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Description
The Gibson ES-135 Electric Guitar stands as a testament to versatility and musical expression, merging the best elements of its semi-hollowbody siblings. Designed for musicians who crave both rich jazz tones and the bite of rockabilly, the ES-135 offers a dynamic sound palette that suits a wide range of genres. Its dual humbuckers deliver a warm resonance and clarity that can seamlessly transition from a soulful blues jam to a high-energy rock performance.
The guitar's construction, featuring a laminated maple body and a mahogany neck, provides a comfortable playability with a robust sound that resonates with depth and character. Its rosewood fretboard ensures smooth and rapid finger movements, allowing musicians to express their creativity effortlessly. With its classic Gibson craftsmanship, the ES-135 not only sounds exceptional but also boasts an aesthetic that embodies timeless elegance.
Whether you're performing on stage or recording in the studio, the Gibson ES-135 is an instrument that will inspire your playing and captivate your audience.
Key Features:
- Semi-hollowbody design for a versatile sound
- Dual humbucker pickups for warm and clear tones
- Laminated maple body with a mahogany neck
- Rosewood fretboard for smooth playability
- Suitable for a variety of music styles, from jazz to rockabilly
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
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What type of music is the Gibson ES-135 best suited for?
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The Gibson ES-135 is versatile, excelling in jazz, blues, and rock genres due to its semi-hollow body design, which provides a warm, resonant tone with reduced feedback compared to fully hollow guitars.
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How does the pickup configuration on the Gibson ES-135 affect its sound?
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The Gibson ES-135 features a dual humbucker (HH) pickup configuration, offering a rich, full-bodied sound with reduced noise, making it ideal for achieving classic rock and blues tones.
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What is the neck profile of the Gibson ES-135 like?
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The Gibson ES-135 has a set-neck construction that typically provides a comfortable, rounded neck profile, offering smooth playability suitable for both rhythm and lead guitarists.
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Is the Gibson ES-135 suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Gibson ES-135's semi-hollow body design and robust construction make it well-suited for live performances, providing a balanced tone with minimal feedback.
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Does the Gibson ES-135 come in different finishes?
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The Gibson ES-135 is available in various finishes, including Blueburst, Cherry, Ebony, Natural, Vintage Sunburst, and Wine Red, allowing players to choose a style that matches their aesthetic preference.
Videos
The Fellowship of Acoustics
Gibson ES-135 | 2001 at The Fellowship of Acoustics
Gibson ES-135 | 2001 at The Fellowship of Acoustics
The Fellowship of Acoustics
Gibson 1996 ES-135 Sunburst Hollowbody Electric Guitar Preowed
DW Music
Gibson ES-135 Review & All The Guitars I Have For Sale Right Now!
Rich Severson
Is The Gibson ES 135 Any Good?
Cryptic Mask Guitar
2000 Gibson ES-135 LTD. Edition / w. PAF Pickups Part1
GregsGuitars
1994 Gibson ES 135 Wine Red - Aynsley Lister for Jordan Guitars
Jordan Guitars
Adjusting Gibson P100 and P90 Pickups on a ES-135
That Guitar Guy
1996 Gibson ES-135 P100 Guitar
That Guitar Guy
Today's Thunder Road Quick Riff: 1995 Gibson ES-135 P90 Cherry
Thunder Road Guitars
Reviews
PROS
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Versatile tones for blues, jazz, and oldies with P90 and mini humbucker pickups
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Lighter and more resonant than a Gibson ES-335
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Chunky neck offering room for complex jazz chords
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Center block reduces feedback without compromising resonance
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Solid, balanced feel with substantial weight, not overly heavy
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Excellent craftsmanship with high-quality hardware
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Unique balsa center block for lighter weight and distinct tone
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P90 pickups provide a vibey, ghostly tone
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Attractive design with sultry color options
CONS
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Stock Gibson pickups may not meet all expectations
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Factory frets can be high and thin, may require refretting
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Less sustain than a Gibson ES-335 or Les Paul
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson ES-135 Electric Guitar.
Use cases and applications
Value and pricing
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The ES-135 offers great value, often being priced lower than similar Gibson models, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers.
Source -
The ES-135 is described as a "sleeper" model, offering one of the best value-for-money options among Gibson's lineup according to seasoned owners.
Source
User experience
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Owners appreciate the ES-135's tone, which is described as fuller than a Fender and less muddy than a Les Paul when playing blues and blues-rock.
Source -
Owners who have used the ES-135 for many years, like a 1991 model with P90s, attest to its reliability and lasting appeal as a favorite instrument.
Source
Comparisons
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The ES-135's weight should be checked in-store, as some Gibson models can be heavy, potentially affecting comfort during long sessions.
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The ES-135's neck is more C-shaped, providing better ergonomics and comfort compared to the thicker U-shaped neck of the ES-175.
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The ES-135 is noted for being semi-hollow, offering a closer jazz sound compared to other semi-hollows like the ES-335.
