1953 Gibson ES-175
The classic two-pickup ES-175D — the version that defined the model. Two P-90 dog-ears, pressed maple body, and the warm archtop sound that became synonymous with jazz guitar.
Current Market Value
* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology
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Specifications
| Body Wood | Maple (pressed archtop hollow body) |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood |
| Scale Length | 24.750" |
| Frets | 20 |
| Pickup Config | HH |
| Bridge | Adjustable rosewood bridge, trapeze tailpiece |
| Tuners | Kluson Deluxe |
| Finish Options | Sunburst |
| Est. Production | 650 |
Pickups & Electronics
Two P-90 dog-ear pickups (175D model — two-pickup version introduced). Jazz-optimized tone.
What Changed in 1953
The two-pickup ES-175D became the standard model. The 175 was becoming Gibson's flagship jazz archtop electric. Joe Pass and other prominent jazz players adopted it.
Collector's Notes
Two-pickup D versions are more common than the single-pickup version. Verify that the pickups are original P-90s. The trapeze tailpiece is correct. This model has been continuously popular and well-maintained examples are more common than some vintage Gibsons.
How to Authenticate a 1953 Gibson ES-175
Gibson serial numbers from this era are ink-stamped on the back of the headstock. Cross-reference with known Gibson serial tables — numbering was not strictly sequential. Potentiometer date codes are critical: look for CTS pots (code 137) with two-digit year codes matching 1953 or up to 18 months earlier. This is the most reliable dating method for Gibson guitars of this era. The finish should be nitrocellulose lacquer showing age-appropriate checking (fine crazing). Under blacklight, original nitro fluoresces a distinctive green-yellow — refinished instruments lack this characteristic. Verify original P-90 pickups with correct construction. Full-depth hollow-body archtop. Laminated maple body with single Florentine cutaway. Parallelogram inlays. Check binding condition — deterioration common. Original Kluson Deluxe should be present with no evidence of replacement (no oversized bushing holes). Original hardshell case adds provenance value.