Gox0405 Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 Hello friends ! I am dating a new Gibson 175, and the vendor clames that she is a custom shop. What makes her a custom shop ? There is any difference between the non custom shops ?? Plz, a little hellp with that, i really want to know what are the differences btween a custom and a non custom. Thanks you all ! Fotos on attachments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cody78 Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 Yes, it is a Custom Shop (Gibson Memphis) model. Basically, Gibson 'USA' do not make ES175's. I wouldn't spend too much time worrying about it, the ES-175 is a sublime instrument. That's mine in my avatar/ profile pic. There's different branches of Gibson, from USA, to Montana to Memphis (custom) to Nashville (custom). They each focus on different guitars, for instance Montana makes all the acoustics, Memphis makes ES-175's, ES-335's and more, USA makes regular production Les Pauls, SG's and so forth and Nashville produces L5's, ES-5's, Tal Farlow's, Byrdlands etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gox0405 Posted February 20, 2016 Author Share Posted February 20, 2016 Thanks man, your guitar is beautiful! So there is no much difference, its just made in another place ? Custom shop has nothing to do with that VOS thing ? Sorry for those dumb questions... Im very new on that matter =] Thanks for the patience ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cody78 Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 That's ok dude! V.O.S (Vintage Original Spec) is a Custom Shop only finishing process to supposedly make the guitar look more vintage. There is no such thing at this time as a regular production ES-175 and there hasn't been in many years. All ES 175's are Custom Shop made in Memphis, there is no 'regular production' ES-175. The nature of archtops is that they are not made in mass production quantities like Les Pauls or even SG's, therefore more of a specialised instrument. Thanks for the compliment! I got mine in 2012 and it has very subtle figured maple. The one you are looking at looks gorgeous with that lovely noticeable figuring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 .... All ES 175's are Custom Shop made in Memphis, there is no 'regular production' ES-175. As all 175's are made in the Memphis plant, they ARE the "regular" production models. There are no other models made. As the Memphis plant is operated under the "Custom" division of Gibson's corporate structure, they can claim EVERY guitar built in Memphis as "Custom Shop". This is name and "marketing" only, as there is nothing "custom" built there. It is simply the factory at which specific production models are built. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stein Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 There is no such thing at this time as a regular production ES-175 and there hasn't been in many years. All ES 175's are Custom Shop made in Memphis, there is no 'regular production' ES-175. As all 175's are made in the Memphis plant, they ARE the "regular" production models. There are no other models made. As the Memphis plant is operated under the "Custom" division of Gibson's corporate structure, they can claim EVERY guitar built in Memphis as "Custom Shop". This is name and "marketing" only, as there is nothing "custom" built there. It is simply the factory at which specific production models are built. Kinda have to go with Larry's explanation here. There IS often confusion on this matter, as Gibson HAS in the past marketed the Memphis plant as the "Custom shop", and also, put "Custom shop" badges on guitars made in Memphis. But, as it is now, Memphis is a regular production factory, making regular production guitars. That includes "archtop" models like the 335 and 175. Although, what is made in Memphis is more upscale stuff than what is made in Nashville. I would be curious to know IF Gibson is operating a custom shop, where it is, or if at both places. But just to make clear, "Made in Memphis" isn't "Custom Shop" because it comes from the Memphis Factory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cody78 Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Kinda have to go with Larry's explanation here. There IS often confusion on this matter, as Gibson HAS in the past marketed the Memphis plant as the "Custom shop", and also, put "Custom shop" badges on guitars made in Memphis. But, as it is now, Memphis is a regular production factory, making regular production guitars. That includes "archtop" models like the 335 and 175. Although, what is made in Memphis is more upscale stuff than what is made in Nashville. I would be curious to know IF Gibson is operating a custom shop, where it is, or if at both places. But just to make clear, "Made in Memphis" isn't "Custom Shop" because it comes from the Memphis Factory. This is kind of bizarre as my ES-175 came with Custom Shop case, tags, certificate and warranty. Also, you say more upscale stuff is made in Memphis not Nashville? My ES-5 Switchmaster was built in Nashville and so was my L5! I'd say that's pretty upscale! Seems confusing to me haha... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stein Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 This is kind of bizarre as my ES-175 came with custom shop case, tags, certificate and warranty. Also, you say more upscale stuff is made in Memphis not Nashville? My ES-5 Switchmaster was built in Nashville and so was my L5! I'd say that's pretty upscale?! Well, indeed, those are obviously "upscale". It isn't to say, stuff made in Memphis is automatically "better" or "upscale" compared to stuff made in Nashville. Rather, as far as product lines, usually the "upscale" models are made in Memphis as opposed to Nashville. Might be worth asking: WHEN were your particular guitars made? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cody78 Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Well, indeed, those are obviously "upscale". It isn't to say, stuff made in Memphis is automatically "better" or "upscale" compared to stuff made in Nashville. Rather, as far as product lines, usually the "upscale" models are made in Memphis as opposed to Nashville. Might be worth asking: WHEN were your particular guitars made? Hey stein. It's all good. My ES-175 is from 2012, ES-5 was made 2010 and L5CES 2015. All I meant by an ES 175 not being regular production is that they are not made in the quantities that Les Pauls or SG's are made in under the 'Gibson USA' banner. To me, that seems to be the 'regular' line for Gibson electrics if you get what I mean. This is not to put down 'Gibson USA' guitars as they are great too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stein Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Hey stein. It's all good. My ES-175 is from 2012, ES-5 was made 2010 and L5CES 2015. All I meant by an ES 175 not being regular production, is that they are not made in the quantities that Les Pauls or SG's are made in under the 'Gibson USA' banner. To me, that seems to be the 'regular' line for Gibson electrics if you get what I mean. This is not to put down 'Gibson USA' guitars as they are great too. So, all fairly recent. Was wondering if any were made before the Memphis plant, or during a transition. Still, the confusion, over Gibson "Custom Shop". What is it, Where is it, and what makes a particular Gibson "Custom Shop" or not. The way Gibson has and does market different guitars, it can be hard to tell. I certainly don't know. I would GUESS that the L-5 you have is an actual "Custom Shop". I would like to hear from others here that know. One thing is Gibson has, perhaps, mis-used the "Custom Shop" badge, causing confusion as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4Hayden Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 Sharp guitar either way 4H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 One thing is Gibson has, perhaps, mis-used the "Custom Shop" badge,... There it is, enough said! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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