1953 Gibson ES-125 fret wire and heavy string gauge

**jtguitar** · 12-11-2025, 04:08 PM

I recently bought a '53 125 that has its original frets and it needs a refret. I like the very small frets that are currently on this guitar, does anyone know the fret wire size that these guitars come with (and a modern equivalent). Is it possible to get this in stainless steel as well?

Also I like to play heavy flat wounds (14, 18, 21, 28, 39, 53 - thomastiks) I think the strings currently on the guitar are just 11 rounds. Should I be concerned about the neck or anything else (other than the nut needing to be slotted of course) when going up to such a heavier gauge with the added tension?

Thanks!

**gitman** · 12-12-2025, 06:52 AM

These older guitars are perfectly suited for heavy strings - back then players didn't use "angel's hair" gauges. Whether or not you'll need to file the nut will be clearly visible once you have the guitar strung up. Re the fret size just look here and you'll find what you need :

Search - StewMac

Stainless steel will be more expensive (+ more difficult to install) and it stands to reason whether you will actually benefit from them : the extra smooth surface really matters only when you do a lot of finger vibrato and bending - with a set of 0.14's that will be rather unlikely. In my experience the steel frets do add a little extra brilliance to the tone which can just as easily be added with an outboard EQ or a bright switch on your amp. Played through a Fender style amp it might even be too much .... YMMV

**RyanM** · 12-12-2025, 12:10 PM

Stainless has an annoying ping, too thin and bright for this guitar.

**jtguitar** · 12-12-2025, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by gitman

the extra smooth surface really matters only when you do a lot of finger vibrato and bending

The main benefit I'm interested in with stainless steel would be to not have to ever refret the guitar again

**lammie200** · 12-12-2025, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by jtguitar

I recently bought a '53 125 that has its original frets and it needs a refret. I like the very small frets that are currently on this guitar, does anyone know the fret wire size that these guitars come with (and a modern equivalent). Is it possible to get this in stainless steel as well?

Also I like to play heavy flat wounds (14, 18, 21, 28, 39, 53 - thomastiks) I think the strings currently on the guitar are just 11 rounds. Should I be concerned about the neck or anything else (other than the nut needing to be slotted of course) when going up to such a heavier gauge with the added tension?

Thanks!

Just monitor it to see if the truss rod needs adjusting. I have an ES-125TC and I use heavier gauge strings on it. Works fine.

**bluejaybill** · 12-12-2025, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by jtguitar

The main benefit I'm interested in with stainless steel would be to not have to ever refret the guitar again

Just my opinion, I think those small frets play better after they are ground down a bit. Stainless will never do that. Plus some say they sound different. Plus it's a vintage guitar designed for the older fret material. YMMV.

**MiniMerckx.22** · 01-08-2026, 08:20 PM

.14 - .53 TI's are not really HEAVY in the way DA .14's would. For absolute certainty, the original owner of that guitar was NOT playing .9s. If the guitar can't handle your chosen strings, it needs a neck reset or it needs to be polished and displayed on a wall.

* edited to remove stupidity that was the opposite if what I intended to say.