Gibson ES-175N Model Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1954), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # A-17919, natural lacquer finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingeboard, original brown hard shell case.

This is a nice if somewhat worn-in example of an early-mid 1950s natural-finish ES-175N, 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. The "Artist" serial number stamped on the white label indicates this guitar shipped out in September that year, one of 141 single-pickup "Blondes" that left Kalamazoo in '54. The introduction of the double-pickup ES-175D in 1952 affected sales of the single pickup 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 laminated maple body is triple-bound on the front and single bound on the back, finished in ambered clear lacquer overall. 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 numbered amber "hatbox" knobs. The standard Gibson rosewood adjustable bridge is fitted along with a later repro cast L-7 style tailpiece and a 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 was a prime example. The natural finish examples like this are considerable rarer than the typical sunburst; in 1954 the ratio was about 4:1 in favor of the 'bursts. This beautiful blonde is a fine player, beautifully aged in showing evidence of use but obviously well loved over seven decades.

Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 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 11/16 in. (43 mm.).

Overall this is a nicely original example of this fairly modest classic showing some light wear and tear, with one repair to the typical spot the lower side around the jack. The finish has ambered and "smoked" over the decades with typical lacquer checking most heavily to the top and back. Overall the finish shows minor dings, scrapes and dents but no really heavy wear spots. The headstock shows some dings and rubs along the edges. The back of the neck is worn through to the wood in the first position on both sides and in one odd spot in the 7-9th fret area; it also has some dents and scratches with one notable a deeper scratch on the heel. Really for a 70 year old guitar this one has survived better than many!

The hardware remains original and complete except for the tailpiece, which is the correct period style but a later chrome plated piece. The unplated screws securing it are also not original. The knobs are noticeably crazed on the top surface only; we have no idea what caused this. The one visible repair is a several small sealed splits to the lower side surrounding the jack and extending a couple of inches on either side. There is some fill to these, presumably added to strengthen the area after a typical jack crack, which is extremely common on these guitars. The repair is visible but solid, with only light topical touch up. There was never any strap button added to the neck heel.

The original slim fret wire has been crowned down over the years wear mostly in the lower positions but shows very little subsequent wear. The fingerboard has some very minor divoting in the first position. The guitar looks to have been played over the years but well cared for along the way, the one jack repair being solidly done. This ES-175N plays and sounds as it should, with the classic warm Gibson tone heard on countless recordings from the 1940s through today. This is not perfect but a nice example of this classic vintage blonde "jazz box" complete in the original brown HSC, somewhat worn but fully functional. Overall Very Good + Condition.