The single-pickup ES-175s were first introduced in 1949 but were discontinued around 1971 although small custom runs including the ES-175CC (with a Charlie Christian reproduction pickup) were made.

[citation needed] The ES-165 debuted in 1991 (first model shipped was February 27, 1991), as Gibson's tribute to longtime ES-175 user Herb Ellis.

It featured a Gibson 490R humbucker and a single tone and volume control mounted directly to the top.

The early variant of this guitar features what Gibson refers to as a "rounded Jazz profile".

Hardware includes a zigzag trapeze tailpiece and Tune-O-Matic bridge mounted on a rosewood base.

Similar in size and construction to the ES-165, it differs in having a laminated mahogany back and sides and dot inlays on the fingerboard.