2016 Gibson ES-275

**Jabberwocky** · 01-12-2016, 01:09 AM

For the Gibson compleatist, perhaps one more for the trophy room. For me, it is more unnecessary catalogue clutter. I guess Gibson needs to show something "new" at NAMM to create some media interest.

A little too late to the party though because Gretsch showed something like this 2 years ago in the form of the Center Block Falcon, with a Single or a Double Cutaway.

**diminix** · 01-12-2016, 04:20 AM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

I guess Gibson needs to show something "new" at NAMM to create some media interest.

Yeah, they need to show something new, because "new" might be one of the most important adjectives in our sensory overloaded lives. Now, what is new here? To me, it seems that Gibson listened to their customer relationship managers. Lots of interweb fuzz in the recent years about Gibson developments not appreciated by customers. So CRM tells us: pretend that you are listening to your customers. And that is what the Gibson staff is harping on intensively in these japanese videos.

They are so exited about it, that they already feel that 2016 is Gibson's best year ever (best in what respect?--honi soit qui mal y pense). That is what Capitalism is about. Compared to Apple presentations, I can bear the Gibson marketing BS much better... And considering the aluminum case (min 3:25 in video above), I had to lie to claim that Gibson isn't manufacturing something I would love to own!-)

Robert

**bananafist** · 01-12-2016, 05:59 AM

At last Gibson have cottoned on! Those two look great! Put me down for an ES-275 with ebony board too!

**mr quick** · 01-12-2016, 07:18 AM

I don't mean to instigate, but why are folks so damn fixated on having an ebony board? It does literally nothing for tone and is (afaik) somewhat endangered. Why waste it on cosmetics?

**bananafist** · 01-12-2016, 07:41 AM

Its very much an individual opinion thing, but to me ebony feels slicker, faster, less sticky than rosewood and gives a clear bell-like tone, as opposed to the less distinct (more conventionally jazzy?) tone of a rosewood board. Not at all purely cosmetic. Like many old guys here, I've owned/played a fair few guitars over the years and prefer the feel, tone and response. I prefer all maple necks on my teles for the same reason.
If you prefer rosewood, fine, you've got a much wider choice of instrument.
My Gretsch 6122-1959 Nashville Classic still has, for me, the best neck, maple/ebony, 1 3/4", nut I've ever played - but its heavy and the 17" body is big for me now.

Now back to the original topic. I'd love a smaller bodied, thinner, L5, and these look like they might be it for me. Hopefully not as pricey as the Lee Rit Sig L5.

**mr quick** · 01-12-2016, 10:01 AM

No, I don't prefer any fretboard material given how it does not effect tone as the string does NOT touch it and it is glued on a larger piece of wood, limiting vibrations.

**Little Jay** · 01-12-2016, 10:34 AM

Love it, want one....

**llazarides** · 01-12-2016, 10:55 AM

I dunno, these look pretty awesome to me. Personally, the talk about listening to trends is spot on: this is definitely what a lot of younger players are looking for; the "trend" if you will. Lots of the younger dudes are all about the 350T, Sadowsky SS-15, Victor Baker's 15" slimline models, etc. They're going after the trend of classic (classy?) looking, thin-bodied guitars with modern appointments. Yeah, maybe they're a little late to the party, but I don't see these desires going out of style any time soon.

**Marty Grass** · 01-12-2016, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by Marwin Moody

No, I don't prefer any fretboard material given how it does not effect tone as the string does NOT touch it and it is glued on a larger piece of wood, limiting vibrations.

There are some very smart and experienced guitarists who hear a distinct difference among maple, rosewood and ebony fretboards. I don't believe it and think they are delusional. But they are more often right about jazz guitar than I am.

Some people also believe that the feel of ebony helps them play better. That's very hard to understand. 98% of what I notice is the feel is the string The other 2% is something hard on the other side of the string.

Richlite is equally firm, maybe more so, and is slick. But most who eschew rosewood do the same to Richlite.

I do like the look of ebony but not exclusively.

I believe it's mostly tradition and appearance that keeps ebony going.

**Gitfiddler** · 01-12-2016, 11:08 AM

Something new, from something old. Gibson appears to be upgrading its import Epiphone Alleykat and Wildkat models...

**mr. beaumont** · 01-12-2016, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

For the Gibson compleatist, perhaps one more for the trophy room. For me, it is more unnecessary catalogue clutter. I guess Gibson needs to show something "new" at NAMM to create some media interest.

A little too late to the party though because Gretsch showed something like this 2 years ago in the form of the Center Block Falcon, with a Single or a Double Cutaway.

Au contraire, I think it's the first new model Gibson's released in a long time that might appeal more to players than collectors.

Look around the NYC players...nobody's playing L5's. Smaller/thinner is in.

**jads57** · 01-12-2016, 01:19 PM

Wow , tough crowd here,lol! Gibson seems damned if they do something new and damned when they don't. I'm actually glad they do both including the dreaded Firebird X and this latest ES-275. Nobody bats 100 all of the time, remember the Flying V,Explorer,etc. And again they really have payed attention to what made some of the old Gibsons sound and play great! Now if they could just not ask so much $$$$,lol!

**mr quick** · 01-12-2016, 02:24 PM

I wonder what the pricing will be here... Would love to have one.

**David B** · 01-12-2016, 02:33 PM

This German store is listing the figured version at 3,998 Euros. No photos yet. Gibson ES-275 Figured 2016

**docbop** · 01-12-2016, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by David B

This German store is listing the figured version at 3,998 Euros. No photos yet. Gibson ES-275 Figured 2016

That's about $4300 USD so price about what I would of guessed.

**mr quick** · 01-12-2016, 03:31 PM

Guess I don't want one afterall...

**roegtr** · 01-12-2016, 03:35 PM

I bet the faded cherry will be cheaper. At least that's how it usually is. Less bling. If the guitar sounds and feels great I don't mind paying that price.

**mr. beaumont** · 01-12-2016, 03:38 PM

Pretty fair...puts the cherry model at under 4k...I'll be checking for used ones in a year or so.

**Jabberwocky** · 01-12-2016, 04:09 PM

I don't think it is Ebony, just extra dark East Indian Rosewood that appears to be Ebony. It is NAMM so the Gibson Memphis Shop cobbled a showpiece. Edit: RICHLITE board, after all. Still want one, Marty Grass?

What happened to all the Richlite-loving folks of the other Gibson Johnny A thread? They want Ebony now.

**JazzMuzak** · 01-12-2016, 04:15 PM

Not that I represent all young jazz musicians, but I like it quite a lot and would consider picking one up used for the right price. A lot of my fellow players at school and on the local scene use semi hollows or smaller bodied hollow guitars.

The crazy person in me wants to order one with a Charlie Christian pickup, but I would settle for a single humbucker

**mr quick** · 01-12-2016, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

I don't think it is Ebony, just extra dark East Indian Rosewood that appears to be Ebony. It is NAMM so the Gibson Memphis Shop cobbled a showpiece. Edit: RICHLITE board, after all. Still want one, Marty Grass?

What happened to all the Richlite-loving folks of the other Gibson Johnny A thread? They want Ebony now.

Really, really really makes no difference to me at all. It looks good and is eco-friendly... what's the problem exactly?