Mlagz

But unfortunately I can only pick one...an ES 175 and a Collings I35...still have a while to decide but I'm curious as to which one you guys would pick

http://umanovguitars.com/store/item...gibson-es-175d/

^ I'm actually looking at that one

And here's just a pic of an I35

http://www.crguitars.com/site/items/collings-i35-lc

Both really beautiful and versatile instruments in my opinion. Which is why it's going to be hard to choose.

mmolteratx

I like the body style of the Collings better. Now, if it were between an I-35 and a similar era 335, I'd probably go for the 335, though the Collings is definitely an excellent instrument. If we're talking investment pieces, the I-35 will lose $1000 a month after you buy it new. The 175 will likely rise in value, unless you overpay.

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Don't Taze Me B

Yeah, I would say go with the Gibson, but if it were me, I might end up being afraid to play it, i.e. accidentally damaging it and decreasing its value. If you could give us more of a perspective on the issue, like how long you've been saving, other gear you have, the purpose of the guitar purchase, etc, we could probably give you a better opinion.

AWACS

The Collings I would play, the Gibson I would put on display.

/my2cents

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Mlagz

Cool. But if you interrupt me, I might have to taze you, bro. Anyway, I just really dig the 175. It's really warm sounding, which is always an important factor for me. My main "style" of playing would be singer songwriter with some jazz infused. Basically, the volume intensity is never too loud but there's some dirt. I play an SG now, which I love, but it doesn't always fit every song...which is why I'm checking out the 175. When I'm strumming the SG I have to be carefull or else I lose the definition of the notes. Seems like that wouldn't be a problem with the 175, but I feel it might be for the I35. On the other hand, I like to experiment with pedals (distortion, reverb, delay, etc.) which would work well with the I35...not so sure about the 175 (hum, feedback). Plus the I35 is a killer sounding guitar and is versatile as well, which makes this harder to decide.

I only use a tubescreamer and a line6 dL4 through my 67' Princeton reverb (would be a nice combo with the vintage 175, yea?) with some reverb.

I'm leaning more towards the 175, but it would seem to be a little limiting in terms of effects. I will see if Dr. Frankenstein has some free time.

Mlagz

That's a crime.

lightningjoe88

I think you could probably get more variety of tones out of the Collins. I (like all the others have mentioned) would also get very nervous playing such an expensive piece of gear like that Gibson.

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dannyalcatraz

If something is too expensive for you to enjoy using it as intended, you probably shouldn't buy it. Cars, jewelry, guitars...its all the same.

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