Up for sale, a 1951 Gibson ES-175 in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case. An early example with a single neck position P-90 pickup, this ES-175 features an extremely well-preserved Sunburst nitro lacquer finish.

The fully hollow 16" wide maple body yields tremendous natural detail, tonal complexity, and treble immediacy, characteristic of the note attack and clarity of maple, but also the smoothness and warmth attributable to the hollowbody construction. The sound is bold and balanced acoustically, and the P-90 yields plenty of glassy, percussive cut and sweet midrange bark. This ES-175 weighs 5lbs 9oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 12-52 flatwound strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

• Wood: Mahogany
• Shape: Chunky C, measuring .875” 1st fret, .940” 9th fret
• Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood, pearloid split parallelogram inlay
• Frets: Slender “banjo” fretwire, no wear
• Scale Length: 24 3/4”
• Nut: 1 11/16”, nylon
• Tuners: Kluson-style (aged, replacement)

Body Specs:

• Wood: Maple
• Pickups: P-90
• Controls: Volume, Tone
• Hardware: Brazilian rosewood floating bridge, trapeze tailpiece (replacement)
• Plastics: Tall gold speed knobs, four-ply pickguard, P-90 cover
• Serialization: White label, A-prefix serial translates to 1951

The electronics are 100% original, and the P-90 retains its stock windings. All plastics are stock as well, including the early tall, numbered speed knobs, four-ply wide bevel pickguard and pickup cover. Hardware includes the original Brazilian rosewood bridge with compensated saddle and brass thumbwheels, while the tailpiece is a vintage replacement.

The original Sunburst nitro lacquer finish has a bold, glossy two-tone appearance framed by ambered multi-ply binding. There is an extremely well-matched piece of new maple on the treble side rim extending from the endpin approximately 10" towards the waist and across the input jack. This new maple (finished to match) was replaced long ago, identical to the surrounding original finish both to the naked eye and under UV. The finish exhibits vertical checking, modest buckle wear on the back and some minor marks consistent with careful use. The gloss on the neck profile is similarly clean, free of palm wear with a few shallow marks worn smooth through play.

A black tolex hardshell case is included.