Andy's Gibsons

Over the years Andy has become a real Gibson player. He has always played Gibsons, in fact trading a Les Paul with Eric Clapton to get his signature '63 Telecaster. Andy loves Gibsons for their warm, huge tone, not to mention their association with jazz music. His ideal tone has always been something like "a guitar with jazz pickups, but with an edge." Here are some of Andy's Gibsons he used with the Police.

1964 Gibson ES-175 & 1958 Gibson ES-175

Like Steve Howe, Andy is a huge Gibson ES-175 enthusiast. Andy's quest for his idea of a perfect tone has brought him over the course of many instruments; and the Gibson ES-175 model is one of them.

A little known fact is that Andy used his 1964 and 1958 ES-175's all over "Ghost In The Machine" and "Synchronicity". Andy's evolution of his tone from bright and sparky to warm and edgy began with his exclusive use of his ES-175s on these albums."I used a 175 quite a lot," he told Steve Gett in July '83 issue of Guitar Heroes. "I started getting into that. It has a very fat sound and edgy sound. It's a very good one- a 1964, and has really got the sound."

Andy has praised his 1958 ES-175 as the "best I've ever come across." His use of these guitars on the last two Police albums is sort of ironic, since all of Andy's post-Police work involves hollow-bodied guitars like these.

This ES-175 below in the color photo (both photos taken by Norman Moore) is Andy's 1958 ES-175. I assume this because it has only one neck pickup and just looks alot more 'vintage' than the one on the left, which has more controls and two PAF style humbuckers. Note that his 1964's inlays are different than any ES-175's shown here.

Andy's 1958 Gibson ES-175 (Photo by Norman Moore)

Andy's 1964 Gibson ES-175 (Photo by Norman Moore)

Gibson 330 similar to this one was one of Andy's first guitars.

Gibson Chet Atkins Electric/Classical

Andy must have been excited when he saw this guitar for the first time. It combines two worlds of guitar he has explored. Bought before the "Synchronicity" sessions, it is a classical guitar that can be electrically amplified- just like an "acoustic electric." It was used on the album, specifically on "Miss Grandeko", and is featured in the "Wrapped Around Your Finger" video.

Above: Andy's '56 Gibson Junior. Photo by Norman Moore

1958 Gibson ES-335

Andy has used this sunburst 335 on many, many records, even those before the Police. He is very proud of it. He told 20th Century Guitar Magazine in February 1997 that "It's a killer."

This guitar was used extensively on "Ghost in The Machine" along with some other hollow bodied electrics and Strats. Andy then featured it on "Synchronicity."

But that's not all! Here is a small list of more Gibsons Andy has picked up over the years:

- Gibson Les Paul Custom

- Gibson Switchmaster Sunburst

- 1961 Gibson Johnny Smith

- and who knows how many more!

By Greg Danielak - 2000