Gretsch G5135CVT-PS Patrick Stump Signature
The Gretsch G5135CVT-PS Patrick Stump Signature was one of the first serious electric guitars Gerbman owned. Before this instrument he started on a basic Squier starter set with a small amplifier, a typical beginner setup. This Gretsch was the first guitar that truly felt like a real stage instrument. Its distinctive Corvette-style body, triple pickup configuration and bold visual design made it inspiring to play and encouraged long hours of experimenting with blues, rock and early improvisation.
Manufacturer and Model Background
The Gretsch G5135CVT-PS Patrick Stump Signature was introduced in the early 2010s as a signature model for Patrick Stump, guitarist and vocalist of Fall Out Boy. The design was inspired by the classic Gretsch Corvette guitars from the 1960s, but updated with modern features and a more versatile electronics layout.
The guitar belongs to the Gretsch Electromatic line, developed to bring the classic Gretsch aesthetic and tone to a broader audience at a more accessible price point. One of the defining features of the G5135CVT-PS is the triple mini-humbucker pickup configuration, giving the guitar a wider tonal palette than most standard two-pickup guitars. Today this specific signature model is no longer in production, making it an interesting piece of Gretsch's Electromatic era history.
Why This Guitar Matters in Blues
Although the guitar was not originally designed as a blues instrument, its pickup configuration and construction lend themselves well to blues tones. The mini-humbuckers deliver a balanced frequency response with a warm midrange and a clear top end. This tonal balance allows the guitar to produce articulate rhythm tones while still providing enough body and sustain for lead playing.
When played through a tube amplifier, the guitar responds well to pick dynamics and subtle variations in attack, an essential characteristic for expressive blues playing.
What Respected Blues Guitarists Did With Similar Guitars
Many blues guitarists have historically used guitars equipped with humbuckers or compact humbucker designs to achieve thicker, singing lead tones. Players such as Eric Clapton and Gary Moore demonstrated how humbucker-equipped guitars could produce powerful sustain and expressive vibrato in blues contexts. Joe Bonamassa has also frequently used guitars with humbucker-style pickups for modern blues tones that combine clarity with strong midrange presence.
While Gretsch guitars are not the most common choice in traditional blues, they have been used effectively by players who appreciate their unique tonal character and distinctive visual style.
Sound Profile
The Gretsch G5135CVT-PS offers a tone that sits between the brightness of single coils and the fullness of traditional humbuckers.
What Makes It Special
What makes the G5135CVT-PS unique is its combination of Gretsch heritage styling and an unconventional pickup configuration. The triple mini-humbucker layout gives players access to tonal options rarely found on standard electric guitars. The Corvette body shape also gives the instrument a distinctive identity. It is compact, comfortable to play and visually striking, which made it particularly appealing for younger players discovering their musical identity.
For Gerbman this guitar represents an important milestone. After starting with a beginner Squier starter kit, this Gretsch was the first instrument that felt like a true upgrade. It was the guitar on which he began developing more serious playing habits, exploring blues phrasing, bending techniques and improvisation.
Instruments like this often mark the transition from casual beginner to committed guitarist. In that sense the G5135CVT-PS forms part of the early foundation of Gerbman's musical journey.
Rarity and Availability
The Gretsch G5135CVT-PS Patrick Stump Signature is no longer in production. While it was not originally produced as a limited edition instrument, it has become somewhat uncommon on the second-hand market. Availability can still be found occasionally through used gear platforms and private sales. Because the model was produced for only a limited period, it holds moderate collector interest, particularly among Gretsch enthusiasts. Classification: somewhat rare.
Variants and Alternatives
- Gretsch Electromatic Jet models — similar Gretsch character at an accessible price point
- Original 1960s Gretsch Corvette models — the vintage roots of this design, now collectible
- Custom Gretsch builds — higher-end craftsmanship with similar tonal characteristics
