Our product photos are the actual, specific serial number for sale! In this video, Sound Pure electric guitar specialist Eddie Berman plays a 1965 Gibson ES 125 Archtop through a Henriksen Blu combo amplifier. Signal Chain Gibson ES-125 Archtop Guitar #26071 - Used.
Wonderful and very clean ES-125-TDC from 1967. ES-125 TDC's from this time are somewhat scarce, especially in sunburst (most at this time were cherry). Includes non original hard shell case. Serial number dates it to 1966, pot codes are dated to 1967.
Fun and easy to play low action with tons of fret life!
Service
This guitar was professionally serviced with all the service you will need for another 50 years! The neck was reset which makes this thing play and feel incredible with no issues! In addition to the neck reset, it has been re-fretted with one of the best fret jobs I've ever seen. Frets are smooth and perfect. The fret-ends are smooth and clean. The fretboard looks in mint condition - which is another risk from a refret. The original frets are included in the case. Truss rod was also reset during the neck-reset giving you added life and plenty of adjustability.
Original Parts
The previous owner upgraded the electronics (pots, capacitors, and neck pickup). However, ALL of the original electronics are included. The original electronics have been tested and are working 100%. The original bridge pickup is still installed on the guitar. The neck pickup is a Lolar P-90. The original neck pickup is included, and is tested and working.
All other parts appear to be original unless otherwise noted. Bridge is branded 'Gibson' on bottom. I'm not sure if the tuners are original. Tailpiece looks original. Nut has been upgraded but the original nut is included in the case. Original switch tip is in the case. The pickguard and bracket installed are non-original.
Condition
Guitar looks fantastic and shiny. However, this guitar is 52 years old and does exibihit normal signs of aging and use. There is light checking in some of the areas. Back of the body has scratches and minimal belt buckle rash. There are little tiny dings here and there. There are two spots on the headstock where some of the lacquer was probably touching a guitar stand. Guitar is structurally sound and ready for another 52 years of enjoyment.
International buyers, please send me a message with your address to confirm shipping estimates.
Fun and easy to play low action with tons of fret life!
Service
This guitar was professionally serviced with all the service you will need for another 50 years! The neck was reset which makes this thing play and feel incredible with no issues! In addition to the neck reset, it has been re-fretted with one of the best fret jobs I've ever seen. Frets are smooth and perfect. The fret-ends are smooth and clean. The fretboard looks in mint condition - which is another risk from a refret. The original frets are included in the case. Truss rod was also reset during the neck-reset giving you added life and plenty of adjustability.
Original Parts
The previous owner upgraded the electronics (pots, capacitors, and neck pickup). However, ALL of the original electronics are included. The original electronics have been tested and are working 100%. The original bridge pickup is still installed on the guitar. The neck pickup is a Lolar P-90. The original neck pickup is included, and is tested and working.
All other parts appear to be original unless otherwise noted. Bridge is branded 'Gibson' on bottom. I'm not sure if the tuners are original. Tailpiece looks original. Nut has been upgraded but the original nut is included in the case. Original switch tip is in the case. The pickguard and bracket installed are non-original.
Condition
Guitar looks fantastic and shiny. However, this guitar is 52 years old and does exibihit normal signs of aging and use. There is light checking in some of the areas. Back of the body has scratches and minimal belt buckle rash. There are little tiny dings here and there. There are two spots on the headstock where some of the lacquer was probably touching a guitar stand. Guitar is structurally sound and ready for another 52 years of enjoyment.
International buyers, please send me a message with your address to confirm shipping estimates.
This item is sold As-Described
This item is sold As-Described and cannot be returned unless it arrives in a condition different from how it was described or photographed. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging.Product Specs
Condition | Very Good items may show a few slight marks or scratches but are fully functional and in overall great shape.learn more |
Brand | Gibson |
Model | ES-125 TDC |
Finish | Sunburst |
Categories | Hollow Body |
Year | 1967 |
Made In | United States |
Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
Body Material | Maple |
Scale Length | 24 3/4' |
Body Type | Hollow Body |
Number of Strings | 6 String |
Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
Body Shape | Single Cutaway |
Neck Material | Mahogany |
Wood Top Style | Plain |
Finish Style | Gloss |
Gibson serial numbers 1952 to 1961, solidbody model.
An ink-stamped number from the back of the headstock.
Gibson released solidbodies in 1952. No serial numbers were used, Gibson just started therewith in 1953.
The first digit of the serial number is the last digit of the year. If the stamped number consists 5 digits, there is a space between the first and second digit (a separation between the last digit of the year and the actual serial number).
When a six-digit serial number is concerned, there is no space, because the highest number in four digits (9999) has been exceeded and so fills the space. This was the case in the years 1955, 1956, 1959 and 1960.
In 1955, Gibson forgot to put back the serial number range to 0001.
So they had just put the year from 4 to 5. For this reason, the array of four-digit serial number was exceeded after 9999.
Thence 5 digits and no space between the year (5) and the serial number. (After 5 9999 came 510 000)
Evidently the production was high in 1956 because '6 9999' is exceeded. Also in 1959 and 1960 there was a high production, '9 9999' is exceeded for '932 000' or higher.
Therefore, the production in 1959 may be a '1', '2' or '3' in the second digit.
Gibson stopped the stamped serial numbers at the end in 1960, although there are a few guitars made in 1961 with a '1' as a prefix. Some lap steels and Les Paul's from 1961 have such a serial number.
