Crusader Posted November 13, 2013 Report Share Posted November 13, 2013 Hi, does anyone have a Gibson ES-137? I'm wondering what the scale length is and I'm getting mixed information. One source says 24 3/4" others say 24" and another says the same as a Les Paul It would be great if someone has one, could you tell me what it measures from the Nut to the 12th Fret and from the Nut to the 22nd fret. If its the same as a Les Paul it should be about 312mm and 450mm, respectively The ES-137 might have come out with different scale lengths and if anyone knows it would be great to hear from you cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwedishLuthier Posted November 13, 2013 Report Share Posted November 13, 2013 From the horses mouth: http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/ES/Gibson-Memphis/ES-137-Classic/Features.aspx 24" I mean...they build the guitar after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusader Posted November 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2013 Yes thats one of my sources. Although they build the guitar I read elsewhere that they are 24 3/4 so I'm wondering if it is a misprint. The only way to really know is to measure it yourself Mainly I want to know if they came out with different scale lengths one year to another cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Natural Posted November 13, 2013 Report Share Posted November 13, 2013 this is a common "thing" with Gibson guitars- depending on model, style and year- it could vary. Les Paul scale length variances are well documented- but the ES line less so. You didnt read wrong Crusader- from the same Gibson site- if you look at the "classic" vs the memphis model- the memphis model has 24 3/4 listed. http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/ES/Gibson-Memphis/1959-ES-175/Specs.aspx probably the only way to know is (hope) to find a book or site documenting the ES models over the years, or as you say- measure one if you can get your hands on it and its the style you want to know about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusader Posted November 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2013 Thats an ES-175. It looks the same but is quite different, full hollow-body and 20 frets. But I know for sure that there is differing information out there on the 137. Might be on the Gibson site or another site that looks very "official" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Natural Posted November 14, 2013 Report Share Posted November 14, 2013 "Thats an ES-175" I officially need glasses. My eyes are shot to shitte. Time to become a four eyes again. and my literacy is coming into question. I just read the string again and read it again as 175. man. Friday cant come quick enough this week. sorry bout that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusader Posted November 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2013 Hey its all good I followed the link and once there I looked around. I opened up the specs on a few 335s and some were 24" and others 24.75" Now I'm pretty sure all 335s would have the same scale length, so I think its a misprint I have seen one ES-137 and know for sure its a bit shorter than a Les Paul, probably 24.5" I just wish it was a colour I like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Natural Posted November 15, 2013 Report Share Posted November 15, 2013 well- there were variations within the "24.75 scale"- depending on year and model- stewmac lists this scale I have a flying V book around somewhere and I think there were some changes from the old 50s models to the 67 if I recall- but I cant find where that book is at the moment- so- point being- there could be some fluctuation but I agree with you- the 24 sounds sketchy- I thought the only other model that was short was the byrdland- which is 23.5- which I always thought how strange it was that ted nugent played one for so long- considering he is a rather tall guy and appears to have largish hands. I always liked fender scales (as I have stout fingers aka stubs) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusader Posted November 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2013 Malcolm Young's Grestch has a rather short scale length too, and he uses very heavy gauge strings. So it would be interesting to know what Ted uses I haven't had a '54 but the difference between the other Gibson scale lengths is minute. I've had both and measured them fanatically. The scale length of the 137 that I've seen is noticeably shorter, but not that much. Btw I've got stout fingers too, LOL D. Stout Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Natural Posted November 15, 2013 Report Share Posted November 15, 2013 well- I go nuts when a trivia question like this comes up and I am one of those that "needs to know" so my brain will quiet down. So- I called Gibson. They do not have any 24" scales for ES series guitars. Those are misprints on their website. The guy I spoke with appeared to know what he was talking about (aka- wasnt a script reading call center type). He acknowledge the differences as listed on the stew-mac website for older models. he stated that all 137s, 175s, 335s lucielles, etc currently produced are 24 3/4 scale- he mentioned the archtop series has various scale lengths- ie- the byrdland at 23.50- the L-5s and super 400 at (he slipped and said fender scale.....ooops) we got a laugh out of that. anyway-for what its worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusader Posted November 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2013 Thanks for that I didn't know you could actually call Gibson. It helps a lot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwedishLuthier Posted November 16, 2013 Report Share Posted November 16, 2013 And now I'm glad i didn't write a snotty part about "hey trust the guys that build the frickin' guitar". I would have looked even more stupid than I usually does Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Natural Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 And now I'm glad i didn't write a snotty part about "hey trust the guys that build the frickin' guitar". I would have looked even more stupid than I usually does You would think you should be able to trust what they say. You would think a company like Gibson would have quality control in place to make sure mistakes like that dont occur- but it seems they are constantly having QC issues. I was just reading the other day about the big snafu they had with the Ace Frehley Les Paul going out the door with the wrong pickups from what was listed as spec(the "300" if you want to google it). Nice job. Have people pay a premium on a guitar and then dont get it right and let it fly out the door anyway. That sort of stuff is just unacceptable in my book. I have loved les pauls and Vs since I was a kid, and I especially love the ES-355. I was tempted as hell to buy one of the Alex Lifeson models when they came out- but I refused to because- it was a modern era GIBSON. I purchased arched plates a few years back and plan on building my own one of these days. (ok I kinda still wish I bought it- but- sticking with my principles. Gibson just seems more about money than quality these days at least in my book) Ok- obviously its my time of the month.....whew- rant over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 Inconsistency produces fertile ground for history. Admittedly, one mired in random changes and illogical transitions ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 They are still just as consistent and have the same quality or better of any other mass produced guitar.I've had everything from USA Jacksons to ESP to Ibanez to Gibson(and everything in between) and they ALL have serious QC issues... Gibson is still my favorite of the mass produced guitars.A good Gibson is a truly great guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 I know where this conversation leads. Probably best to stay on topic Wes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 Says you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 Don't start that again Wes otherwise you'll wake up with a goat's head on the pillow next to you. Again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 Gibson rules.Deal with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusader Posted November 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2013 (edited) I like Gibbies I paid for it today, should be here next week. Here's a photo taken at the shop http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/uploads/gallery_35046_51_22680.jpg Edited November 20, 2013 by Crusader Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted November 20, 2013 Report Share Posted November 20, 2013 Have you done a full appraisal yet? I'd be interested to see how it stacks up both against the detractors and Gibson's insistence on the quality of their output. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusader Posted November 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 From what I hear these particular guitars are notorious for having issues with QC, like sawdust in the case etc. but I think I can deal with that. In fact I will be disappointed if mine doesn't come with its complimentary dose of sawdust! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 Those are voodoo sprinkles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusader Posted November 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 Voodoo sprinkles LOL Well it arrived today and so far I'm very happy with it, and yes it came with its dose of voodoo sprinkles! I've just been measuring the frets and the best match I can get is 24 3/4" using the old 1/18 Rule with some compensation at the Nut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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