Gibson ES-125 Model Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1953), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # Y4674-27, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
This is a played-in but still nicely original 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 dark sunburst finish on the top only. The mahogany neck has a plain dot-inlaid rosewood fingerboard. a single black-covered P-90 pickup is mounted in the neck position, with tone and volume controls capped with numbered back-painted "hatbox" knobs that in this case are a very dark amber hue.
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 very 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 1953 and this is a decently well-preserved survivor nearly 70 years on. It has the expected warm, woody tone and is a very good player.
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 this is a very nice example, mostly original and generally well preserved with some typical wear. The finish shows typical checking with some small dings and dents, most notably on the sides with a few on the back of the neck. Small spots of the lacquer are worn away to the wood near the nut on both sides. Several of the top/back-to-side seams appear to have been reglued but all is solid.
The hardware is original except for a period but not Gibson-specific tailpiece, which looks to have been there for a long time. The guitar has had recent refret with appropriate wire, there still some residual divots in the fingerboard in the lower positions. This is a good playing and sounding example of this modest but delightful Gibson classic, ready to go in a new HSC. Excellent - Condition.
