I Found a 1960 Gibson in the BACK OF MY CLOSET...FORGOT I had it!

[@mattbauckman9907]

I think Mr. Ford would be pleased that his guitar made it into your hands. It’s been brought back to life. Nice work, nice playing.

[@mhmoretti]

The fact that you even have the original receipt..this is like Antiques Roadshow worthy...

[@TheGuitologist]

I loved the provenance letter from his son.

[@jangorski-mescir3522]

I'm an old session player and sideman, and years ago while on a tour of the USA and Canada, myself and my touring friend 'Terry' went into a shop in Toronto where I bought the exact same model you have there, and from the same year...it too needed a fair bit of TLC and I had similar issues with the bridge pickup height, so I think that was a factory thing. Terry bought a Hofner Committee from 1964 at the same store, which is eerily like the ES125 TDC, even down to the colour, but with Hofner's own single coil pickups. Fairly recently, as he's in his mid 70s now, he stopped touring, and although I rarely tour these days (I'm in my 60s), he gave the Hofner to me. They are both lovely guitars with a tendency to feedback as I see you discovered! I hope you enjoy your revitalised Gibson as much as I've enjoyed mine for the last 45 years. BTW - if you use a tiny amount of sewing machine oil in the machine heads, they hold a lot better!

[@filonome]

that's an absolute beauty of a guitar, Brad! wonderful coloring from the aging on the bindings and finish! some makers have gotten good at "aging" their guitars these days, but nothing will ever look as good as the real thing!

[@TheGuitologist]

I agree. And it came by its scars honestly.

[@gorlagOv]

Glad I got the chance to check this out! Truly made my morning. Thank you.

[@misterknightowlandco]

How to say baller without saying it… “I forgot I had an awesome vintage Gibson jazz box in my closet worth thousands of dollars” lol 😆. Seriously though that letter… finally reached what he thought was his dream and answered the lords calling. That’s real baller right there. It may have been the peak of his career or just the beginning of it but either way he said no and listened to his heart. That’s bad ass.

[@TheGuitologist]

James B. Ford had obviously figured out what was important in his life and went for it. Rather inspiring.

[@DavidHBurkart]

@@TheGuitologist That letter and the receipt are historic gold with that guitar

[@johnpick8336]

I love when this happens ! I found a $3,000 Hannewinkel Custom Bass in my storage, I thought I had sold it. Good day when this happens.

[@TheGuitologist]

See! I'm not alone! PHEW!

[@smelltheglove2038]

The coolest thing I found in my closet was a quart jar full of mushrooms I forgot I had. Would’ve rather found a Gibson.

[@TheGuitologist]

Could depend on what kind of mushrooms and how big the jar was. ;)

[@Curtislow2]

@@TheGuitologist A little bit will take you a LONG WAY!

[@smelltheglove2038]

@@TheGuitologist it was a full quart jar, probably a full 2 oz. Which really is t that much considering I get a over a pound each run. I usually hand them out to friends and family. Sometimes strangers if I’m a concert where such deeds aren’t frowned upon.

[@manuelarmas8929]

Hi Brad, if by any chance could you show us how to conect the mixer Mackie you have with the camara (phone)/mic. Thankd

[@smelltheglove2038]

@@danielktdoran bummer

[@thestrum71]

What a find!!! 62 years old guitar! Never let it go Brad!!

[@Bangkokguitar]

I love your use of old tools. They don't make a lot of tools with the staying power of some of the pre-70s tools. They're great to have around. They always have their space in a lot od projects.

[@davidhelmuth6654]

For the metrics… Old gear is awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[@musclecarmitch908]

Wow! What a awesome thing to find in a closet! Wish I could find a old charger or cuda I'd forgotten about in the back of my garage! I did find a old Boss headphone amp I'd forgotten I had in a container in my closet awhile back! Awesome guitar! Thanks for sharing Brad!

[@pauldavis6356]

Well, if you were not a luthier in a previous life you sure can be a luthier in this one. You give meticulous attention to all the repairs I've seen you do, but when it's your own instrument you give more. It's was very satisfying to watch you work. Nicely done.

[@simonsmith2642]

Im from Madison county, Indiana, as well as Grant.. I always did my guitar stuff at Anderson music (Music Today) or Dans music, I believe they are still open. Stop by and say hello to Dan if you’re in the area. Ive been gone for many years so if they are still open. Its worth the visit to talk with Dan. Hes a good man.

