Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $3,324
High-end/Boutique
$500
$1201+
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Budget
Standard
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.
Source
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.
Source
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.
Source
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.
Source
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
Ezra used this guitar during Glastonbury and on the Honda Stage at Webster Hall. As with some of his other semi-hollow guitars, he has taped over the F-Holes to remove on-stage feedback
It is shown in the Live at home Dvd and he used it on the Sliver Side Up tour
Here, Lianne is seen playing a Gibson ES-175, at Royal Albert Hall, in London, UK.
Image taken from:
In this picture Eddie is on the left with his Gibson (ES-175?). This was taken in the mid-50's before his big fame (and Gretsch), when he performed together with Hank Cochran (not related, on the right) as the Cochran Brothers.
In regard to your sound could you tell us about the succession of instruments you’ve played in your career? Well, my Les Paul Custom was stolen in 1965. I was performing with Jack McDuff at The Showboat, a club that no longer exits. The next day we were due to open in Chicago on the South Side. Our entire van was stolen between the dates, all the instruments were lost. When I got to Chicago, Jack McDuff took me to a pawn shop and purchased a cheap guitar. In fact, it was so cheap I had to use a matchbook to hold the pickup to the body under the strings, otherwise it would have fallen into the guitar! I used that for one night. The following day I called home and borrowed some money from the family. I went out in Chicago and bought a Gibson ES-175. It was like the one pictured on Wes Montgomery’s second album, The Incredible Jazz Guitar. From that point forward I began to use carved-top hollow-body guitars.
At 5:12 you can see a better framed shot of the Gibson es 175
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Ángel Parra uses the Gibson ES-175 Electric Guitar, which is one of his main instruments both as a solo artist and with his jazz trio, featured in almost all of his concerts and recordings, as evidenced by this image.
NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert from 2012 - Martin is playing it the whole concert
How active were you as a studio player? Did you have a variety of instruments? Yes, I had to have them. I certainly had a jazz guitar – a couple of them – and a couple acoustic guitars, steel-string and a nylon. I also had a couple of what I call blues or rock guitars; I set up an ES-175 for that and used the bridge pickup and lighter-gauge strings, for bending.
"Well, my first real guitars were Telecasters and Jazzmasters, though I mostly relied on a ’54 Gibson ES-175 in the early Reverend Horton Heat days."
Kid Congo can also be seen playing with this Gibson ES-175 Arctic White on this picture : https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/kid-congo-powers-performs-in-congo-norvell-at-the-palace-in-news-photo/1190914290 But also on this video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPVSeXl0FRY
Listed on the official 311 website, http://www.311.com/band/equipment
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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