Gibson ES-125 Model Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar, c. 1948, made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, laminated mahogany body; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
A fairly rare, very early example of Gibson's post-WWII ES-125, the "bread and butter" electric during the company's period of rebuilding after years of mostly war-oriented work. This guitar has several features specific to this era; the 16" body is mahogany (later examples are maple) and the pickup (the first P-90) has non-adjustable poles. The tailpiece is an off-the-rack part not specific to Gibson and the tuners are simple openback Klusons, 3 to a plate. Knobs are the earliest gold-backed clear style with no numbers and the "Gibson" logo decal is the earliest "joined dot" version.
This is a very good playing guitar; although designed as a student model these guitars were fully a professional quality instrument and are often seen in period photographs. This one has a lovely mellow sound and plays perfectly, a very fine example of this model.
Overall length is 40 3/4 in. (103.5 cm.), 16 1/16 in. (40.8 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.). All original except repro tuner buttons replacing the crumbled originals; very little wear and no damage or repair. Overall Excellent Condition.
