Gibson ES-175 Impression

**Spook410** · 07-19-2023, 06:46 PM

Not a review. There are plenty of those. Just a few comments.

I bought my first Gibson ES 175 recently. A nice 2004 model. Once owned by Citizenk74. It was like checking a Gibson box. Les Paul (check) ES335 (check) L5 (check). In truth, I figured it would take a back seat to my 1989 L5 and 95 L5 Studio when it came to electric jazz guitar duty. Surprisingly, that hasn't been how it turned out. I'm not sure what it is about how these guitars are made and the fatter neck on the 2004 model certainly has a lot to do with it, but the 175 is the one I reach for most of the time. Odd for a chunk of plywood to sound this good. Seems to be in some sweet spot. Fuller than the 335. Sweeter than an L5 (though apples and oranges.. doesn't replace an L5). Not dull like inexpensive archtops can be. Just sits in the middle somehow. Occupying that spot in the electric realm where it just sounds right with .012 flats. The shorter scale and smaller body are comfortable but I'm OK with larger guitars and longer scales. And it certainly doesn't supplant the need for a good acoustic archtop which is a different sort of duck. So yea.. I may even buy another one. Maybe a reissue if a deal arises. Wasn't expecting that..

**deacon Mark** · 07-19-2023, 07:36 PM

Joe Pass played one most of his life and on all the good stuff..............what else can be said?

**Chris236** · 07-19-2023, 08:28 PM

Not odd at all. Plywood is superior to solid wood more often than not by my ears and the 175 isn’t the quintessential ‘jazz’ guitar for no reason.

**Stringswinger** · 07-20-2023, 12:22 AM

I have written it many times on this forum and I will now write it again: "A good Gibson ES-175 is all a jazz guitarist needs". But that doesn't stop us from getting other guitars and nor should it.

Congrats Spook on checking a most important guitar box!

**VesaW** · 07-20-2023, 12:38 AM

I got mine 3 months ago and love it. It replaced my Ibanez AF200. Couldn't be happier with my 175. It is Memphis Es-175 Reissue Antique Natural from 2016.

SKU: ES75ANNH1 Finish: Antique Natural

**Hammertone** · 07-20-2023, 12:44 AM

Originally Posted by Spook410

Not a review. There are plenty of those. Just a few comments.
I bought my first Gibson ES 175 recently. A nice 2004 model. Once owned by Citizenk74. ... I'm not sure what it is about how these guitars are made and the fatter neck on the 2004 model certainly has a lot to do with it, but the 175 is the one I reach for most of the time. Odd for a chunk of plywood to sound this good. ...

Hooray for citizenk74! Hooray for Spook410!

**redwater** · 07-20-2023, 05:57 AM

I came nearly to the same conclusion as Spook. I played several laminated and solid carved archtop guitars over the years but the 175 was not even on my "list".
As soon as I played one, I immediately understood why so many Jazzguitar players stuck with it. After I got one it was the one I played more than any other guitar, without missing something.
The only (electric) archtop that rivals it (in my opinion) since a year is the LGB300 because of the 1.75 nut width and feedback resistance, though the 90s 175s are very resistant to feedback.
The ES175 and the ES165 are the ones I will keep till I can´t play anymore...

**Bluedawg** · 07-20-2023, 07:10 PM

I picked up my 1985 ES-175D new sometime around Christmas '85.

I've always considered it to be one of my favorites and its even a factory "second."

Since then, I've built up a nice collection of high-end Gibson archtops, including a Citation. As well as a nice Heritage and a Campellone.

The 175 is as good as any of them ... except for maybe the Citation.

Looking back I wish I had just stuck with the 175 and put the rest of my guitar money into a good money market account or some other kind of savings' account.

**Stringswinger** · 07-21-2023, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by Bluedawg

I picked up my 1985 ES-175D new sometime around Christmas '85.

I've always considered it to be one of my favorites and its even a factory "second."

