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Average Price: $4,046

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$500

$1201+

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High-end

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Description

The Gibson ES-347 Electric Guitar is a versatile instrument that bridges the gap between classic and contemporary semi-hollowbody designs. It combines the timeless style of Gibson's legendary ES series with modern features that cater to today's discerning musicians. The ES-347's Vari-tone control is a standout feature, offering players a range of tonal options that make it adaptable for various musical genres. This guitar is crafted with a laminated maple body and a maple center block, providing a robust yet resonant sound.

Equipped with dual humbucking pickups, the ES-347 delivers a rich, warm tone with plenty of depth. Its ebony fingerboard and mother-of-pearl block inlays not only add a touch of elegance but also ensure smooth playability. The guitar's hardware includes a Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece, ensuring stable tuning and intonation. The neck features a comfortable "C" profile, making it a joy to play whether you're strumming chords or engaging in intricate solos.

The Gibson ES-347 is perfect for musicians who appreciate a balance of vintage aesthetics and modern functionality. Its blend of classic design and innovative features makes it a highly sought-after choice for both stage and studio settings.

Key Features:

  • Laminated maple body with a maple center block
  • Dual humbucking pickups for rich, warm tones
  • Vari-tone control for diverse tonal options
  • Ebony fingerboard with mother-of-pearl block inlays
  • Comfortable "C" neck profile
  • Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece for stable tuning

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model ES-347
Finish Ebony, Natural, Sunburst
Year 1986 - 1993
Made In United States
Categories Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
Body Material Maple
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Semi-Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Black, Brown, Tan
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Ebony
Model Family Gibson ES-347
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed

FAQs

What kind of music genres is the Gibson ES-347 suitable for?

The Gibson ES-347 is versatile, making it well-suited for jazz, blues, rock, and even pop. Its semi-hollow body design provides a warm, resonant tone ideal for these styles.

What is the neck profile of the Gibson ES-347 like?

The Gibson ES-347 features a comfortable set-neck construction with a slim taper profile, offering easy playability for both rhythm and lead guitarists.

What pickups are used in the Gibson ES-347, and how do they affect its sound?

The Gibson ES-347 is equipped with dual humbucking pickups, which deliver a rich, full-bodied tone with reduced noise, perfect for achieving classic rock and jazz sounds.

Does the Gibson ES-347 come with a stop-bar tailpiece, and what are its benefits?

Yes, the Gibson ES-347 features a stop-bar tailpiece, which enhances sustain and tuning stability, making it ideal for live performances and studio recordings.

Is the Gibson ES-347 a good choice for beginner guitarists?

While the Gibson ES-347 offers excellent sound and playability, its features and price point may be better suited for intermediate to advanced players who can fully appreciate its capabilities.

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Guitar of the Day: 1979 Gibson ES-347TD | Norman's Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Guitar of the Day: 1979 Gibson ES-347TD | Norman's Rare Guitars by Normans Rare Guitars

Guitar of the Day: 1979 Gibson ES-347TD | Norman's Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Guitar of the Day: 1979 Gibson ES-347TDN with Hangtags | Norman's Rare Guitars by Normans Rare Guitars

Guitar of the Day: 1979 Gibson ES-347TDN with Hangtags | Norman's Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1980 Gibson ES-347 TD Sunburst / GuitarPoint Maintal / Vintage Guitars by GuitarPoint

1980 Gibson ES-347 TD Sunburst / GuitarPoint Maintal / Vintage Guitars

GuitarPoint

GuitarPoint

Video thumbnail for 1985 Gibson ES-347TD by williesguitars

1985 Gibson ES-347TD

williesguitars

williesguitars

Video thumbnail for 1980 Gibson ES-347 Natural | GuitarPoint Vintage Guitars by GuitarPoint

1980 Gibson ES-347 Natural | GuitarPoint Vintage Guitars

GuitarPoint

GuitarPoint

Reviews

PROS

  • Effortless playability with a slim taper neck for comfortable playing

  • Versatile tone range, from clean jazz to rock growl

  • Built-in string winder in the original Gibson tuners

  • Coil tap switch for expanded tonal options

  • Exceptional sustain and tonal quality, especially with Classic 57 pickups

  • High-quality construction with an ebony neck and Mother of Pearl inlays

  • Rare, vintage appeal with a strong appreciation in value

  • Gold hardware and fine-tune TP-6 bridge add aesthetic and functional appeal

  • Stronger neck design with maple and ebony materials

  • Performs exceptionally across multiple genres like blues, jazz, and fusion

CONS

  • Heavier weight at 9.2 lbs due to maple neck

  • Limited availability due to its rare, vintage status

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson ES-347 Electric Guitar.

Comparisons

  • The ES-347 is seen as a blend of ES-335 and ES-355, offering a unique mix of features from both models.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The TP6 tailpiece with fine tuners is a distinctive feature, offering precise tuning capabilities.

    Source
  • The tailpiece position on later models is noted for its classic placement, which affects the instrument's aesthetic and playability.

    Source
  • The second switch on the ES-347 is used for coil tapping, allowing it to mimic a Stratocaster's sound effectively.

    Source
  • The guitar includes brass inserts, known as "sustain sisters," for the bridge and tailpiece posts, enhancing sustain.

    Source
  • Equipped with Dirty Finger pickups, known for their hot ceramic output, the ES-347 delivers a powerful and aggressive tone.

    Source
  • It's noted that ES-347s typically use 300k pots, contributing to a darker, possibly muddier tone, which some players prefer.

