I had a chance to play a 55 gibson es 125, at all places, Sam Ash. Allthough checkered, it looked good. When i put it in my hands, it was like one of those twilight zone episodes where its life flashed before me. Made me wonder all the people that have played it. It had, for lack of a better word, mojo. It played very well, no buzz. They were asking 1699, and have flexibility. if it had a cutaway, i would have put a deposit on it, even with my concerns of necks coming loose, and tops caving in. It was one of the few times i played a guitar and it just fit. Any advice on what to look out for on these older models? I checked the tuners, tail piece, they seemed original from pictures i have looked up. The pick up worked, no scratchiness, the pick guard felt like it might crumble some time soon. Binding was yellowed, and it had its share of checking. There was no label on the inside, or marks that showed it was a gibson es 125, i wil get the serial number today to research some more.

My concerns are, if I pass it up, will another play as well? Is it true these are not that easy to set up as modern guitars. From what i see on ebay, this guitar should be closer to the low 1000's, maybe 1200 or so. Any thoughts on that? Would love the TDC version, but the ones i keep finding have a lot of rebuilt, or replaced parts and paint, or neck re done, and there ones that are pristine go for over 2500.

Can I ever get over the non cutaway? Will use it for my jazz studies, but i will also crank it as the blues machine it can be.

Wow FF, to even find that at a SamAsh, wonder what the former owner traded for???
I think you already mentioned some points when you checked out the 125,
But i would look closely for any cracks/repairs and have the samash tech (if he's qualified) check out the truss rod to make sure there are no issues,,,
Now will you ever get over the lack of a cutaway??? Lol .,, if the shoe fits ,,,

I thought these didn't have truss rods, that the only way to fix it was to reset the neck......Learn something everyday. I never had a repair done there, so i don't know the caliber of their tech, but if the condition of the new and used guitars on their shelves is an indication, I wouldn't use them. I played a es 137, a new one, and a used one, the used was beat up, dusty and smudgy, but played okay, the new one was dusty, smudgy, and needed a big set up. A lot of the guitars i pulled down needed some work.

They have truss rods. I wouldn't quibble over a couple of hundred dollars if you love it. Having a good tech look at it first is all you need. This guitar was built by the same hands, hearts, and minds that built L5s and Super 400s; those old-growth timbers are gone forever. Somewhere today, someone is buying a new Epiphone 335 and a Bugera for $1,500. You win.

Your probably right. I just keep running into the body, no cutaway. I am in negotiations with the store, in the meantime, I am keeping both eyes open for a TDC, thats reasonably priced as well.

I had one of those years ago and I just never bonded with it or something. Looking back I wish I'd worked with it more. The one I had just had that one sound. Felt clunky to play. No sustain. Kind of stiff. But they are not all the same - if you found one that works that well for you I'd be inclined to say get it.

I know al about having guitars you don't bond with. What makes us get them in the first place? Its definatley a unique taste, the es 125 tdc. Kind of like gretsch's. Some people just don't like them. I know I shouldn't say that here, but we all met people that think the gretsch either looks weird, or has a certain sound........At least its not pointy!

Look around and see if you can find an old Gretsch Clipper. It's a very similar guitar, but you'll find one for half the price.

I had one:

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z48/victorkennedy/DSC09837.jpg

And I can put a P90 in it. Thanks for the tip, I will check it out.

I had a nice old 125 from 51' for several yrs. 1 P90, all original. Including the beat cardboard "faux alligator" case and original receipt from 1951.
Was a very well made nice old guitar, but I was scared to gig with it. Its seemed so fragile.
The tuner buttons were deteriorated, and there was some checking, but other than that..
That old P90 sure did sound good.
I bought it for $350 in 1991 or so, and sold it for $800 around 2004.

Look around and see if you can find an old Gretsch Clipper. It's a very similar guitar, but you'll find one for half the price.

