The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary
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  1. #1

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    There's a cool looking one on reverb but when I asked the guy some questioned, he answered in in riddles. It was was very hard to get a straight answer and then when I asked him if he would accept an offer on it, he told me it was sold. Yet, hours later it's still there. I'd rather buy from someone I know...

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    The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary
     
  3. #2

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    JZ, are you thinking that a thinline version of a 175 might work for you better than the full size 175's that you have sold recently?

    IIRC, those were Norlin made and will have Patent stamped T-Tops and a volute (not to mention a 14 degree peghead). My experience with the one that I played was that it was brighter than a full depth example. But a sample of one is rarely dispositive when it comes to guitars, especially Gibsons. Good luck!

    Archtop.com has this one:

    1976 Gibson ES-175 T

  4. #3
    Quote Originally Posted by Stringswinger
    JZ, are you thinking that a thinline version of a 175 might work for you better than the full size 175's that you have sold recently?

    IIRC, those were Norlin made and will have Patent stamped T-Tops and a volute (not to mention a 14 degree peghead). My experience with the one that I played was that it was brighter than a full depth example. But a sample of one is rarely dispositive when it comes to guitars, especially Gibsons. Good luck!

    Archtop.com has this one:

    1976 Gibson ES-175 T
    Yes, both the 175 and L4 cause a lot of pain. It seems to be something possibly related to spinal issues because I never had the problem before. And the GB10/PM120 seem ok to play...

  5. #4
    Quote Originally Posted by Stringswinger
    by the way, that one is marked sold.

  6. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by jzucker
    by the way, that one is marked sold.
    It still shows as available on their instrument page at 4500 and on Reverb at 5K

  7. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by Stringswinger
    It still shows as available on their instrument page at 4500 and on Reverb at 5K
    thanks, not sure about buying from him though...

  8. #7

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    Quote Originally Posted by jzucker
    thanks, not sure about buying from him though...
    I understand. Some guys sing his praises, others curse him. Caveot Emptor always applies.

  9. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by Stringswinger
    I understand. Some guys sing his praises, others curse him. Caveot Emptor always applies.
    You ever play a bambino deluxe? Would that a reasonable alternative?

    I'd love to find a borys jazz solid but those seem to be "unobtanium"...

  10. #9

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    Quote Originally Posted by jzucker
    You ever play a bambino deluxe? Would that a reasonable alternative?

    I'd love to find a borys jazz solid but those seem to be "unobtanium"...
    I have played a Bambino and a Bravo and consider them to be very different from a Gibson. With the price of used 175's where they are, the Benny's are pretty competitive. If you like their sound, they could be worth exploring.

    A chambered Lester can get you into the Borys solid world for less money. And while not easy to find, they are far more obtainable than the Borys. A friend has one and it is a remarkable guitar that does jazz damn well.

    I have never found a better guitar for jazz than a 175, and believe me, I have tried. I guess I had to be sure.

  11. #10

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    Have you tried the Eastman AR175 Thin ?

    Light as a father and well built.

  12. #11

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    Hi Jack,

    I have a Gibson 175T I am not interested in selling, but I can give you my opinion of mine if you are interested.
    (You can hear it in most of the videos that I have posted here including on your Giant Steps thread)

    As someone already mentioned; it responds a bit differently than a "normal" 175.
    Of course they didn't build this model in the 60's, which is my point of reference to a great ES175

    Mine is from 1980 (I think) and I have replaced everything except the tailpiece and the pick-guard.

    The pickups were very bad, frets really flat, and as a result the intonation was not very good.

    The resonance is ok, but particularly in the higher register the sustain is quite short.

    The pickups, stainless steel frets, tuners, TOM bridge, nut and electronics that I replaced have made a big improvement, but compared to the Moffa that I previously owned, is not in the same league.

    I would say it is a good instrument but not a great one compared to some full size 175's that I have played.

    Like you, I find the smaller thin-line bodies ergonomically more comfortable to play.

    I play it because I love the Gibson sound and have not yet found the Moffa (or something else in this size) that I have been looking for to replace it.

