I have a 135 with the trapeze, f holes and 57 classic humbuckers. When I got it back in 2003 it was to scratch the 335 itch, it was only $1000 and the 335 was out of reach financially. I’ve since gotten a 335 and I agree with your assessment, the 135/137 sounds closer to a fully hollow 175 than it does a 335. Very big and full midrange with a fast, hard attack, definitely has its own thing happening. Enjoy the 137, that’s a great looking guitar!
I have a copy of the 137 including the color....my band does a 60's 70's thing appealing to the 50, 60, 70 demographic...very versatile guitar. The bridge position has a LP feel while the middle is much warmer and rounder.....low action, very easy to play....
I always loved the look of these, especially in blue, but it is the pickups that always put me of. My preference is a "classic" pickup in them as opposed to the more modern ones that are in them.
I loooove this guitar! UA-cam live streamer Matt Bolton turned me on to the ES135.. (I’m not sure the difference to the 137?) but man, they just sound wonderful! Can be so warm and sweet one minute , and so nasty and snarling the next.. I was so sad when Matt switched to a strat.... but I’m glad to see you playing this guitar!
My grandfather had a 1958 es 175 and I've always wanted one like it but I really hate those floating bridges. Never knew these existed. Definitely want to see them make these again.
These are connoisseur guitars to those in the know don't drive up the prices for the speculators. Personally I want one especially the custom with the fancy switches. ❤ Choice stuff
I prefer the Florentine cutaway to mouse ears LOL I have two 2019 ES-235s, similar to the ES-135 and 137 with a body an inch wider than a Les Paul, maple neck and maple center block, with dot inlays and body binding only. Burstbucker Pros and MTC Plus tone controls. One is a used gloss ebony Memphis build with an ABR-1 and the other is an NOS gloss cherry Nashville build with an ABR-1 on bushings.
I have the ES 137 classic in honey burst! Absolutely love it!! But l seldom play it because my body sweat attacks the nitro-cellulose finish!! Which really sux because l really love play'n this guitar! It lives in it's case and l open it now and again and admire it... But then l close it back up!!
I have thought, hard, about the 135 and 137 over the years. I stayed away because I had a 125-TC for a few years. Had to sell it, as these things go. Recently scratched my P90 hollow body itch a few months back with a Casino, and now I am trying to figure out which way to go for a semi hollow. Hmmmm. Back to thinking about the 135 and 137!
I remember coming across an ES 135 years ago, and loved it, but didn’t have the means to buy it. Later I came across an Epi version, but had recently bought a guitar, so again, couldn’t afford it, and it sold quickly, before I could have sold anything or traded for it If there was an Epi reissue, Or I found a used one, I would consider it.
I have a ES-137 Custom Varitone from the early 2000s - it sounds great, but the QC on it was terrible. The paint job is terrible (somewhere between sunburst and spilled tomato soup), frets were more rollercoaster than level, the binding is close to seasick, and, worst of all, there are at least 4 actual holes/cavities between the neck and the fretboard that Gibson filled with paint (!) - of course these spots turned into actual dents over time... I would only recommend buying one from that era after very careful inspection. Maybe the older ones were better though.
I had the ES 135 back in the day and it's the same model with less cosmetics but I don't miss it at all because the neck was very stiff and fought you. The bridge did not help with bending strings. The 57 pick ups were muddy. It was just all around a bad guitar that looks good. I believe it was $1200 new for musicians friend.
They have people that calculate that, and they know they’ll lose money on it. There’s enough around, and they’re usually owned by adults leaving them in decent shape. There’s a cool one on GC it’s an es 195 withe Persian slipper headstock for 3k. They won’t make that guitar again in any real numbers.
I have a 135 with the trapeze, f holes and 57 classic humbuckers. When I got it back in 2003 it was to scratch the 335 itch, it was only $1000 and the 335 was out of reach financially. I’ve since gotten a 335 and I agree with your assessment, the 135/137 sounds closer to a fully hollow 175 than it does a 335. Very big and full midrange with a fast, hard attack, definitely has its own thing happening. Enjoy the 137, that’s a great looking guitar!
I have a black ES195 with the Trini Lopez headstock. Great guitar and sound.
I have a copy of the 137 including the color....my band does a 60's 70's thing appealing to the 50, 60, 70 demographic...very versatile guitar. The bridge position has a LP feel while the middle is much warmer and rounder.....low action, very easy to play....
