Questions about a ES125TC

[drstrange]

Hi

 

I have a ES125TC (ink stamped in the back of the guitar

through the lower f-hole) no label paper inside.

The 6 digit Serial Number is ink stamped on the back of

the headstock and its 810540 without extra space between

the first digit and the rest of the digits.

The colour seems faded cherry red sunburst.

One black ear dog P90 in the neck position.

1 volume 1 tone pot.

This model was build from 1960 to 1970??

 

 

1.) from which year is this guitar. 1968 I suppose. Is this right?

2.) Whats the wood of this guitar neck fretboard body?

3.) What was the price when it was new?

4.) Whats the price now if its in good (not mind) conditions?

5.) What strings (size and kind of) do you recommend?

6.) Its a thinline but its also hollow body and not a semi-acoustic??

 

Oha a lot of stupid questions but may be you can help me?

I am not a professional, its my hobby.

 

Best Regards

drstrange

[JimR56]

1. 1966 or 1969 (it's normal that it doesn't have a paper label, because it's a lower grade instrument).

2. The neck is mahogany; fretboard is rosewood; body is laminated maple.

3. Not sure, but I would guess somewhere around $200.

4. Check ebay for completed auction sales (the numbers in green text).

5. It's up to you, but 10-48 or 11-50 would probably be a good choice.

6. Yes, it's a thinline hollowbody; not a semi-acoustic (that term refers to guitars like the 335, with a solid maple block running through the body).

[drstrange]

1. 1966 or 1969 (it's normal that it doesn't have a paper label, because it's a lower grade instrument).

2. The neck is mahogany; fretboard is rosewood; body is laminated maple.

3. Not sure, but I would guess somewhere around $200.

4. Check ebay for completed auction sales (the numbers in green text).

5. It's up to you, but 10-48 or 11-50 would probably be a good choice.

6. Yes, it's a thinline hollowbody; not a semi-acoustic (that term refers to guitars like the 335, with a solid maple block running through the body).

 

Why do you say 1966 or 1969?

 

The serial Number begins with 8.

 

Regards

drstrange

[JimR56]

Information on Gibson serial numbers has been available for many years. Here's an online source of info:

 

http://home.provide.net/~cfh/gibson.html#serial

 

The reason it's '66 or '69 is that Gibson messed up in the 60's and used some numbers more than once.

[drstrange]

Thanx for the fast reply.

I saw several ebay prices roundabout 1500 Dollars

sometimes more somtimes less, it depends from colour

and condition. Also ES125TDC with 2xPUs are available.

 

But the most of the offers I saw, where from the US.

In Europe it seems to me a rare Model.

May be Gibson did not sell their Student Models so

much to overseas?

 

Regards

drstrange

[Twang Gang]

I bought one used in 1965 for about $125. (see avatar), So just due to inflation it should be worth $1,250 by now. Add in the fact that you may have the only one in Europe the price doubles.

 

Now you just have to find the guy who wants one. There are so many superior models made over the years etc that may be hard to do - but the guitar itself is rare in good playing condition so enjoy it.

[drstrange]

Hi Thanks for the reply. I think in fact because its a thinline but hollowbody, it has a special sound and someone who loves playing Delta Blues or some other Folk-Blues or special Jazz will search such a Guitar, because of the special tone, this guitar has. Its not so warm and full an rich like the fat Jazzmammas like the ES300 etc. Also because of the lam. Maple thinline Body it sounds more like a cigar box guitar and this might be useful for folkloristic Blues. Ymy2c. I never saw a thinline before without sustainblock. May be it doesn't matter, Until this Modell I even never saw a 125er at all. :-)

 

Regards

drstrange

[Twang Gang]

Hi Thanks for the reply. I think in fact because its a thinline but hollowbody, it has a special sound and someone who loves playing Delta Blues or some other Folk-Blues or special Jazz will search such a Guitar, because of the special tone, this guitar has. Its not so warm and full an rich like the fat Jazzmammas like the ES300 etc. Also because of the lam. Maple thinline Body it sounds more like a cigar box guitar and this might be useful for folkloristic Blues. Ymy2c. I never saw a thinline before without sustainblock. May be it doesn't matter, Until this Modell I even never saw a 125er at all. :-)

 

Regards

drstrange

I agree - there aren't that many of them around, and they do have a unique sound - somewhat limited with one PU, and will have some feedback issues at high volume. But don't sell it short if you find the guy that really wants one they will pay for it.

[drstrange]

Hi some other little questions to this guitar:

 

1.)

It has a wood bridge.

How is this wood bridge called if I want to have a replacement?

Has it a Gibson number or label? Can I replace the upper wood part

with another metal part to configure string by string alone?

 

2.)

On this bridge we have 2 round flat knurled brass nuts to be able to

configure the bridge up and down. This nuts are from brass and damadged.

You cannot screw the nuts up to shift the bridge up because the winding

thread of the nuts is more or less lost. The both bolts are ok but the

knurled brass nuts (ca. 15,8mm diameter ca. 2,8mm thick) should be replaced.

Until now one put two thin washers under the nuts to configure the

strings height.

 

So where can I order or find this both brass knurled nuts to make the

guitar 100% working again? Do this nuts have a gibson number or label?

If brass is not available I would also take gold plated nuts.

And whats the thread size in inches of this nuts and bolts?

 

Sorry but my english is f.... bad. Hope you understand my problems.

 

Picture from the guitar are here to see:

 

http://www.guitarmaniacs.de/cgi-bin/gallery.pl?action=gallery&id=5020

 

Regards

drstrange

[Twang Gang]

No need to apologize - your English is a lot better than my German (none).

 

You need new posts so you can adjust the bridge up and down to get the action you want. I would try the Gibson parts and accessories section of website first to see if they have posts that would fit. If not there should be aftermarket post parts available, or a local luthier should be able to get something from his suppliers that would fit.

[drstrange]

I need only the nuts not the posts but this both ?? inch nuts.

I called the gibson europe service center 008800-44427661

(You can take a choice between english, french, italian, spain and german language)

They will look what they can do for me. So I am in hope again to get

this both little knurled brass nuts foe my ES125TC. Thanx.

I will give a hint if it was successful or not.

[drstrange]

Hi

 

I got the bolts and the screws for 7 Euro.

But this where Metric M4 and steel with gold

(no brass and no inch) so I used this and it works

perfectly. The Guitar now looks even better.

And the Function of the bridge is now 100% ok.

 

We wonder to change partly the bridge (head) to a

metal one and the PU to a Kinmam P90 noiseless.

After this Mods, this Guitar would work grandios.

 

If one want to sell, he can fast and without big

effort recover the old status. Bridge head and PU

will be placed in the case.

 

What do you say about this Modification?

 

BTW:

The Gibson service did not answer yet.

I think, they never will.

 

Regards

drstrange