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Average Price: $1,900
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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
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What is the neck profile like on the Gibson ES-125?
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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.
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What type of music is the Gibson ES-125 best suited for?
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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.
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How does the Gibson ES-125's single-coil pickup affect its sound?
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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.
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Is the Gibson ES-125 suitable for beginners?
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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.
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What is the scale length of the Gibson ES-125, and how does it affect playability?
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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.
Videos
Normans Rare Guitars
Sarah Rogo playing our 1957 Gibson ES-125 at Norman's Rare 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
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Some guitars from the 50s may have high action and require setup adjustments, though this varies between individual instruments.
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Humidified bags, like the D'Addario Humidipak, are recommended to maintain the guitar's condition in changing climates.
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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.
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Comparisons
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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.
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Features and functionality
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Variants include full depth, thinline, single or dual pickups, and cutaway or non-cutaway options, offering a range of tonal and physical configurations.
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The ES-125 features a floating bridge with adjustable knobs for altering resonance, not to be confused with the fretboard.
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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.
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Use cases and applications
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Ideal for achieving the vintage 50s/60s jazz sound akin to Jim Hall or Kenny Burrell, with a warm and clear P-90 presence.
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Value and pricing
User experience
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Owners appreciate the P-90 pickup for its rich, clean low-end tone, especially when paired with flat wound strings.
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 6 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
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 studioâs Moog synth, or make loops in his bedroom, then pipe them into the live room. Other times, heâd double electric parts with a hollowbody, as on the massive âWaiting,â which includes a â62 Gibson ES-125 shadowing his normal Jazzmaster, lending the verses additional rhythmic punch, room sound and color as the tension climbs.
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."
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.
The guitar heâs wearing is the ES-125 he used for overdubs on the bandâs 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
"No, itâs 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 â57 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 â70s Strat through a tweed Fender Bassman. "
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.
In this photo, Leifsson shared some of his recording gear. Near his well-known Fender Jaguar, there is also vintage stock Gibson ES-125.
"'Itâs 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 youâre talking about. I thought Iâd give that one a try, because it is really light-weight, and itâs just a different feel. So, Iâve been using it all this year, and maybe a bit through last year too. Itâs very responsive. Itâs light-weight, so you can just have it slung over one shoulder Freddie King style. Itâs run through the Roland Jazz Chorus, thatâs what I always use for my guitar, thatâs the sound.'
(...) John Mayallâs 1958 Gibson ES-125 - all stock. The only alteration made to the instrument is Mayallâs carvings around the edge of the body. Mayall uses .009 gauge strings on the guitar."
Album Usage
The Gibson ES-125 has been featured on the following albums:
Horror
Bartees Strange (2025)
Motherless Child (Live at the Fillmore, San Francisco, 1994)
Eric Clapton (2022)
THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND
Pup (2022)
Waiting / Kill Something
Pup (2021)
Adore Life
Savages (2016)
A Special Life
John Mayall (2014)
Blue
Third Eye Blind (1999)
Double Nickels on the Dime
Minutemen (1984)
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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