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MGR/Dennis G « Gibson ES-137 Classic »
Published on 12/23/03 at 15:00I bought this site unseen through Haworths Guitars Kiama Downs NSW Australia.
I read a review of the guitar in a magazine and as I was looking for a semi-acoustic I back traded a Taylor 710 (not pickup) and a Fender American Stratocaster.
I wanted something with humbuckers and found the Les Paul's and Maton MS-2000's to be too heavy for me. This guitar has the right pick -ups and is as described in the Gibson website. Retail is around $4100.
The sound is great just what an old rocker would like. From Beatles to Rolling Stones and Led Zepplin and Eric Clapton & John Fogerty. Also sounds great when playing the more ballad influenced songs of Metalica and R.E.M. It can carry Jazz and improvisation as well. I like Country Rock and blues styles and find it easy to fingerpick. The blue burst finish is beautiful. The guitar is a delight to play and can be used for long sessions at a time.
The action and intonation had to be adjusted as the G strings played sharp anywhere other than open. The action was too high for my old fingers and I had S.I.T strings with a wound G string fitted. The difference is amazing. You can still bend them even though they are 11 to 50. There are no rattles or Demons in this guitar as yet. Maybe I have a great Luthier in Phil Haworth.
Construction and quality was first class and has no faults in build quality as far as I can tell.
This is a beautiful guitar to look at. It is definately a cross between the Les Paul Classic and the ES-335 with which I compared it when I picked it up. It can be very agressive or mellow depends on what you want. You can't play thrash on this thing as it just doesn't work(as if you'd want to). I have a young teacher who is a Metalica fan. You can play anything else though.
I have a Fender Deluxe 90 amp with effects and if you know what to dial in you sound like that. I have been playing since 1972 and have owned and played 100's of guitars in my lifetime so far. Set up IS important.
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
I read a review of the guitar in a magazine and as I was looking for a semi-acoustic I back traded a Taylor 710 (not pickup) and a Fender American Stratocaster.
I wanted something with humbuckers and found the Les Paul's and Maton MS-2000's to be too heavy for me. This guitar has the right pick -ups and is as described in the Gibson website. Retail is around $4100.
The sound is great just what an old rocker would like. From Beatles to Rolling Stones and Led Zepplin and Eric Clapton & John Fogerty. Also sounds great when playing the more ballad influenced songs of Metalica and R.E.M. It can carry Jazz and improvisation as well. I like Country Rock and blues styles and find it easy to fingerpick. The blue burst finish is beautiful. The guitar is a delight to play and can be used for long sessions at a time.
The action and intonation had to be adjusted as the G strings played sharp anywhere other than open. The action was too high for my old fingers and I had S.I.T strings with a wound G string fitted. The difference is amazing. You can still bend them even though they are 11 to 50. There are no rattles or Demons in this guitar as yet. Maybe I have a great Luthier in Phil Haworth.
Construction and quality was first class and has no faults in build quality as far as I can tell.
This is a beautiful guitar to look at. It is definately a cross between the Les Paul Classic and the ES-335 with which I compared it when I picked it up. It can be very agressive or mellow depends on what you want. You can't play thrash on this thing as it just doesn't work(as if you'd want to). I have a young teacher who is a Metalica fan. You can play anything else though.
I have a Fender Deluxe 90 amp with effects and if you know what to dial in you sound like that. I have been playing since 1972 and have owned and played 100's of guitars in my lifetime so far. Set up IS important.
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com