1957 Gibson ES-175 Natural

[Paulie2]

Wow congrats Mike, that thing is a stunner. Can't wait to read the review when it comes in. Hoping to see a NGD post with plenty of pics

[BigMikeinNJ]

Yeah I'm pumped - it IS pretty decent, 42 at the moment with a high of 49 predicted. I'll be super careful with this one, if the box is cold I'll wait. I got an email last night from the seller after he gave me the tracking info... I'm beginning to think the reason he bailed the first time was because he couldn't stand parting with it. He'd had the guitar over 25 years. He's got an early 60s strat, body from one guitar, neck from another - a Clapton Blackie like beast, that is his main squeeze. He said he'd pull the 175 out and just marvel at the "Gibson Golden Era" beauty... Whatever it was before I'm glad it's enroute...

As for the L5P, ya have to play it boys... It speaks for itself. In the short 22 years it was played it was VERY played - the layer of smoke and bar sweat on the thing was amazing. Wiring was crapping out from it sitting so long in a Florida closet - I wanted Pete to repair the wiring issue, then decided I didn't want some other part in the harness to fail (from old age) so had him redo it. That CC pickup is so strong Pete had to lower it way the hell down from what it was when I got it. And the bridge pickup is a beast also. It's got me salivating thinking of the THUNK this 175 will be delivering.

Enjoy your day !!

Big

[BigMikeinNJ]

Old beat 175's can sure make some fine music, note the duct tape holding the lower bout together. If I remember correctly this was when Pat was soloing on Indigo Dreamscapes.

[lawson-stone]

Old beat 175's can sure make some fine music, note the duct tape holding the lower bout together. If I remember correctly this was when Pat was soloing on Indigo Blue.

Such a weird guitar on so many levels. The bound headstock still throws me.

[BigMikeinNJ]

Oh yeah Pat !!

[BigMikeinNJ]

Guitar arrived at 6pm. Box felt cool, but damp. Put it in the guest room to let it warm. Opened the box and removed the case. It's cold. Brought it into the office (coolest room in the house) and cracked the case quick to shoot these photos, feel for damage and see how smooth the old finish is (real smooth). Closed her up and will wait until the morning. The guitar itself wasn't THAT cold but hey it's a '57 ES175, I can wait one night to be on the safe side. I let the seller know everything is jake... Nice score. Can't wait to play it tomorrow. Got the whole calendar free for the guitar only. YEAH !!


Big

[Max405]

Mikey I think you can play it now.
i have a feeling your gonna love that guitar. Didn’t he say he was gonna put a trapeze 175 style bridge in the case pocket? Just in case you want to lighten it up a little.
I am happy for you Mike.
I am really anxious to hear your impressions.
Joe D

[customxke]

When I sent this off to Pete Moreno to fix the electronics he said the entire setup was original. He was sort of the Dirty Harry of Gibson; “every dirty stinking job that comes along’’ like doing the CC pickup installs. I had him do a new harness and setup, I have the original harness. He buffed a lot of bar smoke off this sucker. It’s real sweet sounding. I prefer a mixed wound: neck pickup at 6, bridge pickup at 4 and my Texas Flood amp at 7, which is pretty loud - it was one owner, who bought it new in 1940 - later passed away in 1962 - he left it to his little brother who wasn’t a player. Sold it to cousins husband in 2015, then I got it in 2016 thru Jay Wolfe. Spent 52 years in a closet.


Attachment 48754Attachment 48753

I do love that guitar, and did try to buy it (missed it by hours), but I'm not sure that I can believe that it came from the factory in '39 or '40 with that set up. Gibson wasn't using that control layout for another 10 years. I just find it hard to believe. Again....LOVE that guitar!

[TOMMO]

Congrats and Happy New Guitar Day - that's a looker for sure! Happy For you!

[Fred Archtop]

Congrats Big. Thats' a heck of a guitar. Tried the same model in Paris a few months ago except it hadn't the Bigsby. Stunning guitar and sound. It helped me decide buying my ES 350N which is from the same era. These P90s and laminated tables sound great.

Cheers.

[pilotony]

I'm absolutely sure you will love that guitar, BigMike. Nothing makes the holiday season brighter than a very classy looking Gibson.

Good luck and happy picking pal.

Tony D.

[mad dog]

Sure wish I had a guitar like that in my office. It's beautiful. Best of luck with it!

[BigMikeinNJ]

Well after a night's rest in River Forest the old 175 was ready for her pictorial.

[guido5]

Just lovely! Play the heck out of it!

[waltf]

So nice! That angled grain on the back is very unique! Never seen that before. Or is that finish checking?

[wintermoon]

yup, checking.
never stopped me from buying a guitar.
nice score Mike, glad it worked out for ya.

[Max405]

Mikey,
I am glad it doesn't need anything except maybe some Mikey-Love!
One of the only songs I remember my father playing all the time was Guitar Boogie.
You gotta play that one Mike. And use the Bigsby.

The bird sounds good.

You are a good man Mike. I love seeing you happy.

Joe D

[TOMMO]

Beauty! Enjoy your dinner!

[vinnyv1k]

I was sure the Citation was going to be the cherry on top. Silly me. A big congrats Mike ! Do enjoy your harem of Blondes. Nothing can replicate the sound of a old P90. The ones made today are just not the same.

NICE !

[BigMikeinNJ]

Well I walked down to the store to get my refills and what food items I wanted. It's crazy in there. That was the last trip of the year. The baking bags work well and cut the cooking time way down and really give you a golden and moist bird in no time.

The guitar is so lovely, oh my goodness. I am sure that is checking you guys see on the back, but as I said the body and neck are smooth as glass to the touch. It was a good score after all. And the seller really regrets selling it, but he's got a lot of money in his Strat and needs holiday funds. Lucky me... There are a few stray gifts wafting their way to deserving recipients but that should be over today. It'll be Holiday Songs and lots of oldies - this guitar is so suited for all of it...

Hope you guys have an amazing Christmas, New Year and Hanukkah and a Happy Festivus for those from Seinfeld Land...

Big

[BigMikeinNJ]

Spent about 20 minutes plugged in. It’s really sweet, it had oldies oozing out of me - I prefer using both pickups with the neck mixed in loudest

[pilotony]

Keep loving that guitar, Mike.

Merry Christmas and enjoy your feast this evening! 10-4 on the crowded stores. BTW our Uncle Mike in Connecticut sends us photos and recipes of the stuff he cooks for dinner each day!

"Herbs de Provence", tres chic.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL

Tony D.

[TOMMO]

I prefer using both pickups with the neck mixed in loudest

Ain't that a sweet sound?

[BigMikeinNJ]

Turkey is resting, StoveTop made, yukon golds simmering. Then the gravy... A lot of work but then massive easy meals for days, turkey soup (I'm gonna make some fresh noodles) and maybe a turkey tetrazzini.

[Steve Z]

Gorgeous ES175... blonde with two P90s... Wow! Enjoy.

Referring back to your blonde L-5 with the CC and P90 (incredibly cool)... I instantly remembered this video from Norms Rare Guitars... 1957 L5 with the same pickup configuration..