Gibson ES-175 Model Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1950), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # A-6409, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original brown hard shell case.
This is a very nice early example of the ES-175, Gibson's classic "Working Man's" electric archtop guitar. The model was introduced in 1949 and quickly proved successful, finding immediate acceptance for its excellent combination of sound and playability at a moderate price. Based on the factory order number ink-stamped under the treble side F-hole this example was built in late 1950, which the "Artist" serial number confirms indicating it shipped out in December that year, one of 503 that left Kalamazoo in that first full production year. The introduction of the double-pickup ES-175D in 1952 broadened the appeal of the model somewhat, but many jazz players then and now still consider this original one pickup 175 the all-time classic for that genre.
The 16" wide sunburst-finished laminated maple body is triple-bound on the front and single bound on the back. The rosewood fingerboard is single bound with split parallelogram fingerboard inlays. The headstock carries the pearl Gibson logo and crown inlay and Kluson Deluxe tuners with "keystone" buttons. The hardware includes a single P-90 pickup with a black plastic cover and volume and tone controls with tall numbered amber knobs. The standard Gibson rosewood adjustable bridge is fitted along with the earlier cast L-7 style tailpiece and laminated black plastic pickguard.
This particular style ES-175 was used by far too many jazz guitar greats to count; in the 1950s and '60s Herb Ellis especially is often pictured with a guitar virtually identical to this one. This one is a fine player showing only fairly light evidence of use over nearly 75 years.
Overall length is 40 1/2 in. (102.9 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/4 in. (8.2 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
Overall this is a relatively clean example of this modest but stately classic showing only some light general wear. The all-original finish shows some typical lacquer checking with minor dings, scrapes and dents overall. The headstock shows the heaviest wear with some dings, scuffing and small chips. The back of the neck has a few tiny feelable dinks but no wear through the finish. There are no cracks or noticeable repairs, there is one small lamination check to the side somewhat above the input jack, but none of the common cracks through the jack hole.
The hardware remains original and there was never even a strap button added. Two of the six Kluson tuners (the low E and A) are SLIGHTLY later than the rest, dating to the 1953-56 period. They were likely changed at the time as the originals are first generation Deluxes with a closed housing, which means the shaft is not balanced as well as the later version. At any rate this difference is only noticeable on close inspection. All other hardware appears original and unaltered.
The original slim fret wire shows some light visible wear as does the fingerboard but neither are worn enough to seriously affect playability. The guitar was played over the years it looks to have been extremely well cared for along the way. This ES-175 plays and sounds exactly as it should, with the classic warm Gibson tone heard on countless recordings from the 1940s through today. This is a nice example of this classic vintage "jazz box" complete in the original brown-lined brown HSC, which is also quite well preserved. Overall Excellent - Condition.
