The Gibson ES-175 (Metheny) is a Gibson electric guitar, currently around $3600. Close alternatives include the PRS Jazz Electric Nylon and the Gibson "Old Black" 1953 Les Paul. It pairs well with the Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head and the Blackstar St. James 100.
Gibson ES-175 (Metheny)
Gibson · electric guitar
Gibson ES-175 archtop semi-hollow electric with dual humbucking pickups, 16.5-inch body, and 24.75-inch scale. Pat Methenys 1960 model exemplifies warm, rich jazz tone prized for fingerstyle work and modal playing. The ES-175 has been central to jazz and fusion guitar since its 1949 introduction.
- articulation
- jazz
- clean
- rich
- fusion
- midrange
- smooth
- chime
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Gibson ES-175 (Metheny) is commonly used in
- Jazz
- Rock
- Jazz Fusion
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Latin
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Soul
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Gibson ES-175 (Metheny)
Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head
Orange
18% matchOrange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head's own full character is the real reason this is worth trying
Blackstar St. James 100
Blackstar
17% matchBlackstar St. James 100's high gain fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchInto a transparent tone, Synergy SL2 Module brings the high gain it's missing
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Friedman BE-Mini Head gives it high gain to fill it with
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchInto a transparent tone, Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 brings the high gain it's missing
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchInto a transparent tone, Ceriatone 2202H brings the high gain it's missing
Hiwatt Hi-Gain 100W Head
Hiwatt
tonal matchInto a transparent tone, Hiwatt Hi-Gain 100W Head brings the high gain it's missing
Friedman Jose LTD
Friedman
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Friedman Jose LTD gives it high gain to fill it with
Pedals that stack with the Gibson ES-175 (Metheny)
Wren and Cuff Box of War OG
Wren And Cuff
19% matchWren and Cuff Box of War OG's fuzzy fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
ThorpyFX The Dane
ThorpyFX
18% matchInto a transparent tone, ThorpyFX The Dane brings the fuzzy it's missing
Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz
Black Arts Toneworks
tonal matchBlack Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Gibson ES-175 (Metheny) delivers it
Electro-Harmonix EH-1335/EH-3075 Hot Tubes
Electro-Harmonix
tonal matchGibson ES-175 (Metheny) leans into a clean amp's front end, precisely the platform Electro-Harmonix EH-1335/EH-3075 Hot Tubes wants
MXR M249 Super Badass Dynamic O.D.
MXR
tonal matchGibson ES-175 (Metheny) leans into a clean amp's front end, precisely the platform MXR M249 Super Badass Dynamic O.D. wants
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 gives it fuzzy to fill it with
Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature
Ashdown
tonal matchInto Gibson ES-175 (Metheny), Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end
Catalinbread MontaVillian
Catalinbread
tonal matchCatalinbread MontaVillian's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Gibson ES-175 (Metheny) delivers it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Cheaper alternatives
Gibson Es 335 Dot
Gibson
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Fender Stratocaster American Standard
electric guitar
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Gibson ES-125
electric guitar
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Gretsch Country Gentleman 6122
Gretsch
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Ibanez Iceman Electric Guitar
electric guitar
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Epiphone Riviera Electric Guitar
electric guitar
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
PRS Jazz Electric Nylon
PRS
61% similarityShared character: clean_amp, fusion, sensitivity
Gibson "Old Black" 1953 Les Paul
Gibson
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Ibanez THBB10
Ibanez
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Dean Vinman 2000
Dean
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Ernie Ball Music Man Luke
Ernie Ball
95% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Gibson ES-175 (Metheny) (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Gibson ES-175 (Metheny)?+
The closest matches in character are the PRS Jazz Electric Nylon, the Gibson "Old Black" 1953 Les Paul, the Ibanez THBB10. Budget picks: Gibson Es 335 Dot, Fender Stratocaster American Standard, Gibson ES-125.
What pairs well with the Gibson ES-175 (Metheny)?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head, Blackstar St. James 100, Synergy SL2 Module — Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head's own full character is the real reason this is worth trying.
How much does the Gibson ES-175 (Metheny) cost?+
Around $3600 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).