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I've wanted an ES175/165 type guitar for some time, and wanted a Gibson. Barely missed a shot at one recently, but then a conversation with Joe DeNisco opened up the chance for me to adopt (I somehow can't say the word "buy") this beauty. No point giving you my own pictures when his are so beautiful. When I opened the case, I seriously almost wet myself.
Like everything Joe does, the guitar is immaculate, arrived spotlessly clean, tuned down by the exact same interval on each string (Joe, I noticed!) and packed to perfection. This guitar could have been shipped to the moon and would have arrived in great shape.
I posted a clip playing it, though my playing is pretty unworthy of this instrument. In the "Songs" area, "Wee Small Hours of the Morning" done on this guitar. I'm still working on my recording set up, but even with my presently imperfect recording arrangement, you can sense something of the loveliness of this instrument.
Joe and I both have stories about my acquiring this instrument, but I think we'll keep them to ourselves. Needless to say, some pain and some comfort were involved on each end. I think it's also fair to say this guitar will not be changing hands again except in my will.
Gibson ES165 Herb Ellis beauty shots
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02-26-2016 11:41 AM
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I assume the pics are your guitar?
That's a beaut for sure! More figure than one usually sees on 175's for instance.
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Passing thought: do you think an all-wood bridge would sound good on an ES-175?
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Congrats, I have one and it's a fine instrument. Enjoy!!!
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Looks nice. I wanted one since I saw a friends ES-165 in the mid 1990s. Really went looking for one last fall but wound up with a ES-175 for not much more money. I was looking at ebay and Reverb and all the ES-165s I saw in those places were priced in the ES-175 range that is why I went with an ES-175. It looks like you got a fantastic guitar from a good source. Great playing and excellent tone on your video.
Last edited by icr; 02-26-2016 at 01:11 PM.
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Congratulations on your new gorgeous instrument Lawson, very nice flame.
Great to see these nice instrument staying in the family, my Tal will also be on my will
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Yes the very one. That's why I didn't take any--his were so excellent.
Originally Posted by Doctor Jeff
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I don't see myself modding this guitar in any way. It seems perfect. If I want a wood bridge, I have other guitars with wood bridges. Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles
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thanks for that. I'm floored by how amazing this guitar is. Whoever Joe got to set it up did a stellar job. It's perfect. Originally Posted by icr
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Very nice, enjoy!
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Thanks everyone. I have it on a stand beside my desk at work just so I can look at it!
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You can take a guitar to work?!? I need to work there!! Originally Posted by lawson-stone
Congratulations, very nice guitar!
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I'm envious that you have a guitar at work. The chair in my department made a snide remark about 'professionalism' a few years back when I did have a guitar and stand in my office. Now that I have tenure I don't really care as much, but I'm going to wait until we have a new department chair before I bring it back; no need to look for confrontation.
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I am a professor at a school of theology that trains pastors, so even though my field is biblical studies, at any church-related institution nobody is shocked to encounter musicians and musical instruments. For this work, being a broader person with wider interests is an asset. I always have a guitar in my office. It is also a nice conversation starter for a lot of students. Originally Posted by Little Jay
One day there was a knock at my door. The guy standing there was a muscular, compact, crew-cut kid who looked like a marine, but who talked like Forest Gump.
Him: "I hear you are a player of the guitar."
Me: "Yes, I play a little.."
Him: "Rumor has it you play jazz. Is that correct?"
Me: "Well, I try to play standards, bebop, etc."
Him: "Do you play any Charlie Parker?"
*at this point I notice the case on the floor, approximately the size of a saxophone. I begin to have a bad feeling about this... surely this drawling white kid who looks like a marine is not a bopper...
Me: "I can comp for Bird, but I don't play lead very well."
Him: "That's perfect. I can play lead."
He then busted that sax out, and I plugged in my guitar and he said, "Donna Lee... 1,2, 1,2,3..." and off we went.
We played about 15 songs from the Omnibook that afternoon and the guy could play bop like he was born to it!
Later on I found out he was a distant NEPHEW of mine.
Now he is serving as a Bible translator in some distant Asian nation where he first had to learn the local dialect, then create a writing system for them, then create a grammar of their language, then start translating the Bible...
But when he comes home, I play flaming bop with Forest Gump.
What my colleagues and students are shocked at is that when I say I'm playing "Body and Soul" that's not a statement about St. Augustine...
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Congrats. I bought my son a 1988 Gibson ES165 and it was one of my favorite guitars ever. His was just a little brighter and more open sounding than my '88 ES175 which has mahogany back/sides.
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That's what mine has and it sounds great! Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles
Congrats on that guitar - I'm drooling.
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Stunning guitar... and nice to find the older set pup version in such fantastic shape. Congratulations!
Sure... depending on what you want to hear. It's just my opinion (based only on my ears and experience), but a wood saddle imparts a somewhat darker "woodier" tone than a metal saddle. The TOM produces a more crisp, or "metallic" tone in a trade-off for tuning precision. Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles
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Fair enough, but with a floating bridge this is no more a mod that is switching strings. Originally Posted by lawson-stone
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Lawson,
I am so happy for you buddy.
I think you are going to love playing that guitar for years to come. It is a surprisingly good acoustic instrument. It has the prototypical 175 tone and I think it has all the cache`one can ask for. Gibson makes great Guitars.
Guys, Lawson couldn't have been a better guy to deal with. He was decisive on the purchase. He immediately told me it arrived safely. Extraordinary transaction.
Enjoy your beautiful Guitar.
Joe D
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And what can be said about working with Joe that hasn't already been said? Makes a guy want to buy more guitars. By the time we'd swapped stories, talked about music and guitars, loved on Joe Pass a bit, and oh yes, sent money and shipped an instrument, I feel like he's one of my in-laws via this guitar. Originally Posted by Joe DeNisco
I've had a lovely 24 hours now getting acquainted with this guitar, and realizing it is the living, breathing definition of the term "keeper."
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Congratulations! That is just lovely all around. Long may she run!
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Congrats Lawson, I have 2 ES-175's in my toolbox (and have owned many more). It is arguably the perfect jazz guitar. Joe D. is a good guy. I am glad he is now part of your family, he has been part of ours (here at the jazzguitar.be forum) for quite some time.
Win-win deals are the best. It is always good to hear of one.
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A gorgeous instrument of exceptional quality and provenance has found a new home. Congratulations, and play it in good health!
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You cannot do better than getting a used axe from Joe. I thought I knew how to take good care of guitars till I got to know Mr.D. Any guitar he buys is in a whole lot better shape when he decides to sell it. Always glad to see a great axe stay in the family. May it serve you well with years of happy sounds and don't forget to play "How Great Thou Art" on it.
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Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
Thanks Vin and Marc. It's so cool to hear the excitement coming from Lawson. He's like a little kid. That is what these guitars do to us. I love it! Originally Posted by Stringswinger
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