2001 Gibson ES-175 Vintage Sunburst Hollow Body Electric Guitar, (Used)

The 2001 Gibson ES-175 in Vintage Sunburst is a beautifully crafted American-made hollow-body electric guitar that combines the rich heritage of Gibson's legendary jazz archtops with the warmth, clarity and expressive character of traditional humbucking pickups.

First introduced in 1949, the Gibson ES-175 became one of the most influential electric jazz guitars ever produced. Its unmistakable single-cutaway silhouette, full-depth hollow body and warm amplified sound have made it a favourite among jazz, blues and roots musicians for generations.

This 2001 example embodies that tradition, featuring a fully hollow laminated maple body, elegant Vintage Sunburst finish, set mahogany neck and bound rosewood fingerboard.

Unlike semi-hollow guitars such as the ES-335, the ES-175 has no solid centre block, allowing its body to respond naturally to string vibration and produce a wonderfully open, resonant playing experience.

The traditional Florentine cutaway provides access to the upper frets, while the 24.75-inch Gibson scale length and comfortable neck profile offer familiar playability.

Its rosewood fingerboard features 20 frets and classic split-parallelogram position inlays, giving the guitar the instantly recognisable appearance of a traditional Gibson jazz instrument.

The 2001 ES-175 specification features two Gibson '57 Classic humbuckers, designed to capture the warm, articulate character of Gibson's original late-1950s pickups.

The neck pickup delivers smooth, rounded jazz tones, while the bridge pickup offers additional clarity, bite and versatility for blues, swing, roots and classic rock.

A traditional three-way pickup selector and independent volume and tone controls allow a broad range of sounds to be explored.

The guitar's classic hardware includes a Tune-O-Matic bridge mounted on a floating rosewood base and an elegant trapeze tailpiece, preserving the distinctive appearance and playing response of the ES-175.

This particular Gibson ES-175 is presented in Very Good Pre-Owned Condition, indicating some cosmetic wear consistent with careful ownership.

Weighing 7.06 lbs (approximately 3.20kg), it offers a comfortable and beautifully balanced playing experience for a full-depth hollow-body electric guitar.

The instrument carries serial number 02201539, which indicates 2001 production under Gibson's eight-digit serial-number system.

A hardcase is included.

For jazz guitarists, Gibson enthusiasts and players seeking an expressive American-made archtop with exceptional heritage, this 2001 Gibson ES-175 is an outstanding instrument.

At A Glance

Detail	Information
Brand	Gibson
Model	ES-175
Year	2001
Finish	Vintage Sunburst
Body Style	Full-Depth Hollow Archtop
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Weight	7.06 lbs / 3.20kg
Condition	Very Good – Pre-Owned
Serial Number	02201539
Case	Hardcase Included

Pre-Owned Condition Report

Very Good Condition

This 2001 Gibson ES-175 Vintage Sunburst is presented in Very Good Pre-Owned Condition, indicating some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership.

The guitar features its classic Vintage Sunburst finish, full-depth hollow-body construction and traditional Gibson archtop appointments.

Its elegant appearance is complemented by the distinctive cutaway, bound fingerboard, split-parallelogram inlays and traditional trapeze-style tailpiece.

Please study the accompanying product photographs carefully for an accurate assessment of its individual cosmetic condition, including the body finish, neck, fingerboard, frets, binding and hardware.

Serial Number – 02201539

The guitar carries serial number 02201539.

Under Gibson's eight-digit serial-number format, this indicates 2001 production.

Weight – 7.06 lbs

This particular Gibson ES-175 weighs 7.06 lbs (approximately 3.20kg).

Its fully hollow construction provides a comfortable playing feel while retaining the reassuring proportions of a traditional Gibson jazz archtop.

Hardcase Included

The guitar comes complete with a hardcase, offering valuable protection during storage and transportation.

What's Included

• 2001 Gibson ES-175 Vintage Sunburst Electric Guitar

• Hardcase

Service & Setup

The Gibson ES-175 features an adjustable truss rod and traditional floating bridge arrangement, allowing suitable adjustment of neck relief, string action and intonation. Careful positioning of the bridge is particularly important on a full-depth archtop, while appropriate string selection can significantly influence the instrument's tone and playing response. Regular maintenance of the frets, nut, hardware and electronics helps preserve consistent performance. As with all guitars, setup can naturally change due to variations in humidity, temperature and other environmental conditions, potentially affecting neck relief, string action and overall playability.

Key Features

• 2001 Gibson ES-175: Premium American-made electric archtop.

