Billie Joe Armstrong’s Gibson ES-135

Billie Joe Armstrong played a red Gibson ES-135 in the music video for “Redundant” (1998). In the video, the strap is taped directly to the body, most likely because the strap button had come loose or failed during the shoot.

The guitar is most likely an early 90s model, finished in translucent red and fitted with two P-100 pickups – Gibson’s hum-cancelling version of the P-90, which was standard on ES-135s from that period. With its semi-hollow body, center block, and laminated maple construction, it would’ve given Billie a warmer, more resonant tone than his usual solid-body Juniors.

Billie playing the guitar in the Redundant music video.
Billie playing the guitar in the Redundant music video.

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