Gibson Es-135

Pros: Timeless design, quality construction, mellow sound, excellent playability
Cons: None to speak of

The Gibson ES-135 is a part of Gibson's Electric-Spanish Collection, a line of guitars that the company began manufacturing almost fifty years ago. You know that when a particular guitar model has been around for that long, someone's doing...

Pros: It's an underpriced jazz box at present, a good deal.
Cons: Not truly vintage like the 60's version.

The Gibson ES-135 is an archtop model that has it's roots in the old "student model" ES-125. An extra P-90 pickup was added to the thin body 125, and a sharp cutaway incorporated. Which aside from the ES-175, made it one of the coolest, yet decently ...

Pros: Full tone, good action, looks super!
Cons: Still looking for some

I’ve always wanted an ES-335, but they are out of my range. I’ve played on and off for 35 years, and now just wanted to finish off my modest collections with a semi-hollow. I first played a 135 last summer, tried a used one in a store in...

Pros: Great aesthetic design, quality craftsmanship and superior "booty-licious" tone. A very versatile instrument.
Cons: None, really. Aside from minor upkeep and tuning issues, this guitar practically plays itself.

I had been playing for 9 years when I purchased this guitar used about 3 years ago. That day, my life changed. I had played other semi-hollow guitars before, but always found them cumbersome and heavy, pretty much only suited for jazz playing, which is...

Pros: Better sound that the 335
Cons: Discontinued but available at closeout prices from catalogs

The Gibson 135 isn't a legendary guitar like a Strat or 335. What caught my attention was the closeo ...

Pros: Traditional Gibson quality with outstanding tone and balance. No flash or fancy electronic wiring.
Cons: I have not found any yet.

I have been playing for 42 years and have owned and played more guitars than I can remember -- except the semi hollow body Gibson. Most of my playing has been with solid body Fenders and Les Paul's. For the last several years my playing style has shifted from rock and blues to more jazz oriented stuff and I just could not get some of the tone I wanted. I played several hollow and semi-hollow electrics at a guitar store and when I picked up the 135 it all came together. The looks, the feel, the sound, the playability -- it was all there. I particularly like the balance and the smooth action. I have small hands and the neck feels natural and smooth all the way up. Old songs sounded new with the full bodied tone I have been looking for. The quality and finish is vintage Gibson -- understated quality without flash - and a very affordable American made guitar.