Help me choose a Gibson ES-175

**Groyniad** · 08-09-2016, 09:07 AM

so who would go for the new one with p 90s (the 1954 vos)

over a new 1959?

or a new standard issue one?

and don't say 'i wouldn't go for a new one at all' - that's beside the point - the point is which of these types of 175 do you prefer? (the new bit just guarantees similar cost and condition)

i hope this isn't a faux pas thread thing - its the same topic isn't it?

**joe2758** · 08-09-2016, 10:49 AM

Oh man, I could have been very helpful here.

When I bought my 2013 175 the store got sent a batch with the humbucker sized p90s. So they replaced those with the standard humbuckers, but since there was a delay they sent me the p-90s for free. I haven't tried them yet

**KirkP** · 08-09-2016, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by Naquat

... I've read another post on this site where the poster said an ES-175 (not sure if it was a Gibson or Epi) was a bit laborious to play. That's how this one felt. I'm used to playing electric and acoustic so I doubt it was the string gauge which I believe was original.

It could have been a simple setup issue. You could verify that by measuring the setup specs on a guitar you enjoy playing, then compare that to instruments you are considering.

**agentsmith** · 08-09-2016, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by vanschoyck

1969 - 1986

the '87, '88 and '89 with mahogany back and sides are also great. I'd avoid anything after that though.

**agentsmith** · 08-09-2016, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by Groyniad

and i've always been put off by the fact that you need to try lots of different ones. i had a perfect early fifties 175 that i gladly gave up for a new sadowsky jim hall. but i wouldn't do that now - again the jh was too dull and mellow and dark for my current needs.

i've tried several jim halls and d'aquisto jazzlines that it's based on. I would never call them mellow or dark. They are significantly brighter than any 175 or 165 I have ever played. The '70s 175s with maple necks come close but are not as bright as the sadowsky/d'aquisto

**Flat** · 08-09-2016, 05:03 PM

I agree about the Sadowsky Jim Hall. I love mine--it's clear and clean and bell-like. But neither my SJH or my all-solid-maple 575 can bring that lovely dull thunk of a good 175, imho, though I wish they could. I try to cop that kind of darker tone with a side-palm mute and a chicken-choking grip sometimes, but it ain't the same at all.

**GNAPPI** · 08-09-2016, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by Groyniad

if you get a new one you're not getting one someone else has failed to bond with...

I for one NEVER buy a new Gibson anymore, See the post on the custom shop from Vinny.

So for many of us my comment stands on firm ground :-)

**agentsmith** · 08-11-2016, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Flat

I agree about the Sadowsky Jim Hall. I love mine--it's clear and clean and bell-like. But neither my SJH or my all-solid-maple 575 can bring that lovely dull thunk of a good 175, imho, though I wish they could. I try to cop that kind of darker tone with a side-palm mute and a chicken-choking grip sometimes, but it ain't the same at all.

agreed. If you want a 175 at a reasonable price (less than $2500), get a gibson made in the '80s. The mahogany back/sides versions in the late '80s are often found for $2200-$2500

**Naquat** · 08-18-2016, 08:50 PM

Well, I decided to hold off spending a some bucks on a jazz box until I see how some plans work out.

I landed what I believe is a pretty good deal on an Epiphone Emperor Joe Pass from the mid-90's. The pics look good…but the guitar in-hand will tell the story. If I'm lucky I'll get it Saturday or Monday at the latest.

If I can make it sound even remotely like Matt Otten does with his Emperor it will surely hold me over. LOL

**vinlander** · 08-19-2016, 06:06 AM

I still got my Samick Made Epi Joe Pass from 1995, I will admit I did tinker a lot with it though.
Not a bad guitar at all, great neck and comfortable to play.
Won't give you the 175 thunk, but still a good tone; I could never made mine sounds like Matt Otten's though

**Naquat** · 08-19-2016, 05:42 PM

To my surprise I received the Epi Joe Pass today. It's a 1994 model but I noticed something a bit odd.
Looking at the wiki site for Emperor Joe Pass guitars I noticed that the pic they have of the Cherry Sunburst finish for 1994-Present has the signature pickguard and the '91-'93 type headstock inlay. Mine is also a Sunburst finish with the same appointments.

The Natural and Vintage Sunburst finish guitar don't have either.

Any other differences in the guitars? What's different about the Joe Pass Emperor II?

The guitar needs new strings, cleaning, pot cleaning, but the setup isn't bad at all. Tuning it up all of the strings intonate well except for the D string which is a little flat when fretted on the 10th fret.

Speaking of frets. These are pretty flat with no crown so I'm guessing they were leveled. It wouldn't be easy to crown them as there's not a lot there but I don't get any fret buzz even with beat strings.

Were the original frets taller with a crown or flat like some guitars I've seen?

**garybaldy** · 10-13-2020, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by AKA

Lawson - In my opinion the 1999 165 sounded noticeably better; and you seemed more comfortable playing it.

I guess it's the 490R. I my experience they are great pickups.

**jzucker** · 10-14-2020, 08:05 AM

if you love joe pass, why would you want to install a P90 in your 175? I have played the '59 reissue and IMO, it doesn't really sound like the classic 175s. The '80s 175s are good deals but you'll be hard pressed to find one for under $2k. The aria herb ellis is a reasonable alternative. It is closer to joe pass' 175 tone than a 59 reissue IMO...

**Stringswinger** · 10-14-2020, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by jzucker

if you love joe pass, why would you want to install a P90 in your 175? I have played the '59 reissue and IMO, it doesn't really sound like the classic 175s. The '80s 175s are good deals but you'll be hard pressed to find one for under $2k. The aria herb ellis is a reasonable alternative. It is closer to joe pass' 175 tone than a 59 reissue IMO...

I own a 59 reissue with the MHS pickups. While it does not sound like the heavier built 175's of the 60's and beyond, it sounds exactly like the 175's of the 50's. These are superb electric-acoustic archtop guitars.

**deacon Mark** · 10-14-2020, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by Naquat

To my surprise I received the Epi Joe Pass today. It's a 1994 model but I noticed something a bit odd.
Looking at the wiki site for Emperor Joe Pass guitars I noticed that the pic they have of the Cherry Sunburst finish for 1994-Present has the signature pickguard and the '91-'93 type headstock inlay. Mine is also a Sunburst finish with the same appointments.

The Natural and Vintage Sunburst finish guitar don't have either.

Any other differences in the guitars? What's different about the Joe Pass Emperor II?

The guitar needs new strings, cleaning, pot cleaning, but the setup isn't bad at all. Tuning it up all of the strings intonate well except for the D string which is a little flat when fretted on the 10th fret.

Speaking of frets. These are pretty flat with no crown so I'm guessing they were leveled. It wouldn't be easy to crown them as there's not a lot there but I don't get any fret buzz even with beat strings.

Were the original frets taller with a crown or flat like some guitars I've seen?

That note on many carved top guitars (10fret D string) interesting enough is flat also a bit. I don't why as such and I only can concur by saying I have anecdotal evidence in repairing and doing sets up. Maybe someone will chime in?