Overall User Ratings

"For serious players only. This isn't a toy guitar."

Feature:
Well, I wish it had neck binding and mother of pearl inlays, an inlayed 'Gibson' logo with the inlaid champagne glass . . .oh wait! That's the L-5 ($10K - Yeeeow!). Nevermind! This guitar has all it needs. M-o-p inlays and neck binding don't affect tone or playability, but I sure like the way it makes one look. At any rate, this guitar looks better to me than any strat I've seen to date. The guitar is built well. Obviously, they couldn't use the most expensive woods available for this, although the neck does have beautiful flamed maple on it. It's even got sunburst on the neck! The finish is beautiful and looks very rich, especially given the price tag of less than $1000.00. Gibson did a great thing in building a guitar to suit the needs of jazz players without asking them to fork over an entire year's earnings to buy it. And, they made it appealing enough to look good onstage where it belongs. I like the 3-way switch and seperate volume & tone controls for each pickup. I would have preferred a Bigsby over the stop tail. Therefore, I invested a little more and had one installed, and that's that. I'm a happy player now. I really do wish Gibson would use a little nicer wood on this guitar and charge a little more for it - maybe if they offered a custom model with flame maple and ebony on the fretboard for another $200.00 or $300.00 (can I get an Amen!). But, the whole idea was to make an affordable guitar that looked & sounded good and they've achieved that.

Quality:
Look, less expensive woods aside, this guitar is built great. I've been playing since before most of you reading this review were born, and I definitely know what I'm talking about in this area if nothing else. It's in the feel man, not the specific materials used; not even in the name. Besides, Gibson used very good woods, not exotic woods, to build this fine playing instrument. The fit and finish is impeccable. Sure, I like binding on the neck and f-holes, but I didn't pay for that now, did I? That's an ES175 if I'm not mistaken and it costs considerably more than this and doesn't sound any better. I played them both. Somebody wrote in his review that the ES175 sounded a lot better. I challenge him on that. I think he was impressed by the bells and whistles, and they are impressive. However, this one felt and sounded just as good. I'm very sincere about that. This is definitely a road worthy guitar. Gibson has a lifetime warranty on their guitars and they wouldn't do that unless they knew they built something they could stand behind. This model is no different. If you have the bucks, I say get an ES175, or better yet, an L-5 for jazz lovers. As for me, I'm very content with this one and doubt that I'll ever let it go. I've had it since 1994 and it is still an obsession with me. I can't walk past it without playing a few chords on it.

Value:
Definitely one of the best values for an arch top, hand crafted guitar with a fitted neck out there. Washburn, in my opinion, ranks equally with their arch tops, but they're almost as expensive and will never have the resale simply because they're made in Korea (go figure). They (Washburns) do have more flashy finishes than the ES135, I have to give them that. However, I was at a gig a few weeks ago waiting to go inside and set up. I took my 135 out and started playing some scales while sitting out on the deck that surrounded the club. The sun was pretty bright and my drummer said, "Man, Gibson really builds a beautiful instrument!" I had played it for so long that I really never thought much about it anymore. So, I held it up and looked at it and had to agree that it really is an astonishingly beautiful guitar. Mine is the black to gold sunburst, by the way. That's still my favorite. If you can still get one for around $1000.00 and you're looking for a great overall instrument, snatch one up. They'll increase in value, I can assure you. If you like it the day you buy it, you'll love it years later.

Desirability:
Sex appeal? OK fellas, I have a problem with this one. Guitars don't do much for my sex drive. This one has nice curves, but the neck is long and skinny, the head is small and it has hardware on it, and it doesn't have any legs. Besides, it's made out of wood! I wouldn't think of taking it to a movie; but, definitely a night club. I do love it, nonetheless. All insanity aside, it does look great, but I've already covered that one. So, for the last time: IT LOOKS AND FEELS GREAT! I love the florentine body and actually think it looks better than an ES335 at less than half the price. Listen, that's all you're getting from me because I'm tired of typing and I have to to pee. After that, I'll wash my hands and play my guitar. Bye folks!

