Talk to me about the Gibson 137
- Thread starter Securb
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Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Talk to me about the Gibson 137
Yeah, those are a cool model. They're tailor made for blues and jazz, but they've got a lot of rock mojo as well in the Nugent, Steve Howe, or George Thorogood vein.
They're not a bad alternative to a 335.
Yeah, those are a cool model. They're tailor made for blues and jazz, but they've got a lot of rock mojo as well in the Nugent, Steve Howe, or George Thorogood vein.
They're not a bad alternative to a 335.
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: Talk to me about the Gibson 137
Yeah I play jazz
That is what I was thinking and the mahogany block will allow me to push it a bit more.
Yeah I play jazz
That is what I was thinking and the mahogany block will allow me to push it a bit more.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Talk to me about the Gibson 137
I looked at some 137s a few years ago. My favorite was the Classic, as I don't care much for the Vari-Tone. But there were problems.
The first one is the pickups. The Classic has the 490/498 set and these are some of my least favorite pickups. If you're gonna do jazz, plan on replacing them.
And then there is the weight. I have several Les Pauls, and the 137s I played were heavy...heavier than any of my Pauls; most of mine weight in around 9.1 lbs.
There were some other minor issues, but in the end I opted to save my pennies and I went with a 335s, and that was the right decision for me. I've been lucky enough to acquire three, and lately I've been playing them more than my Pauls. They are just great all-around guitars. And the 335 is typically what I will use for jazz, but I also have a Les Paul Supreme with Seths with a nice woody tone, and my G&L Legacy Specials work well for more fusion jazz/rock stuff.
The 137 came close, but for me it missed the mark. The 335 just feels RIGHT. As Larry Carlton says, when you find a good ES-335, it's really special.
Bill
I looked at some 137s a few years ago. My favorite was the Classic, as I don't care much for the Vari-Tone. But there were problems.
The first one is the pickups. The Classic has the 490/498 set and these are some of my least favorite pickups. If you're gonna do jazz, plan on replacing them.
And then there is the weight. I have several Les Pauls, and the 137s I played were heavy...heavier than any of my Pauls; most of mine weight in around 9.1 lbs.
There were some other minor issues, but in the end I opted to save my pennies and I went with a 335s, and that was the right decision for me. I've been lucky enough to acquire three, and lately I've been playing them more than my Pauls. They are just great all-around guitars. And the 335 is typically what I will use for jazz, but I also have a Les Paul Supreme with Seths with a nice woody tone, and my G&L Legacy Specials work well for more fusion jazz/rock stuff.
The 137 came close, but for me it missed the mark. The 335 just feels RIGHT. As Larry Carlton says, when you find a good ES-335, it's really special.
Bill
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blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Talk to me about the Gibson 137
Nice looking guitar. If it has the 498T/490R set, that's some bizarre PU's for that model.
Nice looking guitar. If it has the 498T/490R set, that's some bizarre PU's for that model.
simonfl
New member
Re: Talk to me about the Gibson 137
I have a es137 classic and love it. The pickups don't seem to be really popular but I like them. It's the only guitar I own that still has its stock pickups in it although every now and then I get tempered to try a set of phat cats in it. It can easily go from jazz to hard rock.
I have a es137 classic and love it. The pickups don't seem to be really popular but I like them. It's the only guitar I own that still has its stock pickups in it although every now and then I get tempered to try a set of phat cats in it. It can easily go from jazz to hard rock.
Re: Talk to me about the Gibson 137
to me if weight is the problem then I would ask myself will I mostly be siting down with this on my leg or will I mostly be standing when I play? If I use it for gigs will it be my main guitar or will I be switching off? If switching off or sitting playing jazz or hanging out around the house and playing it I would think weight wouldn't be that big of an issue. if you plan on practicing standing up and treating it as a main stage guitar as in playing it most or all the time then weight would be more of an issue.
I will say this....Since I got my White Falcon I have expanded my Jazz chord vocabulary 100%. Jazz chords really tend to sound good on these big guitars and I have been learning some picking and some old Rock a billy stuff that I never would have played before. The cool thing is that now as I play my strats I find myself just naturally throwing in Jazz chords that I learned on the White Falcon as they have become a part of my regular playing too. For me, the big guitar box really helped me to focus and expand my playing on all kinds of chords instead of just blues and rock jams. I guess in a weird way you could say my White Falcon made me a better strat player too. Its not the same for everybody but for me it really helped me and its both fun and really cool.
to me if weight is the problem then I would ask myself will I mostly be siting down with this on my leg or will I mostly be standing when I play? If I use it for gigs will it be my main guitar or will I be switching off? If switching off or sitting playing jazz or hanging out around the house and playing it I would think weight wouldn't be that big of an issue. if you plan on practicing standing up and treating it as a main stage guitar as in playing it most or all the time then weight would be more of an issue.
