Description
This clean, all-original Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1959 ES-175 VOS Single Pickup model was built during 2006 in Memphis, Tennessee. It features a highly streaked Madagascar Rosewood fingerboard, a single '57 Classic humbucker at the neck, and the period-correct VOS finish and aged hardware treatment. Visually and structurally, this guitar looks and feels remarkably like the exceptional, vintage 1959 ES-175 currently in our shop.
While the VOS treatment produces the visual effects of aging, this guitar appears to have been hardly played. Fret and finish wear are very light. The neck has the rounded '59 profile and is quite comfortable to play.
The original brown arched hard shell case is included, and contains the Certificate of Authenticity folder, warranty booklet and the case keys.
Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1959 ES-175 VOS Materials and Construction
Introduced in 1949 with its price of $175 giving the guitar its name, the Gibson ES-175 rapidly became a standard workhorse guitar for countless artists. It has appeared in almost every genre, from small smoky jazz clubs to arena stages in the hands of rock guitarists. It was finally retired from production in 2019.
Like many of Gibson's other archtop electric models, the ES-175 is built using Maple laminate for the top sides, and back of the body. This material helps reduce feedback sensitivity at stage volumes. The two longitudinal top braces are Spruce. The body blocks, linings, and neck are Mahogany. The headstock plate is dyed Holly, with Mother of Pearl for the Gibson logo and crown. The bridge is Indian Rosewood.
On this guitar, from this period, the bound fingerboard is Madagascar Rosewood with celluloid split-parallelogram position markers. From 2001 to mid 2003, Gibson used some of its store of legally certified Brazilian Rosewood for fingerboards. As regulations tightened, the company shifted to Madagascar Rosewood. Again, increasingly tight regulations and a three-year long Lacey Act investigation brought and end to that in 2009. This investigation involved two raids, in 2009 and 2011. Ultimately the company agreed to forfeit woods, plus pay a criminal fine and a community service payment.
The hardware is straightforward, reproducing 1959 styles. A set of Gibson Deluxe tuners with keystone buttons are at the head, an Indian Rosewood bridge, standard ES-175 tailpiece, and a four-layer pickguard. The metal parts are nickel plated, and these too received the VOS treatment giving a layer of patina.
The electronics could only be simpler if they weren't included. A single '57 Classic humbucker takes the place of an original PAF, which bumped the previously standard, now optional, P-90 in 1957. This leads to a volume and tone control, and an output jack on the side.
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |
DETAILS:
- Instrument Model: Custom Shop Historic 1959 ES-175 VOS Single Pickup
- Instrument Manufacturer: Gibson
- Instrument year: 2006
- Instrument Finish: Vintage Burst VOS Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Instrument Class: Archtop Electric Guitars
- Instrument serial number: A05499, built during 2006 at Memphis TN
- Country of Origin: USA
- Instrument Condition: Very Good
- Right-handed
- Instrument Weight Imperial: 5.94 lbs
- Instrument Weight Metric: 2.70 kgs
- Scale Length Imperial: 24.527 in
- Scale Length Metric: 623 mm
- Nut Width Imperial: 1.698 in
- Nut Width Metric: 43.14 mm
- CITIES Documentation Required: No
- Case included: Yes
- Case original: Yes
- Items in Case: COA booklet, Warranty folder, case keys
- Case Type: Brown Arched Hard Shell
- Consignment: Yes
- Product ID: 190983
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |