-
I have one. It is a reissue of the '64 ES175 with Grover machine heads, bridge and a larger switch.
-
04-03-2019 10:17 AM
-
The Steve Howe ES-175 marked the re-introduction of the zigzag tailpiece. It also saw the return of plain laminated maple to the ES-175. It has the gradated sunburst of 1964 with more red in it. A tuner tip is used for the switch selector. The bridge base is MoP bowtie inlaid ebony from the L4CES/L5CES. It is notable for the shallow neck profile of Steve Howe's own 1964 ES-175, not the meatier 1959 neck nor the baseball bat of the 1958.
The neck profile is its biggest differentiator. I don't recall if the pickups are the Classic 57s.
It is a fine ES-175. It was unique in its day for looking the way it did, like a 1964 ES-175 replica. Gibson has since used the zigzag tailpiece and plain maple in later ES-175s. But before the Steve Howe ES-175, the zigzag tailpiece was history and had not been used in new guitars since it was discontinued in the 60s.
-
My Gibson ES-175 Steve Howe Model showed up!
It's everything I dreamed it would be. I've been around long enough to know it's sometimes cheaper to spend more and get what you really want. That was definitely the case this time.
I had to do a quick setup when it arrived, but the action is super low, it plays like a dream and it just sounds fantastic.
Thanks to all for their feedback
-
Presumably, like Steve Howe, you're setting it up with the following string gauges : 12, 12, 16, 26, 40, 50 ?
-
Is that what he really uses? That would feel really weird.
Originally Posted by Ray175
Presumably, like Steve Howe, you're setting it up with the following string gauges : 12, 12, 16, 26, 40, 50 ?
Love the look of the guitar.
-
Not with these little wimpy rock and roll fingers! Originally Posted by Ray175
Presumably, like Steve Howe, you're setting it up with the following string gauges : 12, 12, 16, 26, 40, 50 ?
-
Thanks. I love it. Originally Posted by Jason S
-
I'm still enjoying my '85 175 that I bought new. Originally Posted by hogrider16
Now that I have some of the "nicer" more expensive Gibson archtops as well, I can compare them and IMHO a good 175 can hold its own with L5s and Super 400s and other archtops of a similar reputation ....
And I think of all that money I could have saved
-
I saw Steve Howe promoting this guitar at a show in Long Island when this guitar was being introduced. and one feature of it stuck with me--the beautiful, rich finish on it. Only one other poster mentioned it, but the color had a definite vintage vibe to it, more of a "caramel" look to the lighter hues of the sunburst. It was not the color of the contemporary ES-175, nor was it the color of the first generation ES-165 Herb Ellis model I got when it was introduced. It looks like an homage to the 60s that Gibson absolutely nailed. Congrats on a sweet acquisition.
-
Nice! Not that it is that important, but I like the burst you have better than the studio pic. To me, on the studio pic, the transition from black is too sudden and uniform, especially with the red element it has. I like yours a lot more.
There is a similar red tinge in the burst on the 2015 ES-175D '54 reissue. On that model they call it a "Jim Dickinson Burst".
-
Thanks for this info. A friend of mine is selling one and I was curious if it was a lighter build like a real '64 or a heavier build for a rock guy... Originally Posted by Stringswinger
-
Hey Jack ,ever played that one your friend had ? Originally Posted by jzucker
Was it heavier than the '64?
One (2007) just popped up on my local market, wondering if it's as good an axe as any other ES 175?
I'd like to try it but it's a 200 mi + drive (and I'd have to rent a car) in the winter, to cabin country
SLast edited by SOLR; 11-29-2025 at 05:49 PM.
-
wonderful picture! - I saw Yes in my home town in 1973 if I recall correctly - they were absolutely amazing Originally Posted by Woody Sound
-
How did Howe not have a feedback problem with it? Yes was not exactly a quiet band, Yes?
-
Always something that has puzzled me, as well.
-
Huh... I had no idea Gibson offered a "Steve Howe model ES-175". How long has that been a thing? And more importantly what's the difference between a "Steve Howe model" and a bog standard ES-175? iirc Steve's was just a stock 175 from 1964.
Captain Pedantic wants to point out that, except for the solo during the fadeout of "Siberian Khatru", all the electric guitar on the Close To The Edge album was played on an ES -345. Originally Posted by takauya
But point taken
-
The one I'm looking at is $4700 us or ($6200cdn)
Reverb ad :Just a moment...
As far as I know it's a copy of the '64 Howe was using with the zigzag tailpiece, L5 bridge ,different knobs , grovers and the mega pup switch. The rest should be pretty much standard 175 . I 've not seen much info on these so it's hard to compare . JK questioned the top thickness and weight, might be heavier than the standard run of the mill 175.??
S
-
And a plain maple top and sides, as was the case in '64. In terms of tone, the bridge probably makes the most difference. The neck carve may be a replica of Howe's guitar. His demand to Gibson was that he could play one and it would feel and sound the same; one of these is his touring guitar so as to not risk the '64. Originally Posted by SOLR
-
Apparently he said he just relied on careful positioning on stage, adjusting amp settings, and using a volume pedal (according to google). Also for some reason he thought his particular 175 was not so prone to feedback as most. Originally Posted by Mick-7
-
The zigzag wire is incorrect on the reissues. It should almost touch the center bar. Like this Originally Posted by SOLR
-
Humm the Steve Howe signature (is that model considered a reissue?) has that incorrect zigzag. I guess you mean they were all reissued with a slightly different zigzag TP so not an exact copy of the late 50 early 60s? Originally Posted by garybaldy
The zigzag wire is incorrect on the reissues. It should almost touch the center bar. Like this
. It also has this (unusual?) wear on the headstock.(Not a shadow.)
.
SLast edited by SOLR; 11-30-2025 at 05:25 PM.
-
Sorry if I caused confusion. What I meant was that the zigzag on the SH reissue isn't like the one on his actual '64. The picture I posted is an actual '63 (mine) showing what SH's origin '64 tailpiece looks like. The SH reissue tailpiece looks different. Originally Posted by SOLR
Humm the Steve Howe signature (is that model considered a reissue?) has that incorrect zigzag. I guess you mean they were all reissued with a slightly different zigzag TP so not an exact copy of the late 50 early 60s?
S
-
I would hold out for a nicer one at that price. The damage on that guitar concerns me enough I would pass. Originally Posted by SOLR
-
Interesting, could you elaborate ? Originally Posted by 58flame
Thx for your comment,
SLast edited by SOLR; 12-01-2025 at 06:31 PM.
-
I have one which is for sale. Originally Posted by SOLR
located in Italy.
in great shape.
asked price 3.900,00 euro.
Next week end I’ll post it in the “for sale” section of this web site, with detailed pics.
Reply With Quote
Guitar Amps built into case?
Yesterday, 05:03 PM in Guitar, Amps & Gizmos