Gibson ES-175
Encyclopedia
The Gibson ES-175 is an electric guitar
manufactured by the Gibson Guitar Corporation
, currently still in production. It is a 24 3/4" scale full hollow body guitar with a trapeze tailpiece and Tune-O-Matic
bridge. It is one of the most famous jazz guitar
s in history.
's mid-level laminate top alternative to the L-5 and as an electric version of the L-4
. It was also the first Gibson electric to feature a stylish Florentine cutaway. Its first incarnation had one single-coil pickup (a P-90
) in the neck position, and a carved rosewood bridge. In 1953, the ES-175D, a two-pickup model, was introduced. The ES-175 or ES-175D could be ordered in either sunburst finish or in natural finish (for an additional charge).
Beginning in February 1957, ES-175s came equipped with humbucker
s. Many new jazz guitarists used these to emulate the sound of Joe Pass
, Wes Montgomery
's "heart" L5, such as Pat Metheny
. The ES-175 with humbucker
s is prized for its full, rich tone
. Some guitarists will try to mimic the rich resonant sound of this rather large hollow body instrument by turning the tone knob all the way down on smaller, or solid body, guitars.
In 1976 Gibson introduced the ES175T, a thin-body variant on the ES175 (much like an ES-125TCD with more fancy appointments). It was made for only three years, and available in sunburst, blonde (more expensive) and wine red. The model proved fairly unpopular and was discontinued in 1979.
This model guitar is not only used by jazz guitarists. Scotty Moore
, the guitarist for Elvis Presley
, played an ES-295, essentially a dual P-90-equipped, all gold ES-175. Such rock legends as Steve Howe
have taken up the ES-175 due to its high level of craftsmanship and playability. Gibson released the Herb Ellis ES-165
as a signature reissue of his original 1957 ES-175. Billie Joe Armstrong
of Green Day
is also spotted playing one in the bands Redundant
Video
The denomination 175 came from the original price tag of the first ES, which was $175.00.
The Epiphone
company also produces an ES-175 model, available only in golden and black colours. The Epiphone model has an arched back as well. It is also equipped with two AlNiCo wax-dipped humbuckers. It also briefly produced an ES-295, with all the original trimmings, plus a B-7 bigsby vibrato tailpiece. This last model is now discontinued.
The Gibson ES-175 features a volume and tone knob for each pickup and classic Kluson tuning heads.
The Epiphone ES-175 features a volume and tone knob for each pickup and Grover
tuning heads.
played the same Gibson ES-175 throughout most of his career.
Izzy Stradlin
is portrayed in some gigs and videos of Guns N' Roses
playing a white Gibson ES-175.
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
manufactured by the Gibson Guitar Corporation
Gibson Guitar Corporation
The Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
, currently still in production. It is a 24 3/4" scale full hollow body guitar with a trapeze tailpiece and Tune-O-Matic
Tune-o-matic
Tune-o-matic is a name of fixed bridge design for electric guitars. It was designed by Ted McCarty and introduced in the Gibson Les Paul Custom guitar in 1954. In 1955, it was used on the Gibson Les Paul Gold Top...
bridge. It is one of the most famous jazz guitar
Jazz guitar
The term jazz guitar may refer to either a type of guitar or to the variety of guitar playing styles used in the various genres which are commonly termed "jazz"...
s in history.
Features
The ES-175 debuted in 1949, as GibsonGibson Guitar Corporation
The Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
's mid-level laminate top alternative to the L-5 and as an electric version of the L-4
Gibson L-4
Gibson L-4 refers to several archtop guitars produced by the Gibson Guitar Corporation.The L-4 was first introduced in 1911 as an acoustic rhythm guitar with an oval sound hole; it was used by Eddie Lang, who also played an L-5....
. It was also the first Gibson electric to feature a stylish Florentine cutaway. Its first incarnation had one single-coil pickup (a P-90
P-90
The P-90 is a single coil electric guitar pickup produced by Gibson since 1946. Having a more complex architecture and larger dimensions than Fender's single coils, it is occasionally mistaken for a humbucker.- History :...
) in the neck position, and a carved rosewood bridge. In 1953, the ES-175D, a two-pickup model, was introduced. The ES-175 or ES-175D could be ordered in either sunburst finish or in natural finish (for an additional charge).
Beginning in February 1957, ES-175s came equipped with humbucker
Humbucker
A humbucker is a type of electric guitar pickup, first patented by Seth Lover and the Gibson company, that uses two coils, both generating string signal. Humbuckers have higher output than a single coil pickup since both coils are connected in series...
s. Many new jazz guitarists used these to emulate the sound of Joe Pass
Joe Pass
Joe Pass was an Italian-American jazz guitarist of Sicilian descent. He is generally considered to be one of the greatest jazz guitarists of the 20th century...
