The G Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Hi, I was wondering if those who have played or own these two instruments could pipe in with opinions on each and the differences in sound, playability ,weight , tone good point, bad points etc. I've played solid bodies all my life and have some semi-hollow gas to contend with. These two are own my short list .I tried a ES 339 today and was impressed, and pleasantly surprised how lite it was.I've yet to try the ES 137. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 It's good to consider moving into the semi arena.... IMO the 339 is a smaller take on the daddy 335...therefore handling,tone etc are each on a smaller scale The 137 is more like a slimline 175 with a centre block...therefore aesthetically different and more jazz orientated Florentine vs rounded cut are emotive issues...lol... In the end it might come down to preferred music styles...and aesthetics... V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The G Posted July 13, 2011 Author Share Posted July 13, 2011 It's good to consider moving into the semi arena.... IMO the 339 is a smaller take on the daddy 335...therefore handling,tone etc are each on a smaller scale The 137 is more like a slimline 175 with a centre block...therefore aesthetically different and more jazz orientated Florentine vs rounded cut are emotive issues...lol... In the end it might come down to preferred music styles...and aesthetics... V Funny how it goes... Although I tried both the guitars in question (favouring the ES 339) , I came home with something different. A Gibson none the less from the Custom Shop. Not my picture but it might as well be cause that's pretty much it .(My Camera is not great,but my New ES 330Lcertainly is .) Clic on pic for a larger version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 Excellent choice !! The 330 is a wonderful guitar...IMO more true than the endless Casino versions currently riding on the Beatles' connection... V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyGibson Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 I haven't played a 137 yet, but was thinking about it. I understand they have the same pick ups as the LP Studios. So those will be totally different sounding than the 57's in the 339. Both are priced about the same in the $2K range. But neither is exaclty what I'm looking for. So.... I'm forcing myself to hold off and wait for a good used 335 to show up. (Not a Satin finish one. It must be a Vintage Sunburst) The manager at GC has his eyes open and will call me when one comes in. Target price: $1,700 to $1,800 Before jumping in, really think about what you want and play a few. Those two are completely different, but priced at a popular $2K price point: which is the sweet spot for many of us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 Funny how it goes... Although I tried both the guitars in question (favouring the ES 339) , I came home with something different. A Gibson none the less from the Custom Shop. Not my picture but it might as well be cause that's pretty much it .(My Camera is not great,but my New ES 330Lcertainly is .) Clic on pic for a larger version. I think you'll forever be glad that you went with the 330L. P90s in a thin hollowbody have such a sweet sound, plus this version of the 330/Casino concept gives you 19 frets clear of the body. A very good choice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The G Posted July 13, 2011 Author Share Posted July 13, 2011 I think you'll forever be glad that you went with the 330L. P90s in a thin hollowbody have such a sweet sound, plus this version of the 330/Casino concept gives you 19 frets clear of the body. A very good choice! Thanks .... I agree. I see you own one yourself based on your signature content.(Nice collection !) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 Thanks .... I agree. I see you own one yourself based on your signature content.(Nice collection !) Yes, I do have a 330L in Beale St Blue. So glad that Gibson released this version of the 330 a few years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uyasgali Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 There are two ES-137's, a Custom and a Classic. The Custom has '57 Classic humbuckers and the Classic has the 498t,490r humbuckers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanC Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 It's good to consider moving into the semi arena.... IMO the 339 is a smaller take on the daddy 335...therefore handling,tone etc are each on a smaller scale The 137 is more like a slimline 175 with a centre block...therefore aesthetically different and more jazz orientated Florentine vs rounded cut are emotive issues...lol... In the end it might come down to preferred music styles...and aesthetics... V Not sure that I agree that the 137 is more like a 175 thinline. Looks wise yes, but the sound dynamics are affected by the solid block which I understand to be similar to the block in an ES335. Given that I own an ES175SP and an ES137 Custom, my view of these guitars is that they are very different in sound and I consider the 137 to be very well suited to blues and country rock. The ES175 is a great jazz guitar which I guess can be used for other purposes. The ES137 Custom has a varitone switch which produces great flexibility in the range of tones available. I do notice that ES137's are always amazingly cheap for what you get. Here's my ES137 Custom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Not sure that I agree that the 137 is more like a 175 thinline. Looks wise yes, but the sound dynamics are affected by the solid block which I understand to be similar to the block in an ES335. Given that I own an ES175SP and an ES137 Custom, my view of these guitars is that they are very different in sound and I consider the 137 to be very well suited to blues and country rock. The ES175 is a great jazz guitar which I guess can be used for other purposes. The ES137 Custom has a varitone switch which produces great flexibility in the range of tones available. I do notice that ES137's are always amazingly cheap for what you get. Here's my ES137 Custom Yes good points...nice 137 by the way... I'm probably harking back to the ES 135 I desired 15yrs ago, which evolved into the ES 137 Back then I believe the concept was new and came from a jazz viewpoint with echoes of Pat Martino et al Since then more people appreciate their versatility and use them in different contexts Steve Howe is a great ES 175 enthusiast...probably the highest profile 'rock' user... V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanC Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 Yes good points...nice 137 by the way... I'm probably harking back to the ES 135 I desired 15yrs ago, which evolved into the