1966 GIBSON ES-125TDC

1966 Gibson ES-125TDC in excellent cosmetic and playable condition.

This is a magnificent example that looks like it just rolled off the assembly line, remaining entirely original. This guitar left Kalamazoo relatively late in the model’s production run from 1960 to 1970. The 125TDC was at the time the most popular (at $60 less than an ES-330!) and most versatile of the double pickup / thinline hollowbody / single-cutaway guitars. This ES-125TDC features all the typical characteristics of the era, namely two P-90 single-coil pickups, a superb Cherry Sunburst finish on the top, and an ergonomic neck. Also noteworthy is the presence of the adjustable wooden bridge, a relic from Gibson’s previous decades before the introduction of the Tune-o-Matic in the late 1950s. More broadly, the ES-125TDC can be considered the perfect blend of the early thinline electric guitars of the 1950s, where the aim was to create affordable instruments with playability approaching that of high-end models (through the addition of a cutaway or a longer neck with a 20th fret), and the “modern” models of the 1960s focused on versatility: with its pair of pickups, three-way selector switch, and dual volume/tone controls, the 125TDC is perfectly adaptable to a variety of playing situations—ultimately like an ES-330, but at a much lower cost then as now!

The model presented here remains in remarkably well-preserved condition, with a beautiful patina where the finish has stretched into the wood, otherwise mostly free of any signs of wear. All the hardware, including the pickguard, bridge, Kluson tuners, two P-90 pickups, and electronics, is original; the instrument has retained its complete integrity for the past six decades! We have meticulously restored this guitar to its perfect playability: a complete refret with frets as close as possible to the originals; a new bone nut fitted to the string gauge; a complete adjustment of the action and intonation at the nut and bridge; and a cleaning of the electronics – it is now performing at 100% of its musical instrument capabilities, extremely enjoyable to play, like all those thinline hollowbody models that Gibson was famous for.

Sold in its original Archcraft case (plush-lined chipboard, if you please!) – a rare item in itself, this is the intermediate model between the high-end Faultless hard case and the cheapo chipboard Durabilt case!