Who has experience with a Gibson ES 137 Classic (no variatone)
- Thread starter blakejcan
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Bludave
New member
Re: Who has experience with a Gibson ES 137 Classic (no variatone)
The 137 is a semi where the 330 is a full hollow. I have a buddy that had one & I thought the construction was a little sloppy but it had a really nice overall tone. I would probably just go with a 335 personally. Its a proven instrument & they always sound great. The primary difference is the 137 has a single cut & the 335 is double cut. Scale length is the same & I believe they come with 57 classics but am not 100% sure of that. the challenges most people have with a semi is if you play with a lot of gain & volume they can squeal on you. This can be eliminated by standing far enough away from the amp or waxing the pickups but in some cases this can be an issue.
The 137 is a semi where the 330 is a full hollow. I have a buddy that had one & I thought the construction was a little sloppy but it had a really nice overall tone. I would probably just go with a 335 personally. Its a proven instrument & they always sound great. The primary difference is the 137 has a single cut & the 335 is double cut. Scale length is the same & I believe they come with 57 classics but am not 100% sure of that. the challenges most people have with a semi is if you play with a lot of gain & volume they can squeal on you. This can be eliminated by standing far enough away from the amp or waxing the pickups but in some cases this can be an issue.
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Who has experience with a Gibson ES 137 Classic (no variatone)
137's have a much smaller block than a 335. It sits under the bridge. They have a darker, deeper sound that is another step towards a full hollowbody like a 175. I really like them.
They don't squeal, but they have more of a hollowbody's natural tendency towards low frequency feedback at high volume. However, they are more feedback resistant than a thinline full hollow like a 330.
Not for metal, but beautiful for jazz or vintage bluesy tones.
137's have a much smaller block than a 335. It sits under the bridge. They have a darker, deeper sound that is another step towards a full hollowbody like a 175. I really like them.
They don't squeal, but they have more of a hollowbody's natural tendency towards low frequency feedback at high volume. However, they are more feedback resistant than a thinline full hollow like a 330.
Not for metal, but beautiful for jazz or vintage bluesy tones.
blakejcan
Well-known member
Re: Who has experience with a Gibson ES 137 Classic (no variatone)
this guy seems to get distorted in a friendly way
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5jCKMFnUXk
this guy seems to get distorted in a friendly way
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5jCKMFnUXk
JeffB
Let it B
Re: Who has experience with a Gibson ES 137 Classic (no variatone)
I have played one, and only one, but I absolutely loved it from a tonal standpoint. The one I played had the 498/490 combo in it. Blueburst. Really barked and had a huge natural tone..very reminiscent of a full hollowbody. I would love to own one.
Negative for me was restricted upper fret access compared to a 3x5 or even a Les Paul. In that sense though, 330 is even worse due to how many frets are set beyond the cutouts into the top of the body....just like a Casino.
I have played one, and only one, but I absolutely loved it from a tonal standpoint. The one I played had the 498/490 combo in it. Blueburst. Really barked and had a huge natural tone..very reminiscent of a full hollowbody. I would love to own one.
Negative for me was restricted upper fret access compared to a 3x5 or even a Les Paul. In that sense though, 330 is even worse due to how many frets are set beyond the cutouts into the top of the body....just like a Casino.
blakejcan
Well-known member
Re: Who has experience with a Gibson ES 137 Classic (no variatone)
good to know!
ok, guess it can rock! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9Yvsf8A09U&NR=1&feature=fvwp
good to know!
ok, guess it can rock! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9Yvsf8A09U&NR=1&feature=fvwp
Axl H
Blowthebloodydoorsoffologist
Re: Who has experience with a Gibson ES 137 Classic (no variatone)
It can most certainly rock (Same guitar as in video was used to record rhythm and lead tracks). his is a ES-135 - exactly the same as the 137, excepting fancier inlays.
They have this bigger Les Paul thing going on. Slightly darker, and a bit more airy in the sound, not as tight-packed, so to speak. Very nice guitars
Always wanted one in triburst
It can most certainly rock (Same guitar as in video was used to record rhythm and lead tracks). his is a ES-135 - exactly the same as the 137, excepting fancier inlays.
They have this bigger Les Paul thing going on. Slightly darker, and a bit more airy in the sound, not as tight-packed, so to speak. Very nice guitars
Always wanted one in triburst 
Re: Who has experience with a Gibson ES 137 Classic (no variatone)
The ES137 Classic comes equipped with 490R/498T pickups, not 57 Classics as you guessed. My 2004 model now has a 57 Classic in the bridge position, which was what Gibson should have done at the factory. IMO the 498T is a lousy pickup that yields no clean tones, only unpleasant distorted ones. Upper fret access is very good. In high gain situations the feedback is quite controllable. My 137 is the best guitar I've ever held in my hands, period. Better (for me) than a 335 or a 175. Too bad your pal's 137 isn't built as well as mine, it's as close to flawless as any guitar I've seen.
The ES137 Classic comes equipped with 490R/498T pickups, not 57 Classics as you guessed. My 2004 model now has a 57 Classic in the bridge position, which was what Gibson should have done at the factory. IMO the 498T is a lousy pickup that yields no clean tones, only unpleasant distorted ones. Upper fret access is very good. In high gain situations the feedback is quite controllable. My 137 is the best guitar I've ever held in my hands, period. Better (for me) than a 335 or a 175. Too bad your pal's 137 isn't built as well as mine, it's as close to flawless as any guitar I've seen.
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blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Who has experience with a Gibson ES 137 Classic (no variatone)
+1. A 498T in a ES 137? Who's spec'ing these things?
+1. A 498T in a ES 137? Who's spec'ing these things?
Re: Who has experience with a Gibson ES 137 Classic (no variatone)
Or pull the thing apart, redo the wiring yourself to make sure the joints are clean and properly fused, use decent cable and make sure all joints in the guitar are properly
glued and use a decent noise suppressor. Its not magic.
Or pull the thing apart, redo the wiring yourself to make sure the joints are clean and properly fused, use decent cable and make sure all joints in the guitar are properly
glued and use a decent noise suppressor. Its not magic.
