Gibson ES-135 Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1956)
LOADING IMAGES
Gibson ES-135 Model Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1956), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # FON #V7447-12, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
The ES-135 is a relatively rare 1950's Gibson model, basically a slightly fancier ES-125 distinguished by a bound fingerboard and pearloid trapezoid inlay as seen on the 17" ES-150. Only just over 500 of this fine looking guitar were made between 1955 and 1958, when it was discontinued due to slow sales. 1956 was the peak production year, but still saw only 211 shipped.
The ES-135 was one small step up from the ES-125, the company's "bread and butter" hollowbody electric guitar during the late 1940s and '50s. Both models feature the same 16" wide, non-cutaway, full depth hollow-body of laminated maple with a mahogany neck. The main difference is the ES-135 has the fingerboard bound and inlaid with pearloid trapezoids instead of unbound with dots. The laminated, beveled edge pickguard is also slightly fancier. On both models the electronics comprise the classic single black-covered P-90 pickup in the neck position, with tone and volume controls capped with numbered amber knobs. The neck is the very comfortable and round-backed mid-'50s profile, slimmer than some and considered by many as the favorite Gibson shape.
Although originally marketed as a slightly more upscale student model the ES-135 is a fully professional quality instrument, with a sound equal to any single pickup laminated wood guitar ever made. The ES-125s were very popular from the start but the slightly more expensive 135 never found a market; most players likely felt the cosmetic upgrade was not enough to justify the extra expense. This one shows some wear but is a nice survivor, a cool if unpretentious piece of the 1950s Gibson legend.
Overall length is 40 1/2 in. (102.9 cm.), 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
Overall this is a nice playing example, showing some typical wear and tear but remaining largely original. The finish shows some broad checking and a collection of dings, scratches, scuffs and dents, most heavily on the rims. The back of the neck has an ancient clear overspray over a few spots worn through the lacquer and a noticeable slightly clumsy patch job to an old strap button attachment on the heel. The headstock edges have some deeper scrapes and chips.
The tuners are the correct Kluson Deluxe style but date to the 1960s, possible replaced long ago. All other parts remain all original except possibly the tailpiece retaining nuts, which are larger banjo-style pieces compared to what Gibson normally used. The plating all matches and they show every sign of always having been there but are a non-standard fitting. There is a small telephone or license number etched on the tailpiece base over the endpin.
The guitar has been recently refretted with appropriate wire playability remains excellent. There is some residual divoting the fingerboard in the lower positions; the nut remains original. Not quite 70 years along this is a fine playing and sounding example of this modest but delightful Gibson classic, ready to gig housed in a good modern HSC. Very Good + Condition.
The ES-135 is a relatively rare 1950's Gibson model, basically a slightly fancier ES-125 distinguished by a bound fingerboard and pearloid trapezoid inlay as seen on the 17" ES-150. Only just over 500 of this fine looking guitar were made between 1955 and 1958, when it was discontinued due to slow sales. 1956 was the peak production year, but still saw only 211 shipped.
The ES-135 was one small step up from the ES-125, the company's "bread and butter" hollowbody electric guitar during the late 1940s and '50s. Both models feature the same 16" wide, non-cutaway, full depth hollow-body of laminated maple with a mahogany neck. The main difference is the ES-135 has the fingerboard bound and inlaid with pearloid trapezoids instead of unbound with dots. The laminated, beveled edge pickguard is also slightly fancier. On both models the electronics comprise the classic single black-covered P-90 pickup in the neck position, with tone and volume controls capped with numbered amber knobs. The neck is the very comfortable and round-backed mid-'50s profile, slimmer than some and considered by many as the favorite Gibson shape.
Although originally marketed as a slightly more upscale student model the ES-135 is a fully professional quality instrument, with a sound equal to any single pickup laminated wood guitar ever made. The ES-125s were very popular from the start but the slightly more expensive 135 never found a market; most players likely felt the cosmetic upgrade was not enough to justify the extra expense. This one shows some wear but is a nice survivor, a cool if unpretentious piece of the 1950s Gibson legend.
Overall length is 40 1/2 in. (102.9 cm.), 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
Overall this is a nice playing example, showing some typical wear and tear but remaining largely original. The finish shows some broad checking and a collection of dings, scratches, scuffs and dents, most heavily on the rims. The back of the neck has an ancient clear overspray over a few spots worn through the lacquer and a noticeable slightly clumsy patch job to an old strap button attachment on the heel. The headstock edges have some deeper scrapes and chips.
The tuners are the correct Kluson Deluxe style but date to the 1960s, possible replaced long ago. All other parts remain all original except possibly the tailpiece retaining nuts, which are larger banjo-style pieces compared to what Gibson normally used. The plating all matches and they show every sign of always having been there but are a non-standard fitting. There is a small telephone or license number etched on the tailpiece base over the endpin.
The guitar has been recently refretted with appropriate wire playability remains excellent. There is some residual divoting the fingerboard in the lower positions; the nut remains original. Not quite 70 years along this is a fine playing and sounding example of this modest but delightful Gibson classic, ready to gig housed in a good modern HSC. Very Good + Condition.