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Average Price: $3,324
High-end/Boutique
$500
$1201+
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High-end
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Description
The Gibson ES-175 Electric Guitar is a tribute to timeless design and sonic excellence, making it a staple in both the jazz world and beyond. With its fully hollow body and sharp Florentine cutaway, this guitar emanates a classic vibe that has captivated musicians for decades. Its warm, resonant tone is crafted through expert craftsmanship and premium materials, including a maple top that often boasts a striking flame pattern, enhancing its visual allure.
While the ES-175 is synonymous with jazz, thanks to legendary players like Joe Pass, it has also found its place in rock history, notably in the hands of Yes' Steve Howe. The dual humbucker pickups deliver a versatile tonal range, from smooth, mellow jazz tones to more robust, rock-oriented sounds. The distinctive trapeze tailpiece and parallelogram inlays add an elegant touch to its vintage charm, ensuring that the ES-175 is not only an auditory delight but a visual masterpiece as well.
The ES-175's adaptability across genres and its enduring appeal are testaments to its superior design and quality. Whether you're a jazz aficionado or a rock enthusiast, this guitar offers a playing experience that is both nostalgic and refreshingly versatile.
Key Features:
- Fully hollow body design with a sharp Florentine cutaway
- Dual humbucker pickups for a versatile tonal range
- Maple top with potential flame pattern for visual appeal
- Trapeze tailpiece and parallelogram inlays for classic aesthetics
- Embraced by iconic musicians across genres, from jazz to rock
Product specs
| Brand | Gibson |
| Model | ES-175 D, ES-175 D with Gold Hardware |
| Finish | Alpine White, Antique Natural, Ebony, Vintage Sunburst |
| Year | 1986 - 1999 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Hollow Body Guitars |
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Body Shape | Single Cutaway |
| Body Type | Hollow Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Stop-Bar |
| Color Family | Black, Brown, Tan, White |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Model Family | Gibson ES-175 |
| Model Sub-Family | Gibson ES-175D |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Number of Frets | 20 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Top Material | Maple |
| Wood Top Style | Plain |
FAQs
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What kind of music is the Gibson ES-175 best suited for?
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The Gibson ES-175 is renowned for its rich, warm tones, making it an excellent choice for jazz and blues music, though it can also be used in rock and pop settings.
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What is the neck profile of the Gibson ES-175?
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The Gibson ES-175 features a comfortable, rounded neck profile that is well-suited for smooth chord transitions and intricate jazz fingerwork.
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Does the Gibson ES-175 have a solid or hollow body?
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The Gibson ES-175 is a hollow body guitar, which contributes to its warm, resonant tone, ideal for jazz and blues genres.
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How does the pickup configuration affect the sound of the Gibson ES-175?
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The Gibson ES-175 features a dual humbucker (HH) pickup configuration, providing a full, rich sound with reduced noise, perfect for delivering smooth jazz tones.
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Is the Gibson ES-175 suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Gibson ES-175 is suitable for live performances, especially in jazz and blues settings, thanks to its warm tone and feedback-resistant design.
Videos
Reverb
Gibson ES-175 Guitar | Reverb Demo Video
Gibson ES-175 Guitar | Reverb Demo Video
Reverb
Gibson 2015 1959 ES-175D Hollowbody Electric Guitar
Musician's Friend
1959 Gibson ES-175 played by Joey Landreth
Carter Vintage Guitars
Gibson 2016 ES-175 Figured Reissue Electric Guitar
Musician's Friend
2015 Gibson ES-175 Natural | Guitar of the Day
Normans Rare Guitars
An exceptional 1959 Gibson ES-175
williesguitars
1959 Gibson ES-175 Archtop Guitar | Vintage Guitar Gallery of Long Island
Vintage Guitar Gallery of Long Island
1988 Gibson ES-175 D, white, Part1
GregsGuitars
Reviews
PROS
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Exceptional warm tone suitable for jazz, blues, and even country
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High-quality craftsmanship with attention to detail
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Pickups provide a clear and sweet sound with no hum
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Versatile tone controls for a range of musical styles
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Iconic design with a beautiful finish and strong bass response
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Durable construction with a thicker, feedback-resistant top
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Plays well with low action setup and comfortable neck
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Lifetime warranty from Gibson, ensuring long-term support
CONS
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Prone to feedback at high volumes due to hollow body design
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Some models may have minor cosmetic blemishes
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High price point compared to similar models like Epiphone
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Not ideal for general-purpose use; best suited for jazz
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Customization may be needed for optimal performance (e.g., bridge adjustment)
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Limited stock availability for specific desirable models
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson ES-175 Electric Guitar.
