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Hello,
I came across this guitar for a good price, but I have a small doubt that prevents me from pulling the trigger. Could you please help me identify this gorgeous blonde?
Norlin is known to have produced the ES 175 with mahogany back and sides in Kalamazoo for some years (1981-1990 as read on this forum). If we go by the S/N 91990326 this specimen is indeed from 1990 (first and fifth number), but I see something strange:
During Norlin's later years, they kept Kalamazoo for the production of 335/175 and few high-end arch tops. AFAIK, these guitars are distinguished by 0 on the sixth place of the S/N, since the solid bodies were already coming out of Nashville with a 5. When Kalamazoo closed definitively, that same 0 was used for the new Gibson acoustics in Bozeman Montana. But this guitar has number 3 at the sixth place, something that makes me wonder where this beautiful 175 was made. Or to what type of construction or batch does it belong to make it special?
I have seen some number 3 in that same place of the S/N but it corresponds to another very different product like some Epiphone made in the USA in the early 90's.
I would be very thankful to anyone who could have any more information about this guitar...
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08-29-2022 02:53 PM
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What's it sound like? Have you played it? If so, how did it play?
It looks great. Excellent really. If you get it for a great price and it looks, plays, and sounds great, then if it were me, I'd buy it, if I knew the neck was straight, the top was was not sunken, the bracing was tight, it was not stolen, etc..
Trying to decipher Gibson SN# sometimes is difficult.
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Gorgeous guitar!
The serial numbers are sometimes cryptic.
Are the pickups original Shaw pickups?
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Beautiful '90 ES-175 you have there. It is very similar to my '89 pictured in my avatar. (s/n 80909566)
Decoding Gibson serial numbers can be confusing since there are anomalies here and there.
How To Verify Authentic Gibson Serial Numbers
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Originally Posted by tomassplatch
I think you have the Gibson code almost right. Here's what GuitarHQ.com says:
Using that system, your instrument reads as: Originally Posted by GuitarHQ
9 -- Decade = 1990s
199 -- 199th day of the year
0 -- Year is 1990, so 199 = July 18, 1990
326 -- Production number for that day.
It's not a flat-top so it's not from Bozeman.
First number is not 500 or above, so
EDIT AS PER POSTS BELOW it's from Nashville.
Hope this helps.Last edited by Sam Sherry; 08-29-2022 at 09:17 PM.
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Does not appear to be a fake or converted Ephiphone if what is what you are asking. Looks all original except maybe the locking strap lug.
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This guitar looks just like my 1985 175.
The Parson Street Kalamazoo plant closed in 1984 ... and became the home of Heritage guitars. The sticker in my 1985 175 still has Kalamazoo listed as one of the Gibson plants, though.
Memphis plant did not stand up until 2000. Memphis was all solid bodies at first, but later transitioned to the laminated Gibson USA hollow bodies at some point.
The current "Custom Shop" was officially stood up in 1993 and had its own building when I was lucky enough to tour it in 1994. Of course, Gibson had been doing "custom" work for many decades before 1993.
The Bozeman, Montana shop opened in 1989. They do only acoustics, mainly flattops, but some limited archtops like the occasional L7.
Pretty sure the guitar came from Nashville. Not sure why the serial number suggests it came from Kalamazoo when Gibson left the plant in 1984. It's possible that the guitar was made by what became the custom shop.
Henry J bought the company in 1986 so technically your guitar is not a Norlin guitar.
I love my mahogany backed 1985. It has an honored and well earned place next to my more expensive carved top Gibson archtops.Last edited by Bluedawg; 08-30-2022 at 12:50 PM.
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Thank you all for your detailed replies, I have a much better understanding of it's origin now and am reassured. The guitar is not considered a "Norlin era". Gibson serial numbers can have some anomalies. Gibson left Kalamazoo in 1984 and started the production of laminate hollow bodies in Memphis in late 2000'. So the guitar comes most probably from Nashwille. Here are some more photos:
The seller is asking for 3000€ (Spain), but without the original case. Let's see if it is negotiable, but at the current prices seems quite alright...
On a side note, let me say that this forum is such a nice place and an invaluable help. Thank you all !
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It looks great! The icing on the cake is that the strings are wound perfectly around the pegs, which suggests that whoever has it now is meticulous. I loved my all maple '59/'60 DN, and I suspect that a mahogany one sounds even warmer and richer (I've never played one - I sold mine in '70, bought a new L-5CN, and never looked back). As my screen name says, I nevershouldhavesoldit!
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Looks very legit to me and to be in a good condition. I do not know where you live, but if not in the EU, please be aware there might be import duties and VAT to be paid on top of the total value (ie 3 K sell price + shipping costs). I assume you took that in consideration as well.
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Found this on Gibson's serial number search web page:
How To Verify Authentic Gibson Serial Numbers
"Prior to 1984 when the Kalamazoo, MI factory was closed, the numbers 001-499 indicated Kalamazoo production."
I interpret that to say that after 1984 the numbers 001-499 do not indicate Kalamazoo or somewhere other than Nashville.
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That looks awesome. A mahogany 175 is a wonderful instrument, and a blonde is particularly special. That price seems too good to be true.
I would be all over that like nobody’s business, I mean, that’s not one you should even think twice about. You should already own that, if you get my drift.
I did get an ‘88 vintage burst for less than that, but that was 2 years ago, and blondes not only have more fun but also command higher prices in the vintage market.
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Yes, thanks for the reminder. Luckily I am based in the EU (France, just added to my profile). But still, the seller is in Spain and is reluctant to sell it and ship it, because he says that the tax administration would take him more than 20% from the selling price. So he prefers a payment in cash. But he lives too far from me... :/ Originally Posted by hotpepper01
I had the same experience with a seller from Italy, he told me he had to pay a tax from the selling price. To my knowledge, the income from selling your second hand stuff to individuals is not taxable in France, I wonder if it is different in other countries
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Can’t help with its heritage but that is gorgeous!
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Sounds a bit weird explanations from the seller. I hope You have a friend in Spain to fetch that guitar for You. Originally Posted by tomassplatch
Yes, thanks for the reminder. Luckily I am based in the EU (France, just added to my profile). But still, the seller is in Spain and is reluctant to sell it and ship it, because he says that the tax administration would take him more than 20% from the selling price. So he prefers a payment in cash. But he lives too far from me... :/
I had the same experience with a seller from Italy, he told me he had to pay a tax from the selling price. To my knowledge, the income from selling your second hand stuff to individuals is not taxable in France, I wonder if it is different in other countries
I paid about the same a year ago for a guitar store in Germany. Plus shipping to here in Finland.
I think that the guitar is worth of every penny!
(I changed the original brass bridge to an ebony one, now it sounds even warmer.)
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