• Vintage Sunburst Finish: Beautiful traditional Gibson styling.

• Fully Hollow Body: Naturally resonant acoustic character.

• Laminated Maple Construction: Classic Gibson archtop design.

• Full-Depth Body: Warm, rich and expressive response.

• Florentine Cutaway: Distinctive pointed cutaway for upper-register access.

• Set Mahogany Neck: Traditional Gibson construction.

• Bound Rosewood Fingerboard: Smooth playing feel and elegant appearance.

• 20 Frets: Traditional jazz guitar specification.

• Split-Parallelogram Inlays: Iconic ES-175 styling.

• 24.75-Inch Scale Length: Familiar Gibson feel and string tension.

• Dual Gibson '57 Classic Humbuckers: Warm, vintage-inspired sounds.

• Independent Volume & Tone Controls: Flexible pickup adjustment.

• Three-Way Pickup Selector: Traditional Gibson switching.

• Floating Tune-O-Matic Bridge: Adjustable intonation with classic archtop construction.

• Trapeze Tailpiece: Traditional Gibson hollow-body appearance.

• Excellent for Jazz: Smooth, rounded chord and lead tones.

• Versatile for Blues & Roots: Expressive dynamics and articulate humbuckers.

• Comfortable Weight: 7.06 lbs.

• Very Good Pre-Owned Condition: An attractive early-2000s example.

• Hardcase Included: Protection for storage and transportation.

Why You'll Love It

The Gibson ES-175 is one of the defining instruments in the history of electric jazz guitar, and this 2001 example captures the qualities that have made the model so enduringly popular.

Its full-depth hollow body creates a lively, acoustic-like playing response that is quite different from a conventional solid-body guitar.

The body resonates naturally as you play, giving chords a sense of warmth and depth that is particularly appealing for jazz, blues and traditional music.

The Gibson '57 Classic humbuckers complement this construction beautifully.

The neck pickup produces smooth, rounded tones with excellent clarity, making it particularly effective for jazz chord melodies, warm clean playing and expressive lead guitar.

The bridge pickup introduces additional brightness and bite, extending the instrument's versatility into blues, roots and lightly overdriven rock.

The elegant Vintage Sunburst finish is another major attraction, highlighting the beautiful curves of the archtop body.

Traditional details such as the split-parallelogram fingerboard inlays, pointed cutaway and trapeze tailpiece complete its timeless appearance.

At 7.06 lbs, this example also offers a comfortable playing weight for an instrument of its size.

For players who appreciate a genuine Gibson hollow-body guitar with a rich musical history, the ES-175 remains a benchmark.

Detailed Features & Benefits

Legendary Gibson ES-175 Design

Introduced in 1949, the Gibson ES-175 became one of the company's most successful and influential electric archtop guitars. Developed as a practical alternative to Gibson's more expensive carved-top jazz instruments, it combined traditional hollow-body design with laminated construction and a comfortable Florentine cutaway. Its enduring popularity among professional jazz musicians helped establish the ES-175 as a landmark model.

Fully Hollow Laminated Maple Body

The ES-175 features a fully hollow laminated maple body, with no solid centre block beneath the pickups and bridge. This construction creates a naturally resonant response with warmth, depth and an expressive acoustic character. The laminated design also provides a practical balance between traditional archtop resonance and the requirements of amplified performance.

Full-Depth Archtop Construction

Unlike the thinner Gibson ES-335 or ES-330, the ES-175 features a full-depth body approximately 3⅜ inches deep. Its substantial hollow-body dimensions contribute to the guitar's distinctive warmth and acoustic presence. This construction makes it especially appealing for jazz musicians who want a rich amplified sound while retaining an engaging physical connection with the instrument.

Beautiful Vintage Sunburst Finish

The Vintage Sunburst finish provides a classic Gibson appearance, with warm central tones surrounded by darker shading. It complements the traditional archtop shape, elegant body binding and vintage-inspired appointments. This timeless finish has long been associated with some of Gibson's most recognisable jazz instruments.

Florentine Cutaway Design

The ES-175 features Gibson's distinctive Florentine cutaway, with its pointed shape providing improved access to the upper register. This design became an instantly recognisable characteristic of the model, combining practical playability with a striking visual identity.

Set Mahogany Neck

The set mahogany neck provides the traditional Gibson playing feel associated with classic hollow-body instruments. Its comfortable profile makes it particularly suitable for chord-based jazz playing, melodic phrasing and expressive blues techniques. The set-neck construction complements the body and provides a smooth transition into the upper register.

