| Gibson ES-137 | |
| Manufacturer: | Gibson |
| Period: | 2002 — 2013 (limited production) |
| Bodytype: | Semi-hollow |
| Necktype: | Set |
| Woodbody: | curly maple (laminated); mahogany center block |
| Woodneck: | maple |
| Woodfingerboard: | rosewood on Classic models, ebony on Custom |
| Bridge: | Fixed tune-o-matic |
| Pickups: | 2 Humbuckers |
| Colors: | Heritage Cherry Sunburst, Tri-burst, Light-Burst, Blues Burst, Candy-Apple Red, Silvertop |
The Gibson ES-137 is a semi-hollow-body guitar which was manufactured in Gibson's Custom Shop Memphis factory as a limited production run from 2002–2013.[1] It was a relatively new design in Gibson's ES line which was not based on a vintage instrument, as many of Gibson's instruments are. The ES-137 is available in two models, Custom and Classic.
Gibson claims the ES-137 is a combination of its traditional semi-hollow-body single-cutaway guitars with the sound of a Les Paul Classic. This is achieved by fitting the archtop with pickups and other features matching the Les Paul.
The format of archtop with a single florentine cutaway has been used by Gibson previously. Notable comparisons would be the Gibson ES-175 and Gibson ES-135 models. The basic body shape of the ES-137 is very close to Gibson's fully hollow-bodied ES-175. Despite the 137 being somewhat thinner than the ES-175, it is not classed as a thinline model. However, the ES-137 does sport an internal mahogany center block inside the body. This design eliminates feedback problems common with hollow-bodied guitars. The center block also facilitates the use of a stop tailpiece alike the ES-335, therefore eliminating the use of a "trapeze"-style tailpiece found on most hollow-bodied Gibsons.
See main article: List of Gibson players.