Calling Wilco: ES-165 Help

[Goldmember]

Wilco

I would really appreciate any compare/contrast (other than the obvious) insight you might have regarding the ES-175 v the ES-165. Anyone else care to jump in as well?

I'm about to pull the trigger on a Herbie and could use a little "hand holding"

 

[Goldmember]

Errrrr..... Wilko (sorry for the typo)

 

[Wilko]

I've got both.

What do want to do with the Herb?

If you'll miss the bridge pickup, get the 175.

The 165 has a bigger sound due to the top being more free to move without the weight of the other Humbucker nailed to the top.

For round fat jazz tones the 165 is very nice. A bit better than the 175 I have.

Keep in mind they both are short scale and as such don't have near the "umpphhh" of an L-5

With either I'd also recommend a rosewood bridge for amore "acousticy" sound that (believe it or not) sounds brighter/warmer when plugged in.

 

[Goldmember]

I'll mostly be using it for blues type stuff. I'll likely not miss the bridge P/U as I tend to play the neck pickup most often on all my guitars. Bridge for distoted lead stuff and that's about it.

This is my first foray into the world of jazz boxes and hope it will fill the spectrum from solid bodies to semi's...

Any quality/construction issues? There is a vast difference in price betwixt the 165 & 175.

 

[Wilko]

Hmmm,
What's the price difference these days?

The 165 gives really good jazz tones, as does the 175.

the 165 isn't as versatile, so it may be a real bargain.

Manufacturing differences should be minimal.
165 has no MOP inlays in heastock, only one pickup (498?, not a classic 57) and two fewer pots and no pickup switch. Quality is standard Gibson semi-sketchy. I cleaned up crap around the sound holes and touched up with a magic marker, Did some nut/fret work. I added the rosewood bridge (very cool sound) I use Medium guage (12's) flatwounds. I imagine it would be nice with 11's in roundwound for a funky bluesy fat snarl.

 

[Goldmember]

The MSRP difference is about $1100, street is all over the place depending on if it's an '02 or an '01.

I'm thinking 11's, that's what I use on my Tele, 9's on every thing else! The pickup is supposed to be a 490, and this one is a 2001 model.

The big change for 2002 is to a floating (a la Johnny Smith) mini-bucker. I find that somewhat curious on a plywood top guitar and actually prefer the surface mount full size pickup on the 2001.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Wilko]

Wow, floating pickup would be awesome for any guitar. Why not plywood? it needs all the help it can get.

Good luck, let me know what you end up with.

Rick

 

[Goldmember]

Herbie arrived yesterday.

 

[Wilko]

Right on! Congrats. Pass the cigars.

That is one cool mofo guitar. Youi'll get a lot of comments on it. they show very well.

 

[Goldmember]

Thanks! It sounds and plays great. My Telecaster is jealous cuz I get all mellow and jazzy while I'm playing it.

It has a few nit-picky cosmetic issues, but the price was astounding. Where the heck is the ding-danged other strap button???

It can really howl through my little ol' Pro Junior too....feedback, YOW!

 

[Wilko]

I put the strap button on the heel flat like on a 175 or 335.