Gibson ES-175D Special Bigsby Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1966)
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Item # 9998
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Gibson ES-175D Special Bigsby Model Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1966), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black tolex hard shell case.
This is a superb and apparently not much played 1966 ES-175D, Gibson's perennial "working man's" electric archtop. While usually pigeon-holed as a Jazz player's instrument, this one is a bit more of a rocker as it was originally custom ordered with a Bigsby tailpiece and bridge. This is confirmed by the original hang tag stamped "Special Bigsby" that is still in the case. This is not a hugely uncommon combination, but we have not had one with the originality of the tailpiece so firmly confirmed by the paperwork before!
Offering one of Gibson's best combinations of sound and value, the ES-175 has been consistently popular since its launch in 1949. The double pickup version was launched in the early 1950's and is a somewhat more versatile instrument. While the ES-175D is considered one of the classic electrics of all time surprisingly perhaps only 382 sunburst examples shipped out 1966, and very few would have had a vibrato.
This two-pickup beauty has typical features for the mid/late 1960s. This is the period when Gibson narrowed their necks to a 1 5/8" nut width instead of the traditional 1 11/16", but the neck is not as thin as some. The hardware is chrome plater and the sunburst is lighter than older versions but otherwise the model is little changed from the late 1950's. With a two Patent-number humbucking pickup and early '60's style metal-capped gold knobs this 175 has the classic period sound and that twang bar to boot.
While to many players an ES-175 instantly murmurs "jazz" when plugged in, the double pickup D model is actually a fairly versatile guitar suitable for a wide range of styles. Many jazz greats including Herb Ellis, Jim Hall, Kenney Burrell, Pat Metheny and more have made it a mainstay but sophisticated rock players including Steve Howe of Yes and Richard Thompson (in the earliest Fairport Convention days) have made good use of it as well.
Overall length is 40 7/8 in. (103.8 cm.), 16 1/16 in. (40.8 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This guitar is in VERY clean, beautifully preserved condition overall looking not much played and extremely well cared for over the past 55 years. The original finish and hardware are intact and complete; as noted the Bigsby tailpiece and solid aluminum bridge are a factory installation and have been in place since new. The finish is clean overall with some very light checking, the lovely shaded iced-tea sunburst still shining like it did when LBJ was in the White house. There are a very few minor dings and chips overall but really no notable wear. One knob has a ding on the rim.
The only alteration to the instrument is a strap button added at the heel. The original frets have had some minor G&P work and the guitar plays very well, complete in the original case also very well preserved. This guitar is a really cool twist on the '60s 175 formula, the Bigsby and its solid aluminum bridge adding a bit of high-end snap to the tone when needed. It could also easily be set up with a standard tailpiece and Tune-O-Matic bridge to get more in line with a jazzier pedigree but we love it just as it is, with the wang bar adding a bit of badass to the generally respectable 175 character. This one ready for anything from straight bop to screaming psychedelia, just like it was in 1966! Excellent + Condition.
This is a superb and apparently not much played 1966 ES-175D, Gibson's perennial "working man's" electric archtop. While usually pigeon-holed as a Jazz player's instrument, this one is a bit more of a rocker as it was originally custom ordered with a Bigsby tailpiece and bridge. This is confirmed by the original hang tag stamped "Special Bigsby" that is still in the case. This is not a hugely uncommon combination, but we have not had one with the originality of the tailpiece so firmly confirmed by the paperwork before!
Offering one of Gibson's best combinations of sound and value, the ES-175 has been consistently popular since its launch in 1949. The double pickup version was launched in the early 1950's and is a somewhat more versatile instrument. While the ES-175D is considered one of the classic electrics of all time surprisingly perhaps only 382 sunburst examples shipped out 1966, and very few would have had a vibrato.
This two-pickup beauty has typical features for the mid/late 1960s. This is the period when Gibson narrowed their necks to a 1 5/8" nut width instead of the traditional 1 11/16", but the neck is not as thin as some. The hardware is chrome plater and the sunburst is lighter than older versions but otherwise the model is little changed from the late 1950's. With a two Patent-number humbucking pickup and early '60's style metal-capped gold knobs this 175 has the classic period sound and that twang bar to boot.
While to many players an ES-175 instantly murmurs "jazz" when plugged in, the double pickup D model is actually a fairly versatile guitar suitable for a wide range of styles. Many jazz greats including Herb Ellis, Jim Hall, Kenney Burrell, Pat Metheny and more have made it a mainstay but sophisticated rock players including Steve Howe of Yes and Richard Thompson (in the earliest Fairport Convention days) have made good use of it as well.
Overall length is 40 7/8 in. (103.8 cm.), 16 1/16 in. (40.8 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This guitar is in VERY clean, beautifully preserved condition overall looking not much played and extremely well cared for over the past 55 years. The original finish and hardware are intact and complete; as noted the Bigsby tailpiece and solid aluminum bridge are a factory installation and have been in place since new. The finish is clean overall with some very light checking, the lovely shaded iced-tea sunburst still shining like it did when LBJ was in the White house. There are a very few minor dings and chips overall but really no notable wear. One knob has a ding on the rim.
The only alteration to the instrument is a strap button added at the heel. The original frets have had some minor G&P work and the guitar plays very well, complete in the original case also very well preserved. This guitar is a really cool twist on the '60s 175 formula, the Bigsby and its solid aluminum bridge adding a bit of high-end snap to the tone when needed. It could also easily be set up with a standard tailpiece and Tune-O-Matic bridge to get more in line with a jazzier pedigree but we love it just as it is, with the wang bar adding a bit of badass to the generally respectable 175 character. This one ready for anything from straight bop to screaming psychedelia, just like it was in 1966! Excellent + Condition.