The Gibson ES-5 Electric Guitar is a Gibson electric guitar, currently around $6799. Close alternatives include the Höfner Club 50 and the Schecter Dream Machine. It pairs well with the Blackstar Studio 10 KT88 Limited Edition and the Vox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp.
Gibson ES-5 Electric Guitar
Gibson · electric guitar
The Gibson ES-5 was introduced in 1949 as a full-depth archtop carrying three P-90s — unusual then and rare since — with individual volume controls for each and no selector switch on the earliest version. The 17-inch body gives a broad, airy acoustic component, and the three-pickup layout allows blends no two-pickup archtop can reach.
- jazz
- natural
- blues
- warmth
- unprecedented tonal versatility
- p 90 character
- unprecedented versatility
- warm
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Gibson ES-5 Electric Guitar is commonly used in
- New Wave
- Rock
- Jazz
- Blues
Amps that pair well with the Gibson ES-5 Electric Guitar
Blackstar Studio 10 KT88 Limited Edition
Blackstar
20% matchBlackstar Studio 10 KT88 Limited Edition's bright balances out the warm tone
Vox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp
Vox
19% matchVox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp's bright balances out the warm tone
Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head
Orange
19% matchWhere this leans warm, Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head answers back bright
Marshall 2203KK Kerry King JCM800
Marshall
tonal matchMarshall 2203KK Kerry King JCM800's bright balances out the warm tone
Vox Mini SuperBeetle Bass
Vox
tonal matchRun Vox Mini SuperBeetle Bass after it and the warm edge settles into something more bright
Marshall Super Bass
Marshall
tonal matchRun Marshall Super Bass after it and the warm edge settles into something more bright
Peavey MAX 150 150W 1x12 Bass Combo
Peavey
tonal matchRun Peavey MAX 150 150W 1x12 Bass Combo after it and the warm edge settles into something more bright
Peavey MAX 100
Peavey
tonal matchPeavey MAX 100 leans bright right where the warm tone needs it
Pedals that stack with the Gibson ES-5 Electric Guitar
Origin Effects DCX Boost
Origin Effects
19% matchOrigin Effects DCX Boost leans bright right where the warm tone needs it
Way Huge Pork Loin
Way Huge
19% matchGibson ES-5 Electric Guitar's transparent character and Way Huge Pork Loin's transparent voice sit in the same lane rather than fighting each other
Tone City Dry Martini
Tone City
tonal matchTone City Dry Martini's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Gibson ES-5 Electric Guitar delivers it
Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature
Ashdown
tonal matchInto Gibson ES-5 Electric Guitar, Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end
Dunlop MXR Timmy Overdrive, sold as Dunlop CSP027
Dunlop
tonal matchDunlop MXR Timmy Overdrive, sold as Dunlop CSP027 is voiced for a clean amp's front end — Gibson ES-5 Electric Guitar gives it exactly that
ProCo RAT 2
Proco
tonal matchProCo RAT 2 is voiced for a clean amp's front end — Gibson ES-5 Electric Guitar gives it exactly that
AnalogMan Beano Boost
Analog Man
tonal matchAnalogMan Beano Boost's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Gibson ES-5 Electric Guitar delivers it
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-5 Electric Guitar delivers it
Cheaper alternatives
Gibson ES-125
electric guitar
92% similaritysimilar tone character
PRS Al Di Meola Prism
PRS
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Gibson ES-175 (Metheny)
Gibson
90% similaritysimilar tone character
Epiphone BB King Lucille Ebony
Epiphone
90% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Höfner Club 50
electric guitar
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Schecter Dream Machine
electric guitar
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Tanglewood Memphis AS-35 Guitar
electric guitar
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Washburn N4
Washburn
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Fender Stratocaster
Fender
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Ibanez Custom AS200 with 2-Tone Finish
electric guitar
91% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Gibson ES-5 Electric Guitar (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Gibson ES-5 Electric Guitar?+
The closest matches in character are the Höfner Club 50, the Schecter Dream Machine, the Tanglewood Memphis AS-35 Guitar. Budget picks: Gibson ES-125, PRS Al Di Meola Prism, Gibson ES-175 (Metheny).
What pairs well with the Gibson ES-5 Electric Guitar?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Blackstar Studio 10 KT88 Limited Edition, Vox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp, Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head — Blackstar Studio 10 KT88 Limited Edition's bright balances out the warm tone.
How much does the Gibson ES-5 Electric Guitar cost?+
Around $6799 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).