I will say this....Since I got my White Falcon I have expanded my Jazz chord vocabulary 100%. Jazz chords really tend to sound good on these big guitars and I have been learning some picking and some old Rock a billy stuff that I never would have played before. The cool thing is that now as I play my strats I find myself just naturally throwing in Jazz chords that I learned on the White Falcon as they have become a part of my regular playing too. For me, the big guitar box really helped me to focus and expand my playing on all kinds of chords instead of just blues and rock jams. I guess in a weird way you could say my White Falcon made me a better strat player too. Its not the same for everybody but for me it really helped me and its both fun and really cool.
CapoFirstFret
New member
Re: Talk to me about the Gibson 137
I have the exact model that you posted a picture of. The pickups in the Custom are a significant step forward. The varitone is basically useless unless you have a compress to keep the volume from dropping out on you.
I play jazz, blues, country, and harder rock in cover bands. I use this guitar for every single band I play in and it never disappoints. I traded the single best playing Les Paul I've ever owned for it years ago and I haven't regretted it for even a moment. I think you'll love it.
I also have a Gibson ES-135 with Fralin P-90s in it and those are my lifetime keeper guitars. I'll never replace them. If you have any specific questions please feel free to message me.
I have the exact model that you posted a picture of. The pickups in the Custom are a significant step forward. The varitone is basically useless unless you have a compress to keep the volume from dropping out on you.
I play jazz, blues, country, and harder rock in cover bands. I use this guitar for every single band I play in and it never disappoints. I traded the single best playing Les Paul I've ever owned for it years ago and I haven't regretted it for even a moment. I think you'll love it.
I also have a Gibson ES-135 with Fralin P-90s in it and those are my lifetime keeper guitars. I'll never replace them. If you have any specific questions please feel free to message me.
St_Genesius
New member
Re: Talk to me about the Gibson 137
God, me too. It seems like Gibson is kinda phasing those out these days. More and more lower end models are coming with Classic 57s, which are the secret best pickup Gibson makes. Shhhh. Don't tell anybody.
God, me too. It seems like Gibson is kinda phasing those out these days. More and more lower end models are coming with Classic 57s, which are the secret best pickup Gibson makes. Shhhh. Don't tell anybody.
Re: Talk to me about the Gibson 137
It sounds more like an LP than a 335 or fully hollow 175. The ones I tried were much better with distortion than capturing an old school jazz thing. More like they were made for either jangly chords or rocking out. For that shape, the Howard Roberts Fusion (discontinued) did the jazz/rock/blues thing much better.
It sounds more like an LP than a 335 or fully hollow 175. The ones I tried were much better with distortion than capturing an old school jazz thing. More like they were made for either jangly chords or rocking out. For that shape, the Howard Roberts Fusion (discontinued) did the jazz/rock/blues thing much better.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Talk to me about the Gibson 137
Just because YOU can't jazz on them….don't hate. :chairfall
Just because YOU can't jazz on them….don't hate. :chairfall
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Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Talk to me about the Gibson 137
I agree with Mincer, Aceman. With the 490/498t set, the Classic isn't really set up for jazz tones. The Custom has the '57 Classic which do a better job in that style, but it has that tone-sucking Vari-tone.
Just sayin'...
Bill
I agree with Mincer, Aceman. With the 490/498t set, the Classic isn't really set up for jazz tones. The Custom has the '57 Classic which do a better job in that style, but it has that tone-sucking Vari-tone.
Just sayin'...
Bill
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Talk to me about the Gibson 137
137s are pretty great. Darker sounding than a 335, but more feedback resistant than a 175. I played a couple of classics and was sorely tempted. If you play jazz at high volumes or if you want something a bit deeper than a 335 then its a really sweet axe.
137s are pretty great. Darker sounding than a 335, but more feedback resistant than a 175. I played a couple of classics and was sorely tempted. If you play jazz at high volumes or if you want something a bit deeper than a 335 then its a really sweet axe.
