Gibson Es-330 vs Es-137

[Luca Paul]

I know these two are quite different, but I was just wondering if it's worth forking out an extra grand or so for the ES-330. It is a VOS 1959 re-issue and the 137 is just a classic.

[neatomic]

a good 330 is a beautiful thing...listen to grant green!

they are true hollow ultra light, have great p90 pickups for real old school tone..and can cut it in any number of musical genres...from blue note to the beatles


330 by knockout in 2nd round

cheers

[wesmont17]

I would say the 137 is far more versatile than a 330 for covering different styles (Jazz, Rock, Blues). If your looking to only play jazz standards...then I'd STILL get a 137 . Audition both of those guitars at a store if u have a chance and then see which u prefer.

[docbop]

I never like the neck on ES-!37's and I like big neck, it's boxy feeling to me.

330's are nice.

[GNAPPI]

I have a 137 and 330 and they're about as different as you can get. But, like Neatomic says, a good 330 is a beautiful thing. But IMO a good Epiphone Casino plays and sounds as good.

The 137 for me is a tough guitar to get used to, there's something about it that's elusive. There's really nothing I dislike about it, but I always have a tough time enjoying playing it until I warm up to it. It's the only git I own like this.

If you were set on a fully hollow vibe, the 330 is a great (and more pricey) guitar, but for the price of a 330 you can have a Casino AND 137 if you shop right.

[Duotone]

I have a 137 and 330 and they're about as different as you can get. But, like Neatomic says, a good 330 is a beautiful thing. But IMO a good Epiphone Casino plays and sounds as good.
...
If you were set on a fully hollow vibe, the 330 is a great (and more pricey) guitar, but for the price of a 330 you can have a Casino AND 137 if you shop right.

+1
I have a 1982ish MIJ Epiphone Casino and it's one of my best Guitars, full of tone, character, great build quality and looks. More pricey than the Korean or Chinese ones though.

[docbop]

I have a 137 and 330 and they're about as different as you can get. But, like Neatomic says, a good 330 is a beautiful thing. But IMO a good Epiphone Casino plays and sounds as good.

The 137 for me is a tough guitar to get used to, there's something about it that's elusive. There's really nothing I dislike about it, but I always have a tough time enjoying playing it until I warm up to it. It's the only git I own like this.

If you were set on a fully hollow vibe, the 330 is a great (and more pricey) guitar, but for the price of a 330 you can have a Casino AND 137 if you shop right.

Before I moved the Gibson dealer I used to go to had a 137 that I played every time I went there and as much as I wan't to like that guitar I never could. The store had so many Gibson's and they sold them fast, but that 137 and a Lee Ritenour L5 prototype stayed. The Ritenour I think was due to price.

I agree with you a good 330-style guitar is great and very versatile guitar.

[neatomic]

i mentioned in another recent thread, the (now discontinued) "Inspired by lennon" model epi casino was a best buy..mia, but with truer to vintage spec ie correct neck fret body joint and usa gibby p90's..regularly way under 1000$..great deal

the standard epi casinos have weird sized and wrongly wound pickups...and wrong fret neck joint..tho i've played some nice ones!!

a true hollow thinline is a wonderful thing

cheers

[Gibsonhead]

I had a late 60's 330 (see pic front row) and a newer 137 . The 330 was the sweetest and easier to play. The 137 wasn't that great. But I just found an old 62 125 and it blows them both away.

[Luca Paul]

Thank you very much everyone!

[boatheelmusic]

I had the 137 Custom, and although it looked and sounded great it was very heavy and the neck felt like it stuck WAY out there.

I'd go with a Casino or 330 in a do-over.

[Longways to Go]

I've had the chance to play a couple of the new 330 reissues.
I love the resonant feel of this guitar -- very very nice acoustic nature --, but it also has a very thick neck & small frets that I don't care for.

[mad dog]

I've played a few of the 137s. Not sure why, but it's not for me. A good ES-330 however, that's something I've been looking for for years. Had three of the MIK epi casinos. Not bad, but they don't scratch that itch. Looking for either vintage, or new and somewhat equivalent - the es-225 RI and/or Heritage H525.
MD

[Jx30510]

I used to have an Epiphone Casino "Inspired by John Lennon" that was very good, easy to play, a lot of pleasure to have in the hands and on the lap.
So light and resonnant.

Didn't much like the dull finish, very close to my actual Epi 175 Premium NT, but even duller
So I feel that this Casino is very close to the Es330

I recenctly tried a Es137 Custom and just didn't like it at all. So quirky, boat anchor feel.
On top of that, the guy who was selling it (and is trying to make a business out of selling guitars... good luck man) had set it up awfully, rusted strings, action way too high, everything loose on the guitar.
So that musn't have helped.
He also let me try an Es135, and same thing, the thing was all goofed up, horrible set up.. the guy was nice, but I think he should go back to his prior talents..

[Gitfiddler]

Another consideration is a Heritage H530.
Check out Wolfe's Guitars. They sell worldwide.

2017 Heritage H530 Faded Cherry > Guitars Electric Semi-Hollow Body | Wolfe Guitars

[Jx30510]

Beautiful!

There is a rather famous guitar player here in France (session man for many french stars, not really jazz, though I'm sure is certainly capable in that style also), that is selling a brand new

ES330 TDN Figured VOS -2016 with Bigsby at 2500€.

He sells quite a few mint guitars from his personnal collection now and then, and it's a 100% flawless deal. It would great to go at his place and meet in bonus.

I've heard a few vids of this particular model, it sounds gorgeous.

What do you think about it ?


Gibson ES-330 TDN figured VOS 2016 US Memphis

[Jx30510]

Well I've finally bought the Es 330 VOS faded in natural (you can see and hear this very guitar on a Youtube clip on Andertons "Top Shelf guitars Es330 serial number Q11276)
I bought it from a french studio session man, very nice guy, at a really good price
I had to sell an amp and 2 guitars to get it, I was a bit nervous wondering if I wasn't doing a mistake..
well all I can say is it's a fabulous guitar!
It's all I love from an Es 175 and Es335 mixed together, very light, resonnant, marvelous to play on, jazzy, bluesy, raunchy, can be played very soflty or harder, it reacts like a living creature!

Some say an Epiphone Casino is comparable (I used to own the Inspired by JL, my friend is gonna bring it this evening by the way), sorry to say it is no way in the same league.
Just play the Gibson acousticly and the authority, warmth, balance all over the necj, ringing notes, harmonics.. everything.. just jumps out the instrument.
Mine has the slim tapper 60's which I love, it weighs hardly 6.5 pounds, the bigsby is so smooth and dreamy.. a dream guitar.
I paid it 2250€ totally mint, I'm in guitar heaven.

[339 in june]

Congrats on that great buy, Jx !
Sure it sounds as good as it looks !

[Burrellesque]

Es-330.

[citizenk74]

Very glad this worked out for you. Congratulations on a beauty, and play it in good health!