Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .

Average Price: $1,900

High-end/Boutique

$500

$1201+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Step back in time with the Gibson ES-125, a semi-hollowbody electric guitar that effortlessly blends vintage allure with modern versatility. Originally introduced in 1941, this classic instrument has been a staple for musicians who appreciate its rich tonal character and timeless design. The P-90 pickup, a hallmark of the ES-125, delivers a warm, dynamic sound that can sing sweetly or growl with authority, making it an ideal companion for a wide array of musical genres. Its aesthetically pleasing dot inlays and trapezoid fret markers add a touch of elegance to its already stunning visual appeal.

The ES-125 is celebrated for its exceptional playability and comfort, with a wider body that enhances resonance and sustain. Whether you're strumming soulful blues or rocking out on stage, this guitar's responsive tone controls offer a broad palette of sonic possibilities. Over the decades, it has been favored by iconic artists like George Thorogood and Sheryl Crow, who have harnessed its unique voice to craft unforgettable melodies.

Perfect for both vintage guitar enthusiasts and contemporary players looking for a distinctive sound, the Gibson ES-125 is more than just an instrument; it's a piece of musical history reimagined for today's performers.

Key Features:

  • Semi-hollowbody design
  • Classic P-90 pickup for versatile tones
  • Dot inlays and trapezoid fret markers
  • Volume and tone knobs for precise sound control
  • Favored by legendary musicians like George Thorogood and Sheryl Crow

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model ES-125
Finish Sunburst
Year 1946 - 1949
Made In United States
Categories Hollow Body Guitars
Body Material Maple
Body Shape Non Cutaway
Body Type Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Brown
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Gibson ES-125
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 19
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration S
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"
Wood Top Style Plain

FAQs

What is the neck profile like on the Gibson ES-125?

The Gibson ES-125 features a comfortable mahogany neck with a set-neck construction, providing a smooth playing experience suitable for various styles, from jazz to blues.

What type of music is the Gibson ES-125 best suited for?

The Gibson ES-125 is ideal for jazz, blues, and rockabilly, offering warm, resonant tones typical of hollow body guitars, thanks to its single-coil pickup and maple body.

How does the Gibson ES-125's single-coil pickup affect its sound?

The single-coil pickup on the Gibson ES-125 delivers a bright, clear tone with excellent articulation, making it perfect for clean jazz chords and bluesy solos.

Is the Gibson ES-125 suitable for beginners?

While the Gibson ES-125 is a classic instrument with great sound quality, its vintage design and specific tonal characteristics are often more appreciated by intermediate to advanced players familiar with hollow body guitars.

What is the scale length of the Gibson ES-125, and how does it affect playability?

The Gibson ES-125 has a scale length of 24.75 inches, which offers a slightly shorter reach, making it easier for players to perform bends and complex chord shapes comfortably.

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Sarah Rogo playing our 1957 Gibson ES-125 at Norman's Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Sarah Rogo playing our 1957 Gibson ES-125 at Norman's Rare Guitars by Normans Rare Guitars

Sarah Rogo playing our 1957 Gibson ES-125 at Norman's Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1959 Gibson ES-125 | Staff Pick by Carter Vintage Guitars

1959 Gibson ES-125 | Staff Pick

Carter Vintage Guitars

Carter Vintage Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1952 Gibson ES-125 Tone Review and Demo by MusicStoreLive.com

1952 Gibson ES-125 Tone Review and Demo

MusicStoreLive.com

MusicStoreLive.com

Video thumbnail for Guitar of the Day: 1953 Gibson ES-125 Single P90 | Norman's Rare Guitars by Normans Rare Guitars

Guitar of the Day: 1953 Gibson ES-125 Single P90 | Norman's Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Gibson ES-125 - Notes on Buying and Review by Billy Hell

Gibson ES-125 - Notes on Buying and Review

Billy Hell

Billy Hell

Video thumbnail for 1958 Gibson ES-125 Sunburst | Guitar of the Day by Normans Rare Guitars

1958 Gibson ES-125 Sunburst | Guitar of the Day

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for The Gibson ES 125: The Most Underrated Vintage Gibson? by Jamie Holroyd Guitar

The Gibson ES 125: The Most Underrated Vintage Gibson?

Jamie Holroyd Guitar

Jamie Holroyd Guitar

Video thumbnail for A 1959 Gibson ES 125 (and a great '50s Gibson Les Paul amp) by williesguitars

A 1959 Gibson ES 125 (and a great '50s Gibson Les Paul amp)

williesguitars

williesguitars

Video thumbnail for Gibson ES-125 (1956) by Organic Sounds Select Guitars

Gibson ES-125 (1956)

Organic Sounds Select Guitars

Organic Sounds Select Guitars

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson ES-125.

Setup and maintenance

  • Some guitars from the 50s may have high action and require setup adjustments, though this varies between individual instruments.

    Source
  • Humidified bags, like the D'Addario Humidipak, are recommended to maintain the guitar's condition in changing climates.

