Gibson ES-125 unplugged - Angel Eyes

Dutchbopper · 04-19-2017, 09:51 AM

My new 125 has a nice acoustic sound. Not like an L5 but for a laminate, a pretty loud voice. So I decide to record her unplugged just for kicks. I stuck a mike almost in het lower f hole, added lots of reverb and this is what came out. Not bad for a laminate I'd think. I can only imagine what that 1957 L5 FWS6 is selling will sound like in a recording studio ...

DB

**agentsmith** · 04-19-2017, 10:23 AM

yes, i love this. I like the acoustic sound more than the electric sound I think. I'm sure it's just a matter of dialing the electric sound in...Maybe the mambo is not ideally suited for the P90?

**mr. beaumont** · 04-19-2017, 11:01 AM

Wow, sounds really good. I've played 125's that had that tone...I've played ohers that didn't. Just like 175's, I guess, their acoustic tone is kinda all over the map...sounds like you got a good one.

Nice, laid back playing too.

P90's just scream for a small tube amp in my opinion. One of those times where living in the past is just what the doctor ordered.

**Cavalier** · 04-19-2017, 11:07 AM

Now you know why I added transducers to mine.

Dutchbopper · 04-19-2017, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by agentsmith

yes, i love this. I like the acoustic sound more than the electric sound I think. I'm sure it's just a matter of dialing the electric sound in...Maybe the mambo is not ideally suited for the P90?

Yes, I think you are right Jack. The Mambo does not suit the 125 well. It does not translate the kind-of-acoustic sound satisfactorily. I have been trying out several other amps. Love those Fender tube amps. Especially the Princeton and the Twin ...

DB

Dutchbopper · 04-19-2017, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by Cavalier

Now you know why I added transducers to mine.

What are those?

**TOMMO** · 04-19-2017, 11:15 AM

Love it! Nice tone and great playing! And thanks for introducing me to a great tune I haven't been aware of yet. Need to seek that out and learn it!

Dutchbopper · 04-19-2017, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Wow, sounds really good. I've played 125's that had that tone...I've played ohers that didn't. Just like 175's, I guess, their acoustic tone is kinda all over the map...sounds like you got a good one.

Nice, laid back playing too.

P90's just scream for a small tube amp in my opinion. One of those times where living in the past is just what the doctor ordered.

Quite so. Tube amp wanted! Unless the Katana does the modelling trick well ...

DB

Dutchbopper · 04-19-2017, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by TOMMO

Love it! Nice tone and great playing! And thanks for introducing me to a great tune I haven't been aware of yet. Need to seek that out and learn it!

You don't know "Angel Eyes." ??? That's one of the most beautiful blues tunes ever ....

Total drama, that tune ...

DB

**Cavalier** · 04-19-2017, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by Dutchbopper

What are those?

Internal piezo pickups? I use K&K Big Twins. Despite their instructions on mounting them just inside the F holes on the center edge the best tone and volume is further in on archtops, one under each end/foot of the bridge. I use superglue gel for the most volume and tone.

I doubt you want to get too carried away with yours but mine was a total rebuild so things like stack pots could add volume and tone without more holes in the top and there are pickguard control options out there.

I like this set up a lot for having electric or acoustic sounds or a blend and wired it stereo so each can be processed differently. With a mono cord it defaults to the magnetic pickup which on mine is a custom P90 stack humbucker, a different sound than stock, cleaner but still good punch.

On my recent Swede Bjarton Metro acquisition I added the transducers wired to a end pin jack without any controls or mag pickups and like it so much that I'm reluctant to do anything else. It is louder than the 125 and a bit warmer with a mahogany laminate body.

**Marty Grass** · 04-19-2017, 11:50 AM

Who knew that a relatively thin laminate could sound so rich acoustically?

I had a ES-125 and it never sounded like that. That may be because I was not in front of the f holes while I was playing. Alternatively, it could be that I suck as a player.

**TOMMO** · 04-19-2017, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by Dutchbopper

You don't know "Angel Eyes." ??? That's one of the most beautiful blues tunes ever ....

Total drama, that tune ...

DB

You need to know that I'm a beginner when it comes to Jazz.....

Still lots of stuff to learn and tunes to meet.....

Dutchbopper · 04-19-2017, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by TOMMO

You need to know that I'm a beginner when it comes to Jazz.....

Still lots of stuff to learn and tunes to meet.....

I see. Well, here's some essential listening for that tune:

**mr. beaumont** · 04-19-2017, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by Marty Grass

Who knew that a relatively thin laminate could sound so rich acoustically?

I had a ES-125 and it never sounded like that. That may be because I was not in front of the f holes while I was playing. Alternatively, it could be that I suck as a player.

They really are all over the map. I remember passing on one about 5 years ago because it was pretty beat up and the electronics didn't work...But you could tell just from strumming a chord or two how acoustically vibrant it was (had high action too, probably needed a neck reset, but it sure helped the volume)

But I've played others that sounded like nothing unplugged. But plugged in, that P90 does it's job!

I find myself very drawn to that sound recently...I've been playing my "poor man's" 125 a lot lately (Godin Kingpin) But I'm always keeping my eyes peeled for the right 125...haven't found it yet.

**TOMMO** · 04-19-2017, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by Dutchbopper

I see. Well, here's some essential listening for that tune

Thanks DB! Just found a version by Ella on a double CD compilation I inherited a couple of weeks ago, too. Will browse my modest jazz CD collection for other versions....

**SamBooka** · 04-19-2017, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by TOMMO

You need to know that I'm a beginner when it comes to Jazz.....

Still lots of stuff to learn and tunes to meet.....

That is half the fun .. I have been half assing this for almost 8 years and still dont know AA either.

**TOMMO** · 04-19-2017, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by SamBooka

That is half the fun .. I have been half assing this for almost 8 years and still dont know AA either.

**TOMMO** · 04-19-2017, 12:24 PM

I just found this in my collection but it doesn't touch me as much as your version, DB.....

**Papawooly** · 04-19-2017, 12:26 PM

Wow, I listened till the very end, very fine playing DB...
Somehow, I think you could walk down a street kicking a can and it would sound fantastic.
That 125 is a keeper,
I had one breifly for the rockabilly aspect, it was just harsh...yours (under your guidance) sounds heavenly.

**TOMMO** · 04-19-2017, 12:35 PM

The Chet Baker recording caused goose bumps.

Found another version by Wes and his brothers in my "collection":

Dutchbopper · 04-19-2017, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by TOMMO

I just found this in my collection but it doesn't touch me as much as your version, DB.....

Thanks. Jim leaves out the blues and the drama of the tune and seeks an intellectual approach. So a completely different interpretation. That happens in jazz. People use the changes and the melody loosely and apply a completely different feel. Chet on the other hand worsens the drama of the tune to a complete tragedy. That's his style.

DB

**TOMMO** · 04-19-2017, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by Dutchbopper

Thanks. Jim leaves out the blues and the drama of the tune and seeks an intellectual approach. So a completely different interpretation. That happens in jazz. People use the changes and the melody loosely and apply a completely different feel. Chet on the other hand worsens the drama of the tune to a complete tragedy. That's his style.

DB

Yes - absolutely agreed. Coming from a blues background it's the emotional delivery that usually gets me.

**Jim Soloway** · 04-19-2017, 01:02 PM

Lovely playing. And that's my first real guitar you're playing. I got it when I was about 12 and played it until I was 18. Mine was probably a few years older but they weren't vintage guitars in those days. Just used.