Vintage Gibsons - Early 1950's ES125 and 1966 ES335

Well I've not posted anything for a while as the workshop has been rather busy since we reopened in May. I've had several vintage instruments requiring more involved repair and restoration work which have presented me with various challenges, alongside a whole host of other servicing and repair jobs. Some of these will be the subject of future more detailed posts. With all this activity I've rather neglected updating the blog recently ....so, as a stop gap, here's a nice pair of vintage Gibsons that customers brought in for some attention over the summer :)

Gibson ES125 - 1950's

A sweet deep bodied ES125 semi acoustic, probably from the early 50's. No visible serial number. The pickup would have been a black plastic covered P90 and this has been changed for a mini-humbucker. The original tuners have been replaced with Grovers and the control knobs have also been changed. A tune-o-matic bridge has been installed. Despite the non-original parts the guitar still has it's original finish and a lovely woody tone. This just needed a good clean and a set up.

Gibson ES335 -1966

This sunburst Gibson ES335 from 1966/67 came in needing repair to a number of loose pearl block inlays, a new bone nut, and a set up. This guitar was, at some time in the past, converted to left hand with the controls installed on the opposite side of the top, only later to be changed back to the original right hand configuration. This necessitated plugging the holes left behind with maple...a fair attempt was made by the repairman who did the work, but it's virtually impossible to match the repair finish on a top such as this. Otherwise the original finish, chrome covered humbuckers, and control knobs are still evident. Bridge and stop tail have been replaced together with the tuners and truss rod cover. The alterations and non original parts make this an affordable players grade vintage ES335.