ES 137 Back then I believe the concept was new and came from a jazz viewpoint with echoes of Pat Martino et al Since then more people appreciate their versatility and use them in different contexts Steve Howe is a great ES 175 enthusiast...probably the highest profile 'rock' user... V Really good point, I forgot about Steve Howe and Yes/ Steve Howe have always been favorites of mine. You are probably right about an ES135 as I'm pretty sure that they don't have a centre block. Regards, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lulli Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I bought an ES 137 Classic in blueburst finish (with gold hadware) in december 2010 and I can say that it is an incredible guitar. When I went to the shop to buy my gift I tried the 137 and a wonderful 339 in Antique red finish, finally I choose the 137 but it was an hard choice!! The 339 is very comfortable to play for the small body shape and for its lightweight. I remember that I found that guitar very versatile in sound, similar to an LP (Traditional in particular has the same pickup) but maybe a little bit brighter. BUT... finally I choose the bluebaby! 1) I loved that finish at first sight; 2) I like thick neck; 3) I found that guitar very versatile too (like the 339) but with a more tipical semihallowbodygibsonstylesound, I'm not able to explane this better (worst in a language that is not mine!). As you can see the choice was finally decided by very personal opinion so I can only recommend to try and try and try... By the way I'm pretty sure that the 330 must be an incredible guitar, congratulation (I'm a big fun of Epi Casino). This is my bluebaby... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanC Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I bought an ES 137 Classic in blueburst finish (with gold hadware) in december 2010 and I can say that it is an incredible guitar. When I went to the shop to buy my gift I tried the 137 and a wonderful 339 in Antique red finish, finally I choose the 137 but it was an hard choice!! The 339 is very comfortable to play for the small body shape and for its lightweight. I remember that I found that guitar very versatile in sound, similar to an LP (Traditional in particular has the same pickup) but maybe a little bit brighter. BUT... finally I choose the bluebaby! 1) I loved that finish at first sight; 2) I like thick neck; 3) I found that guitar very versatile too (like the 339) but with a more tipical semihallowbodygibsonstylesound, I'm not able to explane this better (worst in a language that is not mine!). As you can see the choice was finally decided by very personal opinion so I can only recommend to try and try and try... By the way I'm pretty sure that the 330 must be an incredible guitar, congratulation (I'm a big fun of Epi Casino). This is my bluebaby... Looks like a beauty. Congrats!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyGibson Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 This is my bluebaby... That blue and gold is gorgeous. Great Score! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motowntom Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 If you play rock, you have to check out a 330 or in my case a vintage casino. They just have that spank that you can pull out that the H.B,s just don,t get, but with the tone controls can get very close to the H.B. sound as well cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The G Posted July 19, 2011 Author Share Posted July 19, 2011 If you play rock, you have to check out a 330 or in my case a vintage casino. They just have that spank that you can pull out that the H.B,s just don,t get, but with the tone controls can get very close to the H.B. sound as well cheers. Nice "Epi" BTW if you missed it in a previous responce I did end up with an ES 330L. I really envy you folks that can submit such clear and large photos !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motowntom Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 G your gonna LOVE! it. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artisan Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 Hi all, I have a new ES-339 '59 neck in Vintage Sunburst which I got a month ago. It's very pretty and the size and feel are very comfortable. It's a little bigger that a Les Paul but a lot lighter. I have had an ES-135 for a while and it was my favorite playing guitar until I got a 2005 ES-137 Custom. The Varitone did the trick! The neck on the 137 is perfect! It has an ebony fretboard and the shape is not too thin but not thick as thick as the 339. The 137 is a very big guitar compared to the ES-339. Both have a full center block and behave more like chambered solids than the full Hollow bodies. So I feel the comparison of the ES-137 to the ES-175 is very wrong. The only thing they have in common is the size and shape but the 137 is half the depth. Both the 339 and 137 have '57 Classic pickups. The 339 is lighter and smaller. More comfortable for playing sitting down. The neck on the 339 is not as comfortable as the 137. 60's neck is too slim and '59 neck is too thick. The sound is a little deeper on the 137. The Varitone also adds versatility. If I could only pick one I would take the ES-137 Custom... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lulli Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 Hi all, I have a new ES-339 '59 neck in Vintage Sunburst which I got a month ago. It's very pretty and the size and feel are very comfortable. It's a little bigger that a Les Paul but a lot lighter. I have had an ES-135 for a while and it was my favorite playing guitar until I got a 2005 ES-137 Custom. The Varitone did the trick! The neck on the 137 is perfect! It has an ebony fretboard and the shape is not too thin but not thick as thick as the 339. The 137 is a very big guitar compared to the ES-339. Both have a full center block and behave more like chambered solids than the full Hollow bodies. So I feel the comparison of the ES-137 to the ES-175 is very wrong. The only thing they have in common is the size and shape but the 137 is half the depth. Both the 339 and 137 have '57 Classic pickups. The 339 is lighter and smaller. More comfortable for playing sitting down. The neck on the 339 is not as comfortable as the 137. 60's neck is too slim and '59 neck is too thick. The sound is a little deeper on the 137. The Varitone also adds versatility. If I could only pick one I would take the ES-137 Custom... I'm sure you're right, the 137 custom must be amazing!!! Unfortunatly is not so easy to find here in Italy, but I'd really like to play one to test how the varitone works! It is, also, (rightly) more expensive than 339 and 137 classic... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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