Gibson ES-125 - Notes on Buying and Review

[@davidsalazar3076]

Awesome video, I’m currently helping my 84 year old friend to kinda restore this same model and I’m basically collecting as much information possible, they are beautiful guitars…

[@briancoyne6700]

I just bought a 125 TDC from Atomic Music in MD. Man, when I plugged it in, the hairs on my arms all stood up. I had never heard such tone. Someone had installed DiMarzio PAF humbuckers. Again, the tone floored me. I didn't buy it then. I waited 24 hours, but I couldn't get the sound out of my head. So I hurried back the next day and bought it. I don't think I'm gonna play my other guitars for a very long time ;)

[@jgunther3398]

"when I plugged it in, the hairs on my arms all stood up" probably hot and neutral reversed on the power plug. your house isn't grounded

[@windmillcancersurvivor2568]

Dad's HS graduation gift in '52. I started a band with it in'69. It was shipped to Nashville for a spray touch up and a new case for $600 in '82. Has slept in the case until now where the celluloid tuners crumbled to the touch. Mom gifted it to my son who had it set up for $150 with new original like tuners at Haggerty Music in Rapid City, SD. We both played it for her on Christmas eve and I never would have believed it could rival my new D18 for playability. It's a beautiful thing in the hand.

[@jstar1000]

Just bought a really nice 57 for $1000 with original case, its super nice and plays and sounds awesome. After cleaning and setting it up, I like it way more then I thought I would.

[@billyhellmaker]

That is a great price too!

[@breft3416]

My first real guitar, a 61 es 125t, is an amazing instrument. Still going strong and with the original owner since 61-me!

[@daviddawson1718]

I was playing a 125 yesterday, I found one in the shop. It was a great playing and well-made. The price shock was the price $2.500, quite a bit more than I paid.

[@pharmerdavid1432]

so u paid $2,450-...........?

[@MicheleConnors-z5k]

I have my grandpa's 1942 es 125 ❤

[@Sm-ne8ff]

I have a couple of the thin models, love em

[@frederickschreyer7627]

Paid $100 for mine in 1970, I was told it's a 1950. Was all shiney. Still got it, pretty beat up, alligatored, plays great.

[@daviddawson1718]

I have the receipt for my 125. It was bought in early spring of '53 for $125. It has more than doubled in price since getting it. No matter, I am not selling.

[@clydebermingham121]

Is the ES-125 same length as the ES-140 ?

[@fastpeak]

cool to see you in the music context! we gotta chat one day!

[@joakeen]

Great guitar. I recently picked up a pretty clean 125T . Would you mind telling me what bridge you put on yours?

[@billyhellmaker]

It is a Compton.

[@kylecravens6501]

Any idea how the acoustic quality of the 125 compares to the L-48? I have an L-48 and love it but miss the ability to plug in and play jazz. Ideally I'd like both!

[@billyhellmaker]

I can't compare but the 125 has poor natural acoustic qualities. My $400 Breedlove kills it tonally. I keep trying to play my big ES125 as an electric acoustic but the sound is just too dull. It could be the flat wounds coupled with the p90. For blues and finger style blues its cool. I'm very close to selling it for these reasons.

[@kylecravens6501]

@@billyhellmaker good thoughts, thank you. The acoustic quality of the L-48 is magical. However, it will not be as loud as a standard flatop like my adi topped OM. Instead it has a folky, bluesy or jazzy quality and even works for classical pieces. I have a friend with a 1959 ES-125 that I have compared but his is a Thinline. It's a HUGELY lacking acoustically compared to the L-48. Personally I can't convert this L-48 to a 125 - it just feels like it's destroying history.

[@billyhellmaker]

@@kylecravens6501 I understand. My 125 is so factory correct I would never do anything to it.

[@golds04]

53 es150- ❤❤

[@jgunther3398]

hell, billy how many guitars are named es-125? there's yours, there's a thin one with a cutaway, there's the cutaway with one or two pickups, there's a little tiny es-125, did i leave any out?

