Gibson ES175 Sunburst 1959

This 1959 ES175 is another beautiful piece of music history, featuring a PAF humbucker in the neck position and an original Sunburst finish!

The Gibson ES175, known as the workhorse among jazz guitars, is an iconic hollowbody electric guitar, beloved by many legendary guitarists in the world of jazz, blues, rock, and fusion. Although the ES175 is associated with jazz greats like Jim Hall, Pat Metheny, and Joe Pass, its versatile sound and ability to handle distortion have made it a favorite of fusion and rock guitarists such as Steve Howe (Yes) and Buck Dharma, who played an ES175 on the classic ‘Don't Fear the Reaper’ by Blue Öyster Cult.

The ES175 was introduced by Gibson in 1949 as the more affordable alternative to the more expensive guitars in the range, such as the L4. The guitar was equipped with a laminated maple body featuring a 'Florentine cutaway'. This construction makes the guitar lighter and more resistant to feedback, which could occur more easily in guitars with a solid body.

The official designation of this model is ES175D, where the D stands for Double Pickup. The guitar is equipped with an original PAF in the neck position and a Gibson Pat. No. from 1965 in the bridge, giving the guitar the versatility to excel in various musical styles, although a guitar like this naturally lends itself perfectly to jazz music. The original potentiometers are still present in the guitar, allowing the tone and volume to be adjusted per pickup.

This 1959 ES175 still has its original Sunburst finish, which gives the guitar its classic and recognizable appearance. In addition to the expected signs of wear and crackle, it has undergone a neat repair around the jack input. A refret has also been performed, and the lacquer on the back of the neck has largely disappeared. The guitar features the original rosewood bridge and also still has its original tailpiece, pickguard, and tuning machines.

This instrument has been carefully inspected for originality, condition and playability, then set up to our Gold Standard by a luthier. We make sure it arrives in your hands exactly as it should: sounding its best, playing effortlessly and ready to be enjoyed from the very first note.

photos of: Actual Instrument