1968 Gibson ES-175
The 1968 ES-175 — the definitive jazz archtop. Sharp cutaway, floating bridge, and humbucker pickups. The guitar of Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, and Pat Metheny.
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 laminate (full-depth archtop) |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany |
| Fingerboard | Brazilian Rosewood |
| Scale Length | 24.750" |
| Frets | 20 |
| Pickup Config | SS |
| Bridge | Floating rosewood bridge with trapeze tailpiece |
| Tuners | Kluson Deluxe |
| Finish Options | Sunburst, Natural |
| Est. Production | 2,000 |
Pickups & Electronics
PAF or Patent Number humbucking pickup(s). Sharp-cutaway archtop tone.
What Changed in 1968
Continued production. The ES-175 remains the jazz guitarist's first choice.
Notable Examples
Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, Pat Metheny, Jim Hall — the ES-175 defined jazz guitar tone.
Collector's Notes
Jazz players prioritize playability over collector condition. Original pickups, floating bridge, and trapeze tailpiece are key. Single-pickup models are rarer but two-pickup more desirable for players.
How to Authenticate a 1968 Gibson ES-175
Check the serial number on the back of the headstock — ink-stamped numbers should fall within documented ranges for 1968. Potentiometer date codes are critical: look for CTS pots (code 137) with two-digit year codes matching 1968 or up to 18 months earlier. This is the most reliable dating method for Gibson guitars of this era. Gibson used nitrocellulose lacquer through the late 1960s. Check for natural checking and wear patterns. Under UV light, original finishes fluoresce differently than refinishes. Check for original humbuckers consistent with 1968 production. 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.