

In 2012, Gibson released a pair of 1959 ES-175 reissues, a single-pickup and a dual-pickup model. In 2002, Gibson released a Steve Howe signature model, based on Howe's 1964 ES-175. The model proved fairly unpopular and was discontinued in 1979. It was made for only three years, and available in sunburst, natural (more expensive) and wine red. In 1976 Gibson introduced the ES-175T, a thin-body variant on the ES-175 (much like an ES-125TCD with more fancy appointments). In 1976, the three-piece maple neck replaced the one-piece mahogany neck, a volute was added, and the wooden bridge was replaced by a Nashville bridge.īy the mid-1970s, Gibson had discontinued the single-pickup model. The ES-175 was largely spared these changes until the mid-1970s. In 1969, shortly before Norlin acquired Gibson from CMI (Chicago Musical Instruments), Gibson began to implement changes across the line, including changing the headstock pitch from 17 degrees to 14, phasing in three-piece maple necks in lieu of one piece mahogany, and the addition of a volute to the neck.

The ES-175 with humbuckers is prized for its full, rich tone. Many new jazz guitarists such as Pat Metheny used these to emulate the sound of Joe Pass and Wes Montgomery's "heart" L5. The ES-175 or ES-175D could be ordered in either sunburst finish or in natural finish (for an additional charge).īeginning in February 1957, ES-175s came equipped with humbuckers.

In 1953, the ES-175D, a two-pickup model, was introduced (previous to this a two-pickup model could be custom ordered, and came with a volume knob for each pickup and a master tone located on the lower bout). The model's name is derived from its original price of $175. Its first incarnation had one single-coil pickup (a P-90) in the neck position, and a carved rosewood bridge. It was also the first Gibson electric to feature a stylish Florentine cutaway. The ES-175 debuted in 1949, as Gibson's mid-level laminate top alternative to the L-5 and as an electric version of the L-4. The ES-175 was designed to be a cheaper alternative to Gibson's high-end archtop models Hardware is usually chrome or nickel, with limited runs of gold-plate. The guitar has the standard Gibson scale length of 24.75" and normally has a sunburst and natural finish, though Gibson has produced limited runs in black, white, and wine red. The ES-175 has a rosewood fingerboard with parallelogram inlays, a 3" deep body, a floating bridge, one or two humbuckers (current models are equipped with Gibson's 57 Classic pickups, replicas of the PAF pickups from the late 1950s), 20 frets (earlier models had 19 frets) and independent volume and tone controls for each pickup. Unlike Gibson's L5 and Super 400 guitars, the ES-175 typically has an all-laminate construction, which allows the cost of materials and construction to be kept down, as well as assisting in keeping feedback at higher volumes manageable. The ES-175 is a single- or dual-pickup archtop electric guitar made by Gibson.
