Finally Gibson ES-175 1954 in da house - how to brush it up and make it fit (for me)

[Heinrich]

I searched quite a while for an all original 50s ES-175 - I like the size, shape, looks, nut width, smell, P90s and less feedback of these. While I stopped and stared at how the prices of those boxes went through the roof I decided to sell two other guitars for this one and pay extra. I drove from Germany to Northern Italy, neglected the look of my wife that said I must have gone completely nuts, met a very friendly Italian gentleman of 72 years to whom I had to promise to really play the old lady rather than hanging it on the wall as a trophy. No problem with that. I am not a collector. This is the most expensive guitar I ever purchased, and I have no regrets so far. I love it already to bits. But I need some advice on how I can brush it up a little, not too much though - not because it has to remain as original as God and Gibson created it (a standpoint I don’t like anyway). But to respect its age and still fit my needs, that‘s it. A few things I would like to invest, and please object to your hearts content:

- a refret by a luthier: as I see it the frets are almost down to the fretboard. Which frets do you recommend here?
- a little (!) Joha polish on the laquer, the polish is suited for old violins tarnish, so the laquer will not be damaged
- a little cleaning of the nickel tailpiece with an Autosol nickel polish (no scrubbing or particles!) to remove a bit of the oxidation and dirt with a soft cloth (good god, not to the extent that it is shiny, just enough to still make an antique impression)
- a little drop of lubricant (Gewa Micro Trflon) in the Kluson tuners, they are quite a bit stiff right now
- 11er roundworms strings with a wound G-string, I don’t like flatwounds and I still want to bend strings a little
- some small spots where the laquer comes off (see pic) - don’t know what to do with this, leave it as is or …?
- experiment: Replace the top of the rosewood bridge with an aged Faber ABR nickel saddle. See, if that gives me a little more sustain and definition. If the tone is getting cold and bright, back again to the rosewood bridge. An ebony bridge might be an alternative, need to find out what fits me best. I am not a pure jazz player, do not like the tone of the great jazz heroes with their ES-175 (Pass, Metheny etc.), but you never know where you end up with the years to come ;-) I just know, I love my ´54 Gibson with all its authority. Here are some pics (say she is a beauty!):

(I will post this also on the Gibson forum)

[Doctor Jeff]

Man, that is a beauty. You are lucky for sure!

I got my ‘88 175–a youngster compared to yours—and she has a few scars from decades of living, but still a joy to own and play.

I would absolutely, 100% leave it completely as is, except for a gentle cleaning as you mentioned. I have done quite a bit of work with antiques, and the rule is a gentle cleaning to remove the surface dirt and rust, but don’t mess with the patina. That is pure gold and can’t be replicated.

I don’t have an opinion about the frets, but that is an “easy fix” as they say in the home fixer upper business.

[Filmosound 621]

Heinrich, die Gibson bricht.

to polish the guitar ist verboten.

I have a 1951, neck, pick-ups, smell, this is one great guitar.


all the best with yours.

[Stringswinger]

Congrats on the 175! May she inspire your playing for many years to come. I would consider getting some new Kluson tuners and storing the old ones for posterity sake. The newer tuners will be more reliable and precise. Joe Pass and Herb Ellis went for better tuners on their 175's because like you and I, they were players, not collectors Finish touch up is something that would have been done in the old days (and if it were mine, I might touch up the neck if the worn finish affected the playability for me), but today, that hurts value to collectors, so I think you need to think about that long and hard . Choose your new frets carefully. I once refretted a vintage 175 and did not like the frets that I chose. It caused me to sell the guitar. Take your time and be deliberate about these things.

[vinnyv1k]

Sweet 175 ! My birth year. A big Congrats. May it serve you well.

[gitrman]

That looks about like the perfect jazz box. Enjoy!

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

Moooooooooooooo-

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

-joooooooooo!!!

[pingu]

very nice ,
how much was it ?
(the frets look ok to me ....)

[whiskey02]

I respectfully submit that you should do only what you need to make it "playable" for you; Refret and get tuners smoother. The the finish alone, that is, don't try to make it to shine and leave the perfectly functioning hardware alone too. It's old and so it looks old (me too) if you try to put a shine all over it, some places will some will not. Doing that will really bring focus to the discrepancy between scars and shine. Have you never seen Antiques Roadshow, one doesn't buff away natural patina. Beautiful guitar; you can't do anything to make it more beautiful than it already is.