, Wes Montgomery
Wes Montgomery
John Leslie "Wes" Montgomery was an American jazz guitarist. He is widely considered one of the major jazz guitarists, emerging after such seminal figures as Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian and influencing countless others, including Pat Martino, George Benson, Russell Malone, Emily...
's "heart" L5, such as Pat Metheny
Pat Metheny
Patrick Bruce "Pat" Metheny is an American jazz guitarist and composer.One of the most successful and critically acclaimed jazz musicians to come to prominence in the 1970s and '80s, he is the leader of the Pat Metheny Group and is also involved in duets, solo works and other side projects...
. The ES-175 with humbucker
Humbucker
A humbucker is a type of electric guitar pickup, first patented by Seth Lover and the Gibson company, that uses two coils, both generating string signal. Humbuckers have higher output than a single coil pickup since both coils are connected in series...
s is prized for its full, rich tone
Timbre
In music, timbre is the quality of a musical note or sound or tone that distinguishes different types of sound production, such as voices and musical instruments, such as string instruments, wind instruments, and percussion instruments. The physical characteristics of sound that determine the...
. Some guitarists will try to mimic the rich resonant sound of this rather large hollow body instrument by turning the tone knob all the way down on smaller, or solid body, guitars.
In 1976 Gibson introduced the ES175T, a thin-body variant on the ES175 (much like an ES-125TCD with more fancy appointments). It was made for only three years, and available in sunburst, blonde (more expensive) and wine red. The model proved fairly unpopular and was discontinued in 1979.
This model guitar is not only used by jazz guitarists. Scotty Moore
Scotty Moore
Winfield Scott "Scotty" Moore III is an American guitarist. He is best known for his backing of Elvis Presley in the first part of his career, between 1954 and the beginning of Elvis' Hollywood years...
, the guitarist for Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
, played an ES-295, essentially a dual P-90-equipped, all gold ES-175. Such rock legends as Steve Howe
Steve Howe (guitarist)
Stephen James "Steve" Howe is an English guitarist, known for his work with the progressive rock group Yes...
have taken up the ES-175 due to its high level of craftsmanship and playability. Gibson released the Herb Ellis ES-165
Gibson ES-165
The Gibson ES-165 Herb Ellis is an Archtop guitar manufactured by the Gibson Guitar Corporation in Nashville Tennessee, currently still in production .The single-pickup ES-175s were first introduced in 1949 but were discontinued around 1971 although small custom runs including...
as a signature reissue of his original 1957 ES-175. Billie Joe Armstrong
Billie Joe Armstrong
Billie Joe Armstrong is an American rock musician and occasional actor, best known as the lead vocalist, main songwriter and lead guitarist for the American punk rock band Green Day...
of Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
is also spotted playing one in the bands Redundant
Redundant (song)
7-inchVinyl Box Set-Chart positions:*A *B -Music video:...
Video
The denomination 175 came from the original price tag of the first ES, which was $175.00.
The Epiphone
Epiphone
The Epiphone Company is a musical instrument manufacturer founded in 1873 by Anastasios Stathopoulos. Epiphone was bought by Chicago Musical Instrument Company, which also owned Gibson Guitar Corporation, in 1957. Epiphone was Gibson's main rival in the archtop market...
company also produces an ES-175 model, available only in golden and black colours. The Epiphone model has an arched back as well. It is also equipped with two AlNiCo wax-dipped humbuckers. It also briefly produced an ES-295, with all the original trimmings, plus a B-7 bigsby vibrato tailpiece. This last model is now discontinued.
The Gibson ES-175 features a volume and tone knob for each pickup and classic Kluson tuning heads.
The Epiphone ES-175 features a volume and tone knob for each pickup and Grover
Grover
Grover is a Muppet character on the popular television show Sesame Street. Self-described as lovable, cute and furry, he is a monster who almost never uses contractions when speaking or singing....
tuning heads.
Notable ES-175 users
The jazz player Joe PassJoe Pass
Joe Pass was an Italian-American jazz guitarist of Sicilian descent. He is generally considered to be one of the greatest jazz guitarists of the 20th century...
played the same Gibson ES-175 throughout most of his career.
Izzy Stradlin
Izzy Stradlin
Jeffrey Dean Isbell , known by his stage name Izzy Stradlin, is an American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the co-founder and former rhythm guitarist of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, which he left at the height of its fame in 1991. Following his departure, he led his own band Izzy...
is portrayed in some gigs and videos of Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
playing a white Gibson ES-175.
External links
- Gibson ES-175. gibson.com. Retrieved May 8, 2009.