Gibson ES-137

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$1,599.00 Price Tier: High-end

4.0 (5)

2 Reviews

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2 community setups

6 wishlisted

10 saved

Page last updated Jun 08, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 8, 2026.

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Price

5.0 (35)

$1,599.00 24 available Used

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Average Price: $1,599

High-end/Boutique

$500

$1201+

Price Tier

In the Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars category, Gibson ES-137 is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Fusing timeless elegance with contemporary craftsmanship, the Gibson ES-137 is a semi-hollowbody electric guitar that resonates with the spirit of musical innovation. Introduced as a modern marvel in the esteemed Gibson ES series, this instrument bridges the gap between vintage allure and cutting-edge design. Its versatile semi-hollowbody construction offers a rich, warm tone, reminiscent of the classic ES-175, while incorporating a centerblock for reduced feedback and enhanced sustain.

The ES-137 stands out with its sleek, curvaceous silhouette and distinctive twin f-holes, delivering both visual and auditory delight. The rosewood fingerboard, adorned with trapezoidal inlays, not only complements the guitar's aesthetic appeal but ensures smooth playability. Whether you’re navigating jazz standards or exploring rock riffs, the ES-137 provides a responsive and dynamic playing experience.

With dual humbucking pickups, this guitar offers a broad palette of sonic possibilities, from mellow, bluesy undertones to bright, articulate leads. The Gibson ES-137 is more than just an instrument; it’s a testament to the harmonious blend of tradition and innovation, crafted for musicians seeking both style and substance.

Key Features:

Semi-hollowbody design with a centerblock for enhanced sustain
Rosewood fingerboard with trapezoidal inlays
Dual humbucking pickups for versatile sound
Classic Gibson aesthetic with twin f-holes
Available in both Classic and Custom versions

Product specs

Brand	Gibson
Model	ES-137 Classic
Finish	Blueburst, Ebony, Heritage Cherry Sunburst, Lightburst, Silver, Tri-Burst
Year	2002 - 2015
Made In	United States
Categories	Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
Body Material	Maple
Body Shape	Single Cutaway
Body Type	Semi-Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type	Stop-Bar
Color Family	Black, Blue, Brown, Red, Silver, Tan
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Finish Style	Gloss
Fretboard Material	Rosewood
Model Family	Gibson ES-137
Model Sub-Family	Gibson ES-137 Classic
Neck Construction	Set-Neck
Neck Material	Maple
Number of Frets	22
Number of Strings	6-String
Pickup Configuration	HH
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed

FAQs

What type of pickups does the Gibson ES-137 feature?: The Gibson ES-137 is equipped with 490R and 498T humbucker pickups, providing a versatile range of tones suitable for various music genres, from jazz to rock.
How does the mahogany center block in the Gibson ES-137 affect its sound?: The mahogany center block in the ES-137 reduces feedback and enhances sustain, making it ideal for both live performances and studio recordings.
Is the Gibson ES-137 suitable for beginners?: While the Gibson ES-137 offers professional-level features and craftsmanship, its playability and versatile sound make it accessible for dedicated beginners ready to invest in a quality instrument.
What is the neck profile of the Gibson ES-137?: The Gibson ES-137 features a comfortable maple neck with a set-neck construction, providing a smooth playing experience and easy access to higher frets.
What finishes are available for the Gibson ES-137?: The Gibson ES-137 is available in several finishes, including Blueburst, Ebony, Heritage Cherry Sunburst, Lightburst, Silver, and Tri-Burst, allowing players to choose a style that suits their aesthetic preferences.

Videos

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Wildwood Guitars

Gibson Memphis ES-137 Classic • SN: 10672741S

Wildwood Guitars

Gibson ES-137 Classic Semi-Hollow Guitar Review

GigGear

2004 Gibson ES-137 Sunburst | Guitar of the Day

Normans Rare Guitars

Gibson Memphis ES-137 Classic • SN: 10752701

Wildwood Guitars

Gibson ES-137 Review and Demo

thejay (Big Battle Bear)

Gibson ES-137 Guitar Review Demo

Florentin Tise Plus

Gibson ES-137 Classic Silver at The Fellowship of Acoustics

The Fellowship of Acoustics

Your-Guitar Shootout: Gibson ES 137 vs Gibson Les Paul

Your Guitar

Reviews

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PROS

Unique neck profile offers a distinctive playing feel
Exceptional craftsmanship with pre-restructuring Gibson quality
Versatile tone range from humbuckers, suitable for multiple genres
Florentine cutaway design provides aesthetic appeal
Comfortable weight balance for easy playing
Multipurpose: excels in rock, blues, and jazz
High-quality maple finishes on top and back
Offers rich, classic Gibson tones
Durable construction with a mahogany semihollow block

CONS

Gibson logo not inlaid with pearloid as desired
Bright tone with regular roundwound strings may not suit all players

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson ES-137.