Comparisons
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The Heritage line offers a 175 variant considered a better move than newer Gibsons, providing a similar experience at a potentially lower cost.
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The Ibanez FA-100, a "lawsuit" version of the ES-175, is praised for its tone and playability, offering a similar experience for around $1000.
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The ES-135 features a C-shaped neck and thinner body, offering better ergonomics than the ES-175's U-shaped neck and thicker body, reducing shoulder and wrist discomfort.
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The ES-275 might be a viable alternative with its 15” upper bout and 2.25” depth, offering a smaller, thinner fully hollow body with a 50s-style Les Paul neck.
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Fender D’Aquisto is noted for a richer sound and faster neck compared to the ES-175, offering an alternative for those seeking different tonal qualities.
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Use cases and applications
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The Eastman version of the 175 is praised for its acoustic tone, often compared favorably to post-50s Gibsons, especially for jazz styles.
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An ES-125C, described as a simpler version of the ES-175 with a single P90 pickup, is noted for achieving a similar sound minus the decorative elements, priced at around $1099.
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Build quality
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Binding on Gibsons can deteriorate over time, sometimes requiring repair, particularly if misaligned with frets, possibly due to sloppy re-fret jobs.
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Value and pricing
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A 1990 Gibson ES-175 priced at $5500 is considered overpriced by some owners, who believe its true value should be closer to $4000.
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ES-175s start around $2200-$2400 in North America, with year and condition affecting price. An ES-165, a similar model with a single neck pickup, can be found for about $1500.
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Features and functionality
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The ES-165 differs from the ES-175 primarily by having a neck pickup only, catering to players focusing on a jazz sound reminiscent of Joe Pass and Wes Montgomery.
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The ES-135 is equipped with 57 Classic pickups, providing a tone that blends an archtop's percussive qualities with more sustain, unlike a full hollow body.
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User experience
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Owners report that the ES-175 is constructed from plywood, providing a solid build quality. However, many comparable guitars now offer solid wood construction at a lower price.
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Some players find the ES-175's neck too thin and lacking neck binding, which compromises the instrument's feel and tuning stability.
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 25 Ratings
2423
great hollow body
I use this for our cover of RHCP's "Californication" and for spontaneous jams on the tour bus. I have replaced the (when I bought it, broken) stock tailpiece with a Bigsby b6. I replaced the pickups with 2 Dog-Ear P-90's.
Artist usage
Add artist
In a May 2005 interview with Total Guitar magazine, John Frusciante is posing with a vintage Gibson ES-175 guitar. The photo is captioned, "John with vintage Gibson ES-175 - a real peach too" Below the Gibson ES-175 photo of Total Guitar magazine, Frusciante got the ES-175 because Steve Howe played one.
The Edge used a Gibson ES-175 for One on the Zoo TV Tour.
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Keith Richards used the Gibson ES-175 Electric Guitar during a live performance of the song "Slipping Away" in 1995 as part of the Totally Stripped Tour. This is substantiated by a video titled "Rolling Stones 'Slipping Away' (live) Totally Stripped 1995," uploaded by Rolling Stones A.R. on YouTube, which captures the performance at Paradiso Amsterdam.
In an Instagram post, Gary Clark Jr. shares that he received a 1959 Gibson ES-175 as a surprise gift from his tour manager during a visit to the Gibson factory in Memphis.
Mark Knopfler acquired a Gibson ES-175 Electric Guitar from Rudy Pensa in the 1980s. He used this guitar on the track "Would You Could You" from Willy DeVille's album Assassin of Love (1987) and also on the Brothers in Arms album. Additionally, the guitar can be seen in the background during Mark's participation in the "Let It Be" session in 1987, as shown in the image from Equipboard.
