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Last week I bought a Gibson ES-175 1959 Reissue, and I have to give props to Gibson. This thing plays so well, and has a woody, snappy tone, if that makes any sense. I've always had solid top archtops, like the LeGrand, and a gorgeous Barney (barneyguitars.com), which is why I was so surprised that I love this laminated guitar so much. I got it at AcousticMusic.org, in Guilford, CT, about 30 minutes from my home. Apparently they had a real 1959 come into the shop a few years back. They are a 5 star Gibson dealer and they worked directly with Gibson's Mike Voltz to get these guitars back into production. It is very convincing! There is even a patina on the pickup (I got the single pickup model) and the tailpiece.
In spite of all the usually well-deserved bad press Gibson has gotten, this is the kind of guitar that is a major step in the right direction. Yes, I paid extra for the name, but I don't really care. I played it, it spoke to me, I bought it. And I am extremely happy!
Last edited by FlatNine; 10-03-2014 at 09:36 AM.
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10-03-2014 09:24 AM
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For many years, I pretty much only played ES175s-a pair of 56s. When they spiked in value, I had Gibson make me a 175 with P90s, and supposedly, the same neck profile as my old ones. The new one was a dog. Really horrible. This put me off new Gibsons for about a decade. Recently, I played a buddy's '59 reissue 175, and it was a fantastic guitar. Congrats on yours!
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Glad you found a good one. Reminds me of shopping for a Cadilac in the early 70's. Word on the street was "you can find a good one. Try to find one made on a Wednesday".
Anyway congrats. I hope it brings you years of pleasure.
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I didn't know there was anything in Guildford besides Andertons?
I take it the shop is online only?
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Guilford, CT, USA
Originally Posted by ArchtopHeaven
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At least you spell it like it's pronounced. Although it would make more sense if it still had the 'd' because the name, derives from the term 'Guild' as in money and 'Ford' as in water. Originally Posted by Hammertone
What what!
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Did they make Guilds there as well?
;-)
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Gibson really nailed it with this reissue. They look absolutely great. Congrats on your happey NGD.
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Take it up with some British morons who named it back in 1639. ;^) Originally Posted by ArchtopHeaven
Back to the OP: I've helped a couple of friends find the RI '59 ES-175 guitars, and have played a few of them in stores and at trade shows - I think Gibson has done a superb job with these guitars, as well as with the similar RI ES-330 guitars. Enjoy it!Last edited by Hammertone; 10-03-2014 at 11:35 AM.
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Nothing like finding a guitar you really like. Everything about making music is just better and that is a very difficult thing to put a price tag on.
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It is always nice to hear when someone finds a guitar that pleases him.
Congratulations, Flatnine, on your find.
How do you decide which one of your archtops to play?
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Very nice! I want one very badly. Funny that you mentioned Barney Guitars - Carl Barney is my wife's uncle and I am in the process of having him build one for me.
Congrats on the awesome purchase.
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Originally Posted by ArchtopHeaven
Not by me, nor indeed by pretty much anyone I know. Mind you, I only lived there for a year or so.
Hammertone, given that 1639 was before the Act Of Union, I would think that they were specifically English morons rather than British ones.
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I also remember Carl Barney when I was studying music at the University in CT
I remember him making one of his first or his 'first' archtop for Sal Salvador (reddish sunburst) (who I was studying with at the time around from '72 to '76)
You don't hear much about his instruments though,
I'd be interested in a review after all these years.
Looked Carl's site up for the 1st time in almost 40 years.... nice work
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Your are quite right. I should have paid more attention to that, especially given the very recent kafufflage among the haggis-eaters. Quel kafufflagerie! Originally Posted by mangotango
Last edited by Hammertone; 10-03-2014 at 02:01 PM.
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I would be happy too, looks great, I bet it sounds better!
Happy NGD!
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I'm a big guy so you'd think a 17" lower bout would be no problem. As I've gotten older, I find myself preferring comfort, especially when it comes to guitars. My other archtops are 17", and I just love the way the 175, at 16", sits on my lap. Add to that the slightly shorter scale, and I am just digging this thing big time! Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
How do you decide which one of your archtops to play?
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I love mine, love the big neck and the woody tone. I play it through a reissue Princeton Reverb.
Rick
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Carl has made a few guitars for Tony Lombardozzi who is my teacher. Tony is shown on Carl's site somewhere. Barney's are truly great instruments, and I am not just saying that. Carl goes to great lengths in selecting the absolute best wood. It kind of helps that he makes annual logging trips to select the best woods, most of which he sells to other luthiers, as well as companies like Martin. He keeps a small portion of the best wood for himself. Acoustically, there is a certain sweetness to his guitars. Mine was great to start with, but after about 4 months or so, it sort of "opened up". It sounds and plays incredibly. I only wish that I ordered it in the 16" size. Originally Posted by jazzimprov
Last edited by FlatNine; 10-03-2014 at 04:44 PM. Reason: Fixed misspelled word.
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I am currently playing it through a Tone King Imperial 20th Anniversary. The tone can only be described as warm and silky. Best combo ever! Originally Posted by disco~juice
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When you have the time it would be great to post some action. Originally Posted by FlatNine
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"Carl has made a few guitars for Tony Lombardozzi who is my teacher. Tony is shown on Carl's site somewhere."
!! I remember Tony! ---- back in the day.
He was doing some Duo work with with Tony Purrone (check Tony P out if you don't know of him)
He was playing rhythm (7 string?) for Tony P (--who was a monster at 17!)
Tony was also playing quite a bit with Steve Luciano in a guitar duo)
Local Players like Sal Salvador/ Linc Chamberlain /Jeff Fuller/ John Cutrone, Bob Leonard.... Gary Wolfsey ..etc.etc...
That was a great time for musicians. a lot of great players there or passing thru NewHaven/Bridgeport at that time
New Haven Area back around 72 -74.....
Carl was just starting to build at that time.
.....funny.....Last edited by jazzimprov; 10-03-2014 at 05:55 PM.
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I have a Reissue 175 Natural w/single pu and it's the smoothest, easiest playing, best sounding instrument I have ever played. I paid a lot for the name but it's been worth it. The only small issue is a couple of frets that need a bit of smoothing. It had just come out of the oven when they shipped it as a warranty replacement. Very happy bebopper here. Congrats on yours b9.
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I have a '59 VOS and it is quite nice. Very well built, but relatively light weight. My first archtop was a Guild X-150 Savoy and it was very similar design, but it weighed a ton! The '59 VOS was expensive, but it's an icon. I plugged it in and there was the sound I had heard on hundreds of records. No fuss, no muss. It was set up well from the factory and I haven't had to do anything except minor tweaks to personalize it.
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Is the single PU version more expensive or cheaper of the 2-PUs one? Originally Posted by Eric Rowland
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