[@ChuckNicholsonTRM]

The ES-125 models made post WW2 all have the same basic body profile and would have an additional model modifier added at the end. ES-125 alone indicates the original model Billy has here (full depth, no cutaway, single neck mounted P90). The additional modifiers would be T for thinline, D for dual pickup, and C for cutaway. You can see those model modifiers in basically any combination coming out of Gibson over the years, ES-125TC, ES-125TDC, ES-125DC, ES-125C, ES-125TD……you get the idea.

[@Mephilis78]

So, you're saying that the ES 125 was just 50 dollars cheaper than a 175... Would be really cool if that's how that worked.

[@sharris70]

Hey Billy, great video. Information is really put together well and helpful. I am also on the hunt for a Gibson ES-125 and I was wondering where you thought the best place to start looking is? Reverb? Have you seen any lately that look promising or have any leads on them? Also, any years that are the best or years that may need to be avoided? Any information is MUCH appreciated!

[@billyhellmaker]

I think your best bet and safest is Reverb. For a high dollar guitar that is the only place I feel secure after the purchase.

[@Mephilis78]

There are at least two great looking 60s era 125s on Reverb as I write this. In fact that's why I came here. First, I wanted to see the dimensions in relation to a person. My second reason was because I wanted to hear what it sounded like, both unplugged and plugged, because when I saw it, it looked just like my Kay archtop acoustic. Seeing the video, turns out I was right, it is basically a regular archtop acoustic with a P90S added. I thought it sounded very good unplugged too. It'll never sound exactly like an acoustic unless you put acoustic strings on, of course. Point is, I think I found an excuse not to have to switch guitars when I can't use my amp.

[@Jack1843]

got a 1959 es 125 looking to sell in AZ

[@Jack1843]

gotta 1959 es-125 looking to sell in AZ

[@daviddawson1718]

There is a 52 125 player, at Encore music in Nacogdoches TX. Asking 2500

[@MDLinzee]

What fretwire did you use for the refret on your ES-125?

[@kevinmerrill1531]

Hi Billy. I'd like to put a Compton bridge on my ES 125, but Wayne Compton is not sure it will fit. How did you go about getting yours done? Thanks

[@billyhellmaker]

I just went through my emails to him and found this - "12 inch radius 2 inch string spacing. I took a photo I will send in a second email. " After that he made the bridge an shipped it. I can can send him the email exchange if that helps.

[@kevinmerrill1531]

@@billyhellmaker Thanks Billy, I would really appreciate that. I will send him an email too to let him know you are sending that. After he shipped you the bridge did you install it or did you have a tech do it? Thanks

[@billyhellmaker]

@@kevinmerrill1531 Installing a bridge like this is pretty simple. You should marke where your original bridge was was light tack masking tape.

[@kevinmerrill1531]

@@billyhellmaker Thanks for your help Billy. I am looking forward to trying out the bridge

[@roguebossa]

Fine guitar, I had one

[@jasonswearingen4675]

That was a great primer. 👍🏻. What is that amp in the background with the Chief's head on it? Great looking ole amp. Cheers

[@billyhellmaker]

That is a hand wound 57 Deluxe . The speaker cover is a potato sack. I used to scour ebay for cool potato sacks to use for this purpose. The 57 sits idle. These day I use my 1 watt Supro Blues King (AWESOME).

[@jasonswearingen4675]

@@billyhellmaker Thats a great idea! Thanks for sharing. Cheers 😀

[@BuchanTokyo]

my favorite: 10:51

[@altarseni4553]

Good

[@timkins9155]

I bought a trashed one from a pawn shop once for $150 and that was too much! Price is too high vs. other Gibson arch tops but it's a bad ass instrument. The collapsed braces prove that arch tops are overly stiff in design, which makes them sound the way they do. But it's not a big deal to take apart a hide glued Gibson. Don't pay much for it though.

[@thegoodlightllc4093]

What is a good price range for a 65 in good condition?

[@majortwang]

🎯

[@TAM-gz5tc]

I FOUND ONE FOR $250. NOT A GOOD PLAYER BUT SUPURB SLIDE GUITAR.