Comparisons

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It's noted that the ES-137 can feel more accessible than the ES-335, particularly for players with smaller frames.
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The ES-137's upper access isn't as good as a Superstrat, yet it's considered adequate, especially by players transitioning from guitars like the ES-335.
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Owners liken the ES-137 to the ES-135, noting differences like the trapeze bridge versus the stop tail setup.
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Some users suggest the ES-137 Classic outperforms the ES-175, offering better versatility for its price range.
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The ES-137 is likened to a 335 but with a distinct body shape and construction differences, such as the presence of a mahogany block.
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User experience

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The neck profile is less rounded compared to a '56 Les Paul, which may affect playability preferences for some users.
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The ES-137 is praised for its striking aesthetics, with some models featuring sunburst finishes and highly flamed tops and backs.
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Value and pricing

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An ES-137 Custom recently sold for $2700, reflecting its growing rarity and increasing value on the used market.
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Previously available for $1200-$1600, the ES-137 is becoming rarer, especially in mint condition, adding to its collectible value.
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Features and functionality

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The Varitone switch is considered a useful but not essential feature, potentially more beneficial in larger jazz guitars to manage feedback.
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The Custom model with Lundgren Heaven '57s is praised for its fantastic sound, providing clarity lacking in the 49/49 pickup combination.
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The ES-137 often features a master volume control and Seth Lover pickups, enhancing its tonal versatility.
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The ES-137 Custom is praised for its unique Candy Apple Red finish, which is particularly rare and coveted among enthusiasts.
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Mods and upgrades

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The Les Trem is favored for its easy installation and improved tuning stability compared to a Bigsby, though it's better for subtle vibrato than dive bombs.
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Owners have added Bigsby tremolos to their ES-137s, with some using Vibramate for a no-drill installation.
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Other

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The ES-137's production history is clarified, with models primarily made between 2002 and 2013, debunking myths of earlier production runs.
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Use cases and applications

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Despite the semi-hollow body's design, the ES-137 is described as a "secret weapon," outperforming similarly priced Les Pauls from the same era.
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4.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 5 Ratings

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1 star

uriahdeath

248

over 5 years ago

These make a decent budget (for USA made) ES175. Great for jazz, old country and rock.

Disclaimer: I love this guitar. It's a semi-hollowbody (not a full hollow) that SOUNDS like a hollowbody. While it looks like a ES-135 with the cutaway, they're completely different guitars. A ES-135 is basicly a Les Paul dressed like a 175. The ES-135 is basicly a thinner ES-175 with a chunk of balsawood to keep it from feeding back at high volumes. While it don't sound exactly like a 175, it's very very close, and even moreso considering the construction.

Gibson being Gibson made a few different ES-135s. Mine is a 2000 (Custom Shop, even) with the Gibson Classic pickups and the factory Bigsby. I usually use Black Diamond Pure Jazz 12-52s which give it a really woody classic jazz tone. It also works well for traditional country and rock. This guitar sounds a little bright to me with regular roundwound strings. Not bad, but not the tone I like for the music I play on it.

When I die I'll probably still own this guitar and my Les Paul. With my Takamine Nylon string, that's really all I need.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Jazz fusion Classic rock Music of Hawaii

sergutiov

567

over 5 years ago

I mean, where do I start?

Ok so, here's a short story, I always been a Gibson/Epiphone fan, most of my guitars are those brands. It just feels better, I've use Epiphones Semihollow, and they are great, but Gibson just hits different, also this one, or at least mine, was made on the Memphis plant before it got close, so is basically a Gibson Custom, at least on the case and the certificate that's what it says haha. Nice humbuckers, you can really feel the quality upgrade from and Epiphone USA Pro and the the Gibson 498T, also other thing that really resonate was that this semihollow block is not maple, is mahogany, so for me that's and upgrade, is not as thinline like his older cousing the 335, but you damn sure it feels great, lightweight also, you know, for the back problems haha. Durable as Matthew Followill though when he did the same Epiphone to Gibson upgrade. Overall just a terrific guitar, and the best part is that is a little cheaper than a 335 being basically the same thing.

Roles:

Guitarist Music Producer

Genres:

Rock Alternative rock Pop rock