Gibson ES-125 Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1955), ser. #W3209-11, original brown chipboard case.

Gibson ES-125 Model Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1955), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # W3209-11, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original brown chipboard case. This is a nice mid-1950s example of the Gibson ES-125, the company's "bread and butter" hollowbody electric guitar during the late 1940s and '50s. The model features a 16" wide, non-cutaway, full depth hollow-body of laminated maple with a mahogany neck and dot-inlaid rosewood fingerboard. The single black-covered P-90 pickup is mounted in the neck position, with tone and volume controls capped with numbered amber knobs. The neck is the very comfortable and round-backed mid-'50s profile, considered by many as the favorite Gibson neck shape. Although originally marketed primarily as a student model the ES-125 is a fully professional quality instrument, with a sound equal to any single pickup laminated wood guitar ever made. ES-125s were popular from the start and are often seen in period photographs with players of many styles; the model is still a favorite today. 2697 of these were shipped out of Kalamazoo in 1955 (a strong showing if somewhat down from a year earlier) and they are still an excellent if unpretentious piece of the 1950s legend.Overall length is 40 7/16 in. (102.7 cm.), 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.). Overall this is a very nice example, showing some wear and tear but remaining just about all original with no notable damage or repair. The all-original finish shows typical fairly light checking and a collection of relatively minor dings, scratches, scuffs and dents. The back of the neck has some feelable dings and dents and a few spots worn through the lacquer.All parts remain original with one or two exceptions. The plastic buttons on the original Kluson Deluxe tuners are replacements for the crumbled originals. The pickguard is a bit of a mystery; it SHOULD be made tortoise celluloid pickguard but while the exact correct size and shape is made off black plastic. It is either a VERY old replacement or a factory anomaly, probably the former. A strap button hole has been filled in the base of the heel. The original frets have been neatly crowned with just a bit of wear visible and playability is excellent. 65+ years on this is a fine-playing and great sounding example of this modest but delightful Gibson classic, ready to gig housed in the original heavy duty brown chipboard case. Overall Excellent - Condition.