Gibson ES-125 1946-1949

[Jaharvest]

This is a RARE ES-125 in awesome shape! Very few were made in this finish as most of them were made in the standard sunburst finish. Will include a hard shell case in picture (Unsure if it's original).

This guitar is in very good condition, and in perfect working order. Overall, I would rate the condition a solid 8.5 out of 10. The original pickup was swapped for a Gibson Dog Ear P90. Wiring, tone knobs and pots were also replaced. Original pots, wiring, tone knobs and pickup is included with the guitar. Both front and back of the guitar are in great shape. Sides looked to have been refinished or an extra layer of finish was added to preserve the guitar. Overall the guitar is in great shape for it's age. There are no cracks, repairs, or issues. The neck is straight with no issues and plays great. The original frets are in good condition. No buzzing or dead spots. It's setup nicely with flats but would recommend a setup to your liking.
Please feel free to reach out if you wanna chat or want a video.
Blessings.

3000 OBO

[Doug B]

Price?

[omphalopsychos]

Pickguard and bridge are not original either. Tuners and tailpiece also look to be replaced.

Is the back of the neck also refinished?

Btw you forgot to include a price. I'd be happy to recommend one but you might prefer to determine that for yourself.

[Jaharvest]

Sorry yes just added the price. thanks

[omphalopsychos]

Someone else pointed this out to me but I’m realizing that this might be refinished all over and not a hog top at all. The original hog top ones had les Paul style trapezoid inlays rather than dots.


OP can you show a photo of the pickup? The early hog ones also came with alnico slug p90s.

[omphalopsychos]

I’m not a wood grain expert but someone else called out that the top might be maple.

[Hammertone]

Trussrod cover and tuner ferrules look original!

[Jaharvest]

[omphalopsychos]

What's that pickup? Definitely not original to the guitar.

[skykomishone]

This is a '46 mahogany for reference..

[skykomishone]

Not unusual for tuner buttons and pickguards on these to rot and require replacement.

[omphalopsychos]

here’s one that I had several years ago.

[wintermoon]

Mahogany is an open grain wood that's usually straight grained (not always) and doesn't typically have the swirl pattern the guitar for sale has. The neck is mahogany for reference.
This guitar is likely completely refinished and the top and back stained matte brown.
glwts......

[Jaharvest]

The figure of mahogany is extremely variable. And this feature also adds to the appeal. Some boards may exhibit a wild, swirling pattern while others appear more subdued.

[omphalopsychos]

Javarvest not trying to degrade your post but just making some comments. I actually agree with moon on close inspection. Whether it’s mahogany or not the stop definitely doesn’t look like the original hog tops (burst or natural). I’m pretty convinced it’s a refinished top and back in a matte finish (in contrast to the close opaque finish on the sides).

[customxke]

Sides appear to have been painted brown....it looks like whoever did it painted over the binding.

[Jaharvest]

Thanks for all the advice and ill look into it. top and back have not been refinished but ill have my tech look into it. Sides and neck look to have been re-polished or coated with a clear.

[omphalopsychos]

Whatever was used to refinish the sides is definitely not "clear" in any sense that I know that word to express.

[mr. beaumont]

Looks like brown stained maple to me.

Also, the headstock looks...off. Too short? The "horns" are really rounded too...

[Hammertone]

Here's a "before" shot of a 1950 mahogany L-48 that has magically become a 1950 ES-125:

[omphalopsychos]

Maple top ES 125
Non-professional grade refinish, sides and neck not matching back and top
Replaced electronics and pickup (originals not included)
Replaced hardware (bridge, pickguard, tuners)
Potentially replaced tailpiece


I think the seller will be lucky if they get $900. The original p90 itself contributes about half the value of that guitar, which they don't have.

[jazzshrink]

A minor point compared to the inconsistencies already noted, but I don't think cardboard qualifies as a "hardshell case."

[Hammertone]

Maple top ES 125
Non-professional grade refinish, sides and neck not matching back and sides
Replaced electronics and pickup (originals not included)
Replaced hardware (bridge, pickguard, tuners)
Potentially replaced tailpiece
I think the seller will be lucky if they get $900. The original p90 itself contributes about half the value of that guitar, which they don't have.

The tailpiece is interesting. Gibson seems to have used various tailpieces for the post-war L-48/ES125 - that old Kluson tailpiece might be original. Mine (1950) originally had the same super-cheese tp as the one posted by skykomishone. I replaced it with a period-correct Waverly tp that matches the existing tp mounting holes. The guitar has since been converted into an ES-125, and the original tp re-installed.

[omphalopsychos]

HT you're right. The early 125s are all over the place and this could be an original tailpiece. Given the other mods I'm not 100% sure.


As for the case, there was no original hardshell case for these. I'm pretty sure Gibson sold them in cheap ass chipboard cases that have mostly disintegrated.

[customxke]

As for the case, there was no original hardshell case for these. I'm pretty sure Gibson sold them in cheap ass chipboard cases that have mostly disintegrated.

That’s not actually true. Gibson offered the Challenge (soft) case as well as the Faultless (hard) for these, at least in the 1949 catalog. Regardless, the case pictured in the original post isn’t a hard case, and isn’t original.