Gibson ES-125 GAS

[skyboltone]

I got GAS.
Anybody gigging an ES-125. Which one, the Thick body? Thin body? cutaway? One or two p-90s?

There's one around here priced right but I want to know how to approach it.

Thanks in advance.

Dan

[Zippy]

Here're a couple:

http://www.mandoweb.com/7_SemiHolloThinline.htm

These were fairly low budget guitars in their time. Whether they'd work for your application is a tough call. Lots of mojo tho'.

[skyboltone]

Holy Cow:
I need to sell something quick.

Ebay: 250015035379

http://cgi.ebay.com/1965-Gibson-ES125-T ... dZViewItem

Hold me back bubba.....

Dan

[BobW]

That's the same model George Thoroughgood (sp?) uses. So that gives you an idea of one of the the tones possible. I used to own an ES330 w/ 2 P-90s and it got a great bluesy tone, similar to the ES125, but broke up a little earlier. Plus it required me to develop my own Rt hand muting technique to control the feedback.

[skyboltone]

That's the same model George Thoroughgood (sp?) uses. So that gives you an idea of one of the the tones possible. I used to own an ES330 w/ 2 P-90s and it got a great bluesy tone, similar to the ES125, but broke up a little earlier. Plus it required me to develop my own Rt hand muting technique to control the feedback.

I didn't know that about G Thoroughgood. He certainly gets that nasty sound. I need to play one and fall in love before plunging that deep with my budget. There are lots of es-135s around with P-100s or even P-90s at much smaller prices and not bad guitars either. Especially with that block of mahogony in there. Still, there's the collector value. Gibson made thousands of ES-125s over the years, in probably maybe 7 or 8 iterations from late 40s till mid 60s. I don't doubt that the rarest would be that TDC. Kind of a cartoon red.

I think any US Gibson or Fender will collect ultimately. There is not one guitar in my past that hasn't increased in value dramatically since I pissed it away for stupid stuff like rent and groceries. Or worse. Now that I'm a retired geezer I aim to buy.....never sell.

Anyway, a new Heritage Prospect goes for $1289. $200 to Jason Lollar for P-90s and rock on! Am I a collector or a player? There's where the wisdom lies I think.

Dan

[Zippy]

There are lots of es-135s around with P-100s or even P-90s at much smaller prices and not bad guitars either. Especially with that block of mahogony in there.

It may have changed since the first issue, but the first ES-135s of the '80s had a block of something more akin to balsa. There are several of them around that have an imprint of my thumbnail in them because I was not yet familiar with the wood that they cited for the midblock. They are certainly much lighter than a 335.

[Noel Grassy]

Mine is a 1956 with uniform checking all over[except the neck for some reason] and only a single P-90. I bought it when I was reviewing my Rock A Billy chops and it was one of those axes that call to you in the guitar shop. It was so made for me[that feeling all instruments you keep should engender IMHO]It chugs like Thoroughgood or Deke Dickerson's rythum stylee & a little attenuation to the tone knob and I can sit back in the mix as a chilly jazz luminaire[yeah not quite with the chops] the tone is universally appealing on the P-90 equipped ES-125's. Oh Yeah, plug in to a high gain amp and all the above has the scent of a full bedpan rather quickly. I can't prevent the amature sounding feedback worth a hoot! Prolly why Geo Thoroughgood's is the narrah one! They're the last of the '50's Gibbos to appreciate in value so it's a real plus if your fundage is lacking. The soft shell cases are the only big bummer.

[skyboltone]

Well,
I been throwing lowballs at guitars all day out of boredom. Be darned if I didn't get one. But it ain't a 125. It's probably a better guitar for my needs anyway. The guitar doesn't have much figure but I can't imagine it's not worth what I paid.

Take a look:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... %3AIT&rd=1

Ebay# 190014937455

[doctord02]

Congrats, that looks like a good deal, case and all.

[fred_farkel]

If you like the Gibson125 you might want to look at a gibson 225. Pretty much the same body but some of them came with two pickups, not just one. I play a jam session now and then for jazz players and there's this guy who plays a double pickup 225. Sweet, very sweet and a real nice playing guitar. Hope this helps.