I had one:

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z48/victorkennedy/DSC09837.jpg

They are a bit more economical, but they have that gretsch sound, at least from what i found on you tube. Wonder if the P90 would warm it up a bit?

While i am at it. As far as gibbons, the only thing that looked close to it is the newer es 137, same size body wise, same cutaway, but it has gibson hum buckers. They have a good sound, but has any one heard someone put a P90 in one?

While i am at it. As far as gibbons, the only thing that looked close to it is the newer es 137, same size body wise, same cutaway, but it has gibson hum buckers. They have a good sound, but has any one heard someone put a P90 in one?

I can't speak to the 137 but I do have an Es135 with the p100's. Love 'em. I have a casino with the P90's to compare them with, and I gotta say the p100's have as much bite and growl overdriven, but can get jazzy warm.

And I can put a P90 in it. Thanks for the tip, I will check it out.

When I had mine I actually bought a P90 to put in it, but I couldn't bring myself to cut it.

When I had mine I actually bought a P90 to put in it, but I couldn't bring myself to cut it.

I am guessing, that if you do cut one in, the future reversal will be difficult.

I think the 137 has a center block. The 135 didn't and certainly the es125 doesn't. The feedback issue is a concern if you are going to gig at moderate volumes. Dobro's assessment is right on-these (ES125s) were made up to Gibson's standards of the time which were at the top of the heap quality wise. These are increasing in value and it doesn't seem you would go wrong with this guitar. I would see if you could haggle off a few bucks. I have done that at Sam Ash in the past.

the more i look for the 125 tic, the more the costs go up. I know the 137 has the center block. It is a feedback reducer, but yo no longer have the hollow body light weight. The 125 feels like just a few pounds, and the 137, compared to other guitars is light, but feels heavy compared to the 125.

There are some 135's for sale on ebay as well. They run just a tad less than the 137. Haven't played one yet.

The hole in the top of a Clipper for the HiLoTron is just a very small slot. The old HiLo is essentially a surface-mount pickup. The P90 is a lot bigger and the slot would have to be enlarged.

the more i look for the 125 tic, the more the costs go up. I know the 137 has the center block. It is a feedback reducer, but yo no longer have the hollow body light weight. The 125 feels like just a few pounds, and the 137, compared to other guitars is light, but feels heavy compared to the 125.

There are some 135's for sale on ebay as well. They run just a tad less than the 137. Haven't played one yet.

It always appeared to me that a 135 would be easy to add a Bigsby to. That would be sweet. I ended up with a Guild Starfire 3 instead.

I could not add a bigsby without doing major damage. i am good at changing strings, polishing, and the occasional bridge shift. I am a disaster with tools. Was looking for a non bigsby type guitar. i know, what am i thinking? It would help for changing tunings between songs. I tried it on my hotrod, and it takes too long to get it into another tuning, or back to standard, with the bigsby.

I think the 137 has a center block. The 135 didn't and certainly the es125 doesn't. The feedback issue is a concern if you are going to gig at moderate volumes. Dobro's assessment is right on-these (ES125s) were made up to Gibson's standards of the time which were at the top of the heap quality wise. These are increasing in value and it doesn't seem you would go wrong with this guitar. I would see if you could haggle off a few bucks. I have done that at Sam Ash in the past.

Minor correction: both the ES-135 and ES-137 have center blocks. The ES-135 has a chromite (balsa wood) block, and the ES-137 has a mahogany block. I have an ES-135 with P-94 pick-ups (sort of a one-off in factcory willow green with a factory Maestro Bigsby-clone); and an ES135 in sunburst with P-100s. I also have an ES137 Custom with humbuckers. The necks feel and play similarly, but they each have their own sound. I love them all, and I guarantee that you will too. You can get terrific buys on an ES-135 on E-Bay (around $1,000), because I think they are very undervalued, especially in sunburst. While a non-cutaway ES-125 is collectable and a sweet guitar, the ES-135 will cost far less, not be frigile, and is a fantastic gigging guitar that you won't have to be a nervous wreck taking out.

