The one I wanted...another guitar

[911dean]

As some of you recall I had been looking at a modern Gibson ES 175 w/P90's and eventually settled on a telecaster type guitar. Well, the planets aligned and I picked up a sweet 1955 Gibson ES 175D and thought I'd share.

I came across this guitar on the auction sight a couple of months ago and was very drawn to it's vibe, but knew it was overpriced. My curiosity got the best of me and I made a call to get a little info. I found out the guitar was on consignment as part of an estate and it was indeed overpriced but an exceptional instrument with some serious mojo along with a need of a fret job and general service. Long story short, I ended up getting it for 25% less than the original asking price, after a few days of negotiations. It turns out the guitar was owned by Lee Silva actor, lounge act and author.

The day after I received it is was dropped off at Schroeder Amplification and Tim reassured me that this was one spectacular ES 175 with some seriously worn frets. There was a reason it looks the way it does and it was Lee's last remaining guitar. Tim did his magic on it with new frets, nut, electronics service and correct appearing tuners as the originals were replace in the 60's with very early grovers. I got it back yesterday after 6 weeks and have about 5 hours on it and absolutely love it. I don't see my other guitars getting much use.

[Les Paul]

That is sweet looking

[Rick V]

Nice get

[scottmandue]

I miss mine (stolen)

Very nice score you have there!

[Black968]

Very nice guitar with some nice patina. Interesting with the P90's. I bet it rips!!

[LWJ]

Drool. That is some serious soul there.

[VaSteve]

I always think about getting one of those big guitars, but they don't seem to work for me. I like to rest my hand on the bridge...my telecaster is perfect for that but those big guitars feel awkwards.

Nice get!

[71scgc]

Cool axe.

Looks like Nugent's on the cover of Free for All.

Carter

[yazhound]

Wow! I have been longing for one with p90s. Damn those things sound great. Boy HOwdy!

I played a 56 es125 with a single p90 last year at Chicago Music Exchange. Man was that sweet. IMHO it blew away several new Fender custom Teles... "hot rodded", a new nocaster. All thru same amp at same settings. Just a great great time period for Gibby ESs. Esp with the P90. I should have bought that 125.

[ramonesfreak]

That's beautiful. Congrats!

[Cajundaddy]

Very nice axe! I had the wants for one of those back in my fusion days but never got it. A 335 filled the billet instead. Enjoy!

[Charles Freeborn]

Outstanding! Love those early simple archtops. I had an L7 for a while, but the neck was too narrow for my big hands.
I'm pretty much exclusively flat tops now - and pretty much only play my own, with the exception of a couple of Nationals.
-C
freebornguitars.com

[911dean]

To all, thanks for the compliments. I truly love this guitar and feel it's going to get me past beginner level and beyond. I can't put the thing down. It just plays and sounds great. I took it to my lesson today and my instructor was floored how well the thing sounds. So was I. He gets a little more out of it.

Originally Posted by VaSteve

I always think about getting one of those big guitars, but they don't seem to work for me. I like to rest my hand on the bridge...my telecaster is perfect for that but those big guitars feel awkwards.

Nice get!

Maybe you could find a used Epiphone ES 175 and try it for a while. I find that I prefer the bigger bodies. It started with my Epiphone Dot. I try smaller guitars, first a strat and then a tele. While I like both styles and would love to have the strat back(I'm a fool for selling it). I always gravitate back to the Dot. The 175 I find to be extremely comfortable and see it taking me on a journey for quite some time. Almost makes the tele feel like a toy.

Originally Posted by yazhound

Wow! I have been longing for one with p90s. Damn those things sound great. Boy HOwdy!

I played a 56 es125 with a single p90 last year at Chicago Music Exchange. Man was that sweet. IMHO it blew away several new Fender custom Teles... "hot rodded", a new nocaster. All thru same amp at same settings. Just a great great time period for Gibby ESs. Esp with the P90. I should have bought that 125.

Chicago Music Exchange is a place to stay away from for the weak. Apparently you were able to walk away unscathed.

I too, find the P90's to be killer pick ups and look forward to grow with them. I probably could have gotten my hands on an ES 125 from my first marriage. My ex father in-law had one hanging up on the wall in his basement. He garbage picked it. Unfortunately I wasn't interested in it at the time and was unaware of what it really was. I mean, I knew it was a Gibson, but thought of it more as a cheappie student model.

[yazhound]

Originally Posted by 911dean

To all, thanks for the compliments. I truly love this guitar and feel it's going to get me past beginner level and beyond. I can't put the thing down. It just plays and sounds great. I took it to my lesson today and my instructor was floored how well the thing sounds. So was I. He gets a little more out of it.



Maybe you could find a used Epiphone ES 175 and try it for a while. I find that I prefer the bigger bodies. It started with my Epiphone Dot. I try smaller guitars, first a strat and then a tele. While I like both styles and would love to have the strat back(I'm a fool for selling it). I always gravitate back to the Dot. The 175 I find to be extremely comfortable and see it taking me on a journey for quite some time. Almost makes the tele feel like a toy.



Chicago Music Exchange is a place to stay away from for the weak. Apparently you were able to walk away unscathed.

I too, find the P90's to be killer pick ups and look forward to grow with them. I probably could have gotten my hands on an ES 125 from my first marriage. My ex father in-law had one hanging up on the wall in his basement. He garbage picked it. Unfortunately I wasn't interested in it at the time and was unaware of what it really was. I mean, I knew it was a Gibson, but thought of it more as a cheappie student model.

.
I love that place! Hate the I shouldas huh

So you are from the Chicago area? Have you ever heard of Lubriphonic? They are (were) bunch of guys who played backing up blues cats and formed their own band, since disbanded over contract issues (bad news story), but still play in the area. Their keyboard player Marty has been with Buddy Guy for several years now. Anyway the guitarist Giles Corey has a few albums out since and gigs around Chi. Should you come across the chance to see him you should!

Cheers. Love that guitar of yours.

[esample]

Nice score. Congrats.

[911dean]

Originally Posted by yazhound

.
I love that place! Hate the I shouldas huh

So you are from the Chicago area? Have you ever heard of Lubriphonic? They are (were) bunch of guys who played backing up blues cats and formed their own band, since disbanded over contract issues (bad news story), but still play in the area. Their keyboard player Marty has been with Buddy Guy for several years now. Anyway the guitarist Giles Corey has a few albums out since and gigs around Chi. Should you come across the chance to see him you should!

Cheers. Love that guitar of yours.

Yes, I'm from the Chicago area and have been a blues junkie since my first real blues show at age 18. That was 30 years ago and I saw none other than Buddy Guy and he left quite an impression on me. I've been seeing shows since. Tomorrow night I'll be seeing both Robben Ford shows and Friday will be Robbie Fulks.

I remember Lubrifonic but never saw them. I first saw Marty Sammon play with Otis Rush and Giles Corey with Howard and The White Boys. I've seen quite a bit over the past 30 years. Chicago's a great music city.

Rock On!