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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: Tea Burst
  
• 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!

Specification Detail Manufacturer Part Number ES3CTBCH1