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1958 Gibson ES-175D, Serial Number A27128

This 1958 Gibson ES-175D™ is a beautiful and exceptionally well-preserved example of one of our classic full-depth electric archtops. Finished in Sunburst and fitted with a pair of original Patent Applied For humbucker™ pickups and an era-correct Bigsby® B6 vibrato, it has all the character we look for in a great late-1950s ES-175. This guitar has a production date of February 18, 1958, and the body bears the 1957 Factory Order Number U2130 8.

The laminated maple body retains a beautiful original Sunburst finish with almost no checking, light playwear, and only mild, even patina throughout. The nickel hardware is similarly clean and well preserved. A small factory “2” stamp is present near the top of the back of the headstock, although there are no clear cosmetic blemishes present that would readily explain the designation. The guitar has also never been drilled for an additional strap button.

The mahogany neck has a substantial but very comfortable Medium D profile measuring .91" at the 1st fret and .96" at the 9th. Its dark Brazilian rosewood fretboard features celluloid split parallelogram inlays. The guitar was recently professionally refretted by Glaser Instruments and fitted with a new nylon nut, making an already great-feeling neck exceptionally easy to play. A small ding on the bass-side shoulder of the neck near the 3rd fret is the most notable localized wear. The original Kluson® Deluxe single-line, single-ring tuners remain in place and have been fitted with replacement Keystone buttons after the originals deteriorated.

The electronics remain original with untouched solder throughout. Both Patent Applied For humbuckers have double-black coils, intact decals, and original covers with untouched solder joints, measuring 7.37k ohms in the neck and 7.41k ohms in the bridge. The original Centralab® potentiometers and capacitors remain enclosed within their original dust cans, while original Switchcraft® components complete the electronics.

The guitar is fitted with an era-correct Bigsby B6 vibrato paired with its matching Bigsby aluminum floating bridge. While we cannot definitively determine whether the Bigsby was installed when the guitar was produced or very early in its life, there are several indications that it has been in place for a very long time. Beneath the mounting flange is a second pair of more narrowly spaced screw holes consistent with the standard "Zigzag" trapeze tailpiece, suggesting it had originally been drilled for that hardware, yet the ground wire is secured beneath one of the existing treble-side Bigsby mounting screws and appears to have been there for decades. The Bigsby has also been firmly adhered to the top beneath the spring base. As a result, it should be considered a permanent part of the guitar, as removal would affect the original finish beneath it.

At 6.78 pounds, this is a lively and resonant ES-175 that is just as much fun acoustically as it is plugged in. The Patent Applied For humbuckers are clear, open, and beautifully balanced, the Bigsby works great, and the big, comfortable neck feels fantastic with the fresh fretwork. Between the exceptionally clean condition, untouched electronics, dark Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, and beautiful Sunburst finish, this is simply a really great ES-175 that plays every bit as good as it looks.

The guitar includes its original Stone five-latch brown and pink hardshell case in very good condition.

This instrument has received a professional setup and thorough inspection from Gibson Certified Vintage and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, Letter of Appraisal, new Limited Lifetime Warranty, and exclusive Gibson Certified Vintage accessories including a leather guitar strap, matching leather luggage tag, and vintage-style Gibson picks and pick container.

Weight: 6.78 lb.
Neck depth: 1st fret: .91", 9th fret: .96"