The Gibson ES series of semi-acoustic guitars (hollow body electric guitars) are manufactured by the

Gibson Guitar Corporation Gibson Brands, Inc. (formerly Gibson Guitar Corporation) is an American manufacturer of guitars, other musical instruments, and professional audio equipment from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and now based in Nashville, Tennessee. The company was form ...

. The letters ES stand for Electric Spanish, to distinguish them from Hawaiian-style

lap steel guitar The lap steel guitar, also known as a Hawaiian guitar, is a type of steel guitar without pedals that is typically played with the instrument in a horizontal position across the performer's lap. Unlike the usual manner of playing a traditional a ...

s which are played flat on the lap. Many of the original numbers referred to the price, in dollars, of the model. Suffixes in the names indicate additional appointments, for example "T" means "thinline" (a thinner profile than most) while "D" means "double pickup". Many of the models come with

f-holes A sound hole is an opening in the body of a stringed musical instrument, usually the upper sound board. Sound holes have different shapes: * round in flat-top guitars and traditional bowl-back mandolins; * F-holes in instruments from the vio ...

, though some, such as B.B. King's signature Lucille series, are made without f-holes. Some models are full-bodied models, while single- and double- cutaways are also available. Two different styles of cutaways are used, both named by Gibson after Italian cities. ''Florentine'' models had a sharper, more pointed end on the cutaway, while more rounded and contoured cutaways were called ''Venetian'' style. Numerous signature models of the ES series exist, as well as some later hybrid models such as the " ES-Les Paul" that combines features of a

Gibson Les Paul The Gibson Les Paul is a solid body electric guitar that was first sold by the Gibson Guitar Corporation in 1952. The guitar was designed by factory manager John Huis and his team with input from and endorsement by guitarist Les Paul. Its typ ...

with those of the ES series. ES Series guitars were built at Gibson's

Memphis, Tennessee Memphis is a city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the seat of Shelby County in the southwest part of the state; it is situated along the Mississippi River. With a population of 633,104 at the 2020 U.S. census, Memphis is the second-mo ...

factory from 2000 until 2019. After Gibson's change of ownership in 2019, the Memphis factory was closed and production was moved back to

Nashville, Tennessee Nashville is the capital city of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the seat of Davidson County. With a population of 689,447 at the 2020 U.S. census, Nashville is the most populous city in the state, 21st most-populous city in the U.S., and ...

Models

ES models

* ES-5 (1949–1955) Three-pickup, full depth hollowbody. / (1955–1962) ES-5 Switchmaster * ES-100 (1938–1941) Entry-level archtop hollow-body model. (Renamed to ES-125) * ES-120T (1962–1971) Most basic student model, thinline * ES-125 (1941–1970) Successor of ES-100. / (1956–1960) ES-125T (thinline). * ES-130 (1954–1956) (Renamed to ES-135) * ES-135 (1956–1958) Thick-body version of ES-125TDC. / (1991–2002) * ES-137 (2002–2013) Upscaled ES-135 with

Les Paul Lester William Polsfuss (June 9, 1915 – August 12, 2009), known as Les Paul, was an American jazz guitarist, jazz, country guitarist, country, and blues guitarist, songwriter, luthier, and inventor. He was one of the pioneers of the solid body ...

sound. * ES-139 (2013 only) Semi-hollow dealer exclusive, sized between a

and ES-135. No f-holes. Marketed as a lighter alternative to the Les Paul. * ES-140 (1950–1957) 3/4 size, short scale ES-175. / (1956–1968) ES-140T (thinline). * ES-150 (1936–1956) Gibson's first electric guitar, based on L-50. / (1937-?) EST–150 (tenor) and EPG–150 (plectrum) were shipped. / (1969–1974) ES-150DC resembling thick ES-335. * ES-165 (1991–2013) Single pickup ES-175 based on

Herb Ellis Mitchell Herbert Ellis (August 4, 1921 – March 28, 2010), known professionally as Herb Ellis, was an American jazz guitarist. During the 1950s, he was in a trio with pianist Oscar Peterson. Biography Born in Farmersville, Texas, and raised ...

's. *

ES-175 The Gibson ES-175 (1949-2019) is a hollow body Jazz electric guitar manufactured by the Gibson Guitar Corporation. The ES-175 became one of Gibson's most popular guitar designs. History In 1949 the ES-175 was introduced by the Gibson Guitar comp ...

