Vintage Gibson ES-175 Restoration

**Econgblues** · 10-03-2016, 03:42 PM

Hi guys! First time here on the forums. I recently aquired this vintage ES175. I wanna know what needs to be worked on to restore this beauty and also I wanna know if its legit or not. I'll post more pictures on the comment section since its limited here.

**sgosnell** · 10-03-2016, 04:04 PM

It obviously needs strings, and it also needs a new nut. The saddle looks like it could use some work, but it's probably fixable without needing a new one. The neck might be twisted, but your photos are so distorted that it's hard to tell. If the neck is as twisted as it appears in the third photo, I'm afraid it's unfixable as is, and may need a new neck. But again, it's hard to tell from those pictures.

**mr. beaumont** · 10-03-2016, 04:10 PM

Any shots of the whole guitar?

**Econgblues** · 10-03-2016, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Any shots of the whole guitar?

Vintage Gibson ES-175 Restoration-20161003_080334-jpg

Vintage Gibson ES-175 Restoration-20161002_164722-jpg

**Steve Z** · 10-03-2016, 04:21 PM

I have not seen a round white label before... the ones I have seen have been oval.

Since your guitar serial number is A-8676, looks like 1951 according to Vintage Guitars Info - Gibson collecting vintage gibson guitars

Vintage Gibson ES-175 Restoration-screen-shot-2016-10-03-3-20-03-pm-jpg

Vintage Gibson ES-175 Restoration-screen-shot-2016-10-03-3-20-03-pm-jpg

**wintermoon** · 10-03-2016, 04:24 PM

replaced tailpiece

**Econgblues** · 10-03-2016, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by wintermoon

replaced tailpiece

So thats not the original tailpiece?

**339 in june** · 10-03-2016, 04:29 PM

Definitely not

**bohemian46** · 10-03-2016, 04:34 PM

Vintage Guitars Info - Gibson collecting vintage gibson guitars

**Steve Z** · 10-03-2016, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by Econgblues

So thats not the original tailpiece?

Looks similar to tailpieces on some Harmony hollowbody guitars in the '50s. If the tailpiece works, I'd leave it on.

Perhaps a new set of strings though

. Nice find.

**Plectrum** · 10-03-2016, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by Econgblues

So thats not the original tailpiece?

Kluson Archtop Guitar Tailpiece | stewmac.com

**Econgblues** · 10-03-2016, 04:55 PM

I got it for $60.

**wintermoon** · 10-03-2016, 04:56 PM

you mean you stole it for $60?

**Econgblues** · 10-03-2016, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by wintermoon

you mean you stole it for $60?

Lol

**sgosnell** · 10-03-2016, 05:05 PM

Well, if it plays well and sounds good, you got a good deal, original tailpiece and real Gibson ES175 or not. The nut isn't expensive to replace, and you might be able to string it up and try it first. The low E string side has been broken. You can get a nut from StewMac, or have a repair shop replace it for you. The setup is impossible to guess without working strings. It might or might not not need truss rod adjustment and/or a neck reset. Those can't be seen from pictures. The neck doesn't look as twisted in the second set of photos, and might be fine. You could probably put a good deal of money into it and still come out ahead.

**Econgblues** · 10-03-2016, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by sgosnell

Well, if it plays well and sounds good, you got a good deal, original tailpiece and real Gibson ES175 or not. The nut isn't expensive to replace, and you might be able to string it up and try it first. The low E string side has been broken. You can get a nut from StewMac, or have a repair shop replace it for you. The setup is impossible to guess without working strings. It might or might not not need truss rod adjustment and/or a neck reset. Those can't be seen from pictures. The neck doesn't look as twisted in the second set of photos, and might be fine. You could probably put a good deal of money into it and still come out ahead.

Thanks! Do you the nut size on this thing? Sorry im kind of a noob when it comes to this.

**wintermoon** · 10-03-2016, 05:11 PM

since you got it cheap, take it to a good tech and have it properly set up.

**Econgblues** · 10-03-2016, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by wintermoon

since you got it cheap, take it to a good tech and have it properly set up.

I will defenitely do that!

**Sam Sherry** · 10-03-2016, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by Econgblues

I got it for $60.

Obviously you paid several thousand dollars less than the regular value of this instrument.

My oft-stated position is that if you underpay a BUSINESS take a bow; people in business are supposed to know what they have. However, if you underpaid a civilian by a factor of 35-100 -- not 100%, but factor of 100! -- that's not cool.

But I'm just some figment on the internet. You did what you did. Gonna play it or flip it?

**Econgblues** · 10-03-2016, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by Sam Sherry

Obviously you paid several thousand dollars less than the regular value of this instrument. I anticipate an extended discussion about the morals of vastly underpaying.

My oft-stated position is that if you underpay a BUSINESS take a bow; people in business are supposed to know what they have. However, if you underpaid a civilian by a factor of 50-100 -- not 100%, but factor of 100! -- that's not cool.

But I'm just some figment on the internet. You did what you did. Gonna play it or flip it?

Well, honestly i didnt know what its worth. Im not into vintage guitars at all. Never had one. I saw it at a house I was working at. It was sitting in a corner collecting dust. Dont you think its better for the guitar now that it has a home and someone will actualy play it?

**Dedalus** · 10-03-2016, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by Econgblues

I got it for $60.

Congrats.

Hopefully, with some work as suggested by the very knowledgeable members here, you'll have a killer, vintage ES175.

**BigMikeinNJ** · 10-03-2016, 06:01 PM

Well get a very good technician to work on it. You got a good deal. If you are still working at that house you should give the previous owner of the guitar a generous gratuity, say $100.00.

**aboutIt** · 10-03-2016, 07:14 PM

Something karmic this way comes.

**icr** · 10-03-2016, 07:40 PM

How do we know he underpaid? The seller may have obtained it for $10 or free. The guitar is not playable. If not doing the work oneself this project will cost $$$ for the new owner.