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Average Price: $10,795

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$500

$1201+

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Description

Experience the timeless allure of the Gibson ES-295, a semi-hollowbody electric guitar that seamlessly bridges vintage charm and modern versatility. Originally introduced in the 1950s, this guitar has found its way into the hands of iconic musicians, thanks to its distinctive sound and stylish design. The ES-295 is renowned for its P-90 single-coil pickups, which deliver a bright, punchy tone perfect for genres ranging from rockabilly to jazz.

Crafted with a maple body and a mahogany neck, the ES-295 ensures a rich, resonant sound while providing comfortable playability. Its trapeze tailpiece and adjustable bridge contribute to its classic aesthetic and reliable performance. The rosewood fingerboard offers smooth playability, making it a favorite among guitarists who crave both style and substance.

Whether you're performing on stage or recording in the studio, the Gibson ES-295 offers tonal flexibility and a touch of elegance. It's a guitar that not only looks the part but also delivers the sonic excellence expected from Gibson. Ideal for players who appreciate the blend of vintage character and modern playability, the ES-295 is a testament to Gibson's enduring legacy in guitar craftsmanship.

Key Features:

  • Semi-hollowbody design for enhanced resonance
  • P-90 single-coil pickups for bright, punchy tones
  • Maple body with a mahogany neck for tonal richness
  • Rosewood fingerboard for smooth playability
  • Trapeze tailpiece and adjustable bridge for classic style and performance
  • Ideal for genres from rockabilly to jazz

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model ES-295
Finish Cherry, Ebony, Gold, Sunburst
Year 1952 - 1959
Made In United States
Categories Hollow Body Guitars
Body Material Maple
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Black, Brown, Gold, Red
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Ebony, Rosewood
Model Family Gibson ES-295
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 20
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration SS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"
Wood Top Style Plain

FAQs

What type of music is the Gibson ES-295 best suited for?

The Gibson ES-295 is ideal for rockabilly, jazz, and blues due to its rich, warm tones and hollow body design. Its vintage P-90 pickups provide a classic sound that complements these genres well.

What is the neck profile of the Gibson ES-295?

The Gibson ES-295 features a set-neck construction with a comfortable mahogany neck, providing a smooth playing experience. The neck profile is typically a rounded shape, which is favored by many players for its playability.

How does the Gibson ES-295's pickup configuration affect its sound?

The Gibson ES-295 is equipped with dual P-90 single-coil pickups that deliver a bright, articulate sound with plenty of midrange punch. This configuration is perfect for achieving the classic rock and roll tones of the 1950s.

Is the Gibson ES-295 suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Gibson ES-295 is well-suited for live performances, offering a distinctive look and sound. Its hollow body design provides resonance and volume, making it a great choice for stage presence and sound projection.

What is the scale length of the Gibson ES-295, and how does it affect playability?

The Gibson ES-295 has a scale length of 24.75 inches, which offers a slightly shorter reach and easier playability for many guitarists. This scale length is comfortable for playing chords and bends, making it a popular choice for various styles.

Carter Vintage Guitars

Carter Vintage Guitars

1952 Gibson ES-295 played by RJ Ronquillo

Video thumbnail for 1952 Gibson ES-295 played by RJ Ronquillo by Carter Vintage Guitars

1952 Gibson ES-295 played by RJ Ronquillo

Carter Vintage Guitars

Carter Vintage Guitars

Video thumbnail for Guitar of the Day: 1956 Gibson ES-295 | Norman's Rare Guitars by Normans Rare Guitars

Guitar of the Day: 1956 Gibson ES-295 | Norman's Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1953 Gibson ES-295 vintage guitar demo | Guitar.com by Guitar

1953 Gibson ES-295 vintage guitar demo | Guitar.com

Guitar

Guitar

Video thumbnail for "Pick of the Day" - 1953 Gibson ES-295 and '60s Vox AC-30 by Emerald City Guitars

"Pick of the Day" - 1953 Gibson ES-295 and '60s Vox AC-30

Emerald City Guitars

Emerald City Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1953 Gibson ES-295 Sunburst  ex Eric Clapton / GuitarPoint Maintal / Vintage Guitars by GuitarPoint

1953 Gibson ES-295 Sunburst ex Eric Clapton / GuitarPoint Maintal / Vintage Guitars

GuitarPoint

GuitarPoint

Video thumbnail for Gold 1955 Gibson ES-295 | CME Quick Riff | Nathaniel Murphy by Chicago Music Exchange

