Gibson ES-125T 3/4 Model Thinline Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1957), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # U9793-1, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, black gig bag case.
This ES-125T 3/4 is an extremely cool little Gibson -- and with its hot P-90 pickup, a surprisingly great-sounding guitar. The small 3/4 size, short scale non-cutaway thinline archtop was offered starting in 1957 lasting well into the '60s. It was described by Gibson as perfect for students, "ladies," or professionals with small hands. 235 of these shipped out in 1957, actually a decent quantity for the time representing a pretty good start for an admittedly niche instrument.
This guitar looks deceptively toylike but is in fact a fully professional quality instrument with a great-feeling round profile neck, single P-90 pickup, dark sunburst finish, and simple trim. With a very small body cavity, the tone is a quite a bit brighter and snappier than the typical ES-125 and other full-depth hollowbodies. This first-year ES-125T 3/4 looks fabulous, plays beautifully, and has an amazingly big, smooth tone for such a small guitar.
Overall length is 36 5/8 in. (93 cm.), 13 in. (33 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 22 7/8 in. (581 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This is a nice, clean guitar overall; there is some light checking and finish wear, mostly scuffing to the back. It is original and complete except the tailpiece, which is correct period and style but longer than the original tailpiece; additionally, the buttons on the original Kluson Deluxe tuners are replacements (the originals have often crumbled).
There is hardly any wear to the neck, frets, or fingerboard, and this super light and handy guitar is an excellent player, with an amazing sound for such a small package! It came in with a amazingly clean set of period flatwound strings, which sound great so we have left the wound ones on. It loves in a modern MONO heavy duty gig bag. Overall Excellent - Condition.
