Gibson ES 175 hollowbody

[TheMurfection]

Hey man! I'm over here :)

[TheRealRayJ]

Why do I get the feeling this guy is "interviewing" himself?

[cheesedude5050]

God Damn!

[SteveShivik]

You forgot Steve Howe!

[chooseyourblues]

Love your style man.

[zthetha]

"When this model came out it was $175 dollars back in the fifties. This model has been around a long time..."

Yep - about 50 years... Enjoy your reviews - in fact your 'new' Joe Pass review saved me wasting my money on it - I bought an old Antoria Jazzstar instead and have not been disappointed. Don't know what new Antorias are like but this old jazz box is now my pride and joy and will certainly keep me happy until I can afford an L5.

[johnhguitar]

L5 L5 L5 My favorite sounding guitar!!! Wes Montgomery my hero!

[zthetha]

@johnhguitar Snap! As a guitar aficionado what do you think of the Aria L5 copy which some claim is as near dammit as good as a Gibson? Maybe you can get hold of one and do a review?

[johnhguitar]

Aria is a good company no doubt but finding an Aria L5 copy? Anybody out there got one I could borrow?

[johnhguitar]

I just recorded a guitar solo with the wah wah and a lesson about it might be cool. I do own that wah and the guitar as well. Recording and editing these vids for youtube ain't so easy however. We shall see.

[VolkswagenNut1969]

Nice review. I've always been fond of this guitar mainly because it was the choice of so many of the players I've admired.

I notice Epiphone has a 175 copy, and I wonder if you've ever tried it and how it fairs against the Gibson?

Thanks! ;)

[PrayForPlagues1994]

i wish someone bought this for me back in the 50s =P

[elortibamal]

Here ir Argentina, gibson's guitar and epiphone's guitar are realy expensive.

Gibson ES175: 5000 dollars. 1 dolar = 4.15 pesos argentinos

[PBANDSNOW]

Its not just a jazz guitar, IZZY STRADLIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chaif15Let]

"Pat Martino is just such a fffff... Fluent player!"

[chode2b]

Hi John, what's ur comment on peerless guitars?

[hmoney575]

How much did you get this for?

[johnhguitar]

I traded a Les Paul Custom I paid $900 for a long time ago.

[reverseengine]

hands-down the best guitar reviewer on youtube. do you have flatwound strings on your 175 or no?

[johnhguitar]

Thanks! Flatwounds yes yes.

[zachNewYork]

Always nice to hear a really good player doing demos like this.

Thanks John!

[iAmirx]

Sometimes his body-language is too expressed.

[Goldfinga888]

Thanks johnhguitar!

Personally, I find it a bonus to listen to historical and personal anecdotes and in some cases these can give me 'added' information, or a 'reference point' to compare to my own tastes (there's only so much one can 'judge' from YT vid sound format). Besides, I consider all of this knowledge part of my guitar learning process! Peace Bro, from Madrid, Spain ;-)

[mfbown]

This was useful to listen too, thanks. Do you have any thoughts on the difference between the single and dual pickup model?

[johnhguitar]

A question of personal taste but I like the humbucking pickups for jazz better. The P90s are a good blues sound.

Remember that this is just an opinion and not law.

[mfbown]

@johnhguitar Were the single pickup 175 all P90's, or did some have humbuckers?

[johnhguitar]

They've made both.

[jjminch1]

I have to agree, teach more method and less history. Unless your getting paid by gibson to sell guitars...most of us want to learn HOW to play

[lerouex]

The year was 1949!!!!!

[44eelz]

dayum...Thick = Sexy ;-)

[10max30]

175 dolars?? fuck!!

[nomejodanful]

can you play more than talk please. thanks

[johnhguitar]

I can do all three; I can play more and talk less, I can play less and talk more, and I can play and talk about the same length of time. Would you also like a cup of tea?

[zachNewYork]

@johnhguitar Right on brother! Thumbs up to you too!

[johnhguitar]

Yeah I know. I didn't plan the length of the videos. I didn't think about how to do it right. I didn't give the public a fair access to FREE information that is just a service for the fun of it. You can all piss off as far as I'm concerned. I don't care if you don't like me either. Are you learning to play the guitar or aren't you? That's all I care about. I love to hear music coming out of people and not piles of complaints. Yeah I'm learning too but I find people learn better when you're nice.