(1949–) Full depth, florentine cutaway, maple top, 24 3/4" scale. / (1953-) ES-175D (dual pickup). / (1976–1979) ES-175T (thinline hollow-body) *

ES-225 The Gibson ES-225 is a thinline hollowbody electric guitar model produced by the Gibson Guitar Corporation between 1955 and 1959. It is notable as the first thinline hollowbody guitar produced by Gibson. History The ES-225 was originally introdu ...

T (1955–1959) Variation on ES-125T (thinline, florentine cutaway), with trapeze bridge. * ES-250 (1938–1940) Rare, fancier version of ES-150. Replaced by ES-300. * ES-260 (1982–1983) Resembling ES-125T/ES-225T (thinline, florentine cutaway), but semi-hollow with center block, stop tailpiece, and humbuckers instead of P90 pickups. * ES-295 (1952–1959) ES-175 resembling Les Paul Goldtop with trapeze bridge. * ES-300 (1940–1952) Successor of ES-250, with a slant-mounted long pickup. Short PU in 1941. Reintroduced with P-90 in 1946, added second P-90 in 1949. Replaced by ES-350. * ES-320TD (1971–1974) Similar to ES-330TD but with tune-o-matic and metal control plate. * ES-325 (1972–1979) Similar to ES-330TD but with mini-humbuckers, single f-hole, and a half-moon shaped plastic control plate * ES-330TD (1958–) Double rounded cutaway, thinline hollow-body * ES-333 (–2003) Stripped-down version of ES-335 *

ES-335 The Gibson ES-335 is the world's first commercial semi-hollowbody electric guitar, sometimes known as semi-acoustic. Released by the Gibson Guitar Corporation as part of its ES (Electric Spanish) series in 1958, it is neither fully hollow nor fu ...

(1958–) World's first thinline archtop semi-acoustic (semi-hollow-body with center-block) / (2013–) ES-335 Bass * ES-336 (1996–2001) Replaced by CS-336. * ES-339 (2007–) Size of CS-336 with construction of ES-335. * ES-340TD (1968–1973) ES-335 with a master volume/mixer and phase switch *

ES-345 The Gibson ES-345 is a stereo guitar manufactured by the Gibson Guitar Company. The guitar was produced from 1959 to 1981. It was designed as a jazz guitar and an upscale version of the ES-335. History The 345 was developed in 1958 as an upscale ...

(1958–1981) ES-335 construction, but with parallelogram inlays, Varitone, and stereo outputs. * ES-347 (1978–) Alternate ES-345 with a coil-tap switch instead of Varitone * ES-350 (1947–1956) Rounded cutaway ES-300. / (1955–1981) ES-350T as a plainer Byrdland. * ES-355 (1958–1982) Upscaled ES-345 (ebony fretboard, extra binding, etc.) with

vibrato unit A vibrato unit is an electronic effects unit used to add vibrato to the sound of an electric instrument, most often an electric guitar. Vibrato units may be individual stomp boxes or built into multi-effects units, but are traditionally built into ...

, optional Varitone and stereo outputs. * ES-359 (2008–) Upscaled ES-339 (ebony fretboard, extra binding, gold hardware, block inlays). * ES-369 (late 1970s–) ES-335 with Dirty Finger humbuckers, coil tap switch, and snakehead headstock. * ES-390 (2013–) Similar in size to the ES-339, but with the fully hollow construction of ES-330. Equipped with mini humbuckers (2013 model year) or dog-ear P90s (2014–present). * ES-775 (1990–1993) ES-175 with higher quality components * ES Artist (1979
An advertisement in 1979 for Artist series: "''RD Artist Active''" released around 1977, and two new models added in 1979, "''ES Artist Active''" and "''Les Paul Artist Active''".–) Upscale model of ES-335 without f-holes, with active circuit by Moog.

ES signature models

:;ES-333 signature * Tom DeLonge Signature ES-333 (2003–) Equipped with a single high-output Gibson Dirty Fingers bridge humbucker. :;ES-335 signature * DG-335 (2007–?) Dave Grohl model based on

Trini Lopez Trinidad López III (May 15, 1937 – August 11, 2020) was an American singer, guitarist, and actor. His first album included a cover version of Pete Seeger's " If I Had a Hammer", which earned a Golden Disc for him. His other hits include ...

. *

(1964–1971)

two versions: one based on ES-335, other similar to Kessel model with diamond-shaped

sound hole A sound hole is an opening in the body of a stringed musical instrument, usually the upper sound board. Sound holes have different shapes: * round in flat-top guitars and traditional bowl-back mandolins; * F-holes in instruments from the vio ...

s and a single-side headstock. *

Chris Cornell Christopher John Cornell (né Boyle; July 20, 1964 – May 18, 2017) was an American singer and musician best known as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and primary lyricist and songwriter for the rock bands Soundgarden and Audioslave ...

