I am offering a Gibson Memphis ES-175 Figured Vintage Sunburst from 2011, a still manufactured in Memphis, Tennessee (USA), archtop hollowbody electric guitar model featuring top, back, and sides made of laminated flamed maple/poplar/maple laminate (with a total weight of just 3.21kg), set mahogany neck with rounded “C” neck profile and 42.9mm bone nut, bound rosewood fingerboard with split parallelogram inlays, two warm Gibson '57 Classic humbucker pickups, Gibson ABR-1 bridge on rosewood base including floating three-diamond trapeze tailpiece as well as high-quality Gibson deluxe vintage style keystone tuners in a beautiful vintage sunburst high-gloss nitro finish with classic nickel hardware in excellent collector’s condition, including black Gibson luxury hardshell case, certificate (C.o.A.), and professional setup with 12-52 D’Addario Chrome flatwound strings.

The Gibson ES-175 is neither the largest nor the most luxurious archtop in the Gibson lineup—yet it has been in continuous production since the late 1940s and ranks among the most popular jazz guitars of all time. Its simple, classic design and uncomplicated construction remain the key to the ES-175’s enduring popularity to this day.

This 2011 ES-175 Figured VS hails from the now-closed Gibson Memphis factory; it fully confirms the reputation for excellent Memphis craftsmanship and features a traditional hollow-body construction without a sustain block and a bulging body with a 8.8 cm side depth. The body size, combined with the low total weight of 3.21kg, gives the guitar great playability and excellent acoustic resonance. The arched maple top with two F-holes, combined with the arched back and mahogany sides, produces a balanced, midrange-focused tone, while a glued mahogany neck with a rounded “C” profile enables lightning-fast playability on the rosewood fingerboard, which is edged with cream binding and features intricate split parallelogram pearl inlays.

Two Gibson Classic ’57 humbucker pickups provide the tone—prized for their warm vintage sound, dynamic response, and finely defined overtones—and are extremely versatile: from mid-range, floating rhythm harmonies to singing blues sounds and more dominant solo passages à la George Benson, they offer everything your heart desires. The classic 3-way switch with separate volume and tone controls ensures flexibility.

A sound sample of the model can be found above at the end of the photo gallery.

Visually, the guitar impresses with its classic, timeless elegance: the flamed maple grain stands out beautifully beneath the thin, high-gloss Vintage Sunburst nitro finish, and lovingly crafted details—such as the floating trapeze tailpiece, a four-ply black pickguard, and the Gibson Crown mother-of-pearl logo on the headstock—round out the look.

Technical Specifications:

• Origin: Memphis, TN, USA
• Year of Manufacture: 2011
• Construction: Single-cutaway hollow-body archtop without a center block
• Top, back, and sides: Laminated maple/poplar/maple
• Neck: Mahogany, set-in
• Neck profile: Rounded “C”
• Fingerboard: Rosewood with split parallelogram pearl inlays, bound
• Fingerboard radius: 12”
• Frets: 20
• Nut: 42.9 mm, bone
• Pickups: 2x Gibson '57 Classic Humbuckers
• Electronics: 3-way switch, 2x volume and 2x tone controls
• Tuners: Gibson Deluxe Vintage Style
• Bridge: Gibson ABR-1 on a narrow rosewood base
• Tailpiece: Three Diamond Trapeze Tailpiece
• Hardware: Nickel
• Bindings: White, 3-ply
• Pickguard: Black, 4-ply
• Finish: High-gloss Vintage Sunburst, nitrocellulose
• Scale length: 628mm
• Weight: 3.21kg
• Serial No.: 11151718
• Includes black Gibson luxury hardshell case, manufacturer’s paperwork (including C.o.A.)

The Gibson ES-175 is no longer in production.

This guitar is in excellent collector’s condition and is technically flawless. Visually, there is only occasional finest wear, if any (see photos). The frets are flawless.

The instrument has been professionally set up with 12-52 D’Addario ECG25 flatwound strings, and I (a long-time guitar teacher) will ship it via DHL with insurance upon request for €49.99 within Germany or for €129.99 within the EU. Worldwide shipping available—individual shipping costs upon request.

All photos shown are of the actual instrument for sale.