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1967 Gibson ES-175D. All Original Sunburst Finish. All Original Parts Except Changed Tuners And Correct Style Repro Knobs (See All Photos Below) Repaired Crack At The Input Jack (See Photos Below) Nut Width Measures 1&5/8' Nice 'C' Shape Neck Contour. Original Frets. Comes With The Original Hardshell Case. Gibson archtops set the standard, both in terms of quality and design that other manufacturers would emulate, and still do to this day. But the story of the Gibson ES-175 starts in 1949 with the launch of the one-pickup model, at $175 (hence the name ES-175), to be joined in 1953, by a two pickup version, ES-175D.
Hi gang,I have a good friend who is considering parting ways with his '55 Gibson ES-175.He and I have done a ton of trades/deals etc over the years but this one is likely the biggest deal yet.The guitar is in fabulous condition probably conservative at 7.5/10 condition.The tuning pegs are not original (older screw holes have been filled in nicely) and it has had the frets replaced (very good job). The neck is dead straight, the pick-ups and everything else seems to check out as original. POsted a few pics back in the original post.Lots more if anyone would like to see more.HammyD - I'm with you, I really don't care too much about the overall originality of the guitar.
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I'm going to have to play it. I have no choice - it plays and sounds incredible.We're still haggling over price - but he's asking $5,500. And i think that is quite fair.
It's more about justifying that kind of money to myself.You're right though - it will at least hold it's value (and likley increase some, over the next few years). If I go for it, I plan on holding on to for as long as I can - or until my kids need tuition for university or something. A few words of caution.Not the best/well rounded guitar for gigging. P90s get really hummy, and the fully hollow nature of the guitar will to an extent limit the types of music you can play with it (esp live).Hollowbody guitars move pretty slowly when/if you need to flip them- even ones as nice as this one. So I'd make sure I'd want to keep it forever if I was paying top dollar.I think you're paying too much for that guitar in today's climate/market. There is a glut of great stuff out there and folks have to haggle to sell. A great time to buy for sure.
I just would just think twice about paying 'book' on any vintage guitar now. That book is compiled from last years sales of instruments- BEFORE the recession. So I personally would look for a lower price on that guitar than 5500. But that's just me.Lastly if you get it- enjoy it, for that's truly the point of all this crap.not to get a good deal, but to have fun and make music. Congrats either way- it's nice to be looking @ 5K+ guitars!JD. Thanks guys - I do think that a lot things have gone down a little bit with the latest economic situation, but compared to 9 years ago I would agree with R.S.Fraser Sr. That vintage musical items will have increased in value - with a slight drop in the last 18 months or so.I also think that the two pick up version has always been a little higher in price.Since the guy is a good friend of mine I certainly can't low ball him and I won't nickel and dime over a couple of hundred dollars on a deal this large.We may add a few more trade items from both sides to see where we'll end up, but in the end he going to need a bunch of cash from my end.