    Source

Build quality

  • The headstock style on the ES-347 is particularly favored for its aesthetic appeal.

    Source
  • A natural finish on the ES-347 is praised for its aesthetic beauty, enhancing the guitar's overall classy appearance.

    Source
  • The ES-347 features a three-piece maple neck, offering increased stability and durability compared to single-piece necks.

    Source

User experience

  • One owner describes the neck as having a balance between the 50s and 60s styles, providing a comfortable playing experience.

    Source
  • A Kalamazoo-made ES-347 from 1980 is noted for its exceptional playability and sound quality, highlighting the desirability of Norlin-era Gibsons.

    Source
  • The guitar's neck is considered slim by some users, indicating a potential preference for players who favor a thinner neck profile.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the guitar's weight, finding it appealing not for tonal reasons, but for its solid feel during play.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Yannis Philippakis uses Gibson ES-347 Electric Guitar

Yannis Philippakis

Guitarist, Singer

Foals

...
Verified via Photo

Yannis Philippakis posts a pic to Instagram that reads, "New axes." The one he is holding in his right hand (left in the photo) is a Gibson ES-347, according to the badge at the bottom of the headstock. His particular model does not appear to have a pickup selector switch below the pickguard, as some ES-347 models have. Given the Gibson ES-347 was in production from the late 70s to the late 80s, his model is one from within this range.

See how Mark Ronson uses Gibson ES-347 Electric Guitar

Mark Ronson

Guitarist, Music Producer

Silk City

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, Mark Ronson and a group of excellent talent cover Queens of the Stoneage's "Sat By The Ocean". At the end of the video, Mark freezes and you can clearly see the ES-347 engraving on the truss rod cover. The ES-347 is rarely seen. In 1980s, Gibson introduced this model with an addedcoil-tap switch – creating the option of a Beatles-esque Casino-like tone. During this performance, Mark Ronson is playing the rare factory black finish version of this guitar.

See how Charly García uses Gibson ES-347 Electric Guitar

Charly García

Singer, Guitarist

Serú Girán

...
Verified via Photo

Charly García is seen playing a Gibson ES-347 Electric Guitar in a live performance, as shown in the provided image.

See how Pedro Aznar uses Gibson ES-347 Electric Guitar

Pedro Aznar

Singer, Guitarist

Pat Metheny Group

...
Verified via Photo

Pedro can be seen playing a Gibson ES-347 in this image.

See how Tyler Bates uses Gibson ES-347 Electric Guitar

Tyler Bates

Guitarist, Composer

Marilyn Manson

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video, Bates said that this is the favourite guitar he owns. Also, he discusses his love for the guitars in Ultimate Guitar interview.

It's very interesting - on tour I play exclusively Schecter Guitars - I'm friends with everybody there, Michael Ciravolo, who is the president of the company is just a very close friend. Many years ago, I borrowed a Gibson ES347 from him - this was a long, long time ago - and I just couldn't part with it. So we made some kind of gear trade which was totally in my favor. He's just a great friend so I was able to keep the guitar. When Manson asked me to come out on tour he said, there's no way you're bringing that 347 out with you. I was thinking about it but there's no way because you know he's going to chuck a mic stand or something and destroy that thing.

See how Nick Hexum uses Gibson ES-347 Electric Guitar

Nick Hexum

Singer, Guitarist

311

...
Verified via 311

Listed on the official 311 website, http://www.311.com/band/equipment

See how James McVey uses Gibson ES-347 Electric Guitar

James McVey

Singer, Guitarist

The Vamps

...
Verified via YouTube

At :14s in this video, James can be seen with an Gibson ES-347.

See how David Lebón uses Gibson ES-347 Electric Guitar

David Lebón

Singer, Guitarist

Serú Girán

...
Verified via Twitter

David has been using his Gibson ES-347 sunburst named "Malena" for the last couple of years both for studio recording and for playing live.

See how Melissa Etheridge uses Gibson ES-347 Electric Guitar

Melissa Etheridge

Singer, Guitarist

R.A.D.D. (Recording Artists Against Drunk Driving)

...
Verified via She Shreds Media

So I have about… [laughs] 10 guitars out on the road. I’ve got a ‘79 Gibson 347, a ‘79 Jaguar, an early ’80s Chet Atkins Country Gentleman, and then I’ve got a Jerry Jones 12-string from the mid-’90s that he made for me.

See how Julian Swales uses Gibson ES-347 Electric Guitar

Julian Swales

Guitarist

Kitchens of Distinction

...
Verified via Photo

In a Q&A session on Patrick Fitzgerald's Facebook page, Julian Swales is mentioned as using a Gibson ES-347 Electric Guitar. The image linked on Imgur provides further context.

See how George McCorkle uses Gibson ES-347 Electric Guitar

George McCorkle

Guitarist

The Marshall Tucker Band

...
Verified via Photo
Color/Finish: Sunburst

George is featured as a recording artist using a Gibson ES-347.

See how Dave Stryker uses Gibson ES-347 Electric Guitar

Dave Stryker

Guitarist, Composer

Dave Stryker Quartet

...
Verified via Vintage Guitar® magazine

"No matter the gig, not much changes for Stryker, equipment-wise. He mostly uses a Gibson ES-347, favoring D’Addario strings gauged .013 to .056. His amp of choice is a Fender Blues Deville with four 10? speakers. He doesn’t use effects."

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-347 Electric Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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