Gold 1955 Gibson ES-295 | CME Quick Riff | Nathaniel Murphy

Chicago Music Exchange

Chicago Music Exchange

Video thumbnail for 1954 Gibson ES-295 by Dave Simpson

1954 Gibson ES-295

Dave Simpson

Dave Simpson

Video thumbnail for Gibson ES-295 from 1952 signed by Scotty Moore presented by Vintage Guitar Ol. & Tobias Hoffmann by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Gibson ES-295 from 1952 signed by Scotty Moore presented by Vintage Guitar Ol. & Tobias Hoffmann

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Video thumbnail for Trogly's Guitars: Vintage 1953 Gibson ES295 by The Trogly's Guitar Show

Trogly's Guitars: Vintage 1953 Gibson ES295

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Trogly's Guitar Show

Video thumbnail for Gibson ES295 1953 played by Leif de Leeuw | Demo by TFOA Demos

Gibson ES295 1953 played by Leif de Leeuw | Demo

TFOA Demos

TFOA Demos

Video thumbnail for 1954 Gibson ES-295 | Russo Music Snacks by Russo Music

1954 Gibson ES-295 | Russo Music Snacks

Russo Music

Russo Music

Video thumbnail for Beautiful Gibson ES-295 at GuitarPoint by GuitarPoint

Beautiful Gibson ES-295 at GuitarPoint

GuitarPoint

GuitarPoint

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson ES-295.

Features and functionality

  • The ES-295 discussed includes a custom Bigsby B3 tailpiece and a unique transparent cherry finish with cream binding, reminiscent of the ES-335.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • The guitar features an early B string puller prototype and an internal active electronics board functioning as a compressor/gate.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • The owner has replaced failing components on the compressor circuit board and tuners that couldn't hold together, retaining original parts where possible.

    Source
  • It’s been noted that cleaning up the nut on Gretsch Electromatics can significantly improve tuning stability, addressing common Bigsby-related issues.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The guitar was historically used for studio work and television appearances, indicating its versatility and professional-level performance capabilities.

    Source
  • The Ibanez AFJ-85 is recommended for jazz/blues/classic rock, but noted as a different tonal experience than the ES-295, particularly when using flatwound strings.

    Source

User experience

  • The owner acknowledges that modifications, while innovative, might decrease the guitar's value compared to its original state.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Guild's M-75 Aristocrat is noted for its tonal similarity to the ES-295, offering a comparable experience at a lower price point.

    Source
  • Gretsch's Electromatic 5420 is highlighted, but tuning stability issues are common due to the Bigsby, which are often resolved by addressing the nut.

    Source
  • The centerblock Electromatics, while heavier, are praised for their impressive sustain, distinguishing them from other models in their range.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Jazz Guitar Beauties: Gibson ES-295 – Paolo Dondoli – Jazz Guitar Life

thejazzguitarlife.com

The Gibson ES-295 is a classic beauty, adored for its iconic rock 'n' roll history rather than its jazz prowess. Despite being overshadowed by its sibling, the ES-175, the ES-295 impresses with its vintage charm and versatility. Its near-mint condition, smooth neck, and creamy yet articulate sound make it a standout for enthusiasts. However, its flamboyant style and limited production run may not appeal to everyone. Overall, it's a gem for those seeking a piece of musical history with a diverse tonal palette.

positive

“The ES-295 was primed for the grind and sizzle that came to define the sound of rock guitar”: Overshadowed by the Les Paul, the Gibson ES-295 brought rock to concert stages at the hands of Elvis Presley guitarist Scotty Moore | GuitarPlayer

guitarplayer.com

The Gibson ES-295 is often overshadowed by its Les Paul counterpart, yet it remains an iconic piece of rock history, famously wielded by Scotty Moore alongside Elvis Presley. Its standout gold finish and dual P-90 pickups deliver a sharp, sustaining sound perfect for rock and roll, though its appeal has been limited outside rockabilly circles. While not widely adopted by '50s rock pioneers, its striking aesthetics and retro allure have attracted guitarists like Danny Gatton and Johnny Marr. Despite its niche appeal, the ES-295's vintage charm and historical significance make it a desirable addition for collectors and enthusiasts.

