'90s Gibson ES-175 SF Bay Area

[ClassyTouch]

Hello everyone! I'm in search of a well maintained 90's Gibson ES 175. I'm looking to try before I buy so if your in the SF Bay Area that'd be perfect!

Thanks for checking out my post!

[Mick-7]

Hello everyone! I'm in search of a well maintained 90's Gibson ES 175. I'm looking to try before I buy so if your in the SF Bay Area that'd be perfect!

Thanks for checking out my post!

I noticed that Guitar Center has a 1984 ES-175 for sale in their San Jose store.

Vintage 1984 Gibson ES175 2 Tone Sunburst Hollow Body Electric Guitar 2 Tone Sunburst | Guitar Center

[GuitarJay]

Not exactly, but in the ballpark: there's an ES-165 for sale on craigslist, located in San Francisco:

Gibson ES-165 (ES-175 with the one pickup you actually use) - FS/FT - musical instruments - by owner - sale - craigslist

[Mick-7]

Not exactly, but in the ballpark: there's an ES-165 for sale on craigslist, located in San Francisco:

Gibson ES-165 (ES-175 with the one pickup you actually use) - FS/FT - musical instruments - by owner - sale - craigslist

The seller does not say what year the guitar is, however, the Serial number implies it's a 2004 model (1st digit = 0, 5th digit = 4).

[Stringswinger]

I own a 90's 175 (It is not for sale) and I can say with certainty that a later 165 with the floating pickup is not in the ballpark of a 90's 175 at all.

The OP is smart to be looking for a 90's 175. having owned 175's from the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, 00's and the teens, plus a 59 reissue, I would say the 90's 175's are the best of the bunch.

To the OP: Good luck in your search. You might need to find one from a dealer (where you can return it if you do not like it). The odds of finding one here in the Bay Area are not good.

[Mick-7]

The OP is smart to be looking for a 90's 175. having owned 175's from the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, 00's and the teens, plus a 59 reissue, I would say the 90's 175's are the best of the bunch.

o.k., but that seems arbitrary, all 90's years from 1990-1999, or just certain years? What year is yours?

[Stringswinger]

o.k., but that seems arbitrary, all 90's years from 1990-1999, or just certain years? What year is yours?

Mine is a 97 and forum member Gitpicker has a 96. Both are stellar guitars with the best neck either of us could imagine.

I also have a 96 L-5 WESMO and a 97 Super 400-CES which are both stellar, so I can say from experience that 96 and 97 are great archtop years for Gibson. HTH

[ClassyTouch]

I noticed that Guitar Center has a 1984 ES-175 for sale in their San Jose store.

Vintage 1984 Gibson ES175 2 Tone Sunburst Hollow Body Electric Guitar 2 Tone Sunburst | Guitar Center

I've been so busy! I'm just now seeing this, looks like it's been sold. Thank you for the link!

[ClassyTouch]

Not exactly, but in the ballpark: there's an ES-165 for sale on craigslist, located in San Francisco:

Gibson ES-165 (ES-175 with the one pickup you actually use) - FS/FT - musical instruments - by owner - sale - craigslist

I've been seeing this one for a while now. It's not quite what I'm looking for. I'm not a fan of the single volume with no tone control. I appreciate you sending me the link. Thank you!

[ClassyTouch]

I own a 90's 175 (It is not for sale) and I can say with certainty that a later 165 with the floating pickup is not in the ballpark of a 90's 175 at all.

The OP is smart to be looking for a 90's 175. having owned 175's from the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, 00's and the teens, plus a 59 reissue, I would say the 90's 175's are the best of the bunch.

To the OP: Good luck in your search. You might need to find one from a dealer (where you can return it if you do not like it). The odds of finding one here in the Bay Area are not good.

I had a chance to try one out and it had a certain element of magic to it that has stuck with me since. A 1997 to be exact. It inspired me to try and acquire one though I don't know if I'll find one with similar mojo. You're very right about there being slim pickings out here. There's just not a bunch floating around as there are solid bodies. The guitar show is coming to town this weekend! I'm going to see what I can scope out there. A friend of mines told me not a lot of archtops show up there but it's worth the gander.

[Gitpicker]

Mine is a 97 and forum member Gitpicker has a 96. Both are stellar guitars with the best neck either of us could imagine.

I also have a 96 L-5 WESMO and a 97 Super 400-CES which are both stellar, so I can say from experience that 96 and 97 are great archtop years for Gibson. HTH

I have a figured blonde 96 ES-175 and as Stringswinger stated, the neck is fantastic! Slim profile and I have said many times I wish all my guitars had that neck. I tried out several later models before finding my 96 at Gryphon three or four years ago. The necks (and neck heels) were all quite big to me on the later builds. I understand the specs for the 175 vary wildly throughout the years. Seems like 96 and 97 were damn good years though! Recommended! Good luck!

[srg]

late 80s over here in union city Log into Facebook

[ClassyTouch]

late 80s over here in union city Log into Facebook

I ended up snagging one from the local jazz school! A 1997 ES-175!!! As soon as I plugged and played it I knew it was the one! It plays and sounds like Christmas!!! It wasn't kept in tip top shape but it cleaned up nicely and is a keeper! @Stringswinger was right 1997 was a special year!

[Stringswinger]

I ended up snagging one from the local jazz school! A 1997 ES-175!!! As soon as I plugged and played it I knew it was the one! It plays and sounds like Christmas!!! It wasn't kept in tip top shape but it cleaned up nicely and is a keeper! @Stringswinger was right 1997 was a special year!

Congrats and may she inspire your playing for many years to come!

[guildx500]

What local jazz school?

[ClassyTouch]

What local jazz school?

Berkeley Jazz School. They had it and wanted to sell it. I gave it a test drive and made out like a bandit with it haha

[ClassyTouch]

Congrats and may she inspire your playing for many years to come!

Thank you! I'm excited to open the case up and play everyday!

[2bornot2bop]

Congrats and may she inspire your playing for many years to come!

Funny, I acquired a mint 1997 blonde just like that for a ridiculous price on eBay.

Congrats to new owner!

[ClassyTouch]

Funny, I acquired a mint 1997 blonde just like that for a ridiculous price on eBay.

Congrats to new owner!

Now that I know their magic I’m always on the hunt for one! At the right price I belive they’re worth buying and holding onto.
This is also my first Gibson guitar and it took for me to own one to understand why they’re so special!

[ClassyTouch]

I have a figured blonde 96 ES-175 and as Stringswinger stated, the neck is fantastic! Slim profile and I have said many times I wish all my guitars had that neck. I tried out several later models before finding my 96 at Gryphon three or four years ago. The necks (and neck heels) were all quite big to me on the later builds. I understand the specs for the 175 vary wildly throughout the years. Seems like 96 and 97 were damn good years though! Recommended! Good luck!

Best neck / fretboard feel I’ve played! I have a GB10 MIJ that has a fantastic neck! So smooth! But ever since I got the ES 175 the GB10 hasn’t had much play.