(2013–) First edition released in 2013 with a limited edition run of 250 released in 2019 - green Olive Drab finish with Jason Lollar Gretsch Filtertron style Lollartron pickups, Bigsby vibrato, and Cornell's signature inlaid on the headstock :;ES-355 derivative signature * Lucille (1980–1985) B.B. King model based on ES-355TD-SV without

f-hole A sound hole is an opening in the body of a stringed musical instrument, usually the upper sound board. Sound holes have different shapes: * round in flat-top guitars and traditional bowl-back mandolins; * F-holes in instruments from the vio ...

s. :;ES-330/ES-336 derivative signature *

Johnny A. John Antonopoulos (born November 14, 1952 in Malden, Massachusetts, United States), known professionally as Johnny A, is an American musician, guitarist, and songwriter. Early life Johnny A. was born in Malden, Massachusetts, of Greek heritage ...

(2004–) ES-336 sized fully-hollow thinline body with sharp double cutaways that resemble the Barney Kessel model with three variants (all models have '57 Classic humbuckers and 25.5" scale unless otherwise noted): **Signature with Bigsby vibrato **Standard with Bigsby vibrato, which has less cosmetic appointments compared to the Signature, nickel instead of gold hardware, and a rosewood fretboard instead of ebony **Spruce Top, with a spruce top instead of maple and a stopbar tailpiece instead of a Bigsby vibrato, rosewood fretboard, and Alnico III CustomBuckers instead of '57 Classics

Derived models

* 335-S (1980–1983) Loosely related solidbody guitar similar in shape and controls to

with two Dirty Fingers pickups. * CS-336 (2001–?) Custom Shop's first "tonally carved" guitar. * CS-356 (2001–?) Upscaled CS-336 with goldplate parts, ''etc''.
Vegas
(2006) Offset semi-hollow with similar aesthetics to the Trini Lopez - non-reverse Firebird six-in-line headstock, diamond f-holes, and split-diamond inlays. Two variants:
Standard
- Plain maple top, ebony fingerboard, '57 Classic humbuckers, four finishes: Ebony, Natural, Sunburst, Wine Red.
High Roller
- AAA Flame maple top, gold hardware, block inlays, Burstbucker Pro humbuckers, four finishes: Desert Sunset, Felt Green, Neon, Roulette Red. * Les Paul Bantam/Florentine (1995/1996–) Custom Shop models with thinline semi-hollow-body with center-block. (Note: "''Gibson USA Florentine''" released in 2009 is a solid-body model) * ES-Les Paul (2014-2016) Mash up of

and

* Les Paul Signature (–) **Midtown (2011–2016) Smaller chambered body with f-holes that came in five variants: ***Standard with dot inlays and BurstBucker humbuckers, as well as optional Bigsby vibrato ***Standard P-90 with trapezoid inlays and P-90 pickups ***Custom with humbuckers, block inlays and split diamond headstock inlay, like an ES-355 ***Kalamazoo, with appointments referencing the Byrdland ***Signature Bass * EB–2 bass (1958–1972) * EB-6 6-string bass/ baritone guitar (1959–1961: hollow-body similar to EB–2,Danelectro #3412, #4423 & UB–2 image
/ref> 1962–1965: '' SG-shaped'' solid-body similar to EB-3/ EB-0: )

Related models

Origin models

:Note: in the 1920s, L-4 and L-5 were once electrified by

Lloyd Loar Lloyd Allayre Loar (1886–1943) was an American musician, instrument designer and sound engineer. He is best known for his design work with the Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Mfg. Co. Ltd. in the early 20th century, including the F-5 model mandolin an ...

, but halted by his end of contract in 1924. *

L-4 L4 or L-4 may refer to : Transportation * SP&S Class L-4, an 1884 steam locomotives class * USS L-4 (SS-43), USS ''L-4'' (SS-43), a 1915 United States Navy L-class submarine * HMS L4, HMS ''L4'', a 1918 British L class submarine * Lawson L-4, a 19 ...

(1911–) The bass model of ES-175 and its derivatives. * L-5 (1922–) The bass model of ES-5, Byrdland, ES-350T, possibly ES-225, and these derivatives. ** Byrdland (1955–) Thinline, short-scale L-5 CES, named after

Billy Byrd William Lewis Byrd (17 February 1920 – 7 August 2001) was an American country music, country lead guitarist (with some jazz leanings) and studio musician who performed with Ernest Tubb, the Oak Ridge Quartet, Tex Ritter, George Hamilton IV, Jim ...

and

Hank Garland Walter Louis Garland (11 November 1930 – 27 December 2004), professionally Hank Garland, was an American guitarist and songwriter. He started as a country musician, played rock and roll as it became popular in the 1950s, and released a jazz al ...