    The neck is great (but only 20 frets), the balance is good, and the basic sound is good, just not quite as clear and resonant as I would like. (and I actually mostly prefer laminated top guitars). Also, it can be played quite loud without feedback issues.

    Hope that helps!
    Last edited by Question; 10-01-2024 at 01:00 PM.

  13. #12
    Thanks for your thoughts. Most gibson archtops have 20 frets. I actually owned a 175T and found it to be very 175ish but - as you would expect - not quite as full. Kind of reminded me of how my 175 sounded with f-hole plugs.

    Regarding the eastman 175 thinline (from another poster), I have played the AR171/172 which the 175 thinline is based off off and thought they were very nasally sounding. I don't think they capture any part of the 175 vibe.

    Quote Originally Posted by Question
    Hi Jack,

    I have a Gibson 175T I am not interested in selling, but I can give you my opinion of mine if you are interested.
    (You can hear it in most of the videos that I have posted here including on your Giant Steps thread)

    As someone already mentioned; it is quite a bit different to a "normal" 175.

    Mine is from 1980 (I think) and I have replaced everything except the tailpiece and the pick-guard.

    The pickups were very bad, frets really flat, and as a result the intonation was not very good.

    The resonance is ok, but particularly in the higher register the sustain is quite short.

    The pickups, stainless steel frets, tuners, TOM bridge, nut and electronics that I replaced have made a big improvement, but compared to the Moffa that I previously owned, is not in the same league.

    I would say it is a good instrument but not a great one compared to some full size 175's that I have played.

    Like you, I find the smaller thin-line bodies ergonomically more comfortable to play.

    I play it because I love the Gibson sound and have not yet found the Moffa (or something else in this size) that I have been looking for to replace it.

    The neck is great (but only 20 frets), the balance is good, and the basic sound is good, just not quite as clear and resonant as I would like. (and I actually mostly prefer laminated top guitars). Also, it can be played quite loud without feedback issues.

    Hope that helps!

  14. #13

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    Jack Z what about the Eastman 146 that’s listed right above this thread? Although it’s a bit different in wood construction,it’s a carved top I believe?

  15. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by jads57
    Jack Z what about the Eastman 146 that’s listed right above this thread? Although it’s a bit different in wood construction,it’s a carved top I believe?
    not my cup of tea

  16. #15

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    Jack Z you’ve probably owned one already, but doesn’t 77 Deviser or Jazz Hawk? Don’t they make a thin 175 thinner guitar?

  17. #16

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    Quote Originally Posted by jads57
    Jack Z you’ve probably owned one already, but doesn’t 77 Deviser or Jazz Hawk? Don’t they make a thin 175 thinner guitar?
    Yes they did, but I'm not sure they still do, as they now focus on their "Japan Tune Up" series
    Maybe some can be found used

  18. #17
    Quote Originally Posted by 339 in june
    Yes they did, but I'm not sure they still do, as they now focus on their "Japan Tune Up" series
    Maybe some can be found used
    for various reasons that I won't go into publicly, I wouldn't buy one of those.

  19. #18

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    IMO a Byrdland was made for people with bad backs and hurting hands. They totally have that creamy CES tone also.

  20. #19
    i want a plywood maple top and 24.75 or higher scale. Not crazy about the smaller scale of the byrdland.

  21. #20

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    Jack Z have you tried the Eastman Romeo?

  22. #21
    Quote Originally Posted by jads57
    Jack Z have you tried the Eastman Romeo?
    No, i do like the El Rey a lot except for the neck heavy issue and the cheap plastic inlays

  23. #22

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    I believe most if not all 175Ts will have maple necks, as opposed to the traditional mahogany neck of the classic 175.

  24. #23
    Quote Originally Posted by customxke
    I believe most if not all 175Ts will have maple necks, as opposed to the traditional mahogany neck of the classic 175.
    I have no issue with that.

  25. #24

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    Just cut down the rims of an ES-175 and you'll have what you want. Easy - any decent tech can do it for you.

  26. #25

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    Mr Z. The Eastman T146 may not be your cup of tea but I would venture to say that with your chops you would make that thing a whole pot of tea for all to enjoy. Good luck with your search.