A highly underrated and exceptionally clean Gibson model ES-225T, dating from 1956.
A rare Gibson model, produced briefly only from 1955-59 and being replaced by the very similar ES-125TC.
This is the single pickup variant (an ES-225T, rather than 225-TD which was the dual-pickup version), with a hot P90 in the centre position.
As above, it is very clean for a 50s Gibson, retaining its original unfaded Sunburst finish still with a factory sheen. It features a fully hollow body and a single cutaway.
Free of breaks or repairs, with a few vintage additions to make it an affordable and playable vintage guitar. I received this without any hardware or electronics and spent some time sourcing original and vintage parts to bring it back to life.
The pickup is unmistakably an original hot 50s Gibson P90 with an original 'UC' inner-stamped cover (pictured). All of the hardware are good repros and vintage parts, most notably an original 60s Selmer Bigsby which replaced the missing (very hard to find and not most functional) '52 Les Paul style tailpiece. The bridge is actually an original 50s Kay-made Braz rosewood unit, which suits the guitar very well. The pots etc are all new CTS parts, wired 50s-style by Dicky at Fontaine Guitars Nottingham, who also installed the Bigsby. The Bigsby has the benefit of covering the holes from the original tailpiece. Tuners are very good Kluson repros which suit the guitar well.
The pickguard is long lost, though I feel this is to the guitar's benefit as it reveals the beautiful original unfaded Sunburst finish. There are some marks and wear to the bottom portion of the neck (I'm inferring from having been kept in a case) and natural minimal lacquer checking throughout.
The neck profile is a wonderful typical mid-50s profile, fat with a wide nut and sits very comfortably in the hand.
It has clearly had a refret as there are no binding nibs, again being an acceptable and necessary job helping the guitar to play nicely. Naturally being of the period it is, the fingerboard is original Braz rosewood with some fairly minimal playing wear for its age.
Surprisingly versatile given the single pickup configuration, it can handle 330/Casino tones, breaks up beautifully when driven and can do a good 'Woman' tone with the pot rolled off to 0.
It comes with a non original 80s Gibson TKL hard case which fits snugly and keeps the guitar well-protected.
Probably the most affordable 50s Gibson electric on the market owing to being a niche model, which I believe to be something of a hidden gem.