Bound Rosewood Fingerboard

The rosewood fingerboard features traditional binding and elegant split-parallelogram position inlays. Its smooth playing surface and classic appearance make it particularly appealing to players who appreciate Gibson's historic archtop design. The dark rosewood also creates a beautiful contrast against the guitar's Vintage Sunburst finish.

20-Fret Traditional Fingerboard

The ES-175 features a traditional 20-fret layout, providing the playing range associated with classic jazz guitars. This configuration is particularly well suited to chord melodies, rhythm accompaniment and expressive single-note playing.

Gibson '57 Classic Neck Humbucker

The neck-position '57 Classic delivers the warm, rounded tone that makes the ES-175 so popular with jazz musicians. Inspired by Gibson's original PAF humbuckers, it provides smooth highs, rich midrange and excellent note definition. Rolling back the tone control creates particularly mellow sounds suited to traditional jazz, while brighter settings provide greater clarity for blues and melodic playing.

Gibson '57 Classic Bridge Humbucker

The bridge-position '57 Classic offers a more focused response with additional attack and presence. This makes the ES-175 more versatile than a single-pickup jazz box, allowing players to explore blues, roots, swing and classic rock sounds. Combining both pickups produces a balanced tonal character with warmth and clarity.

Traditional Dual Volume & Tone Controls

The ES-175 uses independent volume and tone controls for each pickup, together with a three-way selector switch. This arrangement allows the neck and bridge pickup sounds to be balanced precisely and offers a wide range of tonal possibilities without complicated switching systems.

Floating Tune-O-Matic Bridge

The traditional Tune-O-Matic bridge sits on a floating rosewood base, combining adjustable intonation with classic archtop construction. This allows the guitar to retain the familiar hardware layout of a hollow-body jazz instrument while providing useful adjustment for different string gauges and playing preferences.

Elegant Trapeze Tailpiece

The distinctive trapeze tailpiece is one of the ES-175's most recognisable visual features. Designed to anchor the strings at the lower end of the hollow body, it allows the bridge to remain free-standing on the arched top. Its decorative appearance provides an unmistakably traditional Gibson character.

Exceptional Jazz Guitar Tones

The combination of full-depth hollow construction and dual humbuckers makes the ES-175 especially effective for jazz. Its warm neck pickup sounds complement sophisticated chord voicings and melodic playing, while the naturally resonant body provides a smooth and expressive response.

Expressive Blues & Roots Character

Although closely associated with jazz, the ES-175 is also a highly capable blues and roots instrument. The bridge humbucker provides additional bite, while the neck pickup offers smooth, expressive lead tones. When paired with a responsive valve amplifier, the guitar produces rich harmonics and a naturally dynamic overdriven sound.

Comfortable Playing Weight

At 7.06 lbs, this particular guitar offers a manageable weight for a full-depth hollow-body instrument. Its traditional body shape provides a comfortable playing position, making it well suited to extended rehearsals, performances and recording sessions.

Who Is It For?

Jazz Guitarists: A benchmark instrument for warm, expressive hollow-body tones.

Blues Players: Rich humbucker sounds and dynamic response.

Swing Musicians: Traditional archtop character for rhythm and lead playing.

Roots & Americana Players: Warm, organic tones and vintage styling.

Recording Guitarists: A distinctive alternative to solid-body and semi-hollow instruments.

Gibson Enthusiasts: One of the company's most celebrated electric archtop designs.

Collectors of American-Made Guitars: An attractive early-2000s example of the ES-175.

Playing Styles & Applications

The Gibson ES-175 is particularly suited to jazz, swing, blues, roots, soul, country-influenced music, rockabilly and classic rock.

The neck pickup produces warm, rounded tones for jazz chords and melodic lead playing.

The bridge pickup provides a brighter, more articulate sound suitable for blues and vintage-inspired rhythm guitar.

The combined pickup position offers a balanced response for musicians who want both warmth and definition.

Because the ES-175 is fully hollow, high amplifier gain and stage volume can encourage acoustic feedback. This is part of its distinctive playing behaviour, although guitarists seeking maximum feedback resistance may prefer a centre-block semi-hollow instrument.

How It Compares

Gibson ES-175 vs Gibson ES-335

The Gibson ES-335 features a thinner semi-hollow body with a solid centre block, providing greater resistance to acoustic feedback and a more focused response.

The ES-175 is fully hollow and significantly deeper, creating a warmer, more acoustic-like character.