Sound:
I've owned Fender Strats & Teles (cookie cutter guitars), and had a Gibson LP Black Beauty until the late 80s. This es135 blew my mind in terms of sound & playability. The neck is perfect for my hand. It came with P100s which some people consider crappy pickups, but I was so stupid I actually liked them. I was sooo stupid that I still liked them after a know-it-all, smart-ass guitar "expert" told me that they sounded terrible! He was really proud of himself and I wasn't impressed. Besides, they sounded fat next to the single coil Fender sounds I was used to. I don't care what anybody says, experts included: sound is subjective and I was able to achieve a great sound with the stock pick-ups. . . until. . . (drum roll) I decided to try some Seymour Duncan P90 stacks. Now, that was THE sound I had always wanted in a guitar. I gave the 9 rating for the guitar with stock P100s, but the SDs would have definitely brought it to a 10 had they been installed from the factory. I still enjoy Fenders, but I personally prefer the Gibson sound overall; I guess I got tired of the thin single coil sound. As I stated, sound is subjective and I won't go so far as to say that Gibson has a better sound - I just prefer it over Fender. Their sound is definitely unique, so it's not just the pickups that matter. I have another guitar with SDs on it, but it doesn't sound exactly like a Gibson. I can't put my finger on it. One note: This IS a jazz guitar that happens to be versatile enough for rock. Try a set of 11-49 D'Addario flats on there and see what you think. It's a beautiful thing, people.

Support:
You know what, I've never - not once - had to call customer support about anything on this guitar. Maybe I just found that special guitar, but I've never had to take it back for any warranty work. I play several hours each day and that says something, doesn't it?

Overall:
I'll be satisfied with it for as long as I have the dexterity to play a guitar. I

"A Gold Nugget in a crowded pond."

This reviewer purchased this item from Same Day Music.

Feature:
The neck and the pickups are the key. Gibson has built a classic.

Quality:
It's like playing a Steinway for piano.

Value:
Here's where the ES135 shines. Buy one today and wait. I think you'll be surprised. My guess is that Dow Jones won't do better on a return.

Desirability:
A classic by any standard

Sound:
Gibson is the best, and the 135 is pure gold. A best buy.

Support:
Who can knock the Gibson warrenty?

Overall:
Have played this guitar for four years now and don't want anything else.

"Move over, ES 335"

Feature:
nitro cellulose finish of Gibson guitars does not withstand every day use

Quality:
Some buzzing acoustically I'll fix when I change strings

Value:
$1000 for a Gibson. Used 335's go for $1500. The 2003 model doen't have f holes which may cut down on feedback but will also cut down on the mellow jazz sound this guitar produces.

Desirability:
I don't buy for aesthetics usually but I got the "natural" finish, like the John Lennon Epiphone Casino or $500 option on a new 335. It really is beautiful, like the Mapleglo of a Rickenbacker.

Sound:
Intonation in middle position has clarity for both bass and treble unlike a 335 or Strat

Support:
N/A

Overall:
This should be my last guitar: it's replacing my 335 and supplementing a Rickenbacker 330-12 and Fender 57 Strat reissue.

"Sex and the single guitar...."

Feature:
Plush case, guitar, and new guitar smell is all that came with it. Of course. that's all I need.

Sound:
This is THE most expressive guitar I've ever owned! Mellow when petted, but screams when leaned on. I used it througha 59 Bassman and tears came to my eyes (because I didn't have the cash to get the amp as well!). I pesently use it with an '80 Vibrolux (which is sweet but has a problem handling the bass end),and a '71 Champ. Beats my Epi 335 hands down. Set it up with .012-.052 flats and...paradise!

Support:
Haven't dealt with any Gibsonians, yet.

"List $2500 on sale now for $800"

Feature:
It's a nice guitar. Wish it had a bigsby trem bar. I'm happy with it.

Quality:
Like I said before, the tail peice or something buzzes alot.

Value:
I got a good deal on it last year with appx $5000 I spent at that time on alot of recording equipment and another guitar.

Desirability:
Very sharp looking in the ebony color.

Sound:
I use it in my home 24 track syudio and so far it has preformed pretty good. The tail piece and other parts seem to buzz alot but it doesn't come through when recording. It sounds best plugged into my Fender chorus amp and plugged into my VS2480CD Roland with it's built in reverd and delay effects. I can get a real mellow tone out of it for blues leads and some good distorted grunge too. It fills in a good gap between the seven other guitars I own. Plus the ebony with white binding is beautiful.

Support:
The store I bought it from is good for taking care of me and any problems or questions I've had.

Overall:
I have been thinking about trading it in on an ES333 or 335 to get rid of the buzzing tail peice. It helps me meet my musical goal of versitillity in sound.