[teeps]

Happy old guitar day. I have played guitars with more worn than that with no problems. It really looks good on the photos. Congratulations!

[deacon Mark]

It is a great old guitar and looks like it is in fine shape for the age. Despite those who want to pick a guitar's condition out mentioning every little nick and mark, one learns that older guitars can be well played but preserved fine. That means they don't look new of course or do they look like tore the guitar apart.

If I was the player and in my case the repairman, I would fret the guitar with Jescar. This is my choice

Fret Wire 55095

.095? x .055? (2.41 x 1.40 mm)

0.0200"

NS18%

45.7

22

The reason is that it is tall so leaves plenty of metal for further dressing and possible a bit more wiggle room if you need it during the install. These frets play very nice and will make the guitar sound much better I am sure. The standing up high also puts less wear on the fingerboard which at this point is almost 70 years of playing. Get it refretted and get to playing it!

[Doctor Jeff]

You know, some people would try to patch up this old guitar…

[Crm114]

I have a single pick up 1953 and I love it, Back then they made the guitars with thinner laminated plates so they have a more acoustic tone than say one from the 70s era.

Play that beauty in good health Young Man

Big

[Jabberwocky]

Authentic weathering that can only come from time and good old honest playwear. I'd like to see Tom Murphy top that.

Love the Cremona Teacup Burst. I have a 2006 Gibson ES-175SP P90 copy of your beautiful 1954. Not even close.

[citizenk74]

You know, some people would try to patch up this old guitar…

I'm Trigger-ed.

[citizenk74]

Perfect jazz guitar is perfect. Congratulations, and play it in good health!

[wintermoon]

other than lubricating the tuners I wouldn't touch a thing

[6v6ster]

What a beauty! Congrats and I love that the seller made you promise to play it!
yes, leave the finish spots, just some gentle cleaning and/or other reversible type changes.

wow! Congratulations. Sometimes we need to just endure the wife-glare to get an heirloom like this.

I’m also all for selling stuff to get one super nice magical guitar. Nice going!

[ThatRhythmMan]

Congrats on the 175! May she inspire your playing for many years to come. I would consider getting some new Kluson tuners and storing the old ones for posterity sake. The newer tuners will be more reliable and precise. Joe Pass and Herb Ellis went for better tuners on their 175's because like you and I, they were players, not collectors Finish touch up is something that would have been done in the old days (and if it were mine, I might touch up the neck if the worn finish affected the playability for me), but today, that hurts value to collectors, so I think you need to think about that long and hard . Choose your new frets carefully. I once refretted a vintage 175 and did not like the frets that I chose. It caused me to sell the guitar. Take your time and be deliberate about these things.

Well, I don’t know about Joe Pass, but Herb Ellis didn’t even care if they were bent. They work great by the way.

[itsmyname]

what a beauty from 1954 you got here !

[skykomishone]

Beautiful! Congratulations.
Several years ago, I acquired a '55 es175d, and refretted it with Jescar medium jumbo gold because it needed frets.
The early 50s 175s are killer.
Very inspiring guitar.
Enjoy!

[Heinrich]

Woowwwwww! What a tremendous feedback, what an active family you are!
Thank you fellas for this hearty and friendly feedback, the good wishes, the shared joy, the humour and certainly the good advice! And the DON’T! One feels right at home here…

Much food for thoughts, so I will go about it carefully, maybe even skip the polish part. I grew up in a household with antiques, mom used to trade them also, you can bet that love for old wood and patina is in my genes. Which made guitars with new glossy laquer always impossible to play for me because I never liked the touch and feel of them. I will definitely see a luthier who specialises in electric vintage guitars even if it costs me four hours drive! Maybe a refret is not really needed and my impression is wrong. May also post a few more pics here and challenge the brain trust here.

However I will treat the old lady with respect and a comfy seat will always be reserved for her:

[wintermoon]

Fortunately I'm not hungry because that aged switch tip looks like a Creamsicle.

[Doctor Jeff]

Fortunately I'm not hungry because that aged switch tip looks like a Creamsicle.

I mean, seriously, every part of that guitar is yummy. Anyone who has a serious guitar addiction is drooling over those photos.