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Gibson ES-175 Electric Guitar

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$3,149.00 to $3,499.00 Price Tier: High-end

4.5 (25)

2 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Gibson ES-175

1 community setup

57 wishlisted

81 saved

Page last updated Jul 05, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 2 stores. Prices updated July 5, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (8)

$3,149.00 19 available Used

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5.0 (4)

$3,499.00

View Deal

Average Price: $3,324

High-end/Boutique

$500

$1201+

Price Tier

In the Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars category, Gibson ES-175 Electric Guitar is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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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

What kind of music is the Gibson ES-175 best suited for?: 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.
What is the neck profile of the Gibson ES-175?: The Gibson ES-175 features a comfortable, rounded neck profile that is well-suited for smooth chord transitions and intricate jazz fingerwork.
Does the Gibson ES-175 have a solid or hollow body?: The Gibson ES-175 is a hollow body guitar, which contributes to its warm, resonant tone, ideal for jazz and blues genres.
How does the pickup configuration affect the sound of the Gibson ES-175?: 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.
Is the Gibson ES-175 suitable for live performances?: 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

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Reverb

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

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PROS

Exceptional warm tone suitable for jazz, blues, and even country
High-quality craftsmanship with attention to detail
Pickups provide a clear and sweet sound with no hum
Versatile tone controls for a range of musical styles
Iconic design with a beautiful finish and strong bass response
Durable construction with a thicker, feedback-resistant top
Plays well with low action setup and comfortable neck
Lifetime warranty from Gibson, ensuring long-term support

CONS

Prone to feedback at high volumes due to hollow body design
Some models may have minor cosmetic blemishes
High price point compared to similar models like Epiphone
Not ideal for general-purpose use; best suited for jazz
Customization may be needed for optimal performance (e.g., bridge adjustment)
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

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peasinafookinpod420

2423

over 6 years ago

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.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Drummer

Genres:

Grunge Noise rock Sleaze rock