Players prioritising traditional jazz tones may favour the ES-175, while those requiring higher-gain versatility may prefer the ES-335.

Gibson ES-175 vs Gibson ES-125

The Gibson ES-125 is a simpler vintage archtop traditionally equipped with a single P-90 pickup.

The ES-175 offers a more elaborate specification, including its distinctive cutaway, decorative fingerboard inlays and, on this era of guitar, dual humbuckers.

The ES-175 is particularly appealing for players seeking traditional hollow-body warmth with additional tonal flexibility.

Gibson ES-175 vs Gibson L-5 CES

The Gibson L-5 CES is a premium carved-top archtop renowned for its elaborate construction and professional jazz heritage.

The ES-175 uses laminated body construction, offering a different response and a more accessible approach to classic Gibson jazz guitar.

Both are highly respected designs, with the ES-175 particularly celebrated for its warm amplified character and practical versatility.

Gibson ES-175 vs Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II

The Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II is another full-depth jazz guitar offering traditional styling and dual humbuckers.

The Gibson ES-175 represents the original American-made design that helped establish this style of electric jazz guitar.

Its historic significance, premium construction and distinctive Gibson appointments make it particularly appealing to players seeking an authentic ES-175.

Gibson ES-175 Heritage

The Gibson ES-175 was introduced in 1949, quickly becoming one of the company's most important electric jazz guitars.

Its innovative use of laminated body construction made it a more accessible alternative to Gibson's carved-top professional instruments.

The model originally featured a single pickup, with a two-pickup ES-175D version introduced in 1953.

As the electric jazz guitar developed, the ES-175 became closely associated with some of the most influential musicians in the genre.

Guitarists such as Joe Pass, Jim Hall, Herb Ellis and Pat Metheny helped establish the ES-175 as a benchmark for expressive jazz guitar tone.

The instrument also found a place in blues, rock and popular music thanks to its warm amplified character and distinctive styling.

During the 1990s and early 2000s, Gibson continued developing the model with traditional specifications, including dual '57 Classic humbuckers.

This 2001 Gibson ES-175 represents a period when the classic design remained closely connected to its original jazz heritage while offering the reliability and versatility required by contemporary musicians.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Hollow-Body Electric Guitar
Brand	Gibson
Model	ES-175
Year	2001
Serial Number	02201539
Finish	Vintage Sunburst
Country of Manufacture	USA
Body Shape	Single-Cutaway Archtop
Cutaway Style	Florentine
Body Construction	Fully Hollow
Body Material	Laminated Maple
Body Depth	Approx. 3⅜"
Lower Bout Width	Approx. 16¼"
Neck Material	Mahogany
Neck Construction	Set Neck
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood
Fingerboard Binding	Yes
Fingerboard Inlays	Split Parallelograms
Number of Frets	20
Scale Length	24.75" / 628.65mm
Fingerboard Radius	12" / 305mm
Pickup Configuration	HH
Period Neck Pickup Specification	Gibson '57 Classic Humbucker
Period Bridge Pickup Specification	Gibson '57 Classic Humbucker
Controls	2 Volume, 2 Tone
Pickup Selector	Three-Way Toggle
Bridge	Tune-O-Matic on Floating Rosewood Base
Tailpiece	Trapeze
Electronics	Passive
Number of Strings	6
Weight	7.06 lbs / Approx. 3.20kg
Condition	Very Good – Pre-Owned
Case	Hardcase Included

Power Requirements

The Gibson ES-175 features passive humbucking electronics and does not require a battery or external power supply.

The guitar connects to a suitable amplifier, effects processor or audio interface using a standard ¼-inch instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Expert Verdict

The 2001 Gibson ES-175 Vintage Sunburst is an outstanding example of one of Gibson's most enduring and respected electric archtop designs.

Its full-depth laminated maple body delivers the warm, naturally resonant response that has made the ES-175 a favourite among jazz musicians for decades.

The traditional dual-humbucker configuration offers excellent versatility, providing everything from smooth jazz cleans to expressive blues and roots tones.

The elegant Vintage Sunburst finish, Florentine cutaway, split-parallelogram inlays and trapeze tailpiece complete a beautifully traditional appearance.

At 7.06 lbs, this particular guitar offers a comfortable playing weight while retaining the substantial acoustic character associated with a full-depth archtop.

Presented in Very Good Pre-Owned Condition, with serial number 02201539 and a hardcase included, this is a particularly attractive example of Gibson's classic jazz guitar.

Best Suited For: Jazz, swing, blues, roots, recording and musicians seeking a premium full-depth hollow-body guitar.

