ES 175 maybe 1954

[justaname12]

My dad just received his brother’s ES 175. He knows it was from the 50’s. I did a search at some site and it says it was 1954. Is this correct? Is there any way to find out more info? I assume it was Kalamazoo. Any help would be appreciated.

serial #A17107

Tobacco burst 

Single Humbucker 

[ksdaddy]

We would need to see photos but here's a couple tidbits right from the get-go:

They went from 19 frets to 20 frets on most models in 1955. This will help narrow yours down.

It did not come with a humbucker from the factory. They weren't offered until 1957. Maybe yours was changed, or maybe it's 1957 or newer.

Scott

[Dave F]

From http://www.guitarhq.com/gibson.html#serial

looks like it's an early '54 and should have a white label versus an orange one.

"A" style serial numbers as used from 1947 to 1961.
Left: Oval white label as used from spring 1947 to January 1955.
Right: Orange label as used from January 1955 to 1964. The 1964 to 1969 orange labels are identical, except for the added text "union made".

 

• Gibson Serial Numbers for Hollow bodies, 1947 to 1961.
  • "A" series, number on interior label, 1947 to 1961 hollow body models. This "Artist" series serial numbers were only used on mid to upper end instruments.

    Year    Number
    ----    ------
    1947    A-100  (Apr 28)
            A-411  (Jul 2)
            A-1146 (Dec 1)
            A-1304
    1948    A-1305 (Jan 8)
            A-1849 (Jul 2)
            A-2613 (Dec 8)
            A-2665
    1949    A-2666 (Jan 5)
            A-3353 (Jul 1)
            A-4209 (Dec 1)
            A-4413
    1950    A-4414 (Jan 3)
            A-5456 (Jul 3)
            A-6312 (Dec 4)
            A-6597
    1951    A-6598 (Jan 4)
            A-8030 (Jul 2)
            A-9194 (Dec 3)
            A-9419
    1952    A-9420  (Jan 2)
            A-11057 (Jul 1)
            A-12202 (Dec 1)
            A-12462
    1953    A-12463 (Jan 8)
            A-14332 (Jul 1)
            A-15883 (Dec 2)
            A-16101
    1954    A-16102 (Jan 5)
            A-17435 (Jul 1)
            A-18496 (Dec 1)
            A-18667 
    1955    A-18668 (Jan 6)
            A-18750 (Jan 12, last white label. 
                     Note A-18751 to A-19999 not used)
            A 20001 (Jan 13, First orange label)
            A 20991 (Jul 1)
            A 21745 (Dec 1)
            A 21909
    1956    A 21910 (Jan 6)
            A 23387 (Jul 3)
            A 24567 (Dec 1)
            A 24755
    1957    A 24756 (Jan 3)
            A 25899 (Jul 3)
            A 26695 (Dec 3)
            A 26819
    1958    A 26820 (Jan 6)
            A 27816 (Jul 1)
            A 28576 (Dec 1)
            A 28880
    1959    A 28881 (Jan 9)
            A 30569 (Jul 13)
            A 31844 (Dec 2)
            A 32284
    1960    A 32285 (Jan 4)
            A 34068 (Jul 1)
            A 35252 (Dec 1)
            A 35645
    1961    A 35646 (Jan 3)
            A 35943 (Feb 1)
            A 36147 (Feb 21, Last "A" number)