[@cantyouhearmeknocking1961]

I once found an Orange Micro Terror amp in my "gear closet" that I had forgot about, but I don't think I would forget I had a 1960 Gibson guitar! That's like Christmas in September!! I know you have tons of gear though. It's a beautiful old guitar. I wish I still looked that good, and I'm a year younger! Peace

[@jamesleach9596]

Sweet sounding old Gibson. Definitely a keeper. Wish I had forgotten that I had one in my closet ! Just checked...no such luck !

[@Guitar5986]

That oxygen tube fitting idea is brilliant! Gonna use that one for sure

[@TheGuitologist]

Hang on...give me time to patent it so I can charge you a license. :D

[@BabyThomas]

Randall Smith probably patented it already... :P

[@maluorno]

i could hang out in my rocking chair and listen to Brad strum all day

[@SyntagmaStation]

Hell, doesn’t that happen to everyone? I stumble onto a ‘59 LP in the closet one day, ‘52 Tele in the attic another. You know, typical stuff . . .

[@robnic52]

That's the guitar I have been dreaming of. I like the non-cutaway bodies too, they look so old style and funky but the extra access of a cutaway is the cherry on top.

[@AuntAlnico4]

I love the sound of those vintage p90 pickups ! I wanted to get the George Thouroghgood es125 Epiphone and almost did but after tax it would be around $1,000 so instead of getting the Epiphone es125 I found a used 2003 Gibson ES-135 for$1,100 which is the same guitar with a poplar center block and PAF humbuckers which are awesome and I didn't feel like I was getting too far away from the vintage 125 tones ! I really dig the Gibson and glad I got it over the Epiphone.

[@lonnieo4676]

wow, brought another beautiful old one back to life... congrats to you and James B. Ford...

[@michaelolz]

Really nice playing, Brad. The guitar sounds really nice! Good to see you at work!

[@davidflamee]

Engrossing video. Nice work on the Gibson, and that noodling on the end there. Was willing you on to burst into a John Prine song. Beautiful.

[@christopherguzzi1316]

This video is satisfying to watch on so many levels. Arguably, you could buy a $200 Squier or Epiphone that certainly would play much better, but what would be the fun in that. ☺

[@TheGuitologist]

Eggggs actly

[@littvay]

Brad, you may say this is not collectible but it is still my dream guitar. I own a The Loar LH-301T and it is amazing. It gets more lap time than much more valuable pieces in the collection. There's just no upgrade to go to there but the real deal which is this.

[@fiddlix]

A masterful job of skating around a questionable neck issue caused from a dubious previous repair. You made some excellent decisions based on the circumstances. 👍

[@edwhite7475]

I had the same guitar, one pickup, it was an ES-225-TD. Same 'Ice Tea burst" Mine was a '57.

[@anesvick]

Brad, I just wanted to say that I love your channel and am glad that you post these videos for us.

[@williambock1821]

Was watching this with my dad and he said he had a guitar like this in the army in the 1960’s. He doesn’t play but he bought it cause he just liked it. Gave it away when he was discharged.

[@melvynobrien6193]

Nice guitar. A friend in the FLYING CIRCUS had one when I played with him; he also had a 335 that he gigged with. Back then, guitarists used to do gigs with one or two guitars. I hate Gibson; they screwed me over in 1991, and I haven't used one since. I hope you got the picture of Noel Redding playing my 1998 Axis Sport, a great guitar. When I was rummaging through my storage, I saw a 1970s 1X12 Marshall cabinet, a 1995 Peavey Bandit, a 1991 Yorkville Bass Master 200, a 1994 Peavey Classic 20, a Roland Super Cube 60, a 1994 Fender Jazz Bass, and a couple of other amps, none of which have been used in at least ten years.

[@rocketPower047]

Oh man haven't seen a Yorkville in ages

[@deanbartone8187]

I gotta tell your brother I been watching your videos for a while I completely thoroughly enjoy them. I love how you explain everything and I can absolutely sit here and watch you play all day long. I think you are just a fantastic heart felt soul player if you’re ever in New Jersey, look me up my man, I thought I had subscribe to your channel a while ago. Apparently I did not and just did keep doing what you do. I am a huge fan.

