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Just curious what you think of it as a jazz box (amplified, not so interested in the acoustic qualities). I've been in love with 125s since I discovered Martijn van Iterson, and once I found that there was a 125 with a cutaway, I've bben dying to try one. But they're pretty hard to find!
Anyway, I've been following the listings on gbase.com for many months now, but I'm quite wary of ordering a guitar without playing it first...
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02-13-2012 10:41 AM
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I had years ago a 125Thin with no cutaway.
Interesting guitar...
I once tried in Paris two 125TC but didn't like them, as the set up was horrible, to say it sweetly...
(Mine was comfortable to play, if it had a cutaway I guess I wouldn't sell it.)
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I like the idea of the thinline body. I've been working with a teacher for Alexander Technique recently, and one of the things I've started to notice as a result of analyzing myself playing in the mirror, is that I really have to twist and stretch my body to get around the bulk of my big-box archtop (a Samick JZ4, very much like an L5). This of course leads to a lot of unnecessary tension in my body while I'm playing. So perhaps a thinner guitar would be good for me.
I do have a Godin Casino Royale 5th Ave and it's lightweight and thin - very comfortable.
Nice pictures of that Gibson BTW. :-)
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I've played a few in NYC. Sounds nothing like the basic, fatter ES-125. Its thin body seems to produce a thinner sound.
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Originally Posted by FatJeff
Wait, what's that? I never heard of that!
I think Jake Hanlon has a 225? maybe? Perhaps he'll chime in...
I like the idea of a fully hollow thinline as well...Lots of good Grant Green tones come to mind...Last edited by mr. beaumont; 02-13-2012 at 12:31 PM.
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In Canada it is better known as the Godin Royale with Cheese... Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
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They are great guitars.
The key thing about them is neck size - older ones have bigger necks, and most of the 1960's ones I've played have really small necks - worth asking about if you are buying without trying first. You can always change a pickup or other hardware to tweak an instrument, but changing the neck is hard to do.
The ES-225 is similar, usually with a bigger neck, slightly fancier, and also a great guitar.
The Kalamazoo-built Epiphone Sorrento is quite similar but with one or two mini-humbuckers.
The Kalamazoo-built Gibson ES-175T is quite similar as well, but with full-sized humbuckers.
I haven't tried one yet, but the current Heritage H525 is very similar, but has a neck/body joint at the 15th fret - very useful feature and an improvement IMO. It also has a bridge mount like an ES-330 - no wooden base.Last edited by Hammertone; 02-13-2012 at 02:27 PM.
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Yeah, I looked into the Heritage, which would be the only one I would consider besides the Gibson (since it really is a Gibson, after all). But again, I haven't been able to actually play one. Originally Posted by Hammertone
Thanks for the tip on the neck size variable.
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Shows what I know. I looked up the model I actually have and it's just called 5th Ave. Godin Guitars Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
At one point I actually took my 5th Ave to the luthier and asked about possibly putting in a P90 in the neck position - after some looking over, he said it wasn't really feasible since there's some structural material right in the exact place where he would need to cut into the guitar. I made up my mind then to just go for a real Gibby.
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I got a ES 125 TDC (D for double pick-up). It's from 63 and I have had it since 69. The neck is very small (slim) as Hammertone said but I like it. Very easy to play. The guitar is lightweighted and ergonomic to sit with, even for a longer time. Much more comfortable than my ES 175. I haven't got any difficulties in getting a jazzy amplified sound using my Evans amp. It can also produce a rock/blues sound, especially if you use a tube amp. All in all I think it's an easy played very versatile guitar (a bit like a strat).
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Sweet, thanks for that. I might just end up ordering something sight unseen if I can't find one locally to try out. The whole neck width thing is not that big of an issue for me...it's just a matter of getting used to it. Last night I was playing with my classical guitar, doing some bossa nova, and it was weird for about 5 minutes, then no problem. Originally Posted by wallburg
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Epiphone Sorrento, not Casino - I was typing fast - sorry about that. Fixed it.
The Sorrento has a single sharp cutaway, 14th fret neck/body joint, like the ES-125TC. but with one or two mini-humbuckers.
Casino's cool too, but double cut, like an ES-330, with P-90s.
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FatJeff, despite the distance, these 2 links may interest you...
Gibson ES-125 TDC 1962 Electric Thinline Archtop - Gibson ES125 TDC 1962 Vintage, Classic & Just Great Guitars & amps
Epi Sorrento with PAFs Electric Archtop - Epi Sorrento with PAFs Vintage, Classic & Just Great Guitars & amps
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Now that's odd...I wasn't under the impression that Godin was doing anything different structurally to the guitar for the single P90 Kingpin... Originally Posted by FatJeff
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I love my 125 but I also wish it were a bit thinner. Not too long ago I stumbled into a '65 Guild Starfire II. Single-cut hollow body w a wood bridge and 2 mini-hummers that sound more like P90s than most hummers. The Guild also has my dream neck and I've been playing it a LOT! It's not the usual guitar you would think of for Jazz, but the neck pup produces a very nice Jazz tone and my "Jazz guitars" are spending a lot more time in the stand these days.
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Time to break out the screwdriver! I actually think my ES125 mounting screws go into the braces.. dont remember tho.. I can check tonight. Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
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Here's an item of interest for you:
2011 Heritage H525 Antique Cherry Burst > Guitars : Archtop Electric & Acoustic - Wolfe Guitars of Tennessee | Gbase.com
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Exactly...little hole in the top for the lead to go through, otherwise, a pretty non intrusive installation... Originally Posted by SamBooka
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Havn't tried the TC, but I am big fan of the regular 125!
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I meant to comment on those vids you posted this weekend...great stuff man.
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I just sold a Heritage 525. Seriously a great sounding guitar with either rounds or flats on it. Originally Posted by FatJeff
I tried a couple different 225's while I owned the Heritage and none of them sounded as good imo. Maybe I just didn't come across one with the vintage 'mojo'.
The only reason I sold it was that I am moving away from P-90's. I wouldn't mind having the same exact guitar but with humbuckers. I may do some kind of custom order down the road if funds allow.
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Thanks Jeff, still waiting on that Tele vid! Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
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Had a early 60s Epi Sorrento that was cool. Eventually the short scale bugged me and I sold it. But they are a great value. Jazzy tones to to be had. I switched out the Epi minis for Lollar p90s so it was pretty much a straight up 125 after I got done with it.
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I have never owned a 125t but a little research showed me that they often need neck resets. I love regular 125s though.
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I bought a '67 model and put a zollar pick up and it brought out the warmest tone and for my small hands it is an awesome jazz guitar. I would say keep watching the E-bay, G-base. I paid $1200 for mine. good luck.
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