Introduced in 1941 as the next step up from the ES-100, the ES-125 was basically a beginners electric archtop. It featured a single P-90 pickup and a pretty bare bones amount of dressing. No fancy inlays on the fretboard or headstock, just good old dot markers, the gibson logo and an unbound rosewood fretboard. (although early pre-war examples of the model had pearl trapezoid inlays) Thanks to it's simplicity, it sported a lower price tag, which coupled with it's higher shipment numbers (5,629 were shipped between 1948 and 1950) makes for a very affordable vintage guitar today! Many, like the one you see in the photos posted here, are roughly around $2,000 to $2,500. Some examples in worse condition can fetch as low as $1,000 to $1,500 if you don't mind a project guitar.
The example shown here is one of two we have at Rudy's right now. This model is from 1948, though we also have a lovely 1953. The '48 model differs slightly in two key factors. 1) the back is FLAT, not arched, and braced like an acoustic guitar. Later models feature the arched back. and 2) the P-90 seen here is the original, non adjustable version with 6 Alnico slug pole pieces. Later versions of the pickup (1950 and onwards) featured adjustable pole pieces between two Alnico 5 bar magnets. Interestingly, I find that between the two examples we have the 1948 sounds much sweeter, despite the lack of an arched back. The non adjusting pole pieces can be seen as a slight disadvantage but I think it all depends on the individual piece, and this beauty needs no help in sounding absolutely gorgeous. The guitars both feature the classic gibson shorter scale (24.75") and no cutaway, so if you are someone who lives up on the higher frets these axes may not be for you.
All in all, these little wonders are the perfect introduction to vintage guitar collecting, especially if you want something more than a showcase piece. A guitar you could actually gig with! Theres something magical about a piece of wood and steel thats had 64 years to age and sound just right, and owning a piece of gibson history at a time when the company was really hitting it's stride.
As always feel free to comment, or even better come by the shop and try one out! I'll be happy to show you them myself!
K.
