Pat Metheny’s iconic sound is not attributed to a pristine, high-end guitar but rather to a well-worn 1958 Gibson ES-175, a model that has seen better days. This beloved instrument,held together with tape and featuring an unusual modification – a toothbrush lodged in the tailpiece – has become synonymous with Metheny’s musical identity.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, this guitar was a constant companion for Metheny, gracing stages worldwide and contributing to the unique tones found in his early works, including collaborations with Gary Burton and his groundbreaking album, Shining Size Life.
the Legendary $100 Guitar
Metheny was just 13 years old when he stumbled upon the ES-175 in Missouri, following the unfortunate destruction of his previous guitar, a Gibson ES-140T, by an airline.
“My dad and I found an ES-175 for sale. The seller wanted $120, but Dad negotiated it down to $100.”
“I was heartbroken when my previous guitar was damaged. I had checked it in a cardboard case, and it came out in pieces,” Metheny recounted in an interview with Guitar Player. “The airline compensated me with a guitar, which was a rarity back then.”
After receiving a Fender Mustang as a temporary replacement, metheny found himself immersed in the garage band scene, all while developing a deep appreciation for jazz.
It was during this period that the ES-175 entered his life. “My dad and I found an ES-175 for sale. The seller wanted $120, but Dad negotiated it down to $100,” he shared with Vintage Guitar. This purchase would prove pivotal,as Metheny quickly recognized that this guitar possessed the feel and sound he had been searching for.
“It became my benchmark for all other guitars,” he stated.
The Iconic Toothbrush Fix
One of the most memorable modifications to the guitar arose from necessity. “When I was about 16, the strap holder broke off during a gig,” metheny explained to Guitar Player in 1981. ”I shoved a toothbrush in there to keep playing, and it has remained ever since.”
This quirky fix became a defining characteristic of the instrument. photos from the 1970s and 1980s prominently feature the toothbrush, making it instantly recognizable to fans and fellow guitarists alike.
While studying music at the University of Miami, Metheny explored various instruments in search of his ideal sound.
“My 175 had been sitting under my bed while I experimented with other guitars. Suddenly, it felt like the instrument I was meant to play.”
“I tried a Gibson L-5 and even played a les Paul for a while. I was experimenting with everything, but it was frustrating because I couldn’t find the sound I wanted,” he recalled. Eventually, he rediscovered the magic of his ES-175.
“After letting it sit for six months while I explored other options, I picked it up again, and it felt right. I could tell it was my instrument,” he reflected. “Listening to old recordings from that time, I can hear my style emerging, even in its raw form.”
Extensive Modifications
The ES-175 was far from its original state. As a young musician eager to experiment with sound, Metheny made numerous modifications to the guitar.
Originally equipped with a single pickup, Metheny added a second pickup and additional controls. Though, after some experimentation, he decided to remove the extra components. “This was initially a one-pickup guitar, and I added another pickup and controls. After the experimental pickup fell out one night, I took it out and covered the holes,” he explained.
Years of touring took their toll on the instrument, leaving it physically fragile. “There’s gaffer’s tape along the sides because of significant cracks,” Metheny noted in the same interview.
Years on the Road
Despite its deteriorating condition, the ES-175 remained Metheny’s primary guitar during the formative years of his career. It had endured countless performances and recording sessions, traveling thousands of miles with him.
“It was really getting beat up. It had never been serviced and was held together with duct tape,” he shared with Reverb.
Even when he began incorporating a Roland GR-300 guitar synthesizer in the early 1980s, Metheny continued to rely on the ES-175. “I love feeling the wood vibrate against my chest, which is why I prefer the 175,” he explained.
Retirement from Touring
Eventually,the wear and tear became too significant. Metheny retired the guitar from regular touring in the early 1990s and transitioned to custom instruments from Ibanez.
Nevertheless, he never lost his fondness for the battered ES-175 that had defined his early sound. ”I miss the 175… it was becoming too fragile in recent years,” Metheny expressed on his official website forum.
Today, the guitar stands as one of the most iconic instruments in jazz history – not for its pristine condition, but for its character and the stories it carries. With its worn finish, cracked sides, taped seams, and the toothbrush sticking out of the tailpiece, the ES-175 is an unlikely star in any guitarist’s collection. It serves as a testament to the fact that one of the most influential jazz guitarists of our time emerged from an instrument that looked as if it could fall apart at any moment.
