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1956 Gibson ES-175

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Serial #: A-22895 orange oval label. FON#: V4414-13. Body size at lower bout: 16". Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut Width: 1 11/16". Neck depth, 1st,10th frets: .88/.99

Materials: Arched slab cut maple laminate body; solid mahogany neck with Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, dual-parallelogram pearloid fingerboard inlay and thistle peghead inlay; triple bound top, bound back.

Hardware: 100% original hardware includes Gibson P-90 single coil pickup and electronics, beveled 5-ply pickguard, compensated Brazilian rosewood bridge, nickel Kluson Deluxe tuners, nickel trapeze tailpiece with raised-parallelogram crossbar; gold bell tone and volume knobs.

Notes: One pickup. Two knobs. The rest is up to you.

Introduced in 1949, the Gibson ES-175 quickly became the most popular jazz guitar ever made. Fast, clean and road-ready, the 175 has been the workhorse of the touring player and studio ace ever since, from Joe Pass to Pat Metheny. The legendary P-90 pickup of the early 50's provides a brilliant, detailed tone unduplicated before or since, but was available on this model only until mid-1957. In fact, Gibson ceased production of the single pickup version in 1971, and as of 2019 has (shockingly) discontinued the venerable ES-175 altogether.

This gleaming guitar is from the last full year for the coveted P-90 pickup, and has been maintained in stunning condition, without cracks, pick, buckle, or fingerboard wear. All factory hardware and electronics are original, and with a bit of light normal age checking, we know that the lovely Cremona sunburst finish is all original as well. (Interestingly, of the Kluson Deluxe tuners factory fitted to the peghead, four have 'single line' backs, and two are 'no-line' machines, as the manufacturer changed the design in this model year.)

The instrument is elegance itself, with a lustrous true lacquer finish, gold bell knobs, and rich Brazilian fingerboard and bridge. A wonderfully lightweight example, this guitar tips the scale at a mere 5 lb 14 oz, and balances nimbly on the lap or the strap. The resonant 16" body sits easily under the arm, and the 24 3/4" scale is a joy to play, with fine original frets and smooth low action over a fresh high precision setup.

The original P-90 pickup is clear and vibrsnt, with characteristic detail and presence, and the voice is particularly well balanced and resonant. And all ensconced in its original deluxe brown Gibson arched hardshell case. An exceptionally handsome example of the box that launched a thousand solos. One only: call now.

Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, recrowned and polished; trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; string slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut as necessary; bridge foot contour inspected and fit to top as necessary; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.

This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel wound strings .The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" at the 12th fret, with light relief. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.