Freddy that's why they make those guitar stands that hold several guitars . . . one for each of the tunings you use . . .

Minor correction: both the ES-135 and ES-137 have center blocks. The ES-135 has a chromite (balsa wood) block, and the ES-137 has a mahogany block. I have an ES-135 with P-94 pick-ups (sort of a one-off in factcory willow green with a factory Maestro Bigsby-clone); and an ES135 in sunburst with P-100s. I also have an ES137 Custom with humbuckers. The necks feel and play similarly, but they each have their own sound. I love them all, and I guarantee that you will too. You can get terrific buys on an ES-135 on E-Bay (around $1,000), because I think they are very undervalued, especially in sunburst. While a non-cutaway ES-125 is collectable and a sweet guitar, the ES-135 will cost far less, not be frigile, and is a fantastic gigging guitar that you won't have to be a nervous wreck taking out.

With all the coffee i drink, I am always a nervous wreck, but i get your point. the 137/135 is more versatile. But the 125 still has the mojo.

Freddy that's why they make those guitar stands that hold several guitars . . . one for each of the tunings you use . . .

Stands I have no shortage of, filling them is the issue. I have about 8 stands, for when the band used to come by for rehearsal. I usually keep my guitars, especially the hotrod, in the case. The kids play ball and stuff every now and then., and who needs a boo boo?

Theres a local guy wanting my 93 strat deluxe plus, for his 04 137. I just cant give up my strat. He is asking 1300, which is reasonable, assuming its as clean as the pics say. Its the brown burst. Had it been the cherry burst, and I had a few drinks, i might go that way, but no drinking today. I am about to put some of my in-house rehearsal stuff up for sale. Depending on what it pulls in, I guess will decide which way I go. If I get all I am asking, which I rarely do, i will hold out for a 125 tdc. If not, the 137 is looking good.

I feel your pain.... While you obviously love your strat, the ES-135 is really a great guitar. And, a Bigsby can be fitted pretty easily. But you have to go with your heart on the beloved Strat. Important point, though, is that you can routinely find nice ES-135's on EBay for less than $1,300 even with shipping and insurance. I bought my sunburst ES-135 on EBay and it is a beautiful instrument. Here is a link to a tune by my band. The guitar is my ES-135 with P-100s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z8aLmR6QIY

I know what you mean on filling them . . . I was just kidding . . . the stand is the cheap part. It does help with the planning though. What you do is label one "open G" and then you have to buy a guitar to keep in open G tuning . . . And then there's "drop D" . . .you get the picture you get the idea. And I'm sure your wife will love that you're so organized.

I know what you mean on filling them . . . I was just kidding . . . the stand is the cheap part. It does help with the planning though. What you do is label one "open G" and then you have to buy a guitar to keep in open G tuning . . . And then there's "drop D" . . .you get the picture you get the idea. And I'm sure your wife will love that you're so organized.

Perhaps the two of you need to talk...

I feel your pain.... While you obviously love your strat, the ES-135 is really a great guitar. And, a Bigsby can be fitted pretty easily. But you have to go with your heart on the beloved Strat. Important point, though, is that you can routinely find nice ES-135's on EBay for less than $1,300 even with shipping and insurance. I bought my sunburst ES-135 on EBay and it is a beautiful instrument. Here is a link to a tune by my band. The guitar is my ES-135 with P-100s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z8aLmR6QIY

Nice blues tone. I couldn't make out the amp you were using. Did any one have a seizure from the blinking lights?

If anyone wants to follow my ups and downs, I posted a question asking how much people here think I could get for my PA system. Depending on that, and what I actually get here locally, , I am moving closer to this.

The amp was a Dr. Z owned by the guy hosting the jam. I don't recall the model.

Several seizures were evident from alcohol ingestion, but none from the blinking lights.

Then thats a good night!