That guitar is a stunner. Just gorgeous
I have a fabulous ES-137 Custom. Incredible at so many different things!!!
I always loved the look of these, especially in blue, but it is the pickups that always put me of. My preference is a "classic" pickup in them as opposed to the more modern ones that are in them.
I loooove this guitar! UA-cam live streamer Matt Bolton turned me on to the ES135.. (I’m not sure the difference to the 137?) but man, they just sound wonderful! Can be so warm and sweet one minute , and so nasty and snarling the next.. I was so sad when Matt switched to a strat.... but I’m glad to see you playing this guitar!
I had one great guitar bring it back .
Me too! Nice playing. Beautiful tone.
My grandfather had a 1958 es 175 and I've always wanted one like it but I really hate those floating bridges. Never knew these existed. Definitely want to see them make these again.
I have one, in the dark blue, with a Bigsby fitted - the PUs are quite hot. I also own a 1997 ES-135 with P100s. Nice video!
These are connoisseur guitars to those in the know don't drive up the prices for the speculators. Personally I want one especially the custom with the fancy switches. ❤ Choice stuff
YES!!!!!!
Love at first sight
Agree Jack! The ES-137 is a Gibson gem that needs to be put back into production along with the ES-139!
I prefer the Florentine cutaway to mouse ears LOL
I have two 2019 ES-235s, similar to the ES-135 and 137 with a body an inch wider than a Les Paul, maple neck and maple center block, with dot inlays and body binding only. Burstbucker Pros and MTC Plus tone controls. One is a used gloss ebony Memphis build with an ABR-1 and the other is an NOS gloss cherry Nashville build with an ABR-1 on bushings.
Awesome video as always Jack have a great day also Tuesday January 14th at od is my friend birthday ❤😊
Jack I'd love to see a tour of your studio.
Sweet sounding guitar.
Yessssssssss!
Man I agree. I had one in that same blue burst color back in the day. I was younger and dumber and sold it... Should have kept
I have the ES 137 classic in honey burst!
Absolutely love it!!
But l seldom play it because my body sweat attacks the nitro-cellulose finish!!
Which really sux because l really love play'n this guitar!
It lives in it's case and l open it now and again and admire it...
But then l close it back up!!
I have thought, hard, about the 135 and 137 over the years. I stayed away because I had a 125-TC for a few years. Had to sell it, as these things go. Recently scratched my P90 hollow body itch a few months back with a Casino, and now I am trying to figure out which way to go for a semi hollow. Hmmmm. Back to thinking about the 135 and 137!
Gibson should bring back the Howard Roberts models too, both of them. Gibson Unicorns.
I remember coming across an ES 135 years ago, and loved it, but didn’t have the means to buy it.
Later I came across an Epi version, but had recently bought a guitar, so again, couldn’t afford it, and it sold quickly, before I could have sold anything or traded for it
If there was an Epi reissue, Or I found a used one, I would consider it.
Hey! On you opinion, what’s the best pedal friendly Fender Amp?
135 with P90’s pretty please?
My son sold his a few years ago.....yeah, one of his early life's regrets.
I have a ES 135 P 90 with an after thought Bigsby, put on a multi adjustable roller bridge with 10g flat wounds. Now it sounds good, not like banjo.
I have a ES-137 Custom Varitone from the early 2000s - it sounds great, but the QC on it was terrible. The paint job is terrible (somewhere between sunburst and spilled tomato soup), frets were more rollercoaster than level, the binding is close to seasick, and, worst of all, there are at least 4 actual holes/cavities between the neck and the fretboard that Gibson filled with paint (!) - of course these spots turned into actual dents over time... I would only recommend buying one from that era after very careful inspection. Maybe the older ones were better though.
im hoarding the materials slowly over time to build one of these, since ill never be able to afford a real one😂
I had the ES 135 back in the day and it's the same model with less cosmetics but I don't miss it at all because the neck was very stiff and fought you. The bridge did not help with bending strings. The 57 pick ups were muddy. It was just all around a bad guitar that looks good. I believe it was $1200 new for musicians friend.
Had a 137 custom. Pretty yet heavy! Had a couple of problens and Gibson totally ignored me. Pure deceit. I stopped buying Gibsons at that point!
that sounds about right for Gibson😂
They have people that calculate that, and they know they’ll lose money on it. There’s enough around, and they’re usually owned by adults leaving them in decent shape. There’s a cool one on GC it’s an es 195 withe Persian slipper headstock for 3k. They won’t make that guitar again in any real numbers.