Since then, I've built up a nice collection of high-end Gibson archtops, including a Citation. As well as a nice Heritage and a Campellone.

The 175 is as good as any of them ... except for maybe the Citation.

Looking back I wish I had just stuck with the 175 and put the rest of my guitar money into a good money market account or some other kind of savings' account.

BlueDawg,

You would not have enjoyed those other "investments" nearly as much as the guitars.

**Archie** · 07-21-2023, 02:54 PM

It's the body depth.

It's deep enough to give a really pleasing acoustic tone but that can also be its drawback. Compromising on that would kill the sound and its ultimate appeal imo. People often think of them as the perfect gigging guitar but they are quite prone to feed back.

Probably why Joe played his on 'treble' mode?

**jeremiahzellers** · 07-21-2023, 03:04 PM

“Plywood is superior to solid wood”

Oh man, would that comment spark some interesting debate (that I’m genuinely curious to sit and watch).

I’ve played solid bodies my whole life so I’m out of my element here regarding archtop wood types, but is there a consensus around solid wood vs plywood?

**skiboyny** · 07-21-2023, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by jeremiahzellers

“Plywood is superior to solid wood”

Oh man, would that comment spark some interesting debate (that I’m genuinely curious to sit and watch).

I’ve played solid bodies my whole life so I’m out of my element here regarding archtop wood types, but is there a consensus around solid wood vs plywood?

Gibson 175 was my first Jazz guitar and I really didn't think it sounded too great. For years after that (probably 35 or so) it was only carved guitars. (and some of the best at that) I did think they sounded much better. I ended up buying a 175 VOS during the CME blowout. That guitar changed everything for me. The sound, size, and scale was just so much better to me than the carved tops. Since then I have acquired a few different plywood guitars. For me at least at this point in my journey I prefer the plywood sound. It's more balanced with more mids and a little dryer with great sustain. The right plywood guitars can be just as alive as a carved instrument. I have a Johnny Smith and Legrand left of the carved tops and they get very limited play time. Go figure!

**Bluedawg** · 07-21-2023, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

BlueDawg,

You would not have enjoyed those other "investments" nearly as much as the guitars.

True

On the other hand, that money with a few years of compounding interest may have gotten me an original D'Angelico or a 50s L5 with PAFs.

**jads57** · 07-23-2023, 06:59 PM

So different era 175,335,etc. use different plywood sandwich laminate construction. The Henry J Era used the heaviest of all of them. Not a bad thing just much less prone to feedback,at least from my experience.

The only drawback is they can weigh in the 8 to 9 lbs range. The original ones as well as the Historic are quite a bit thinner plates and weigh a pound or so less.
I owned a ES-775 that was a fancy varient model,liked it quite a bit.
But went to a smaller Benedetto Bambino that I found better suited me.

**deacon Mark** · 07-23-2023, 07:57 PM

i think the 175's with mahogany neck sound the best. Funny because I am a maple wood snob. I think that maple far exceeds any guitar wood in certain aspects of the the construction. It is a holdover training of Jimmy Daquisto and his thought of Spruce, Maple, and Ebony in a guitar period. So we cannot argue with Jimmy. However from a purely electric standpoint of the fabled Gibson 175 the mahogany necks sound better and more of a woody "thunk."

**73Fender** · 07-24-2023, 10:57 AM

I was lucky enough to get my first ES 175 during the CME blow out sale around 2016. I ordered a Memphis Figured with Nashville bridge and the larger frets. There was an issue with the nut being cut badly (it was towards the end of the sale, maybe there were not many left not sure). I contacted them and they only had the 59 VOS ES 175 available for a few hundred more and I grabbed one of them. It is a great guitar and was for sure a good deal considering today's pricing and unavailability new.

I do remember I liked the general vibe with the larger frets and metal bridge of the first one. Not saying one is better than the other and without an A to B comparison I'm not sure. There are after market bridges available (Faber had an aged ABR bridge that would fit last time I looked). Maybe one day when time allows I'll try one. I am not in love with the vintage frets but I do love the guitar in general.

