Help: Gibson ES-125TC

[Phil59]

I have the chance to buy one of these. It's an ES-125 thinline with florentine cutaway. They were made in the 1960s. I have not played it yet because the bridge is not on. It has the old guitar feel and smell, with some dings and checking, similar to my ES-125. The headstock, pickup, bridge and tailpiece look similar and original. The tuners are not original. No pictures yet. The catch: There is no serial number on the headstock and no label inside. Did Gibson make any or many of these? Could it be a prototype? How else could I determine if it's the real thing?

[Cavalier]

Well you need to look inside for the faint blue stamping. Try a black light. My 58 ES125 is very hard to see.

[339 in june]

As stated above :
through the bass f-hole for guitar type :

and through treble f-hole for FON number :

The letter states the year of manufacturing : S is for 1959, R for 1960 …

[rabbit]

I've an ES-125T (non-cut) and i can't find even an 'FON.'

It is my favorite with it's full-figured sister '52 ES-125 right behind.
I can just barely detect an FON in this guitar (the 'big' one.)

Be careful with the neck & neck-joint, which you likely already know about.
I mention it 'cause I also once had a bad ES-125T.

I hope you are lucky and this proves to be a great guitar for you.

[Phil59]

Thanks! No numbers visible. But the local expert agrees it's the real thing and says Gibsons without numbers were not uncommon at all. The neck is not ideal but OK. A few other issues, relatively minor.

[L50EF15]

I had a ‘66 ES 125TC; it was all original. I miss that one.