What's your favorite guitar model?

[citizenk74]

My favorite "jazz" guitar? My ES-175, purchased new in 2006. It's just right. So, so, right.

[ESCC]

My 1979 ES 175 CC

[Greentone]

Pre-war ES-150. It's the best electric guitar for jazz I ever played. I have played several and they all knocked me out. The one I borrowed from my friend for about six months was for the ages. No other electric guitar has the dynamic range of the ES-150--play harder, hear more. It doesn't bottom out...in this regard it's like a Bosendorfer Imperial Grand. Press harder/more sound.

My favorite guitar among those I've owned/own? Aaron Cowles Unity 100th Anniversary. It's like an especially fine Gibson Citation.

[Tal_175]

Sometimes I think about selling all my guitars (even the acoustics) and just keeping my ES 175. The only guitar I need.
ES 175 and a Princeton (and a bunch of pedals to tame the scoop of the Princeton (further magnified by a 12inch Jensen)).


PS. Keep it coming guys. It's working. Used prices of ES 175's are up.

[Greentone]

Tip on taming the Princeton Scoop: bass=1, treble =1. This setting is actually flat. No scoop/no pedal necessary.

[Tal_175]

Tip on taming the Princeton Scoop: bass=1, treble =1. This setting is actually flat. No scoop/no pedal necessary.

Thanks Greentone. That's how I actually use it, but I still get some boom occasionally, so I push the mids with a pedal and turn down the volume, turn up the treble a bit. Boom is due to the 12inch Jensen P12Q most likely.

[Jazzstdnt]

Benedetto Cremona. And no, I don't own one.

[djelley]

Gibson L5 CES and Benedetto Americana are 1 and 1A. If I HAD to choose, I’d probably keep the L5.

[vernon]

Telecaster and 175... the two iconic guitar sounds.

[boatheelmusic]

My faves,

soon to be joined by an L-5 CES (like next week!):

[WillMbCdn5]

my Gibson Super 300 with a Dearmond FHC - huge tone/dynamics and volume in a down to earth package



Will

[mr quick]

ES-335 and variations thereof. Not only does it always sound and feel right, but it fits sonically -and aesthetically- into both serious jazz contexts as well as pop, rock, funk, you name it. Only it and the Tele pull it off so convincingly imo - and between the two, I prefer the ES

[Easy2grasp]

I can't say enough about vintage Gibson ES 175's. I first got a 1966 single PU with a faded cherry burst. It was beautiful, sounded awesome, but the 1 and 9/16inch nut of the early 60's 175's didn't agree with my thick fingers.
Then I came across a blonde 1957 with a single PU and sold the 1966. It blew me away how great it made me sound. My chops jumped up to the next plateau. I still think there is a genie that lives inside it.

Then another 1957 single PU popped up at a price I couldn't resist, this one sunburst. I couldn't stop myself from buying it. I felt a little out of control. It was like the Lay's potato chip commercial, "Bet you can't eat just one." It became just as treasured, although I don't think it had a genie inside like the blonde. It had its own personality but that great vintage tonality.

So then what happens but a 1956 ES 175 single PU shows up on the local Craig's List for $2500. I begged folks on the forum to buy it so I could control my compulsion and not pursue it. Instead everyone told me to go for it - that I knew I wanted it and needed it. So I did. I am so grateful to have it, and after a refret job, it is another dream guitar with it's own special P90 sound.

Then my 84 year old guitar teacher, who had been corresponding with Billy Bean shortly before Billy died, was offered the opportunity to purchase Billy Bean's 1964 ES-175 a couple of years ago. He said something like, "What would I do with it?" To him it would be a holy relic and he would not be able to play it. So I waited about a year and finally got up the gumption to contact Billy Bean's nephew myself to see if the guitar was even still available. It was and the rest is history.

Well, I sold the sunburst '57 ES-175, recently, and sold my '92 ES-165 earlier this year in an attempt to thin down my collection, but what actually happened was I inadvertently set myself up to bid on Tommy Tedesco's 1956 ES-175 which I won and it is supposed to be delivered today. I am hovering around the front door like a kid waiting for Santa Claus by the chimney. (Once I missed a guitar delivery because I was puttering around in the basement and the delivery guy didn't ring the bell - just rapped on the door.)

If you can save up for and be patient enough for the right vintage ES 175, you will never regret it! I like the single PU models best as I have no need for a bridge PU. I don't like the sound of them and don't need one for playing straight ahead jazz. I can't say enough about vintage Gibson ES 175's, but I think I have now.
Ted Talked

[Stringswinger]

While the Gibson 175 is my favorite gigging guitar (the L-5 and Les Paul are close behind), for living room play, nothing beats (for me) an acoustic 17 inch archtop. My favorite of the three that I own is this 1948 D'Angelico Style B:

[rpjazzguitar]

I don't have a favorite, except by category.

Best looking: Gibson Tal Farlow

Best sounding: Late 30's L5.

Best physical feel (neck shape and so on): Yamaha Pacifica 012.

Best all around: I don't know.

[SierraTango]

Benedetto Cremona. And no, I don't own one.

Excellent taste. I adore my 1990 Cremona, she's my working instrument.