[RelaxNplay64]

@johnhguitar yes and my fuzzy slippers lol

also are you going to make any new videos I really like your reviews

[PrepsAndEmosSuck]

beauty of a guitar

[hsmarlon]

I really like the sound of that guitar. I'm a smooth jazz man and I wanted to know if you can help me choose a guitar. Now I'm a beginner and I have about $1000 to spend on a guitar and amp.. I do like the Gretsch, Gibson, Ibanez, etc, but it has to be a semi or hollowbody guitar, what ever gives the sound of this guitar or close. What do you recommend. Love your reviews. Thx

[johnhguitar]

I'm a Gibson man all the way. I like any good guitar but since I was a teenager I've loved Wes Montgomery and his L5 and Joe Pass when he played his Gibson ES 175. I know these are expensive now but you might be able to find a used 135 or a Howard Roberts Fusion. Look around for any used F-holed Gibson Model. Good Luck

[hsmarlon]

@johnhguitar

Thx. I do appreciate that advice. Marlon

[jasscat01]

@hsmarlon

hsmarlon, I have a couple jazz guitars, you might interested in.

email me at ( delist21034@mypacks.net ) and I will send you pictures and info on those guitars.

thx

jasscat01

[jackkemel]

@hsmarlon I'd suggest a look at the godin 5th avenue, a great guitar for it's price!

Gibson makes good guitars but there a overpriced, like this one for example. It even has no solid top. It has benefits too of course but this wood is kind of cheap, so why do they ask that much money for it...(175 dollars back in the days you now, of course 1 dollar was worth about 6 dollars right now, but if you do the math you'll see they are "a bit" overpriced compared to 50 years ago(and didn't get better)

[kennosen1]

I really like your reviews.

[6378962ROCK]

from 175 dolllars now cost 5.000??? what went wrong??

[Guitarvirtuoso666]

I have a suggestion,

well lot's of folks will hate me for suggesting it but yeah...

Perhaps the reviews would be even more interesting if you'd put some overdrive on these guitars.

We all can form an idea about how these boxes sound with a clean and reverby sound, so by putting a little gain on the amp you can show us how they handle genres other than jazz.

As you've mentioned in the video. the ES 175 was used by guitarists of different genres, so why don't you show us how they handle rock?

[TheTranslator100]

@Guitarvirtuoso666 "so why don't you show us how they handle rock?"

I have an Ibanez GB10, GB200, and used to have an ES175. These full hollow-body Jazz boxes are NOT intended to play Rock, or to use with ANY kind of gain/distortion, due to the excessive feedback, unlike the semi-hollows. Don't be fooled by Ted Nugent, he would fare much better with a Les Paul, IMO. These guitars are strictly built for JAZZ. You wanna shred, get an Ibanez, ESP, or Jackson/Charvel with a Floyd Rose...

[Guitarvirtuoso666]

@TheTranslator100

watch?v=HEFG0MAxXMk&feature=re­lated

your argument is invalid

[darkoanton5]

Steve Howe used one way back in 1964, I think.

[Web20Fan]

Don't forget Steve Howe!

[Disco234jockey]

I want one in Alpine White so bad.. the Alpine White ES - 175 is so rare! The only pictures I can find to see the white 175s is the pictures with George Thorogood and of Izzy Stradlin from Guns N' Roses

[Vox572X]

See and wach >>> ww.youtube.com/watch?v=r5MVESE­vJ3w

[posthumous5]

Go kill most/all of that reverb it's putting a cloud over it all. Your playing is clearly excellent but the articulation is being drowned by the verb!

[robibm2003]

Those are beautiful instruments. The first guy I can concretely remember playing it was Steve Howe. A few years later, I started getting into T-Bone Walker and then Joe Pass and love the nice mellow tones you can elicit from them. Sadly, I don't have one, but maybe someday.

[jlarami]

Mine is an Antique Natural '05 ... Wonderful !!!

[ColinPRS]

I use to have an ES125, but your tone is much nicer, although I'm sure your fingers help!

[barkazzaz]

reverb killed it to me....

[michaelGNR]

john,just curious,is alpine white colour of this model is still available or still producing by Gibson?

[soc555555]

t bone walker used to play this type of guitar for blues not sure if it was the same model but he sounded great. rich full tone on single line stuff.

[cezarbian]

Good Job!!! check my stuff too, guys!

[jorghad6]

that is one hell of a beautiful sounding instrument! too much deniro for my blood but it sure sounds great

[bluesman1981]

dude i found an epiphone reissue for 245 at my local shop, i'm good friends with the owner and he said he'd save it for me when i get the money

[DocBrewster]

is that what Izzy Stradlin used on Appetite for Destruction?

[AlexDeMars123]

@DocBrewster I think he used this live a lot, a white one. I'm not sure if he used it on the album though.

[xHvyMtlx]

@DocBrewster yeah Izzy used a white ES 175 for the AFD album and in the early touring days with Guns.

[jimlucas0]

$175? that's a lot. Holland sold New York to America for $17,- XD

[TheNewWorldMan69]

It only cost $175 when it come out wow. Now it cost like a couple thousand dollars.

