Gibson EDS-1275 Double 12 Solid Body Electric Guitar (1975)
LOADING IMAGES
Just Arrived!
This item is currently on hold.
Item # 12971
Prices subject to change without notice.
Gibson EDS-1275 Double 12 Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1975), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 550778, Ambered blonde lacquer finish, mahogany body, laminated maple necks with rosewood fingerboards, black gig bag case.
In the mid-late 1970's the Gibson EDS-1275 Double 12 was more popular than it had ever been, or probably ever will be again! This well-used one dates to 1975, the first full production year after the model returned to the catalog following a 6-year gap. 334 of these very expensive showpieces were shipped that year, showing a substantial demand had built up. The visibility of Gibson's doubleneck in the hands of Jimmy Page and John McLaughlin made the model a status symbol for the ambitious guitar hero, and the company responded by making the previously discontinued model (unavailable from 1967-73) a staple of the line for a few years. This guitar has pots with a visible code 7452, indicating they were fabricated in the last week of 1974.
This 1975 EDS-1275 is notable for its very ambered blonde look; most from this era are finished in a comparatively dull walnut stain. The rather "smoked" finish appears to have originally been not white but the '70s variation of "TV Yellow" which was NOT a standard livery on the EDS-1275. It has a large "BGN" stamp on the back of both headstocks indicating that when finished out it did not pass final inspection at the Gibson Factory. "BGN" stands for "Bargain" (sometimes noted as "Below Gibson Name") which designates an instrument originally sold from the factory at a substantial discount, either to employees or some selected dealers. With the subsequent wear to the instrument it's not possible to say for sure what the perceived flaw was; maybe the non-stock color was reason enough. There is evidence of old work around the joint of the 6-string neck; it is certainly possible the angle was not great as built and later corrected. At any rate wherever the guitar ended up someone got a lot of use out of it!
Apart from the unusual finish this EDS-1275 has typical 'mid-70s period features including one-piece mahogany necks with slightly wider headstocks than '60s versions and all chrome hardware. The pickups are a matched set of 4 patent-stamped humbuckers, the bridges are twin Tune-O-Matics with slotted tailpieces and the layout and hardware are little changed from 1960's models. The tuners are metal-button Kluson Deluxe, the knobs are the "witch hat" style adopted in 1967.
Whatever the story of its origins this double threat guitar has definitely seen some use over 5 decades; we'd guess it has played "Stairway To Heaven" and "Hotel California" more than once along the way. It remains an excellent player, at just over 11 Lbs. not as heavy as some with a comfortable action on both necks. And just strapping it on still qualifies as a mission statement!
Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 cm.), 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 9/16 in. (4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.)., 11.14 lbs.
This imposing beast shows a decent amount of play wear overall but remains original and unaltered. There is noticeable wear to the finish overall, showing a deep ambering to the color, some very broad checking and a wide assortment of chips, scuffs, scratches and dings. This is heaviest on the body edges. The backs of the necks has some similar wear but are comparatively clean, with only small dings and dents.
There are no visible cracks or damage; it does look as if the 6-string neck was possibly removed and reset, or there was simply some gap fill and touch up at the base of the heel. The 12-string neck shows a bit of touch up there as well but not as extensive; whatever the case the angle of both necks is fine and playability is excellent. The frets have been crowned a bit but have plenty of meat left. The hardware is original and complete showing some typical plating wear.
While somewhat worn in this veteran Double 12 is an excellent player, a 1970s flashback par excellence and superbly impressive in its ambered finish. It lives in a black rectangular vinyl padded rectangular gig bag that looks designed more for a keyboard than guitar but is actually quite functional. Overall Very Good + Condition.
In the mid-late 1970's the Gibson EDS-1275 Double 12 was more popular than it had ever been, or probably ever will be again! This well-used one dates to 1975, the first full production year after the model returned to the catalog following a 6-year gap. 334 of these very expensive showpieces were shipped that year, showing a substantial demand had built up. The visibility of Gibson's doubleneck in the hands of Jimmy Page and John McLaughlin made the model a status symbol for the ambitious guitar hero, and the company responded by making the previously discontinued model (unavailable from 1967-73) a staple of the line for a few years. This guitar has pots with a visible code 7452, indicating they were fabricated in the last week of 1974.
This 1975 EDS-1275 is notable for its very ambered blonde look; most from this era are finished in a comparatively dull walnut stain. The rather "smoked" finish appears to have originally been not white but the '70s variation of "TV Yellow" which was NOT a standard livery on the EDS-1275. It has a large "BGN" stamp on the back of both headstocks indicating that when finished out it did not pass final inspection at the Gibson Factory. "BGN" stands for "Bargain" (sometimes noted as "Below Gibson Name") which designates an instrument originally sold from the factory at a substantial discount, either to employees or some selected dealers. With the subsequent wear to the instrument it's not possible to say for sure what the perceived flaw was; maybe the non-stock color was reason enough. There is evidence of old work around the joint of the 6-string neck; it is certainly possible the angle was not great as built and later corrected. At any rate wherever the guitar ended up someone got a lot of use out of it!
Apart from the unusual finish this EDS-1275 has typical 'mid-70s period features including one-piece mahogany necks with slightly wider headstocks than '60s versions and all chrome hardware. The pickups are a matched set of 4 patent-stamped humbuckers, the bridges are twin Tune-O-Matics with slotted tailpieces and the layout and hardware are little changed from 1960's models. The tuners are metal-button Kluson Deluxe, the knobs are the "witch hat" style adopted in 1967.
Whatever the story of its origins this double threat guitar has definitely seen some use over 5 decades; we'd guess it has played "Stairway To Heaven" and "Hotel California" more than once along the way. It remains an excellent player, at just over 11 Lbs. not as heavy as some with a comfortable action on both necks. And just strapping it on still qualifies as a mission statement!
Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 cm.), 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 9/16 in. (4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.)., 11.14 lbs.
This imposing beast shows a decent amount of play wear overall but remains original and unaltered. There is noticeable wear to the finish overall, showing a deep ambering to the color, some very broad checking and a wide assortment of chips, scuffs, scratches and dings. This is heaviest on the body edges. The backs of the necks has some similar wear but are comparatively clean, with only small dings and dents.
There are no visible cracks or damage; it does look as if the 6-string neck was possibly removed and reset, or there was simply some gap fill and touch up at the base of the heel. The 12-string neck shows a bit of touch up there as well but not as extensive; whatever the case the angle of both necks is fine and playability is excellent. The frets have been crowned a bit but have plenty of meat left. The hardware is original and complete showing some typical plating wear.
While somewhat worn in this veteran Double 12 is an excellent player, a 1970s flashback par excellence and superbly impressive in its ambered finish. It lives in a black rectangular vinyl padded rectangular gig bag that looks designed more for a keyboard than guitar but is actually quite functional. Overall Very Good + Condition.