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Gibson ES-137 Classic - Ebony

Semi-hollowbody Electric Guitar with Curly Maple Top/Back/Sides, 3-pc Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, 2 x Humbucking Pickups, and Hard Case - Ebony
Item ID: Es137CEb

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Gibson ES-137 Classic - Ebony
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A Combination of Two Classics

Not every Gibson guitar traces its heritage back to the so-called "Golden Years" of American Guitars, which is widely accepted to be most of the 1950s and into the 1960s. The Gibson Custom ES-137 semi-hollowbody electric is a perfect example. Gibson never built any instrument quite like this until recently. It clearly combines two distinctive influences: the look of Gibson's single cutaway, semi-hollowbodies and the hot sound of a Les Paul Classic. Is it a blues guitar? A rock guitar? Or perhaps a jazz guitar? The answer is, it's all of these. With a curly maple semi-hollowbody and a mahogany centerblock it can play clean jazz or fusion lines, but crank your amp to "11" and the ES-137 semi-hollowbody screams just like a Les Paul.

Gibson Custom ES-137 Classic Semi-hollowbody Electric Guitar at a Glance:
  • A 21st-century Gibson design
  • Middle-of-the-road neck profile
  • Two hot humbuckers - 490R (neck) and 498T (bridge)
A 21st-century Gibson design

First made in 2002, the Gibson Custom ES-137 Classic was an instant hit with its wide array of tones, as well as the handsome lines which evoke those great old Gibson archtops - but this time in a thinner, semi-hollowbody design. It still keeps the traditional f-holes, but thanks to the thinline design, feedback is kept under control. The modern humbuckers can go from dark and smoky to full-out snarl, all depending upon your choice of amplification or outboard gear. No matter what style you play, the ES-137 Classic is ready to perform.

Middle-of-the-road neck profile

The ES-137's neck profile was designed for balanced performance: not as big as those huge 1958 Les Paul necks, but neither is it as thin as the 1960s "slim taper" neck profiles. The combination of a nicely rounded three-piece maple neck and the warmth of a rosewood fingerboard is what the ES-137 Classic is all about. It's a recipe for great tone, as well as exceptional playability in both rhythm and lead roles.

Two hot humbuckers - 490R (neck) and 498T (bridge)

Today's humbuckers truly have it all: complex midrange, punchy lows and a smooth top end that won't make your teeth hurt. For those seeking the often overused "out-of-phase" session sound which ruled the airwaves back in the 1980s, you won't find it here. If you're looking for a pickup that starts out clean and can really smoke when your amp is on 11, the ES-137 Classic has the tone you're after.

Gibson Custom ES-137 Classic Features:
  • Semi-hollowbody guitar combines the look and style of a hollowbody guitar with the tone and feel of a Les Paul
  • Color: Ebony
  • Curly maple top/back/sides for detailed tones with excellent snap and definition
  • Solid mahogany centerblock enhances sustain while reducing resonance
  • Three-piece maple neck with rounded profile
  • 490R and 498T humbucking pickups have a wide tonal range
  • Hardshell case included
Experience the tonal richness and depth of the Gibson Custom ES-137 Classic semi-hollowbody electric guitar!

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Tech Specs

  • Manufacturer Part Number: ES3CEBCH1

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From rockers to jazz cats, there are generations of guitarists right here at Sweetwater who swear by Gibson guitars. Not only do they make many of the most iconic solidbody electric guitars of all time - the Les Paul, the SG, the Flying V - but they also produce classic hollowbody and semi-hollowbody models and some of the most iconic acoustic guitars on the planet. We play them all! Our close relationship with Gibson often allows us to stock exclusive models and rare finds, and we're always happy to turn players and collectors on to the gems in the Sweetwater Guitar Gallery. We also have access to all the latest Gibson hardware, and the Sweetwater Guitar Repair Shop has upgraded countless guitars with their top-of-the-line humbuckers, classic P-90s, and more.

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