Praise be to the Gibson ES-125

[Dutchbopper]

Wow, it's been months since I posted here. Hope everybody is ok.

With all this talk about high end Gibson archtops and 10k vintage guitars the ES 125 is a guitar that is too easily discarded and overlooked by many. Sure it was conceived as an entry model in the late 40s and it ain't fancy or sexy or even collectible but ... if you want that 50s vintage Gibson laminate vibe for a reasonable price (sub 2k often) it is unbeatable. As far as price/vintage quality is concerned, the ES 125 has no competition. None whatsoever. They are very much like the 50s P90 equipped ES 175 but without the fancy inlays and bindings.

I have some very nice guitars but I just LOVE my 1964 ES 125. It is way more responsive than my later Gibsons (except my BK of course but that one is a year older) and therefore I mostly play it unamplified. Here's two recent clips of mine in action. Some chord melodies so you can hear the guitar in isolation. One is the guitar unplugged (with a little post production reverb added), recorded with a simple stereo mike that is fixed to my camcorder and the other one features its electric sound. To really hear what is sounds like it is best to play them through a stereo set. Laptop or iPad speakers won't do the trick. They are both in HD.

Regards,

DB

[Alter]

Enjoy the guitar! If i were to characterize the sound i would call it old fashioned (or old school), which to me is a very good thing!

[Mike Anderson]

Beautiful, gave me a great start to my day!

[christianm77]

I want one

[mad dog]

Actually, there is competition. This '62 Guild X-50 is what I found after a long search for an affordable, issue free non-cutaway ES-125. Sure looks to me like Guild's answer to the ES-125. As a sales competitor, not even close. As a quality archtop, a very worthy instrument. This one now has larger frets. The "Franz" p/u is strong, sorta P-90 but different too. BTW Dutch, love those clips of yours, great sound!

[Steve Z]

Great videos.


DB,

What strings do you prefer with the ES-125?

[M-ster]

Wow, it's been months since I posted here. Hope everybody is ok ...

Thanks for posting those examples, DB. Sounds great! Agree with Alter -- old school, "vintage" sound, but to me, that's the sound.

[Stringswinger]

Love that 60's 3 tone sunburst. Best ever IMO. Superb playing by you. And as is the case, more often than not, the vintage Gibson sounds terrific. Thanks for sharing.

[Archtop Guy]

Thanks for the videos Dutch. Since you posted "Gee Baby" I've been looking for an ES 125 for myself. I think I may have found one,hope to check her out this week.

[Dutchbopper]

Great videos. DB, What strings do you prefer with the ES-125?

Thanks Steve. I have Tomastik Infeld strings on it, 0.11 set.

DB

[Dutchbopper]

Thanks for the videos Dutch. Since you posted "Gee Baby" I've been looking for an ES 125 for myself. I think I may have found one,hope to check her out this week.

I have owned two. This is my second one. I used to have a 51 and now the 64. I think I like the 64 somewhat better but the 51 was great too.

DB

[Dutchbopper]

Love that 60's 3 tone sunburst. Best ever IMO. Superb playing by you. And as is the case, more often than not, the vintage Gibson sounds terrific. Thanks for sharing.

Quite so Stringswinger. I used to have a 51 with a very dark sunburst and the 64 has definitely a nicer and lighter finish. Thanks.

DB

[christianm77]

Thanks Steve. I have Tomastik Infeld strings on it, 0.11 set.

DB

Swing or bebop?

[cgratham]

Hi DB,
Thanks for posting those clips. Great playing by you and great sounds from your 125.

Your first clips many years ago on the newsgroup with your '51 125 was what inspired me to get a 50's 125 of my own. I've been away from the JJF for the better part of a couple of years now while focussing on trying to play classical guitar, and I've bought and sold my fair share of archtop guitars in my journey. But the only archtop I've had through it all is my '59 ES-125. I'm sure I'll buy and sell more guitars - after all I really like guitars - but the 125 will be the one I definitely keep.

Thanks again for reminding us what a great guitar it is.

Cheers, Chris

[Dutchbopper]

Swing or bebop?

I only use Swings.

DB

[Dutchbopper]

Hi DB,
Thanks for posting those clips. Great playing by you and great sounds from your 125.
Your first clips many years ago on the newsgroup with your '51 125 was what inspired me to get a 50's 125 of my own. I've been away from the JJF for the better part of a couple of years now while focussing on trying to play classical guitar, and I've bought and sold my fair share of archtop guitars in my journey. But the only archtop I've had through it all is my '59 ES-125. I'm sure I'll buy and sell more guitars - after all I really like guitars - but the 125 will be the one I definitely keep. Thanks again for reminding us what a great guitar it is. Cheers, Chris

Cool story. Thanks Chris.

DB

[Dutchbopper]

By the way, here's Mr. ES 125 himself:

[neatomic]

I only use Swings.

DB

yeah you can definitely hear that they're flats loud and clear...nice


cheers

[citizenk74]

DB - your tones are velvety & creamy - a real treat! Thank you!

[lawson-stone]

DB I always, always, without fail, delight in hearing you play. I also appreciate your thoughts and reflections about the music and the instruments. Thank you for sharing this.

[AlsoRan]

How quickly a few months can fly.

I have to comment that I can see you have been true to your word with your pursuit of solo guitar/chord melody. There have really been some nice solo guitar/chord melody performances going up around here in the past year or so - some from members that I did not know had this skill.

Their posts, and yours as well, have been very nice and enjoyable.

I think I am seeing examples of good-to-great players pushing themselves and evolving. That's a good thing. But, I for one am going to miss your single-string improvisational sojourns. But, it is clear you are having fun developing your skills.

That is also a good thing! Play on!

[Dutchbopper]

But, I for one am going to miss your single-string improvisational sojourns. But, it is clear you are having fun developing your skills. That is also a good thing! Play on!

Not to worry Alsoran, I have no intention of giving up on single string playing. That's where my first and foremost passion lies. It was just that I felt there was a disbalance between my single line stuff and my chordal playing that needed to be taken care of. You will never see me playing solo jazz guitar in a venue. Not my thing. There is nothing I like better than blowing over fast changes on bop tunes.

Regards and thanks,

DB

[christianm77]

I only use Swings.

DB

Ironically.

I really think they have those names backwards lol!

[pingu]

By the way, here's Mr. ES 125 himself:

When I grow up
I wanna do that ....

Perfecto !

[AlsoRan]

I get a lot of inspiration from this site, maybe too much so that it keeps me chasing too many types of playing. But ever since I first saw a Martijn solo (I think he had a bass player only) in which he played chord fragments and fiery single-note lines, I have been hooked. To me, you are exploiting the guitar's full capabilities this way.

Non-playing friends who love Jazz have often complained to me about Grant Green and others who don't really use a lot of chords in their solos. At the time, I thought they were crazy but over time, I have come to love the expressiveness that mixing chord fragments can bring.

So, I am now putting in little easy fragments, and only using the top three strings because is it relatively easier than the alternative. What a difference a chord here or there can make. It punctuates certain notes and can help continue to establish the harmony when you are playing long lines. I think this helps the listener, especially those without good ears, to follow the music.

Thank you to all.