Gibson ES Model?
- Thread starter marcg71
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bryvincent
New member
Re: Gibson ES Model?
the 175 has a full depth body, the 135 and 137 have a thinner body. i think the 175 has a smaller width.
the 175 has a full depth body, the 135 and 137 have a thinner body. i think the 175 has a smaller width.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: Gibson ES Model?
If you're used to a Les Paul, the 175 will be lighter, but feel huge until you've played it for awhile. The left hand feeling isn't that different, but your picking forearm will be kicked out further.
None of them will be as heavy as a Les Paul.
If you're used to a Les Paul, the 175 will be lighter, but feel huge until you've played it for awhile. The left hand feeling isn't that different, but your picking forearm will be kicked out further.
None of them will be as heavy as a Les Paul.
Innocent_Bystander
New member
Re: Gibson ES Model?
Also, the 175 is fully hollow where as the 135 and 137 have center blocks.
Also, the 175 is fully hollow where as the 135 and 137 have center blocks.
guitfiddle
firstlessonologist
Re: Gibson ES Model?
Keep in mind that the big jazz boxes won't have anywhere near as good access to the high frets...335 or similar is better for that.
Keep in mind that the big jazz boxes won't have anywhere near as good access to the high frets...335 or similar is better for that.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: Gibson ES Model?
+1 on both counts.... a 175 is gonna be a huge departure from something like a Les Paul or SG. Unlike the ones with center blocks, it'll feedback like crazy, and tone and feel-wise, it's not even the same ballpark.
Of course, none of those are reasons you shouldn't try one
I have a really old one (50's?) with a single P-90 in the neck, and there's nothing like it.
+1 on both counts.... a 175 is gonna be a huge departure from something like a Les Paul or SG. Unlike the ones with center blocks, it'll feedback like crazy, and tone and feel-wise, it's not even the same ballpark.
Of course, none of those are reasons you shouldn't try one
I have a really old one (50's?) with a single P-90 in the neck, and there's nothing like it.blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Gibson ES Model?
A 335 is much closer in feel and fit to a solid body, and makes an easy transition. The neck joins at the 19th fret, so you have more access than an LP, Strat, or Tele. It has a center block like a 135 and 137 that adds sustain and eliminates most feedbeck issues. I'm not sure of the neck joint with those, but it may be at the 14th fret.
Are you leaning towards a semi-hollow or hollow? Or one of each (my recommendation)?
A 335 is much closer in feel and fit to a solid body, and makes an easy transition. The neck joins at the 19th fret, so you have more access than an LP, Strat, or Tele. It has a center block like a 135 and 137 that adds sustain and eliminates most feedbeck issues. I'm not sure of the neck joint with those, but it may be at the 14th fret.
Are you leaning towards a semi-hollow or hollow? Or one of each (my recommendation)?
ImmortalSix
John Mayer's Mankini
Re: Gibson ES Model?
sosomething played metal, among other things with a (beautiful) ES-137
sosomething played metal, among other things with a (beautiful) ES-137
Laughing Kookaburra
Active member
Re: Gibson ES Model?
The 137 is indeed cheaper.
A friend had a version w/soapbar style pups, I think they were the hum canceling P100s. The models sold today have full size HB pups.
The price of a Gibson 335 has been a bit much for my budget. I've seen some very attractive prices on used 137s. I think the 137 would be fantastic for blues rock.
The 137 is indeed cheaper.
A friend had a version w/soapbar style pups, I think they were the hum canceling P100s. The models sold today have full size HB pups.
The price of a Gibson 335 has been a bit much for my budget. I've seen some very attractive prices on used 137s. I think the 137 would be fantastic for blues rock.
Bludave
New member
Re: Gibson ES Model?
