The Guitar

Here’s a genuinely special semi-hollow that doesn’t get the attention it deserves. A 2008 Gibson Custom Shop ES-137 Custom in Triburst, thoughtfully upgraded by a previous owner and priced to reflect both the modifications and the honest cosmetic wear this guitar carries. The ES-137 was Gibson’s premium entry in the thinline semi-hollow category, sitting above the ES-335 in the lineup with full Custom Shop appointments, a solid spruce center block, and a level of fit and finish you simply don’t find on the standard production models. Gibson only produced the ES-137 for a relatively short window, and the Custom variant with its bound headstock, ebony fingerboard, and distinctive split-diamond fretboard inlays in the style of the Trini Lopez model is the one worth having.

Triburst is one of the more striking finishes Gibson offered on this model, and on the ES-137’s carved maple top it has real depth and presence. This is a guitar that commands attention in a room before you’ve played a note.

Condition — Honest & Detailed

This guitar presents very well overall and the Triburst finish has excellent depth and color. As with any nitrocellulose-finished instrument of this age, there is finish checking throughout, which is entirely normal and expected on a 17-year-old Gibson and in no way affects playability or structural integrity. There are also minor dings and dents consistent with a guitar that has been played and used. The one area worth calling out specifically is the headstock, where the finish shows some delamination. It is cosmetic only and does not affect the headstock’s structural integrity or the guitar’s playability in any way, but we want buyers to know exactly what they’re getting. As with any instrument of this age, there may be additional minor marks or imperfections consistent with 17 years of life that are best assessed through the photos. Additional photos are always available on request.

It’s the kind of honest wear that tells you this was a real instrument in someone’s hands, not a guitar that sat in a closet and was never enjoyed.

Provenance & Documentation

This guitar comes with its original Gibson Custom Shop Certificate of Authenticity. For a modified example like this one, the COA is a meaningful piece of the package — it confirms exactly what this guitar is, where it came from, and what it left the Custom Shop as. Combined with the original hardshell case, you have a complete and verifiable provenance picture.

Upgrades & Modifications — Full Disclosure

This guitar has been upgraded throughout by a previous owner, and in the interest of full transparency, here’s exactly what was done:

The original 57 Classic pickups have been replaced with Gibson Custom Shop Custombuckers. The Custombuckers are among the most respected vintage-voiced humbuckers Gibson produces, hand-scatter-wound to PAF specs, and they are a meaningful tonal upgrade over the stock 57 Classics in this application. If you prefer the original 57 Classic voice, we are happy to swap them back in prior to shipping at no charge — just let us know when you purchase. The 57 Classics are not included with the sale.

The original Varitone circuit has been removed and the electronics have been fully rewired with 50s wiring and 500k pots. The 50s wiring configuration is widely regarded as the more responsive and touch-sensitive option, cleaning up beautifully with the guitar’s volume control in a way the modern wiring does not. The original Varitone wiring harness and circuitry will be included with the guitar for any buyer who wishes to restore the guitar to stock configuration.

The original tuners have been replaced with Gotoh locking tuners, a meaningful practical upgrade that provides rock-solid tuning stability.

The volume and tone knobs have been replaced with aftermarket knobs that appear to be of Ibanez origin. They function perfectly. If original Gibson top hat or speed knobs are important to you, these are inexpensive and easy to source.

The Case

Comes with the original Gibson hardshell case, fully functional and protective.

Who Is This For?

This is a guitar for the player who wants a premium thinline semi-hollow with serious tonal credentials and doesn’t need it to be showroom perfect. The ES-137 Custom is a genuinely excellent platform, the Custombuckers are exceptional pickups, and the 50s wiring makes this one of the most responsive and dynamic versions of this guitar you’re likely to find. The COA confirms its Custom Shop provenance, and the Varitone harness is included if you ever want to go back to stock. These don’t come up often in this configuration, and the ES-137 Custom is consistently undervalued relative to what it actually is.

Additional photos available on request, just send a message.

Shipping

Local pickup is always welcome. All guitars shipped by KanaLei Music are shipped using Reverb’s Safe Shipping option, so your purchase is protected from the moment it leaves our hands to the moment it arrives at yours.

Specifications

∙ Year: 2008

∙ Model: Gibson ES-137 Custom

∙ Country of Origin: USA

∙ Finish: Triburst

∙ Body: Thinline semi-hollow, laminated maple top, solid spruce center block

∙ Neck: Mahogany, glued set neck

∙ Fingerboard: Ebony

∙ Inlays: Split-diamond inlays, Trini Lopez style

∙ Binding: Multi-ply body and neck binding, bound headstock

∙ Scale Length: 24.75” (Gibson short scale)

∙ Pickups: Gibson Custom Shop Custombuckers (neck & bridge), hand-scatter-wound to PAF specs

∙ Electronics: Fully rewired, 50s wiring, 500k pots; original Varitone harness included

∙ Knobs: Aftermarket (appear to be Ibanez origin); fully functional

∙ Tuners: Gotoh locking tuners

∙ Hardware Finish: Gold

∙ Modifications: Pickup swap to Custombuckers; Varitone circuit removed, 50s wiring installed; Gotoh locking tuners installed; aftermarket knobs installed

∙ Cosmetic Notes: Finish checking throughout consistent with age; minor dings and dents; headstock finish delamination (cosmetic only)

∙ Documentation: Gibson Custom Shop Certificate of Authenticity

∙ Included: Original Varitone wiring harness and circuitry

∙ Case: Original Gibson hardshell case​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​