Description

Wow! This is one of those guitars you read about in books, but never actually see. For a very short period only in the entire history of 125s, Gibson used a tailpiece with vertical ridges instead of the raised diamond motif. At about the same time, the pick-up cover was perforated to allow for the adjustable pole pieces to poke through and be adjusted in situ. The pickup on this guitar has the earlier shape, which is narrower and more domed, but has the adjustable poles. So this represents a rather special ‘transition’ guitar between the two variants of the post-war ES-125 and as such, has additional appeal to collectors.

The tuners of this 56 year old guitar have been replaced, as has the end pin, but everything else is original, including the narrow fret-wire that Gibson sometimes used and the lovely tall gold numbered knobs. There is evidence of a small (2.5cm) crack in the side at the top on the lower bout. This has been repaired and wouldn’t affect the sound or performance anyway. You can see it in the photograph. There are also 3 scratches shown in the photos: two on the top and one on the bottom side. These could be made to disappear with some touch-in, if the owner felt that way inclined (we always opt for originality, which is why we’re telling you about them!).

Features

• 15" Arched maple top with f-holes, maple back
• Bound body
• Mahogany sides
• Chunky fifties mahogany one piece neck
• Neck joins at 14th fret, 20 fret fingerboard
• 1 11/16" width at nut
• Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays
• Adjustable compensated rosewood bridge
• Tortoise pickguard (oozing vintage vibe)
• Vertical ribbed tailpiece (very rare transitional feature)
• 3 per side Kluson Deluxe 'single line' tuners (replaced)
• Gold tall volume and tone knobs
• Single coil P-90 pickup (early shape)
• Sunburst finish
• Soft shell case

Keywords

Vintage Gibson ES125, ES-125, Vintage Guitar Investment, Collectors Guitar, vintage archtop, P-90 pick-up, best value vintage Gibson