SCAMMER WARNING: Due to a spate of recent scam attempts (some successful) recently, if you're doing a deal in the classifieds, ONLY USE PAYPAL GOODS AND SERVICES UNLESS YOU KNOW THAT INDIVIDUAL PERSONALLY. It's really not worth saving a few quid.
Gibson ES-125 (1958), good condition, central London, £2,250
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EDIT: Sorry, I should have said earlier, but NO TRADES thanks—I have way too many guitars already, like we all do! ;-)
I am reluctant to part with this as it puts paid to my intention to be the next CW Stoneking. Well sort of (the voices in my head are calling...). However, the truth is I am scared to use it much, as it's even older than me, and a thing of such beauty and joy, and with such a great sound, that I live in perpetual fear of damaging the damn thing and offending the guitar gods. Yes, I know. No, I don't feel good about that. Also, I am planning to move to A Hotter Country next year and worry how the old girl will cope with the heat.
I bought it from No Tom in Denmark Street in 2020. According to them it's a 1958 model. Really, there's not a huge amount I can say about it. It's a terrific guitar that is surprisingly versatile (I sometimes even play bluegrass on it and it doesn't sound bad at all), great with open tuning, mellow when you want it to be and quite snarly when not. One P90. And that old-fashioned wiring on the volume which means that all the action takes place between 1 (very soft) and 1.5 (very loud). I don't really know why it goes up to 10 (or 11).
Everything is stock, as far as I know. It even has the original case, though that is very knackered and made of what seems almost like cardboard ;-) I keep it in a Hiscox case since the original provides no protection to speak of and is only for the sake of authenticity, I think. There's a deal of crazing in the finish and some dings here and there, as you might expect in a 63 year old instrument, but the neck is lovely and the fretboard wonderful (I think No Tom mentioned they'd done a re-fret before selling, but I am not 100% certain).
Needless to say, I would really prefer not to ship this anywhere. The original case alone would be destroyed by the journey and insurance is no comfort either. I am in central(-ish) London and happy to offer tea, coffee, biscuits, and the company of a small, friendly terrier called Stan while you strum.
Price is firm at £2,250 for you lovely Fretboarders, and includes the original case and the Hiscox case. Prices on Reverb seem a few hundred higher but I'm nice like that. If you have any questions, let me know and I will try and answer them. Probably don't ask me about neck profiles, weight etc. I never know and just go on how it feels to me.
Comments
Surprisingly, to me at least, I've had a lot of "oooo-aaaah, that's lovely" but no actual, you know, offers. Maybe it's post Christmas, energy price rise blues?
You need an idea of what you are going to do, but it should be a vague idea.
My feedback page: http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/91654/
Has tons of vibe and mojo without any compromises to playability as far as I'm concerned.
The fretboard is clean. The neck is straight. Tuners are working great. The refret was done very well. Definitely plays better than the vintage instruments from this era that I've personally seen.
The neck carve is quite substantial, similar to my '59 175 reissue. 125 feels lighter and louder acoustically though.
Someone is going to get a sweet sweet guitar at a sweet price!