[Hitamaru]

... if you adjust it to 2010, it'd be like $570... but gibson overprice their stuff so its 2k now...

[Ms57states]

the tone on that guitar is second to none! thats why the 50's gibsons are the best in the world!

[notaphaser]

You know that's a Gibson from 1978, right? Says so right in the video description.

[TodayAt420]

its a 78

[rockinsurfkid]

wait a plywood top?

[amusiathread]

@rockinsurfkid

Most Jazz guitars under $2500 are plywood tops. I know, the word plywood sounds pretty tacky, but it's not as bad as it sounds. There are some amazing sounding guitars which have plywood.

[rockinsurfkid]

yeah your probably right.

[bluesman1981]

@amusiathread dude i agree i had a cheap stellar hollowbody and man it sounded as good if not better than most guitars i have had my hands on, the neck wasn't as smooth but man it's awesome

[ViolinViolaCello]

Haha ya, I was like... for real?

[amusiathread]

What's the Gibson jazz box which has the es175 body style, but only has a neck pickup?

[johnhguitar]

I think it's the Herb Ellis model called a 165. Anyone want to confirm?

[michaelmchung]

I have seen 165 with a single HB (chances are the owner put the pickup)but it comes with a floating mini HB 175 did come in single pickup p90 or HB in the 60's, and reissued every now and then.

[metallicaruleb]

@johnhguitar Yes.

The ES 165 Herb Ellis is the only Florentine cutaway hollow body that Gibson make.

But, mind you that throughout the history of the ES 175 there were verious versions with a single pickup in the neck.

[metallicaruleb]

@metallicaruleb P.S

Gibson made a small amount of custom ES 175CC with Charlie Christian in the neck.

[matt1284508]

@johnhguitar Alot of old 175 were 1 pup.I have a '55 with 1 pup.Actually better w/1 P90.Roberts,Pass,Ellis,Hall,Ke­ssell and everybody used the early mid 50's "1 pup" 175.The new 165 is junk! Made in Gibby's bad years.

[mrmagic1989]

@johnhguitar es125 maybe with a cut away?

[savofenno]

It`s also a ES-175. Single pickup model. It came first out like that, with a P-90.

[mfbown]

@amusiathread the early es 175's only had a neck pickup.

[fordomatic178]

@amusiathread  pretty sure you're thinking of the ES-125

[zinnington]

@amusiathread I think that is the Herb Ellis guitar from what I can find

[electricguitarkevin]

superb jazz technique, wat amp r u running through?

[johnhguitar]

I think it's a Roland cube 30 but my normal amp is the Evans 150....thanks

[savofenno]

I believe The Herb Ellis model is either a ES-175 variant, or a L-4 with florentine cutaway.

[Cezarguitar]

Hey John, You make great video's...I've got a question about guitar set-ups....do i just go into a guitar store and tell them to "set-up" my guitar? I dont really have any idea, or does you playing style define the type of set-up you require

Cheers ( from London England)

[johnhguitar]

You've got to find a recommended pro. If he's working out of a local shop that's great!

[savofenno]

Set-up has nothing to do with playing style. In set up you adjust the strings`playing length so you get correct notes through all of the neck.Secondly, you set up string and pickup heights.

[Cezarguitar]

So I just go into the guitar shop and tell them to "set up" my guitar?

[johnhguitar]

Especially if you know they have a good reputation for their workmanship.

[MigJazzMan03]

I'm saving up for one of those!! :D haha

It's always nice to own one good, high quality guitar, and this might just be it for me!

Is this model only made in the U.S or?

Besides this model, are there any other jazz guitars that you would highly recommend?

And is there a jazz amp which you recommend?

It doesn't matter if what you recommend is expensive, i just want an honest opinion ;)

thanks for the review

[JJLipton]

you kinda look like will farrell...

[smips65]

Do you consider the re-issued epiphone es-175 to be an "acceptable" substitute?

Not as far as quality, but playabilty, for a fraction of the price of the Gibson

[johnhguitar]

Every guitar can be improved if you let a professional set ti up. A great deal of the cheaper guitars need a good going-over to a least make it as good as it can be. People buy cheap guitars that aren't set up and call them crappy. But after playing it setup there's a huge difference. Thanks for the comment/question....

[zachsmusic1]

my es175 is the same to every detail. same year and everything. love it. best guitar ive ever owned!!

[johnhguitar]

Me too. As good as anything!

[antibejbi]

Hey, my dad has one just like that. Bought it in 1980 whenhe was playing in the States. Es 175 sure has a lovely warm tone.

Great reviews, keep it up ;)

[martinjp1958]

Very informative, and superb playing

[OMERTA011]

hey man.. great reviews, watching you for some time now..

