1956 Gibson ES-135

The ES-135 was a short-run, higher priced, dressed-up version of Gibson’s fabulous and ever-popular ES-125, “Everyman’s electric hollowbody“ guitar of the 1950s. It has all the physical specs and attributes of an ES-125, but with the higher-grade trapezoid fingerboard inlays and perhaps nicer looking wood. This example, the first I’ve seen in at least fifteen years, is in marvelous condition. The everclear, fabulous original P-90 pickup, the solid Brazilian rosewood bridge and fingerboard, the frets, the lovely sunburst finish, all present and beautiful. The tuning machines are modern replicas of the original Klusons, undoubtedly tighter and more smoothly-operating than the originals ever were; the tailpiece looks a bit shiny but may well be original as well, sure looks right, and is certainly 100% sturdy. We have just set this guitar up here in our own shop with a great-feeling set of .011 strings with a wound G to bring out its best, plays so smoothly now. Comes with a deluxe, heavily-padded professional-grade gig bag. $2295 w/bag