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$500

$1201+

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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
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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Richard Fortus uses Gibson ES-125

Richard Fortus

Guitarist

Guns N' Roses

...
Verified via Richardfortus

In "gear" section of Fortus website, the 1968 Gibson ES-125 is visible.

See how Glen Hansard uses Gibson ES-125

Glen Hansard

Singer, Guitarist

The Frames

...
Verified via Yahoo

Uses on multiple songs etc, first I'd seen it used was on Low Rising

See how Steve Sladkowski uses Gibson ES-125

Steve Sladkowski

Singer, Guitarist

Pup

...
Verified via guitarworld

Used on Pup's 2022 album, "THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND", namely on the song "Waiting" (according to the November 2022 Guitar World interview).

At times, Sladkowski would play through the same pedal chain as the studio’s Moog synth, or make loops in his bedroom, then pipe them into the live room. Other times, he’d double electric parts with a hollowbody, as on the massive “Waiting,” which includes a ’62 Gibson ES-125 shadowing his normal Jazzmaster, lending the verses additional rhythmic punch, room sound and color as the tension climbs.

See how Gemma Thompson uses Gibson ES-125

Gemma Thompson

Guitarist

Savages

...
Verified via Photo

In this interview with Premier Guitar magazine, Thompson indicates that she played a vintage ES-125 during the recording of Savages' album Adore Life. "It was a Gibson ES-125 from 1960. It created some really beautiful low-end feedback, which was interesting. An MXR Blue Box on that instrument was quite an interesting sound."

See how George Thorogood uses Gibson ES-125

George Thorogood

Guitarist, Singer

George Thorogood & The Destroyers

...
Verified via Guitarplayer

George Thorogood is quoted to have first started as an acoustic player, and moved to a semi acoustic, Gibson ES-125, because he liked the arched top, and similar feel of his original acoustic guitar he first learned on.

See how D. Boon uses Gibson ES-125

D. Boon

Guitarist, Singer

Minutemen

...
Verified via Photo

The guitar he’s wearing is the ES-125 he used for overdubs on the band’s magnum opus, Double Nickels on the Dime. Photo by Bev Davies/Courtesy of Mike Watt

Edit: A link to the article featuring the photo: https://www.premierguitar.com/artists/forgotten-heroes-d-boon

See how Iron & Wine uses Gibson ES-125

Iron & Wine

Guitarist

...
Verified via Premierguitar

"No, it’s a friend of mine named Jim Becker playing slide on his Tele. He plays it with a volume pedal, so the volume swells sort of like a steel guitar. Actually, there are two tracks of slide. The other is me playing my ’57 Gibson ES-125 with a single P-90 at the neck. I love that guitar. I also played the chugging, blues-type rhythm on my early ’70s Strat through a tweed Fender Bassman. "

See how Kristian Bell uses Gibson ES-125

Kristian Bell

Singer, Guitarist

The Wytches

...
Verified via YouTube

Kristian Bell is seen using a Gibson ES-125 in the music video for "Weights & Ties" by The Wytches, as featured on the YouTube channel Off The Record.

See how Brynjar Leifsson uses Gibson ES-125

Brynjar Leifsson

Guitarist

Of Monsters and Men

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, Leifsson shared some of his recording gear. Near his well-known Fender Jaguar, there is also vintage stock Gibson ES-125.

See how John Mayall uses Gibson ES-125

John Mayall

Guitarist, Singer

Mick Fleetwood and Friends

...
Verified via Archive

"'It’s been sitting in a closet for a while. The guitar on A Special Life album was what I was using on the road for that particular album. But then I found the semi-acoustic one, the Gibson you’re talking about. I thought I’d give that one a try, because it is really light-weight, and it’s just a different feel. So, I’ve been using it all this year, and maybe a bit through last year too. It’s very responsive. It’s light-weight, so you can just have it slung over one shoulder Freddie King style. It’s run through the Roland Jazz Chorus, that’s what I always use for my guitar, that’s the sound.'

(...) John Mayall’s 1958 Gibson ES-125 - all stock. The only alteration made to the instrument is Mayall’s carvings around the edge of the body. Mayall uses .009 gauge strings on the guitar."

See how Carl Perkins uses Gibson ES-125

Carl Perkins

Singer, Guitarist

Tennessee Three

...
Verified via Photo

Carl Perkins used the Gibson ES-125 from the late 1940s to the mid-1950s. This guitar, along with his Harmony Silvertone, was one of his first main electric guitars before he acquired his iconic Goldtop. This information is supported by a user-uploaded photo.

See how John Oates uses Gibson ES-125

John Oates

Singer, Guitarist

U.S.A. for Africa

...
Verified via Vintage GuitarÂź magazine
Year: 1967

In this interview, John Oates confirms using the 1967 Gibson ES-125.

“Dreaming About Brazil” is bossa nova translated through Philadelphia R&B! I played that on a ’67 Gibson ES-125 with a P-90.

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.

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