Customers Usually Upgrade From: Epiphone jazz guitars, Ibanez Artcore archtops, Gibson ES-125 models and conventional semi-hollow instruments.

Most Commonly Paired With: Fender Twin Reverb, Fender Deluxe Reverb, Roland Jazz Chorus, Polytone-style jazz amplifiers, low-gain overdrive and subtle reverb.

Our Tip: Start with the neck pickup, reduce the tone slightly and use a clean amplifier setting for warm, traditional jazz sounds. For blues and roots music, experiment with the bridge pickup and a little amplifier breakup.

Showroom Advice: The ES-175's fully hollow body and traditional floating bridge give it a different response from an ES-335. Its warm acoustic resonance is particularly noticeable when playing clean, making it an excellent instrument for guitarists who value touch sensitivity and expressive dynamics.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Buying a pre-owned Gibson ES-175 from Fair Deal Music provides an opportunity to own a classic American-made hollow-body electric guitar with outstanding musical heritage.

Our experienced team understands the importance of accurate condition grading, detailed model information and transparent descriptions of included accessories.

This particular guitar is presented in Very Good Pre-Owned Condition, weighs 7.06 lbs, carries serial number 02201539 and comes complete with a hardcase.

Warranty, Returns & Delivery

This is a pre-owned electric guitar, with its condition and included accessories detailed above.

Applicable warranty and returns arrangements are governed by Fair Deal Music's current terms, with available UK delivery and showroom collection options provided at checkout.

The included hardcase provides valuable protection during storage and transportation.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Based in Birmingham, Fair Deal Music specialises in new, used, vintage and collectable guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects pedals, keyboards and professional audio equipment.

Our experienced team of musicians provides knowledgeable advice and personal service, helping customers find instruments suited to their playing styles and requirements.

Customers benefit from competitive pricing, UK delivery options, our Birmingham showroom and part-exchange services.

Part Exchange – Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges a wide range of musical equipment, including Gibson hollow-body guitars, vintage and collectable instruments, Fender guitars, basses, amplifiers and effects pedals.

Your existing equipment could help towards the cost of this Gibson ES-175.

Frequently Asked Questions

What condition is this Gibson ES-175 in?

It is presented in Very Good Pre-Owned Condition, indicating some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership.

Does the guitar come with a case?

Yes. A hardcase is included.

How much does it weigh?

7.06 lbs, approximately 3.20kg.

What is the serial number?

2201539.  

What year was it manufactured?

2001, based on Gibson's eight-digit serial-number format.

Where was the guitar made?

USA.

What finish does it have?

Vintage Sunburst.

Is the ES-175 a fully hollow guitar?

Yes. It does not feature the solid centre block found in the ES-335.

Is the body made from solid carved maple?

No. The ES-175 uses laminated maple body construction.

What is the body depth?

Approximately 3⅜ inches.

Does it have a cutaway?

Yes. It features a traditional Florentine cutaway.

What is the neck made from?

Mahogany.

What is the fingerboard made from?

Rosewood.

How many frets does it have?

20.  

What is the scale length?

24.75 inches.

What pickups were fitted to the 2001 ES-175?

The standard 2001 dual-pickup specification featured two Gibson '57 Classic humbuckers.

What controls does it have?

Two volume controls, two tone controls and a three-way pickup selector.

What bridge does it have?

A Tune-O-Matic bridge mounted on a floating rosewood base.

What is a floating bridge?

A bridge arrangement where the base rests on the arched body rather than being permanently fixed through the top.

What tailpiece does it have?

A traditional trapeze-style tailpiece.

Is the ES-175 suitable for jazz?

Yes. It is one of the most famous and respected electric jazz guitar designs.

Can it be used for blues?

Yes. Its humbuckers provide warm, expressive blues tones.

Is it suitable for classic rock?

Yes, particularly for vintage-inspired, lower-gain rock sounds.

Does it feed back at higher volumes?

Fully hollow guitars can be more susceptible to acoustic feedback than solid-body or centre-block instruments, particularly with high gain and stage volume.

Does it require a battery?

No. The pickups are passive.

What is the difference between an ES-175 and an ES-335?

The ES-175 has a full-depth, fully hollow body, while the ES-335 has a thinner body with a solid centre block.

Is the ES-175 suitable for recording?

Yes. Its warm, distinctive sound makes it particularly useful for jazz, blues and roots recordings.

Can I part-exchange another guitar towards this Gibson ES-175?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers selected guitars and other musical equipment for part exchange.