Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $1,500

High-end/Boutique

$500

$1201+

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Standard

High-end

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Description

The Gibson ES-135 Black Custom is a harmonious blend of rock, jazz, and everything in between, carving out its own niche in the world of semi-hollowbody electric guitars. This guitar is the ultimate choice for musicians seeking versatility without sacrificing character. With its unique design, the ES-135 stands out by offering dual humbuckers that deliver a rich, warm tone with crystal-clear fidelity. Whether you're playing smooth jazz lines or tearing through rock riffs, this guitar responds with grace and power.

Crafted with a traditional maple top and back, it resonates with a balanced tone that complements a wide range of musical styles. The mahogany neck is topped with a rosewood fingerboard, providing a smooth playing experience that feels like an extension of your musical intent. The ES-135's sophisticated design is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functionally impressive, ensuring comfort during long sessions or performances.

The standout feature of this instrument is its ability to traverse musical genres with ease, making it a prime choice for musicians who refuse to be boxed into one style. Whether you're strumming soulful chords or unleashing a bluesy solo, the Gibson ES-135 Black Custom offers a playability that feels both familiar and groundbreaking.

Key Features:

  • Dual humbuckers for warm, versatile tones
  • Maple top and back for balanced resonance
  • Mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard
  • Semi-hollowbody design for enhanced sustain and feedback control
  • Versatile sound suited for rock, jazz, and rockabilly genres

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model ES-135
Finish Blueburst, Cherry, Ebony, Natural, Vintage Sunburst, Wine Red
Year 1991 - 2003
Made In United States
Categories Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Semi-Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Black, Blue, Brown, Red, Tan
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Gibson ES-135
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed

FAQs

What type of music genres is the Gibson ES-135 Black Custom best suited for?

The Gibson ES-135 Black Custom is versatile and well-suited for jazz, blues, and rock genres due to its semi-hollow body design, which offers warm, resonant tones with reduced feedback compared to fully hollow guitars.

What is the neck profile of the Gibson ES-135 Black Custom like?

The Gibson ES-135 Black Custom typically features a comfortable '60s slim taper neck profile, offering smooth playability and ease of access across the fretboard, ideal for both rhythm and lead playing.

How does the pickup configuration on the Gibson ES-135 Black Custom affect its sound?

The Gibson ES-135 Black Custom comes with a dual humbucker (HH) pickup configuration, providing a rich, full-bodied sound with reduced noise, making it suitable for both clean and overdriven tones.

Is the Gibson ES-135 Black Custom suitable for beginners?

While the Gibson ES-135 Black Custom offers professional-level features, its playability and tonal versatility can be appreciated by beginners who are serious about investing in a quality instrument.

Does the Gibson ES-135 Black Custom come with a case?

Typically, the Gibson ES-135 Black Custom is sold with a hard case to ensure protection during transport and storage, but it's always best to confirm with the seller.

Reviews

PROS

  • Lightweight and resonant, ideal for extended playing sessions

  • Chunky neck offers richer tone and room for complex chords

  • Center block reduces feedback and maintains clarity

  • Versatile tone from clean jazz to overdriven rock

  • High-quality craftsmanship with durable build

  • Offers hybrid 335/175 sound at a lower price

  • Substantial feel, not for beginners

  • Excellent for recording, especially rhythm sections

  • Unique sound with punchy, sweet blues tones

  • Versatile with 57 PAF pickups, covering a wide range of genres

CONS

  • Stock pickups may not meet expectations

  • Balsa center block lacks sustain of a 335

  • Factory frets are very high and thin, may need refretting

  • Natural finish may appear uninspiring to some

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson ES-135.

Features and functionality

  • The ES-135 is noted for its loud acoustic resonance due to its semi-hollow body with a center block, enhancing unplugged playability.

    Source
  • The ES-135 often features a trapeze tailpiece and P-100 pickups, which are noiseless, coil-stacked versions of P-90s.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Owners often compare the ES-135 to the Epiphone Casino and PRS Semi Hollow, noting the ES-135's unique tonal characteristics with P90 or P100 pickups.

    Source
  • The ES-135's P-100 bridge pickup with a loud tube amp provides a mid-rangy rock tone reminiscent of George Thorogood's "Bad to the Bone."

    Source
  • The ES-135 is compared to the ES-137, with the former having a balsa center block for a more open sound, while the latter uses mahogany for better sustain.

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User experience

  • Many players celebrate the ES-135's versatility, describing it as a "paintbrush" that adds color between rhythmic lines, particularly appreciated in varied musical styles.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the sharp aesthetics of the top and back binding on the horn, enhancing its visual appeal.

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  • Long-term owners report satisfaction with the durability and condition of the guitar, even after decades of use.

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Value and pricing

  • The ES-135 is considered a sleeper hit, often mentioned as the best value Gibson semi-hollowbody, with one owner praising its cost-effectiveness compared to pricier models.

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  • Used ES-135s offer a significant price advantage compared to more sought-after models like the ES-175 and ES-335.

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Build quality

  • The ES-135 features a metal tailpiece, differing from the ES-137, which lacks this detail.

    Source

Other

  • The black finish is particularly admired for its striking appearance, often described as "sharp" and "badass."

    Source
  • Heritage guitars are recommended as an alternative to Gibsons for similar quality at a lower used price, akin to G&L's reputation against Fender.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Troy Van Leeuwen uses Gibson ES-135

Troy Van Leeuwen

Guitarist, Bassist

Queens of the Stone Age

...
Verified via Guitar

In an interview featured on Guitar.com, Troy Van Leeuwen discusses his music equipment, including his use of the Gibson ES-135 Black Custom guitar.

See how Chris Shiflett uses Gibson ES-135

Chris Shiflett

Guitarist

Foo Fighters

...
Verified via reverb.com

Chris Shiflett owned a Gibson ES-135 Black Custom, as noted on Reverb.com. In his comments, Shiflett mentions his admiration for the guitar's P90 pickups and recalls considering Izzy Stradlin's use of similar guitars when purchasing it. Despite his appreciation, he notes that it wasn't frequently incorporated into his regular lineup.

See how Roddy Radiation uses Gibson ES-135

Roddy Radiation

Singer, Guitarist

The Specials

...
Verified via Photo

Here is a picture of Roddy with his band The Skabilly Rebels and their promo photoshoot

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson ES-135, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Gibson Les Paul Classic 1960 Reissue
Gibson Les Paul Classic 1960 Reissue Solid Body Electric Guitars
1

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