1940 Gibson 6-string: EH-185 or -275?

John Schaible · Post by **John Schaible** » 19 Jan 2008 9:37 am

I need a little help nailing down the model on my Gibson. I think it's an EH-275. Can you all enlighten me as to whether it is a 275 or a 185?
The FON is F1162-14. It has a natural finish, tortoise shell binding, colored "fret" markers, rectangular inlays for position markers, slant pick-up.
(Sorry I can't figure out how to get a photo up here. How is it done?)
Thanks.

Richard Shatz · Post by **Richard Shatz** » 19 Jan 2008 11:02 am

As I understand it, the tortoise shell binding on the blond finish body qualifies it as a EH-275.
The FON on mine is F1162-6.
Tighe Falato is the EH-275 expert in these parts.
He owns FON F1162-3 and F1162-4.
Hopefully he will confirm this assumption.

Can you give us any history on this steel?
Where did you get it?
How long ago?
How much did you pay? (if you don't mind)

John Schaible · Post by **John Schaible** » 19 Jan 2008 11:19 am

Thanks, Richard. I appreciate your help. And I'll look forward to what Tighe has to say.

Sorry to say, I have no real history for this instrument. I bought it myself at a pawn shop in Dayton, Ohio. I can't remember exactly when I got it or what I paid for it; my best guesses are that it was the early '70s and less than $300.

Tighe Falato · Post by **Tighe Falato** » 31 Jan 2008 4:49 am

Better late than never! It sounds like you are the <proud> owner of an EH-275. Gibson only shipped 25 and there can be confusion with the EH-185N but you clearly have the correct FON for the run in 1940-42. What is referred to as the ES-300 pickup is a great early design that lead to the post war P90. It has been overlooked for the most part for the earlier Charlie Christian blade pickup but nonetheless an important part of Gibson's early electrified efforts. You can check out my 275s for comparision on my website - www.guitaracquisitionsyndrome.com

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 31 Jan 2008 6:44 am

what a site you have Tighe !
there's some beOOtifull thangs in there folks !

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 31 Jan 2008 7:51 am

Tighe Falato · Post by **Tighe Falato** » 31 Jan 2008 10:55 am

Thanks Crowbear! My site continues to evolve so its a work in progress.

Howard/What is the FON? This is the one off eBay from a few years back? Special order? Beautiful instrument! Only one I've seen with the CC pup.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 31 Jan 2008 9:55 pm

Yes, this is the one from Ebay......7 string.......

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 1 Feb 2008 8:27 pm

F581940

Bill Creller · Post by **Bill Creller** » 1 Feb 2008 10:30 pm

Fantastic collection Tighe!! Lots of stuff I didn't know existed.

Tighe Falato · Post by **Tighe Falato** » 2 Feb 2008 3:05 am

Howard/Thanks for the FON! Not part of the sequence that I'm aware of which, along with the CC pup, makes me think it's a one off and built for a customer. Such a wonderful find as I've yet to see another and have my doubts I ever will

So when is the HowardR collection going to grace us with a website to drool over? Really enjoyed all the photos you posted a bit back!

Bill/Thanks for the compliment! I've tried to collect rare pieces or those with some history behind them. Lap steels got me started but obviously I took my collecting a bit further

Time to add my Feburary G.A.S. Attack of the Month!

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 3 Feb 2008 9:34 pm

I noticed that also and double checked with an 8x lupe.....the FON I posted is correct.....

As far as a website....right now, I have my hands very full.....but I'll keep posting as we go along....

I'm pretty much finished with vintage. My interests for the past few years have been working with luthiers in building one offs and unique guitars.

I have a couple of interesting ones coming around very shortly.....