[@jamasters62]

Love the letter of the guitar's partial history. I have a modern version of this, a The Loar LH-302T. Can't afford vintage but love mine to death. Neck profile is like a 59 Les Paul, my favorite. Eventually I put Fralin Noise-free dogears in it because my church has noisy power that made the true single coils feedback too easily. The Fralins are spectacular in mine now.. Anyway, loved this video and dig the "real" version you have.

[@derangedhermit2879]

Nice job with bringing that George Thorgood guitar to life!

[@robertruamps5680]

I'm going home to check behind my closet's door to see if there's a guitar 😂😂

[@shartne]

😄me too.

[@TheGuitologist]

I'm digging up my backyard looking for gold doubloons too!

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

About to do the same thing !

[@robertruamps5680]

I got home... No guitar hung at the back of the door unfortunately but inside a thousand of guitars !!! Then I realized that I own the Gibson factory 🤣🤣

[@NintenDub]

I love these types of videos.i binge twoodfrd as well. I love those videos on in the background. Just seeing work done on guitars keeps me occupied for some reason.i enjoy it more than doing that type of work myself.and I just had my strat in pieces today to do some work on. Watching a video is more soothing to me

[@robertmancini52]

I have a ‘52 es 125. Wonderful guitars and affordable vintage for normal folks. Most of them were played to death but they are out there in nice condition. Great find! Use it!

[@adobbs92117]

I have a 59 ES 225t that’s exactly like that. My father in law bought it in 1961 for $350 !!

[@DavidSmith-ni7ow]

At the time that was almost a years pay at 3,464.57 in today’s inflation.

[@adobbs92117]

@@DavidSmith-ni7ow At that time he could afford it ! He hardly played it.

[@bakstabbath]

That thing sounds amazing. Nice work! I recently pulled out my Fender Kurt Cobain Jag after a 6 month stint in the closet. It's a friggin boat anchor, but it plays so good.

[@dougfelker6797]

Nice to see you working on a guitar

[@TheGuitologist]

Hey Doug! Good to see you. Talked to Keith the other day and loved how the charity guitar came out! Holler at me sometime. I've been dying to come check out the new place.

[@dougfelker6797]

We would love to have you come over

[@WarlikePeace]

What a nice surprise!? Very cool backstory with this guitar. I really enjoyed the music in this video as well. Thanks for sharing that beaut with us!

[@musicmnw1982]

Worth $2500 three years ago. $5500 to $6500 now, ( If it was in good condition and had all the parts). With the cracks and missing parts, $1500 if you're lucky. Good source of parts for a non-working vintage Gibson in better condition and a modern refit to resell later. Keep it. Play it. Love it.

[@timedwards5600]

Brad keep bringing these hidden gems. Love it.

[@Chinaguitarsceptic]

OMG how did you forget this is beautiful

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Great video Brad. Maybe this channel can be a dedicated music channel, no politics allowed ! Can always start up another channel to talk about other stuff ! All the best to you and your loved ones dude !

[@stevesuv]

Brad! I have 2 125s. I love them but the wood bridges are made for a wound G string. Stew mac make an easy replacement of an ABR1 that drops right in the posts. Really helps the intonation.

[@TheGuitologist]

My main problem with the floating bridge is any bends above fret 15 or so and you risk the whole bridge ticking overand throwing it all out of tune.

[@mohamedtlass3842]

So just play them as intended with a wound g. These hollow guitars sound better with thicker strings anyways, with less then 11s on usually will sound too wimpy

[@carrielittlecplaster1620]

thats about one of the coolests storys of a guitar i hv ever heard man. it takes a guitar nerd to know another one lol!!! that fossil sounded great brother. GOOD WORK!!!!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

I love this Guitar

[@AJH8713]

Well that doesn't seem like to bad of a problem to have. That's awesome

[@jonlennon3348]

Brad that guitar gets a really good sound. I love that thing.

[@kirkwilson8738]

Wow Brad.. That is my Dream Guitar.. Sure wish I could afford one exactly like that.. Fantastic Tone.. You are a Lucky Dude

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

That plastic tube connector trick was so good! Those are the kinds of things that once you see, you think that you should have figured that out yourself! And your playing at the end was the jewel of the video. I gotta go back in your history and see if there's something about that amp. It was epic with that Gibson

[@TheGuitologist]

There is a link at the end of the video to my build of that amp.

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

@@TheGuitologist Nice. Didn't see it, I may have bailed out too soon.

[@vayabroder729]

Great specimen that was not messed with. Totally original! The vibrato sound is wicked!

