The Gibson Steve Howe ES-175 is a Gibson electric guitar, currently around $5110.38. Close alternatives include the Framus Stormbender and the Gibson Les Paul Axcess Alex Lifeson Signature. It pairs well with the Revv Generator 100R MkIII 3-Channel Head and the Vox MV50-CE Rock.
Gibson Steve Howe ES-175
Gibson · electric guitar
The Gibson Steve Howe ES-175 is the Yes guitarist's signature version of the classic ES-175 archtop, tailored to his prog-rock and jazz playing. It delivers the ES-175's warm, round, woody hollowbody voice with humbuckers, used for everything from jazzy comping to the bright, articulate lead lines of Yes. The laminated body offers classic archtop tone with usable feedback resistance.
- jazz
- bright
- articulate
- woody
- classic archtop tone
- versatile archtop tone
- progressive rock
- lead
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Gibson Steve Howe ES-175 is commonly used in
- Jazz
- Progressive Rock
Amps that pair well with the Gibson Steve Howe ES-175
Revv Generator 100R MkIII 3-Channel Head
Revv
24% matchRun Revv Generator 100R MkIII 3-Channel Head after it and the bright edge settles into something more smooth
Vox MV50-CE Rock
Vox
24% matchFeed a high gain signal into Vox MV50-CE Rock and it comes out closer to tight
Peavey Classic 30 II 2-Channel 30W 1x12 Combo
Peavey
23% matchPeavey Classic 30 II 2-Channel 30W 1x12 Combo's warm balances out the bright tone
Gallien-Krueger Fusion 210
Gallien Krueger
tonal matchFeed a high gain signal into Gallien-Krueger Fusion 210 and it comes out closer to mid-forward
Ampeg V-4
Ampeg
tonal matchFeed a high gain signal into Ampeg V-4 and it comes out closer to mid-forward
Orange Little Bass Thing
Orange
tonal matchWhere this leans bright, Orange Little Bass Thing answers back warm
Harmony H650
Harmony
tonal matchStack Harmony H650 on top and a high gain tone tightens toward mid-forward
Fuchs ODS II Custom 25/50 Combo
Fuchs
tonal matchWhere this leans bright, Fuchs ODS II Custom 25/50 Combo answers back warm
Pedals that stack with the Gibson Steve Howe ES-175
Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus
Dunlop
21% matchDunlop MXR Distortion Plus leans warm right where the bright tone needs it
Xotic EP Booster
Xotic
21% matchStack Xotic EP Booster on top and a high gain tone tightens toward clean boost
Friedman Buxom Boost
Friedman
tonal matchGibson Steve Howe ES-175 leans into a high-gain amp's front end, precisely the platform Friedman Buxom Boost wants
Spaceman Effects Atlas IV
Spaceman
tonal matchFeed a high gain signal into Spaceman Effects Atlas IV and it comes out closer to clean boost
Spaceman Explorer 6-Stage Phaser
Spaceman
tonal matchSpaceman Explorer 6-Stage Phaser warms up and rounds off a bright tone
JAM Pedals RetroVibe Mk.4
Jam Pedals
tonal matchStack JAM Pedals RetroVibe Mk.4 on top and a high gain tone tightens toward mid-forward
Behringer Chorus Symphony
Behringer
tonal matchRun Behringer Chorus Symphony after it and the bright edge settles into something more smooth
MXR CAE Wah
MXR
tonal matchStack MXR CAE Wah on top and a high gain tone tightens toward mid-forward
Cheaper alternatives
Gibson ES-175
Gibson
70% similarity“The Gibson Steve Howe ES-175 is the Yes guitarist's signature version of the classic ES-175 archtop, tailored to his prog-rock and jazz playing”
Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor
Epiphone
61% similarityShared character: woody, round, jazz
Fender Dave Murray Stratocaster
electric guitar
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Gibson Les Paul Goldtop
Gibson
90% similaritysimilar tone character
Gibson '58 Les Paul Standard Reissue
electric guitar
90% similaritysimilar tone character
Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion III Electric Guitar
electric guitar
89% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
1961 Gibson ES-335
Gibson
90% similaritysimilar tone character
Angus young signature SG 2000-2008
Gibson
89% similaritysimilar tone character
Fender Custom Shop David Gilmour Signature Stratocaster
Fender
89% similaritysimilar tone character
Gibson Ace Frehley Les Paul Custom
Gibson
89% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
See all alternatives to the Gibson Steve Howe ES-175 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Gibson Steve Howe ES-175?+
The closest matches in character are the Framus Stormbender, the Gibson Les Paul Axcess Alex Lifeson Signature, the Rory Gallagher 1961 Stratocaster. Budget picks: Gibson ES-175, Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor, Fender Dave Murray Stratocaster. Boutique upgrades: 1961 Gibson ES-335, Angus young signature SG 2000-2008, Fender Custom Shop David Gilmour Signature Stratocaster.
What pairs well with the Gibson Steve Howe ES-175?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Revv Generator 100R MkIII 3-Channel Head, Vox MV50-CE Rock, Peavey Classic 30 II 2-Channel 30W 1x12 Combo — Run Revv Generator 100R MkIII 3-Channel Head after it and the bright edge settles into something more smooth.
How much does the Gibson Steve Howe ES-175 cost?+
Around $5110.38 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).