1957 Gibson ES-175
The first PAF-equipped ES-175 — the definitive collector version. The warm, woody tone of the archtop body with PAF humbuckers is the sound of classic jazz guitar. Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, and Pat Metheny are all associated with this model.
Current Market Value
* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology
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 | 800 |
Pickups & Electronics
Two PAF humbuckers — first year of humbuckers in the ES-175. Game-changing for jazz tone.
What Changed in 1957
PAF humbuckers replaced P-90s — a transformative change for the ES-175. The combination of the archtop hollow body with PAF humbuckers created one of the warmest, most refined jazz tones ever achieved on an electric guitar.
Notable Examples
Joe Pass played an ES-175 for much of his career. The model is associated with virtually every major jazz guitarist from the late 1950s onward.
Collector's Notes
Original PAF humbuckers are critical — the ES-175 was heavily used by jazz players who often modified electronics. Verify full originality. The trapeze tailpiece should be original. These are still actively used instruments, not just shelf pieces.