. ** Super 400 CES (

934 Year 934 ( CMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * Spring and Summer – The Hungarians make an alliance with the Pecheneg ...

1950s–) * L-50 (1934–) The base model of the first Electro Spanish model, ES-150.: * The Log (1940) A forerunner of the later center-block semi-hollow models, ES-335/345/355.

Related derivative models

* EDS–1275 Double 12 (1958–)

Doubleneck A multi-neck guitar is a guitar that has multiple fingerboard necks. They exist in both electric guitar, electric and acoustic guitar, acoustic versions. Although multi-neck guitars are quite common today, they are not a modern invention. Examples ...

, hollow-body (1958–1962) or '' SG-shaped'' solid-body (1962-) guitar with 12 and 6 string guitar necks.
Other doubleneck models include: **''EMS–1235 Double Mandolin'' (mandolin or short neck guitar & normal guitar, hollow-body (1958–1962) or solid-body (1962-)) **''EBSF–1250 Double Bass'' (4 string bass & guitar, built-in fuzz effect) **''EBS–1250 Double Bass'' (6 string bass & guitar) — comparing the 1962/1963 & 1964 EBSF–1250 (4 string bass + guitar +

fuzztone Distortion and overdrive are forms of audio signal processing used to alter the sound of amplified electric musical instruments, usually by increasing their gain (electronics), gain, producing a "fuzzy", "growling", or "gritty" tone. Distort ...

), 1964 EBS–1250 (4 string bass + guitar), and Elvis' 1965 EBS–1250 (6 string bass + guitar) **''EDS–1250'' (6 string bass & 4 string bass) * Barney Kessel (1961–1974) Barney Kessel model. 3" deep, double florentine cutaway hollow-body (Two versions, Regular and Custom). *

Johnny Smith Johnny Henry Smith II (June 25, 1922 – June 11, 2013) was an American cool jazz and mainstream jazz guitarist. He wrote "Walk, Don't Run" in 1954. In 1984, Smith was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. Early life During the Great D ...

(1961–) Later renamed as '' Gibson LeGrande''.
Solid Formed
(2015) - new style archtop using 1/2 the wood by bending it instead of traditional carving. 17" full hollowbody with a venetian cutaway and floating Johnny Smith style humbucker. * Blueshawk (1996–2006) ** Little Lucille (1996–2006) another Lucille endorsed by B.B. King.

Related signature models

Tal Farlow Talmage Holt Farlow (June 7, 1921 – July 25, 1998) was an American jazz guitarist. He was nicknamed "Octopus" because of how his large, quick hands spread over the fretboard. As Steve Rochinski notes, "Of all the guitarists to emerge in th ...

(1962–1971)

model. * Howard Roberts Fusion (1980–)

Howard Roberts Howard Mancel Roberts (October 2, 1929 – June 28, 1992) was an American jazz guitarist, educator, and session musician. Early years Roberts was born in Phoenix, Arizona to Damon and Vesta Roberts, and began playing guitar at the age of 8 - a ...

model. * Chet Atkins Country Gentleman (1987–2000s) Gibson version of the Gretsch

Chet Atkins Chester Burton Atkins (June 20, 1924 – June 30, 2001), known as "Mr. Guitar" and "The Country Gentleman", was an American musician who, along with Owen Bradley and Bob Ferguson, helped create the Nashville sound, the country music ...

signature model 6120, with Gibson 492R and 490T humbucking pickups instead of Gretsch Filtertrons. * Chet Atkins Tennessean (1990–2000s) Mid-priced Gibson Chet Atkins signature model designed by Gibson.

Gallery

This section provides the photographs of the above mentioned models, to easily identify and grasp each one at a glance.

ES models (with signatures and derivations)

File:1956 Gibson ES-5 Switchmaster - Carl Perkins' - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, OH (2018-08-31 by Claude Humbert).jpg, ES-5 File:Gibson ES-120T.jpg, ES-120T File:Gibson ES-125.jpg, ES-125 File:Gibson ES135.jpg, ES-135 File:Gibson ES-137 guitar.jpg, ES-137 File:Gibson ES-140.jpg, ES-140 File:Gibson ES-150.png, ES-150 File:Gibson ES-165 Herb Ellis (1996).jpg, ES-165 File:Herb Ellis 1953 Gibson ES-175.jpg, ES-175 File:Gibson ES-175 jl.png,

File:GibsonEs250pair.gif, ES-250 File:Gibson ES-295, Sun Studio.jpg,

ES-295 The Gibson ES-295 (1952-1959) is a hollow body guitar which was built by the Gibson Guitar Company. The ES-295 was introduced in May 1952 as a fancier version of the ES-175. The 295 had the same measurements as the ES-175, but it came in gold fin ...