I want to get me an jazzbox, so what do you suggest? First, I wanted to buy an es175, but I can't try it.. then an tal farlow came into play.. I like the tone on both guitars.. and I was about to go with tal, BUT then my friend told me to searc for amaha aex1500 and godin 5th ave kingpin.. I really think that the sound is not that "jazzy" on that guitars.. what do you think?

thanks

[johnhguitar]

Please use your own intuition and pick the one YOU think is the best. I like my 175 but I've had many jazz guitars like were all good in their own way. Thanks

[MagnumProductions158]

I was wondering what chords you play at the beginning of the video

[TomAkaGuitarHero]

0:22-0:24.

"WHERE THE FUCK IS MY WHAMMY BAR!?"

hahaha

[pamirs94]

hahaha

[JcMrry]

Hi John,

What amp are you running through on this video, I think I'm going to end up with an ES 175 but not sure which amp to set it up with.

Thanks

[johnhguitar]

It's either an Evans 150 or a Roland Cube 30....

[QOhcomedy]

Hey John,

Do you think a Hot Rod Deluxe would get a good solid jazz tone?

[johnhguitar]

Yes I do. It's a good Fender amp that's versatile. Most jazz players don't need to be loud so a smaller amp is more desirable.

[andr3wbr1an]

i would love that guitar in white with black hardware and some block inlays and some SD alnico2s or hot rodded humbuckers.. my dream guitar next to a black les paul custom with a 57 classic and alnico 2.. izzy stradlin's the bomb!

[xxmanx1]

I belive pat martino played an L5 on those early recordings. He also did not use as much reverb. nice post!

[Gemusician]

this guy talk too much!

[NERDZKANDY]

In guitarcenter its $4,149 bucks

[Atlanticmoonsnail]

John,

I like your vid's. they provide great info and you play extremely well. Based on this video, I just got a 2003 ES 175 and I'm playing through a Fender Blues JR. even when dialed back It has more feedback than my D'Angelico or my Epi es175.

Any suggestions would be appreciated - Thanks

Peter

[johnhguitar]

Hello Peter, Thanks for the question. Is it a solid top guitar or a plywood top guitar because usually the 175 is a ply guitar and doesn't feedback too much?

[Atlanticmoonsnail]

It has the laminated maple top. I have the action set lower on this guitar (no fret buzzing) than on the other guitars.

[johnhguitar]

There's a number of things that could lend to the feedback problem but the main one is you're hoping to play it louder than it can take. Mine will feedback too but I use it in light jazz and not rock type volumes. Keep the questions coming and thanks....John

[lerouex]

I think the first ES-175 was made in 1949.

[darv000]

that's a dream guitar!! thanks for the vid. I'm thinking on buying a hollow body guitar but I can't afford a gibson like this one and I haven't seen any video reviews like yours of some less expensive guitar like epiphones or cheaper gretsch, etc. obviously you have experience in axes, any suggestion or comment about cheaper guitars like the ones I named before??? I will appreciate your answer. Love your videos!! thanks

[redrocker1055]

Theirs nothing like picking up a big ol' Jazz Box to get the creative juices flowing...

[dherobcal01]

I really enjoy watching your videos, and I love the guitar reviews. Please post more reviews!

[PWRNstar]

it's so thick!!

[jefferyakathedude]

Lovely Axe! Sure would be nice to find one sitting in a pawn shop of garage sale!

[NERDZKANDY]

was 175 bucks alot back then in the 50's cuz I thought that guitar would be over 2 grand.

[mccormickn]

Yeah, it converts roughly into $1500.00 in 2008. I wish I could get one for $175.00 now!

[redrocker1055]

You and be both, brother!

If you get a line on one for $175, you be sure to let me know, right?

[WEIRDALROXMYSOX]

You would be surprised what you can find at yard sales, a buddy of mine found a 1930's MARTIN D-28, FOR 30 DOLLARS!! NO KIDDING!

[redrocker1055]

I don't like you're buddy... In fact I think he's a jerk :)

[WEIRDALROXMYSOX]

LOL I said the same thing, I told him to lock his doors! :)

[willguitar83]

Yeah !! I found a 30 year old TAKAMINE in perfect condition for 10 euros !!!!

[WEIRDALROXMYSOX]

That is cool, but, how much is that in American currency? Is it one of those "lawsuit" models with the Martin style headstock?

[johnhguitar]

CAN ANYONE UNDERSTAND THIS COMMENT?

[WEIRDALROXMYSOX]

Look up Takamine lawsuit on ebay, they used Martin style headstocks and text font on the headstock. You'll see what I mean... Sorry I should have been clearer......

[metheflee]

@WEIRDALROXMYSOX One of my friends found one for the same price in a korean pawn shop in Korea... good shit right? right.

[Deathscythehell85]

very nice guitar

[slovan]

Less talking more rocking. Nice video though.