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A question for all the tone research scientists...

All other things being equal... If the same pickups and electronics were installed on both guitars, what would be the tonal differences?

Experience? Theories?

I do not have duplicate electronics to be able to Frankenstein an actual A/B comparison.

Any thoughts?

the Les Paul would be a little ...wow, how do you describe this? solid...lots of punch ya know? like hit you in the face kinda tone...and the ES-137 would have a hollowness about it ...it wouldn't punch you so hard, but more kinda wrap around you and squeeze you.....Les Paul is a Prize fighting boxer, and the ES-137 is a lot more like a Jiu Jitsu UFC fighter, if that helps

Hard comparison, the're two very different guitars. I have a ES-137 and it's an amazing guitar it has a very warmer and kind of thicker or bigger sound then any les pauls I've played. It's best suited for jazz or blues IMO, but it can get decent rock tone as well (but it feels really weird to play rock on a big semi-hollow).

thats my 2 cents for what it's worth.

I have an ES-137 Classic with a set of Seth Lovers and a LP Classic with a set of Antiquity HBs that I installed on Saturday. They both sound great. The Gibson claim that the ES-137 sounds like a LP is maybe half right. I think the bridge pickup tone is very LP-ish, maybe a bit thicker as if it was a LP with a slightly overwound bridge HB. The neck tone is quite different -- not as much chunk, thunk, and punch as a LP neck HB tone -- definitely a semi-hollowbody neck tone. The combined tone is also more semi-hollow/ES-335 sounding than LP.
I would say that my LP Classic is much brighter than my ES-137 Classic, which has a mellower tone. My LP Studio with stock HBs falls somewhere in between the two.
The upper fret access on the ES-137 is pretty limited, even compared to a LP, so you might want to consider whether that would be an issue (it's not a big issue for me). I also have to mention that when you crank your amp a bit with the ES-137 you will have to watch your positioning to keep feedback under control -- not as bad as a true hollowbody, but certainly different from a true solid body. On the other hand, the rush of air coming out of the top F-hole when you crank it up has to be one of the coolest sensations you'll ever feel from a guitar -- it seems like it's actually breathing!

Thank you for your insights... If I was looking to get LP tone (or close to it) from the ES-137, what SD PU's (or other brand) would come closest? Also, would active PU's be out of the question?

A lot of speculation I know, but let me know your thoughts.

I've owned both, IMO the ES137 was a hybrid between a Les Paul and 335 but didn't pull off either any better than the Les Paul or 335. In the end, I prefered just to have a Les Paul and 335. It's not a bad gutiar, but strikes me as kind of a bastard. I was also unimpressed by the broken splintered ugly popsicle sticks inside the 137. Adn I had two of them to compare, and both were like that (Gibson had accidentally drop-shipped me two).

I know this is a hard comparison... However, if I was looking to get LP tone (or close to it) from the ES-137, what PU's would come closest? Would active PU's be out of the question?


Originally Posted by TattooedCarrotI've owned both, IMO the ES137 was a hybrid between a Les Paul and 335 but didn't pull off either any better than the Les Paul or 335.

1. The 137 is kinda midrangey, not as sweet and focused as a 335, not as chunky and complex as a Les Paul. Way cool guitar tho.

Been GASn' for a 335 lately myself. Have not had one in oh...hmm...16 years? Think I'll have to remedy that

For pups..I'd go with somethin like a Seth, or Gibson 57 classic.