**Herbie** · 07-24-2023, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by 73Fender

I was lucky enough to get my first ES 175 during the CME blow out sale around 2016. I ordered a Memphis Figured with Nashville bridge and the larger frets. There was an issue with the nut being cut badly (it was towards the end of the sale, maybe there were not many left not sure). I contacted them and they only had the 59 VOS ES 175 available for a few hundred more and I grabbed one of them. It is a great guitar and was for sure a good deal considering today's pricing and unavailability new.

I do remember I liked the general vibe with the larger frets and metal bridge of the first one. Not saying one is better than the other and without an A to B comparison I'm not sure. There are after market bridges available (Faber had an aged ABR bridge that would fit last time I looked). Maybe one day when time allows I'll try one. I am not in love with the vintage frets but I do love the guitar in general.

Lucky You!

I noticed some time ago that I hate narrow vintage high frets. Some people love them but not my fingers!

Refretting is a bit pricey. But leveling the high frets to low is only half of that! Had it done for my Les Paul R1954 and I am a happy guy now!

I strongly encourage You to test ebony bridge in it too. More jazz achieved cheaply!

**Rickco** · 07-24-2023, 12:24 PM

So I got up this morning, kissed my wife good morning and grabbed my coffe and a guitar. As I sat strumming and looking out the window my wife remarked "thats your best guitar" (the other 4 are high end carved archtops) after pointing out it was my 50yr old 175 (she bought me for my birthday in '76) and not one of my "good ones" she responded "it has the most balanced sound and sounds like a jazz guitar" Since I retired my regular gig now is playing for my supper so as my audience of one she must be right...(my golden eagle is sulking)

**TedBPhx** · 07-25-2023, 10:10 AM

I also got lucky with that CME deal. Mine is a Memphis 175DN. No issues. Well, there is apparently a brace missing but it’s the one that goes under the pinned bridge so I don’t care. My first archtop was a GB10se. Traded it in for a ToneMaster Twin. Mostly play acoustics since Covid but when I want to get louder and move some air I grab the 175.

**yebdox** · 07-25-2023, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by skiboyny

Gibson 175 was my first Jazz guitar and I really didn't think it sounded too great. For years after that (probably 35 or so) it was only carved guitars. (and some of the best at that) I did think they sounded much better. I ended up buying a 175 VOS during the CME blowout. That guitar changed everything for me. The sound, size, and scale was just so much better to me than the carved tops. Since then I have acquired a few different plywood guitars. For me at least at this point in my journey I prefer the plywood sound. It's more balanced with more mids and a little dryer with great sustain. The right plywood guitars can be just as alive as a carved instrument. I have a Johnny Smith and Legrand left of the carved tops and they get very limited play time. Go figure!

My experience exactly. Still love my L5 Wesmo, but playing time is 90% split between my Sadowsky JH and 175 RI. I have struggled with the Sadowsky over the past 10 years... more precise, better build quality, rock solid tuning stability, but missing something. I had hoped it would take the place of a good 175 (which I did not have at the time.) Even swapped the pickup out a couple of times. Great guitar, but still not a 175. Then picked up the 59 RI. Magic.

Acoustically, the difference is night and day, which I didn't notice until a couple of weeks ago (amps are always a necessary part of the tone chain in my world). The depth difference makes a huge difference in the tone - more lower mids and bottom end in the 175. The Sadowsky is less feedback prone and sits better in the mix, with the accentuated mids, but that 175.... what a magical tone brew. Defies logic. Not "better" than a carved top, any more than pizza is better than lasagna. They are not the equivalent.

Kind of like the happy accident that turned a slab of wood into a Broadcaster and changed guitar history. Simple ingredients, probably unplanned, but ... the rest is history. But, we've been through all this before. Not worthy of discussion with those who have never played one.