, light ones really sound alive.

cool link man, there's always an excellent player you never heard of before.
I also checked out his nice reading of Chaplin's 'Smile' from the same gig

helluva player and this is the quintessential P-90 tone...just lovely.

[Rob MacKillop]

Beautiful playing and sound.

[Greentone]

Rpguitar, I got out the digital kitchen scales. Turns out, my '68 ES175 weighs six pounds zero ounces. Not as light as your '63, but light. By comparison, my 335 and PE180 both weigh 8lbs 2ozs. I should put them on a diet.