"'The ES-175 is a standard reissue, in blond' Foley continues. 'Jeff was doing a Scotty Moore tribute and wanted to use kind of a rockabilly guitar. We loaned him a 295 and a 175, and he took to the 175, which is on the cover of the Rock ’N Roll Party DVD.'" - via Vintage Guitar
An interview with Beck in 2010:
I’ve got a 175 Gibson which I’ve never used yet partly because the sit in with B.B. King has been a bit erratic. One night he says, ‘Yeah,’ and the next night he doesn’t feel up to it. And so I never really got into playing it. I was gonna use it on his set, just so I could play the complete style. But because I’m suddenly thrust into his music, with his band, I need to have some comfort line, you know what I mean? So the Strat is the thing that stayed. And also I didn’t want to get feedback from the hollow-body guitar. You know after this big build up I walk out and go (makes feedback noise). Didn’t want that. (...) I played it for a tribute to Sun Records. I bought it especially – well, actually the guy gave it to me – ’cause I rented it so many times he said, ‘Look, you might as well have it.’ And I did a thing with Chrissie Hynde on it, “Mystery Train.” I wanted to get the Scotty Moore tone. So I kept it. It’s a beautiful thing. [Editor’s Note: Beck and Hynde teamed up on the 2001 release Good Rockin’ Tonight: The Legacy of Sun Records.]
An interview with Beck's guitar tech, Steve Prior, in 2010:
We’ve got a big body Gibson ES-175, ’cause he thought that might be something he might be playing, cause he guests with B.B. from time to time. And they’re all on big Hofners, Gibsons obviously Lucille. And then the 175 that Leon (Warren, B.B. Kings long-time second guitarist) plays.
On his website, Joe Bonamassa wrote this about his 1957 Gibson:
"1957 Gibson ES-175 with two sticker less PAFs. I bought this guitar from the late Dwight Mays from Georgia a week before his passing. He treasured this guitar and wanted it to go to a good home. He contacted me about it and I was happy to give it a new home and Dwight a little peace of mind. I named the guitar General Eisenhower in his honor. It is a fantastic ES-175 that I used on the Seesaw record with Beth Hart. A special thanks to Norm Harris of Normans Rare Guitars for giving me the proper brown Lifton case. A really great guitar and goes to the essence of guitar collecting. If you take care of them they will live on longer than we will."
At 0:30 in this video, Josh Klinghoffer can be seen playing a Gibson ES-295 with PAF humbuckers.
Troy Van Leeuwen used this gibson ES-175 heavily during "Song for the deaf" era. You can see this guitar on "No one knows" music video.
In 1:29 you can see Shifflet playing a ES-175 Natural finish
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In this photo you can see Mr. Dylan playing a Gibson ES-175 from recent years.
Album Usage
The Gibson ES-175 Electric Guitar has been featured on the following albums:
Moon River
Jeff Beck & Eric Clapton (2023)
Mirror To The Sky
Yes (2023)
The Quest
Yes (2021)
Proud Mary
John Fogerty (2020)
Thrēq
FORQ (2017)
Seesaw
Joe Bonamassa & Beth Hart (2013)
Rock 'n' Roll Party - Honoring Les Paul
Jeff Beck (2011)
Songs For The Deaf
Queens of the Stone Age (2002)
Silver Side Up
Nickelback (2001)
Brothers in Arms
Dire Straits (1985)
Centerfield (25th Anniversary)
John Fogerty (1985)
Nightflight
Fenton Robinson (1984)
Stompin' At The Savoy
Rufus & Chaka Khan & Rufus (1983)
The Steve Howe Album
Steve Howe (1979)
London Calling (Remastered)
The Clash (1979)
Tormato
Yes (1978)
Going for the One
Yes (1977)
Agents Of Fortune
Blue Öyster Cult (1976)
Beginnings
Steve Howe (1975)
Rufus
Rufus & Rufus (1973)
The Yes Album
Yes (1971)
Fragile
Yes (1971)
Movin' Wes
Wes Montgomery (1964)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson ES-175 Electric Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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