Brand: Gibson
Instrument Categories: Archtop, Electric, Guitars, SOLD
Signature models are sometimes unusual, as is the case with the Gibson Herb Ellis Plus – the two pickup version of the Herb Ellis ES-165, built from 1991 to 2013.
The late Herb Ellis was one of the more prominent American Jazz guitarists, and his 1943 spot in Glen Gray’s Casa Loma Orchestra (that name is meaningful to those in Toronto, but it seems the band is not related to the Gothic Casa Loma mansion) brought him to the attention of the jazz world. He then moved to Jimmy Dorsey’s band and in the 1950’s he replaced Barney Kessel in the Oscar Peterson Trio. He toured constantly and did thousands of sessions.
Based on the classic Gibson ES-175 introduced in 1949, the Gibson Herb Ellis Plus and Herb Ellis single pickup ES-165 models have some visible differences. It’s hard to miss the attractively figured Maple laminate used for the top and back, compared to the rather plain laminates used on the ES-175. Not visibly, the laminate construction is also different – Figured Maple, a Poplar core and Maple for the Herb Ellis models and plain Maple, a basswood core and Maple for the ES-175. There are hardware differences too – Gold plated hardware on the Ellis, metal ‘tulip-head’ buttons on Grover Roto-Matic gears, a Gibson ABR tune-o-matic bridge on a Rosewood base, and a special tailpiece.
This Gibson Herb Ellis Plus dates to July 16th, 2004 and was built at the Nashville plant. It’s in very clean, original condition, with very little finish or fret wear. It plays well and cleanly, and has the distinct archtop electric sound and tonal shape.
The original Gibson arched top hard shell faux-gator case is included.
- Model: Herb Ellis Plus ES-165
- Year: 2004
- Finish Tobacco Sunburst
- Class: Used
- Serial Number: 01984702 July 16th, 2004 Nashville
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Very Good
- Date Posted: 31/10/2019
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Required CITES documentation
- Including original Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 7.21lbs 3.28kg
- Scale Length: 24.75in 628.6mm
- Nut Width: 1.6875in 43mm