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The ES-275 offers a fully hollow design with a 15” upper bout and 2.25” depth, potentially serving as an alternative for those seeking a thinner archtop.
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The ES-135 with P90s or P100s offers a unique tonal texture, distinct from the humbucker-equipped versions, appealing to players who love Gibson's P-90 sound.
Source
Features and functionality
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The ES-135 typically features '57 Classic pickups, appreciated for their ability to produce a hybrid tone between a full archtop and a Les Paul/335.
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The ES-135 is known for its loud acoustic volume despite being a semi-hollow guitar with a center block, enhancing its unplugged playability.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 9 Ratings
222
Amazing.
My most recent acquisition. Picked it up at my local guitar store. I had been obsessing over owning one for quite some time and when I learned that it had just come in the day before, I just knew I had to take it home with me. I'm so glad I did. It rules so hard. Semi-hollow body + single-cut + P90's = perfect guitar tone for me. Prior to this, I had tried out a blueburst 137 Classic and it doesn't even compare to the 135. Mine is in black finish.
Artist usage
Add artist
This video from Ernie Ball's "Real to Reel" series, documents the recording of Slash's 2014 album "World on Fire". In which, Slash and his guitar tech Ace Bergman discuss the instruments used on the album:
(13:57)
Ace: "We pick what to bring on the studio, first of all we grab the "Appetite" Les Paul..."
Slash: "...I think it's like an '85 or '84, Chris Derrig custom Gibson-copy Les Paul (Laughs), and I've been using that since the first Guns 'n' Roses record, and it's pretty much my mainstay for all sessions."
Ace: "...And to balance it out, y'know we have a couple different choices for rhythm guitars."
Slash: "...I have a Melody Maker here, I have, a couple of [Les Paul] Juniors here, I have an Explorer here, I got an ES-175 and I got a ES-135. The 135 was Elvis' and it just has this great sound, it was the great, sort-of "counter-sound" to my regular guitar, the Derrig guitar."
Billie Joe Armstrong, front man for punk rock band Green Day, is seen using a red Gibson ES-135 Electric Guitar in the music video for the song Redundant.
In the "Heart Like A Hand Grenade" documentary, at 4:00 minute mark, Armstrong is visible using this guitar for "Jesus of Suburbia".
In this photo, Paul Banks can be seen playing a Gibson ES-135 Black Custom.
This video from Ernie Ball's "Real to Reel" series, documents former Guns 'n' Roses guitarist Slash and the recording of his 2014 album "World on Fire". In which, Slash and his guitar tech Ace Bergman discuss the instruments used on the album, amongst them a Gibson ES-135 Hollowbody previously owned by Elvis:
(13:57)
Ace: "We pick what to bring on the studio, first of all we grab the "Appetite" Les Paul..."
Slash: "...I think it's like an '85 or '84, Chris Derrig custom Gibson-copy Les Paul (Laughs), and I've been using that since the first Guns 'n' Roses record, and it's pretty much my mainstay for all sessions."
Ace: "...And to balance it out, y'know we have a couple different choices for rhythm guitars."
Slash: "...I have a Melody Maker here, I have, a couple of [Les Paul] Juniors here, I have an Explorer here, I got an ES-175 and I got a ES-135. The 135 was Elvis' and it just has this great sound, it was the great, sort-of "counter-sound" to my regular guitar, the Derrig guitar."
Used during the final leg of the North American If I Should Go Before You tour. Since Gibson discontnued production of the ES 135 in 1958, Dallas' guitar could be from 1956-1958. He's also added a Bigsby tremmolo to it.
David Pajo is confirmed to use a Gibson ES-135 Electric Guitar during his 2000 tour with his project Papa M. This is evidenced by a photo shared by David Pajo on his Instagram account, stating, "By 1999 the name had changed to Papa M and 'Live From A Shark Cage' was released," and describing the 2000 tour in Geneva, Switzerland.
In this interview from the March 2015 issue of Premier Guitar magazine, Oliver indicates that he owns a Gibson ES-135
In this YouTube video https://youtu.be/zYZhAkpX_m4 of Tomahawk from 2003, Denison plays an ES-135 with a Bigsby for the entire set. He also mentions playing it in this 2021 interview with Guitar guitar Denison says he played an Es-135: "Then I got away from those and went and played other things: a Gibson ES-135, which I used on some of this [Tonic Immobility] album." https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/news/141347/
Sharon has used this ES-135 from her second album Epic onwards. Although her Vintage Fender Jaguar is her main guitar the 135 still gets used for some songs live.
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Ángel Parra frequently uses a Gibson ES-135 Electric Guitar in orange with his jazz band/project "Ángel Parra Trío," as shown in the image.
Listed on the official 311 website, http://www.311.com/band/equipment
Album Usage
The Gibson ES-135 Electric Guitar has been featured on the following albums:
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 Electric Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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