The finish of this 1967 Gibson ES-175D would be known as Cherry Sunburst a few years later than this, however in 1967 it was just a variety of Sunburst the words 'Cherry Sunburst' are not seen in Gibson literature for any model until 1971.
The finish of this 1967 Gibson ES-175D would be known as Cherry Sunburst a few years later than this, however in 1967 it was just a variety of Sunburst the words 'Cherry Sunburst' are not seen in Gibson literature for any model until 1971. Shipping figures and price lists for the late 1960s only list Natural and Sunburst finishes, however Ebony (black) and Sparkling Burgundy were also available at this time. Production totals for the ES-175D in 1967 are as follows: Natural - 26, Sunburst - 840. The Sunburst figures presumably include both Cherry Sunburst and the typical Gibson amber to near black Sunburst. Whether other colours are lumped into the Sunburst figures, or were simply omitted is unclear.
Typical 1967 features: one-piece mahogany neck, six-digit stamped serial number without MADE IN USA below it. Zig-zag tailpiece and crown inlay positioned above centre on the headstock. The bell control knobs with metal inserts had been in use since the very early 1960s, but were replaced with witch-hat knobs in 1967/68.
Other features unchanged from earlier ES-175 versions: laminate arched maple top, back and sides. Bound front and back, with a bound neck and split parallelogram inlays. Patent number humbucker pickups and Kluson 320-VP machine heads.
The ES-175D is certainly a fine looking instrument, the gleaming chrome contrasting beautifully with the Cherry sunburst finish. Nickel hardware was phased out circa 1965, in favour of more durable chrome.
Gibson humbuckers have a great reputation - by 1967, these would most likely have been T-top humbuckers with the Gibson 'Patent Number' stickers on their undersides. The rosewood bridge is not attached to the guitars body and requires careful positioning in order to intonate correctly the ones piece rosewood saddle.
The lighter two-tone (red/amber) Cherry Sunburst creates a real contrast against the deep Walnut brown sides - this is of course a finish, the wood is maple throughout - with the cream celluloid binding completing the look. Magnificent! Compare this guitar to one produced the year before with three-tone (black/red/amber) burst 1966 ES-175D.
The neck/headstock is laregly unchanged from previous years - still one-picece mahogany with Brazillian rosewood fretboard and split parallelogram pearloid position markers. Headstock markings are mother-of-pearl, both Gibson logo and crown inlay. The crown logo is positioned above centre in this guitar - this surely must have been one of the last ES-175s shipped with this feature as most Gibson guitars had changed to a headstock design with a centrally designed crown some years earlier. It is likely that this neck (as was often the case in the early 1960s on guitars with smaller production runs) was produced some time prior to completion and shipping. The tuning keys are Kluson-made, part 320VP with plastic buttons.
Images courtesey of justgreatguitars.com
Back to the GIBSON INDEX | comment
German ebay listings
Gibson ES 175D von 1961 Current price: €5495.00 Time left: 3d 16h 15m
See more results on eBay here
There are 0 comments on this article so far. Add your comment