My advise for you would be to stay away from a full hollow guitar if you are going to play with any volume or gain. Hollow guitars (175, L5, etc.) are prone to "howl" once the volume gets up. The air in them will cause all kinds of microphonic issues at mid to high volume. If you are used to a Les Paul you might want to take a closer look at the new 339. This is a smaller version of a 335. It has a laminated back and sides (which will help reduce feedback) and is just a little bit larger than the Les Paul. Its a great guitar for the money (about $1700 new). It compares in some ways to a Les Paul and a 335. I am planning on picking up a 359 myself. This is basically the same guitar but it has Gibson "Custom" appointments. It has a Custom headstock, ebony board and block inlays, as well as gold hardware. where the 339 has a Rosewood board, dot markers and the plain headstock and nickel appointments. Both a very nice guitars, but the 339 is about $1000. less.
My advise for you would be to stay away from a full hollow guitar if you are going to play with any volume or gain. Hollow guitars (175, L5, etc.) are prone to "howl" once the volume gets up. The air in them will cause all kinds of microphonic issues at mid to high volume. If you are used to a Les Paul you might want to take a closer look at the new 339. This is a smaller version of a 335. It has a laminated back and sides (which will help reduce feedback) and is just a little bit larger than the Les Paul. Its a great guitar for the money (about $1700 new). It compares in some ways to a Les Paul and a 335. I am planning on picking up a 359 myself. This is basically the same guitar but it has Gibson "Custom" appointments. It has a Custom headstock, ebony board and block inlays, as well as gold hardware. where the 339 has a Rosewood board, dot markers and the plain headstock and nickel appointments. Both a very nice guitars, but the 339 is about $1000. less.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Gibson ES Model?
You might also want to look at a couple of other guitars in the Gibson line.
First would be the Custom Shop CS-336/CS-356. The back is carved and hollowed out from a solid block of mahogany, and a carved maple top is laid over that. The 356 version has appointments similar to those of a Les Paul Custom. The body is smaller than a 335, and the sound is closer to that of a Les Paul. Uses Classic '57 pickups, which are some of Gibson's best.
One of Gibson's newer Custom Shop offerings is the ES-339/ES-359 Series. These are constructed similarly to the 335 model, but they have a much smaller body. They are several hundred dollars less than the 336/356 and 335 models. I think these are offered only through five dealers (try Musician's Friend or Guitar Center).
A cautionary note for the ES-137. They are heavy guitars--I think all of my Gibson LPs are lighter than any ES-137 I've played. They come in three trim levels. The Custom features '57 Classic Pickups, and has the Vari-Tone, which I'm not fond of. The Classic version has a little more upscale trim from the base model, but features those awful 490R/498T pickups. Budget accordingly.
I too, considered a ES-137 Classic, but chose a used ES-335. The ES-137 Classic is an attractive guitar, and one of the best values in the Gibson line, IMO. But when I factored in a pickup swap and the weight--the ES-335 came out a clear winner, and definitely worth the extra dough.
Bill
You might also want to look at a couple of other guitars in the Gibson line.
First would be the Custom Shop CS-336/CS-356. The back is carved and hollowed out from a solid block of mahogany, and a carved maple top is laid over that. The 356 version has appointments similar to those of a Les Paul Custom. The body is smaller than a 335, and the sound is closer to that of a Les Paul. Uses Classic '57 pickups, which are some of Gibson's best.
One of Gibson's newer Custom Shop offerings is the ES-339/ES-359 Series. These are constructed similarly to the 335 model, but they have a much smaller body. They are several hundred dollars less than the 336/356 and 335 models. I think these are offered only through five dealers (try Musician's Friend or Guitar Center).
A cautionary note for the ES-137. They are heavy guitars--I think all of my Gibson LPs are lighter than any ES-137 I've played. They come in three trim levels. The Custom features '57 Classic Pickups, and has the Vari-Tone, which I'm not fond of. The Classic version has a little more upscale trim from the base model, but features those awful 490R/498T pickups. Budget accordingly.
I too, considered a ES-137 Classic, but chose a used ES-335. The ES-137 Classic is an attractive guitar, and one of the best values in the Gibson line, IMO. But when I factored in a pickup swap and the weight--the ES-335 came out a clear winner, and definitely worth the extra dough.
Bill
