Gibson ES-125 Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1953)

Gibson  ES-125 Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar  (1953)
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Item # 8838
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Gibson ES-125 Model Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1953), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # Y5218-4, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original brown chipboard case.

This is a truly lovely example of the Gibson ES-125, the company's "bread and butter" electric guitar during the late 1940s and early '50s. The model features a 16" wide, non-cutaway, full depth hollow-body of laminated maple with a mahogany neck and dot-inlaid rosewood fingerboard. The single black-covered P-90 pickup is mounted in the neck position, with tone and volume controls capped with numbered amber "hatbox" knobs.

Although originally marketed mostly as a student model, the ES-125 is a fully professional quality instrument, with a sound equal to any single pickup laminated wood guitar ever made. ES-125s were popular from the start, and are often seen in period photographs with players of many styles; the model is still a favorite today. Just over 3700 of these were shipped out of Kalamazoo in 1958 -- the model's biggest year -- and this is a very well-preserved survivor nearly 70 years on.
 
Overall length is 40 7/16 in. (102.7 cm.), 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).

Overall a very nice example, nicely original with a recent refret with vintage style wire. The finish shows light checking with some dings and dents, most notably a few on the back of the neck. The original bridge base has been subtly altered to a two-foot layout from the original full-contact mode, which folks used to do back in the day. Other than that, this is a clean and great-playing and sounding example of this modest but delightful Gibson classic. Excellent Condition.