Gibson L-4 vs ES-175

[Toddep]

Congratulations to you!! My 2001 L4 is the same color. A great axe!

[ptchristopher3]

Wonderful guitar design - the L4 CES. Love the sounds Joe DiOrio got from the L4 CES (despite his cosmic fart grunt sounds in the background).

Stupid question from me:

Is the somewhat recent gold sticker on the pickguard sort of a permanent feature?

I notice it on some used guitars for sale.

Seems like a thing that one would remove, although surely it does no harm.

[Bob P.]

This has really been a very interesting read. Can anyone voice an opinion as to where a 775 would fall in comparison to the L4 and the 175? They were only made for 4 or 5 years in the early 90's i think. What would they be worth today? Do they sound like an L4, or more like the 175? Or something completely different?

Thanks,
Bob P.

[Jabberwocky]

The sticker clings by static electricity. Owners save them for resale value enhancement. One of those things like hangtags.

The ES-775 has a value of $2500 to $2600. It is quite heavy, ~8 pounds, and embodies the attributes of the mid to late 60s L5ces with a short scale and laminated maple top. Or a thick bodied Joe Pass ES-175 with an extra bridge pickup. Or an L4ces with a laminated maple top and neck.

In other words, much its own thing. Search the forum for reviews.

[Epistrophy]

Both sound great. In their own right. I would definitely put wooden bridge to both of them. With the 165 I have, it seems to be more responsive with rounds instead of flats, not sure how l4 would respond. I like both. With too low action anything can sound bad and with higher action everything can sound good again.

[AceChase]

I have both and find the ES175 to sound a bit more woody. The L4ces feels heavier to me. Both are same size.
I also have two acoustic L4s. The natural is 1952 and the tea burst is 1968.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

I have both and find the ES175 to sound a bit more woody. The L4ces feels heavier to me.

It is, which surprised me the first time I played a 4 after having gigged with a 175 for years. Most ‘60s-up 175s weigh about 6 1/4 pounds. An L4CES is about 7 or a bit above.

[GuyBoden]

I have an acoustic 1949 Gibson L4C, but with a Lollar McCarty type pickguard, it's much lighter in weight than any Gibson 175 I've ever played. My friend has a 1960's Gibson 175 and I've played a newish 175, both were much heavier than my L4C.

I'm very happy that my Gibson L4C is a very light guitar.

[tomassplatch]

My 2012 ES 175 doesn't seem to sound woodier than the 2010 L4, here is a quick comparison:

ES 175
L4

The difference is more pronounced in real life, I like my ES 175, but playing it right after the L4, the ES 175 it feels very plinky and electric sounding in comparison.

I will check the weight of the two...