[@kieronjonesanotheredenband8496]

Watching you work on my favourite guitar Brad, is a pleasure. Wish I could buy it from you

[@TheGuitologist]

I’ll sell it to you if you want it

[@electrofrying1685]

@@TheGuitologist haha of course you would..this was just a commercial for a Brad hackjob...perfect for the hapless sycophants that cluster here.

[@amphetamineblue4172]

I used to have a 1959 ES225 TDC in blonde. Basically the same guitar but had a bound neck and inlaid logo. At one point I had 16 guitars, mainly Gibsons and I used to open a case in the attic and go 'oh I forgot I had that one' too

[@MezzMcGillicuddy1]

Happens to me all the time, mate. Found a pre-war D-45 in my other pair of jeans last week, a '59 Les Paul in my glove compartment the week before that. Heck, I got vintage guitars fallin' out of my butt... *sound of crickets chirping. Bemused glares from every direction* I'll get my coat.

[@54fighting5]

Love this video. All the history AND the repair AND the playing at the end was top notch. George Thorogood could learn from this that you can get more than one sound from this Gibson lol. Thanks for sharing!

[@MrTylero28]

I had an ex-125tc YEARS ago it was my very first guitar! Single p90 dog eat at the neck. SUPER microphonic and mine was that burst as well. The neck joint popped and I repaired it with my old man it was a beautiful little guitar. But feedback was Nasty

[@MrTylero28]

Also. Kind of funny to see yours has the same Issues mine had. I had the top dot on the 12th fret pop out.

[@kevinshea4776]

I really enjoyed this video and your playing! Thanks Brad!

[@kudgeond755]

That is indeed a 1960 - that's what the R in the serial number means. That was the first year of production for the ES-125 in the TDC configuration. It was basically a replacement for the ES-225TD when the ES-225 was discontinued in '59, minus the neck binding and the center block to control feedback that came with the ES-225's. I have a similar looking single pickup '59 ES-225T and oddly enuf mine was also missing a dot when I got it back in 1974.

[@johnpick8336]

Those guitars are Heavy. Jethro Tull's Martin Barre plays one in a video and even Martin says " I wasn't expecting that ", after playing and hearing that guitar.

[@TheGuitologist]

Didn't know Barre played one. They aren't "heavy" weight wise, but they can jam. I know what you mean.

[@wadereynoldsgm]

Great video! Thanks, Brad!

[@stevesuv]

That guitar could have been made right next to Claptons Beano Burst.

[@amphetamineblue4172]

They were cool guitars, but not really very well made. The ES125 was the cheapest post war Gibson semi, and it shows if you take one apart and see the construction. Definitely more budget / beginners guitars than the other ES models

[@somestupidwithaflaregun7149]

Well Brad, they always say that if you don't use something for years, (heck you actually forgot you had it), then you should just get rid of it. Yep, just throw it out. I'll send you my address privately. Thanks!

[@lowheadroom]

This is the kind of work where you need a movie on or podcast in the background. Can you imagine not having any external stimulation? Just you and the sand paper and your thoughts. For me that would not be fun. Luckily we live in an age where it’s easily possible to have something going on in the background. :) anyhow, great job. Beautiful guitar ! Sounds fucking awesome

[@mordokch]

You do realize that's tone Bakelite you're casually sanding away there, right ? 😋

[@canigetachannel]

Thank you Brad. 👍✌️

[@dinosauria55]

One of my dream guitars. It sounds amazing!

[@artaccordingtobear3919]

That is a beautiful guitar!

[@Netlife-001]

Great job as ever Brad. More power to yer elbow.

[@christjesusenergetics]

Great story and details. Thank you Brad for great content.

[@browndog666ify]

I would consider that a "prize" guitar!

[@emptypromises2962]

Great video, Brad. You did some fine work on that thing. And you're right, it's not rocket science. Some good, rudimentary work, on a good rudimentary guitar.

[@darrellkelly7614]

Excellent video Brad. Your choice on how to deal with issues that needed to be addressed were steller..

[@chopyouraxx9627]

Sweet those are slot like a bird land but thinner right 👍 find.

[@monmixer]

Nice guitar. It has been well loved. Again

[@tankthelord1178]

Nice one Brad and his magic closet.

