Taylor Player Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 Another potential opportunity for me here.... (I am most likely jumping the gun, but it never hurts to do research!) I also posted this in the "Vintage" section but they don't get as much traffic over there, so I am asking here since a bunch of you guys seem to know your old archtops..... I am thinking about trying to add this 56 Gibson to my small collection. It is a 1956 ES-135 according to the owner. I have been checking around and there does not seem to be much information on these as they were only built from 1956 to 1958 from what I can find. I think I read that maybe only 500-600 were made? Could that be right. Does anyone have any information on them? Here is the only photo I currently have of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grampa Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 I played one of those in 1959. Really. A friend had one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 I read somewhere they were basically a 125 with neck binding. Which is kinda nice, not a deal breaker or maker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 I read somewhere they were basically a 125 with neck binding. This is also my understanding, the 135 was just a fancy 125. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinder Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 I played several shows on the same bill as Devon Sproule in 2007, who plays the slightly more basic 125 variation of that guitar. They are stunning instruments, and the P90 in hers sounded immense-DI'd through the PA system! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gitfidl Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Here's one -- Herb Ellis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY1UDWxPkY8&feature=related Notice the gizmo on the first fret to get rid of open strings. He must not be playing 1st fret. I do not mess with picup screws like he recommends. Does anyhone else? My Hamer came out of the box just about ready. I alsol have been happy with the Washburn J6 -- not a pricey guitar -- but great for electric. Thicker neck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballcorner Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 The 125s and 135 were essentially student guitars. They sound fine, and the pickups in them aren't very noisy, but they will never give you the full, rich tones you find in the 335s. They make a decent rock and roll electric strummer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gate68 Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 I found an es 135 a month ago and bought it as a 125 from 1946( from '46 until about '49 they made trapezoid inlays but no neck-bindings ,what I didn't know at this moment) For me the binding on the neck was the point to change my mind and to consider it as a 135 from 1956 (Serial Nr. V6...-8). In my opinion it's looking better than the 125 and the playability and sound are really nice. I love that piece of history and also that they made only 500-600 pieces during 1956-1958. That makes it real rare ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.