Anyone know much about ES-125T's?? I just bought one!!!!....

[PorkyPrimeCut]

Well, after all the stress of yesterday I finally landed a 125T - $1427 including shipping to the UK.

I'm told its a 1959 model. Judging by the photos its mint. All I need now is for someone more knowledgable than me to look over it. The seller (who I still can't work out) sent these pictures. She's a beauty.......



Huge images can be seen here..... http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VDOP0XY5 - 2.18mb

I'm waiting on pictures of the case (original faux alligator skin) & close-ups of the F-holes. Apparently there's a sticker in one with some numbers (serial number I guess?).

As some of you will already know the guy says he's new to ebay. He says he bought this brand new when he was 11 years old,  back in '59. He's been very communicative but the one fishy thing was when we struck a deal yet continued the auction. I would have got it for $1300 plus shipping so in the end there's not much difference. He actually took off the shipping costs because of his mistake. He claims this was through naivety / lack of ebay knowledge. Mmmmmmmmm. In the end there were 6 bids (and I bit three times).

Is there anyone out there who knows much about the finer details? What makes this a '59? I've looked at other guitars online & the one standout difference is the knobs. Some I've seen from around 58-62 have a painted top with Volume & Tone printed on them.

The guy knows that I'm being cautious with the payment. I'm sorting out a credit card so that my money is protected.

All good so far......touch wood!! 

[kle]

Lovely, but the price is very low for a '59.
It's an awesome deal if everything turns out right.

[the older brother]

Congratulations!

Looks super!

[PorkyPrimeCut]

Any ideas what kind of case this is? This is the one it'll come in.



It looks solid but the old ES-125's had a choice of 4 different cases. This may be quite flimsy.

I forgot to ask for close ups.

EDIT - Aaaah. Just found a site that describes it. Cardboard!! Mmmmmmm. I wish I'd never looked now. This fuckers crossing the Atlantic!! Gulp!!

[bubbles_horwitz]

i played one like that but with a cutaway. it sounded great but the neck was really beefy.

[PorkyPrimeCut]

i played one like that but with a cutaway. it sounded great but the neck was really beefy.

I started on a classical guitar & move onto a '59 Jazzmaster neck so thats music to my ears!!

The one thing that stands out with certain Gibson guitars is just that. You've got something to hold onto!! 

[Jay]

It's a beautiful looking guitar.  Congrats!

I've often thought I'd like one of these (or something similar) myself.  You'll have to tell us lots about it once it arrives.

[luau]

Congrats! 

It looks solid but the old ES-125's had a choice of 4 different cases. This may be quite flimsy.

The '58 catalog lists 3 case options for the 125 ($145) and 2 for the 125T ($145).

Faultless plush ($46.50), Faultless flannel ($42), and Durabilt ($12.50) for the 125 and Faultless plush, Durabilt for the 125T.

[bubbles_horwitz]

i played one like that but with a cutaway. it sounded great but the neck was really beefy.

I started on a classical guitar & move onto a '59 Jazzmaster neck so thats music to my ears!!

The one thing that stands out with certain Gibson guitars is just that. You've got something to hold onto!! 

yeah, it wasn't uncomfortably big, just noticeably so. they're great guitars.

[fuzzking]

Oh man that looks beautiful!

Any news about the deal?

[PorkyPrimeCut]

He's away on business till Saturday.

He knows I'm waiting on Pre Xmas freelancing pay cheques. Hopefully they'll be here by Monday (nothing in the post this morning  ).

I've worked out every option as far as Postage & Packaging is concerned so once he's back I'll show him what I've worked out about UPS, USPS & FedEx.

I'm not gonna fall out with the guy over money. If he really wants to go with UPS then so be it.

I'm getting seriously itchy fingers over this guitar now.

[fuzzking]

Fingers crossed this will work out well!

[CLETUStheFETUS]

that is beautiful! I love just how rotund and round they are. They fill you up!
good score!

[flatfiver]

Porky - assuming the knobs are original, they definitely point to 1960 or earlier.  Plus you got single-line Klusons, also a good indicator.  The best bet you've got is a serial number or factory order number for dating (pot codes should be helpful, too).  Apparently serial numbers can be either on the back of the headstock, inside an F-hole (usually the bass-side), or non-existent.  I think FONs are usually inside the treble-side f-hole.  125s were student models, so they weren't real picky about them.  Since it sounds like yours has a label, it's probably got the serial number on there.  See here: http://www.provide.net/~cfh/gibson.html#serial.

Another way to get a general date on Gibsons (to within a few years) is through nut width and neck profile.  From Vintage Guitars Info:

-WW2-1959: Known as "baseball bats" due to the large back size. Just after the war Gibson settled on 1 11/16" as their standard neck width measured across the nut. The 1959 era necks are often considered the best of this era; large and comfortable without being huge.
-1960-1962: Thin neck back shape, even compared to today's standards these necks don't have much wood behind the fingerboard and feel very thin.
-1963-1964: Larger neck shape, but still smaller than the 1950's "baseball bat" style.
-1965-1967: Most models have nut width dramatically reduced making the neck feel very small. Back shape is about the same as the 1963-1964 era, but the narrow nut width makes these necks feel like "pencil necks". The pre-1965 neck width is around 1 11/16". The 1965 to 1967 neck width is 1 9/16" or 1 5/8".
-1968-present: Nut width increased back to 1 11/16" and back shape changed to 1963-1964 standards.

I'll be interested to see the f-hole/label pics when you get them.  Sounds like a winner!

[PorkyPrimeCut]

Thanks FlatFiver. I'll give it the "once over" when it arrives.

I'm curious how you get to see inside these things. There's no unscrewable panel (pickguard etc...)???

I'm sure it'll all make perfect sense once its in my hands.