    Source
  • Factory Order Numbers inside the guitar, visible with a light and mirror, are crucial for dating pre-1961 ES-125s, which lack serial numbers on the headstock.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Compared to the ES-150, the ES-125 has a smaller sound, with some preferring the larger body and longer scale length of the ES-150.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Variants include full depth, thinline, single or dual pickups, and cutaway or non-cutaway options, offering a range of tonal and physical configurations.

    Source
  • The ES-125 features a floating bridge with adjustable knobs for altering resonance, not to be confused with the fretboard.

    Source
  • The absence of a serial number on the back of the headstock is common for ES-125s from the early 60s, aiding in age identification.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Ideal for achieving the vintage 50s/60s jazz sound akin to Jim Hall or Kenny Burrell, with a warm and clear P-90 presence.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Prices can range from $2,000 to $3,250, with some deals found through dedicated groups offering lower rates.

    Source
  • Buying from reputable shops like Rudy's, despite a price premium, offers benefits like detailed history and maintenance guidance.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners appreciate the P-90 pickup for its rich, clean low-end tone, especially when paired with flat wound strings.

    Source

Build quality

  • Slight headstock shape variations exist due to manual cutting, distinguishing them from more uniform brands like Martin.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 6 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Eric Clapton uses Gibson ES-125

Eric Clapton

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Christies

Eric Clapton remarked that he loves this model of guitar. He bought this instrument in Atlanta and is featured playing it on the promotional video of Motherless Child 1994.

See how Jonny Greenwood uses Gibson ES-125

Jonny Greenwood

Guitarist

Radiohead

...
Verified via Twitter

This twitter post from the smile shows Johnny Greenwood playing a Gibson Es-125.

See how Thom Yorke uses Gibson ES-125

Thom Yorke

Singer, Guitarist

Radiohead

...
Verified

Thom can be seen playing an ES-125 in this photo.

See how Gary Clark Jr uses Gibson ES-125

Gary Clark Jr

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

Gary Clark’s guitar tech, Dave Holman on the Gibson ES-125:

“It’s basically flat wound strings so that it has that antique sound but yet with a modern pickup with a Piezo (P90) put at the bottom of it. This one’s my favorite. If I had a choice, this one is my favorite, absolutely. When he plays this he usually won’t play with the full band, he’ll just play it by himself and you just get a sense of Gary.”

See how Josh Klinghoffer uses Gibson ES-125

Josh Klinghoffer

Singer, Guitarist

Red Hot Chili Peppers

...
Verified via Photo

Josh Klinghoffer can be seen using a Gibson ES-125 in this photo.

See how Jonny Buckland uses Gibson ES-125

Jonny Buckland

Guitarist

Coldplay

...
Verified via Photo

In this image, taken from Coldplay’s Christmas Lights video, we see Jonny performing with a single-pickup Gibson ES-125 in sunburst

See how Izzy Stradlin uses Gibson ES-125

Izzy Stradlin

Singer, Guitarist

Guns N' Roses

...
Verified via Photo

Izzy is seen here playing one of his two Gibson ES-125 Electric Guitars.

See how Bill Frisell uses Gibson ES-125

Bill Frisell

Guitarist

Naked City

...
Verified via Premierguitar

In an interview with Premier Guitar, Bill Frisell discusses his use of the Gibson ES-125.

See how Dallas Green uses Gibson ES-125

Dallas Green

Singer, Guitarist

Alexisonfire

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video of Dallas performing at the Juno awards, he is playing a Gibson ES-125

See how Pete Doherty uses Gibson ES-125

Pete Doherty

Singer, Guitarist

The Libertines

...
Verified via Photo

In this image, Pete Doherty is playing a Gibson ES-125.

See how Elvis Costello uses Gibson ES-125

Elvis Costello

Singer, Guitarist

Elvis Costello & The Imposters

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video of Elvis and the Rude 5 on MTV Unplugged from 1991, he played a Gibson ES-125, colour looks greenish but might just be natural finish. Single P90 Dogear pickup, very few sightings of Elvis with this guitar.

See how Damien Rice uses Gibson ES-125

Damien Rice

Singer, Guitarist

The Cake Sale

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, Damien Rice can be seen with a Gibson ES-125.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson ES-125, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Fender Jazzmaster
Fender Jazzmaster Solid Body Electric Guitars
2
Gibson ES-335
Gibson ES-335 Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
2
Gibson J-45
Gibson J-45 Steel-string Acoustic Guitars
2
Gibson ES-330 Electric Guitar
Gibson ES-330 Electric Guitar Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
2
ZVEX Fuzz Factory
ZVEX Fuzz Factory Fuzz Effects Pedals
1
Fender  '65 Twin Reverb
Fender '65 Twin Reverb Combo Guitar Amplifiers
1
Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail
Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Reverb Effects Pedals
1
Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 PLUS
Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 PLUS Effects Pedal Accessories
1

More Gibson Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars

Accessories & Related Items

Community setups

Similar

Gear Guides