ES-125 / ES125 / ES 125 "year of manufacture?"

[BeagleBoy]

Hello.

 

I am 99% certain that I have an ES-125 (not a 125T, or other variant.)

 

The serial # is 9129 14. Can anyone tell me what year it was made?

 

Thanks,

Conrad

[JimR56]

1951

 

http://www.guitarhq.com/gibson.html#serial

[BeagleBoy]

Thanks, Jim.

 

They definitely created confusion by simultaneously using FON's and then "lettered" Serial #'s (in 1947.) It requires a some mental gymnastics (and getting used to the "system.")

- Am I understanding this correctly ?

 

"Quick Overview: Serial Number/FON Identification by Era." ...and the statement:

 

"1947-1952: Factory Order Numbers of 3 or 4 digits, followed by a hyphen, followed by by 1 or 2 more digits, ink stamped on the inside back."

-- (it would help to indicate that the "hypen" sometimes doesn't show up (or faded-out)... and looks like a "space.")

 

And, then further down the webpage...

 

"Gibson Factory Order Numbers, 1942 to 1951.

 

< text deleted for brevity >

Year Factory Order Number

---- --------------------

< 1941 - 1946 data deleted >

1947 700s to 1000s

1948 1100s to 3700s ('Script' logo no longer used, block logo used.)

1949 2000s

1950 3000s to 5000s

1951 6000s to 9000s <correlating my "9129" portion in this range ? >

[JimR56]

Thanks, Jim.

You bet. Nice to find something to talk about around here (for a change).

 

They definitely created confusion...

That says it all right there. Gibson's history with serial numbering included a lot of messes and confusion.

 

by simultaneously using FON's and then "lettered" Serial #'s (in 1947.) It requires a some mental gymnastics (and getting used to the "system.")

- Am I understanding this correctly ?

Yes.

 

"Quick Overview: Serial Number/FON Identification by Era." ...and the statement:

 

"1947-1952: Factory Order Numbers of 3 or 4 digits, followed by a hyphen, followed by by 1 or 2 more digits, ink stamped on the inside back."

-- (it would help to indicate that the "hypen" sometimes doesn't show up (or faded-out)... and looks like a "space.")

 

And, then further down the webpage...

 

"Gibson Factory Order Numbers, 1942 to 1951.

 

< text deleted for brevity >

Year Factory Order Number

---- --------------------

< 1941 - 1946 data deleted >

1947 700s to 1000s

1948 1100s to 3700s ('Script' logo no longer used, block logo used.)

1949 2000s

1950 3000s to 5000s

1951 6000s to 9000s <correlating my "9129" portion in this range ? >

Yes, you sorted things out well. The hyphen thing is just one example of Gibson's inconsistencies.

 

Hope you're enjoying that guitar! Cheers.

[Dave F]

I picked this up a while back. I like it.

 

 

 

 

 

[Al Vaudreuil]

The FON on my 125 is R6872-24  What year was this made

[JimR56]

R = 1960.   You can check for yourself by following the link I posted above: http://www.guitarhq.com/gibson.html#serial

[bill66912]

Hi everyone -

First post here.  And, first-time Gibson owner here as well.

I have purchased what I believe to be a 1953 ES125, but I'd like opinions.  What I can read of the Serial Number is: Y5022 __7 (apparently missing characters between the 2 and the 7)?  The instrument is remarkable in condition to say the least.  The electric facilities even work!   I have replaced the tuners, as three of the tuners that were on the guitar were without their pegs.  Apart from that, I've put new strings on it and it plays very nice!  Needs to be cleaned, but I'm taking it in to a local shop in a couple of weeks once their schedule opens up.

Any input on vintage would be greatly appreciated.  

Thanks very much in advance,

~ Bill Schmidt