Another exception to the above rules is in the autumn from 1958, where a some Les Paul Juniors and Specials had a four-digit serial number.
Gibson released solidbodies in 1952. No serial numbers were used, Gibson just started therewith in 1953.
The first digit of the serial number is the last digit of the year. If the stamped number consists 5 digits, there is a space between the first and second digit (a separation between the last digit of the year and the actual serial number).
When a six-digit serial number is concerned, there is no space, because the highest number in four digits (9999) has been exceeded and so fills the space. This was the case in the years 1955, 1956, 1959 and 1960.
In 1955, Gibson forgot to put back the serial number range to 0001.
So they had just put the year from 4 to 5. For this reason, the array of four-digit serial number was exceeded after 9999.
Thence 5 digits and no space between the year (5) and the serial number. (After 5 9999 came 510 000)
Evidently the production was high in 1956 because '6 9999' is exceeded. Also in 1959 and 1960 there was a high production, '9 9999' is exceeded for '932 000' or higher.
Therefore, the production in 1959 may be a '1', '2' or '3' in the second digit.
Gibson stopped the stamped serial numbers at the end in 1960, although there are a few guitars made in 1961 with a '1' as a prefix. Some lap steels and Les Paul's from 1961 have such a serial number.
Another exception to the above rules is in the autumn from 1958, where a some Les Paul Juniors and Specials had a four-digit serial number.
1st digit | PRODUCTION YEAR |
None | 1952 |
3 | 1953 |
4 | 1954 |
5 | 1955 |
6 | 1956 |
7 | 1957 |
8 At the end of 1958 had some LP Juniors/Specials a four-digit serial number without prior year digit. | 1958 |
9 | 1959 |
0 | 1960 |
1 (rare) | 1961 |
Gibson serial numbers, early to mid seventies.
From 1970 to 1975, the 6-digit serial numbers randomly generated.
In a random sequence numbers were stamped on the back of the headstock. For some instruments, preceded by a letter.
From 1970 to 1975, the 6-digit serial numbers randomly generated.
In a random sequence numbers were stamped on the back of the headstock. For some instruments, preceded by a letter.
It was also from 1970 'MADE IN USA' stamped on the back of the headstock. Some instruments from the fifties also had been such a stamp.
Gibson serial numbers, 1970-1975.
The same confusing six-digit serial system of the sixties was maintained until 1975. This means that instruments with the same serial number can be from the 60s or 70s.
Guitars got six digits in any order, and in some cases they were preceded by a letter that none seemed to have no smeaningful sense.
Note that the series of between 1970 and 1975, may be an overlap from production in 1964 and 1965.
The table below shows the years in which the numbers could relate.
The same confusing six-digit serial system of the sixties was maintained until 1975. This means that instruments with the same serial number can be from the 60s or 70s.
Guitars got six digits in any order, and in some cases they were preceded by a letter that none seemed to have no smeaningful sense.
Note that the series of between 1970 and 1975, may be an overlap from production in 1964 and 1965.
The table below shows the years in which the numbers could relate.
Seral number range | PRODUCTION YEAR |
000000 - 099999 | 1973 |
100000 - 199999 | 1970 - 1975 |
200000 - 299999 | 1973 - 1975 |
300000 - 399999 | 1974 - 1975 |
400000 - 499999 | 1974 - 1975 |
500000 - 599999 | 1974 - 1975 |
600000 - 699999 | 1970 - 1972 and 1974 - 1975 |
Serials 1977-2013.
The most sustainable numbering system Gibson was launched in 1977, an eight-digit number. The first and fifth digit representing the year of manufacture. The three intermediate digits, the day of that year. The digits to six to eight gave the serial number.
After opening of the new factory in Nashville, in the sequence numbers were also included the production site. 001 to 499 appeared on the instruments built in Kalamazoo, 500 to 999 built in Nashville.
Even after the closing of the factory in Kalamazoo in 1984, this process was continued until 1989 in Nashville.
In 2005 the system was upgraded to first digit at the end of the batch number was inserted. The sequence numbers were 500 to 699, after which the batch number 1 was increased, and the number returned 500.
The most sustainable numbering system Gibson was launched in 1977, an eight-digit number. The first and fifth digit representing the year of manufacture. The three intermediate digits, the day of that year. The digits to six to eight gave the serial number.
After opening of the new factory in Nashville, in the sequence numbers were also included the production site. 001 to 499 appeared on the instruments built in Kalamazoo, 500 to 999 built in Nashville.
Even after the closing of the factory in Kalamazoo in 1984, this process was continued until 1989 in Nashville.
In 2005 the system was upgraded to first digit at the end of the batch number was inserted. The sequence numbers were 500 to 699, after which the batch number 1 was increased, and the number returned 500.
Gibson closed the Memphis plant in April 2019.
The production of the 'USA made' solid body guitars is now only produced in Nashville.
The production of the 'USA made' solid body guitars is now only produced in Nashville.
Serial numbers 2014 to present.
Gibson's most simplest system was introduced in 2014. A nine-digit serial number stamped. The first two digits indicate the year, the rest is the serial number for all guitars produced that year.
Every year starts with serial 0000001.
Gibson's most simplest system was introduced in 2014. A nine-digit serial number stamped. The first two digits indicate the year, the rest is the serial number for all guitars produced that year.
Every year starts with serial 0000001.