positive

From Scotty Moore to Johnny Marr and Beyond, the Gibson ES-295 is a True Golden Era Classic | GuitarPlayer

guitarplayer.com

The Gibson ES-295 is celebrated as a classic from the golden era of electric guitars, praised for its iconic all-gold finish and dual P-90 pickups. Known for its connection to legendary players like Scotty Moore and Johnny Marr, the ES-295 is a testament to Gibson's innovative spirit in the 1950s. While its aesthetic and tonal qualities are lauded, the ES-295 struggled with declining popularity and was eventually discontinued in 1958. Despite this, its legacy as a rock and roll pioneer remains unchallenged, making it a sought-after piece for collectors and enthusiasts.

positive

3.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Eric Clapton uses Gibson ES-295

Eric Clapton

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Christies

Eric Clapton acquired this guitar for collecting rather than playing purposes.

See how Kirk Hammett uses Gibson ES-295

Kirk Hammett

Guitarist

Metallica

...
Verified via Photo

He is holding the guitar in this image. It was taken during the recording of the black album.

See how Johnny Marr uses Gibson ES-295

Johnny Marr

Singer, Guitarist

Modest Mouse

...
Verified via Photo

Johnny Marr's use of a gold 1952 Gibson ES-295 is confirmed through a photograph featured in his book "Marr's Guitars," as indicated by the image caption.

See how Joe Bonamassa uses Gibson ES-295

Joe Bonamassa

Singer, Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Photo

"955 Gibson ES-295… Scotty Moore anyone? This a guitar that Danny Gatton turned me on to when I was just 12 years old. He had a similar model that was rumored to be Scotty Moore’s original Elvis guitar from back in the Sun Record days. These guitars have a great sound, very bright and open. Think of it as a gold ES-175. This model started in 1952 and was discontinued (the reissued them in the 90?s) in late 1959. Sadly most of the PAF equipped ES-295 have been pillaged for parts. The pickups and rings alone are worth more than the whole guitar itself… What a crazy world we live in," says Joe Bonamassa, on his website.

See how Josh Klinghoffer uses Gibson ES-295

Josh Klinghoffer

Singer, Guitarist

Red Hot Chili Peppers

...
Verified via YouTube

At 0:30 in this video, Josh Klinghoffer can be seen playing a Gibson ES-295 with PAF humbuckers.

See how Chuck Berry uses Gibson ES-295

Chuck Berry

Singer, Guitarist

Chuck Berry & His Combo

...
Verified via Facebook

Here is Chuck Berry using his Gibson ES-295

See how Mick Jones uses Gibson ES-295

Mick Jones

Singer, Guitarist

The Clash

...
Verified via Premierguitar

The Premier Guitar article and youremyguitarhero both reckon Mick's guitar from the London Calling music video is a rate all-white Gibson ES-295.

See how Bernard Butler uses Gibson ES-295

Bernard Butler

Guitarist, Composer

Suede

...
Verified via Photo

In January 2024, at The Old Woollen in Leeds, Bernard Butler was observed playing a Gibson ES-295, confirming his use of this specific guitar model. Following the performance, Butler disclosed that this instrument is an original model from the 1950s, as documented in a photograph available as evidence.

See how Jordan Cook uses Gibson ES-295

Jordan Cook

Singer, Guitarist

Reignwolf

...
Verified via Twitter

Jordan posted this photo on Twitter of him with an ES-295 by Gibson at Sun Studio.

See how Bryan Adams uses Gibson ES-295

Bryan Adams

Singer, Guitarist

Bryan Adams's Band

...
Verified via Guitar World

In this interview with Guitar World, Adams describes his ES-295 as "[his] favourite guitar", and that it is "the sweetest-sounding thing you've ever heard". He also mentions that he played it in the music video for his song, "You Belong to Me".

See how Phil X uses Gibson ES-295

Phil X

Singer, Guitarist

Bon Jovi

...
Verified via YouTube

"This incredible guitar weighs just 6.10 lbs. and has a very comfortable nut width of just over 1 11/16 inches and a standard Gibson scale length of 24 3/4 inches" - From the description section of this video. The guitar can first be spotted at :30s.

See how Richard Fortus uses Gibson ES-295

Richard Fortus

Guitarist

Guns N' Roses

...
Verified via Richardfortus

On his website, Fortus lists his 1954 Gibson ES-295 as a part of his gear.

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-295, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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cedargladeguitars

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