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04-16-2017, 09:41 AM #1Dutchbopper Guest
As you may know from my latest Blog entry I went to Amsterdam a week ago to check out an L5 and some other guitars. I ended up at the String playing a 60s ES 125 that blew me away. It was not even on my wish list so I left without purchasing it. But you know how it goes. The guitar kept haunting me for a few days and friday last I drove back to Amsterdam and finally got it.
It's a 1964. I used to have a 51 that I sold years ago so I know the model quite well. This one has a lighter top than my previous one (and a 3 tone sunburst instead of the older 2 tone) and cosmetically, I like it a little better. For the rest it is very similar. The guitars is in so so condition. Finish cracks (craquelee) and dents and bruises are all over the place. The maple top and back are reasonably well preserved but the mahogany sides are battered. No strucutural damage though. No real cracks and no repairs. All original (even the tuners) except for the pickguard. And it has had a refret.
The guitar needs some fretwork high up the fretboard (major buzzing in some places) so I need to spend some 150 extra bucks to get that fixed. But my luthier really dug the guitar. And so do I.
It plays and sounds ... just like a ES 125. Very similar to my old one. Tons of vintage mojo.
The ES 125 is probably the last affordable vintage Gibson but I have noticed that prices have been going up for this model too recently. You see them over 2k already ...
Some pics:
This morning some clips quickly. Not my best playing - just some noodling - but you'll get an idea of its sound:
Regards,
DBLast edited by Dutchbopper; 04-16-2017 at 09:48 AM.
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04-16-2017 09:41 AM
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Congratulations! I had a suspicion it wouldn't take too long before you would buy an ES-125 again! ;-)
It's a nice one! Most 125s out there are pretty battered, but I think it's part of the charm. Yours in a lot better condition than mine cosmetically, but hey, the sound is not in the looks :-)
Now I am really curious if the 125 will make you play your other guitars a lot less! (I think it will, haha!)
Enjoy it in good health!
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Congrats! Enjoy in good health!
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Looks and sounds great. It's in good hands, thankfully!
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Congrats! May it inspire your playing for many years to come.
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Awesome - what a great sound. You must be happy! Congrats
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Oh, man! That's a sweet lil' thing! Congratulations, and play it in good health!
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Way to go, Dutchbopper. I absolutely loved my ES-125. It was a 60 or 61. I had it until I got my 68 175, then I decided I didn't need both. Too bad, because the 125 was SWEET! For one thing, it had more acoustic volume than the 175 did. The electric sound, with the P90 was, IMO, better than the sound of the 175 with humbucker.
Simply a great guitar.
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Congrats ! Enjoy !!
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Congratulations on a wonderful looking and sounding guitar. Van harte gefeliciteerd er mee !
Enjoy it in good health !
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i actually prefer the sound of your BK and 175 over this!
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I don't have the sensitive ears that many of you have. For me, it was nice and thick. I especially liked that Blues rendition (some tasty licks to try and incorporate in my own playing)!
After seeing Martijn with one of these, for me, they carry a special "mojo." Enjoy in good health.
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That sounded reall great , to my ears anyway
Your picking is really clean DB ! I love your sound ....
What kinda strings are on that 125 in the two clips below
You make me want an old 125 , even more now !
Damn
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I am guessing that was the Mambo Amp.
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Very nice guitar. And you sound good with it.
MD
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Dutchbopper,
Is there a name to the Blues song that you played? If so, please share it before I have to go and seek counseling.
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Kenny Burrell''s "midnight blue."
Originally Posted by AlsoRan
And played very well, I might add.
Congrats on the 125. They're little the bad asses of the arch top world.
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Thank so much, Mr. B. This is why you are one of the favorites around here! Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
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04-18-2017, 09:44 AM #19Dutchbopper GuestNo, I ran it through an amp modeller. I often do that. Originally Posted by AlsoRan
Regards,
DB
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04-18-2017, 09:46 AM #20Dutchbopper GuestThanks. I have a 0.11 TI Jazz Swing set on it. Originally Posted by pingu
DB
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04-18-2017, 10:50 AM #21Dutchbopper GuestIt does not sound like a 175 and not at all like a Kessel (which does not sound like a 175 either). In fact I like that because I already have that sound in the other guitars. Originally Posted by agentsmith
The 125 is of a much lighter build than my 175 and it has a more vibrant top. It is much louder acoustically therefore.
I'd assume the 125 is a bit like the one pupped 50s ES 175 soundwise?
DB
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Great find, sound and playing! Keep that combination together.
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Man, is technology advancing or what? Even though its been around a few years, the quality of recordings made without guitar amplifiers still never ceases to amaze me. Originally Posted by Dutchbopper
I had better go ahead and start moving more in that direction as well.
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great sounding jazz box!
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I was listening to Dutchbopper's take on Kenny Burrell's "Midnight Blue." (1) Great playing. (2) The sound of the Gibson ES-125 is both different and, dare I say it, _better_ than the ES-175. I know that it was a beginner's guitar. Having owned both guitars, however, I can say that I agree with Dutchbopper that the lighter 125 got a better tone for both jazz and blues than the 175.
A really good example of a 50s, P90-equipped 175 is virtually on par with a 125, but in general I'd prefer a 125.
Now, finding one that hasn't been parted out is another matter.
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