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PAFs on a 1964 ES-175?

Phatfrank

Active member
Joined
Feb 5, 2015
Messages
309
A few months ago I bought a loooovely ‘64 ES-175. My luthier finished a refret on it yesterday, and I asked him to check the pickups as I was curious. Turns out it has PAFs, which I thought were replaced by Pat Nos around 1962. Serial clearly indicates a 1964 guitar. Pot dates were not checked unfortunately, but all wirings and solderings are original and untouched. Has anyone heard of a 1964 guitar with PAFs?
 

style0

Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2006
Messages
379
A few months ago I bought a loooovely ‘64 ES-175. My luthier finished a refret on it yesterday, and I asked him to check the pickups as I was curious. Turns out it has PAFs, which I thought were replaced by Pat Nos around 1962. Serial clearly indicates a 1964 guitar. Pot dates were not checked unfortunately, but all wirings and solderings are original and untouched. Has anyone heard of a 1964 guitar with PAFs?
Steve Howes infamous ‘64 175 had one PAF and one Pat # pickup.
 

TM1

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
Not uncommon during that era. All depends on what's in the bin. When the women got done with building them, they would wrap them in some fuzzy paper to protect them. The paper was about 1/4" thick, brown and was used to protect the outside cover from getting scratched.
So when the final assembler would pull one out of the bin they never knew what it was. They probably didn't care either as it was whatever was there to finish the guitar.
 

Phatfrank

Active member
Joined
Feb 5, 2015
Messages
309
Not uncommon during that era. All depends on what's in the bin. When the women got done with building them, they would wrap them in some fuzzy paper to protect them. The paper was about 1/4" thick, brown and was used to protect the outside cover from getting scratched.
So when the final assembler would pull one out of the bin they never knew what it was. They probably didn't care either as it was whatever was there to finish the guitar.

Pretty much what I thought - thanks for the insight:). Funny how such a trivial event can have a big impact on value 65 odd years later:)
 

Phatfrank

Active member
Joined
Feb 5, 2015
Messages
309
:photos

:peace2

Sorry, I’m on holiday with just my iphone available, so posting photos is a bit of a hassle. But I did:):
Lje0CIL.jpg
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C6EHZlm.jpg
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and one with her sister:
58fT148.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
 

1jamman

New member
Joined
Feb 28, 2013
Messages
610
Not trying to stir up anything and I'm no expert . But , I question those solder joints .... Maybe it the lighting angle ? :hmm
 

mdubya

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 31, 2010
Messages
1,020
Sorry, I’m on holiday with just my iphone available, so posting photos is a bit of a hassle. But I did:):
Lje0CIL.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
C6EHZlm.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

and one with her sister:
58fT148.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]


Thank you for sharing and thank you for going to the trouble! :peace2

Beautiful. :wow
 

Phatfrank

Active member
Joined
Feb 5, 2015
Messages
309
Not trying to stir up anything and I'm no expert . But , I question those solder joints .... Maybe it the lighting angle ? :hmm

Picture was taken by my luthier, who says that everything is 100% original and untouched. He’s quite capable, so I have no doubts:)
 

Phatfrank

Active member
Joined
Feb 5, 2015
Messages
309
Turns out all the original hangtags are in an old envelope marked «1962 Gibson es-175». Serial is 155xxx which AFAIK indicates a 1964 model, but are the serials exact? Whats the best way to make sure? Checking pot dates seems like a bit of a hassle.
 
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