-
I love my Tal, its a dream guitar; I don't really need another archtop but I know there is/was a 175 in my future...
Actually being the tax money back season for me, I was aiming for an '80s mahogany back 175, but 2 opportunities failed lately; up here we are more limited in choice.
After the praise the Gibson 125 gets on this forum, particularly from DB and watching one of my favorite guitar player MVI playing one, I got really curious.
A 125 is relatively close to a 175 in specs minus the cutaway.
It also has a P90 which is different sounding that any humbucker but mainly it is also a vintage Gibson...
Usually I stay away from vintage instruments because they are mostly not affordable or simply more rare up here.
Beside the desirable mojo like older (now regulated) wood, checking or patina, there is also the risk for structural damage like cracks, sunken top, loose brace, twisted or raised neck.
A 1959 125 which had been just refretted and had its neck planed to a very straight arrow, came on my way.
Its not fully original having lost its pickguard and also its original tailpiece.
But what was important for me, was the playability and tone of the instrument and I was not disappointed.
Being a '50s instrument, I was fearing the neck would be too fat for my taste as I am a slim '60s fan and struggle with anything else.
Fortunately being a 1959, I was lucky and got something just a hair thicker than what I am used too; a very comfortable and fast neck.
I replace the roundwound dental floss it came on with my go to set TI JS112 and a slight quarter turn of the still working trussrod; action was already low enough and impressively I can play up to the last fret thanks to the planed FB.
Playability is top notch and the tone is gorgeous thanks to the original P90 and electronics; still can recall the puzzled face my wife had when I told her, "hey it even got its bumblebee inside"
What is obvious is how resonant it is acoustically and how dynamically responsive to playing it is when plugged in.
I am having a custom tortoise pickguard made and might track down either a not ridiculously priced original clover hinge TP or a reproduction. So far repro TP in nickel I found are only for the thinner 125T model
-
03-29-2018 07:49 AM
-
Great guitar! Enjoy thoroughly.
-
Looks like you've found a keeper! Congratulations, and play it in good health!
-
Wonderful instrument. Some ES-125 I've tried were really stunning guitars. Built light and this damned good P90 PU. In addition, I praise non-cutaway guitars. What's not to love ?
Enjoy your new toy !
-
looks great and in nice shape, even the tuner buttons look good, usually deteriorating on these.
looks like the sunburst faded a bit but still has that great 50s color.
these things were $700 for years, then people started to catch on what a great value they were and prices have steadily climbed over the years.
congrats on your fvgd....[1st vintage guitar day]
-
Oh my, it is a classic! Congrats!
I have been looking a reasonably priced ES125 too for some time now, but no luck in these arctic parts of jazz guitar playing world. Happy for You!
-
Really Really nice Vinlander.
I can really understand the allure of these guitars. Its so nice to find one in great shape like yours.
1959, The year that had the day - that the music died..
So much music happened between now and then. I'll bet that beautiful guitar of yours sang a lot of those songs.
I wouldn't trade my life in for anything. But I sure wish I could have been 17 years old in 1959. And I wish it was 1959, right now!
Enjoy it, and thanks for showing us your new toy!
Joe D.
-
Looks great. I had a 1964 125 and it was the closest thing to my 175 i ever played. they are a great value. congrats
-
Congrats. There is a vibe that old Gibson archtops have that is indescribable. Now you know that! May she inspire your playing for many years to come.
-
Congrats, Vinlander !
Now you know what a '59 Gibson is ! And yours is a true beauty.
My '59 ES125 is a "T", and I love her
Sure you'll love yours too for the many years to come.
-
Lovely guitar! I'm with you on appreciating the humble ES-125. Looked for the right one for a long time. No luck, but did find the Guild equivalent, a '62 X-50. Same neighborhood. Can't beat those old P-90s and equivalent (the Franz p/u in the Guild.)
-
Congrats on a cool new/old guitar.
I've got a 125 on my wish list too.
There was recently a great looking '53 on local CL, but sadly I had to let it pass.
Too much $$$$, and not enough $ in my bank account !
-
Great find and never underestimate the sound of the P90. It can make a tune with a nice melody a joy.
-
couch guitar par excellence...
congrats & enjoy
a beauty
cheers
-
Sweet, congrats
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
I almost pulled the trigger a week ago for a ’62 ES-125TC. Beautiful reddish sunburst, one P90.
But I did not even went down to play it, ’cause it has a thin neck which I do not prefer nowadays. And it has a headstock repair in its history.
And then it is Thinline... I am not sure it will make ’a full’ jazz sound. So I decided to keep on waiting.
Which is the hardest part, as Tom Petty put it.
-
hang in there herbie...you'll find one
headstock break would be my main concern...otherwise, some of those thin bodies can be loud & clear!!...very punchy...good for performing...
but for couch guitar, nothin beats full body (op's) es-125 type guitar..has plenty acoustic oomph and yet can be plugged into amp (and sound p-90 great!) as well
that's a guitar to get your chops up on!! haha
cheers
-
I tried out a 1959 es125T that was louder acoustically than any full depth 50s Gibson laminate I’ve ever played. 17”ers included.
-
Glory be, what a sweet find! An ES-125 with a P90 has always been on my radar. This is no "student" guitar; it is an electric jazzbox stripped down to its essentials. I love the tone plugged into a Tweed Twin Low Power amp or 5e3.
Happy that Gibson sold many of them. For any jazz guitarist, especially someone who does not want to spend too much, the ES-125 is a boon. I have been thinking about converting one to a 3-point mount Charlie Christian blade pickup.
The ES-150 is its 17" big brother but costs considerably more on the used market.
-
In theory here is a lot of 1959 ES125’s around. According to shipping totals presrnted in Adrian Ingram’s ES175 book there is 1673 other ES125 somewhere around.
Compared with ES175s (all varieties) 754 pc. Half of the ES125 – and there is not the T’s, C’s or TC’s in that 125 figure.
Peak year for ES125 was 1956 with 3090 ES125s!
-
Thank you guys for sharing my enthusiasm
Its most definitely a keeper and after its tone and feel, its old library smells is also getting addictive...
Tally will have to share the couch with its older aunty !
-
Congratulations and welcome to the club!
I dedicated a page on FB to the ES-125: The Gibson Es-125 - Home | Facebook
-
1956 .... My year of birth ...
Originally Posted by Herbie
I'll get a nice '56 es125 one day
What issues should I look out for ?
-
Sweet! One of my favorite guitar sounds ever, still resonating in my mind, is a 50's '125 in a small, dimly lit club, being played in a trio by a player who's name I've long forgotten but who's sound made me want to learn the magic being performed back in 1970, 48 years ago! Congratulations on the new guitar. Pretty darn cool.
-
Top caving. Cracks around f holes. Bad neck angle. Dealers overpricing player grade instruments with non original parts. Large retail chains claiming that non original pickups are original. Whatever you do, get an inspection period and post photos here for help with issues. Even better schedule a visit to a knowledgeable repair technician or luthier to examine the guitar as soon as it arrives. Originally Posted by pingu
Reply With Quote
Recommandations for Hollowbodies for $600 and under?
Today, 05:20 AM in Guitar, Amps & Gizmos