Feature:
Two pickups with separate volume and tone controls and a three-way selector switch. All of the materials are top-notch. At the time I bought it I was wishing I could order it with Classic '57 pickups but I'm generally happy with the PUs that came with the guitar. I suppose it's possible that I might swap out the neck pickup at some point but it's fine the way it is.
Quality:
The guitar itself is well made and beautiful. I have to deduct a few points though. The case still had a little sawdust in it from the factory and the finish had some dull spots -- a little rubbing compound dust was coming off of it. I gave it a good clean and polish and she cleaned up real nice -- now the finish is flawless. I have the Triburst and the color is better than the pictures. The burst on mine starts black, goes gradually to a deep wine red then fades to the golden flame in the center. It also needed a good pro setup but, in my experience, they all do. I'm not worried at all about how it will hold up over time.
Value:
I think this is one of the best values in the Gibson line. If you compare the materials, the bound body and neck, etc. with other Gibsons (like a 335) this goes for about half of what they charge for others and several hundred dollars less than a LP Standard.
Desirability:
I've been through an awful lot of guitars over the years. I only keep those that look great and feel "right" to me. This baby is a definite keeper.
Sound:
The ES-137 Classic is a versatile instrument. My other electrics are a Fender Deluxe Ash Strat and a modified Highway One Tele. I was looking for a good humbucker-equipped guitar. I use it primarily for jazz but it is equally good for stuff like T-Bone, Chuck Berry, Scotty Moore, and B.B. King. Think ES-335 except more "air" and depth. It also is capable of some real nasty Les Paul sounds on the bridge pickup. I play through a Fender '63 Reissue Vibroverb (w/replacement speakers and tubes) and the combination produces the range of sounds I was looking for. But, this is NOT a thrash metal guitar. It has a vintage blues/jazz vibe.
Ease of Use:
Plays like a dream.
Support:
I gave this a "9" only because I haven't needed support and that's worth a "9" to me. Can't say how they might respond if I did.
Overall:
I look for three main things in an instrument: tone, playability, and how it makes me feel -- how it makes me play. Every time I pick this guitar up it speaks to me and sings for me. What else is there? If something happended to it, I'd buy another in a heartbeat.
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