File:Gibson ES-325 - Kings of Leon 4.jpg, ES-325 File:Gibson ES-330TD.jpg, ES-330TD File:Gibson ES-333.jpg, ES-333 File:Gibson DeLonge signature.jpg, Tom DeLonge ES-333 File:Gibson ES-335 sunburst.jpg,

File:Chris Cornell Soundgarden (253661679) (cropped).jpeg, Chris Cornell ES-335 File:FoosDublin210819-2 (48620472807) (cropped).jpg, Dave Grohl DG-335 File:Gibson Trini Ropez, played by Rusty Anderson.jpg, Trini Lopez File:Gibson 335 S Deluxe.jpg, 335-S Deluxe File:Gibson CS-336.jpg, CS-336 File:Gibson Johnny A.jpg,

Johnny A John Antonopoulos (born November 14, 1952 in Malden, Massachusetts, United States), known professionally as Johnny A, is an American musician, guitarist, and songwriter. Early life Johnny A. was born in Malden, Massachusetts, of Greek herita ...

File:Nova2013 Stereophonics Kelly Jones 0002.jpg, ES-339 File:Gibson ES-345 lefty.jpg,

File:Gibson ES-350T .png, ES-350 File:Jimmy Dawkins.jpg, ES-355 File:Gibson Lucille .jpg,

Gibson Lucille Lucille is the name American blues musician B.B. King (1925–2015) gave to his guitars. They were usually black Gibson guitars similar to the ES-330 or ES-355, and Gibson introduced a B.B. King custom model in 1980, based upon the latter. Th ...

Related models

File:Gibson TG-50 Archtop Tenor (1955) & Gibson L-7 Archtop Guitar (1947) - 2012 Northwest Handmade Musical Instrument Exhibit.jpg, L-50 tenor version (TG-50) with L-7 File:Gibson Electro Spanish-150, Prototype Batch (1936), Museum of Making Music.jpg, (based on L-50) File:Gibson L-4 CES (vert).jpg,

File:Gibson L-5 (1928), Maybelle Carter, CMHF clip1.jpg, L-5 File:Gibson Byrdland.jpg, Byrdland File:Gibson Super 400 CES.jpg,

Gibson Super 400 The Gibson Super 400 is an archtop guitar. It is a highly influential guitar model that inspired many other master guitar builders (including Elmer Stromberg and John D'Angelico). It was first sold in 1934 and named for its $400 price, like many ...

File:Earlyal1.JPG, Tal Farlow File:Fun Lovin Criminals -Sala Bikini, Barcelona, Spain-11May2010.jpg, Chet Atkins Country Gentleman File:Gibson Johnny Smith.jpg,

File:Gibson Barney Kessel Custom prototype, made for Tal Farlow, owned by Jon Hines (1960), Museum of Making Music.jpg, Barney Kessel File:StillsStephen1983.jpg, Double-12 File:Guitarist with Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion, Blues Jam at S-ta Clara Bierhaus, 2009-02-13.jpg, Howard Roberts Fusion File:2015 Gibson Memphis ES Les Paul Lemon Burst Double Cream VOS.jpg, ES-Les Paul File:GibsonMemphisBlackBeauty.jpg, ES-Les Paul Black Beauty File:Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Custom Florentine (vertical).jpg, Les Paul Florentine File:Epiphone Les Paul Signature (clip).jpg, Les Paul Signature File:Gibson Little Lucille (vertical).jpg, Little Lucille File:Gibson Blueshawk (vertical).jpg, Blueshawk File:Epiphone Jack Casady Bass.png, Les Paul Signature Bass File:1964 Gibson EB-2.JPG,

Gibson EB-2 The Gibson EB-2 is an electric bass guitar model produced by the Gibson Guitar Corporation from 1958 to 1972, with a hiatus from 1962 to 1963. When production ceased in 1972, a total of 8017 instruments had been built, with 2102 of them being EB-2 ...

Models

ES models

ES signature models

Derived models

Related models

Origin models

Related derivative models

Related signature models

Gallery

ES models (with signatures and derivations)

Related models

Tree chart

References

External links