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On the verge of purchasing a Gibson ES-137 Custom


RyanLloyd

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Hi all,

 

I may be close to purchasing an ES-137 Custom in what appears to be a cherry sunburst finish. Does anyone here recommend the guitar? I own a Gibson Les Paul studio and a Gibson Explorer if that gives any reference to sound/play ability in comparison to the ES-137.

 

Also I am just wondering whether anyone could just verify that it is not a well made Chinese knock-off for me?

 

 

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I can't speak to questions of authenticity, but I can tell you that it will be a rather different instrument for you in terms of what I call "player geometry" compared to your other instruments.

 

In ways it's a thin body ES175 with a center block to cut the potential of feedback howl.

 

Sound should be rather more as one might expect from a semi-hollow such as the ES335 - perhaps if the controls are messed with a bit - a bit more jazz-like potential for playing clean. It still could do about anything one might wish from a guitar except look like something it ain't, or to sound like it's a Strat or J45.

 

Which brings me back to the question of player geometry, how you hold it, and what you expect for "feel" and playability for how and what you play...

 

m

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It looks authentic. The pics aren't that good to be 100%, but everything I can see here looks as it should.

 

As for the sound, it may give you a little more open or jazzy thing available, but at the same time, I would say the closest thing in terms of sound would be somewhere between an Les Paul and an ES-335.

 

As for "feel", Milod makes a good point. These are on the heavy side, so you will want your "Les paul strap". Sitting down or on the couch, they are on the big side, especially if you are used to a Lester. But strapped on, they are extremely well balenced. Not only is there no neck dive or having to hold the guitar in position partially with the neck, but they also don't move around a lot.

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First of all, the guitar you're showing, is a ES-137 "Classic,"

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/ES/Gibson-Memphis/ES-137-Classic.aspx

not a "Custom!"

 

The ES-137 "Custom,"

http://reverb.com/item/233973-gibson-memphis-es-137-custom-2003-heritage-burst

 

has mini split diamond inlays, multi-ply binding, and the "Split Diamond"

inlay, in a larger headstock. SO, please don't pay "Custom" prices, for a "Classic!"

 

Otherwise, it looks to be authentic, and a really NICE guitar! Go for it!

 

CB

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....Charlie Brown is right! You are looking at a 137 Classic built by the Custom Shop. I just sold my ES 135 for an ES 137 and I am happy with the new one. It has a rich solid body tone thanks to a mahogany block running through it but maintains many semi-hollow characteristics of the 335 etc...The neck is a little more "square" than the classic '59 rounded Les Paul neck on the earlier es135s but I have quickly adapted to it. I would not have sold my 135 for this one but I found a rarer ebony 137 and that along with the better build quality of the 137 sealed the deal. Go for it and enjoy!

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First of all, the guitar you're showing, is a ES-137 "Classic,"

http://www2.gibson.c...37-Classic.aspx

not a "Custom!"

 

The ES-137 "Custom,"

http://reverb.com/it...-heritage-burst

 

has mini split diamond inlays, multi-ply binding, and the "Split Diamond"

inlay, in a larger headstock. SO, please don't pay "Custom" prices, for a "Classic!"

 

Otherwise, it looks to be authentic, and a really NICE guitar! Go for it!

 

CB

 

Agree its not a custom. Here's my Custom. Please note the inlays and the ebony fretboard plus varitone switch.

 

IMG_0112_zpse5c87876.jpg

 

 

 

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First of all, the guitar you're showing, is a ES-137 "Classic,"

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/ES/Gibson-Memphis/ES-137-Classic.aspx

not a "Custom!"

 

The ES-137 "Custom,"

http://reverb.com/item/233973-gibson-memphis-es-137-custom-2003-heritage-burst

 

has mini split diamond inlays, multi-ply binding, and the "Split Diamond"

inlay, in a larger headstock. SO, please don't pay "Custom" prices, for a "Classic!"

 

Otherwise, it looks to be authentic, and a really NICE guitar! Go for it!

 

CB

The man [thumbup] [thumbup]

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