ES-137

[RMosack]

What exactly is it?

 

[Wilko]

a typo?


an ES-135 looks like a thin 175 with a trapeze and a Tune O Matic. Usually has humbuckers. No neck binding.


165 is a 175 with one pickup and has a Herb Ellis signature.


in the early days the dollar amount indicated the model number. In 1946 it was a 175. One cutaway, full depth 17 1/2 inch body.

 

[Budman2k]

The ES-137 is going to be the replacement for the ES-135. Gibson is discontinuing the ES-135.

 

[Don]

It has neck bindings and a stop tailpiece. I think the center block is mahogany. The maple on the sunburst model appears to be lightly flamed. I think it also has 490R/498T pickups.
The stop tailpiece should make it easier to bend on. The ES-135 is tough because the trapeze tailpiece is very far away from the bridge.
I guess it's more of a rock guitar than the ES-135 was.

 

[stratcat944]

I just picked up 2 ES-137s on my trip to Memphis. One was a custom with the bound body, neck and peghead, and the other was the only one with P-90s they had available so I snagged it.

I can't wait to get them cause I didn't have a chance to plug them in at the factory.

 

[SASouth]

Post a pic! spin

 

[stratcat944]

Post a pic! spin

I will as soon as they show up. I also got a one off white 135. It's very nice looking.

 

[Scott_F]

 

[Freddy]

Some of these are also listed with the higher output 500t/496r pickups!

Here is a pic of a gold es-137 with the single coils..

http://www.gbase.com/gearlist/guitar_picture.asp?guitar=395193&home=dealer

 

[RMosack]

Thanks

From the responses, it looks like the ES-137 has replaced the ES-135 in the current Gibson lineup.

1) Trapeze replaced by Stop Tailpiece

2) "Chromyte" center block replaced by mahogany center block (like a ES-335); I was under the impression that the ES-135 had NO center block - thus the trapeze.

 

[Scott_F]

this chromyte stuff is supposed be a fancy term for balsa wood. balsa wood couldn't handle a stop tail piece.

If I go that directions (135 or 137), I'll definitely go 137. More sustain. Plus, I hate trapezes.

 

[decay-o-caster]

If you go for the P100 version, dump them for P90s (sez me). I had P100s and they had no personality whatsoever. The Harmonic Designs VP90s are killer. Yeah, a little noise, but the tone is worth it.

This 137 sounds like it might be turning into a pretty cool guitar - much better than the 135, anyway.

 

[Bluejazz]

What is the price difference between the 137 and a 335?
The 137 also has better appointments..binding, stoptail etc. compared to the 135. Seems like the 137 might have the same or similar sound as the 335 for less $$...??? Anyone compared them yet?

 

[Brudr]

I own a 335 and 135 currently and was excited to see this 137 development. From what I can gather thus far, this is the "137" lineup:

ES 137 Premier w/p100's - No neck binding, black body binding. Metallic and plain finishes. Dot inlays. $900

Es137 Premier w/humbuckers - 496 & 500 ceramic open coils. Same finish/binding as P100 version. $1100

Es 137 Classic - 490 series humbuckers, white binding on body and neck. Burst and solid color finishes on plain tops. LP standard inlays. $1350

Es 137 Custom - pickups?. Colors, finishes are same as classic, but with flamed maple tops, binding on headstock. $1800

Has anyone heard about neck sizes as compared to the 135? I love the tone of my 135 w/ 57's, but the trapeze buzzes like mad!

 

[Bluejazz]

Im ordering the 137C Blueburst or Heritage cherry. I'll decide if I like the pups (490/498) afterwards.
The 137 CU (custom) has 57 classics.

Colors include Vintage sunburst, Heritage Cherry Burst, Silver, Blueburst, and....

(oh great I lost the note that had the other info..dammit)

Anyway, the specs look good this guitar for the prices.

 

[Bluejazz]

So anyway, I ordered it the other day. It'll take a month to arrive. Blues burst ,figured top, with gold hardware, plus a gold lightweight tailpiece. I compared the specs with the 335 and didnt see much difference except the 137 is a quarter inch deeper with a thicker neck, and its $800 less.

 

[GeeTarBoy]

Has anyone played one yet? I'd really be interested to see how they compare sound wise to the 335 and 175. I'm assuming they'll fall somewhere in the middle. I played a 135 unamplified once and wasn't that excited about it, but these changes all seem pretty positive.

 

[Designer852]

Brudr, you said "Has anyone heard about neck sizes as compared to the 135? I love the tone of my 135 w/ 57's, but the trapeze buzzes like mad!"
Did you ever fix the problem of the buzzing trapeze?
Where does it buzz? At the tailend or toward the bridge?
Let me know. I have ordered an ES-135 limited edition with Classic 57's. It is due in at the end of July.

 

[Brudr]

Designer 852,

The tailpeice appears to buzz right where the string end attaches to the trapeze. I can put a small amount of pressure on the top of the tailpeice and it dissapears. I'm not sure how to eliminate it, perhaps some lubrication on the string ends or the tailpeice itself. Again, it doesn't come through when plugged in. You will love the tone of this guitar with the humbuckers, no comparison to the P100 equipped version.

 

[Designer852]

Brudr,
I guess you have tried tightening the 2 nuts on the end, correct?
If so, what about a rubber or plastic washer between the nut that holds it to the rest of the tailpiece and the part that holds the strings?
Gary