[@harrypeters8306]

The bridge is set really low so I'd think that the neck angle is wrong, and the fact that the neck pocket is cracked, would lead me to do a neck reset! Do it right whatever you must do, because nobody will ever be upset if it really is done well! Good luck

[@TheGuitologist]

Resetting the neck is a fool's errand on this guitar. Like I said, there are bolts through the neck heel and a repaired crack, so there's no telling how that will even come apart. In my opinion, I fixed it right and made it perfectly playable.

[@willkupers]

Awesome guitar Brad. I'm not sure, but in the video it looks like the frets are leveled and not crowned.

[@TheGuitologist]

Just natural wear on them. There is some life left as they are. But ideally, I'd want to come back at some point down the line and level the board and refret, and then it'll be like new, or better than new.

[@willkupers]

@@TheGuitologist This guitar deserves it. Success.

[@demuthjesse]

I started having a panic attack as soon as u began digging out that inlay! I knew only mistakes and dark secrets were ahead!

[@dr8627]

i forgot i must of sold my strat. i have a 1964 eb0 bass i will probably sell soon i just need to find out how much its worth

[@TheGuitologist]

reverb.com/p/gibson-eb-0-1961-1968

[@mega1113]

Wow that guitar has a nice sound the fuzz is nice i like it keep it up great video Brad

[@iaingraham4911]

Great to see you back at it

[@fredchatham6680]

I hopefully tore into all my closets hoping to find a vintage Gibson. All I found were skeletons (some new enough to still have some meat on them), and I found JIMMY HOFFA.

[@briansimpson8116]

That's a good looking instrument.

[@TheGuitologist]

Thanks, Brian. Yeah, I dig the way it looks too. Also dig the hollowbody howl.

[@johnhalek9664]

Brad the Preacher Man would not want you to play that Devil music on his Ax .

[@TheGuitologist]

You're probably right. I know some good ol' gospel tunes to even it out though. ;)

[@heinzketchup8489]

Telling your audience you found a 60s Gibson in your closet you forgot about is like trolling them ;)

[@stu-j]

I'm I barking up the wrong tree but didn't the early 125s only have a neck pickup?. I love the florentine cutaways on the old Gibsons... people nowadays get triggered by repairs like this with screws and glue and brackets but probably when it was done it wasn't vintage it was needed for the next Sunday worship! Lush guitar Brad and I wish I was right handed as so many cool things to choose from.

[@TheGuitologist]

This is an ES-125TDC. They came out with these in 1960 and made them for about 10 years. The T stands for "Thin body". The D stands for "dual pickups". The C stands for "cutaway". Earlier 125s had thicker bodies and only a single neck pickup, yes.

[@stu-j]

@@TheGuitologist I get discombobulated with the different Gibson models from the 60s....

[@scarmyguitar]

Man what a gem! Yer playin ain't bad either. Great vid

[@TheGuitologist]

Thanks boss!

[@martinpark8371]

Sounds amazing man!

[@alancontreras5699]

You have the coolest closet, ever.

[@OkFixer]

Tune that daddy-o open, and give us some Hound Dog style slide

[@TheGuitologist]

I kinda suck at slide. Doubt I would have done this guitar much justice.

[@danielsaturnino5715]

Thats a heck of a closet you got there Brad! :D

[@TheGuitologist]

I guess it’s more of a magical wardrobe.

[@whiskeywhiskeyromeo3730]

@@TheGuitologist it's like the Santa sack that pulls out canoes.... lol

[@JaniceLalla]

Nice work and playing

[@TheGuitologist]

Thanks Janice.

[@TeleCaster66]

How could you forget you owned this?

[@TheGuitologist]

Used to buy and sell guitars all the time. Awesome stuff would pass through my hands weekly. This just happened to be in my stash at the time I stopped doing so much trading. And it was a project guitar. Completely forgot about it.

[@TeleCaster66]

@@TheGuitologist OK, that's totally possible. Lol

[@theyjustwantyourmoney4539]

I also found my old iPhone 3GS and a Nokia 3310 I had forgotten in my closet, batteries are hopelessly flat out 🥴

[@WarrenBey]

That thing is "Bad to the bone!" ... I'll show myself out.

[@RasCuban33]

Just looked in mine, 2014 ES355 appeared lol. Is that you Santy Claus!?!?!?? All jokes aside, I love my Es355 into my GA5. Ampeg Reverberocket 212 is amazing with it as well.

[@TheGuitologist]

Nice little rig!

[@deepwater2652]

That's gold, Son!