Gibson ES-125 1953

1953 Gibson ES-125 Description

1953 Gibson ES-125 – This is a simply stunning vintage archtop guitar equipped with a wonderful sounding P-90 single-coil pickup. The ES-125 is arguably Gibson’s most popular archtop and was first introduced as the ES-100 in 1938 before being renamed the ES-125 in 1941.

This 1953 model of the ES-125 has a very comfortable 24-3/4″ scale length and a beautifully crafted rosewood neck that feels as good as the day it was made. Even acoustically, you can immediately hear the rich resonance and precise string detail of the instrument and after plugging in, the tone of the single P-90 offers up simply glorious vintage tones. There is a wonderful clarity to the P-90 pickup that makes it a perennial favourite with vintage guitar fans. Chords ring out with a very even response across all registers and single line runs are clear and articulate, so whatever your guitar style, there is something to enjoy here.

The noticeably light weight of the guitar (5lb. 6 oz) makes this instrument a pleasure to play for long periods and it loses no warmth or bass response as a result. The action is comfortably within a low/medium range but with no buzzing or intonation problems and would be an ideal choice for the jazz, swing or blues player seeking 100% genuine vintage tones and playability. As with almost any guitar of this age, there are some minor wear marks on the finish and a little of the the usual ‘road scars’, but otherwise this is a fine condition instrument with a stunning finish and tone and playability to die for. Gibson guitar making at their 1950’s best. The guitar is supplied with an original Gibson case just to add to the vintage aura.

1953 Gibson ES-125 Features

• Arched maple back and top with mahogany sides
• Body size at lower bout: 16″
• Mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard and pearl dot inlays
• Scale length: 24-3/4″
• Nut width: 1 11/16″
• Kluson Deluxe Tuners – nickel plated
• Contoured tortoise pickguard
• Compensated adjustable rosewood bridge
• 2 x gold tone/volume knobs
• Single P-90 pickup
• Chrome raised diamond trapeze tailpiece