« Gibson 137 Custom ES-137 Custom »

I'd been looking for a semi-solid that played like a big body 175. But I was
disappointed in recently made 175's I've played.

I started with the usual 333's and 335's, then a 135 with humbuckers and
P-100's.

None had a sound with "body" for lack of another word. As a matter of fact,
the 135's turned me off so much I started looking to Gretsch. I'm glad this one
was in the store to play.







TONE, TONE, TONE!!!

I play an old Epiphone Joe Pass and have really loved it's sweet tones with
or without the amp on. I've had lots of guitars, but you may disagree, but
the Pass is one hard box to beat. The 137 does just that, and that is a
compliment.

The 137 is unbelievably versatile. I read another reviewer who said the tone
switch was useless... well NOT on mine.

I can go from Tele, to Gretschy in a second, and even to my sainted Joe Pass
effortlessly without diddling with the knobs on the amps.

I have an original Fender 52 pro, and a few year old Fender Ultimate chorus.
Both amps sound great with the 137 in them.

I've always been fond of the feel of Gibson "Custom" ebony fingerboards.
This one does not disappoint me at all.




I was surprised that Gibson put on a 1 piece neck... Didn't they go to 3 pieces
to avoid warping?

I'm hoping they made significant advances in truss rods over the years.

Other than that, it's flawless. I mean that... I'm VERY critical, and passed up
a new 175 the week I bought the 137 because it felt "crunchy" like a rush job.
Given that the 137 custom was a full thousand dollars less than a vanilla
175, I really feel good about it.

OK, OK, ONE nit... I really wanted a light burst or tri-burst... I always felt that cherry
sunburst belonged in showrooms, not in the hands... Cherry is the LAST
color I'd pick... this 137 sounds and feels so good, I wouldn't risk ordering
one in Tri or Light burst.

So, I have a guitar that's like a woman in a fancy gown instead of a cocktail dress,
I can learn to live with that












Construction is first rate. Judging by the amount of dust on it, it was in the shop
a long time. Since it's more than double the cost of an Am Strat I'm not surprised
on that count, I AM surprised that with all the handling it's still flawless.

The top and back are nice one piece maple, and this way
you don't have to look for mis-matched halves, it flows nicely.

I've bought very few new guitars (1 more in the last 35 years) and I'm not
accustomed to the "newness"... white, not yet yellowed binding and pristine
pickguard. Oh well I'll have to wait on that.

Neck, straight, frets... ground perfectly, finish... like a mirror, inlays perfect.

I adjusted the T"O"M bridge down and the intonation, nothing else needs
to be touched.

Oh, the case... Four latches, one with a combination... Nice touch, as is the
very well padded handle and interior.



What can you do with this box? ANYTHING!!!

From a smoky jazz club to Madison square garden, it'll do it. Now I didn't say
"I" would be in MSG, but the 137 would be at home there.

The little radio buttons should go to 10, because a 5 doesn't describe
it well enough.








This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com