Gibson ES 175D with Humbucking Pickups

The ES-175D was Gibson’s dual-pickup version of the ES-175. Originally marketed with two P-90 single-coil pickups in 1953, this model was one of the first Electric Spanish guitars to be fitted with P.A.F. humbucking units in early 1957. The 175D has since endured various subtle cosmetic variations to become one of Gibson’s ultimate bread-and-butter instruments. It has not been discontinued at any point in its magnificent 45-year history and the list of players who have gravitated to its distinctive sound read like a who’s who in contemporary music. The ES-175D appeared in the Gibson price list of 1953 for $250 in Sunburst and $265 in Natural or Blonde. By this time there was apparently no connection between the cost and the model name.

Guitar Features: ES 175D

	16 1/4 hollow body
	Humbucking Pickups
	four knobs (2 volume, 2 tone)
	heavy tailpiece
	laminate beveled-edge pickguard
	laminated maple body
	f-holes
	"Tune-O-Matic" bridge
	white ivoroid binding
	double parallelogram inlay
	nickel tuners with ivory heads
	Gibson adjustable truss rod neck
	20 frets

Joe Pass is the leading jazz exponent of the 175D school, but it has also been a staple for Joe Diorio, Jimmy Raney, Derek Bailey, Babik Rheinhardt (Django’s son), Toots Thielmans and countless others. Wes Montgomery and Pat Martino also played ES-175Ds early in their careers. The ES-175D has proven to be one of history’s most versatile electric guitars. Scotty Moore used its gold-painted cousin, the ES-295, when he invented rock and roll with Elvis Presley on The Sun Sessions. Blues giant B.B. King played one in the late 1950s. Progressive rock musician Steve Howe of Yes is another famed 175D player as is fusion pioneer Pat Metheny.