The 1995 Gibson ES-135 Cherry Red is one of those models that carved out a unique niche within Gibson’s 1990s lineup. More stripped-down than the ES-335, yet possessing a highly distinctive sonic and structural character, it blends semi-hollow appeal with a more controlled, direct response—making it a compelling instrument for both stage and studio.
The semi-hollow body is crafted entirely from laminated maple—with the top, back, and sides all made of the same wood—and features a distinctive center block made of Chromyte. This high-density, balsa-based material was used by Gibson to keep the instrument's weight down while maintaining excellent structural rigidity. A glossy Cherry Red finish rounds out the guitar's classic look, allowing the elegance of Gibson’s signature contours to shine through. The maple neck features a Medium C profile—balanced and comfortable in the hand—paired with a rosewood fretboard boasting a 12" radius, 22 Medium Jumbo frets, and a 43.2 mm Corian nut. It is an extremely comfortable setup, offering a familiar feel right from the start and a particularly stable response across the entire fretboard.
The electronics feature two Gibson P-100s—pickups that retain the aesthetic and much of the character of a P-90 but utilize a stacked humbucking construction designed to reduce the noise typical of traditional single-coils. The result is a full, dynamic, and present sound, with a prominent midrange and well-defined attack. The neck pickup delivers warm, round tones—perfect for blues, jazz, and mellower sounds—while the bridge pickup provides more bite and punch when driving the amplifier.
The control layout follows Gibson tradition with two volume controls, two tone controls, and a pickup selector, allowing you to easily shape the instrument's character and harness all the nuances offered by the two P-100s.
The ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge is paired with the distinctive trapeze tailpiece, a key element contributing to the ES-135's visual identity. Rounding out the specs are Gibson Deluxe tuners, chrome hardware, a five-ply black/white pickguard, and black knobs.
Weighing in at just 3.555 kg, this ES-135 is surprisingly manageable for a Gibson semi-hollow. The central Chromyte block helps keep the instrument lightweight and well-balanced, while the semi-acoustic body offers a lively, resonant feel.
It is a Gibson with a very distinct identity: it possesses the charm and depth of a semi-hollow, yet also features a... ...delivering a sufficiently solid and controlled response to handle rockier territory. Its Cherry Red finish, f-holes, and large Gibson body also give it striking visual appeal, featuring that quintessential 90s aesthetic that makes these instruments increasingly attractive to collectors today.
A distinctive, lightweight, and versatile guitar full of character—perfect for those seeking something different from the standard ES-335 without sacrificing that Gibson DNA.
Comes with a case. Available at Guitar Sauce in Italy, with worldwide shipping.