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$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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1 star

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Kevin Cadogan uses Gibson ES-125

Kevin Cadogan

Guitarist

Third Eye Blind

...
Verified via Geocities

According to this interview (transcribed from the February 2000 issue of Guitar Player magazine), Kevin utilized an ES-125 during the recording of Third Eye Blind's second album, Blue.

See how Tracy Chapman uses Gibson ES-125

Tracy Chapman

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

Quote: "It’s the same with the Gibson, which was the first electric I bought. I played it on the song ‘Give Me One Reason.’"

See how Luther Dickinson uses Gibson ES-125

Luther Dickinson

Guitarist

The Black Crowes

...
Verified via Gibson

In a Gibson interview, Luther Dickinson mentions that the Gibson ES-125 is among the guitars he takes on tour.

See how Jeff Parker uses Gibson ES-125

Jeff Parker

Guitarist, Composer

Dailey & Vincent

...
Verified via All About Jazz

In the image used for this article, Jeff Parker can be seen holding a Gibson ES-125.

See how Elvin Bishop uses Gibson ES-125

Elvin Bishop

Guitarist

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band

...
Verified via Vintage GuitarÂź magazine

In the 2009 Vintage Guitar interview done with Bishop, this guitar was listed as one of the guitars he owned.

See how Louis-Jean Cormier uses Gibson ES-125

Louis-Jean Cormier

Guitarist

...
Verified via Telequebec

The item can be seen 6:46 into this video

See how Bartees Strange uses Gibson ES-125

Bartees Strange

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this cover of Bon Iver's "Skinny Love" for SiriusXMU sessions, Bartees Strange can be seen playing a Gibson ES-125. The same guitar was used while recording the song "Backseat Banton", on 2025 album Horrors, according to guitar.com interview.

That Vibro Champ, invariably cranked, stayed in the mix throughout, with particular influence on Wants Needs and the closer Backseat Banton when in tandem with Bartees’ prized ‘65 Epiphone Casino and a Gibson ES-125T. “You know, it’s just all P-90s,” he says.

See how Joe Shrewsbury uses Gibson ES-125

Joe Shrewsbury

Guitarist

65daysofstatic

...
Verified via Discord

In a discussion with fans on the Discord service, Joe mentions using a Gibson ES-125 on some of the band's tracks, notably their new song "Twenty Four Twelve Twenty". He also mentions this guitar is his favourite model.

See how Bill Harkleroad uses Gibson ES-125

Bill Harkleroad

Guitarist

Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band

...
Verified via Tumblr

As documented in Bill Harkleroad’s interview with Joe Gore for Guitar Player Magazine (reprinted in the link), one of Bill’s earliest guitarists was a Gibson ES-125.

See how Steve Bartek uses Gibson ES-125

Steve Bartek

Guitarist, Composer

Oingo Boingo

...
Verified via Photo

In the user-uploaded photo, Steve Bartek is seen holding a Gibson ES-125 guitar.

See how Marisa Anderson uses Gibson ES-125

Marisa Anderson

Guitarist

...
Verified via Premier Guitar

Listed among Anderson's guitars in this December 10, 2020 Premier Guitar interview.

Custom S-style

Custom T-style

1930s Dobro

1940s Gibson ES-125

2015 Gibson ES-339

Modified 1950s Gretsch Anniversary Model

Ramos-Castillo custom nylon string

See how Gen Hoshino uses Gibson ES-125

Gen Hoshino

Singer, Guitarist

SAKEROCK

...
Verified via Photo

This picture is one of Gen Hoshino’s main guitars. He started with the band Sakerock and uses this guitar. From now it’s still one of his main instruments which he uses most on live performances. For exemple on Enkai live session : https://youtu.be/cIIq8XvdSYI?si=joZ4x7nklJu8tpip

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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