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Hi all,
I am still surfing the internet looking for any Gibson ES-175s and I just found a single pickup 2007 Gibson ES-175 in a sunburst. The condition is perfect with no scratches or dings and I can just meet up with the guy which means no shipping and I actually get to try the guitar! The price is $2195 and in my opinion, the price seems really good but I wanted your guys' thoughts. I am just trying to get that Joe Pass tone and sound and I'm also unsure since this guitar is a bit on the newer side. And do you guys think the price is worth the investment? Should I go for it? I do have another option of ordering a Gibson ES-165 2001 for $1950 but I think the classic 57 is the better choice for that joe pass sound. This is a very important decision for me since this is my first jazz guitar and I want the guitar to last me years and years.
Thanks
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07-20-2018 01:30 AM
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Speaking of experience, Gibson had quality issues with 175s around 2005, but 2007 should be better again. I did not know a single PU version of that vintage even existed but would love to have one. The price IMHO is attractive.
On the guitar: Is the PU mounted in the regular position some distance from the fretboard, or at the end of the fretboard, as in Joe Pass's one-off 175, which also had a thinner body? Which tailpiece? Regardless, I'd go for the 175. The 165 suggests inferiority, and signature models are often less sought-after as an investment. Could you post a photo of the 175?
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With both those guitars it is clearly possible to approach a Joe Pass sound, but other factors enter strongly into the equation like strings, amps (Joe was a Mini Brute user a lot of the time), and more importantly your hands (Joe's touch was highly distinctive).
My advice is to play the 175 (I've played them since 1974, so I'm not unbiased
) and see if it really speaks to you with a voice you want to hear, and if it feels good in your hands - if it does, and if it's in good condition, then go for it. In that price band my motto would be "play before you pay", so I would hesitate on the 165, but YMMV.
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$2195 is a decent price, especially when you can play it before buying it. You save on shipping which can come up to $150 these days and its attendant risks of damage. That said, I might try to get it down to $2095.
Between 2006 and 2007, Gibson made a special run of these ES-175SPs with plain maple veneers and one pickup. They are the forerunners to the 2012 ES-175 1959 VOS Reissues. They may not have the red spruce tonebars and cotton stays of the Reissues. In all other respects, they are similar to the regular ES-175D with twin pups and flamed maple veneers.
Nice guitars when plugged in.
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My last guitar just became my latest. This is what a jazz guitar is all about, nothing more, nothing less.
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Looks like a great way to go. I owned a single pickup ES175 from the 60s for 35 years. It was my main guitar. Joe Pass tone for days when played with fingers into a Polytone amp.
You won't be satisfied until you have one.
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I would probably go for the ES-175 too because it they have a little nicer appointments (inlaid logo, crown inlay, etc.). Having said that, I owned an ES-165 for a few years and it was a great guitar. It had a chunkier neck which felt great. Mine had the built in pickup (a 490R) and there was nothing lacking in the amplified tone. I have other vintage ES-175’s so I was able to make a proper comparison and it held its own with them. Either guitar will approximate the sound Joe Pass got in the early days with his double pickup 175.
Originally Posted by Gitterbug
Keith
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I can only concur with other posts: A Gibson ES-175 is great choice for one's first jazz guitar. Even a newer vintage will likely be a fine axe, the price is reasonable, you'll be starting with one of the most iconic models in the genre (Joe Pass being only one of many giants associated with it), and this one's clearly speaking you. Why not?
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Looks like a potential winner to me, and at a perfectly good price.
Call me an enabler if you will, but I say go for it !!!
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Jack Zucker is selling one from the 80’s for very close to that price. He is a reputable seller and given the choice between a 2000’s and 80’s 175 I’d take the latter, especially since he doesn’t sell dogs.
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+1 for an '80s mahogany back 175
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Buy Jack’s 175 he is top notch and will not sell you something bad. It is a great price for a great guitar.
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You've heard the best advice around. Get it. Report back!
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The 165, the 175 or Jack's hog backed 175 are all solid choices. I have had only one single PUP 175 and it was a bit brighter than the two PUP models. I can say with personal experience that the 490R PUP in the 165 is as good a jazz pup as a 57 classic.
If it were me I would buy the one that I could actually play first. Shipping involves risk and buying sight unseen, unless you get it for a super low price, means taking a loss if you cannot return it for a full refund and/or you do not like it.
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Joe Pass played a 2 pickup guitar on all the classic jazz recordings. He used a 2 pickup guitar everytime I heard in the '70s too.
My '88 gets really close to this tone which is a 2 pickup 175 (despite the cover photo)
One thing about the 165 and single pickup 175s is that they have more hollow tone to them at the expense of more feedback. My son had a 165 and I thought it sounded great, but he did have to tape the F holes to avoid feedback.
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...and you know this how?? Did you buy one from him?? Another thing ask him why he is getting rid of such a great guitar?. Originally Posted by rio
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I like my two pickup model. Doesn’t have a problem with f/b and the bridge pickup gives you the Meters funk sound.....
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I think that one pickup model is really cool.
One small advantage of the 2 pickup model is I think the resale market will be bigger.
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